mousepad-d2 Chapter 401 - 245: Pai Bang Leader, Lying Through His Teeth_2
Chapter 401 - 245: Pai Bang Leader, Lying Through His Teeth_2
Xu Zirong wished he could immediately pull Bai Qi along, cut off a chicken’s head, burn yellow paper, and become sworn brothers on the spot!
"This disciple-grandson of mine is naturally warm-hearted."
Chen Xing sighed and said:
"Zirong, when you have time someday, go home to visit your family, and remember to get some Cyan Hill Rice and Longtian Jade from your father to thank Ah Qi."
"Of course!"
Xu Zirong pounded his chest hard and promised:
"At the end of the year, when I return home, I’ll steal that Blue Smoke Warm Sun Jade my father cherishes and present it to the Instructor! As for Brother Bai... honestly, I’m not interested in doing business, and I’m lazy to manage the family estate.
Brother Bai, I actually have an older sister. If you’re not too picky, marry her, and the Weinan Prefecture can take your surname Bai in the future!"
I consider you a brother, and you want me as a brother-in-law?
Bai Qi was completely unmoved. I, Bai Qiye of Black River County, would never covet the mere dowry of your family.
He was about to politely refuse, but Chen Xing added:
"The Xu family of Weinan Prefecture, wealthy for three generations, ancestors who followed the dragon. Zirong’s father, Xu Wanshan, also known as Master Xu San.
In terms of wealth within the Six Commanderies of Tianshui, they rank third.
Zirong’s family has ten thousand acres of Spirit Field, and the salaries the Daoist Officials of the Six Commanderies of Tianshui consume are mostly calculated using the Xu family’s Cyan Hill Rice and the He family’s Kunyuan Rice.
They are truly aristocrats, his sister is accepted into the inner doors of the Five Directions Emperor Palace, waiting for promotion to true transmission, rising to Immortal Master."
What a grand family, great landowners!
Ten thousand acres of Spirit Field, don’t they eat Spirit Rice and drink Spiritual Spring every meal?
Bai Qi’s eyelid twitched, his tone shifted:
"Brother Zirong, when will you return to Weinan Prefecture to see our father?
I’ve been used to poverty since childhood, eating irregularly harmed my stomach, and doctors advised me to nourish it well..."
...
...
Huifang Garden.
Zheng Xuanfeng was led into the secluded backyard by a small servant, then guided by a blossoming maid to a pavilion in the southeast corner.
Stepping inside, past the screen, the relatively spacious inner room had two crane nozzles gently exhaling, mist rolling like clouds, silently nurturing the soul.
On the table were fresh fruits and various pastries, with two beautiful maids kneeling beside the couch, doing the work of foot massage.
"Eldest Master Zhu, you sure know how to enjoy yourself."
Zheng Xuanfeng frowned, he always disliked this kind of ostentatious and extravagant style, managing his household with strict governance, any offspring from the main line found spending nights outside or carousing with prostitutes and drinking would be punished by kneeling or even beaten.
Thus, a joke circulated in Yihai Prefecture’s Thirteen Trades, saying "The Zheng Family raises antiquated rigidness, the He Family nurtures students."
"Brother Xuanfeng, life’s but a hundred years, why stick to formality and waste time."
Zhu Jinren, departing from his usual refined and gentle manner, held a long smoking pipe in hand, enjoying:
"You and I finally stood out and became in charge. With daily management and trade operations, one must steal moments of leisure for brief enjoyment. Brother Xuanfeng, come, try it, it’s brought from Guangshun Prefecture, known as ’Opium.’
Though it can’t truly increase fortune and longevity, it offers an experience rivaling that of an immortal!"
Zheng Xuanfeng frowned deeper, looking displeased:
"This is ’Wuxiang,’ originally a medicinal substance, unknowingly crafted into a paste by some Lead and Mercury Daoist, named ’Opium.’
Rumored to make one feel transcendent, but it erodes life essence, damaging the fundamental nature. Dragon Court already has Golden Talisman Daoist Officials petitioning the emperor to classify it as a banned drug, so as to prevent its toxic spread and left behind consequences.
Brother Zhu, you’d best use it sparingly."
Zhu Jinren set down the smoking pipe, his eyes bright, spirit quite exuberant:
"Brother Xuanfeng, you’re well-informed! But you’re not clear enough.
The Celestial Harmony Daoist Official of the Dragon Court’s South Study indeed considers ’Opium’ harmful and seeks to destroy it.
Yet the Zhou Jue Daoist Official of the North Study argues that ’Wuxiang’ is a miraculous aid for cultivation, aiding meditation, whether beneficial or detrimental depends on how it’s used.
I learned from the noble persons of Celestial Water Prefecture that the deposed Crown Prince Yong supports Zhou Jue Daoist Official, even contemplating opening Fushou Hall to fill the national treasury... This trade is immensely profitable!"
Zheng Xuanfeng ignored further engagement, the conflict involving both the North and South Studies Regent Daoist Officials wasn’t something a small household in Yihai Prefecture could meddle in.
Before the Supreme Emperor secluded himself in the Golden Pavilion, he specifically established the North and South Studies in the Inner Court, appointing two Golden Talisman Daoist Officials as regents, aimed at restricting the newly crowned Crown Prince Sui.
This top-tier undertow, once descending from Divine Capital to other prefectures, was tumultuous beyond measure.
"If not for Zhu Jinhe being beaten to death in the arena by Ninghai Zen, this Eldest Master’s seat wouldn’t belong to Zhu Jinren!"
Zheng Xuanfeng thought to himself, directly swinging his sleeve to sweep open the door and window, the whistling wind poured into the room, dispersing the pungent smell that disgusted him.
"Let’s get to proper business, Brother Jinren. You fell out with Li Yuan, planned to suppress Hongming Company, and set up such a scene, yet didn’t anticipate Bai Qilang’s outstanding cultivation talent within the County City.
Purple Glow nine inches, such a prime seedling that Yuanyang Temple and Zhi Xin Temple both covet. He only needs to say the word, and Pai Bang dares not hold up the cargo ship without letting it go.
In my view, let’s cease while we’re ahead, lest it grows out of hand."
Zhu Jinren lowered the smoking pipe, initially flushed and ears heated, chilled slightly by the cool breeze:
"A countryside kid makes Brother Xuanfeng retreat? Your Zheng family is known for its craftsmanship in weapon forging, even Duke Erzhu praises it! Master Xuanji would consider you with respect, why fear him!"
Zhu Jinren placed his hands into the maid’s lap, draping a thick blanket over himself as if sitting cross-legged like Maitreya Buddha.
"However, since Brother Xuanfeng intends to withdraw, I, Zhu Mou, shall comply. After all, we have even bigger deals to make, Bai Qilang and Hongming Company are mere trifles."