【The Song of the Six Dynasties】(Episode 18, Chapter 2)

Chapter Two

Ao Run was currently in Wudu. They needed to maintain constant contact with the merchant guild while they were out. Of the five, Hami Chi and the Blue-Faced Beast were barbarian beastmen and couldn't act alone; Feng Yuan was a mage, physically weak and lacking in intelligence. Ao Run had to stay in the city to relay messages and appease Fu An and the others. Fu An had brought ten reliable Imperial Guards to protect the young master. Although they had been driven away, none dared to return. Staying in Wudu was at least closer to a high-IQ individual, which would give the Grand Commandant an explanation. Whether they would be of any use was up to fate.

Cheng Zongyang had lost contact with Lin'an since entering Canglan. Although he had encountered Feng Yuan, the Great Mage Feng knew little about the situation in Lin'an. Ao Run possessed the Dragon Eye Jade refined by Lin Qingpu and could actively contact Lin Qingpu. Cheng Zongyang also had this, but it became ineffective upon entering Canglan, perhaps due to radiation.

Cheng Zongyang's immediate priority was to re-establish contact with Lin'an, send a message to the branch office in Yiling, instructing them to go to Canglan to meet Mo Rulin and the others, and also inform Wu Er and Little Fox of his whereabouts so they wouldn't wait in vain.

Wudu was located at the foot of Shouyang Mountain. Cheng Zongyang borrowed horses from Feng Yuan and, with Old Man Zhu and Little Purple, traveled swiftly, arriving in the city just past noon.

Wudu's city walls were magnificent, its area comparable to the famous cities of the Six Dynasties, but lacking the elaborate decorations and exquisite curves of the past. The eaves of government buildings were generally large, but rarely featured flowing, flying eaves; instead, simple, straight lines pressed heavily against the beams. Circular roof tiles, painted with various cloud, bird, animal, insect, flower, and text patterns, hung beneath the eaves; below were massive wooden pillars, their surfaces painted entirely, solemn and steady.

Compared to Lin'an, where land was incredibly valuable, Wudu was much more spacious, with large tracts of wasteland within the city, making it appear sparsely populated. The road was mostly traversed by oxcarts, the surface paved with yellow earth and marked with deep ruts. Whether pedestrians or galloping youths, most carried swords and knives, demonstrating the fierce and martial spirit of the people.

Ao Run didn't stay at an inn; instead, Fu An and the others rented a house together. The houses in the Han Kingdom were much more ordinary, mostly with rammed earth walls, smoothed and whitewashed, and thatched roofs, with a few occasionally fitted with tiles.

When Cheng Zongyang arrived, several men were carrying bundles of thatch and mud to repair the roof. Ao Run squatted under a large locust tree, biting his fingers and holding his breath.

Cheng Zongyang asked, puzzled, "What?"

"Quiet, quiet! I'm almost remembering this character..." Ao Run racked his brains, slapping his forehead, then suddenly stood up abruptly. "Boss Cheng! Is that you? Why didn't I hear anything?" Cheng

Zongyang took the wooden slip from his hand; it had several lines of ink-written clerical script on it. "What is this?" "Given

by the village head. He said the government ordered outsiders to fill out their names, hometowns, and addresses. One copy is to be hung outside the door, and the other to be given to the government."

"Then fill it out."

Ao Run stammered, then lowered his head sheepishly and whispered, "I can't read..."

"Then what are you fussing about? Where's Fu An?"

A man jumped down from the roof and laughed, "Steward Fu is drunk and hasn't woken up yet."

Cheng Zongyang laughed, "Drinking so early in the morning?"

"Last night! Last night!" Ao Run quickly said, "Yesterday was Brother Fu's birthday, and we brothers hosted a feast. We got carried away and drank too much."

The man clasped his hands in a salute to Cheng Zongyang, "This humble servant is Liu Zhao, Left Commander of the Imperial Guard. This must be Master Cheng?"

Hearing "Master," Cheng Zongyang imagined himself as a swaying, pot-bellied country gentleman in an octagonal hat, and quickly replied, "When you're traveling, why bother with such formalities? If Commander Liu thinks highly of me, let's address each other as brothers."

Liu Zhao Relaxing, he laughed, "No wonder Brother Ao always praises Boss Cheng, saying he's a true man, without a trace of airs."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled, "We're brothers, no need to be so polite. Old Ao, take the pen, I'll fill it out. Did you all bring your travel permits?"

Gao Qiu, sending people out privately, certainly wouldn't use the Imperial Guard's name. Even Fu An and the others used the name of the Cheng Clan Merchant Guild. Each person had a travel permit, stating their identity and origin, and there were even several blank documents stamped with the official seal of the Song Dynasty, equivalent to officially recognized ID cards.

Cheng Zongyang quickly filled out the travel permits. Fu An was the guild's steward, Feng Yuan was the accountant, Ao Run and the others were porters and guards in the business, and the two barbarian beastmen were the guild's laborers.

Seeing that he had been labeled a groom, Old Man Zhu was displeased. "I travel all over the country, and everywhere I go, people have to call me a groom. Little Cheng, change it, change it!"

"How about '弼马温' (Bima Wen, a lowly official in charge of horses)?" Cheng Zongyang said, changing it to groom. He only started using a brush during the Six Dynasties period, and as his skills deepened, his brushstrokes became more and more fluid and skillful. Although he had never copied any rubbings, his writing was already quite good.

After finishing the copy, he had it delivered to the village head's office. Ao Run then said, "Boss Cheng, what brings you here? I just contacted the Chamber of Commerce last night, and they said you were in Yiling."

Cheng Zongyang put down his brush. "Can I contact Qingpu? There are a few things I need to tell you."

Ao Run said, "Boss Cheng, this way."

Although it was a thatched hut, it was clean and tidy, clearly a specially prepared quiet room. Ao Run took out a jade tablet. "Mr. Lin instructed that as long as a message is received from this jade tablet, a spell will be cast to make contact within half an hour."

Cheng Zongyang nodded, sat down cross-legged, and said, "I came directly from the Taiquan Ancient Formation." He stopped Ao Run's questioning, "Don't make this public."

Ao Run sighed, "That's amazing! How did you do that?"

Cheng Zongyang said, "I wish I knew."

Ao Run hurriedly said, "Boss Cheng, it's perfect that you're here. There's something I've been worrying about how to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I saw people from the Yun family outside the city."

Cheng Zongyang's expression changed, and he sat up straight.

"I've been in Jiankang for so long, and although I haven't even stepped inside the Yun family mansion, I recognize most of the people coming and going. That man is a guard of the Yun family. I saw him at the city gate the day before yesterday, and I was wondering why he was in Wudu. Then I thought, could it be that the Yun family also has a residence here?"

Cheng Zongyang's heart was pounding. "I'm not mistaken, am I?"

"No! I followed them quietly and saw a carriage. Although it didn't have any banners, I recognized several of the people accompanying it. They were guards of Sixth Master Yun."

Transferring Ao Run to Wudu was definitely the right decision. Cheng Zongyang asked, "Do you know where they're going?"

Ao Run said, "I didn't dare follow too closely. I watched them enter a large mansion outside the city from a distance. I inquired and found out it's a property of the Yun family."

At this moment, a glint of light flashed in the room. Cheng Zongyang said, "We'll talk about this later. Make some preparations, and I'll go with you."

Ao Run agreed and left the quiet room. The water mirror had taken shape, and in its slightly shimmering light, it revealed a face that was serene yet tinged with shyness.

Cheng Zongyang couldn't help but laugh. Around him were rough and boisterous men like Wu Zhanwei and Ao Run; outsiders like Qi Yuan and Xu Junfang, who could speak to anyone, regardless of their background; a wise and unassuming man like Qiu Shaojun, detached from worldly affairs; fierce figures like Meng Feiqing and Wu Erlang; shrewd and calculating schemers like Qin Huizhi and Gao Qiu; a romantic figure like the young marquis; and a shameless old man like Zhu Laotou. Only Lin Yupu seemed like the boy next door, blushing occasionally even though he was now at the core of the group.

Upon seeing the head of the family, Lin Yupu was so excited that the water mirror shook wildly, almost interrupting the spell. He quickly calmed himself, and another person appeared in the mirror—Qin Huizhi.

Qin Hui bowed in greeting and said calmly, "Patriarch." Although his tone was flat, he couldn't hide the hint of satisfaction in his voice.

Cheng Zongyang smiled and said, "Hello, Huizhi. It's been a long time. You still look as dashing as ever." Qin Huizhi said, "Since the patriarch entered Canglan, there has been no news of him. I didn't expect him to go to Wudu. I wonder how the young marquis and the others are?"

"The message I sent today was about this matter." Cheng Zongyang knew that Lin Qingpu's Water Mirror Technique couldn't last long, so he briefly explained the agreement he had reached with Mo Rulin and the others, and then said, "You immediately send someone to Canglan to hand over to Xu Junfang. If his injuries allow, bring him here as soon as possible. Tell the young marquis that I am out of danger and that Xiao Zi is here. Tell him to rest assured."

Qin Huizhi noted this down and then said, "Half a month ago, I sent someone to Yiling to look for the young master."

Cheng Zongyang frowned and asked, "What happened?" "

Since the beginning of summer, grain prices have soared. Many grain shops have come to exchange paper money to raise funds to cope with the grain prices. At that time, the gold coins in the treasury were almost exhausted. Fortunately, Changbo sent a sum of gold coins, which solved the immediate problem." "

Where did Wu Sangui get the money?"

"It's the proceeds from the sale of cement in Jiangzhou," Qin Huizhi said. "Jiangzhou currently produces 150,000 shi of cement per month. After deducting its own consumption, it sells nearly 90,000 shi each month, generating a profit of 50,000 gold coins." He paused, lowering his voice, and added, "Last month, a porterage in Qingzhou transported 50,000 shi in one go, using Black Demon Sea's vouchers."

Black Demon Sea is quite wealthy! The agreement signed with Jian Yuji stipulated that Black Demon Sea's annual agency share would be guaranteed at a minimum of 200,000 shi, with a maximum of one million shi. They thought they'd be lucky to even guarantee the minimum, but they transported 50,000 shi in one go.

At this rate, Jiangzhou's annual cement production, after deducting its own consumption, wouldn't even cover their share.

"I have already sent people to investigate that porterage firm, and I will get back to you soon."

"No need to investigate. Since Jian Yuji dares to use this porterage firm, she is not afraid of others investigating." Cheng Zongyang focused his attention on the issue he was most concerned about, "Is the price of grain rising sharply?"

Qin Huizhi said, "Many places suffered from severe drought this spring. It is said that even Qingzhou will have a poor harvest. The trading volume in the market is only 20% of that in previous years."

Wang Maohong had entrusted him to stockpile grain to help Jin State overcome the famine. Now, before the summer harvest, the price of grain has begun to soar, and the situation is very bad. Cheng Zongyang pondered for a moment and ordered, "Send me the situation in various places as soon as possible."

"Yes." Qin Huizhi did not dare to delay at all and added, "Another matter is that I just received news that three immortal masters from Shenxiao Sect have emerged from seclusion and gone to Jiangzhou to build a Taoist temple for the Song ruler."

With the intervention of Taiyi Zhenzong, Jiangzhou and Song State reached a private agreement that Jiangzhou would provide the site for the Song ruler to build a Taoist temple, which can be considered as a way to save face for Song State. Unexpectedly, the Divine Firmament Sect intervened, planting a spy right in his heart. Cheng Zongyang was utterly disgusted by this news, yet unable to retaliate.

Might as well make sure no one is left idle! Cheng Zongyang said, "Send people to the Taiyi Zhenzong and the Suofan Temple in Tang State, saying that the people of Jiangzhou are devout Buddhists and Taoists, and invite them to build temples and Taoist monasteries in Jiangzhou. All the land will be given away for free. If cement is needed for building the temples, it will be half price! The locations should all be outside the city, the farther away from the river, the better." Qin Huizhi hesitated and said, "This may not be a good thing in the long run. Please think

it over carefully, Master." "We'll talk about the future later. Let's get through this hurdle first." Cheng Zongyang said, "The Shenxiao Sect may not be afraid to make a move. Tell Elder Meng to be more careful."

"Understood."

Cheng Zongyang glanced at Lin Qingpu, who was practicing his internal energy. "How is the situation in Lin'an? Get to the point."

"The Wumu Prince's Mansion has begun reconstruction, but due to tight funds, it is only being slowed down. All the money shops have opened, and merchants are coming to exchange money. Although the amount is not much, it is still a small help. Regarding the grain of Jin State, Qi Yuan sent a letter, which I had someone deliver." Qin Huizhi smiled slightly. "Miss Yan'er and Aunt Lan are all well. They just miss the young master." "She keeps asking when the young master will return."

Cheng Zongyang felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, "I brought her a gift, Brother Traitor, and yours too. I won't return to Lin'an for now, send someone over."

"Yes." After Qin Huizhi finished speaking, Lin Qingpu's spell came to an end, and the water mirror gradually disappeared.

Cheng Zongyang got up and paced a few steps. Qin Huizhi's ability was beyond doubt, and although there were many affairs in Lin'an, he should be able to handle them. Looking at the situation afterward, it became clearer. Only a minority of the Song Kingdom insisted on using force against Jiangzhou. Jia Shixian was essentially tricked by the entire Song Kingdom, and even the Song emperor himself was pushing things along to weaken Jia Shixian's power in the army.

Now, Jiangzhou had no external threats and was in a period of rapid development. With Meng Laoda in charge, the Shenxiao Sect couldn't cause any more trouble. The only thing to worry about was the grain. Jin Kingdom had a poor harvest, Song Kingdom had a poor harvest, and even Qingzhou had a poor harvest. Once a famine occurred, internal strife would likely follow. During the Six Dynasties period, the average yield per mu was only one or two shi (a unit of dry measure), and even the best fields yielded only four shi per mu, which translates to only four or five hundred jin (another unit of dry measure), less than a third of what it was in later generations. It's a pity he didn't have the Midas touch to change all the rice seeds with a flick of his wrist.

Cheng Zongyang pushed open the door and came out . "Old Ao! Prepare the horses!"

Ao Run responded and led the horses out.

"Woof! Woof!" A dog barked at this moment; it was Xiao Zi who had water drawn and put Xue Xue in a wooden tub for a bath.

Xue Xue's two little paws clung to the edge of the tub, trying hard to jump out, but her legs were too short, and she couldn't climb out after struggling for a long time.

Cheng Zongyang went over and hugged Xiao Zi, whispering in her ear, "Yao'er might be here; I'll go check."

Xiao Zi handed him a piece of rope. "Here."

"What for?"

Xiao Zi laughed, "If the Yun family refuses, we can just tie up your Yao'er and bring her here."

"What a joke!" Cheng Zongyang threw the rope aside, sighing inwardly. He knew the real trouble was yet to come.

"Stay home and wait for me, don't wander off." Cheng Zongyang raised his voice and said, "Going out to hunt rabbits, anyone coming?"

Old Zhu rushed out, "Me! Me!"

Cheng Zongyang and Ao Run rode out of the city, and not far to the east, they saw a large river. Ao Run hadn't been idle in Wudu either, and had already scouted out the situation in the city. He pointed out, "This is the Wuyang River, which flows down from Shouyang Mountain. The trees felled on the mountain are tied into rafts and then lowered into this river. In another month, when the logging season arrives, the rafts in the river will be lined up one after another, covering half the river's surface."

Cheng Zongyang pointed to both banks of the Wuyang River, "Isn't this the fiefdom of the Pi family?"

"The riverbanks need to be embanked and silted up, which one family can't handle alone. Therefore, the riverbed and the land within a hundred paces of the banks belong to the government."

Cheng Zongyang had seen the scene of fishing for driftwood in the mountains, and at the time he wondered why they didn't just put the trees directly downstream, but instead risked dragging them to the shore. Only now did he realize that the river channel leading out of the mountains belonged to the government. If it wasn't bundled into rafts and sold as goods, it would become ownerless drifting downstream.

Cheng Zongyang said, "The Han state certainly distinguishes between public and private matters."

Ao Run said, "Old Ao doesn't understand the intricacies of this either, but I heard a young retainer of the Marquis of Pingting complaining that although being enfeoffed as a marquis is glorious, the marquisate is granted by the emperor, and a single act of disrespect can lead to the expulsion of the state. To be on the safe side, it's better for local powerful families to recommend someone for the civil service examination; that way, they can maintain their wealth and status for a long time."

Cheng Zongyang said, "Powerful families are also afraid of ruining their families! Not to mention the prefect, even the county magistrate is someone they can't afford to offend."

Old Zhu chuckled, "That's why local powerful families are all vying to recommend someone for the civil service examination!"

"Old man, you're quite familiar with these things?"

"Of course!" Old Zhu stroked his beard and said, "I used to recommend someone for the civil service examination myself."

Cheng Zongyang smiled and asked, "Did you get accepted?"

Old Zhu, without even blushing, said, "Almost, just almost."

"I even thought about becoming emperor, I was so close."

"Oh, young Cheng, you did that too?"

"You, an emperor?"

Old Zhu chuckled, "I was just a little short."

Cheng Zongyang ignored him. "Old Ao, are we there yet?"

Ao Run asked, raising his riding whip. "It's just past this grove!"

A moment later, Cheng Zongyang looked at the building in front of him and said in shock, "Old Ao, is this the mansion you were talking about?"

Ao Run said confidently, "That's right! This is it!"

"Nonsense! Who builds a mansion like this?"

Ahead was a moat nearly three zhang wide, only half-filled with water. The exposed edge of the moat was at least a person's height, and rows of sharpened wooden stakes could be vaguely seen underwater. Behind the moat was a high wall five hundred paces long, with a watchtower built every hundred paces, and walkways connecting the watchtowers. At each of the four corners stood a watchtower several dozen feet high, and in front of the gate, a drawbridge suspended by iron chains as thick as a child's arm.

"Is this a house? It's like a city!"

Ao Run scratched his head. "Houses in the Han countryside are all like this."

"This is called a fortified village!" Old Zhu exclaimed enthusiastically. "Local magnates in the Han all like to build these kinds of houses. See the granary? It can hold at least 100,000 shi of grain! Inside are mountains of gold, silver, and silk...tsk tsk! I'm telling you, young Cheng, if you conquer one, you'll be rich!"

"Are you crazy!" Cheng Zongyang shouted, staring blankly for a long time before muttering, "The cement distribution rights for the Han must not be given to just one company; the market is too big... Damn! This fortified village alone can sell 100,000 shi!"

Ao Run gave a thumbs up. "No wonder it's Boss Cheng! He sees business in everything! I, Old Ao, would never have thought of this. Boss Cheng, I made the right choice following you!"

"Are you trying to flatter me?"

Ao Run said angrily, "Chief Cheng! You can curse me, but you can't insult me! Old Ao may be illiterate, but I have backbone! Would I do something like flattery? I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart!"

"Don't shout! Someone's here!"

Several figures appeared vaguely on the wall, seemingly looking this way.

Ao Run said, "Chief Cheng, I'll go say hello."

Cheng Zongyang stopped him, "No need, I'll go myself."

Old Zhu blinked and said, "What? What? Didn't we agree to catch rabbits to eat?"

Cheng Zongyang rode to the moat, then jumped off his horse and called out, "Junior Cheng Zongyang has come to pay a visit to Master Yun Liu."

There was a commotion on the wall, then the drawbridge creaked down, and a guard rode out, cupping his hands and saying, "Indeed, it's Young Master Cheng!"

Cheng Zongyang asked in surprise, "You know me?"

The guard smiled and said, "I saw Young Master once in Lin'an, just now from afar..." "I saw it from afar and have already sent someone to inform Third Master."

Cheng Zongyang was overjoyed. "Brother Yun is here too?"

A dry cough came from afar. Cheng Zongyang looked up and saw Yun Cangfeng standing with his hands behind his back in the doorway. Before he could approach, Yun Cangfeng said with a stern face, "If Brother Cheng is here to speak on behalf of the young marquis, then please leave." He was immediately given a

hard time. Cheng Zongyang smiled bitterly, "Brother Yun, please don't be angry. My visit this time has nothing to do with the young marquis."

Upon hearing this, Yun Cangfeng's face darkened even more. He flicked his sleeve and strode away, completely ignoring him.

Cheng Zongyang was filled with regret. It was all his fault for using the little fox as a scapegoat. The Yun family still thought it was Xiao Yaoyi's doing. If he had come to speak on behalf of the young marquis, he certainly wouldn't have been treated well. After such an incident, the young marquis acted as if nothing had happened, which made the Yun family even more furious.

Cheng Zongyang took his backpack from beside the saddle, hurried a few steps to catch up with Yun Cangfeng, and said with a smile, "Brother Yun, it's been so long! I've missed you every day."

"Hmph! Young Master, you think you can look down on the Yun family just because of your status? Do you think we're easy to bully?"

"Brother Yun, calm down. Let me explain..."

"What's there to explain!" Yun Cangfeng's anger hadn't subsided. "There's a saying that family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, but I'm not afraid for you to know. The Xiao family has done such a heartless thing. If the young marquis doesn't come and kowtow to admit his mistake, my Yun family will never rest until the Lanling Xiao clan is finished!" Cheng Zongyang thought to himself: "I'm here now, aren't I? If he just wants to kowtow and admit his mistake, I'll do it right away." Although this was Yao'er's initiative, he couldn't say anything, he could only say it was his fault. Heaven and earth bear witness! Who would have thought Yao'er would be pregnant?

Cheng Zongyang smiled obsequiously and said, "Brother Yun, you've traveled the world and seen countless rare treasures. I've acquired a few good items this time and would like to ask you to take a look."

Yun Cangfeng frowned and said, "You really didn't come for the young marquis?"

Cheng Zongyang forced a smile and said, "Really not."

Yun Cangfeng stomped his foot and said angrily, "I'm so angry! Someone! Bring Sixth Brother here! Our Yun family will not rest until we destroy the Xiao family!"

"Brother Yun, wait! Let's see the goods first!"

Yun Cangfeng roared a few times, then suddenly lowered his voice, "What exactly does that Xiao fellow mean? Our Yun family has its pride too; if this drags on any longer, we'll have to break off relations."

"Don't worry, Brother Yun, I'm here to resolve this matter," Cheng Zongyang said. "I'll make sure everyone is satisfied, no matter what."

"How will you resolve it? That Xiao fellow is just a coward..."

Before Yun Cangfeng could finish speaking, a guard rushed in, "Third Master, Sixth Master requests your presence."

Yun Cangfeng didn't have time to say more, "I'm going to see Sixth Master; you wait here."

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