The water rippled gently as reeds were swayed along with the gentle winds.Ren Wei had boarded the boat and felt rather anxious and apprehensive, yet hopeful. He had only come because Pei Zi Yun wrote to him, inviting him into service. He would be paid a hundred taels of silver per year.
Ren Wei thought about it for several days before he agreed. That was why he was invited to the boat with Pei Zi Yun today.
"How’ve you been these few days Brother Ren?" Pei Zi Yun asked. Ren Wei was dressed in a neat set of fresh robes, as he laughed, "Many thanks for your help back then. My days are good."
As he finished speaking, he turned around to take a closer look at the boat he was on. Since there were no other guests on board, he was rather surprised, "Brother Pei, why aren’t there any other guests?"
Pei Zi Yun smiled and waved his hands, "This boat belongs to me. The last time I travelled to the capital city I used it too. The reason I came here was to pick Brother Ren up."
When Ren Wei heard this he froze, "How should I dare to allow you to fetch me."
Pei Zi Yun smiled, "Other people, I wouldn’t do the same. But you and I get along well. This is nothing. Let’s move!"
Pei Zi Yun ordered, the boat crew raised the anchor as they set sail. He then led Ren Wei around. "Look, this is the third level."
"The first level is built on the same level as the deck. The dining room and kitchen are here. Across the hall is the tea room."
When Ren Wei looked, he saw a large and s.p.a.cious corridor with a flight of steps in the middle. The railings were ornamented with a variety of polished rocks and the floorboards were made out of mahogany. By the shelves were bottles of wine.
A screen separated the rooms from each other. When he turned around the corner to look into the tea room, he saw a chessboard placed in the middle of the table. Around the chessboard were different equipment used to make tea. There was also a soft cushion chair along with a bookshelf, where incense was placed.
Ren Wei looked around and was delighted with what he saw, "This is a great place to study."
"Let’s go down and take a look."
As they stepped into the hallway leading to the cabins, he noticed that there were six cabins. He randomly opened the doors to one and saw that it was furnished with a bed and complete with tables and a closet.
"These are the rooms for my honored guests. You and I can choose any room we wish."
"The boat crew live in their quarters."
"You don’t have to see the bas.e.m.e.nt, there’s nothing there except for some goods."
"This boat which I bought cost me about 7,000 taels of silver." Pei Zi Yun explained.
As they continued their exploration around the boat, Ren Wei scrutinized his surroundings and noted that the workmanship was excellent, and the quality of wood used was very good as well.
At last, both of them returned to the deck after they walked back and forth around the boat. Pei Zi Yun pointed behind him and said, "This boat carries many of our goods. I’ve made plans to sell them all once we reach the capital city."
Hearing these words, Ren Wei then spoke out, "Brother Pei comes from such a rich family, what an envy!"
Pei Zi Yun smiled, "All these were created by my own bare hands. My father died when I was young, my mother had a hard life raising me single handedly. I had to struggle my entire life until I became what I am today."
When Ren Wei heard this, he was surprised and found it hard to believe.
"Brother Pei, this business was built by you alone? I was just wondering which wealthy family you came from." Ren Wei was extremely impressed as he spoke.
"Ha ha!" Pei Zi Yun smiled and was clearly satisfied by these remarks.
"Brother Pei, looking at how courteous you are, I’m guessing you have something you wish to say." Ren Wei stopped smiling and asked.
Pei Zi Yun then nodded his head, "Indeed, there’s something I wish to talk to you about. Let’s go into the tea room and speak."
"After you!"
The pair entered the tea room together. The bookshelves were contained many different books. One of the books was left open on the table, as if Pei Zi Yun had been reading it earlier.
"Serve the tea", Pei Zi Yun ordered.
"Yes, Young Master." Bai Ya, who had been waiting outside gave a bow.
Ren Wei then sat down as Bai Ya carried a pot of tea and placed it before both of them. Ren Wei opened the lid of the teapot and fanned the steam which rose out of it. A sweet aroma filled the room at once.
"Let’s drink." Pei Zi Yun spoke casually.
"Great tea!" Ren Wei took a sip and considered for a second before speaking, "Brother Pei, are you trying to recruit me as an advisor to you?"
Pei Zi Yun nodded his head, "Naturally, with someone as talented as Brother Ren, who wouldn’t want you on their side."
"Brother Pei is too polite. I still wish to advance another level in my academic progress." Ren Wei considered before saying. Supporting King Lu and becoming his advisor would mean a person could be an official. Supporting Pei Zi Yun wasn’t as beneficial in that aspect.
Even though Pei Zi Yun was a Dao Master recognized by the Imperial Court and the Sect Leader of Free Cloud Sect, it wasn’t the brightest prospects.
Pei Zi Yun didn’t speak immediately. At this point, it was November and the winds were rather chilly. As the boat moved, they moved past several plains which made for a rather relaxing sight.
Pei Zi Yun laughed before he spoke, "Is there any way that I can persuade you to join me?"
"I don’t wish to hide this from you as well. The reason I’m going to the capital city this time is because I have dealings with the Crown Prince himself. There will definitely be many different problems which will be complicated. Brother Ren is a genius, and I would be beyond grat.i.tude if Brother Ren could a.s.sist me and offer his ingenuity."
When Ren Wei heard this, he hesitated as Pei Zi Yun smiled, "Brother Ren, despite your talents, you still have to pa.s.s the examinations before you will ever be considered for an appointment. I have no such requirements however, I am more than willing to work together with you."
Ren Wei considered these words and understood as he sighed, "Since that’s the case, I shouldn’t reject young master on this."
Now that their statuses were realigned once more, the atmosphere had changed.
Pei Zi Yun then retrieved a notebook, "All the loot and spoils of war from the pirates had been handed over to the relevant authorities. However, there are 200 households on Golden Island, and a thousand mu of good land which I’ve acquired. From this alone, I’ve gained immensely."
"There were also several pirate boats which were seized. It wouldn’t be appropriate to use them, and thus I sold them off."
"I exchanged them for a new boat and three other merchant boats. The boat following us is one of those merchant boats. Since I’m heading towards the capital city, I took it along with me to make some sales."
Ren Wei didn’t seem to mind such controversial topics. Besides, regardless of how talented he was, he wasn’t able to turn back the clock and undo these deeds. Hence, he laughed, "Three merchant boats, do you earn at least 3,000 taels per year?"
"3,000 taels?" Pei Zi Yun laughed coldly, "If the boat remains within the country alone then maybe. But if it were to leave the country and trade outside, a single boat can earn 3,000 taels in a year!"
Ren Wei was astounded by these numbers and it took him a while before he spoke again, "Don’t worry, I shall handle your affairs properly for you."
Pei Zi Yun smiled. He brought two boats along with him today intending to make some profits from business and not for pleasure. However, his main priority was to unearth the hidden gold.
This sunken gold was supposed to be dug out in five or six years time according to his memories. This meant that as of now, n.o.body else around had a clue of its existence. After all, the previous dynasty would have ensured to keep the sunken gold a secret despite all kinds of rumors concerning it.
Since digging it out and giving it to the Crown Prince would cause many problems for himself, including the possibility of death, he decided to dig it out for himself.
Still thinking about this, "Looks like most of the legacies within the original owner’s memories have already been found by me. Most of this hidden gold was going to come in gold bars, but there were other precious gems as well."
"In fact, there could possibly be Daoists’ Legacies hidden with the gold.
"Once I unload all these goods off the boat, I can take the opportunity to load the treasure up. Besides, at this point I don’t trust anyone except Golden Island and those mountainous people."
Without speaking further, they spent the next few days at sea.
As they travelled across the sea, the would read books, play chess against each other and confide in one another. Living like this while they were travelling was rather luxurious and comfortable. Their pillows were soft, and their wines were of high quality. In fact, even the books were very proper. Whenever Ren Wei had any questions, he would raise them with Pei Zi Yun, who would clarify all of them effortlessly.
From time to time, Ren Wei would study till his eyes were tired. He would walk over to the edge of the deck and stand there, allowing the wind and seawater to splash up at him. Living like this, it was no surprise that time flew by. In the blink of an eye, a month had pa.s.sed.
December
On the deck of the boat, Ren Wei and Pei Zi Yun stood side by side. Snowflakes fell gently onto the ground as the pair held umbrellas. A gust of wind brushed past, bringing along with it the smell of sea.
"Young master is really amazing. If I had interacted with you all those years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have failed my examinations so many times." Ren Wei sounded rather gloomy as he spoke. "Now that everything is clear, and I understand so much more, but I’m getting old. I’m 41 years old this year. Even if I do take the examinations, they might not less me pa.s.s."
"If I don’t pa.s.s it this time, would I have to wait until I’m 48?"
"Looks like I’m better off just being a permanent guest under young master’s roof."
"Brother Ren’s talents are not limited to just studying. Besides, now that you’ve understood these concepts, you shall be ready for the examinations. Look we’re already at the pier which means we’re now in the capital city." Pei Zi Yun said.
"Yes, that’s right. This boat has saved us a great deal of torturous travel by road." Ren Wei forced a bitter laugh, deciding not to speak about the examinations anymore as he sighed.
Once they docked by the pier, it was already late. Snow and rain were fell to the ground. Lanterns were lit everywhere as the entire pier was bustling with people.
Several soldiers had thick coats draped around their bodies as they patrolled the area. In fact, these soldiers were dressed more warmly than normal. Pei Zi Yun took his entire crew along with Ren Wei up the pier as they hailed an oxcart and boarded it. Just travelling down this stretch of road was enough to cause their bones to feel pain from the intense cold.
The oxcart came to a halt right outside a mansion, which had been locked. Bai San Chu hurriedly got off the cart to open the door. As soon as they entered, she started cleaning up.
There was a large tree in the backyard of the mansion. As they walked into the mansion, a Daoist followed behind them.
"I bought this mansion some years ago, and it’s been awhile since anyone has lived here. It requires a slight bit of cleaning up. I shall leave Bai San Chu and Bai Ya here to clean this place up. Please protect Mr Ren!" Pei Zi Yun instructed.
"Yes, Sect Leader." The Daoist behind them responded.
"I still have some affairs to handle. Brother Ren, I have to depend on you to move the goods for me." Pei Zi Yun smiled as he spoke.
In this era, there was no discrimination whatsoever to merchants. Hence, Ren Wei didn’t mind the task one bit. After he escorted Pei Zi Yun through the door, he sighed, "Everyone please help me to clean this place up. We shall stay here tonight."
"Chen An, can I trouble you to buy some quilts, bedsheets, oil, candles, and food? You can take the oxcart."
Pei Zi Yun then took another cart and headed for the pier towards his new boat. He Qing Qing greeted him by the pier. Pei Zi Yun met up with He Qing Qing, several members of the mountainous tribe, and the boat crew.
These mountainous tribe people were indeed very different. Each of them wore dark robes and radiated fearsome killing auras. They had blades around their waist and looked very intimidating.
"The Lumen Troops pay their respects to Young Chieftain." The villagers fell to their knees.
Pei Zi Yun swept a glance across them and was secretly glad. This was the remaining group of people left behind by the Priestess. Although the numbers were reduced drastically, they were still united.
After they were treated for their wounds, everyone regained their courage and fighting spirit. At this point, they had a use.
Everyone would be able to a.s.similate in a new environment, it was only a matter of how well they adapted. However, now that Pei Zi Yun had acquired an island for these people to reside in, they will thrive.
Hence, Pei Zi Yun could stop worrying. He waved a hand, "Let’s sail to Shigu Island."
"Yes, Young Master." He Qing Qing then ordered the crew, "Raise your sails, let’s go."
As the boat moved, these twenty-mountainous people looked extremely fearsome as they stood atop the deck, they remained vigilant. Their faces were expressionless as they held blades in their hands which reflected light from time to time.