The wind blew, causing the letter Mo Sigui had placed on the couch to flutter to the ground.
An Jiu walked over to pick it up and glanced at it in passing. It was a secret dispatch from Wei Yuzhi’s subordinate, detailing the Liao Kingdom’s covert cultivation of martial experts through medicinal means, with a mention of Lou Mingyue mixed in.
“There’s residual poison in your system. I’ll prescribe a few doses of Medicine to take first.” Mo Sigui swiftly wrote out a medical formula with a few strokes of his brush. “The internal injuries to your organs are more interesting—we’ll treat those after clearing the toxins.”
Blood Fiend, seeing that he had accurately pinpointed all his ailments, grew even more convinced of his skill. “Thank you, Miracle Doctor.”
Mo Sigui glanced at An Jiu. “Thank her instead.”
“Didn’t you say you’ve severed all ties with Lou Mingyue?” An Jiu handed the letter to him.
Mo Sigui didn’t take it. Instead, he stuffed another wad of Medicine into his pipe, lighting it and taking a couple of puffs before replying, “Who’s Lou Mingyue?”
An Jiu shook the letter in her hand.
“Yuzhi sent the message. I just skimmed it out of boredom. Ning Yanli’s Inner Force-boosting Medicine has improved again—looks like I’ll have to prepare the Antidote!” Mo Sigui grinned, his peach-blossom eyes slightly curved, like faint pink hues diffusing through misty clouds.
An Jiu wasn’t one to meddle in others’ affairs, but she felt that his unresolved entanglement with Lou Mingyue would only lead to a bad end. Seeing that he didn’t seem bothered, however, she dropped the subject. “Can’t you also concoct a Medicine to boost Internal Energy?”
She thought that would be far more useful.
Mo Sigui laughed. “Ha! Replicating someone else’s work—how would that showcase my genius?”
An Jiu said, “So you’re saying you can make it?”
“Don’t even think about it.” Mo Sigui exhaled a slow stream of smoke, shaping it into something resembling a lingzhi mushroom in the air. “That kind of Medicine forcibly draws out one’s potential—the backlash is inevitably fatal. Once the effects wear off, the user either dies or is left crippled. Who exactly did you plan to have take it?”
“When can the Antidote be ready? We might engage the Liao army after autumn,” An Jiu asked.
Mo Sigui, seeing how serious she was, couldn’t help but laugh. “Being too serious ages you. Just look at Chu Dingjiang! Hah!”
“You know Lord Chu?” Blood Fiend couldn’t help interjecting.
“Blind to the truth, aren’t you?” Mo Sigui shot An Jiu a sidelong glance. “This one! She’s Lord Chu’s lover.”
“Lov—” Blood Fiend couldn’t help but look at An Jiu. To be fair, she was undeniably beautiful.
“Lover.” An Jiu silently repeated “world peace” in her mind, suppressing her fury as she slowly said, “It’s not so bad. Some people would roll around begging to be someone’s lover, only to be avoided like flies or dung.”
“With my dashing looks, anyone who wouldn’t want me must be blind!” Mo Sigui snorted.
Someone knocked on the door.
Shortly after, Sui Yunzhu’s voice came through. “Lord Wu mentioned that he’s been busy with official duties since arriving in Hexi County. Today, he’s free and would like to invite everyone to a meal.”
Mo Sigui had always been picky about food. Having endured plain meals for over half a month since arriving here, he was already frustrated. Hearing this, he hurriedly slipped on his shoes and got off the couch. “When’s the meal?”
“The dishes are already prepared. We’re just waiting for everyone,” Sui Yunzhu replied.
An Jiu, no longer in the mood to bicker with him, went out first.
Sui Yunzhu peeked inside and saw Wei Yuzhi sitting cross-legged in meditation. “Master Wei, the lord said if you’re free, he’d be honored by your presence.”
Wei Yuzhi didn’t move, only giving a faint “Mm” in response.
The banquet was set up in the flower hall. Wu Lingyuan, dressed in dark casual robes, sat at the head of the table. When he saw everyone entering one after another, he stood to greet them—but no one paid him any attention. All eyes were fixed on the dishes on the table.Mo Sigui pinched his smoke pipe and glanced around before commenting, "Passable."
Hexi County didn’t have much to offer, but fortunately, it was the transition between spring and summer, and the mountains and fields were abundant with good things. Wu Lingyuan had Li Qingzhi hunt some game, finally managing to prepare a decent spread of dishes.
"Little Sui, go fetch the good wine from my room!" Mo Sigui said. "It’s by the bookshelf on the south wall."
Sui Yunzhu obediently complied, but An Jiu wasn’t having it. "No, let him get it himself!"
"An Da Jiu, after all I’ve done for you, this is how you treat me?" Mo Sigui sighed gloomily. "People’s hearts aren’t what they used to be."
Just as they were speaking, Wei Yuzhi entered, carrying two jars of wine in one hand.
"Ah! Yuzhi, how can you be so considerate!" Mo Sigui hurriedly got up to take the jars.
Wei Yuzhi’s sudden appearance made Blood Fiend realize that this place was full of hidden talents—when had he approached without him noticing at all?
"I knew you forgot to bring it, so I grabbed it on the way," Wei Yuzhi said.
Mo Sigui had recently been trying to quit Medicated Smoke, so he had personally brewed some wine to help him sleep at night. For the first couple of days, it had worked somewhat, but now he was both addicted to alcohol and couldn’t give up the smoke. Wei Yuzhi had advised him, but he had replied, "If I’m going to fall, I’ll fall all the way to the dirt—otherwise, it wouldn’t be my style of pursuing extremes."
Once everyone had taken their seats, Wu Lingyuan raised his cup and said, "Great kindness need not be spoken—Lingyuan will drink first to show my gratitude."
The others all raised their cups and drained them.
Mo Sigui sampled each dish one by one, then picked only the ones that suited his taste, ignoring the rest.
After the meal was devoured like a whirlwind, Wu Lingyuan set down his bowl, rinsed his mouth, and sat upright. "I assume everyone is aware of Hexi County’s situation—there’s much to be done and great potential, but right now, we’re too poor. If we rely solely on farming, we won’t even be able to set up city defenses. So, I’ve thought of a solution, but I’ll need everyone’s help."
With that, he stood and bowed deeply to the group.
Sui Yunzhu quickly made a gesture to support him. "We came precisely for this purpose, my lord. Whatever orders you have, we’ll do our utmost."
Wu Lingyuan smiled gratefully and looked around. "Compared to nearby counties, Hexi truly has no advantages—except for having more rivers and lakes. Summer is approaching, so I’ve ordered people to catch fish and shrimp to make side dishes for sale. The problem is, we have no means of distribution, and the court forbids officials from engaging in commerce themselves. So, I must trouble you all to spread the word in neighboring counties."
"Shouting in the streets?" Li Qingzhi asked nervously.
They were all accustomed to moving unseen and working alone—being made to stand in the streets and hawk goods was truly asking too much.
"No," Wu Lingyuan said with a faint smile. "First, secure a shopfront in each county, hire a few honest managers and clerks, and operate them for a while. If they sell well, then we can scale up—after all, these are perishable goods."
"Knew it was a setup," Mo Sigui leaned back in his chair and lazily lit his Medicated Smoke. "I’m not going."
"The Miracle Doctor doesn’t need to go," Wu Lingyuan paused, then added awkwardly, "But the yamen is in dire straits right now. If the Miracle Doctor has time, could you perhaps make a couple of house calls…?"
Mo Sigui was silent for a few breaths before finally nodding. "No consultations for less than five thousand taels, and no travel beyond twenty li."
A faint smile appeared in Wu Lingyuan’s clear eyes as he pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Mo Sigui. "Miracle Doctor, take a look—are these families acceptable?"Mo Sigui stared at the paper, his mouth slightly agape at the sharp yet disciplined handwriting.
The list contained far more than a few families—there were over a dozen! He lived in this very courtyard, yet he had no idea when Wu Lingyuan had contacted all these people!
"Given the Miracle Doctor's renowned reputation, they dare not trouble you to travel back and forth. I plan to prepare some courtyards for them to stay here instead," Wu Lingyuan asked with utmost deference. "What do you think, Miracle Doctor?"
"Damn it!" Mo Sigui couldn't help but slam the table. "These are all emergencies—are you trying to work me to death?"
"To the capable, more tasks fall! Haha." Wu Lingyuan laughed weakly, lacking confidence.
Seeing Mo Sigui silently glare at the paper, Wu Lingyuan turned to Sui Yunzhu and Li Qingzhi. "A security escort agency in Hejian Prefecture recently accepted a major contract to transport goods to Xijin Prefecture, but they lack skilled escorts. They're offering high pay for two—"
Sui Yunzhu's heart skipped a beat. "You've already agreed, my lord?"
If it were an assassination mission in the Liao Kingdom, Sui Yunzhu might have accepted it more readily. But being an escort? If nothing went wrong, fine—but if trouble arose, they'd be nothing more than live targets!
"Haha. I thought since both of you are capable men from the Crane Control Army, such a small matter—"
Li Qingzhi also couldn't stay seated. "You really already agreed?!"
Wu Lingyuan pressed his lips together, silent, his light gaze tinged with apology.
"Fine. It's not far anyway. I’ve been meaning to visit the Liao Kingdom!" Li Qingzhi declared.
Sui Yunzhu had no choice but to nod.
Wu Lingyuan exhaled in relief. "Then I'll inform them immediately that you've agreed."
"..."
"..."
"Blood Fiend..." Wu Lingyuan looked over.
Blood Fiend immediately declared, "I live and die by An Jiu's side."
Everyone turned to An Jiu.
An Jiu glanced at Blood Fiend, then abruptly stood and bolted!
Blood Fiend flickered into motion, chasing after her.
"Ah, so there's such a rogue way out!" Mo Sigui blew out smoke in exasperation. "What kind of mess is this!"
Most of them had come to Hexi for An Jiu's sake. Yet while everyone else obediently let Wu Lingyuan exploit them, she was the one who ran away!
Wu Lingyuan hadn't expected his seemingly stern benefactor to have such a side. Helpless, his gaze settled on Wei Yuzhi, who had been sitting quietly all along.
Wei Yuzhi, sleeves folded, lifted his eyes slightly, meeting Wu Lingyuan's gaze with a faint, ambiguous smile. His demeanor appeared gentle, but his light gray-brown eyes, though clear, carried an inexplicable depth.
Under that calm gaze, Wu Lingyuan felt as though a mountain were pressing down on his head. Yet, steady by nature, he withstood the pressure and said solemnly, "Sir, Hexi County lacks a County Commandant. Might you deign to take the post?"
At these words, even the half-asleep Mo Sigui jolted in surprise.
Wei Yuzhi smiled, almost shyly. "In this lifetime, I fear I'll never have the chance to serve as an official of the Great Song."
Wu Lingyuan had keen insight—he knew this seemingly harmless man was, in truth, the most formidable of them all. Merely offering him the deputy position was already audacious. If he refused, Wu Lingyuan wouldn't dare coerce him as he had with Mo Sigui and the others.
Just as Wu Lingyuan was about to give up, Wei Yuzhi unexpectedly threw him a choice in return: "I am willing to serve as your strategist, helping you dominate the court. In exchange, would you be my puppet for five years?"
Anyone in Wu Lingyuan's position would bristle at such words. Yet the temptation of wielding supreme power was immense—only a hair's breadth from outright usurpation.Everyone expected Wu Lingyuan to say he would consider it, but to their surprise, he smiled with frank composure, "If the gentleman truly has the capability, why not follow you?"
What seemed like playful banter was spoken with utmost seriousness by both men.
"Tsk, tsk. You two find some quiet place to discuss your lofty ideals. I'm out of here." Mo Sigui rose leisurely and sauntered out the door.
Sui Yunzhu and Li Qingzhi followed suit.
Only the two of them remained seated across from each other in the room.
Wu Lingyuan said, "I have yet to learn the gentleman's esteemed name."
"Wei Yuzhi."
Wu Lingyuan was slightly startled, "The Second Master of Misty Villa!"
He didn't know the internal affairs of Misty Villa, but Wei Yuzhi had a reputation as a wise man. Living in the mixed waters of the river mouth, he had heard of this, though he didn't know exactly what Wei Yuzhi had done to earn such fame.
The years of blindness had cultivated Wu Lingyuan's open-minded nature. He could accept that if someone was more capable than him, being a leisurely county official wasn't so bad. Yet he was puzzled, "With your abilities, securing an official position through imperial examinations wouldn't be difficult. Why lower yourself to be my advisor?"
"Because I left the monastic life. Moreover, my remaining time is short. If I wait to pass through layer upon layer of selection, I might not live long enough to accomplish anything." Wei Yuzhi had pondered much during this time. When he saw Wu Lingyuan, he felt it was an opportunity heaven had placed before him—perhaps some unseen hand was guiding his path.
Wu Lingyuan sighed inwardly, lamenting, "I don't seek to dominate the court, only to do something for the Great Song."
"No. This is my condition for becoming your advisor." Wei Yuzhi's tone was light but firm, "I can help you do anything you cannot or dare not do, but you must stand at the pinnacle of power to cleanse the century-old ills of the Great Song, fearless even of imperial authority."
Seeing Wu Lingyuan's shocked expression, he continued, "The so-called 'puppet' was merely a test. I am willing to serve you, as long as you swear before me to fulfill the conditions I've stated."
"Manipulating power?!" Wu Lingyuan's throat went dry. He had never contemplated such madness, only wanting to serve the country and its people.
Wei Yuzhi gave a slight smile, "If the emperor is weak, deceive him and wield absolute power. If the emperor is strong, serve him faithfully, regardless of reputation."
If the emperor remained as unreliable as before, deceive him and seize control. If the emperor proved capable, serve him wholeheartedly—do whatever it takes to reform the government and eradicate corruption, reputation be damned.
But Wu Lingyuan had always aspired to be a loyal minister...
Wei Yuzhi had already discerned his thoughts, "This realm is no one's personal plaything. The emperor bears the weight of heaven's mandate. If he cannot bring prosperity to the land, why should men of purpose be his lackeys?"
"You speak truth." Wu Lingyuan's original intent wasn't to slave for the emperor either; it was merely the influence of "loyalty to the sovereign" that had kept him from developing such bold ideas as Wei Yuzhi's.
Wei Yuzhi's expression remained unchanged, "Since we've come this far, I might as well be completely honest. I previously worked for the Liao Kingdom."
"Why?" Wu Lingyuan sensed there was more to this story.Wei Yuzhi fell silent for a moment before briefly recounting his background. "My family served the dynasty loyally for generations, yet we were wrongfully executed. I wanted to personally destroy this corruption, but recently I've come to realize there might be other ways to achieve my goals. It's just that destruction feels more satisfying than change, so I instinctively chose that path first."
Most people who suffered wrongful extermination of their family would seek justice and revenge. But Wei Yuzhi had long seen through the deep-rooted corruption beneath the Song dynasty's splendid prosperity. The path to justice was hopeless—his family wasn't destroyed by any single person, but by the entire rotten system.
Now he had already killed the mastermind behind the case and had come to understand many things.
"Do you want me to overturn your case for you?" Wu Lingyuan asked. (To be continued...)
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