Green Mountain-Chapter 717 - 571: Fate’s Departure and Return, Hearts Aligned or Divided

The fifth day.

Chen Ji waited in front of the Yulin Army Commander's Mansion early in the morning, until 5 to 7 AM, when he finally saw Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo riding in side by side.

Qi Zhenzhuo saw Chen Ji from afar and quickly dismounted in front of the mansion's gate: "Master, why are you here? Yesterday it spread throughout the Imperial Capital that you pawned both Gufu Building and Tianbao Pavilion to save the Commandery Princess. Miss Xiao Man said that Gufu Building was left to you by your mother, and that Tianbao Pavilion brings in money like water flows. How could you pawn such assets?"

Chen Ji earnestly said to Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo in front of him: "The gap to save Princess Bai Li was too big, there was no other way. I'm here today to ask if you might have some money to spare. If so, I would like to borrow some. I'll calculate it at a monthly interest of three percent, and also owe you a personal favor... Of course, if you don't have any, that's fine, just pretend I wasn't here."

Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo exchanged a glance, both were astonished; they didn't expect Chen Ji to be here to borrow money.

This friend, who had traveled all the way from Guyuan never owed anyone a favor; if you gave him one part, he'd return two parts.

At the Dragon Gate Inn, facing hundreds of Heavenly Strategy Army men, Chen Ji didn't ask for help. At Fragrant Mountain, facing eighty mad soldiers, Chen Ji also didn't ask for help.

Throughout this journey, no matter how difficult, Chen Ji never asked them for anything, but now he was bowing his head to borrow money.

Qi Zhenzhuo felt pained, his words somewhat incoherent: "Master, I have gone to see my second uncle, brother, and Zhaoning, asking them not to oppose you. They don't know how much you've done to save Princess Bai Li, but I do. I really don't want the Qi family to make things difficult for you... They only care about the Eunuch Party, as if anyone associated with them is a calamity to the nation. But we understand you, knowing you're also forced by circumstances. Master, don't worry, I'll go wait at the Imperial Palace Gate to talk to grandpa. Whatever it takes, I'll ask him to speak to my second uncle, telling them not to get involved, and not to compete with you over Princess Bai Li at the Imperial Music Bureau."

Li Xuan stood silently beside him, his mouth clenched, fists tightly gripped.

But Chen Ji shook his head: "It's okay, this is a matter between them and me, it has nothing to do with you."

Qi Zhenzhuo anxiously replied: "Master, how about coming with me to the Imperial Palace Gate to wait for grandpa, he still thinks highly of you..."

Chen Ji interrupted with a smile: "The Qi family is a noble family, how could they associate with the Eunuch Party. Let's not talk about this; I'm here today only to borrow money."

Li Xuan said with difficulty: "You know, I'm usually strictly controlled and don't even have ten silver taels on me."

Qi Zhenzhuo also said with difficulty: "Master, I can only receive two hundred twenty-two taels of monthly salary in the Qi family, but I spend most of it on drinks and meals with my brothers every month, not much is left..."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment, then smiled warmly: "It's alright, I'll think of something else. Anyway, thank you."

Qi Zhenzhuo quickly added: "Master, don't say that. If it weren't for you, my brother-in-law and I might have died in Guyuan. If we can help you, we certainly will."

Chen Ji nodded and turned to leave, heading alone towards the west side of Chang'an Street.

But after taking just over ten steps, he heard Qi Zhenzhuo shout: "Master, come back tomorrow morning, my brother-in-law and I will think of something today!"

Chen Ji paused, then waved his hand in gratitude without turning back.

Upon returning to Shaojiu Alley, Xiao Man just finished cooking. Seeing Chen Ji back, she said in surprise: "Young master, why are you back so fast... didn't you get the silver?"

Chen Ji nodded as he walked into the main room. Xiao Man complained: "I told you they wouldn't lend it. They're Qi family members. If they help you at this critical juncture, how could they still stand firm in the Qi family."

Chen Ji stopped and smiled: "Xiao Man, it's a favor if they help; there's nothing to complain about even if they don't."

Xiao Man stomped her feet in frustration: "You've helped them many times, you rescued them from the inner prison twice. Without you, how could Qi Zhenzhuo have been promoted to Commander? Without you, what right would Li Xuan have to become the Yulin Army Commander? I know, it's as you said, no one in this world is obliged to help anyone. But hearts are made of flesh, I can't stand seeing people be so ungrateful... You speak so generously, making me seem like the petty person, I'm so angry!"

Chen Ji didn't respond, just returned to the main room and closed the door.

...

...

The sixth morning.

Before dawn, Chen Ji left Shaojiu Alley.

He walked along Chang'an Street towards the Chengtian Gate, absent-mindedly pondering.

Before reaching the Yulin Army Commander's Mansion, he saw from afar over a hundred dark silhouettes whispering in front of the gate, with many squatting on the ground eating freshly bought buns or fried dough sticks.

When Chen Ji appeared, those dark silhouettes turned their heads in unison and stopped talking. Over a hundred hands moved to the sword hilts at their waists, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure in the dim twilight.

The next moment, someone waved among the shadows: "Master!"

The sound of armor clanking arose, over a hundred people pressed forward towards Chen Ji. In the muted morning light, the faces of the dark silhouettes became increasingly clear, as one hundred thirty-five Yulin Army soldiers gathered.

This massive commotion attracted the attention of the Six Ministries officials arriving for duty, causing them to stop and watch.

Qi Zhenzhuo came before Chen Ji, pulled out two strings of Buddhist Treasure from his pocket: "Yesterday, I went to my mother to secretly ask for some money. I also borrowed some from my second sister Zhaoyun. It adds up to two thousand taels of silver. You take this first; today I'll find some childhood friends to borrow more. After all, it's just a matter of them going less frequently to the Eight Great Hutongs."

Li Xuan also took out a string of Buddhist Treasure and stuffed it into Chen Ji's pocket: "This is four hundred taels of silver."

Chen Ji asked in confusion: "Where did you get those four hundred taels of silver?"

Li Xuan smirked wryly: "I pawned the ancestral Feibai Sword. Only when I got to the pawnshop did I realize that the Feibai Sword, which my Li Family has cherished for generations, is only worth four hundred taels in others' eyes."

Chen Ji looked at the Buddhist Treasure in his hands and softly said: "The Feibai Sword is an ancestral item. How could it be pawned?"

Li Xuan patted him on the shoulder and sighed: "Anyway, it has no use in the Imperial Capital. The Li Family's motto is loyalty and courage. Using the Feibai Sword to help friends does not disgrace it. Helping, after all, is helping."

At this moment, Duobao took out a pure gold longevity lock from his pocket and handed it to Chen Ji: "My lord, this is what I wore as a child. Take it to exchange for silver..."

Li Cen stepped forward and handed over a string of Buddhist Treasure: "My lord, I pawned the mink fur vest my father gave me the year before last... Also, I secretly sold the rare edition of the Thirteen Commentaries on the Scripture from home. Nobody reads it anyway. I just didn't think Wenyuan Bookstore would only give fifty taels."

"My lord, this is my saved army pay, sixty taels."

Li Guang suddenly called out: "I've also saved some, four hundred and twenty taels!"

Everyone turned to look, amazed: "Li Guang, I remember you said your father is a dyer in a silk workshop. You got into the Yulin Army thanks to your ancestors serving in the Five Armies Camp. Your monthly salary is only twenty-four silver taels. How did you save so much?"

Li Guang retorted disdainfully: "When we go out drinking, when have I ever paid myself?"

The Yulin Army men exploded in anger, pinning him to the ground, ready for a beating: "How can you speak about being stingy so self-righteously?"

Li Guang quickly shouted for mercy: "I'm saving up to get married. You guys have family support, but I don't. If I don't save some silver myself, will you guys support me if I stay single?"

Duobao chuckled: "It's not impossible."

The officials from the Six Ministries watched from the side as one Yulin Army soldier after another came up to hand their gathered silver to Chen Ji. There was Buddhist Treasure, scattered silver, over a hundred taels, and tens of taels.

Someone pawned a family heirloom jade bracelet, but the pawnshop said it was worthless old jade and only gave ten taels.

Another pawned a sword his grandfather gave him when he came of age. The sword hilt was set with a tiny ruby. The old pawnbroker pried out the gem, saying the sword was worthless, and gave eight taels for the gem.

Some went extreme, getting scolded when asking for money from home. Then they ran to the Eight Great Hutongs to find an old favorite courtesan and awkwardly asked to borrow money. The girl was stunned for a long while before going inside to fetch a small wooden box. Inside was the money she'd saved for three years to redeem herself—six hundred and seventy taels—all given to him.

Gradually, Chen Ji's arms couldn't hold it all. He used his shirt to bundle it, but soon even that was too heavy, so he had to pile it on the ground.

The previously lively Six Ministries officials watching fell silent.

In the distance, atop the Chengtian Gate tower.

Changxiu stood leaning on the railing, taking in the entire scene.

He held half a bun in his hand and slowly tore pieces to eat.

A Jiefan Guard nearby whispered: "Sir, should we..."

"No need," Changxiu popped the last piece of the bun into his mouth, patted off the crumbs from his hand, and smiled: "In Renshou Palace, I often hear the Minister say that Marquis Wu Xiang is still young and naive in state affairs, unsuitable for official duties, needing more experience. They think Mr. Chen lacks strategy and want to weigh him down. But they never imagined this is exactly the power they've been dreaming of."

Changxiu squinted at the dense silhouettes in front of the Yulin Army Commander's Mansion gate and sighed suddenly: "An Eunuch Party can make these playboy soldiers of the Yulin Army pour their hearts out to gather silver. Today's affair is more interesting than what's seen in books... Huh?"

At that moment, he saw Wang Daosheng walk out of the Ministry of War from afar and take two silver ingots from his sleeve, handing them to Chen Ji.

He immediately praised: "Even a principled official like Mr. Wang came to help the Eunuch Party. Seems Mr. Chen's efforts weren't in vain; justice lies in the people's hearts. But if even Mr. Wang gave a hundred taels, what about Lord Zhang Zhuo? If Lord Zhang steps out, it might be tough on the Qi Family."

The Jiefan Guard behind Changxiu saw a hint of a red silhouette leaving the Ministry of Personnel, striding towards the Yulin Army Commander's Mansion and softly reminded Changxiu: "Sir, Lord Zhang has arrived."

Changxiu squinted: "What do you guess Lord Zhang will give to Mr. Chen?"

The Jiefan Guard thought for a moment: "Ten thousand taels?"

Changxiu burst into laughter: "Underestimating Lord Zhang, aren't you? I guess four hundred thousand taels!"

…

Third Watch