Chapter 340: Fluke

He had only a shallow understanding of "The Analects," and "The Doctrine of the Mean." In fact, he had only a shallow grasp of all such texts.

Sitting in a prominent position, Qi Zhenwu offered reassurance: "My dear Brother Chen, there's no need to be so modest. Everyone is simply here to enjoy the festivities today; there's no need for a competition. How about this: we'll permit you to use neighboring rhymes, and it won't matter if they aren't perfectly aligned. If you truly lose, you'll just drink three cups of wine. There's no need to recite 'Sound and Rhyme Enlightenment'."

Elder Qi had invited Chen Ji today with a specific purpose in mind. Qi Zhenwu truly did not want Chen Ji to lose face in this setting, which was why he relaxed the rules.

However, he never would have guessed that Chen Ji didn't even understand what "five wei rhymes" meant.

Even if he knew how to compose poetry, Chen Ji couldn't do so now. In fact, he *could* have written a masterpiece that would astound everyone, then declared, "My poetry holds the weight of a thousand *jun*; it's not meant for such childish games." As long as the poem he recited was sufficiently impressive, his claim would be justified.

However, he had publicly claimed in Luocheng that "Po Zhen Zi" was composed by Prince Jing, and that he himself could not write poetry.

Chen Ji bowed to Qi Zhenwu, saying, "I appreciate your concern, Lord Qi. However, during my apprenticeship, I rose early to fetch water and sweep, then prepared and weighed medicines. At night, my senior apprentices' snores would shake the heavens, and my master was so frugal he sometimes wouldn't even let us light oil lamps... Indeed, I had no leisure to study classics at the medical hall."

Chen Ji spoke without any hint of embarrassment, seemingly unashamed of his past as a medical apprentice, and made no attempt to conceal it.

The young woman playing the pipa suddenly looked up, carefully scrutinizing him once more, before lowering her head and beginning to play a "Battle-Breaking Melody."

Seeing Chen Ji's resolute stance, the others were at a loss for words.

Qi Zhaoning, utterly bored, mumbled, "How boring. I waited for nothing for a whole hour. I might as well go back to the entertainment district and watch 'Four Dreams of Bianliang' again."

At this point, Shen Ye spoke softly: "I heard that young Master Chen abandoned literary pursuits for military ones, presumably aspiring to expand our territory. Whether one chooses literature or martial arts, both serve the court, so there's no real distinction. Since he's unwilling to participate, we needn't pressure him... Perhaps we should just forgo poetry altogether."

As he spoke, Shen Ye smiled and nodded slightly to Chen Ji, displaying perfect courtesy.

Lin Chaojing, however, was not to be deterred: "Brother Shen, today is a literary gathering, and even you, the literary champion of the Tiger Hill Poetry Society, are present. What's the point if we don't engage in poetry and prose? Since Chen Ji isn't willing to write, how about I compose a piece?"

With his left hand resting on his right sleeve, he picked up a brush and wrote on the desk: "Night snow seals the mountains, hunters' horses grow fat; in the lonely village, fires are extinguished, dog barks grow faint. At the camp gate, morning brings news of a chieftain captured; his grizzled, bloodied head is brought back."

This time, the entire hall fell silent; no one dared to cheer.

Before Chen Ji could even react, Qi Zhenzhuo erupted in fury, slamming the table and standing up: "What in the world do you mean?! Qi Duo, bring me my sword!"

Qi Zhenwu also spoke with indignation: "Qi Zhenzhuo, what are you doing?"

Qi Zhenzhuo pointed two fingers at Lin Chaojing like a sword, angrily exclaiming: "Brother, this fellow is mocking our border soldiers, implying they kill innocent people to falsely claim military achievements!"

"Fires are out in the lonely village, his grizzled head brought back" — this poem vividly depicts border troops massacring villagers in isolated settlements and using the white hair of elderly men to falsely claim military honors. Every line directly accused the Guyuan border army of killing innocents to fabricate achievements.

Lin Chaojing unhurriedly set down his brush: "Brother Qi, why such anger? Let me ask you: you all accompanied the Crown Prince to Guyuan to investigate cases of killing innocents for false merit. Have you uncovered anything?"

Qi Zhenzhuo's face turned ashen as he remained silent.

Lin Chaojing pressed on: "Let me ask you again. It's rumored that Chen Ji single-handedly beheaded over a hundred soldiers of the Celestial Strategy Army. This is something even a Grand Official of the Dao-Seeking Realm might not be able to achieve. How could he have done it? Doesn't this indicate he fabricated his military achievements?"

Qi Zhenzhuo angrily retorted, "What rubbish are you spouting?"

Lin Chaojing calmly replied, "Then tell us how he managed to kill them."

Qi Zhenzhuo's expression faltered. At the time, he had been hiding on a rooftop, trembling with fear, so how could he possibly know how Chen Ji had killed so many Celestial Strategy Army soldiers?

His momentary hesitation, in the eyes of everyone present, only served to validate Lin Chaojing's taunt.

Qi Zhenzhuo ceased his argument with him, instead turning to angrily scold him: "You're overstepping your bounds! Did your eunuch faction brother not teach you how to behave as a guest in someone else's home? Or does the eunuch faction act with such impunity, completely disregarding propriety?"

Lin Chaojing's expression changed: "Qi Zhenzhuo, I severed all ties with that eunuch, Lin Chaoqing, long ago; I have no further connection to him. The literary world is well aware of this!"

Qi Zhenzhuo raised an eyebrow: "Your Lin family originally came from humble bureaucratic origins. If you truly severed ties with that eunuch faction, how is it that you still enjoy such a lavish lifestyle today?"

Everyone looked at Lin Chaojing, who was dressed in a white robe with a diagonal collar and wide lapels, its edges embroidered with a golden swastika-like flowing water pattern. He wore a three-beamed crown embellished with gold thread and amber, exuding an extraordinary air of nobility.

Lin Chaojing was known for his generous spending, which explained why he managed to attract many scholars to his side.

Before the others could ponder further, Qi Zhenwu, seated at the head of the table, slammed his hand down and stood up: "Qi Zhenzhuo, how many times have I admonished you not to judge people by their social standing! Apologize to worthy Brother Lin at once!"

Qi Zhenzhuo turned his face away, muttering, "He slandered me first."

Lin Chaojing smiled, then turned to Qi Zhenwu and bowed, saying, "Lord Qi, please don't concern yourself. Qi Zhenzhuo and I were merely jesting."

Qi Zhenwu spoke slowly: "Alright, young people have fiery spirits; it's common for them to argue fiercely over a single word. Which close friends haven't had a quarrel? However, after passing the imperial examination, you are all newly appointed *jinshi*. With such tempers, how will you become pillars of our Ning Dynasty in the future? Let's continue composing poems. Bring out the poetry bell. If the poetry bell rings and you haven't finished your poem yet, you'll be fined with wine. Worthy Brother Chen Ji, you don't need to participate."

Chen Ji turned and quietly asked Qi Zhenzhuo, "Where are the Imperial Forest Army brothers?"

Qi Zhenzhuo explained, "My brother-in-law is leading them in drinking in the East Courtyard. We'll head over there once we're finished here. Ha, it's truly uncomfortable being with these literati!"

Chen Ji acknowledged this with a hum: "Where is the salt merchant's son named Huang Que sitting?"

Qi Zhenzhuo pointed: "Right to your right."

Chen Ji turned to observe the southern scholar beside him. The man appeared to be in his late twenties, with a few strands of gray already at his temples. He wasn't looking at anyone else; his gaze remained fixed on Qi Zhaoyun across from him, who was also looking at him.

Chen Ji interrupted their affectionate gaze, politely addressing him: "Brother Huang Que?"

Huang Que came to his senses and asked curiously, "How do you know my name, worthy brother?"

Chen Ji smiled faintly: "I have long heard of Brother Huang Que's talent. By the way, I understand your family is involved in the salt business. May I ask you a few questions?"

Huang Que's expression became somewhat uneasy: "Merchants are merely opportunistic, of the lowest rank; there's nothing worth mentioning about them."

Chen Ji corrected him earnestly: "Brother Huang Que, you are mistaken. Merchants transport grain to areas experiencing shortages and cloth to areas that lack it. This is crucial for the national economy and the well-being of the people. How can you call it a low-ranking profession?"

Huang Que was taken aback.

At this moment, a maid served wine and dishes. Chen Ji did not touch his chopsticks, casually passing a plate to Xiaoman behind him, and continued his inquiry: "Brother Huang Que, how is the salt business faring?"

Huang Que sighed: "Times are difficult."

Chen Ji chuckled: "Brother Huang Que, you must be joking. Everyone says that a third of the world's wealth is in the hands of salt merchants. The salt merchants' gardens in Suzhou and Yangzhou number over two hundred, more lavish than even those of imperial officials. How, then, can you say times are difficult?"

"My worthy brother is speaking of the major salt merchants, while small families like mine can only barely survive," Huang Que explained. "First, the difficulty lies in the fact that our dynasty's salt merchants are hereditary by a registered system. Only the forty-six registered major salt merchants can purchase salt permits from the Ministry of Revenue. Humble families like mine can only acquire these high-priced salt permits from the major merchants, and we are at their mercy. They only pay four *qian* of silver per permit to the Ministry of Revenue, but then they sell these permits to us for four *liang* of silver each — a tenfold markup."

Chen Ji nodded, understanding that these salt permits functioned as business licenses. Major salt merchants would purchase them from the imperial court, then use them to acquire salt from government-run salt fields, with each permit entitling them to three hundred *jin*.

The imperial court recognized forty-six major salt merchants, granting them a natural monopoly. They could amass enormous profits simply by reselling permits, even without engaging in the sale of salt itself.

Chen Ji asked, intrigued, "Is there a way to become a registered salt merchant?"

Huang Que continued: "This is the second challenge. To become a registered salt merchant, one must purchase a 'woben' (initial capital permit) from the Ministry of Revenue for five hundred thousand *liang* of silver. Furthermore, the minimum purchase of salt permits from the court is ten thousand, a staggering sum that discourages many."

Chen Ji nodded again, realizing the barrier was too high, effectively locking out all smaller businesses.

He casually handed a fresh pastry, newly brought by a Qi manor maid, to Xiaoman, then asked, "Can smaller businesses simply open their doors once they have a salt permit?"

Huang Que shook his head: "The third difficulty is that our dynasty's government-run salt fields produce approximately 1.2 million permits' worth of salt annually, yet the court issues 2.4 million permits each year. Nowadays, without the right connections, even if you hold a permit, you won't be able to withdraw salt from the fields. Smaller businesses seeking to acquire salt are already queued up for the next fifteen years."

Chen Ji asked, puzzled, "If salt cannot be collected from the salt fields, why do salt merchants continue to purchase permits from the imperial court?"

Huang Que suddenly straightened up and became silent. When Chen Ji pressed him further, he made an excuse about needing to change clothes and hastily left the Bright Serene Tower.

Chen Ji watched Huang Que's retreating figure, his eyes gleaming.

He suspected that Huang Que dared not utter the words "privately produced salt, officially sold." Both major and minor salt merchants were illicitly mixing private salt with government-approved salt before selling it.

The inability to withdraw salt from government salt fields was irrelevant; with a salt permit, smaller salt merchants could procure private salt and then boldly pass it off as official salt.

Xiaoman said worriedly, "Master, please don't get involved with private salt. If you're caught, it's a beheading offense."

Chen Ji smiled: "Don't worry, I don't engage in illegal business."

Xiaoman looked puzzled: "Then what kind of business do you intend to pursue, Master?"

Chen Ji said softly, "Naturally, I'll engage in whatever business the court desires me to. Xiaoman, some businesses bring money, but others bring power. Acquiring money is the lesser strategy; acquiring power is the superior one, because power can seize money."

Xiaoman didn't understand: "Master, your business philosophy is even more peculiar than Madam's. You should eat something quickly; the Qi manor's dishes are quite delicious."

Chen Ji chuckled, then lowered his head to pick up some food.

It was a literary gathering.

While others' desks saw sheet after sheet of Xuan paper replaced, his desk saw dish after dish replenished. No one paid him any attention anymore, as if the light filtering through the Bright Serene Tower had somehow missed the corner where he sat.

Across the table, Qi Zhaoning, who had been focused on reading poems, gradually noticed Chen Ji's out-of-place behavior.

When she saw Chen Ji openly pass pastries to Xiaoman, she immediately frowned and turned to Qi Zhaoyun beside her, saying, "Who openly gives food to their maid at a banquet? It's utterly ill-mannered."

Qi Zhaoyun offered a faint smile: "He was previously a concubine's son of the Chen family, and his principal mother sent him to be an apprentice at a medical hall. It's only natural for him to lack certain refinements. People always change; he'll naturally learn manners after spending more time in the capital."

The more Qi Zhaoning watched, the angrier she became: "Grandfather even discussed with Father about me marrying him! How could that possibly happen? Later, when Grandfather returns from the palace, I'll go and clarify this with him. Let Qi Zhenzhu marry Chen Ji—a concubine's daughter for a concubine's son, that would be a perfect match."

Qi Zhaoyun tried to console her: "He is a military general. While generals can indeed be a bit rough around the edges, they also have their advantages; they are capable of handling tough situations."

Qi Zhaoning, frustrated, tore at a handkerchief under the table with both hands: "I was truly impressed when I first heard he had beheaded over a hundred enemy generals. I even saw him the day they entered the capital and thought he had a heroic presence, which is why I returned for this literary gathering today, even skipping the opera. But you just heard what Lin Chaojing said, that military achievement was clearly fabricated. The Chen family must have falsified it for him. How despicable."

Qi Zhaoyun covered her mouth, chuckling: "What if it's true?"

Qi Zhaoning threw her handkerchief to the ground: "In any case, I have no regard for him. If I'm to marry, I'll marry a heroic man like Li Changge from 'Four Dreams of Bianliang'—someone exceptional in both poetry and martial arts, possessing both the ambition to serve the nation and the talent to be a pillar of the state!"

Qi Zhaoyun sighed: "Zhaoning, everything in plays is fictional."

Qi Zhaoning ignored Qi Zhaoyun, waved a hand to a maid, and instructed: "Tell them not to serve any more pastries or dishes to Chen Ji. How can he and his maid eat so much? Are they trying to freeload at my Qi manor?"

Qi Zhaoyun exclaimed in alarm: "No, you can't! He is a guest personally invited by Grandfather."

Qi Zhaoning glared at the maid: "Go on, what are you waiting for?"

Just then, a young servant scurried into the main hall of the Bright Serene Tower and announced loudly, "Young Master, the Buddhist Monk Wuzhai has arrived. He has also brought the reincarnated Buddhist Monk from Yunzhou, Luozhui Saga."

Qi Zhenwu abruptly stood up: "Quickly, welcome them! I thought the Buddhist Monk wasn't coming."

Shen Ye quietly asked, "Luozhui Saga... is that the Buddhist Monk from Yunzhou with the ability to read minds?"

Lin Chaojing replied with a smile, "Yes, it is. He is currently cultivating at Yuanjue Temple."

All the guests in the hall rose in unison, looking towards the entrance.

Chen Ji remained seated behind his table, showing no intention of standing up, and casually handed more pastries from the table to Xiaoman.

He suspected that the cultivation method of the Mandala Esoteric Seal, the Gluttonous Path, involved eating. Xiaoman seemed like a bottomless pit; no matter how many pastries she was given, she never seemed full... However, their current household finances didn't permit Xiaoman to eat without restraint.

The next moment, the Buddhist Monk Wuzhai, clad in a white kasaya, entered the Bright Serene Tower as if carrying a beam of moonlight. Even the candlelight in the main hall seemed to brighten perceptibly.

The phrase "brightened perceptibly" was no exaggeration; the candlelight genuinely grew brighter.

Behind the Buddhist Monk Wuzhai's head, a hazy halo of Buddha's light genuinely seemed to appear, illuminating even the large pond outside, where one could distinctly see koi swimming at the bottom.

All the plump koi swam towards the Bright Serene Tower, gathering by the shore as if in a pilgrimage of ten thousand carp.

This seemingly miraculous sight astonished the guests, drawing exclamations of wonder.

The Buddhist Monk Wuzhai stepped into the hall, clasped his hands together, and spoke gently: "Forgive me, esteemed benefactors, this humble monk is late."

Qi Zhenwu chuckled heartily as he circled the table to greet him.

He walked to the hall entrance and extended his arms to gently take Wuzhai's arm: "No matter, no matter. It is wonderful that Buddhist Monk Wuzhai could attend; your presence brings great honor to my Qi family's Bright Serene Tower. And this Buddhist Monk from Yunzhou, I have long heard of your miraculous mind-reading ability. Might you allow us to witness it today?"

But Wuzhai remained silent. His gaze suddenly shifted over Qi Zhenwu's shoulder, fixing on Chen Ji, who was holding half a pastry behind the table, and he said nothing for a long moment.

Everyone followed Wuzhai's gaze, puzzled as to why he was staring so intently at Chen Ji.

Qi Zhenzhuo nudged Chen Ji with his arm: "Master, stop eating."

Qi Zhenwu asked, perplexed, "What is it, Buddhist Monk?"

Wuzhai smiled, clasped his hands together, and bowed slightly to Chen Ji: "Donor Chen Ji, I trust you have been well."

Everyone present was taken aback.

Chen Ji looked up, but not at Wuzhai. Instead, he glanced at the young monk behind Wuzhai, who was excitedly waving at him. However, the moment their eyes met, the young monk slowly let his smile fade, replaced by a look of compassion unsuited to his age.

At this point, Wuzhai, though ignored, showed no anger. He continued to smile and said, "Donor Chen Ji, we departed in haste last time. This time, I presume we will have ample time to catch up."

Qi Zhenwu looked from Chen Ji to Wuzhai, then back again: "Buddhist Monk, do you know worthy Brother Chen?"

Wuzhai stated candidly, "Of course I know him. Last winter, at the literary gathering at Luhun Mountain Villa, this very Donor Chen Ji debated me on the topic of 'selflessness and self' and ultimately prevailed."

Qi Zhaoning exclaimed in astonishment, "A literary gathering? The Luhun Mountain Villa literary gathering?"

Qi Zhaoyun explained, "Previously, storytellers in the capital would recount that literary gathering's debate several times a day. The debate scene between Li Changge and the Buddhist Monk in 'Four Dreams of Bianliang' was directly inspired by that occasion. Even the part where Li Changge led the princess by the reins through the 'Line of Sky' was taken from that very story."

Qi Zhaoning instinctively gasped, then abruptly turned her head to look at Chen Ji.

Qi Zhenwu asked Chen Ji, his expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty: "Was it you who debated and defeated Buddhist Monk Wuzhai at Luhun Reservoir?"

Seeing everyone's gazes turn to him, Chen Ji grinned: "Pure luck, pure luck."