Chapter 80: Leaving the Mountain
After Chen Ping'an left the mountain, he first headed to the blacksmith's shop. As he walked across the stone arch bridge, the young boy clasped his hands together, lowered his head, and walked quickly, his expression solemn and sincere. He muttered to himself, "Old Immortal, please speak nicely and don't hit people. If you have any requests, you can send me a dream at night. It's best not to do it in broad daylight—I'm really a bit scared."
Fortunately, by the time he reached the other end of the stone bridge, Chen Ping'an was unharmed. The boy immediately beamed with joy and trotted off to find Master Ruan and Ruan Xiu.
The boy knew no sorrow.
Ruan Qiong was once again hosting Chen Ping'an under the eaves. Each had a small bamboo chair, and Ruan Xiu stood behind her father, her face filled with unconcealed delight.
Ruan Qiong watched the straw-sandal boy, covered in dust, carefully place the bamboo basket in front of him. Then, with gentle movements, he pulled out a cloth pouch containing the two topographic maps from beneath the pile of medicinal herbs in the basket. As he handed it over, Chen Ping'an said guiltily, "When I was climbing Tiaodeng Mountain, the path was blocked by a huge waterfall. I found a place near the deep pool beneath the waterfall to hide the basket and even built a small wooden frame to shelter it from wind and rain. But I didn't expect that not long after I reached the top of the waterfall, a heavy rain started. It was too torrential. By the time I rushed down, the wooden frame had indeed collapsed. The basket and cotton cloth bundle were soaked through by the rain. Fortunately, the two maps were wrapped tightly in oiled paper. After the sun came out, I took them out to check. Only the edges of the maps were a bit damp, but even after drying, there were still obvious marks..."
Ruan Qiong opened the cloth pouch and the oiled paper and found that the two maps were almost perfectly intact. The minor damage was negligible. Besides, they were just copied maps, so the Kiln Affairs Supervision Office and Longquan County yamen had no intention of taking them back. But Ruan Qiong wasn't willing to use that truth to comfort the boy. He glanced at Chen Ping'an, who was standing nervously before him, and asked, "Climbing up and down that Dragon Qiu Waterfall on Tiaodeng Mountain during a rainstorm—are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Chen Ping'an smiled but didn't reply.
Ruan Qiong waved his hand, signaling the boy to sit back down and stop standing in front of him being an eyesore.
Chen Ping'an sat back on the small, lovely green bamboo chair. Once he had returned the two maps to Master Ruan, he felt an immense relief. If it hadn't been for his fear of damaging those precious maps, this trip into and out of the mountains could have saved him at least three or four days. Moreover, having depended on them for so long, the nostalgic boy actually felt a bit reluctant to part with the two maps. Whenever the weather was clear and he climbed to a high vantage point, Chen Ping'an liked to pick the spot with the widest view, spread out the maps, look up at the mountains and rivers in the distance, then look down at the maps.
For over half a month, Chen Ping'an had never felt so fulfilled.
Suddenly, Ruan Qiong tossed the two maps lightly to Chen Ping'an. "The chair is pretty good. I'll make two more. Consider the maps as payment. I'm giving them to you."
Although Ruan Qiong still didn't like the boy from Clay Vase Alley, he wasn't about to completely deny Chen Ping'an because of that.
Ruan Qiong could fully imagine the scene: in a torrential downpour, a worried, lean boy scrambling down the waterfall, just to take a look at the maps and set his mind at ease.
Of course, in Ruan Qiong's eyes, this behavior wasn't heroic at all. On the contrary, it was rigid and pedantic.
To be honest, compared to this miserable boy, Ruan Qiong appreciated the Da Li imperial prince Song Jixin, who understood how to read the situation at a young age, or Liu Xianyang, who was naturally cheerful and carefree. Even Ma Kuxuan, sharp-edged as he was, had many commendable qualities. And Zhao Yao, who had followed Qi Jingchun since childhood as a scholar seed, was also not as rigid and obtuse as Chen Ping'an.
The reason Ruan Qiong changed his mind and found an excuse to give the maps to Chen Ping'an was actually that he had made up his mind to draw a clear line with this boy. The blacksmith shop could take him in as a sword-forging apprentice, but he would never become Ruan's personal disciple. In the future, Ruan would fulfill his promise to protect the mountain peaks Chen Ping'an bought, but this kid should absolutely not have any connection with his daughter.
At bottom, Ruan Qiong didn't look down on Chen Ping'an because of his background. It was simply a matter of different paths—they were not on the same journey.
Ruan Qiong's disciples had to be like-minded people. They would be both teacher and friend, working together to build a millennium of prosperity for the sect. So compatibility of temperament was extremely important.
Chen Ping'an naturally didn't know the twists and turns of Ruan Qiong's thoughts. The boy just caught the maps, hugged them to his chest, and asked, "Won't the supervising official at the yamen have any objections?"
Ruan Qiong sneered, "For at least sixty years, I am the de facto emperor of this Longquan County. So my rules are the most important."
Ruan Xiu muttered, "Dad, you really know how to pat yourself on the back."
For his daughter's undermining, Ruan Qiong ignored her completely and said to Chen Ping'an solemnly, "Let's get down to business. Which five mountains did you finally choose?"
Chen Ping'an instinctively sat up straight. "Around Shenxiu Mountain, I chose three: Baolu Mountain, Caifeng Peak, and Xiancao Mountain."
Ruan Qiong nodded. "Not a bad choice. Baolu Mountain covers a large area, ranking among the top among the sixty-plus peaks, and it's not just an empty shell. If I weren't considering the future mountain-protecting grand formation, I would have abandoned Hèshuò Peak and chosen Baolu Mountain instead. After all, in this thousand-li stretch of mountains and rivers, unless a mountain god is stationed there or a hidden treasure is buried, whoever occupies a larger territory gains more spiritual energy and thus has an advantage."
"Xiancao Mountain is the only auspicious site with the potential to birth a grass-and-wood spirit. Unfortunately, the place is too small. Even if one appears, its foundation and quality probably won't be very good. The principle is simple: how can a small pond raise a great flood dragon? As for Caifeng Peak, it's rather average. Aside from its high elevation and beautiful scenery, it offers little advantage for cultivation. Unless you can get Yunshi stones from Xiayun Mountain and place them in several acupoints on the peak, it might become a worthwhile investment."
"Didn't you go see the lake at Huanghu Mountain?"
Ruan Qiong's last question made Chen Ping'an pause. "I did see it."
"Go on. What are the other two mountains?"
Ruan Qiong stopped there, having already done his part without revealing too much. He didn't continue to disclose any more secrets.
Because the small lake at Huanghu Mountain was similar in essence to Xiancao Mountain. The difference was that Xiancao Mountain had hope of giving birth to grass-and-wood spirits, while Huanghu Mountain was inhabited by a python as thick as a wellhead—a true "local snake." However, in a "water dispute" with a certain small loach, it had lost miserably, missing out on a nearby opportunity on the path of cultivation.
But the wonder of the Great Way is that it never completely cuts off one's path. Now that the Drifting Pearl Paradise was shattered and falling, the golden carp captured by the Dragon King Basket and taken to Great Sui, the fiery dragon turned into the bracelet on Ruan Xiu's wrist, the loach beside River-Cutting True Lord Liu Zhimao, the wooden dragon brought to life by Zhao Yao with his finishing touch, and the earthy yellow four-legged snake that clung desperately to Wang Zhu—these five little creatures were the five great opportunities that truly accumulated during the final three thousand years of the dying Little Drifting Pearl Paradise. As for treasures like the sword-nurturing gourd and monster-revealing mirror, they were certainly fine, but compared to these five living fortunes and destinies, they were far inferior.
As for the great python at Huanghu Mountain, it had actually turned misfortune into fortune. Within a thousand li, there was no opponent that could challenge it, making it the undisputed overlord of the region. Once mountain gods and river gods were installed, if this python were sensible, it might be recruited under one of them, gaining the protective amulet of the Da Li government. From then on, its path might be smooth, truly embarking on the road of cultivation.
Chen Ping'an said, "I plan to buy Pearl Mountain and Desolate Mountain."
Ruan Qiong was taken aback and asked curiously, "Pearl Mountain is one thing—it costs just a single Spring Welcome Coin, so it's a matter of heart's desire. But Desolate Mountain? How did it catch your eye? According to the itinerary, you haven't been there. It used to be a forbidden mountain in Da Li. Did you choose it just based on its name?"
Chen Ping'an felt a bit embarrassed and didn't want to explain the reason.
At the time, Chen Ping'an had the map spread out, hesitating over which large mountain to choose. Then a bird flew overhead and dropped a piece of droppings right on the topographic map. Chen Ping'an quickly wiped it clean and found that the spot was exactly on the three characters for "Desolate Mountain." Without thinking further, he resolutely chose Desolate Mountain, ignoring whether the name was inauspicious or not.
Old Yao had once said that mountains and waters all have spirits.
So Chen Ping'an took it as a hint from the mountain god.
Ruan Qiong pondered for a moment. "Choosing Desolate Mountain isn't a problem. Let's settle it then: Desolate Mountain, Baolu Mountain, Xiancao Mountain, Caifeng Peak, and Pearl Mountain. Five mountain peaks, three hundred years' term. During this period, even if you dig out an entire peak and move it away, no one will stop you. Everything produced on the mountains—whether medicinal herbs, birds and beasts, or even accidentally discovered treasures—belongs to the person whose name is signed on the contract in the Great Mountains and Rivers Genealogy of Da Li."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Understood."
Ruan Qiong said patiently, "Points to note: First, before you die, you must notify the Da Li court through the Longquan County yamen, indicating that you need to change the name(s) inheriting the five mountains. Of course, the Ministry of Revenue of Da Li will keep a secret file. You can write down a beneficiary for each of your five mountains, in case you die suddenly without time to make your last wishes and leave a will. Second, within three hundred years, if you want to sell any mountain, you cannot decide at any time. You must obtain approval from at least three parties on the Da Li government side before the transaction can proceed. I do not recommend selling these mountains, because no matter how high a price you get, you will eventually find you've sold at a loss."
Although Ruan Qiong was a military sage stationed in the region, discussing matters with a boy from a humble alley who had suddenly come into wealth seemed absurd on the surface, but it was actually perfectly reasonable. When it came to the thousand-year enterprise of establishing a sect and his daughter's opportunity for enlightenment, Ruan Qiong couldn't help but be earnest. He wished he could break down every principle and detail to explain to the boy.
Ruan Qiong asked, "Chen Ping'an, do you have any questions?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head and smiled. "No."
Ruan Qiong nodded. "Let's leave it at that for now. I estimate you still have some copper coins left. Later, I'll keep an eye on shop transactions in the town. You can also take advantage of that opportunity, but don't bite off more than you can chew. In the future, the town will have a mix of eight directions and forces. Buying one or two old-established shops with solid foundations should be enough."
Chen Ping'an's face flushed slightly. "Thank you, Master Ruan."
Ruan Qiong said with self-mocking laughter, "The gentleman cherishes virtue; the petty man cherishes land."
Chen Ping'an was puzzled because he didn't know what that sentence meant.
Ruan Qiong waved his hand to dismiss him. "Go about your business. Don't mind this kind of whining. Besides, at your age, you haven't reached the point to talk about breadth of mind or realm."
Chen Ping'an stood up, shouldered his basket, and suddenly heard Ruan Qiong say an unrelated remark: "After Mr. Qi left, it's fine to miss him occasionally—it's human nature. But don't let yourself get bogged down, and don't try to get to the bottom of things. Once you've bought the five mountains and one or two shops, just lie back and collect money. Marry, have children, spread your branches—that's already bringing glory to your ancestors. Both I, Ruan Qiong, and the Da Li court will watch over you and your property. Just like your name, peace and safety—that's more important than anything. Who knows, maybe one day luck will turn, and you might even step onto the path of cultivation. It's not impossible."
Chen Ping'an left in silence.
After the boy left the shop, Ruan Xiu sat on the bamboo chair and asked, "Dad, what did that sentence mean?"
Ruan Qiong said indifferently, "It means that petty people, who are inferior in thought to gentlemen, only focus their minds on obtaining a comfortable piece of land."
Ruan Xiu said strangely, "What's wrong with that? Being attached to one's homeland and unwilling to move—there's no fault in that anywhere. How does that make one petty? Who said that? I think it's unreasonable."
Ruan Qiong's expression darkened. He said softly, "So a Confucian sage also said, 'Where my heart finds peace, that is my home.'"
Ruan Xiu said angrily, "Scholars are really infuriating. They've taken all the principles in the world for themselves!"
Ruan Qiong said earnestly, "Xiuxiu, that's no reason for you to dislike reading."
The girl with the ponytail pretended to be surprised. "Eh? Dad, I suddenly have a lot more strength. I'm going to go forge iron now."
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Chen Ping'an hurried to the Yang family shop. He handed over the large half-basket of various medicinal herbs to a shop assistant. After weighing the herbs, Chen Ping'an received two taels of silver. In fact, many rare herbs were sold to the shop by Chen Ping'an at half price or as good as giving them away. Some of the herbs that the young shop assistant couldn't recognize or value were actually important medicinal ingredients that Old Yang valued highly. Those were the truly valuable good things.
But on this trip into the mountains, gathering herbs was merely a casual act for Chen Ping'an. He hadn't thought about making money. In fact, ever since Chen Ping'an learned to enter the mountains to make charcoal, he had sold herbs to the Yang family shop assistant almost every time. Except for the times he sold to a simple man named Li Er in the shop, the dozens of other times had all been at a loss.
Old Yang never accepted herbs from Chen Ping'an. If Chen Ping'an dared to give them to the shop for free, Old Yang would throw them out onto the street. But if he sold them to the shop assistant or the resident physician, no matter how outrageous the price, the eccentric Old Yang would ignore it.
This time, Chen Ping'an didn't see Old Yang.
After leaving the shop, Chen Ping'an noticed that many people on the road were talking animatedly. They said something big had happened at the crab-shaped memorial archway with twelve legs. It was said that the former superintendent, Mr. Song, who had built the covered bridge before his retirement, had returned to the town in great style. This time, as a rather impressive official of the Ministry of Rites, he brought a group of refined and imposing officials. They had taken a liking to the calligraphy on the four plaques of the Crab Archway—understandable, since they were all scholars. But for some reason, as soon as the Office of the Superintendent got the news, they immediately rushed into the mountains like their pants were on fire to notify the little Lord Wu, who had originally planned to go to Yuangmu Peak to inspect lumber affairs. Then this wealthy lord, along with his advisers and clerks, hurried even more frantically back down the mountain to intercept the group of the old senior official Mr. Song and his party.
With nothing to worry about, Chen Ping'an followed the crowd toward the archway. He stood at a distance outside the crowd.
He saw that under the four square plaques of the archway, eight ladders had been set up—one ladder on each side of each plaque. But at the moment, only on the left and right of the plaque inscribed "Not Yielding to Anyone" stood two scholars of vastly different ages. The older one was looking down, apparently berating someone below him harshly in the official Da Li court language.
Someone patted Chen Ping'an on the shoulder and said cheerfully, "Chen Ping'an, what a coincidence! You're here to watch the fun too?"
Chen Ping'an turned his head and saw that it was the chatterbox boy with a small vermilion mole on his forehead. He was a bit afraid of his nonstop talking, so he said, "Just taking a casual look. I can't understand what they're saying anyway. I'm heading home soon."
The elegant and handsome boy smiled. "Don't go! You can't understand, but I can explain it to you. This matter is really interesting. If you miss it, you'll definitely regret it later! Your town's parent official, Lord Wu Yuan, is currently in conflict with the higher-ranked officials from the Ministry of Rites. The one standing on the ladder is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a genuine high minister of Da Li. On one side, it's probably the veteran former superintendent, Mr. Song, who is patting his chest and taking credit for the plaque matter, promising to keep the plaque for the old gentleman. He says sending it back to his hometown might be uncertain, but delivering it to the Ministry of Rites office is as good as done. That's how he got promoted to a fifth-rank langzhong. So this time, the Ministry of Rites officials used the matter of enfeoffing mountain and river gods as a pretext to come and collect the goods. On the other side is the little Lord Wu, who treats all the town's treasures as his own personal property. Hearing that someone wants to take away the few remaining precious old items, how could he agree? Even if he were willing to humbly swallow this affront, he knows that so many sly old foxes from the four surnames and ten clans are standing by, waiting to laugh at him. If he acts like a coward at this moment, he'll probably have a hard time being the 'grandfather' of those big families later. The already troubled selection sites for the civil and military temples are bound to fall through."
Chen Ping'an carefully listened to the boy's animated explanation and asked, "Who exactly are you? How do you know so much?"
The boy pointed a finger at himself and laughed. "Me? Haha, I'm not a Da Li official. My surname is Cui, given name Can. The character 'Can' is a bit obscure and troublesome to write—don't worry about it."
Chen Ping'an looked at the boy's eyes.
The boy was calm and unabashed. He chuckled, "I'm older than you, so you can call me Uncle-Master Cui."
Chen Ping'an smiled.
The boy smiled too, lightly rubbing his cheeks with both hands. "No matter. I also have a nickname that's easier to say—Embroidered Tiger."