Chapter 132: The Interesting Daoist Ji
Jin Sui asked again, “How are the preparations for the business aspect?”
Cheng Yu took out a list from his sleeve and handed it to Jin Sui, then called for samples to be brought over. “These are the team uniforms the Prince mentioned, as well as specialized saddles, knee pads, cushions, headscarves, team flags, and other equipment.”
Jin Sui inspected them and casually asked, “How did you set the prices?”
“Team uniforms are three hundred wen per set, saddles are ten taels of silver per set, knee pads…”
Jin Sui quickly raised her hand, “Wait! Lord Cheng, have you mistaken our target clientele? Our customers are all young masters from the gentry. Do they even know what a wen is?”
“Polo is a high-luxury sport, and we are selling high-luxury goods!
Re-price them. These team uniforms will be ten taels of silver per set, and saddles can be customized with team names and emblems for one hundred taels of silver per set! The other items are the same; increase all prices!”
“If that’s the case, the common people won’t be able to afford the polo merchandise sold in our border city!”
Jin Sui scoffed, “When have you ever seen a commoner play polo? How many people have never even seen it in their lives! This is a game for the powerful and wealthy young masters.”
“Instead, for cuju merchandise, like small flags for spectators, headbands, and betting tickets for teams, set them at commoner prices. Each ticket will be two wen, and we must ensure the fairness of the matches. It should be very convenient for the common people to redeem their winnings afterward.”
Cheng Yu said with admiration, “The Prince’s strategy is brilliant. From now on, polo matches will be a sport for the elite, while cuju will be a sport for everyone.”
“Two wen per ticket, even ordinary commoners can afford it. But if they win, they can at least get ten times their money back. I estimate that all the commoners in the city will buy them.”
Jin Sui smiled, “Exactly! However, we must strictly regulate it. Our border city has a complete ban on gambling, and only during ball games can betting tickets be openly sold.”
“Believe me, as long as this border city ball game is held well, it will be much more attractive than the treasure-appraisal competition held by the young masters in Yanzhou City!”
“Although the ball game is only held once a year, this one event will last for half a month, which can increase the border city’s economy severalfold, and all industries will prosper.”
After discussing the ball game, Cheng Yu dismissed his subordinates, of course not dismissing Gu Changxiao. They were all intelligent people, and even if they couldn’t guess the truth, they could guess that this Gu Imperial Guard was different from others.
“Your Highness, I believe the matter of Zheng Yun is more important! How do you plan to deal with it? Should I inform the soldiers first?”
Cheng Yu’s face was grave, and a hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes.
Honestly, with his current thoughts, even if the Li King before him was fake, he would accept it!
With three thousand soldiers as our backing, even a fake king can become a real king! At worst, we can use killing to subdue them! In any case, it’s on the frontier; at worst, we can flee beyond the border and become kings of our own territory.
Cheng Yu’s calm words demonstrated to Jin Sui and Gu Changxiao what it meant to have ‘pride in one’s integrity but not arrogance’ and what it meant to have ‘audacity beyond measure.’
If Jin Sui was trying to sow discord between Gu Changxiao and Chang’an, wanting him to focus all his energy on the border city.
Then Cheng Yu, in front of the real Li King, was instigating the fake Li King to rebel!
Thinking of Cheng Yu’s ferocious appearance when he killed Tartars on the battlefield, so different from the gentle, middle-aged uncle busy with the ball game now.
Lord Cheng, oh Lord Cheng, I still underestimated you! Han Xing even feels inferior, why are you so arrogant?
Jin Sui didn’t dare to look at Gu Changxiao’s face. If the big boss truly believed it, thinking she wanted to be the Li King for a lifetime relying on the trust of the Black Feather Army, could she still leave the border city alive?
She quickly waved her hand, “No need! Lord Gu and I have a complete plan for this matter. Don’t worry, the border city will not be in chaos.”
She then turned to Gu Changxiao with a fawning smile, “The Black Feather Camp consists of border soldiers, who are the Li King’s Personal Guards. Haha, I would never use them for personal use.”
Gu Changxiao’s brows furrowed slightly, but he was secretly laughing. Little Daoist Ji, so you have moments of fear too!
And your flustered expression is quite amusing.
There were some things Gu Changxiao couldn’t say. He felt that if he said them, it would make him seem like he was shirking responsibility.
Before arriving at the border city, he had heard about what the Li King had done in the border city along the way. He was anxious and angry, regretting his momentary carelessness and furious that Little Daoist Ji could be so bold!
The biggest change in his impression of Little Daoist Ji was when he heard that he was going to lead the poor and weak border soldiers to fight the Tartars without fear!
After he arrived at the border city and served as a Personal Guard by Little Daoist Ji’s side for a period, it was no exaggeration to say that these were the most relaxed and carefree days of Gu Changxiao’s life.
It wasn’t physical relaxation. The two of them slept for only two and a half hours a day, and there were always endless tasks to do.
It was mental relaxation. Even during his childhood, he was bound by Palace Rules. After starting his studies at the age of two, he had to read, practice martial arts, and discuss politics without a moment’s rest.
During this time, Little Daoist Ji had led him into a completely new realm. He realized that a border prince could also act this way!
Just as Little Daoist Ji sometimes forgot that he was the fake Li King and wholeheartedly devoted himself to devising strategies for the border city’s development.
He occasionally forgot that he was the real Li King, only considering himself as Little Daoist Ji’s Personal Guard and partner.
At that moment, the string that had been taut for eighteen years relaxed.
Seeing Little Daoist Ji looking nervous, he subtly raised the corner of his mouth and leaned in to whisper:
“There’s no need for such trouble! If Brother Ji is willing to continue being the Li King, I am also willing to continue being your Personal Guard.”
Jin Sui did not find this joke funny! This was clearly a reprimand, a threat, and a warning!
Cold sweat streamed down her face. Hurry up and issue the Imperial Edict from the court! Why is the court always so slow?
If the identities were switched back soon, I would definitely stay far away from the Black Feather Camp and never let His Highness the Li King have the illusion that Little Daoist Ji would use the Black Feather Camp for anything!
She chuckled dryly and instructed Cheng Yu, “There’s no need for the soldiers to worry about Zheng Yun and the Imperial Commissioner. Just have Captain Han prepare to escort Zheng Yun and sweep away the bandits and horse thieves in one fell swoop.”
Cheng Yu glanced subtly at Gu Changxiao, and a bold thought arose in his mind. Recalling Huo Zi’an’s previous accusation, the fake Li King… the real Li King…
But he said nothing, bowed, and left.
Next was to check the logistical preparations, but Jin Sui’s mind was no longer on this. She had been self-reflecting, wondering what exactly she had done to make Cheng Yu think he was willing to lead the Black Feather Army with her to the end.
She wanted to successfully play the role of the fake Li King, but she succeeded too well!
It was like a cat replacing the crown prince, but you’ve gone and helped the cat become the crown prince, who cares who the real crown prince is!
On the other hand, Gu Changxiao watched with great interest. In the past, when he participated in polo matches, he only brought his team to the venue and didn’t have to worry about anything.
He never expected that organizing a large-scale competition would require so many preparations!
Even horse feed, spare equipment, light salt water for athletes, stretchers for first aid, etc., everything was meticulously prepared.
There were even various contingency reports for sudden problems, such as ‘how to rescue in case of a stampede,’ ‘what to do if a racehorse startles and charges into the crowd,’ ‘food poisoning,’ ‘fire’…
He felt that with Little Daoist Ji’s comprehensive coordination of this event, leaving these plans behind would ensure that no major mistakes would occur in any future events held in the border city.
Little Daoist Ji had truly gone to great lengths!
Until they passed a fully enclosed temporary tent, which was guarded by two heavily armed soldiers.
Gu Changxiao asked curiously, “What’s inside here?”
He guessed it was for performance firearms, such as fireworks and fire oil.
Unexpectedly, Jin Sui was also surprised. She didn’t know about this tent either. Pulling it open a crack, she saw dozens of sealed barrels of various sizes inside, and a strange smell emanated from them.
She recognized it at a glance and urgently asked the guards, “Why was this moved here?”
The guard quickly replied, “Lord Cheng ordered it moved here. He said it was prepared by the Prince for the Imperial Commissioner, and he was afraid it would be needed urgently, so he moved it here in advance.”
Gu Changxiao became even more curious, “What exactly is this thing for the Imperial Commissioner?”
Jin Sui led him inside and asked with a smile, “What do you think it looks like?”
Gu Changxiao answered very seriously, “Pickles? Pickled sea fish?”
It was slightly better than Hei Hu thinking that firearms and hand crossbows were tools for making cured meat, not too far-fetched.
She took out a handkerchief and handed it to him, “Cover your nose and mouth.”
Passing by barrels labeled ‘Mustard Greens,’ ‘Melon Rind,’ ‘Grains’… until she saw ‘Zhi Pi’ (bitter orange peel), Jin Sui took out this barrel.
She then saw the number ‘one’ attached, and after finding the Zhi Pi numbered one, she also found numbers two and three.
Only then did she open them separately, and Gu Changxiao saw a barrel of yellowish-green moldy water. Honestly, it was only slightly better than swill, and the smell was relatively less pungent.
“Barrel number one is crushed Zhi Pi soaked in rice water, which has successfully produced Penicillium.”
“Barrel number two is Penicillium mixed with rapeseed oil, the aqueous solution after successful water-oil separation.”
“Barrel number three is a solution made by adding wood ash, vinegar, and borax to form baking soda, old lye, and the moldy water from barrel number two, purified multiple times.”
“The method for making mustard greens is the simplest. As long as it is buried underground for more than ten years, it becomes a pickled mustard green brine with medicinal effects.”
Hearing this, Gu Changxiao finally understood, “Brother Ji, are you saying this is medicine?”
Jin Sui took the record book next to her and showed it to him, “This is not just medicine, it’s good medicine for curing the plague!”
“The medicine we use in the Injured Soldiers’ Camp is limited in quantity, not even enough for ourselves, so there’s no surplus to give to the Imperial Commissioner to save the entire city.”
“Didn’t they ask for the prescription? This is the prescription for penicillin.”
“The production is relatively not that difficult. As long as the Imperial Academy of Medicine puts in the effort to research, they can extract purer penicillin, which can treat various acute illnesses.”
“I have already instructed Chen Yunniang to select a dozen meticulous girls from the families in the Military Farms Camp to learn how to cultivate this medicine with me. Of course, these people cannot be given to the Imperial Commissioner! Just give him the good prescription.”
Gu Changxiao read the record book very seriously. He didn’t doubt Little Daoist Ji’s words at all. Although Little Daoist Ji might exaggerate in other areas and brag without realizing it.
But in medicine, he had always been modest, serious, and persistent.
This made Gu Changxiao convinced that Little Daoist Ji’s true profession was a Physician, and other miscellaneous studies were just learned incidentally.
Because only when people have superficial knowledge do they become confident enough to brag, while those who truly delve into a subject will lament their own inadequacy and approach it with the utmost humility.
“The dozen or so barrels that have been cultivated here can be taken away by him, but if they want medicine from our border city later, they must buy it with silver!”
She turned her head and asked Gu Changxiao, “Besides apprehending Zheng Yun, what else do you think we should ask the Imperial Commissioner for?”
Gu Changxiao chuckled, “The Imperial Commissioner is not like Li Heng; his assets are all on him. He is merely following orders. Asking him is like asking the court.”
Jin Sui slapped her thigh, “Then ask the court! Don’t try to save money for the court. The amount corrupt officials embezzle in a year is enough for our Black Feather Army to spend for ten years!”
Gu Changxiao’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and his voice carried a hint of sadness, “However, that person will not give the Li King any rewards. They even believe that the Li King should naturally offer treasures to the court.”
Jin Sui knew he was referring to the Emperor and didn’t know how to comfort him for a moment. The relationship between the Imperial Family and their sons was the most heartless.
Her eyes rolled, and an idea struck her, “That’s because you can’t ask him, but the current Li King is me!”
Gu Changxiao was stunned, then smiled, “Oh, then Brother Ji, what is your brilliant plan?”
Jin Sui chuckled, “What’s so great about just penicillin? I also have a prescription for hemostatic wound medicine and a prescription for treating dysentery with artemisinin.”
“If the court wants them, they must exchange them for something! Grant the Li King the power to recruit one hundred thousand soldiers, the Li King can collect half of the taxes from Yandi, fully open border city trade, and no one in the country can set up checkpoints for border city merchants…”
Before she could finish, Gu Changxiao burst out laughing, “With just a few prescriptions, you won’t be able to get such rewards.”
Jin Sui said matter-of-factly, “We can bargain! I’ll state my conditions, and we’ll see how the court responds! If you don’t say anything and just endure it silently, others will think you’re easy to bully.”
Gu Changxiao was stunned again. Easy to bully? That’s true. If not, why would everyone have wanted him dead that night?
“By the way, should we send a gift to the Emperor?”
Gu Changxiao was amused again. It was truly interesting to be with Little Daoist Ji!
“This isn’t called sending a gift, it’s called offering a tribute. By rights, I, as a Feudal King, should send a New Year’s Gift to Father Emperor.”
Jin Sui smiled, “Then it’s settled. We’ll first plead poverty. The common people have no food to eat and no clothes to wear for winter. The soldiers eat worse than the horse feed of the Chang’an army.
I’m telling you, we must plead poverty! The squeaky wheel gets the grease! We should also get Li Heng to speak up for us. If he’s unwilling, next time I’ll send the starving commoners to the gates of Yanzhou City.”
“As for the New Year’s Gift, we definitely can’t afford gold and silver. We’ll give the Emperor a mirror, the one I sold for five thousand taels. If the Emperor is in a good mood, perhaps he’ll give us a more substantial gift in return for the border city.”
Gu Changxiao asked in surprise, “How many of those mirrors do you actually have?”
When she sold it to Jin Zilin, she said it was unique in the world. When she gave it to the Yan Clan, she said there were only two in the world, and now a third one is for the Emperor.
Jin Sui chuckled, “That depends on how many we need to use!
Didn’t I show you the sand kiln? That mirror is made from fired sand. I just decorate it with a little Taoist trick, and it becomes a shining mirror. In reality, it’s not worth much once you know how it’s made!”
Gu Changxiao chuckled softly, “Alright, for the New Year’s Gift, we’ll give the Emperor a mirror. Send a box of Rouge Shop merchandise to the Empress and the consorts, and no one else needs to be sent.”
Jin Sui disagreed, “Of course, we must send gifts! Only by sending gifts can we receive gifts in return! Don’t worry, I’ll arrange it. I guarantee the gifts will be gaudy and worthless. For our return gifts, we’ll ask for grain and cloth.”
“I don’t believe that the princes and nobles of Chang’an would be so shameless as to refuse to give us grain and provisions if the Black Feather Army asks for them at their doors, saying we don’t want gold or silver.”
