Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 124

The sect leader had lavished praise on the other person in his mind for so long, just to silently add this last sentence to pat himself on the back.

At the Sea-Viewing Cliff, after Chi Lian and Bai Feng had each finished off their targets, they were anxiously about to go out to search when they saw Wei Zhuang, who was soaking wet and still dripping with seawater, slowly walking towards them.

"Zhuang..." Chi Lian was surprised and wanted to take a step forward, but then stopped halfway as if she suddenly remembered something. As for Bai Feng, he had already looked elsewhere.

"You have all completed your tasks, that's good."

Wei Zhuang had no luck in evaporating the water from his body; instead, he let it cling to his skin, feeling the weight of his defeat that day.

The sword strike, brimming with murderous intent, swept across all directions. The opponent's sword momentum was broken in one strike, and in the end, the user had no choice but to withdraw his sword to parry and was knocked towards the sea.

Due to the environment, the battle ended quickly. If it had been on flat ground, he would have only been slightly affected by the sword energy, leaving him with a great deal of room to counterattack.

But defeat is defeat. Wei Zhuang's pride makes him reluctant to accept the loss, but it prevents him from offering any excuse for his defeat.

When he returned to the beach from the sea, Lu Wei was already gone. He had no intention of chasing after him to continue the fight. Instead, he climbed back to the path outside Xiaoshengxianzhuang, a hundred-meter cliff, and killed the terrified target who was walking down the cliff, thus completing the quicksand mission.

'I lost the first battle, but your prediction that I would fail to complete the mission because of it didn't come true.'

Recalling this point, Wei Zhuang, in a voice as cold as the seawater on his body, gave his two subordinates the next instruction:

"There are two targets left. Take care of them as soon as possible."

He doesn't need to explain to anyone why he became this way.

Without a reply, Bai Feng and Chi Lian left silently. After walking about ten steps, Chi Lian finally couldn't help but turn back to look at that eternally straight and broad back, at the soaked white hair and floor-length coat that the cold sea breeze could no longer stir...

That silhouette is the direction she will follow for the rest of her life.

...

Land prices in Sanghai City are significantly higher than in certain areas of Handan City and Ji City, attracting a large number of scholars who stay there for extended periods.

In this era, ordinary people without money cannot afford to leave production and focus on their studies.

Even the dignified Master Lu didn't have enough money on him to buy the three-story house in the city he desired... So he had to write a letter to the messenger to send it back to Daze Mountain as soon as possible and instruct Lü Qing to send his disciples to escort the money over.

The messenger service in Sanghai City was operated directly by Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Because many students from the six kingdoms came here to study, and to ensure that all students could maintain stable contact with their families, the Sanghai messengers could travel to various parts of the six kingdoms.

Therefore, it is understandable that the service is somewhat expensive.

Originally, the Hall Master thought that after so many years of hard work, he had finally made it to Sanghai City. After buying the farmhouse settlement, he would definitely go to Haiyue Xiaozhu to admire the "sea and sky merging into one color", taste the famous "shark fin and bear paw", and enjoy himself to the fullest.

But now it seems I'm not wealthy enough; I haven't reached the point where I can like something without ever needing to ask the price...

Let's be more realistic and go to Youjian Inn. Although the food there isn't cheap either, the innkeeper, Paoding, is one of the leaders of the Mohist school, commanding the entire Mohist force in Sanghai City.

Judging from the name Paoding and the fact that he was in charge of the meals at Xiaoshengxianzhuang, this person is probably the most outstanding chef in this world.

However, the head of the hall was more interested in his identity as a member of the Mohist school.

Food is merely a condiment in life; its monetary value can never be ranked as paramount.

As the world's number one physician, Nian Duan deserves Lu Tangzhu's careful planning, while the world's number one chef only needs to satisfy his appetite occasionally when he is in Sanghai.

Even if they die, there will be no regrets.

'If we have the future disciples of the Sanghai branch of the peasant sect keep an eye on this place, we can gain some information about the Mohist school.'

Without making a sound, Lu Wei found a table and chair in the inn and sat down. He sensed that the people at the front desk and the waiter were clearly not weak in internal energy, and knew that they were all disciples of the Mo family.

At this stage, their disguise is still too superficial. It's likely that only after the Qin flag is planted in the Sanghai Sea will the Mohists begin a more cautious and deeper concealment...

Pick up a piece of roasted venison with chopsticks; it tastes incredibly delicious.

It far surpasses the venison that Lord Tang obtained when he hunted with Xiang Bo in the State of Chu. The venison from Chu was undoubtedly of higher quality, but the skills of those rough men and the butcher were simply incomparable.

"Tender and refreshing, with a delicate and delicious flavor."

Inside the Xiaoshengxianzhuang, Li Shiqi and Zhang Liang sat facing each other, enjoying delicacies.

Li Shiqi praised the "Spring Pigeon Slices" in front of him, and after each bite, he would close his eyes and savor the flavor.

"I'm glad you like it, Brother Li," Zhang Liang said, sipping his small cup of wine with a radiant smile, his eyes calm as still water.

"This spring pigeon slices are made with tender Sichuan celery sprouts and fine pigeon meat, a perfect combination of the two. It tastes even more exquisite when paired with Baqing wine. Brother Li, you might want to give it a try."

"Brother Liangzhi enjoys experiencing the scenery and flavors of distant places, so he specially commissioned the owner of an inn in the city, Paoding, to order a box of exotic dishes."

"It just so happened that his inn had a lot of ingredients from Sichuan, so he prepared this Sichuan feast."

"Brother Zhang San is too kind; I, Li, am truly unworthy of such hospitality."

Li Shiqi put down his chopsticks and drank his wine, then shook his head contentedly.

His Confucian teachers were of the same generation as Fu Nian, Yan Lu, and Zhang Liang, and were senior Confucian scholars of the same generation as Xunzi. Now that Fu Nian is about to take over as the head of the sect, Li Shiqi, despite his advanced age, still has to call Zhang Liang his senior brother.

After all, no matter how young Zhang Liang was, he was still a direct disciple, while he was just one of the many ordinary students listening to the lectures.

"Brother Zhang wouldn't invite me to a banquet for no reason. I wonder what instructions he has for me? I will do my best to assist him."

After finishing his meal and wine, Li Shiqi cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, a common practice among江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) rather than the Confucian salute.

Zhang Liang naturally did not overlook this detail. After carefully collecting the dishes and handing them to a Confucian disciple to take away, he said unhurriedly:

"I heard from my senior brother that Brother Li studied at Xiaoshengxianzhuang for nearly twenty years. Why is he now living as a farmer?"

"I will never forget the kindness of Confucianism in resolving my doubts." Li Shiqi answered this question very decisively:

"Master Lu of the Farmer's School cares for his disciples and values ​​the common people, and is more tolerant of Li's outrageous behavior."

"With such an invitation, I, Li, am willing to give my life for him!"

"I see." Zhang Liang nodded repeatedly. He had learned about Li Shiqi's talent before this meeting and knew that the man's Confucian scholarship was decent and that he had gained something from twenty years of study.

However, due to his love of drinking, his excessive study of other schools of thought, his frequent association with disreputable people, and his poor performance in the Six Arts, he was not favored by his teacher and was not accepted as a personal disciple.

"To persist in learning within the manor for twenty years without being personally instructed—such perseverance would lead to success in anything."

Zhang Liang harbored no ill will towards Li Shiqi; in fact, he had secretly studied far more doctrines from other schools of thought than Li Shiqi had. However, Zhang Liang was intelligent and could learn a wide range of things, which ironically earned him his teacher's favor.

The two men shared many similarities, yet their experiences within Confucianism were vastly different, vividly illustrating the difference in their innate talents...

“I had a very pleasant conversation with Master Lu Weitang and know that he is a kind and honest person. Brother Li is able to be valued by Master Lu Weitang, which is a testament to your lifelong learning.”

"The main reason for inviting Brother Li to this banquet is the farm gift he brought."

Having learned part of Li Shiqi's attitude, Zhang Liang finally revealed his true purpose. As for his deep-seated curiosity about the peasants and Lu Wei, he would draw his own conclusions through listening during the conversation.

"Li probably thought it was also for that item."

Li Shiqi revealed an expression of 'I knew it': "Confucians would value the content of the scroll, but they should value the 'paper' even more..."

As instructed by Lu Wei long ago, the old scholar, in front of the future "sage of strategy," gave a slightly different introduction to "paper."

This includes information about the workshops and facilities established by the Gonggong Hall under the leadership of its leader.

Gonggongtang's strength can be subtly revealed in front of appropriate individuals!

'Even farming families are starting to develop mechanical arts...where did they get their skills from...?'

------

That night, Zhang Liang reported to Fu Nian, and Li Shiqi reported to Lu Wei.

After listening to Li Shiqi recite his entire conversation with Zhang Liang, Master Lu patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction and told him about his decision to open a branch of Gonggong Hall in Sanghai.

Upon learning that he was the person in charge here, Li Shiqi was not surprised. Instead, he immediately assumed his role, solemnly clasped his hands in greeting to the head of the hall, and inquired about the details:

"Master, what does the Gonggong Hall want to obtain in Sanghai...?"

"The first batch of disciples and resources will arrive soon. You should first establish connections within Sanghai City and actively befriend the Confucian school."

Lu Wei mysteriously opened the window and gazed intently at the distant horizon: "Ziwu will also come to help you. In the days to come, you two should keep some boats on the sea."

"Headquarters will deliver a fixed amount of supplies to Sanghai every month. As for how to use these supplies, Li Sheng can decide for himself."

"Yes!"

...

"Eldest brother, the paper is a product of the farmhouse workshop. I have already discussed it with Li Shiqi, and they can sell some to Xiaoshengxianzhuang every month."

Zhang Liang didn't need to describe every detail to Fu Nian; he only gave a brief account of the conversation.

"A farmhouse's workshop?" Fu Nian frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed, not caring about the farmhouse's internal affairs: "Could Li Shiqi decide to sell like this on his own?"

“He said he had a certain share to decide for himself,” Zhang Liang said with a smile. “But I estimate that this was probably a plan that Lu Wei and Li Shiqi had already discussed long ago.”

"Lu Wei intended for Li Shiqi to do a favor for the Confucianists, and later he hoped that this person could become a link between the Confucianists and the farmers."

"The farmers intend to befriend us. Senior Brother, how do you think the Confucian school should respond?"

"Courtesy demands reciprocity. To give without receiving is impolite; to receive without giving in return is also impolite." Fu Nian recited from the *Book of Rites*, Book 1, "Quli Shang," and made his decision quickly:

"Zifang, order your disciples to copy a copy of the books in the library that contain information on agriculture and ingenuity, and send it to Daze Mountain."

"I will also select a pair of white jade discs from the treasury, as well as the set of 'Guofeng' that I copied the other day, and present them to Li Shiqi."

"Tomorrow I will personally select the best pheasant and visit Master Lu Weitang."

"Yes, I'll take care of it right away."

“There’s one more thing.” Fu Nian said to the farmer, his expression instantly becoming solemn. Although he was already dignified, at this moment, his anger was even more apparent:

“In the past few days, three guests of Xiaoshengxianzhuang have died suddenly in Sanghai, one of whom died on the mountain road down from Xiaoshengxianzhuang.”

"I have determined that the killer is very likely the assassin organization from the now-defunct South Korea: Quicksand!"

At this point, Fu Nian stared at Zhang Liang: "What do you think about this?"

"Senior Brother, you are wise. I am an old acquaintance of Quicksand." Zhang Liang clasped his hands and calmly replied, "If it was indeed Quicksand's doing, we must immediately find out their remaining targets and protect them."

"I see." Fu Nian stood up, turned to the side to pick up the Tai'a sword from its sheath, and examined and stroked the simple patterns on the blade. His thoughts were unknown to anyone else.

"Go and prepare gifts for the farmers."

"Zifang takes his leave."

Chapter 146 Fu Nian

"When I first came to Sanghai, my accommodations were simple. I hope you will take good care of me."

An inn is not a good place to entertain friends, especially since the visitor is Fu Nian, the prospective leader of the Confucian school, whose status is extraordinary.

Lu Wei accepted the pheasant gift, which represented 'keeping one's integrity to the death,' and had Li Shiqi take it upstairs. Afterward, he and Fu Nian went out to stroll and chat in Sanghai City.