A gust of wind blew the letter Mo Sigui had placed on the couch onto the floor.
An Jiu picked it up and glanced at it. It was a secret missive from Wei Yuzhi’s subordinate, detailing Liao’s clandestine training of martial arts experts. Tucked inside was also news about Lou Mingyue.
“There’s residual poison in your body. Take these medicines first,” Mo Sigui quickly wrote out a prescription. “The internal organ damage is interesting though. We’ll treat that after detoxification.”
Xue Sha was impressed that Mo Sigui had accurately identified all his ailments with just a glance. “Thank you, Divine Doctor,” he said respectfully.
Mo Sigui glanced at An Jiu. “Thank her instead.”
“Didn’t you say you’d cut all ties with Lou Mingyue?” An Jiu handed him the letter.
Mo Sigui didn’t take it. He stuffed more herbs into his pipe, lit it, and took a couple of puffs before responding, “Who’s Lou Mingyue?”
An Jiu shook the letter in her hand.
“It’s just news Yuzhi sent. I took a look out of boredom. Ning Yanli’s inner force-boosting drug has improved again. Looks like I’ll need to prepare an antidote!” Mo Sigui laughed, his peach blossom eyes curving slightly, like a hazy peach-colored mist.
An Jiu wasn’t one to meddle, but she felt his relationship with Lou Mingyue was a tangled mess that would end badly. Seeing he didn’t seem to take it seriously, she changed the subject. “Can’t you also make a drug to boost inner force?”
She thought that would be more useful.
Mo Sigui laughed, “Ha! How would making something others have already done showcase my skills?”
“So you’re saying you could make it?” An Jiu asked.
“Forget it,” Mo Sigui exhaled a stream of smoke that formed a lingzhi mushroom shape in the air. “That kind of drug that forcibly unleashes potential is lethal. The backlash is fatal – after the drug’s effects wear off, you’d either die or be crippled. Who were you planning to give it to?”
“When will the antidote be ready? We may face the Liao army after autumn,” An Jiu asked.
Seeing her serious expression, Mo Sigui chuckled, “Being so serious invites early aging. Just look at Chu Dingjiang!”
“You know General Chu?” Blood Sha couldn’t help interjecting.
“Talk about not recognizing Mount Tai,” Mo Sigui glanced sideways at An Jiu. “This lady here is General Chu’s mistress.”
“Mistress…” Blood Sha couldn’t help looking at An Jiu, who was undeniably beautiful.
“Mistress,” An Jiu mentally chanted “world peace” to suppress her rage. She said slowly, “It’s not so bad. Some people roll around begging to be someone’s mistress, while others avoid them like the plague.”
“Someone as dashing as me – whoever doesn’t want me must be blind!” Mo Sigui snorted.
Someone knocked on the door.
Then Sui Yunzhu’s voice came, “Magistrate Wu says he’s been busy with official duties since arriving in Hexi County. Today he has some free time and would like to invite everyone for a meal.”
Mo Sigui was always picky about food. After half a month of plain fare here, he was quite frustrated. Hearing this, he quickly got up and put on his shoes. “When are we eating?”
“The food is ready. We’re just waiting for everyone,” Sui Yunzhu replied.
An Jiu was too hungry to argue with him anymore and left first.
Sui Yunzhu peeked in and saw Wei Yuzhi meditating cross-legged. “Mr. Wei, the magistrate says if you’re free, please join us too.”
Wei Yuzhi didn’t move, only giving a faint “Mm” in response.
The banquet was laid out in the flower hall. Wu Lingyuan sat at the head wearing plain black robes. Seeing everyone enter, he stood to welcome them, but no one paid him any attention. They all stared at the dishes on the table.
Mo Sigui looked around, holding his pipe, and commented, “Passable.”
Hexi County didn’t have many delicacies, but fortunately, it was the transition between spring and summer. The mountains and wilderness had plenty of good ingredients. Wu Lingyuan had sent Li Qingzhi to hunt some game, managing to put together a decent spread.
“Little Sui, quickly go to my room and bring the good wine!” Mo Sigui said. “It’s by the bookshelf on the south wall.”
Sui Yunzhu was always obliging, but An Jiu objected, “No way, let him go get it himself!”
“An Dajiu, I slave away for you and this is how you treat me?” Mo Sigui sighed mournfully. “How times have changed.”
As they were talking, Wei Yuzhi entered carrying two wine jars.
“Ah, Yuzhi, how can you be so considerate!” Mo Sigui hurriedly got up to take the wine jars.
Wei Yuzhi’s sudden appearance made Blood Sha realize this place was full of hidden talents. He hadn’t sensed Wei Yuzhi’s approach at all!
“I knew you forgot to bring it, so I grabbed it on the way,” Wei Yuzhi said.
Mo Sigui had been trying to quit his medicinal smoke lately, so he’d personally concocted some wine to help him sleep when he had insomnia. It worked for the first couple of days, but now he was addicted to both alcohol and medicinal smoke. Wei Yuzhi had tried to persuade him, but Mo Sigui said: “If I’m going to indulge in vices, I might as well sink to rock bottom. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be in keeping with my usual pursuit of extremes.”
After everyone was seated, Wu Lingyuan raised his cup and said, “Great kindness needs no thanks. Allow me to drink first in your honor.”
Everyone raised their cups and drank.
Mo Sigui tasted each dish, then only ate the ones he liked, ignoring the rest.
After wolfing down the meal, Wu Lingyuan set down his bowl, rinsed his mouth, and sat up straight. “I’m sure you all know the situation in Hexi County. There’s much to be done, but we’re currently too poor. If we rely solely on agriculture, we won’t even be able to set up city defenses. So I’ve thought of a plan, but I’ll need everyone’s help.”
With that, he stood and bowed deeply to everyone.
Sui Yunzhu hurriedly made a gesture of support. “We came here for this purpose. Whatever you need, we’ll do our utmost.”
Wu Lingyuan smiled gratefully and looked around. “Compared to nearby counties, Hexi has no real advantages, except for more rivers and lakes. With summer approaching, I’ve ordered people to catch fish and shrimp to make preserves for sale. But we lack distribution channels, and court officials are forbidden from engaging in commerce directly. So I must trouble you all to spread the word in surrounding counties.”
“You want us to hawk goods on the streets?” Li Qingzhi asked nervously.
They were all used to concealing their movements and operating alone. Asking them to shout in the streets was rather unreasonable.
“No,” Wu Lingyuan smiled slightly. “I want you to first rent some shops in various counties, hire a few honest shopkeepers and assistants, and start small businesses. We’ll only produce in large quantities if sales are good since these are perishable goods.”
“I knew this was a trap,” Mo Sigui leaned back in his chair and lazily lit his pipe. “I’m not going.”