Chapter 328: Nine Questions

Living in the capital has become increasingly difficult. Not only are businessmen from out of town lamenting this, but even capital officials are worrying themselves sick, tugging at their beards in distress. Twenty years ago, land in Tai'an City in this dynasty cost only six hundred taels of silver per *mu*. Now, with silver still more valuable than copper, prices have skyrocketed to an astonishing two thousand five hundred taels per *mu*. No wonder Sun Xiji, the Left Grand Minister of the Chancellery, remarked that "every inch of land is worth its weight in gold." Even a small courtyard house, located at the very edge of the capital, costs nearly a thousand taels. Scholars coming to the capital for the imperial examinations are complaining bitterly. Fortunately, the burgeoning provincial guildhalls, which emerged to meet the demands of the time, have prevented most financially struggling scholars from becoming destitute. Additionally, temples and monasteries offer lodging for rent, and ordinary scholars can afford the fees, preventing widespread grievances. Only the great literary figures, who possessed immense reputations but no wealth, and could never afford a residence in the capital throughout their lives, would often write self-deprecating poems to express their feelings and resonate with impoverished scholars, killing two birds with one stone. Guildhalls that had produced high-ranking eunuchs or Hanlin scholars often displayed signs advertising "auspicious imperial examination candidate lodging, one thousand *wen* per day." These prime locations, considered auspicious by *feng shui*, were in high demand.

There are a total of six hundred guildhalls of various sizes in the capital, most clustered together in the southeast of Tai'an City. During every imperial examination, the area becomes exceptionally lively; "a youth without romance is a wasted youth." This vast guildhall district offers every indulgence; taverns and brothels are as numerous as ox hairs. Initially, scholars coming for the exams worried about being unfamiliar with the place and having their regional accents scorned by the locals. But upon entering Tai'an City and staying in the guildhalls, they discovered that everyone around them was from their hometown. Those with little money were happy, while those from better backgrounds and with money in their pockets were eager to spend lavishly and enjoy themselves. Do you truly believe these young men are rich and foolish? Of course not. Most fellow scholars qualified to travel to the capital for the exams have studied diligently, on the verge of breaking through the final barrier. Once they succeed, they will always remember the humble times when others might offer a large flatbread for a few *wen* or a full meal for a few taels of silver. When they achieve success later, wouldn't they be glad to help out a fellow townsman who had shown them kindness in their lean years, as long as it's within their means? Thus, in this guildhall district, known as "Fish-and-Dragon Alley," almost all businesses fared exceptionally well compared to other marketplaces. Moreover, many out-of-towners who had already become officials and held power in the capital frequently gathered here with friends, either to encourage younger scholars from their hometowns or to give them advice.

This scene was merely a small microcosm of the four-party struggle within the Liyang Dynasty. Unfortunately, as one of the major factions, the Green Party, gradually withered, the once wealthy and influential scholars from Qingzhou became rootless wandering spirits, their voices growing quieter and quieter in Fish-and-Dragon Alley.

White Lion House wasn't originally called that; it was called Heavenly Fragrance House, and business was mediocre then. In the past year, its fortunes have soared, making a hefty profit, thanks to Li Baishi, the courtesan queen, having lodged at a large brothel nearby. There's no need to elaborate on this great beauty; she was the only courtesan listed on the "Rouge Scroll," and for the men of the capital, that alone was enough. Li Baishi was lauded as "excelling in both voice and appearance," and her reputation was excellent. Several prominent and upright officials of the current court had received her patronage. She also came from an official family in Dongyue, and her family background itself was highly influential. Not only White Lion House, but many nearby taverns also benefited greatly, becoming packed with wealthy young masters who came specifically to see her. White Lion House also had a few signature dishes, cooked extremely spicy, which for diners who preferred strong flavors, was undoubtedly a place to enjoy a hearty meal without spending much. Today, a group of guests arrived, not many, just three, but the tavern owner, whose financial situation was better than usual, still showed them full respect, personally cooking and serving them. There was no other reason; the young master Zhao who led them was skilled in social interaction and had known the proprietor for many years, often chatting idly together and getting along well. The proprietor, surnamed Lu, was not at all dull-witted; not only did he cook, but he also personally served the dishes. Besides the long-standing friendly relationship with young master Zhao, it was also because the two friends beside young master Zhao did not look like ordinary people. One of them, dressed as a man, did so rather unskillfully, and how could she escape Proprietor Lu's discerning eyes? He could tell at a glance she was an extraordinary young lady from a prominent family. Could it be that young master Zhao had caught the eye of a high-ranking official's daughter? Hey, that would be a good thing. If he could drink a few cups of wedding wine in the future and meet some important figures in the capital, that would be even better. As for the other fair-faced, beardless man, Proprietor Lu dared not look twice. He wore an unfamiliar silk garment whose craftsmanship was difficult to discern, but compared to the attire of the wealthy people he had seen before, all of them seemed to have a provincial air about them.

After Young Master Zhao took his seat in the private room, he smiled and asked the poorly disguised woman, "My dear Young Master Sui, how do you find this place?"

She snorted coldly, "Utterly shabby!"

Young Master Zhao was not surprised by this answer. He chuckled and said, "The dishes don't look good either; they only have one characteristic: spicy. But haven't you always said you can handle spicy food? Let's see if you can manage without a single sip of water then."

She rolled her eyes and said, "What if I get thirsty and drink water, Zhao Kai? What can you do about it?"

The young man, called Zhao Kai, leaned back in his chair and gave a thumbs-up. "Princess Suizhu, what a spirited personality! My deepest admiration."

The woman's willow-like eyebrows shot up, and she slammed the table, angrily declaring, "You, surnamed Zhao, call me Young Master Sui!"

Zhao Kai said helplessly, "Alright, alright, since you're my sister. Young Master Sui it is."

The woman, whether out of spite or sincerity, spoke very hurtfully, "Anyway, I don't consider you my brother. What you think is your business."

Zhao Kai looked sad, and the woman added insult to injury, sneering, "Still pretending with me!"

Zhao Kai didn't mind, laughing heartily and looking quite pleased instead.

The man, who among the three most resembled an official, stood with his hands respectfully clasped. He watched the two young people bicker, his face expressionless.

Zhao Kai turned his head and smiled, "Grand Master, please sit. This isn't the palace with its strict rules; we can be as comfortable as we like here."

The man with two strands of white hair hanging near his chest shook his head and said, "It's already very comfortable for this servant not to have to kneel." However, since the young man was Zhao Kai, the emperor's illegitimate son, and the woman was Princess Suizhu, whom His Majesty doted on immensely, the identity of the eunuch respectfully addressed as "Grand Master" by Zhao Kai became clear: Han Diaosi, the chief eunuch of the dynasty. This old eunuch, who could hardly be called a man, was nicknamed "Man-Cat." If he hadn't been the stabilizing force in the imperial palace, thwarting attempts repeatedly, Cao Changqing of Western Chu would likely have already claimed the emperor's head. That Han Diaosi could flay Fu Jiang Hong Jia, one of the four grandmasters and a martial arts prodigy of the previous generation, while he was still alive, indicated his Profound Insight cultivation was truly extraordinary. This accursed eunuch, feared by all court officials, would always apologize each time Proprietor Lu knocked to serve dishes, then taste a bite first before allowing his two young masters to begin eating.

After only two dishes, Princess Suizhu suddenly put down her chopsticks and said sulkily, "What's the difference between eating like this and being in the palace, Zhao Kai? Let's go downstairs and pick a lively table!"

Zhao Kai smiled, "As you wish. Grand Master, Young Master Sui's word is law today. We'll listen to her, alright?"

Han Diaosi, for once, allowed the corner of his mouth to twitch, and nodded lightly. The Man-Cat was not ridiculing Princess Suizhu's childishness, but rather grateful for the young master's deliberate arrangement that allowed him to sit at the same table. In this world, Han Diaosi had seen too many people who showed kindness but were not remembered for it. When Han Diaosi was just an ordinary eunuch, he accompanied his great master on an incognito trip and met a humble woman. She, too, sincerely invited him to sit and eat with her, and even after knowing his eunuch identity, she treated him the same. Han Diaosi would remember those simple meals for a lifetime.

"If a man respects Han Shengxuan by an inch, I will respect him by a hundred *zhang*. If a man wrongs Han Shengxuan for a moment, I will torment him for a lifetime." Countless civil and military officials, who were brutally murdered by this Man-Cat, must have, before their deaths, felt fortunate there was no afterlife to endure further suffering.

Since it was Fish-and-Dragon Alley, White Lion House was, of course, a mixed bag, with scholars and gentry, wealthy merchants, and even some ruffians and scoundrels who worked as enforcers in brothels. Proprietor Lu had no objection to changing tables; wealthy people simply did as they pleased.

Business was good at the tavern, and it was mealtime. The proprietor finally managed to clear an empty table and had a waiter quickly clean it. As Zhao Kai and his two companions sat down, they overheard a bare-chested man at the next table, with one foot on the bench, picking his teeth and cursing, "Damn it, a few days ago, that pretty boy who came to 'Calming the Wind and Waves' to pick up women, pretending to be a big shot without a penny in his pocket, tried to con us with some nonsensical articles—neither poetry nor lyrics, just irritating noise. I should've beaten that irritating little bastard on the spot." At the same table were several out-of-town scholars who weren't particularly well-off. They had frequented the brothel named "Calming the Wind and Waves" for a long time. The leading scholar, responsible for paying the expenses, was distressed as his purse grew emptier while the prices of the "sisters" remained high. Realizing this couldn't go on, he wondered if he could establish a good relationship with the courtyard guard leader in front of him. Without even hoping for lower prices, he just wanted to at least avoid some unnecessary tips before going to bed after entering the courtyard. Brothels had many intricate rules, and maintaining one's image there was very expensive. The additional expenses on maids and courtesans, accumulated bit by bit, amounted to a frightening sum of fragmented silver.

A scholar with a rigid face, who didn't seem very quick-witted, hesitated, then obtusely said, "I've heard of this person. He recited three *ci* poems, which are now known throughout Fish-and-Dragon Alley. They're all quite good. Among them, the lines 'Lonely light illuminates, liver and gall like ice and snow' and 'Spring breeze first graces the small peach branch' can be considered excellent lines."

The guard leader's face changed drastically. He spat mercilessly and stood up to leave. The leading scholar, being worldly-wise, used all his persuasion to pull him back to his seat and then tried to mend fences, saying, "No matter how well *ci* poems are written, they are merely minor skills. Even Xu Weixiong, the poetry master of Shangyin Academy, said *ci* is just 'poetry's remainder.' Most contemporary *ci* poets merely pick up scraps from the old papers of senior poets; they don't possess true talent, let alone establish their own style. In my opinion, what 'liver and gall like ice and snow'? If he truly possessed such purity, would he be making a racket in a brothel? This is nothing more than a cheap gimmick. In terms of character, he is far inferior to the straightforward and bold Instructor Hong!"

The burly man enjoyed hearing this. He took a bite of the fatty, spicy chicken leg and then, out of the corner of his eye, noticed a young man who looked like a rich young master chuckling at a nearby table. He glared and snapped, "What are you laughing at, kid?!"

Zhao Kai said with a sincere expression, "The brave man speaks reason. Those scholars who seek fame and reputation should indeed be given a good beating."

Seeing that his expression did not seem feigned or sarcastic, the man chuckled, "You're a sensible young man. If you ever go to 'Calming the Wind and Waves,' just mention my name, Hong Sanlong, and I guarantee the ladies' prices will be fair!"

Zhao Kai clasped his hands in thanks.

Princess Suizhu lowered her head and rolled her eyes.

The man likely had some influence in the area, and as the conversation continued, he spoke more and more unrestrainedly, his words coarse and jarring: "I've lived a miserable life since I came out of my mother's womb, and you want me to speak well of those rich brats? Whether they're good or bad, they were born better than me, and I just wish I could chop them to pieces. I can't stand to see them doing well, not even a bit."

"If those wealthy youngsters are diligent in their studies and kind to others, then they deserve to die even more. Are they not leaving us any way to live?"

"Haha, Young Master Liu, don't worry, I wasn't talking about you. You're honest and generous with your money, a good man. If there can be fly droppings in a pot of porridge, then there can also be a few grains of rice in a pile of shit, eh?"

The scholar surnamed Liu, whose shoulder was slapped hard, smiled awkwardly, feeling more uncomfortable being praised than being cursed.

Han Diaosi narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Even common folk dare to use the character 'dragon' in their names."

Zhao Kai, who knew his Grand Master better than anyone, quickly smiled and said, "Let's not mind these trifles. Come, once Young Master Sui has had enough tea and is no longer thirsty, we'll go and meet that Li Baishi."

Princess Suizhu, overcome by the spiciness, kicked Zhao Kai's shoe under the table, not forgetting to give it a sharp twist.

Zhao Kai pulled a long face.

After paying the bill and leaving White Lion House, Zhao Kai carefully reminded her, "We'll definitely have to wait once we get there, so please don't get angry. Since you're secretly leaving the palace, you can't just act on impulse, otherwise, you might as well hang a sign on yourself saying you're a princess."

Princess Suizhu retorted crossly, "Why don't you hang a sign saying you're a prince? Wouldn't that be even more useful?"

Zhao Kai grinned and chuckled, "How many people outside the palace know there's a prince like me? It'd be useless no matter how much I talked about it."

She froze for a moment, then turned her head away and said, "I can't believe you can still smile."

Zhao Kai walked down the street with his hands clasped behind his head, "Grand Master says that standing is better than kneeling, and he wouldn't think about sitting—that's contentment. So I think being able to smile is always better and more cheerful than crying, and less annoying, isn't it?"

She hesitated, "Then when Xu Fengnian took away several of your Scarlet Armored Talisman Generals, did you laugh or cry?"

Zhao Kai laughed, "He's my brother-in-law anyway; we're family. It doesn't matter who keeps the items."

She sneered, "One's a brother-in-law, the other's a brother-in-law, yet in the end, you're still going to try to kill each other. It's so amusing, I can hardly cry."

Zhao Kai suddenly said, "Beiliang is about to become chaotic."

Princess Suizhu's words became even more sarcastic, "Anyway, that fellow was useless as the Crown Prince, and later, his sword practice was utterly embarrassing. If Beiliang really becomes chaotic, he'll just hide. Hmph, even worse than you."

Zhao Kai sighed, "How nice if you hadn't added that last sentence."

She said, seemingly indifferently, "Father Emperor is quite pleased with the Red Sect Bodhisattva you recommended to the palace. He's very interested in the Red-Yellow conflict there and your idea of using a silver vase to draw lots to determine the Living Buddha. You might go to the Western Regions with her in the future."

Zhao Kai responded with a casual "Oh."

Xu Fengnian traveled extensively with Helian Wuwei. Aside from major military secrets, he observed everything, whether it was significant matters concerning people's livelihoods or trivial issues. Even some military and administrative documents, the old Legate didn't mind Xu Fengnian reviewing. After five days of traveling, Xu Fengnian gained a rough understanding of Xihe Prefecture's general layout. Today, the old man and the young man finally took a break from their busy schedule and went to sell watermelons near the post road where they first met. Xu Fengnian didn't hide his identity. While sitting on a small stool waiting for customers, he openly said, "The speed at which news about the Dragon Tree Monk in the Daode Sect reached Uncle's side shows Beimang's emphasis on post stations and roads, no less than Xu Xiao's creation of the postal system during the Spring and Autumn period. Especially this eastern line where Xihe Prefecture is located, it can now fully compare to the western line confronting Liangmang. As I traveled, I saw many seemingly insignificant details that are actually Beimang gradually accumulating military strength."

Helian Wuwei smiled in satisfaction, "Perceiving the subtle to understand the profound—excellent, excellent."

Turning to see Xu Fengnian's serious expression, the Legate handed him half a watermelon and smiled faintly, "Actually, any imperial court, even those that perished during the Spring and Autumn period, certainly had many farsighted and intelligent people. However, whether their insights can reach the emperor's ears, bring joy to the Dragon's Countenance, and allow those ambitious or aspiring regulations and laws to be smoothly implemented, that is the crux of the difficulty. Your Liyang Dynasty produces many pillars of strength, especially with Zhang Julu coordinating things; your strategic planning is inherently superior. To be honest, as the Legate of Xihe Prefecture, who comes from a military background, every time I think about it, I become as worried as you are now. In terms of combat strength and military equipment, the armored soldiers of the twelve great generals are not weak, but compared to the Beiliang Army, even Tuoba Pusa wouldn't dare claim invincibility. Fortunately, Beimang learned from its shame and became stronger, having suffered greatly, only then realizing that the men from the south are not all unarmed scholars, but also butchers like Xu Xiao and Gu Jiantang who kill without blinking. In recent years, Beimang has indeed been slowly getting stronger. On our side, Fengnian, after much thought, there's one thing I deeply regret. Can you guess what it is?"

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Many scholars from the Spring and Autumn period who fled to Beimang are qualified to offer strategies to legates or great generals, but you still lack a supreme strategist who could serve as an imperial tutor."

Helian Wuwei took a bite of watermelon, then looked up and glared, "Don't be so quick to laugh, young man. Beimang isn't without such a person; they just haven't stepped forward yet."

Xu Fengnian lowered his voice and asked, "Li Mibi, the one who weaves spiderwebs?"

Helian Wuwei turned his head, spat on the ground, and scoffed, "That old dog is the best in the world at harming people. Govern a nation? He's miles away from that. It's only because Old Man Li knows his own limitations and doesn't meddle blindly in court affairs, otherwise, I'd fight him to the death."

Xu Fengnian asked curiously, "If not him, then who could it be?"

Helian Wuwei said vaguely, "It's the Master of the Chess-Sword Academy. He's been missing for almost twenty years. In his middle age, he was scorned by Her Majesty the Empress, and he disappeared completely in a fit of pique. I suspect he went to your Liyang, but as for what he's doing, there's no way to know. Even our Emperor probably doesn't know. I don't believe such a person would die silently in the south."

Xu Fengnian said, "Oh. My master Li Yishan told me that this fellow is very skilled at chess, almost on par with Huang Longshi."

The old man sighed, "I've seen many people with grand ambitions but meager talents in my life, but only the master of this Chess-Sword Academy has both a great mind and great talent. The Chess Academy has a cultivation method of playing a million moves in one's lifetime. Do you know how many moves that fellow played?"

Xu Fengnian said in surprise, "Surely not tens of millions? He'd have to be born and spend his entire life at a chessboard. And a chess fanatic like that wouldn't achieve much, would he? My master often says that playing on a chessboard is just playing a dead game, and becoming a top national player is nothing remarkable; it's a completely different matter from how one conducts oneself."

The old man laughed heartily, "You've been too clever for your own good, young man. That fellow played very few games, countable on one's fingers. His total moves probably didn't even reach seven or eight thousand."

Xu Fengnian frowned, "Not even a hundred games total? How could the esteemed Master of the Chess Academy of Chess-Sword Academy play each game as if his life depended on it?"

The old man slowly said, "Do you know how this man played his last game? After losing to Huang Sanjia, he went into seclusion to study. When his chess skills matured, he played against the old Master of the Academy in a life-and-death game—whoever lost, died."

Xu Fengnian clicked his tongue, "Both Masters of the Academy were ruthless men."

Helian Wuwei chuckled gleefully, "Just pray that such a person didn't return alive to Beimang. Otherwise, if you happen to inherit the title and become the King of Beiliang, and this fellow is still alive, you'll have a lot of suffering ahead."

Xu Fengnian said seriously, "Tomorrow, I'll go to Leiming Temple and curse that old man to death."

Helian Wuwei burst into laughter, "Then remember to curse me to death along with him. With me in Xihe Prefecture, even Xu Xiao would have to be a bit wary."

Xu Fengnian, without formality with the old man, joked, "Uncle Helian, your skin is even thicker than mine."

Helian Wuwei nodded and said, "People, once they get old, are like me cursing Li Mibi as a conniving thief—in fact, I'm cursing myself too. We all become thick-skinned, afraid of death, and clinging to life. When it comes to life and death, we're not as open-minded as we were in our hot-blooded youth."

Xu Fengnian bit into the watermelon and thought of Xu Xiao and his master Li Yishan, who were both younger than Helian Wuwei.

Helian Wuwei slowly said, "Now that I've shown you the affairs of this prefecture, I can speak more frankly with you. As for other generals and legates, I can't say, but for me, Helian Wuwei, I never expect every subordinate general or official under my command to be a saint. A little greed for money is fine, but not too much. In my view, a pedantic, incorruptible official who only earns his own reputation is not as good as a capable official who, despite enriching himself, can also benefit the region. As long as they don't cross the line, I consider myself easy to deal with. But if they do, then I'm sorry, no matter if you're my relative or a confidant, those who deserve to die will be killed, and those whose homes should be confiscated will be confiscated, without mercy. This is what's meant by 'nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards.' How to recognize people is one difficulty, how to employ people is another, and how to make talents fully utilize their abilities is even harder—it's a profound branch of learning that cannot be learned from scholarly books. This is because scholars value their reputations and lack the courage to write about the cunning and shrewd ways of handling affairs, and most scholars are not even capable of writing such things. Go and count the *zhuangyuan* (top scholars) of your Liyang Dynasty; besides Zhang Julu, how many have become first or second-rank officials? Instead, it's those ordinary *jinshi* (successful candidates) who are more likely to rise."

Xu Fengnian hummed in acknowledgment, silently committing it to memory.

Helian Wuwei said, "When that Master of the Academy was young, he wrote an essay called 'Nine Questions,' asking of the heavens, asking of the earth, asking of ghosts and spirits, asking of emperors, asking of Buddhism and Taoism, asking of beauties, asking of past lives, and asking of future lives."

Xu Fengnian wondered, "There's still one question missing."

Helian Wuwei laughed, "It's called 'Nine Questions,' but in reality, there are only eight. I suppose that fellow asked a question on his own behalf, for us bewildered fools."

Xu Fengnian laughed exasperatedly, "That old man is indeed cunning! No, I must go to Leiming Temple immediately."

As they spoke, thirsty customers approached. Xu Fengnian quickly rose, speaking volubly to help the old Legate sell watermelons.

The customers had no idea who the young man bargaining with them was, nor that the old farmer was the Legate of the prefecture.

Xu Fengnian also didn't know that two contingents of Beiliang's iron cavalry had launched a lightning-fast raid on Beimang.

Nor did he know that the Beimang Empress, upon receiving military intelligence, had dismissed the idea of personally leading an expedition to the Southern Dynasty because of one person's appearance.

This old Confucian scholar, who entered the palace carrying a scholar's box, was followed by the foremost swordsman of Beimang, Jian Qijin.