Money, the most important thing is money.
Wenyuan Pavilion was already within the outer court’s domain. After the imperial city was put under martial law, the place became eerily quiet, guarded only by a small squad of imperial guards tasked with protecting important documents and memoranda that the prime ministers had not yet dealt with.
Initially, the imperial guards were full of complaints. Suppressing the rebellion was considered a great achievement, and finally, with the Emperor’s disdain for the Jinyiwei, the imperial guards were favored for significant use, presenting a splendid opportunity for promotion and wealth right before their eyes. Unfortunately, they were unluckily assigned to guard this place.
Even if they were to protect the royal family and the princes, they might still receive some rewards afterward. What was there to guard in Wenyuan Pavilion with all its inanimate objects? Those civil officials would not give them the slightest benefit; they might even complain about them dirtying the floors and items.
Their grievances ceased abruptly when shouts and the booming of cannons were heard from within the imperial city.
—How could there be such a commotion?
The guards stationed at Wenyuan Pavilion looked at each other in bewilderment and astonishment.
It was said that the rebellion was led by the Second Prince.
But this Second Prince, neither his maternal nor his in-law’s family had any power. He was still living in a remote palace after getting married, without being granted any title or even a piece of land.
It was already surprising that he colluded with bandits and conspired with the Marquis of Weiping, could it be that the Second Prince was truly a dark horse?
The imperial guards were extremely puzzled. Once the gunfire ceased, they stood at the entrance of Wenyuan Pavilion to inquire about the situation. The person they asked could not provide clear details, only saying that the rebels near Wanhe Hall were almost all dead.
After waiting a moment longer, they saw the injured and deceased imperial guards being carried out of the imperial city one after another.
These guards, peering out from the entrance, were unaware that someone of unknown origin had already climbed over the third floor’s eaves and entered.
Meng Qi pushed open the window, climbed in, then closed it again… His movements were fluid and silent.
Upon landing, Mo Li instinctively straightened his clothes, then looked around.
The third floor of Wenyuan Pavilion was a library, not storing ancient rare books, but important memoranda and documents from over the years, including some from previous dynasties involving household registers and hydrographic atlases, very precious. Even the prime minister could only browse them here and was not allowed to take them out of Wenyuan Pavilion.
“This place has improved a lot since last time,” Meng Qi commented, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the desk and small couch in front of the window.
Of course, the bookshelves were not near the window but in the next room.
The rooms were separated by large folding screens, which could be retracted for ventilation, transforming the entire third floor into one large room when needed, or into individual small rooms otherwise.
Due to the collection of important books and documents, the tower used horn lanterns, and incense burners were not allowed.
The small couch was arranged comfortably, complete with a footrest.
Next to the desk, there was a set of official kiln porcelain tea ware, glossy and almost translucent at the top half of the cups.
Mo Li placed the unconscious Second Prince on the small couch and looked up to see Meng Qi opening the teapot lid, and examining the completely cooled tea inside.
“Mengding tea.”
After saying this, Meng Qi picked up the purple-haired brush from the desk and examined it, casually remarking, “Lu Zhang’s superficial efforts are indeed not bad. When Minister Deng was here, besides a chair, there was only a simple bed, and one had to bring their own tea ware and tea leaves. It was so poor they almost wanted to drill a hole in the wall to borrow light, saving some oil money for the national treasury. Where would you find such good brushes and ink to use…”
Mo Li watched Meng Qi wandering around the tower as if he were back in his own home, knowing even the secret compartments, casually finding many scattered items.
These were not left from the Chu dynasty but brought by the court officials who frequented Wenyuan Pavilion for convenience.
Hand warmers the size of a palm, folding fans, jade scratchers, pen holders, and so on.
Meng Qi weighed them in his hand, then put these items back where they belonged.
“I don’t know which dynasty started the practice, but officials didn’t repair their offices and had to live in broken-down houses, putting on an appearance of integrity and incorruptibility. The first time I came to Wenyuan Pavilion, the roof even leaked…”
Meng Qi found a comfortable chair for Mo Li, and once both were seated, he continued.
“At first, nobody knew, then suddenly one day it rained heavily, and Prime Minister Deng got drenched. To repair the roof within the imperial palace, they actually had to consult the almanac, requiring the Astronomical Bureau to make calculations—Minister Deng, with a few others, hopping mad, threatened me, insisting on a good omen. They wanted the roof repaired, preferably by the next day.”
Mo Li, seeing Meng Qi’s expression, knew that this Imperial Teacher must have sabotaged the effort.
“Did you say it was inauspicious to raise the beam, or to break ground?”
“Neither,” Meng Qi said with a serious expression, looking righteously at Mo Li, “Sir, am I that sort of person?”
“Not at all.”
Mo Li wondered if he was being insincere with that answer.
Meng Qi, quite pleased with the response, pretended to stroke his beard, saying solemnly, “I found the Minister of Revenue and then told them, ‘There’s no money.'”
“…”
Meng Qi looked up at the roof beams.
The day the tower was repaired marked the beginning of the Chu dynasty’s golden age.
The Hanlin scholars no longer had to hold umbrellas for the prime minister in Wenyuan Pavilion, and this tower, a symbol of the dynasty’s central power, was renamed “Qingyun Tower.” Emperor Chu Yuan specifically ordered portraits of fourteen meritorious officials to be painted, emulating the Tang Emperor, and hung in the tower.
Being ennobled and appointed as prime ministers, becoming a model for talented people everywhere.
A self-mocking smile appeared on Meng Qi’s lips, his gaze becoming somber. Mo Li, not wanting to see him dwell on the past, asked, “Li Yuanze later executed three dukes and nine marquises, making twelve in total. Excluding you, the remaining one was—”
“A strategist with great schemes and wisdom, also one of Li Yuanze’s advisers. When the Chu army was about to capture the capital of the Chen dynasty, he caught a cold in the military camp, fell ill, and never recovered, eventually dying without witnessing the fall of the Chen dynasty and the establishment of the Chu dynasty,” Meng Qi sighed deeply, his following words more to himself, “I don’t know if this was a regret or a blessing.”
Dying at the prime of life, with unfulfilled ambitions.
Even filled with regrets, still carried hope, because of the belief that a true golden age was imminent.
“Now, the paintings are gone, and all is changed…”
Meng Qi stared fixedly at the empty walls.
Mo Li was just about to comfort him when he suddenly saw Meng Qi leap onto the roof beam with a vigorous step, stretch out his hand to fumble on the wall for a while, and then pried open a movable brick, as if by magic, taking out a delicate wine jar the size of a fist from inside.
“It actually hasn’t been discovered by anyone!”
Meng Qi, brimming with joy, presented the wine jar to Mo Li, saying earnestly, “This is ‘Fleeting Drunkenness,’ the most famous wine from the south of the Yangtze River. Now, it has been aged for over sixty years, and if sold in Taijing, it would be priceless! Doctor, would you like to try it?”
Doctor Mo unhesitatingly refused him.
“You are a patient, you cannot drink alcohol.”
“I… am I not cured?” Meng Qi asked blankly.
His memory had returned, his mind was clear, and although he still wanted to kill Lu Zhang, it was unrelated to the miraculous medicine.
“What have I told you before?”
Mo Li looked at Meng Qi expressionlessly, indicating that whether one is well or not is up to the doctor to decide.
Meng Qi shivered and silently put the wine jar back.
He was not willing to give up; he found some ash and smeared it on the brick wall, hoping the wine jar would still be there the next time he came.
Hmm, perhaps it would be a century-old brew by then.
Mo Li wanted to say more but stopped. He thought that Master Meng might not drink much wine, not knowing that the longer wine is stored, the less it becomes, even in a sealed jar.
This wine jar is so small, how much is left inside now…
In a trance, Meng Qi came back, this time with two gold sycees.
Each weighed about two taels, oval-shaped, and had auspicious patterns on them.
These types of gold and silver sycees were made by the nobility and the imperial palace for rewards or for children to play with; they were generally not used as money. However, if really taken to a gold and silver shop to exchange for money, they could be used, but not for the full amount, a portion would be deducted by the shop. About ten taels of silver could only fetch about nine taels, depending on the purity of the gold and silver sycees.
The two gold sycees that Meng Qi brought over were of very high quality, with the era mark of the Chu dynasty underneath, indicating they were items from the Chu dynasty palace, worth not only their own weight but possibly even more.
“Is this also yours?” Mo Li asked.
“Of course.”
The sand rat had the habit of hiding things everywhere.
Meng Qi regretfully said, “Actually, I also had some silver hidden in the warm pavilion of the Wanhe Hall’s side hall, I don’t know if it was hit by the cannons, it might be gone now.”
Mo Li couldn’t help asking, “How much money?”
“Together, about five taels of silver, each engraved with pine, chrysanthemum, orchid, plum, from a New Year’s Eve palace banquet once awarded by Li Yuanze,” Meng Qi said offhandedly.
Such things are not about the value, but the “imperial grace,” only available to high officials and close servants. The Chu dynasty was particularly strict in this aspect, with a clear distinction between rewards for internal servants and court officials.
Mo Li curiously asked, “Why do you hide money everywhere? Isn’t it safe at home?”
“No, it would be spent by me.”
Meng Qi explained solemnly, “The salary of an official is in rice, which is usually sold because the rice given as salary is not very good, but I can’t bear to sell it. No matter how much rice there is, I will finish it; a dragon’s appetite is really too big.”
Mo Li: “…”
No, that’s incorrect; they are of the dragon vein, with mountains and rivers forming their shape, different from dragons!
What appetite?! Eating a lot is just eating a lot; what excuse is that!
“Apart from the salary, there are also ice blocks, charcoal, fabrics, and silks, as well as the gold and silver items and fresh fruits awarded as rewards. Let’s not even talk about food; the awarded items usually have marks on them and can’t be sold. The fabrics are hardly enough to make clothes…”
Mo Li thought, to maintain the appearance of an immortal, it’s clearly necessary to change clothes frequently. Meng Qi doesn’t have it easy.
“All things considered, only a few hundred pounds of charcoal in winter and ice in summer can be sold.” Meng Qi sighed deeply, speaking with emotion, “In my early years, I practiced martial arts diligently, to protect myself after transforming into human form, and then to fight in the chaotic world, I needed to possess excellent martial arts skills on and off horseback. Later, I discovered that there were highly skilled assassins in the world, masters of internal martial arts, and as the Imperial Teacher, of course, I couldn’t be too lacking, luckily I was also interested. When those crises no longer existed, why did I continue to train to reach today’s level? Naturally, it was to be unaffected by the cold and heat, selling charcoal in winter and ice in summer…”
Mo Li’s mouth twitched.
His hand was itching.
Doctor Mo didn’t know if he wanted to cover Meng Qi’s mouth or to slap Meng Qi’s back to stop him from continuing.
Meng Qi, completely oblivious, earnestly emphasized: “Those things are really valuable, according to the treatment of an Imperial Teacher, the charcoal used is of high-quality silver thread, and the ice weighs dozens of pounds. Other court officials have lots of wives and children at home and still need to go out to buy ice and charcoal. For those with fewer dependents, or someone like me, living alone, doesn’t this provide another way to make money?”
“You’re so short of money, didn’t Li Yuanze take the opportunity to bestow his favor?” Mo Li wondered, as he had heard from the Qi Crown Prince that the rewards Meng Qi received in the past were quite ordinary, nothing special.
“He did, he gave gold and silver, although not much, but there was always some each time.” Meng Qi spread his hands, “Perhaps in the prince’s eyes, these things as rewards are the least valuable, so ordinary that they’re completely overlooked.”
“…”
Mo Li was speechless, finally saying after a long while: “And then you would immediately spend whatever you received?”
“Yes, gold and silver are neither warm nor edible, what’s the use of keeping them.” Meng Qi argued vigorously, “It’s better to buy things to keep at home, of course, hiding some away.”
Mo Li began to suspect that this wasn’t just the nature of a sand rat acting up, but that the dragon vein of Taijing was influenced by humans; Shangyun Mountain is not short of imperial tombs, each dug deep and filled to the brim.
“Officials have always bought land and property, why haven’t you?”
“What use would those be to me, in Taijing… on Shangyun Mountain…”
Meng Qi waved his hand indifferently, showing disdain.
“Doctor, let me think again, where else there might be money. I remember I’d hidden money behind the plaques of each of the four gates of the imperial city. With money, we wouldn’t need to rob Moneybag Liu anymore; we could buy a large mansion with a courtyard in Taijing, and then buy a large water jar…”
Mo Li felt his hand itch even more.
At this moment, they heard a faint noise behind them.
“…I have money.”
The second prince’s eyes were not even open, still groggy and unable to move.
Meng Qi looked at Mo Li with confusion, while the latter said in surprise, “Although I didn’t hit his sleeping point, according to the force, he should have been unconscious for more than two hours, and it’s not yet time.”
He woke up too quickly.
Mo Li went over to take his pulse and then frowned.
Because the second prince appeared robust and physically fit, with some self-defense skills, and had not been injured either in the Wanhe Hall or during the tumultuous battle in the Chunhua Palace between Meng Qi and Ancestor Qingwu, Mo Li had not taken his pulse.
Now, upon examination, he found the second prince’s meridians were in complete disarray, with several weak strands of spiritual energy rampaging through his body.
“Does this hurt?”
Mo Li pressed on the second prince’s right arm and then his shoulder.
The second prince trembled in pain, about to scream.
Naturally, Mo Li wouldn’t let him attract the attention of the imperial guards, and reached out to press his mute point, only to find that the second prince had forcibly held back — biting down on the edge of the small couch.
“Release your bite, I can’t treat a broken tooth,” Mo Li couldn’t help saying.
The second prince gasped silently.
Meng Qi sat beside him, eating figs that a Qi dynasty court official had left in the pavilion.
Wrapped in daylily paper, the same bag contained plums and other candied fruits, both sweet and salty.
Mo Li: “…”
The dragon’s teeth shouldn’t be damaged by eating candied fruit, just as one wouldn’t break an arm or a leg; anyway, a transformation would fix it.
“There are imperial guards outside, don’t make any noise.” After saying this, Mo Li released the second prince’s mute point.
The second prince, as expected, did not shout or scream, continuing to breathe with his eyes closed.
“The lower back, legs, soles of the feet, forehead… These areas also feel a dull pain and can’t be touched forcefully, right?” Instead of pressing again, Mo Li directly asked.
The second prince slowly nodded.
“Is there a problem with the meridians?” Meng Qi, after a brief thought, understood the issue.
A mishap in internal martial arts practice, or deviation.
“But he doesn’t practice martial arts,” Meng Qi asked, puzzled.
“He has consumed spirit medicine made into supplement pills, and they’re very chaotic,” Mo Li responded before Meng Qi could frown, adding, “His body appears strong, but in reality, it has been thoroughly damaged. The medicinal power cannot be dissolved and is blocked inside, conflicting with other medicinal powers. If we don’t find a way to dissipate these spiritual energies and unblock the meridians, his lifespan will be short. Even if resolved, there’s still a significant risk, and recovery is not guaranteed.”
Meng Qi paused, his gaze becoming complex.
The crown prince won’t live much longer, and the second prince won’t live much longer either, is that what this means?
“I remember… our purpose in entering the palace was to kill the Ancestor Qingwu and then find an opportunity to beat up the emperor. How did it turn into the doctor treating the Qi dynasty princes one after another?” Meng Qi communicated telepathically.
Mo Li glanced at him, thinking that each one of them presented a difficult and complicated case, causing even greater trouble for the doctor.
Hearing Mo Li declare his life would not be long, the second prince’s forehead veins bulged, his breathing became more rapid for a moment, then slowly relaxed, and he said with effort, “I have money… I heard Daoist Zhao say, you were the Imperial Teacher of the former dynasty. Help me kill the emperor, and all the banknotes on me are yours.”
Meng Qi was silent for a while, then pointed out the truth.
“As far as I know, the number of times you’ve left the imperial palace since birth can be counted on one hand. You’ve been trapped in this imperial city all your life. Lu Zhang neither gives you power nor too much money. Rebellions are very expensive; the crown prince even has to maintain private soldiers, leaving no extra money for you. If you had substantial funds, you could hire assassins, as there are assassin organizations in the jianghu willing to undertake no-return missions for enough money… but you didn’t do that. Getting involved with Ancestor Qingwu from Cangfeng Sect, you could not have failed to find two decent assassins, so I can confidently say, you have no money.”
The Second Prince, furious with embarrassment, said, “I have a hundred taels of silver notes.”
“Just a hundred taels.” Meng Qi, with his hands behind his back, displayed a disdainful expression.
Being poor was secondary; the fact that he was so easily tricked into revealing information showed that this man was unfit for rebellion.
“A hundred taels of silver, enough to buy a three-entry mansion in Taijing,” the Second Prince emphasized through gritted teeth.
“What?”
The transcendent demeanor of Master Meng vanished in an instant, and he asked in shock, “It actually costs a hundred taels now? During the prosperous times of the Chu dynasty, the most flourishing period, a three-entry mansion in Taijing cost no more than seventy taels of silver!”
Doctor Mo felt that the focus might be somewhat misplaced, yet he heard the Second Prince sneer.
“You said it yourself; that was during the golden age of the Chu dynasty, when the world was at peace, and the people lived and worked in happiness. Although it was said that living in the capital was difficult, one could still live elsewhere. Moreover, the price of rice was much lower back then. With lower rice prices came lower prices for everything; a tael of silver could buy much more than it does now. Even though we are governed by dividing the river, and the world is in turmoil, Taijing is still somewhat safer than other places, naturally making houses more expensive.”
Meng Qi was quite surprised.
The reasoning, though simplistic, was unexpectedly known by the Second Prince, who had been cloistered in the deep palace and raised under the influence of women, oblivious to state affairs.
It was Mo Li who pointed out the truth.
“You know so much about the houses in Taijing, do you want to buy one?”
“I do not wish to,” the Second Prince spoke, his voice getting lower, “I just want to know… I want to know how much the common people spend in a year.” In fact, what he had thought about years ago was how much money he would need to survive if he left the palace.
Taijing was not an option, too dangerous, and too expensive.
The reason why ministers historically retired to their hometowns was partly because of the saying “fallen leaves return to their roots,” and partly because their land and houses were in their ancestral homes. Houses in Taijing were unaffordable and unlivable for them. The residences of high-ranking officials were bestowed by the court, and upon leaving office, they had to be returned, while lower officials had to rent houses.
Mo Li pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling drained, then turned to ask the Second Prince, “What’s wrong with your health? Why do you consume so much tonic medicine?”
The Second Prince looked peculiar and after a long pause, said, “It was bestowed.”
“Lu Zhang?”
“Correct.” The Second Prince showed no reaction to Mo Li’s direct address of the emperor by his name, coldly saying, “Although Father Emperor does not practice alchemy, he likes to order the imperial physicians to prepare medicine. All kinds of tonic medicines, supposedly very beneficial to the body. These medicines, naturally, needed testers, using precious ingredients like hundred-year-old Ganoderma and thousand-year-old ginseng. Those who received these honors were naturally his trusted eunuchs and his sons. After receiving the pills, one had to consume them immediately, not allowed to leave for a while, to see if the medicine had any adverse effects. Father Emperor, after taking the medicine, naturally had the imperial physicians adjust and nourish according to the prescription. What about me?”
Mo Li was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.
Beyond anger, there was only bewilderment.
How could there be such a father in the world? Could a person really turn out this way?
“For a hundred taels of silver, kill him, and I will have my elder brother appoint you as the national advisor, with the privilege of entering the hall without bowing, wearing a sword, and riding a horse or being carried in a sedan into the palace…”
The Second Prince racked his brains thinking of the highest honors for valuing talented individuals.
Meng Qi gave him a packet of dried plums, casually saying, “Actually, I just met your imperial brother. He’s much more straightforward than you.”
“What?” The Second Prince’s expression turned stern.
“Your imperial brother said, killing your Emperor father could make me the Emperor,” Meng Qi said with a playful look at him.
The Second Prince was stunned, instinctively saying, “That’s not possible!”
“Why not?”
In Meng Qi’s eyes, the Second Prince was no different from a child, amusing to tease. Despite the doctor’s disapproving gaze, he continued, “The Crown Prince is much more generous than you.”
“But…”
The Second Prince suddenly stopped speaking, remembering the Crown Prince wouldn’t live long.
After much struggle, the Second Prince reluctantly said, “Then, as my brother said, I’ll add another hundred taels.”
Mo Li: “…”
Isn’t it ridiculous to compare the throne with a hundred taels?
With the throne, why need an extra hundred taels? What kind of bonus calculation method is this?
The author has a word to say:
Master Meng said solemnly: “The Crown Prince offered the throne, and you’re only offering a hundred taels?”
The Second Prince was stunned: “Imperial brother is truly imperial brother, thinking what others dare not think, too impressive.”
Mo Li: “…”
Mo Li: “I think these two are missing the point, teacher, my head hurts.”
——————
Master Meng: “Learned about selling coal in winter and ice in summer, long-term supply, close friends please come directly to order.”
Money, the most important thing is money.
Wenyuan Pavilion was already within the outer court’s domain. After the imperial city was put under martial law, the place became eerily quiet, guarded only by a small squad of imperial guards tasked with protecting important documents and memoranda that the prime ministers had not yet dealt with.
Initially, the imperial guards were full of complaints. Suppressing the rebellion was considered a great achievement, and finally, with the Emperor’s disdain for the Jinyiwei, the imperial guards were favored for significant use, presenting a splendid opportunity for promotion and wealth right before their eyes. Unfortunately, they were unluckily assigned to guard this place.
Even if they were to protect the royal family and the princes, they might still receive some rewards afterward. What was there to guard in Wenyuan Pavilion with all its inanimate objects? Those civil officials would not give them the slightest benefit; they might even complain about them dirtying the floors and items.
Their grievances ceased abruptly when shouts and the booming of cannons were heard from within the imperial city.
—How could there be such a commotion?
The guards stationed at Wenyuan Pavilion looked at each other in bewilderment and astonishment.
It was said that the rebellion was led by the Second Prince.
But this Second Prince, neither his maternal nor his in-law’s family had any power. He was still living in a remote palace after getting married, without being granted any title or even a piece of land.
It was already surprising that he colluded with bandits and conspired with the Marquis of Weiping, could it be that the Second Prince was truly a dark horse?
The imperial guards were extremely puzzled. Once the gunfire ceased, they stood at the entrance of Wenyuan Pavilion to inquire about the situation. The person they asked could not provide clear details, only saying that the rebels near Wanhe Hall were almost all dead.
After waiting a moment longer, they saw the injured and deceased imperial guards being carried out of the imperial city one after another.
These guards, peering out from the entrance, were unaware that someone of unknown origin had already climbed over the third floor’s eaves and entered.
Meng Qi pushed open the window, climbed in, then closed it again… His movements were fluid and silent.
Upon landing, Mo Li instinctively straightened his clothes, then looked around.
The third floor of Wenyuan Pavilion was a library, not storing ancient rare books, but important memoranda and documents from over the years, including some from previous dynasties involving household registers and hydrographic atlases, very precious. Even the prime minister could only browse them here and was not allowed to take them out of Wenyuan Pavilion.
“This place has improved a lot since last time,” Meng Qi commented, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the desk and small couch in front of the window.
Of course, the bookshelves were not near the window but in the next room.
The rooms were separated by large folding screens, which could be retracted for ventilation, transforming the entire third floor into one large room when needed, or into individual small rooms otherwise.
Due to the collection of important books and documents, the tower used horn lanterns, and incense burners were not allowed.
The small couch was arranged comfortably, complete with a footrest.
Next to the desk, there was a set of official kiln porcelain tea ware, glossy and almost translucent at the top half of the cups.
Mo Li placed the unconscious Second Prince on the small couch and looked up to see Meng Qi opening the teapot lid, and examining the completely cooled tea inside.
“Mengding tea.”
After saying this, Meng Qi picked up the purple-haired brush from the desk and examined it, casually remarking, “Lu Zhang’s superficial efforts are indeed not bad. When Minister Deng was here, besides a chair, there was only a simple bed, and one had to bring their own tea ware and tea leaves. It was so poor they almost wanted to drill a hole in the wall to borrow light, saving some oil money for the national treasury. Where would you find such good brushes and ink to use…”
Mo Li watched Meng Qi wandering around the tower as if he were back in his own home, knowing even the secret compartments, casually finding many scattered items.
These were not left from the Chu dynasty but brought by the court officials who frequented Wenyuan Pavilion for convenience.
Hand warmers the size of a palm, folding fans, jade scratchers, pen holders, and so on.
Meng Qi weighed them in his hand, then put these items back where they belonged.
“I don’t know which dynasty started the practice, but officials didn’t repair their offices and had to live in broken-down houses, putting on an appearance of integrity and incorruptibility. The first time I came to Wenyuan Pavilion, the roof even leaked…”
Meng Qi found a comfortable chair for Mo Li, and once both were seated, he continued.
“At first, nobody knew, then suddenly one day it rained heavily, and Prime Minister Deng got drenched. To repair the roof within the imperial palace, they actually had to consult the almanac, requiring the Astronomical Bureau to make calculations—Minister Deng, with a few others, hopping mad, threatened me, insisting on a good omen. They wanted the roof repaired, preferably by the next day.”
Mo Li, seeing Meng Qi’s expression, knew that this Imperial Teacher must have sabotaged the effort.
“Did you say it was inauspicious to raise the beam, or to break ground?”
“Neither,” Meng Qi said with a serious expression, looking righteously at Mo Li, “Sir, am I that sort of person?”
“Not at all.”
Mo Li wondered if he was being insincere with that answer.
Meng Qi, quite pleased with the response, pretended to stroke his beard, saying solemnly, “I found the Minister of Revenue and then told them, ‘There’s no money.'”
“…”
Meng Qi looked up at the roof beams.
The day the tower was repaired marked the beginning of the Chu dynasty’s golden age.
The Hanlin scholars no longer had to hold umbrellas for the prime minister in Wenyuan Pavilion, and this tower, a symbol of the dynasty’s central power, was renamed “Qingyun Tower.” Emperor Chu Yuan specifically ordered portraits of fourteen meritorious officials to be painted, emulating the Tang Emperor, and hung in the tower.
Being ennobled and appointed as prime ministers, becoming a model for talented people everywhere.
A self-mocking smile appeared on Meng Qi’s lips, his gaze becoming somber. Mo Li, not wanting to see him dwell on the past, asked, “Li Yuanze later executed three dukes and nine marquises, making twelve in total. Excluding you, the remaining one was—”
“A strategist with great schemes and wisdom, also one of Li Yuanze’s advisers. When the Chu army was about to capture the capital of the Chen dynasty, he caught a cold in the military camp, fell ill, and never recovered, eventually dying without witnessing the fall of the Chen dynasty and the establishment of the Chu dynasty,” Meng Qi sighed deeply, his following words more to himself, “I don’t know if this was a regret or a blessing.”
Dying at the prime of life, with unfulfilled ambitions.
Even filled with regrets, still carried hope, because of the belief that a true golden age was imminent.
“Now, the paintings are gone, and all is changed…”
Meng Qi stared fixedly at the empty walls.
Mo Li was just about to comfort him when he suddenly saw Meng Qi leap onto the roof beam with a vigorous step, stretch out his hand to fumble on the wall for a while, and then pried open a movable brick, as if by magic, taking out a delicate wine jar the size of a fist from inside.
“It actually hasn’t been discovered by anyone!”
Meng Qi, brimming with joy, presented the wine jar to Mo Li, saying earnestly, “This is ‘Fleeting Drunkenness,’ the most famous wine from the south of the Yangtze River. Now, it has been aged for over sixty years, and if sold in Taijing, it would be priceless! Doctor, would you like to try it?”
Doctor Mo unhesitatingly refused him.
“You are a patient, you cannot drink alcohol.”
“I… am I not cured?” Meng Qi asked blankly.
His memory had returned, his mind was clear, and although he still wanted to kill Lu Zhang, it was unrelated to the miraculous medicine.
“What have I told you before?”
Mo Li looked at Meng Qi expressionlessly, indicating that whether one is well or not is up to the doctor to decide.
Meng Qi shivered and silently put the wine jar back.
He was not willing to give up; he found some ash and smeared it on the brick wall, hoping the wine jar would still be there the next time he came.
Hmm, perhaps it would be a century-old brew by then.
Mo Li wanted to say more but stopped. He thought that Master Meng might not drink much wine, not knowing that the longer wine is stored, the less it becomes, even in a sealed jar.
This wine jar is so small, how much is left inside now…
In a trance, Meng Qi came back, this time with two gold sycees.
Each weighed about two taels, oval-shaped, and had auspicious patterns on them.
These types of gold and silver sycees were made by the nobility and the imperial palace for rewards or for children to play with; they were generally not used as money. However, if really taken to a gold and silver shop to exchange for money, they could be used, but not for the full amount, a portion would be deducted by the shop. About ten taels of silver could only fetch about nine taels, depending on the purity of the gold and silver sycees.
The two gold sycees that Meng Qi brought over were of very high quality, with the era mark of the Chu dynasty underneath, indicating they were items from the Chu dynasty palace, worth not only their own weight but possibly even more.
“Is this also yours?” Mo Li asked.
“Of course.”
The sand rat had the habit of hiding things everywhere.
Meng Qi regretfully said, “Actually, I also had some silver hidden in the warm pavilion of the Wanhe Hall’s side hall, I don’t know if it was hit by the cannons, it might be gone now.”
Mo Li couldn’t help asking, “How much money?”
“Together, about five taels of silver, each engraved with pine, chrysanthemum, orchid, plum, from a New Year’s Eve palace banquet once awarded by Li Yuanze,” Meng Qi said offhandedly.
Such things are not about the value, but the “imperial grace,” only available to high officials and close servants. The Chu dynasty was particularly strict in this aspect, with a clear distinction between rewards for internal servants and court officials.
Mo Li curiously asked, “Why do you hide money everywhere? Isn’t it safe at home?”
“No, it would be spent by me.”
Meng Qi explained solemnly, “The salary of an official is in rice, which is usually sold because the rice given as salary is not very good, but I can’t bear to sell it. No matter how much rice there is, I will finish it; a dragon’s appetite is really too big.”
Mo Li: “…”
No, that’s incorrect; they are of the dragon vein, with mountains and rivers forming their shape, different from dragons!
What appetite?! Eating a lot is just eating a lot; what excuse is that!
“Apart from the salary, there are also ice blocks, charcoal, fabrics, and silks, as well as the gold and silver items and fresh fruits awarded as rewards. Let’s not even talk about food; the awarded items usually have marks on them and can’t be sold. The fabrics are hardly enough to make clothes…”
Mo Li thought, to maintain the appearance of an immortal, it’s clearly necessary to change clothes frequently. Meng Qi doesn’t have it easy.
“All things considered, only a few hundred pounds of charcoal in winter and ice in summer can be sold.” Meng Qi sighed deeply, speaking with emotion, “In my early years, I practiced martial arts diligently, to protect myself after transforming into human form, and then to fight in the chaotic world, I needed to possess excellent martial arts skills on and off horseback. Later, I discovered that there were highly skilled assassins in the world, masters of internal martial arts, and as the Imperial Teacher, of course, I couldn’t be too lacking, luckily I was also interested. When those crises no longer existed, why did I continue to train to reach today’s level? Naturally, it was to be unaffected by the cold and heat, selling charcoal in winter and ice in summer…”
Mo Li’s mouth twitched.
His hand was itching.
Doctor Mo didn’t know if he wanted to cover Meng Qi’s mouth or to slap Meng Qi’s back to stop him from continuing.
Meng Qi, completely oblivious, earnestly emphasized: “Those things are really valuable, according to the treatment of an Imperial Teacher, the charcoal used is of high-quality silver thread, and the ice weighs dozens of pounds. Other court officials have lots of wives and children at home and still need to go out to buy ice and charcoal. For those with fewer dependents, or someone like me, living alone, doesn’t this provide another way to make money?”
“You’re so short of money, didn’t Li Yuanze take the opportunity to bestow his favor?” Mo Li wondered, as he had heard from the Qi Crown Prince that the rewards Meng Qi received in the past were quite ordinary, nothing special.
“He did, he gave gold and silver, although not much, but there was always some each time.” Meng Qi spread his hands, “Perhaps in the prince’s eyes, these things as rewards are the least valuable, so ordinary that they’re completely overlooked.”
“…”
Mo Li was speechless, finally saying after a long while: “And then you would immediately spend whatever you received?”
“Yes, gold and silver are neither warm nor edible, what’s the use of keeping them.” Meng Qi argued vigorously, “It’s better to buy things to keep at home, of course, hiding some away.”
Mo Li began to suspect that this wasn’t just the nature of a sand rat acting up, but that the dragon vein of Taijing was influenced by humans; Shangyun Mountain is not short of imperial tombs, each dug deep and filled to the brim.
“Officials have always bought land and property, why haven’t you?”
“What use would those be to me, in Taijing… on Shangyun Mountain…”
Meng Qi waved his hand indifferently, showing disdain.
“Doctor, let me think again, where else there might be money. I remember I’d hidden money behind the plaques of each of the four gates of the imperial city. With money, we wouldn’t need to rob Moneybag Liu anymore; we could buy a large mansion with a courtyard in Taijing, and then buy a large water jar…”
Mo Li felt his hand itch even more.
At this moment, they heard a faint noise behind them.
“…I have money.”
The second prince’s eyes were not even open, still groggy and unable to move.
Meng Qi looked at Mo Li with confusion, while the latter said in surprise, “Although I didn’t hit his sleeping point, according to the force, he should have been unconscious for more than two hours, and it’s not yet time.”
He woke up too quickly.
Mo Li went over to take his pulse and then frowned.
Because the second prince appeared robust and physically fit, with some self-defense skills, and had not been injured either in the Wanhe Hall or during the tumultuous battle in the Chunhua Palace between Meng Qi and Ancestor Qingwu, Mo Li had not taken his pulse.
Now, upon examination, he found the second prince’s meridians were in complete disarray, with several weak strands of spiritual energy rampaging through his body.
“Does this hurt?”
Mo Li pressed on the second prince’s right arm and then his shoulder.
The second prince trembled in pain, about to scream.
Naturally, Mo Li wouldn’t let him attract the attention of the imperial guards, and reached out to press his mute point, only to find that the second prince had forcibly held back — biting down on the edge of the small couch.
“Release your bite, I can’t treat a broken tooth,” Mo Li couldn’t help saying.
The second prince gasped silently.
Meng Qi sat beside him, eating figs that a Qi dynasty court official had left in the pavilion.
Wrapped in daylily paper, the same bag contained plums and other candied fruits, both sweet and salty.
Mo Li: “…”
The dragon’s teeth shouldn’t be damaged by eating candied fruit, just as one wouldn’t break an arm or a leg; anyway, a transformation would fix it.
“There are imperial guards outside, don’t make any noise.” After saying this, Mo Li released the second prince’s mute point.
The second prince, as expected, did not shout or scream, continuing to breathe with his eyes closed.
“The lower back, legs, soles of the feet, forehead… These areas also feel a dull pain and can’t be touched forcefully, right?” Instead of pressing again, Mo Li directly asked.
The second prince slowly nodded.
“Is there a problem with the meridians?” Meng Qi, after a brief thought, understood the issue.
A mishap in internal martial arts practice, or deviation.
“But he doesn’t practice martial arts,” Meng Qi asked, puzzled.
“He has consumed spirit medicine made into supplement pills, and they’re very chaotic,” Mo Li responded before Meng Qi could frown, adding, “His body appears strong, but in reality, it has been thoroughly damaged. The medicinal power cannot be dissolved and is blocked inside, conflicting with other medicinal powers. If we don’t find a way to dissipate these spiritual energies and unblock the meridians, his lifespan will be short. Even if resolved, there’s still a significant risk, and recovery is not guaranteed.”
Meng Qi paused, his gaze becoming complex.
The crown prince won’t live much longer, and the second prince won’t live much longer either, is that what this means?
“I remember… our purpose in entering the palace was to kill the Ancestor Qingwu and then find an opportunity to beat up the emperor. How did it turn into the doctor treating the Qi dynasty princes one after another?” Meng Qi communicated telepathically.
Mo Li glanced at him, thinking that each one of them presented a difficult and complicated case, causing even greater trouble for the doctor.
Hearing Mo Li declare his life would not be long, the second prince’s forehead veins bulged, his breathing became more rapid for a moment, then slowly relaxed, and he said with effort, “I have money… I heard Daoist Zhao say, you were the Imperial Teacher of the former dynasty. Help me kill the emperor, and all the banknotes on me are yours.”
Meng Qi was silent for a while, then pointed out the truth.
“As far as I know, the number of times you’ve left the imperial palace since birth can be counted on one hand. You’ve been trapped in this imperial city all your life. Lu Zhang neither gives you power nor too much money. Rebellions are very expensive; the crown prince even has to maintain private soldiers, leaving no extra money for you. If you had substantial funds, you could hire assassins, as there are assassin organizations in the jianghu willing to undertake no-return missions for enough money… but you didn’t do that. Getting involved with Ancestor Qingwu from Cangfeng Sect, you could not have failed to find two decent assassins, so I can confidently say, you have no money.”
The Second Prince, furious with embarrassment, said, “I have a hundred taels of silver notes.”
“Just a hundred taels.” Meng Qi, with his hands behind his back, displayed a disdainful expression.
Being poor was secondary; the fact that he was so easily tricked into revealing information showed that this man was unfit for rebellion.
“A hundred taels of silver, enough to buy a three-entry mansion in Taijing,” the Second Prince emphasized through gritted teeth.
“What?”
The transcendent demeanor of Master Meng vanished in an instant, and he asked in shock, “It actually costs a hundred taels now? During the prosperous times of the Chu dynasty, the most flourishing period, a three-entry mansion in Taijing cost no more than seventy taels of silver!”
Doctor Mo felt that the focus might be somewhat misplaced, yet he heard the Second Prince sneer.
“You said it yourself; that was during the golden age of the Chu dynasty, when the world was at peace, and the people lived and worked in happiness. Although it was said that living in the capital was difficult, one could still live elsewhere. Moreover, the price of rice was much lower back then. With lower rice prices came lower prices for everything; a tael of silver could buy much more than it does now. Even though we are governed by dividing the river, and the world is in turmoil, Taijing is still somewhat safer than other places, naturally making houses more expensive.”
Meng Qi was quite surprised.
The reasoning, though simplistic, was unexpectedly known by the Second Prince, who had been cloistered in the deep palace and raised under the influence of women, oblivious to state affairs.
It was Mo Li who pointed out the truth.
“You know so much about the houses in Taijing, do you want to buy one?”
“I do not wish to,” the Second Prince spoke, his voice getting lower, “I just want to know… I want to know how much the common people spend in a year.” In fact, what he had thought about years ago was how much money he would need to survive if he left the palace.
Taijing was not an option, too dangerous, and too expensive.
The reason why ministers historically retired to their hometowns was partly because of the saying “fallen leaves return to their roots,” and partly because their land and houses were in their ancestral homes. Houses in Taijing were unaffordable and unlivable for them. The residences of high-ranking officials were bestowed by the court, and upon leaving office, they had to be returned, while lower officials had to rent houses.
Mo Li pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling drained, then turned to ask the Second Prince, “What’s wrong with your health? Why do you consume so much tonic medicine?”
The Second Prince looked peculiar and after a long pause, said, “It was bestowed.”
“Lu Zhang?”
“Correct.” The Second Prince showed no reaction to Mo Li’s direct address of the emperor by his name, coldly saying, “Although Father Emperor does not practice alchemy, he likes to order the imperial physicians to prepare medicine. All kinds of tonic medicines, supposedly very beneficial to the body. These medicines, naturally, needed testers, using precious ingredients like hundred-year-old Ganoderma and thousand-year-old ginseng. Those who received these honors were naturally his trusted eunuchs and his sons. After receiving the pills, one had to consume them immediately, not allowed to leave for a while, to see if the medicine had any adverse effects. Father Emperor, after taking the medicine, naturally had the imperial physicians adjust and nourish according to the prescription. What about me?”
Mo Li was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.
Beyond anger, there was only bewilderment.
How could there be such a father in the world? Could a person really turn out this way?
“For a hundred taels of silver, kill him, and I will have my elder brother appoint you as the national advisor, with the privilege of entering the hall without bowing, wearing a sword, and riding a horse or being carried in a sedan into the palace…”
The Second Prince racked his brains thinking of the highest honors for valuing talented individuals.
Meng Qi gave him a packet of dried plums, casually saying, “Actually, I just met your imperial brother. He’s much more straightforward than you.”
“What?” The Second Prince’s expression turned stern.
“Your imperial brother said, killing your Emperor father could make me the Emperor,” Meng Qi said with a playful look at him.
The Second Prince was stunned, instinctively saying, “That’s not possible!”
“Why not?”
In Meng Qi’s eyes, the Second Prince was no different from a child, amusing to tease. Despite the doctor’s disapproving gaze, he continued, “The Crown Prince is much more generous than you.”
“But…”
The Second Prince suddenly stopped speaking, remembering the Crown Prince wouldn’t live long.
After much struggle, the Second Prince reluctantly said, “Then, as my brother said, I’ll add another hundred taels.”
Mo Li: “…”
Isn’t it ridiculous to compare the throne with a hundred taels?
With the throne, why need an extra hundred taels? What kind of bonus calculation method is this?
The author has a word to say:
Master Meng said solemnly: “The Crown Prince offered the throne, and you’re only offering a hundred taels?”
The Second Prince was stunned: “Imperial brother is truly imperial brother, thinking what others dare not think, too impressive.”
Mo Li: “…”
Mo Li: “I think these two are missing the point, teacher, my head hurts.”
——————
Master Meng: “Learned about selling coal in winter and ice in summer, long-term supply, close friends please come directly to order.”
