Magistrate Wei’s operation was quite cunning… The middleman’s profit margin was excessive… However, this also indicated that if chicken essence could be mass-produced, it would undoubtedly be incredibly lucrative.
Did I accidentally stumble upon a path to becoming a wealthy man with multiple wives, living a simple yet prosperous life?
“Indeed, every profession has its specialties. If only I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have fumbled around on my own. Instead, I could have guided the Astrology Bureau’s experts and enjoyed the profits from behind the scenes… What a pity it’s too late now…” Xu Qi An sighed quietly.
From the tax silver case to the Sangbo case, and up to now, he had offended too many powerful figures in the court. He was now inextricably bound to Magistrate Wei.
In this situation, what he needed to do was cultivate and assist Magistrate Wei. The more stable Wei’s position and the greater his power, the more benefits Xu Qi An himself would reap. There simply wasn’t much energy left to dabble in alchemy.
…Well, it wasn’t that he had no time at all. He could revisit it when he had some free time in the future. For now, the priority was to reach the Spirit Refinement realm.
Princess Huaiging took a sip of tea, moistened her lips, and spoke in a calm tone: “Recently, the struggles between various factions in the court suddenly ceased. The reason is that Magistrate Wei and Prime Minister Wang have joined forces, attempting to sweep clean all the large and small factions in the court.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Xu Qi An’s eyes lit up.
Princess Huaiging shook her head: “Father Emperor blocked it. The chaotic situation in the court is beneficial to him. The more fiercely the factions fight, the more he can focus on cultivating the Dao. If one or two factions dominate, the court situation would slip from Father Emperor’s control.”
She can tell me all this… It seems Princess Huaiging considers me one of her own… How come she trusts me so much… Although I’ve flattered her well, I haven’t done it that many times… Xu Qi An nodded and agreed:
“Factional strife is a double-edged sword. It can maintain His Majesty’s position, but it can also throw the court into chaos. The more factions there are and the more fiercely they fight, the less attention is paid to state affairs in the long run. Everyone’s mind becomes filled with schemes and plots to overthrow their opponents.”
As he spoke, Xu Qi An kept observing Princess Huaiging’s expression. If she showed any signs of displeasure or aversion, he would stop there.
Otherwise, Xu Qi An would use his pseudo-historian knowledge to have a good chat with this princess, enhancing their relationship and gaining more of her attention.
Princess Huaiging, well-versed in history books, narrowed her eyes and deliberately set a trap: “Wouldn’t directly eliminating factional strife solve the problem once and for all?”
Xu Qi An shook his head: “A court without factions breeds all sorts of peculiarities.”
A court without factions breeds all sorts of peculiarities… Princess Huaiging mulled over this phrase in her mind, her eyes brightening and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curling into a smile.
Seeing this, Xu Qi An immediately said: “This humble official has some shallow insights. I wonder if the Princess would be interested in hearing them.”
Upon hearing this, Princess Huaiging quietly straightened her posture and nodded: “Please, do share.”
Xu Qi An carefully said: “Actually, His Majesty’s method of balancing the court is somewhat flawed…”
He saw Princess Huaiging narrow her eyes, but she didn’t stop him, just staring at him intently. So he continued:
“To balance the court, you don’t need so many factions. Just three equally powerful factions would suffice. Because in any field, a triangle is the most stable structure… well, except in marriage.”
“Triangle?” Princess Huaiging heard an unfamiliar term.
Xu Qi An made a triangle shape with his hands, and she suddenly realized: “This structure often appears in palace construction.”
The Princess is indeed incredibly intelligent… Xu Qi An nodded and said: “If there are only two factions, they might ally in private, appearing to be at odds on the surface while colluding behind the scenes. But if there’s a tripartite balance, it’s difficult for them to reach a consensus of interests, and the court situation would be relatively stable, easier to control.”
Princess Huaiging pondered for a long time, seeming to have understood something. She chuckled lightly, then quickly composed herself, resuming her aloof demeanor:
“The great scholars of Yunlu Academy said you were a seed of learning. I thought you were just good at poetry, but I didn’t expect you to have such profound insights. Among the scholars in the world, those who can match you are few and far between. The great scholars of Yunlu Academy indeed have keen eyes. It was I who underestimated you.”
No, they also just think I’m good at poetry, and you haven’t underestimated me… I’m just an internet commenter, pointing out the state of affairs with flourishing words, invincible with a single keystroke.
Xu Qi An responded with a modest smile.
“Actually, besides the proliferation of factions, the court has another very fatal problem… Your Highness, please forgive me, I’ve used inappropriate words.”
Princess Huaiging smiled gently: “We’re speaking in private, there’s no need for too much concern.”
Her eyes, clear and bright like a cold pond, gazed at him steadily, expressing an eager desire to listen, though she didn’t say it out loud.
Xu Qi An immediately felt at ease and said: “The gentlemen in the court, their promotions and demotions, dismissals and such, His Majesty can easily manipulate. But he cannot control the lower-ranking officials and clerks, especially the latter, who are the main culprits for the people’s suffering.”
This issue seemed to touch a soft spot for Princess Huaiging, making her suddenly serious. She interjected: “I’ve been troubled by this problem as well.”
“The long-standing problem of corrupt clerks in Great Feng has two reasons: First, the fierce factional struggles in the court have neglected management. Simply put, they’re fighting without doing any work. Second, His Majesty has been cultivating for twenty-one years, and the court’s control over the lower levels has seriously declined, leading to the clerks running wild without fear.”
Princess Huaiging nodded: “Your view aligns with mine. I’ve pondered this issue more than once but to no avail.”
Why would a princess think about such things… Xu Qi An said: “Regarding the issue of clerks, this humble official suggests centralization of power.”
“Centralization of power?” Princess Huaiging unconsciously adopted a tone of seeking guidance, as this was another unfamiliar term.
“Although the current Emperor firmly controls the court situation, he maintains a state of various factions fighting each other, so he has to give out corresponding powers. His Majesty’s power is too dispersed…” Xu Qi An didn’t continue. He believed that with the Princess’s wisdom, she could understand the implications.
Similarly, how to change the status quo? The one who tied the bell must untie it. Either Emperor Yuanjing must return to his senses and attend to state affairs diligently, or he must abdicate.
The reason Xu Qi An stopped the topic here was precisely this. Continuing would inevitably lead to this taboo subject.
They chatted for a while longer, with Princess Huaiging gaining a new respect for this Bronze Gong, and Xu Qi An feeling the same. This princess was not only intelligent but also erudite, quoting classics and ancient sayings. Talking to her was both enjoyable and challenging.
Seeing that it was about time, Xu Qi An proposed to take his leave. He couldn’t chat anymore; he had truly run out of things to say. If they continued, he’d have to start discussing socialism with her.
Princess Huaiging nodded, her eyes showing a hint of reluctance to end the conversation.
…
After leaving Princess Huaiging’s palace, Xu Qi An immediately went to find Princess Lin’an. He quickly received permission to enter and was led in by guards.
It was now two-quarters past the Si hour (9:30 AM), and Princess Lin’an, dressed in a fiery red dress, was playing shuttlecock with her palace maids.
If Xu Lingyin had a talent in the realm of food, then Biaobiao’s talent lay in play. She was now better at kicking the shuttlecock than Xu Qi An, who practiced martial arts.
The fire-red dress fluttered, her slender waist twisting, and her long legs seemed to have built-in GPS, always able to catch the shuttlecock and kick it back into the air.
So if this girl had been born in his era, she would have been a party girl, traveling and hitting the clubs every day.
The dresses of this era are too conservative, with pants worn underneath… Xu Qi An, who hadn’t seen anything, grumbled inwardly as he cupped his hands in salute: “Your Highness.”
Seeing Xu Qi An come to pay respects, she kicked the shuttlecock to a palace maid and put her hands on her hips: “Didn’t you say you’d come to pay respects every day once the case was over?”
“This humble official can’t just enter the palace as he pleases…” Xu Qi An walked towards the pavilion, with Princess Lin’an following.
She took a handkerchief from a maid and wiped her little face, messing up her originally delicate eyebrows in the process.
“I’ve been thinking of going out to play recently. You’ll accompany me,” Lin’an said as she returned the handkerchief to the maid and washed her hands.
Xu Qi An glanced at her sideways: “No.”
Lin’an immediately glared at him: “You ungrateful dog.”
The two began their usual game of chicken, with Biaobiao trying to subdue Xu Qi An with her charming, amorous peach blossom eyes, while Xu Qi An countered with his dead fish eyes.
As expected, she was the first to give in. Her round, goose-egg face slightly blushed as she turned away her gaze, saying angrily: “If it were Huaiging, would you obey without question?”
Huaiging wouldn’t ask me to do such a life-threatening thing. Taking a princess out of the palace is a beheading offense… Xu Qi An took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom:
“I recently came across a little something. Adding it when cooking can enhance the umami flavor. It’s called chicken essence.”
In front of Biaobiao, he was more casual, never referring to himself as “this humble official”. The Second Princess never cared about such formalities.
“Chicken essence… what a strange name,” Lin’an said with a grin. “You’ve run out of money again, right? I’ll reward you with another painting. Oh, and the storehouse sent over an ivory brush. It’s said to be quite valuable. I don’t like writing, so I’ll give it to you.”
Xu Qi An immediately said: “Your Highness misunderstands. This humble servant didn’t come for rewards. I’m willingly at your service, Princess.”
Lin’an loved hearing sweet talk, and she immediately became happy: “Then what do you want?”
“Please convert it to silver, Your Highness.”
“Silver is fine too…” Biaobiao rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she gazed at him. Those dreamy peach blossom eyes seemed to be looking at a lover.
“I’m bored. I’m tired of playing shuttlecock. Tell me a story, continue with that Journey to the West from last time.”
“As you wish, Your Highness. This time, I’ll tell you about ‘Thrice Borrowing the Plantain Fan’,” Xu Qi An said, sipping the tea brought by the palace maid to moisten his throat:
“One day, Tang Sanzang and his disciples came to the Flaming Mountain. The fire was so fierce they couldn’t fly over it. The Earth God told Sun Wukong that to extinguish the flames of the Flaming Mountain, he needed to borrow the Plantain Fan from Princess Iron Fan. Now, this Princess Iron Fan was the wife of the Bull Demon King.”
“Bull Demon King? He’s Sun Wukong’s sworn brother,” Biaobiao exclaimed in her sweet voice, showing her good memory.
“Yes, so Sun Wukong and Lady Bull have an unknown connection.”
“What connection?”
“Princess, please listen as I continue…” Xu Qi An glanced at the palace maid. “You, wait outside the pavilion.”
The palace maid obediently left.
Xu Qi An felt relieved and continued: “Sun Wukong arrived at Plantain Cave, and Princess Iron Fan warmly welcomed him in, but she was unwilling to lend the Plantain Fan. So the two engaged in an intense physical struggle.
“Sun Wukong transformed into a bug and crawled into Princess Iron Fan’s belly, saying: ‘Sister-in-law, I’m already inside you.’
“Princess Iron Fan writhed in pain on the ground and surrendered, saying she would hand over the Plantain Fan as long as Sun Wukong came out.
“Sun Wukong said: ‘Sister-in-law, open your mouth, this old monkey is coming out.’
“At this moment, the Bull Demon King was right outside the door, witnessing everything.”
“Then who does he help?” Lin’an pondered. “One is his sworn brother, the other is his wedded wife. It’s a difficult choice.”
“No, the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan had already separated,” Xu Qi An replied.