CCWAD – Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen: A Thousand Gold Pieces to Buy Horse Bones

Prologue:

“I thought Liangshan’s name would earn respect, but Li Shishi merely chuckled: ‘Jianghu loyalty is worth less than a peck of pearls in Tokyo.’ She casually gave the messenger boy a gold melon seed and told me this is how things are done.”

—

After hiding the胭脂 (rouge) box with its hidden secrets, Yan Qing remained in the inn for another two days. She needed time to process the complex information conveyed by Li Shishi and to strategize her next move. Going directly back to Fan Lou would seem too eager. Waiting for an invitation would be too passive.

While she was weighing her options, a piece of overheard news presented her with an opportunity.

One day, while strolling along the Bian River, she passed a rather grand entertainment venue. Hearing the thunderous applause from within, she joined the crowd to see what the commotion was. On stage, a troupe of acrobats was performing, swallowing swords, spitting fire, and balancing on poles with remarkable skill, earning cheers from the audience. A man performing feats of strength, who after gathering his energy, allowed his companion to strike his chest and abdomen with a thick wooden club, making loud thuds but remaining unharmed, pushed the atmosphere to its peak.

Yan Qing was initially just curious, but her gaze inadvertently fell upon a few well-dressed individuals in the front row, who looked like sons of wealthy families. They were pointing at the stage and speaking in a rather flippant manner.

“…Look at his physique, it seems sturdy. I wonder if he can withstand three punches from our gym’s instructor?”

“Brother Wang, these martial arts displays are just for show. When it comes to a real fight, they’re probably all flash and no substance.”

“Why don’t we call him over and ask? If he’s willing to be a guard at our mansion, we can offer him a stable meal, which is better than performing here…”

As the strongman came down from the stage, he happened to pass by these men. The young man addressed as “Brother Wang,” seemingly tipsy, reached out his foot to trip the performer. The strongman reacted swiftly, sidestepping the attempt, but the look he shot back at the group was instantly filled with the cold sharpness of a man from the jianghu.

The young man felt his face lost by that piercing gaze and became enraged: “Hey, you there! What’s with that look! Stop right there, young master!”

Several of his retainers immediately surrounded the strongman, and the situation became tense. The troupe leader rushed forward, bowing and repeatedly apologizing. The strongman clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead, clearly struggling to restrain himself.

Yan Qing watched from a distance, a thought sparking in her mind. She recognized that look – the look of someone who had struggled in the lower rungs of society, unwilling to be humiliated but forced to endure. She recalled her initial awkwardness upon arriving at Liangshan, the feeling of powerlessness when bullied by the boatman, and a sense of empathy welled up within her.

More importantly, she realized this was an opportunity – a chance to bestow a favor and, at the same time, to show Li Shishi that she wasn’t entirely reliant on Liangshan’s reputation and had her own methods of handling situations.

She adjusted her attire, fanned herself with a folding fan, and strolled forward. Her voice was not loud, but it carried clearly into the venue: “In broad daylight, right under the Emperor’s nose, why are you gentlemen troubling a poor performer?”

The young man was already fuming. Seeing someone step forward, especially a seemingly gentle and handsome stranger, only angered him further: “Who is this pedantic scholar, daring to meddle in my affairs? Get lost!”

Yan Qing remained calm and unperturbed. She snapped her fan shut, pointing at the strongman, and said to the young man with a smile: “This brother has a strong physique and genuine skill. While your mansion’s instructors are undoubtedly formidable, the world is vast, and there are many capable individuals. Why insist on a moment of pride?” Her tone shifted, “I am Yan Qing, newly arrived in Tokyo, and I enjoy making friends with heroes from all walks of life. Seeing this fine man today, I am filled with admiration. I am willing to offer fifty taels of silver for you all to have a drink with me, and let this matter be settled. How about it?”

Fifty taels of silver was enough for an ordinary family’s expenses for several years. Although the young man came from a good family, fifty taels was not a trivial sum to be tossed away casually. He looked at Yan Qing, who carried herself with composure and was offering a generous sum, and then considered the unfamiliar name “Yan Qing.” He hesitated. His companions whispered advice: “Brother Wang, let it go. This person’s attire suggests he’s not ordinary. It’s better not to stir up more trouble…”

Before he could reply, Yan Qing took a silver note from her sleeve (in reality, from her spatial imagination; she had prepared banknotes and small silver pieces beforehand) and handed it to the troupe leader. She said gently, “Old sir, please accept this to calm the nerves of your performers. I am truly impressed by this brother’s skills.”

The troupe leader and the strongman were stunned. They hadn’t expected the situation to turn around so favorably, encountering such a generous young master. The strongman looked at Yan Qing with a mixture of astonishment and gratitude.

Seeing that the money had been paid and pleasantries exchanged, the young man realized that further entanglement would put him at a disadvantage. He could only let out a cold snort and, with his entourage, grudgingly departed.

The commotion subsided, and the onlookers gradually dispersed. The strongman approached Yan Qing, clasped his fists, and bowed. His voice was rough but sincere: “Thank you, young master, for saving me! My name is Shi Xiu, nicknamed ‘Shi Gandang.’ I am deeply grateful! This silver…”

“Brother Shi Xiu, there’s no need for such formality,” Yan Qing said, steadying him. “We met by chance, and that’s fate. A small sum of money is nothing. I see you have great skills, and it’s a shame you’re stuck here.”

Shi Xiu sighed: “Just trying to make a living. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, young master.”

Yan Qing didn’t say much more, only leaving her inn’s address. “If you face any difficulties in Tokyo, Brother Shi Xiu, feel free to seek me out.” This action was not impulsive. Shi Xiu appeared to be a man of spirit, and if he could be recruited, he would be another pair of eyes and ears, and a helper, in this city of Tokyo. This was her “thousand gold pieces to buy horse bones” strategy. She not only wanted to buy this “horse” named Shi Xiu but also to let potential “horse appraisers” like Li Shishi see her conduct and her “sincerity.”

Afterward, Yan Qing did not deliberately publicize the incident, but she knew that such an event occurring in a bustling place would certainly reach the ears of certain interested parties, especially Li Shishi, who was keeping an eye on her movements.

Indeed, the next evening, Mozhu arrived at the inn again, this time delivering a small brocade pouch.

Yan Qing opened it. Inside was not rouge or powder, but… a bright yellow, exquisitely crafted gold melon seed.

Mozhu bowed his head: “Everyone said that the young master’s actions yesterday were quite in the style of ancient chivalrous heroes. This gold melon seed is what everyone has awarded to the messenger boy. Everyone also said…” He paused, mimicking Li Shishi’s tone, “‘While jianghu loyalty is indeed admirable, in Tokyo, sometimes this,’ he pointed to the gold melon seed, ‘is more useful than a name. This is called… the rules.'”

Yan Qing held the heavy, cold gold melon seed. Her mind suddenly cleared, yet a chill also crept in.

Li Shishi not only knew about yesterday’s events but also had all the details. She admired Yan Qing’s methods, but she was also reminding her that Liangshan’s reputation might not be effective in the face of true power and established rules. In Tokyo, wealth and the exchange of benefits were more direct and effective “languages.” Her awarding the gold melon seed was both an example and a silent warning, and perhaps… a further acceptance?

She was telling Yan Qing that she appreciated her “investment” behavior, but in this imperial capital, a more precise and rule-abiding method of “investment” was needed.

Yan Qing put away the gold melon seed and said to Mozhu, “Please inform everyone that Yan Qing… has learned her lesson.”

After seeing Mozhu off, Yan Qing stood by the window, gazing at the myriad lights of Bianjing city outside.

Li Shishi was like a skilled teacher, using a nearly brutal method to gradually strip away the rough edges of Liangshan from her, pushing her onto a more complex and dangerous stage.

And she seemed to be starting to adapt to this teaching style.

—

(End of Chapter 14)