CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 352 UNUSUAL

The people of Chen Family Village made their plans and went about their own business.

Chen Yongsheng took Xie Shao Yuan to finalize who would be traveling to the Capital City first, while Old Mrs. Chen packed with Mrs. Gao.

Xie Liangchen followed Chen Zigeng to Mr. Dongli’s courtyard.

Mr. Dongli had visited Jianguo Temple and brought the abbot back to Chen Family Village. This abbot was not quite what Xie Liangchen expected; he was not a high monk exuding sandalwood scent and preaching Buddhist doctrines, but rather like an elder who had experienced much and was modest in demeanor.

Mr. Dongli met Master Hui’an while accompanying the present Emperor in battle. The court was recruiting soldiers everywhere, and among those enlisted one was a monk—the monk was Master Hui’an.

Master Hui’an had joined the army by impersonating someone else, and Mr. Dongli found this monk peculiar. He called Hui’an aside for questioning, learning that the person Hui’an had replaced had seriously ill elders at home and two small children. If he came to the army, his family would perish.

Mr. Dongli wanted Hui’an to go to battle, but Hui’an surely refused. As a monk, he stayed to assist by helping the wounded and burying the fallen soldiers.

Later, Master Hui’an went to Jianguo Temple and continued to aid the impoverished people after battles with the monks.

Master Hui’an carefully examined several pieces of golden paper made by the Paper Workshop, noting how the colors varied when dyed with different herbs. Gardenia yielded a bright yellow, while Rehmannia and Cotinus added a touch of blue-green, lending a more composed appearance.

Master Hui’an finally chose the paper dyed with Rehmannia and Cotinus, saying, "Noble people in the Capital like this color; it adds solemnity to copying Buddhist scriptures. Moreover, it’s not the bright royal yellow and can be distinguished from other paper workshops’ products.

This wax paper is also used well; it should be made in this way henceforth."

After saying that, Master Hui’an took out a seal from his sleeve and stamped the bottom of the golden paper.

The seal bore the words "Jianguo Temple."

Master Hui’an said, "From now on, Jianguo Temple will use this kind of scripture paper whenever a noble asks."

Xie Liangchen was delighted. Jianguo Temple was a renowned ancient temple visited by numerous pilgrims every year, and soon many would learn about the unique scripture paper from Zhenzhou.

Xie Liangchen said, "I will make some golden paper with gold foil."

As soon as Xie Liangchen finished speaking, Mr. Dongli added, "The silver coin for the gold foil should be taken by the old monk."

Master Hui’an pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha Buddha."

Xie Liangchen knew Mr. Dongli was jesting with Master Hui’an again and respectfully bowed to Master Hui’an, "Thank you, Master Hui’an, for teaching us the method of making wax paper. If this recipe were sold, it would be worth a fortune."

"A fortune?" Mr. Dongli waved his sleeve, "That’s excessive. Since I saved this old monk back in the day, his things are mine."

Master Hui’an continued to smile humbly.

Mr. Dongli wanted to say more, but seeing Xu Tingzhen approaching, he stopped abruptly.

Xu Tingzhen sighed with relief; if left unchecked, the topic Mr. Dongli was indulging in could have led anywhere.

Master Hui’an looked at Xie Liangchen, "The recipe isn’t worth a fortune; it’s good if it can help. Besides, Miss Xie doesn’t ask for this recipe for herself."

After speaking, Master Hui’an added, "I heard Miss Xie is about to set out for the Capital City, time is of the essence. I will hurry to the Paper Workshop now to produce the first batch of golden paper."

Once the golden paper was produced, it would be easy to make the white wax paper and pink wax paper. In a place like the Capital, ordinary paper medicine wouldn’t attract attention, but wax paper was rare, and Rehmannia from the North used for dyeing was the best choice. The leftover pulp after selecting the herbs could also be used for dyeing.

Thus, they could not only make good paper but also price it fairly.

Chen Yongyi came to escort Master Hui’an to the Paper Workshop and was delighted to hear that the golden paper was ready.

Chen Yongyi said, "I’m just worried someone will imitate it."

Xie Liangchen was not concerned, "Just like thread tassels, if someone can replicate the same thing exactly and cheaper, that’s their skill. If they surpass us, they deserve it."

"Then we’ll find a way to outdo them. If we can’t, it’s fair that we don’t earn silver coins. Comparing helps us do better; it’s a good thing."

Until no one produces better than them, they should earn silver coins.

After Chen Yongyi and Master Hui’an left, Xie Liangchen sat down to talk with Mr. Dongli.

Mr. Dongli said, "I won’t go to the Capital with you this time. If anything arises, ask Zigeng to seek help from his senior disciple."

Xie Liangchen acknowledged; Mr. Dongli had done enough for them.

Mr. Dongli turned to Xu Tingzhen, "Don’t take Tingzhen either. I know the Emperor’s temperament well; he will surely test her medical skills and keep her in the Capital to diagnose nobles, which isn’t your intention."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Mr. Dongli continued, "I guess the Emperor will divide the land among several people. Song Xian and Du Zhuo, of course, being meritorious officials, are rightfully assigned to guard the land, yet they already command two states. Giving them too much may make them too powerful."

"The Emperor will also assign one or two states to trusted individuals. For the recent conquest of Eight States, the Wang Family father-son duo in Xizhou was court’s reinforcements. However, Song Xian won too quickly, so the Wang Family didn’t get a share. This shows the Emperor’s trust in the Wang Family."

Mr. Dongli used water to draw a map on the table: "If the Emperor has to allocate a few states, let Du Zhuo and Song Xian relinquish Qinzhou. One reason is that Qinzhou lies east of Xizhou, making it less convenient for the Wang Family to guard it. Secondly, Qinzhou’s southern Zhaoyi Jiedu Envoy, who I have a rapport with, is not one to use deceitful tactics.

The Emperor may consider the terrain and give Qinzhou to the Zhaoyi Jiedu Envoy instead of the Wang Family, which would benefit us in the future. Even if Qinzhou is given to the Wang Family, should Qinzhou face changes, the Zhaoyi Jiedu Envoy could assist."

In short, Mr. Dongli has two strategies: the preferred is splitting Eight States with Du Zhuo, a middle one is relinquishing Qinzhou, and a last one might require abandoning two states.

Mr. Dongli said, "If indeed two states must be abandoned, I’ll approach the Zhaoyi Jiedu Envoy personally to compete for Qinzhou."

For future planning, Xie Liangchen rose to thank Mr. Dongli.

Mr. Dongli said, "No need, I’ve come to Chen Family Village and made Zigeng a closed-door disciple, Tingzhen wholeheartedly teaches you, we’ve already treated this place as home; since we’re family, naturally we’ll do what we can."

After speaking, Mr. Dongli also rose, "Time’s running late; you have other matters to attend. Go now! While you’re in the Capital, we’ll take care of home, no worries."

Xie Liangchen bowed to Mr. Dongli and Xu Tingzhen in farewell before leaving.

"Sister," Chen Zigeng greeted, "Xie Shaoshan’s family is here again, causing a scene at the village entrance with Uncle."

...

Village entrance.

Xie Shaoshan clutched his elder brother Xie Shao Yuan’s hand, refusing to let go.

Upon hearing that Xie Shao Yuan returned alive, Xie Shaoshan was filled with remorse; had he known, why vie for the main family’s property? Now, with his brother back in Zhenzhou, he would have to return what he previously benefited from.

If he weren’t greedy and kept Liangchen at home, the Familiar Medicine Institute and thread tassel business wouldn’t belong to Chen Family Village now.

Xie Shaoshan was penalized before, spent much silver coin, and only returned home this autumn. By then, Chen Family Village was thriving, but he knew Old Mrs. Chen and Xie Liangchen were unyielding, and hadn’t dared to plead. Now with his brother back, why wouldn’t Xie Shaoshan be tempted?

Thus, Xie Shaoshan scrambled to borrow silver coins, bought gifts, and prepared to visit his brother; only to hear news of the Xie Family marrying into the Song Family before reaching Chen Family Village.

Xie Shaoshan could hardly believe it, thinking Xie Liangchen herself cancelled the marriage with the Su Family, and couldn’t have found a better alliance, yet unexpectedly, she could marry into the National Guardian General Mansion.

Before Xie Shaoshan recovered from the shock, his brother brought officials from the capital to the Xie Clan, showed them the marriage certificate with his sister-in-law, and presented her portrait for them to recognize in front of the officials. After the event, rumors reached him that his sister-in-law was indeed the Commandery Princess descended from Prince Guangyang.

Xie Shaoshan sobbed inconsolably, beseeching Xie Shao Yuan, "Brother, you must help your younger brother. You can’t let General Song have an uncle like me; after all, I’m related to the Song Family by marriage!"