Chapter 41: Paying Respects to General Gao, Another Heaven and Earth Awaits

The next morning, before dawn, Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) had already boarded a plain, unadorned blue-cloth carriage, and under the guidance of Steward Liu, arrived at the residence of Gao Lishi located in Yongjia Ward on the eastern side of Huangcheng.

Gao Lishi's residence was far more low-key than Wang Hui had imagined. There were no imposing stone lions at the gate as seen at ordinary nobles' mansions; only two ancient-looking lanterns stood, the vermilion lacquered gate tightly shut, exuding a stern and restrained aura. This made Wang Xiu raise their estimation of Gao Lishi a notch: a power broker who knows how to conceal their sharpness is far more terrifying—and worth befriending—than those who brandish claws and fangs.

Steward Liu's status at the gate was evidently high; the door guards all bowed respectfully upon seeing him. He led Wang Hui through several courtyards to the outside of an elegant study.

"Wait here, we'll go in first to announce you to the general," Steward Liu said, straightening his attire and putting on a humble, obedient expression—quite a contrast to his arrogant, overbearing demeanor yesterday at the Wang residence.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) stood quietly beneath the eaves, holding a sandalwood gift box in hand, quickly rehearsing the words for the impending meeting.

This meeting would settle everything in one stroke; a single misspoken word could bring utter ruin.

Not long after, Steward Liu emerged, a faint smile of satisfaction on his lips, and beckoned to Wang Hui: "The general invites you in."

Wang Hui took a deep breath and stepped into the study.

The study's furnishings were simple yet exquisite. A faint scent of ambergris lingered in the air; a middle-aged person in plain robes, with a pale complexion and indeterminate age, sat behind the desk, head bowed over a document. Though not wearing official robes, the aura of one long accustomed to high position made no one dare to slight them.

This person must be Gao Lishi.

"This humble official Wang Hui pays respects to General Gao," Wang Hui said, not daring to lift their head, performing a deep bow.

"Hmm." Gao Lishi grunted from his nose, neither allowing them to rise nor looking at them, continuing to stare at the document in hand as if they were the only person in the study.

Wang Hui remained bowed, motionless. They knew this was a show of force—Gao Lishi was testing their patience.

The study was terrifyingly silent; only the rustle of Gao Lishi turning pages and Wang Hui's own steady heartbeat could be heard.

Beside him, Steward Liu watched the scene, unable to suppress a schadenfreude smile. "Kid, you still want to see the general? Even if you do, what of it? In the general's eyes, you're nothing but a minor role."

Time ticked by second by second; Wang Hui felt their waist near breaking, fine beads of sweat seeping onto their forehead. Yet they gritted their teeth and held fast, their posture not swaying in the slightest.

Finally, Gao Lishi set down the document, lifted their head, and a fleeting gleam of sharpness flashed in their seemingly turbid eyes.

"Are you Wang Jin's son?" his voice was calm, giving no hint of pleasure or anger.

"Yes, this humble official Wang Hui."

"Raise your head."

Only then did Wang Hui slowly straighten up and lift their head.

Gao Lishi glanced at them a few times, nodded, and said, "You bear a resemblance to your father's vigor from back then. I hear you have something to discuss with me?"

"Here it comes!"

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) felt a jolt in their heart, quickly raising the gift box high, their face showing just the right mix of apprehension and sincerity.

"Replying to the general, this humble official does not dare say they have business; I have come specially to apologize to you!"

"Oh? An apology?" Gao Lishi raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at them with interest, and also glanced at Steward Liu, whose expression had shifted a bit.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) immediately said: "Yesterday, your steward Liu came to my home, saying that the general's residence intends to build a new villa and wishes to purchase a batch of glazed ware. This would be a great honor for my family to serve you, a blessing accumulated over generations of the Wang family."

They first set the tone extremely high while lowering their posture to the extreme.

"But," they shifted tone, face flushing with shame, "I have only just taken charge of the family business; my talent and learning are shallow, my experience limited. Seeing the list steward Liu brought, with its multitude of items and exquisite craftsmanship, I am truly overwhelmed with anxiety!"

"What is there to be anxious about?" Gao Lishi asked lightly.

"I am anxious that my family's modest kiln workshop may be unable to undertake such a great task! Moreover, I fear that we ordinary folk might misunderstand the general's refined taste, producing crude and shoddy goods that would offend your eyes—then we commoners would truly have no excuse even with ten thousand deaths!"

They lowered their posture further, blaming everything on their "lack of ability" and "limited insight."

"Therefore, I dare to implore you to come in person: first, to apologize to the general for my family's limited capability; second, to humbly seek your guidance—may I ask what style you envision for the villa, and what kind of glazed ornamentation you require? Upon returning, I will gather the finest artisans, sparing no cost, working day and night, to craft pieces that meet your approval, in gratitude for the general's favor toward my late father."

Having spoken, they bowed deeply once more and presented the gift box: "This is an inkstone my father cherished in life—a modest token; I hope the general will accept it, granting me a chance to serve you."

Throughout this speech, Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) never mentioned money, never accused Steward Liu of extortion, and uttered not a single complaint or lament.

They took all responsibility upon themselves, turning "transaction" into "service," "extortion" into "instruction," lowering their posture to the dust, yet between the lines they laid out the full context with crystal clarity before Gao Lishi.

A steward presented a bill for thirty thousand strings of cash, gave only a thousand as deposit, and this young family head was frightened to the point of losing bladder and bowel control, thinking their estate insufficient and ability weak, unable to fulfill the general's task; they hurriedly came to apologize and even offered a generous gift, merely hoping to "craft a few pieces that please the general" for the general.

The foul play in this is obvious to anyone who isn't a fool; moreover, the Wang family is no minor clan but a newly risen house of the Tang Dynasty—only the main pillar has collapsed.

Who is Gao Lishi? A person who climbed to the pinnacle of power through the bloody intrigues of the palace; their mind holds more schemes than a sieve.

After hearing Wang Hui's words, their face remained expressionless, but the eyes fixed on Wang Hui gradually narrowed. That gaze made Steward Liu feel as if plunged into an ice cellar, legs going weak, nearly kneeling on the spot.

Gao Lishi ignored them, merely extending a hand to signal the young eunuch nearby. The eunuch stepped forward, took the gift box from Wang Hui's hand, opened it, and presented it to Gao Lishi.

"Hmm, a fine inkstone." Gao Lishi glanced at it, nodded, then waved a hand: "I accept the gift. I understand your intentions."

Their gaze finally shifted from Wang Hui to Steward Liu, who was sweating profusely.

"Liu An."

"S-slave... slave is here!" Steward Liu exclaimed, dropping to their knees with a thud and kowtowing like pounding garlic.

"When did we ever say we were building a villa?" Gao Lishi's voice remained calm, yet the temperature in the study seemed to drop by dozens of degrees.

"When did we ever send you to the Wang family to demand such a large batch of glazed ware?"

"Spare my life, general! Spare my life!" Steward Liu's soul fled, speaking incoherently: "It... it was I... I heard the Wang family's glazed ware was fine, wanted... wanted to make a few pieces for the general to play with... it was my own initiative, my bewildered heart, having nothing to do with the general!"

"Acting on your own initiative?" Gao Lishi snorted coldly, "When have people in our household dared to fly our banner outside to do such disgraceful deeds? Minister Wang has just passed, his bones not yet cold, and you dare to bully his orphaned widow and children—you lot of dog servants have thrown away all our face!"

"Seize them!"

"Here!" Two tall guards entered from outside.

"Drag them out, break their legs, and throw them beyond the city walls!" Gao Lishi's voice held not a shred of emotion.

"Spare my life, general! Spare my life! I have served you for many years..." Steward Liu screamed in anguish, but soon their mouth was gagged and they were dragged out like a dead dog.

The study returned to silence once more.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) kept their head lowered, heart pounding wildly. They knew they had guessed right. Gao Lishi not only cleared their own name but also granted them an enormous favor.

"Sorry for the trouble." Gao Lishi lifted the teacup, blew lightly on it, as if they had merely dealt with a trivial matter.

"It is this humble official who has troubled the general," Wang Hui hurriedly said.

"No." Gao Lishi shook their head, set down the teacup, and a gentle smile appeared on their face: "It is you who helped us clean house. You are excellent—far stronger than your father was back then."

Looking at Wang Hui, they spoke approvingly: "We have indeed heard that your family's glazed ware is good; we originally intended to send someone to buy a few small trinkets for amusement, but never expected the underlings to be so corrupt. Rest assured, we will not take your goods without payment."

After a moment's thought, they told the young eunuch beside them: "Go to the accounts office, draw five hundred strings, and give them to the head of the Wang family, saying we have ordered a pair of glazed bottles and a glazed ink wash. Have them made at market price, with any excess refunded and any shortfall made up."

Five hundred guan! Buying three items! This is already far beyond the market price!

This isn't just buying things; it's compensation, it's a show of goodwill!

"General, absolutely not! To be able to serve the General is a blessing of our Wang family; how dare we take your money again!" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) hastily declined.

"Just take it, you will take it." Gao Lishi's tone left no room for argument: "Our household and Minister Wang also count as old acquaintances. He passed away early, and it's not easy for a young person like you to hold up such a great enterprise. In the future, if anyone blindly dares to bully you outside, just report our name."

This is a promise! This is protection!

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) was overjoyed; he knew that this adventure had brought him a reward far beyond his expectations! He not only resolved the crisis, but also successfully connected with Gao Lishi, finding a new, immensely powerful backing for the Wang Family.

"I, the subordinate, thank the General for his great kindness!" Wang Hui bowed again, excitedly; this time, it was sincere.

"Rise." Gao Lishi waved his hand, seeming somewhat disinterested.

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the bamboo grove outside, then suddenly blurted out: "Lately, the Emperor keeps mentioning that Shu Region has produced an extraordinary poetic talent, his literary style graceful and unrestrained, comparable to the earlier Chen Zi'ang. Perhaps, in a few days, he will summon him to the capital."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s heart stirred violently.

Shu Region's poetic talent? Literary grace comparable to Chen Zi'ang?

A name instantly popped into his mind—Li Bai!