activa-t Chapter 94, Forgiving the Emperor
Chapter 94, Forgiving the Emperor
Chapter 95, Chapter 94: Forgiving the Emperor (Fourth update, please subscribe)
This five-toothed treasure ship, named "Huaiyin," is exclusively for this county, and there is only one of its kind, used exclusively for tribute purposes.
The journey from Huaiyin County to the capital by waterway is about 3,000 li (approximately 1,500 kilometers) and takes about ten days.
Although not as fast as riding a horse at full speed on land, it is more suitable when carrying a heavy load—after all, with a million taels of silver, at least fifty carriages are needed for land travel.
Ren Qingshan stood at the bow of the ship, enjoying the wind, listening to Niu Ben introduce the various parameters of the treasure ship, such as "hard sails," "winds from all directions," "balanced rudder," and "pulley system"—he was full of praise.
The treasure ship was like an aircraft carrier of the era and one of the founding weapons of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
No bandits dared to rob them, and even if they did, they couldn't.
The treasure ship sailed away.
Two days later, we arrived at the Fucheng Wharf.
Lu Haichuan disembarked with 200,000 taels of silver, and waved goodbye as he watched the treasure ship set sail again.
Ren Qingshan was instructed to use the silver to buy spiritual items of the five elements, primarily seeking wood-elemental items, followed by water-elemental items, and not to worry about the other three elements.
"How is your brother doing lately?"
Looking at his daughter beside him, Lu Haichuan sighed and said, "I heard that we are going to pay tribute. My wife made more than a dozen boxes of 'Yiwosi' overnight and asked Ren Qingshan to take them to our son in the capital. It is our son's favorite hometown delicacy. When he wrote back last time, he said that there was no such food in the capital and that the cook at home was clumsy and could not make his mother's taste."
Seeing her father's eyes slightly red, Lu Qingyi pouted her red lips, and her eyes were also a little moist.
Parting is the most sorrowful thing.
Thankfully, it's only a short separation.
After passing Fengcheng Prefecture, it took another two days to reach Zhongzhou City, one a prefecture-level city and the other a provincial capital. The treasure ship continued its journey, with food, drink, and sanitation all taken care of on board. After passing through Qincheng Prefecture, Luocheng Prefecture, Yangcheng Prefecture, and Jingnan County, it finally arrived at the tribute dock in the capital.
The journey lasted nine days without any major incidents, which even made Ren Qingshan somewhat look forward to coming out and finding some fun with the river bandits.
However, it does not.
Along the long dock, shirtless towmen slowly pulled the treasure ship into the harbor under the scorching sun.
Liu Yunfei and Guan Shanyue had previously taken on the task of transporting grain taxes and were very familiar with the tribute docks. Among the buildings, the two accurately located the Imperial Household Department, the emperor's private treasury. They found the eunuch in charge of the place, presented the memorial written by Fang Yanping and the tribute list, and, as required by custom, slipped him a bribe of three thousand taels of silver. Thus, they successfully delivered the tribute and received the receipt—mission accomplished.
Ren Qingshan did not appear in person throughout the process; he only served as a supervisor.
Feeling ashamed.
We have to be subservient to others when paying tribute! We even have to give them kickbacks! What a shameless emperor!
If it weren't for Fang Yanping's life and the 500,000 taels of silver—damn it, as long as it's completed, that's fine. After all, we're not the best in the world yet.
The treasure ship docked at the pier. When it came, time was tight and it was extremely urgent. Now that it has arrived in the capital, there is more time.
His men were divided into two groups to guard the treasure ship, which also carried 300,000 taels of silver.
Ren Qingshan carried two large food boxes wrapped in layers of Jin Xiulan's clothes, along with Lu Haichuan's letter, and led the first batch of people on leave out of the dock, heading straight for the capital.
The capital city, the martial arts capital!
Ren Qingshan plans to purchase the bulk of the Five Elements spiritual items in the capital, which is also the core objective of this trip.
Lu Haichuan's son, Lu Qingxuan, served in the garrison in the capital and lived in Yongjunfang. You could ask him for news if you met him.
With these thoughts in mind, after entering the city, Ren Qingshan gave a few instructions and then everyone went their separate ways, leaving only Ren Yaowu with him—Xiao Hui stayed on the boat to guard the city.
Support the Army Archway.
After the announcement, Ren Qingshan met Lu Qingxuan, who had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and was fierce and arrogant. When he learned that Lu Qingxuan was from his hometown and had brought his mother's "whole nest of silk", he burst into tears on the spot and cried like a two-hundred-pound child.
Ren Qingshan felt a pang of emotion, and sighed as he thought of his parents from another dimension.
You should come home and visit more often, buddy!
I can't go back even if I want to.
After reading his father's letter, Lu Qingxuan's gaze towards Ren Qingshan changed. He scratched his head and grinned, "So it's my brother-in-law."
"Ahem—Brother-in-law, you're too kind."
Ren Qingshan nodded and smiled, feeling a mixture of politeness and shame, just like when visiting distant relatives during the Chinese New Year.
After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Qingxuan became even more enthusiastic, inquiring about his family situation, which Ren Qingshan answered in detail.
Upon learning that his brother-in-law was the chief constable, a martial arts scholar, and a powerful expert in the Visceral Realm, Lu Qingxuan felt a deep respect, and his eyes burned even more intensely.
At the age of thirty-five, the Visceral Realm expert would be considered second-rate even among martial artists in the capital.
He is currently only at the late stage of Silver Blood, and has only recently achieved True Qi.
The title "brother-in-law" switched seamlessly and extremely smoothly, and before I knew it, it had become "Brother Qingshan".
Ren Qingshan naturally noticed this change, chuckled inwardly, and asked where he could buy Five Elements spiritual items.
The answer was quickly found: Baibao Chamber of Commerce.
No need to go to the auction house. The Baibao Chamber of Commerce is a royal property, so it will definitely have it, and it will be cheaper.
The price is around 80,000 to 100,000 taels.
After all, all the rare treasures in the world were transported to the capital, and the abundance of its resources far surpassed that of Huaiyin County, Fengcheng Prefecture, and Zhongzhou City.
Ren Qingshan was eager to go, but declined the invitation and immediately set off for the Baibao Chamber of Commerce.
The capital city is truly prosperous.
The streets are lined up one after another, bustling with traffic, even in the outer city.
The respectable women on the street were adorned with gold and silver, their attire reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty, and they did not hesitate to display their fair breasts and beautiful legs.
Outside the brothel, a fit and beautiful Orchid woman swayed her slender waist, exuding an astonishingly seductive and fiery charm.
The trading company had blond-haired, blue-eyed, and dark-skinned barbarian slaves, all prisoners of war with tattoos on their faces. Ren Qingshan asked them curiously and learned that each slave cost only thirty taels of silver, cheaper than a draft ox. As slaves, they had all been castrated and were forbidden from learning martial arts; they could not be killed or beaten without consequence.
Upon arriving in the capital for the first time and seeing all this, Ren Qingshan suddenly felt a sense of forgiveness for the Emperor of the Great Zhou.
The old emperor did a good job!
Heading to the Baibao Chamber of Commerce, Ren Qingshan entered the third floor of the chamber under the guidance of a gentle and lovely maid.
We're not luxurious enough to display the five elemental spirit items on the counter yet, since storage conditions are demanding; we can only choose from catalogs first.
The Five Directions Divine Court Scripture does not have special requirements for spiritual objects; as long as they contain innate energy, they are acceptable. However, it is recorded that the most suitable spiritual objects to match the cultivation method can be more efficient and effective.
They are: White Emperor's Marrow, Longevity Cocoon, Mysterious Fish, Phoenix Crystal, and Magnetite.
All of these are included in this picture book.
The price of White Emperor's Marrow is 95,000 taels, Phoenix Crystal is 90,000 taels, and Magnetite is 85,000 taels. Only those with the title of Martial Scholar or an official of the seventh rank or above can purchase them.
Xuanming fish are out of stock and need to be ordered in advance, which will take at least six months. — These are aquatic spiritual creatures, most of which are found on the spot and many are difficult to preserve.
Longevity cocoons are in short supply; these only appear in winter and die in spring.
Water and wood-related spirit objects are the most agile and also the most delicate, and must be ordered at least six months in advance.
Ren Qingshan was prepared for this. Having verified his scholar's degree, he immediately decided on three spiritual items of the elements of gold, fire, and earth. He then had the merchant guild send a carriage to collect the silver. After arriving at the treasure ship and collecting the silver, he saved 30,000 taels. He took out 10,000 taels to distribute among his brothers, took a complete vacation, and went to the capital to stroll around. He instructed that he should return to the ship before noon the next day. Only then did he escort the silver back to the Baibao Merchant Guild, pay for the goods, and collect payment.
Looking at the three jade boxes in front of him, he opened them one by one. The metal was sharp, the fire was warm, and the earth was thick. Ren Qingshan was satisfied.
Progress completed: 3/5!
To live a good life, you still have to go to the capital.
With money, you can buy anything; you don't need to do it yourself.
Wait for me, I will climb to the top step by step!
May you pass the martial arts exam and become the top scholar!