Chapter 39: Ghost Wealth and the River Dipper

“Ziyu, Qiandong, are we going to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the river lanterns tonight?” Zhao Xing asked his two younger friends as they left work.

“No,” Qiandong shook his head. “The River Lantern Festival is truly uninteresting. There aren’t many young ladies, and it’s quite eerie. What’s there to see? It’s far inferior to the Grass Fighting Festival or the Spring Festival.”

“All you think about are girls,” Zhao Xing said with a laugh, patting him on the back. He then turned to Chen Ziyu. “How about you?”

“I’ll go, but I probably can’t go with you, brother,” Chen Ziyu replied. “I’m going with my father to sell lotus lanterns.”

The river lanterns for the River Lantern Festival are also called lotus lanterns. They are made from lotus leaves, clay, gouache, cloth, drawing paper, needle, and thread.

Once crafted, the revered names of deceased relatives are written on the outer surface of the lantern, and a candle is placed in its center.

Of course, lotus lanterns are also used to pray for the living, not solely for commemorating the departed souls.

Although many people attend this festival, the atmosphere is solemn and serious. There isn’t much in terms of entertainment, at most, people eat some food and enjoy the scenery.

Seeing that his two friends weren’t going, Zhao Xing didn't insist, as he wasn't going for entertainment either.

He was going to see if he could make some ‘ghost wealth.’

In the Qi Luck Dynasty system, the theory of Five Elements Qi Luck was prevalent, giving rise to professions like sorcerers, diviners, and geomancers.

However, after Emperor Taizu of Great Zhou ‘gathered the luck of the world,’ he strengthened the state’s control over destiny. He severely curtailed these three professions, incorporating them all into ‘Spirit Temples’ as tools, where Yin Gods managed luck to increase blessings and prosperity.

In his past life, these professions had become mere ‘side jobs’ in Zhao Xing’s eyes, because Taizu’s curtailment was a direct strike to their lifeblood.

In the Qi Luck Dynasty version of the world, these three professions were utterly gutter-tier, relegated to the status of ‘charlatans.’ They merely eked out a precarious existence, only to rise again after the collapse of the Qi Luck Dynasty.

But this didn’t prevent Zhao Xing from making a small fortune.

“From the Heavenly Stems, it’s Seven Killings; but from Na Yin, it’s wealth.”

“For instance, Dingmao’s Na Yin is Fire, while its Heavenly Stem’s true Five Element belongs to Wood. If one sees Yigeng among the four stems, it represents the Metal Ghost. However, Dingmao’s Na Yin Fire can restrain Yigeng Metal, hence it’s called ‘Ghost Wealth’.”

“Pursuing ghost wealth, while not yielding major benefits, also carries no risk. This is because the Zhou Dynasty is prosperous, and no wandering spirits or wild ghosts can cause trouble.” Zhao Xing glanced at his almanac for averting misfortune, then slowly walked towards Fisherman’s Wharf.

He first arrived outside an inn at Fisherman’s Wharf. There were many stalls set up, and quite a few vendors were already selling lotus lanterns and incense.

Zhao Xing casually bought a lantern; it was just an unranked, ordinary item. He then approached a group of people resting nearby.

This group was gathered in small clusters, bare-chested and drinking tea, with hooks, scissors, and other tools laid out beside them.

They were a group of “river salvagers.”

What are river salvagers?

They are people with excellent swimming skills who specialize in retrieving treasures from the water, usually former fishermen.

The Thirteen Canals of Pinghu connect to the Canglan River, and the East Lake has accumulated vital energy over many years. Through river erosion and scouring, many underwater treasures emerge.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 water treasures are not uncommon; finding one is enough to live on for half a year. What if one finds a Tier 3 treasure? Then they could directly buy a house on land and become a landlord!

Furthermore, with a constant flow of boats and passengers, tourists and merchant ships often drop valuables, prompting people to hire others to retrieve them. This led to the emergence of this group of ‘river salvagers.’

Don’t let their dirty and unseemly appearance fool you; they earn far more than a minor official like Zhao Xing in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Zhao Xing walked up to a stall and cupped his hands in greeting. “Gentlemen, do you take on jobs?”

A sturdy middle-aged man who looked like a foreman nodded. “We don’t take on inauspicious jobs; we only search for items and treasures. If you wish to try your luck, young master, we offer long-term salvaging, short-term salvaging, and one-time deals.”

Elite river salvagers do not take on inauspicious jobs like retrieving corpses or bones; they are unwilling to earn that kind of money.

Zhao Xing nodded and stated his requirements directly: “I need to hire a skilled diver for a short salvage. Starting at the end of the You hour and finishing before the Zi hour; approximately three *shichen*, with unlimited dives. I’ll pay two taels and five qian, and provide tea and supper. Anything found belongs to me, with no share for the salvager.”

The foreman, seeing that Zhao Xing knew the ropes and offered a generous price, nodded and called out, “Old Eight Xu!”

“Hey! Coming!” Not far away, a burly man was chatting with a young female vendor, showing off his well-built muscles, making her giggle coyly.

Hearing his boss’s voice, he immediately touched the woman’s hand and scampered over eagerly.

“Boss.”

“This young master wants to try his luck with a short salvage, three *shichen*, two taels and five qian for the job. Any problem for you?” the foreman asked.

“No problem!” Old Eight Xu grinned, patting his chest towards Zhao Xing. “Young master, just look at me, and you’ll know that I, Old Eight Xu, can definitely bring you good luck!”

Zhao Xing observed the man using his Five Elements Observation. He had ample lung capacity, two or three times greater than others, confirming he was indeed a skilled individual. He then nodded. “He’ll do.”

The foreman took out an engraved bamboo slip and said, “Payment is required upfront, plus an additional tael as a deposit. If he returns safely, the deposit will be refunded with this slip. If he meets with an accident, you will not be held responsible, and this deposit will be considered your goodwill payment.”

“Very reasonable,” Zhao Xing nodded. Then it was a direct exchange of payment for service.

With the slip in hand, Old Eight Xu gathered his gear and followed behind Zhao Xing.

“Young master, do you also need to rent a pleasure boat? I know someone who can give you a 10% discount. If you have friends, a group of five can even get a 20% discount.”

Zhao Xing replied, “It’s just me. A small skiff will suffice; no need for a boat.”

Old Eight Xu wasn’t disappointed, as he could still get a referral fee for a skiff. “Then, young master, which lake area do you wish to go to? East, West, South, North? Or one of the thirteen bay areas? Yesterday, a luminous pearl was dug up in the West Lake area. I think we could try our luck there.”

Zhao Xing smiled. “No rush for now. Let’s just wander around.”

Seeing this, Old Eight Xu said no more. It seemed this client had a plan in mind. He was even happy if Zhao Xing wandered longer, as it meant fewer dives for him.

During the End of Heat solar term, it gets dark later. It wasn’t until the end of the You hour that it became completely dark.

Standing at a high point at Fisherman’s Wharf at this time, one could see lotus lanterns floating everywhere on the river, like scattered stars forming a continuous expanse.

The commercial street was still lively, but it was primarily for selling food, drinks, or lotus lanterns. Other entertainment options were much fewer than at other festivals.

“Hmm?” Zhao Xing’s gaze suddenly fell on a familiar back. “The Hall Master of Caoxi True Monarch Temple? There are quite a few people with him, apparently officials from the Spirit Temple. I wonder what their assessment tasks are?”

It was still early for his appointed time, and he was there to watch the excitement anyway, so he quickly drew closer and pricked up his ears to listen.

He infused vital energy into his ears, and soon, in the noisy street, only the sounds from the Hall Master’s group remained audible.