Green Mountain-Chapter 682 - 539: A Life for a Life

The Pellucid Tower fell quiet, the koi that were once unfed had dispersed, but now, drawn again by either the lamplight or poetry, gathered in the Broad Pond outside the tower.

The guests looked at each other in disbelief; who could have thought that after many days since Meihua Ferry Crossing, a poem capable of eclipsing the whole Imperial Capital would emerge on this Mid-Autumn night.

In the long silence of Pellucid Tower, soft sobs came from beside Qi Zhaoning.

Turning her head, Qi Zhaoyun was unexpectedly shielding her face with a sleeve, tears dropping one by one onto the table.

Qi Xianshu glanced at his own daughter, sighing softly: "People have their times of sorrow and joy, the moon waxes and wanes, which thing in the ancient world has ever been complete... Writing all the parting sorrows, writing all the yearning melancholy, henceforth, there will only be this one Mid-Autumn poem, and the world will remember no other. Whenever someone pens thoughts of the full moon during Mid-Autumn, they will look up to lofty mountains and find all else tasteless."

In the Imperial Capital, there are thousands of literary meetings each year, one day at the Qi family, the next at the Xu family, everyone writing poems mostly to enhance the drinking atmosphere, rarely does one poem suppress the entire gathering.

Qi Zhenwu chuckled bitterly: "Is the Marquis of Wuxiang deliberately contriving against literary meetings? Back when he engaged in a second scripture debate with Wuzhai, he borrowed Wuzhai's mouth to say that literary meetings obscure truth with vulgarity, making the whole Imperial Capital too timid to host a literary meeting for over half a month, fearing being mocked as vulgar and banal. Now he throws out such a poem... This evening, the Qi family had also planned poetry games, intending poetry and poetic essays in the midst of drunken revelry. But now a 'Shuidiao Getou' hangs overhead, who would dare pick up a brush in disgrace? Better not to write."

Qi Xianshu heard his son's complaint, but responded suavely: "Never mind, not just us Qi family's day has been ruined; his evening paper must have already been sent to every corner of the Imperial Capital, right now the Xu family, Li family, Zhou family... I'm guessing they're all staring at each other with this poem in their hands, tonight no one should bother trying to write poems and essays, just peacefully drink."

At the time, Chen Ji advised Brother Pao not to get into a quarrel with Wen Yuan Bookstore, to take this one journey through the world more meaningfully. Yet Brother Pao insisted on writing one more poem, only one more. Just because without its creation, he feared he couldn't sleep peacefully.

Now, Yang Zhong held the evening paper, reading the signature beneath 'Shuidiao Getou' softly: "Chen Chong's final stroke... With such poetic talent, why the end?"

To write "Bright moon rises above the sea, we share this moment from the ends of the earth," to write a 'Shuidiao Getou,' yet such finality, it's inconceivable.

Yuan Wang suddenly spoke: "Perhaps he's disdainful to write more poetry."

Yang Zhong was puzzled: "Disdainful?"

Yuan Wang laughed: "Just as the Marquis of Wuxiang disdains to battle it out in literary contests with us, these days Meihua Ferry Crossing's efforts are only for 'governing society and benefiting the people.' Your lot probably don't know yet, now there are people buying past newspaper issues of Meihua Ferry Crossing at high prices."

Yang Zhong was even more puzzled: "Buying at high prices?"

Yuan Wang flipped to the third page of the newspaper, pointing and explaining: "Some merchants, according to the morning paper, have made soap that indeed washes away dirt and grease cleanly. Others have made honeycomb coal according to the paper's instructions; within a month it will be cold, many people are purchasing them, many alleys are piled with honeycomb coal like little mountains. Lord Zhang Zhuo Zhang has also adopted Tu Fei's method, wanting to promote it through the Capital Territory, Lu State, Ji State... These are business opportunities. Yesterday a merchant just arrived from Jinling, having heard this story, immediately sought past issues of the morning paper at high prices at the Glass Factory, and after receiving them, forsook all business and returned overnight to Jinling."

Yang Zhong hesitated: "Can these novelties published in the morning paper really be useful?"

Yuan Wang stroked his chin: "Your lot probably don't know yet, cement, this thing, is also concocted by Marquis of Wuxiang in Luocheng City. It's been around for a while; our Yuan family used it to refurbish a house—it's sturdy and convenient. It's hard to find in the market now, because the court is purchasing it for city wall repairs; originally, the Guyuan City Wall repairs would take three years, but now it's reportedly finished in half a year... Our Imperial Capital's east city wall was also repaired with it."

At this moment, a Ministry of Revenue Official glanced at Official Chen seated in front, then spoke loudly: "Every year, the Ministry of Revenue allocates hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to purchase glutinous rice, limestone, and other materials to repair city walls. In emergency times, many places suffer food shortages, and famine victims abound. Now, with just this item, thirty thousand taels of silver can be saved."

The Ministry of Revenue Official continued: "Furthermore, a city wall made with glutinous rice would take three years to become solid, yet now it can be unbreakable within a month. Do you all remember, the 25th year of Jianing, the Jing Dynasty invaded, seizing the opportunity while our Chongli Pass's Youjin Pass city wall was under repair and unstable, allowing them to sneak a small elite force past the walls. I dare say, with this stuff, our dynasty will never repeat this mistake."

Governing society and benefiting the people, compared to these four words, Mid-Autumn poetry seems insignificant.

Now, as guests recalled those words 'Chen Chong's final stroke' during the night's banquet, it resembled silent sarcasm and mocking: You want to compete in Mid-Autumn poetry, but I think poetry, though beautiful, does not solve people's hunger and warmth. So you write your poem, I'll do my governing and benefiting.

Then you said I do these things because I can't produce poetry, so I let you see what true poetry is. After you see it, I'll continue to pursue more important things.

I won't write poetry anymore, don't come pestering me again.

At this moment, Official Chen raised his cup slowly and turned to look at Mr. Qi, speaking leisurely: "Children's antics, let's not harm the friendship between Qi and Chen families. Chen Ji is still young, his actions lack consideration, but his intentions are good."

Mr. Qi lifted his cup, saying gently: "Zhaoning, from now on, don't be mischievous anymore. Soon it's time to settle down, and you should temper your nature. Everyone, on this Mid-Autumn full moon night, let us lift our fine wine together."

The guests knew, the affair between Qi and Chen families was over, Mr. Qi was pleased with Chen Ji as his granddaughter's husband, the engagement remained unchanged.

Yet curiously, where has Chen Ji gone tonight?

...

...

Meanwhile, Chen Ji was following Bai Long along the quiet palace path, arriving below the Jiefan Building.

The spy on duty outside Jiefan Building saw Bai Long arriving and immediately turned to go upstairs to report.

Moments later, the figure of Mountain Bull slowly emerged from the dark shadows of Jiefan Building. The person was so tall that even standing inside, Chen Ji could only see half of his face; everything above the nose was hidden by the door lintel.

Mountain Bull stepped aside and said, "Go up, the Prime Minister is available now."

Bai Long walked past Mountain Bull, leading Chen Ji upstairs. Jiefan Building still smelled like pine, books, and ink, a mix that calms the mind at just a sniff.

Reaching the top floor, Bai Long knocked on the door, "Lord Prime Minister."

A hoarse voice sounded from inside, "Come in."

Bai Long pushed the door open and entered. This time, Chen Ji saw through the screen that the indistinct figure was no longer sitting behind the desk but standing alone by the window, gazing at the bright and bustling Fengxian Hall in the distance, where Emperor Ning was hosting the An Nan envoy.

Bai Long did not rush to speak, nor did Chen Ji.

After seemingly endless silence, the Prime Minister suddenly said, "I wonder if Feng Wenzheng had mooncakes today?"

Chen Ji was bewildered.

Only then did he notice that all eight windows in the room were open, offering a view of the myriad lights in the Imperial Capital on Mid-Autumn night.

The Prime Minister returned to sit behind the desk and slowly said, "Did you know there are rules when hosting envoys from barbarian territories? Those who have contributed to our court, the strongest nations, can be received in the most prestigious Fengxian Hall; the closest allies, in the West Garden to show favor; those less allied or with weaker national power, in Linde Hall."

Chen Ji did not respond, nor did he understand why the Prime Minister brought this up.

The Prime Minister said leisurely, "Originally, the King of An Nan could only go to Linde Hall, but now he's staked his national fate, sitting in Fengxian Hall. Since he can sit in Fengxian Hall, if he mentions a small request like marriage alliance, Your Majesty naturally won't refuse."

Chen Ji's face darkened.

The Prime Minister leaned against the chair back, seemingly looking at Chen Ji through the screen, asking, "The King of An Nan captured the King of Siam to sit in Fengxian Hall and request a marriage alliance with our court. Marquis of Wuxiang, what have you brought to Jiefan Building, asking me to help save Princess Bai Li?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Chen Ji replied solemnly, bowing, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, I can offer a remedy for state governance that will double the crop yield per acre."

The Prime Minister showed no reaction.

After a long silence, Chen Ji continued, "I can offer methods to improve firearms, making our country's firearms and cannons indestructible, attack without fail."

Again, the Prime Minister showed no reaction.

Chen Ji gritted his teeth and said boldly, "I can resolve the salt permit issue, using extraordinary methods to enrich the national treasury and inner treasury."

This time, the Prime Minister suddenly laughed, "Ah, you have kept plenty up your sleeve, and now you're throwing it all at once without care."

Chen Ji said sternly, "Princess Bai Li was not involved in the rebellion of Prince Jing Mansion; I beg the Prime Minister to lend a hand and grant her freedom."

Yet the Prime Minister was unmoved, casually saying, "The Forbidden City has its rules, and Jiefan Building has its own. In Jiefan Building, money can buy officials, buy power, but to buy life, it can only be with a life."

Chen Ji did not hesitate, "Who does my lord want dead?"

The Prime Minister chuckled, "Bring me Han Tong from the Cao Guild, exchange his life for Princess Bai Li's."

Chen Ji was stunned.

Han Tong? That's Bai Li's biological father. He never imagined being asked to exchange Han Tong for Bai Li.

Seeing his hesitation, the Prime Minister said carelessly, "What, can't do it?"

Chen Ji paused in silence, finally bowing, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, it can be done."