Chapter 273: Goods Compared to Goods [Many thanks for everyone's support! A second bow!]

After the snow stopped,

The weather remained clear for many days,

The flow of people inside and outside Bianjing City gradually recovered somewhat,

On some streets, large shops and stalls reopened their doors to welcome customers.

From time to time on the roads, commoners, after clearing the accumulated snow, would go to the cauldrons on the streets to receive some free hot food.

The Great Zhou was populous and wealthy,

In Bianjing, renowned restaurants like Fan Lou and Pan Lou were the first to resume business,

Amidst a scene of rising steam and bustling activity,

When familiar nobles, officials, or wealthy landlords came to drink and host banquets, vessels of gold and silver were always prepared.

On the tables, bowls, plates, chopsticks, spoons, trays, wine pots, and other utensils, modeled after the forms of melons, fruits, vines, and tendrils found in nature, were made either of gold or silver,

Exquisitely crafted, a single set cost no less than a hundred taels of silver.

Some regular customers among the commoners of Bianjing, wishing to show off their wealth within the establishment, would order these gold and silver utensils even for a meal of just two people, and the proprietors would not refuse.

After all, nowadays an ordinary courtyard house in Bianjing was valued at six or seven thousand strings of cash,

Some commoners whose ancestors had lived in Bianjing for generations, possessing large compounds, could rely solely on subdividing and selling parts of their courtyards,

To amass a fortune potentially greater than that of certain officials.

The renowned restaurants certainly had no fear of these commoners sweeping up these gold and silver vessels and fleeing!

As for a residence with such a prime location and vast area as Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu, only a few places could compare, such as the Marquis Xiangyang Marquis's Hou Fu or Cheng Garden, formerly belonging to a high minister of the previous dynasty.

During the reign of the late Emperor,

A booklet titled 'Jade Sleeve Silk' once became popular in Bianjing City,

Its wording was concise, containing fewer than two thousand characters, yet its content was incredibly comprehensive,

Beginning with a listing of numerous 'Number One Under Heaven' items!

In the years since the current Emperor ascended the throne,

The people of Bianjing still acknowledged the contents within.

Setting aside matters like 'The Women of the Capital are Number One Under Heaven,'

Nowadays, the nobles, officials, landlords, and wealthy households in Bianjing

Were mostly pursuing four things: 'Western Hu Swift Horses,' 'Bai Gao Steel Swords,' 'Northern Liao Saddles and Bridles,' and 'Goguryeo Celadon.'

Xu Xu Zaijing's first mount belonged to the category of Western Hu Swift Horses.

Although the Goguryeo celadon in the Pan family shop in Dengzhou was scarce and expensive, its quality was superior, and most noble and official families in Bianjing purchased from there.

As for Northern Liao saddles and bridles, those with connections to the noble dukes and marquises of the Cao, Gu, Zhang, and Zheng families had many channels through which to acquire them.

And as for the Bai Gao Steel Swords...

The blade bodies were tough with beautiful patterns, the edges sharp and resistant to chipping.

Among the civil and military officials of the Great Zhou,

Whether acquired through purchase or captured as spoils,

Those who possessed an iron sword carefully forged by the artisans of Bai Gao were exceedingly delighted.

In previous years, when the Great Zhou decisively defeated Bai Gao in the north, a batch of Bai Gao Steel Swords did flow into Bianjing,

But most were used by ordinary soldiers, and their quality was not particularly good.

Therefore, for ordinary Great Zhou officials and wealthy households,

Channels to obtain outstanding quality Bai Gao Steel Swords were extremely scarce,

After the Emperor received iron swords presented by Bai Gao, those he bestowed were mostly given to high-ranking officials and nobles, so they basically never entered circulation;

Gifts from Bai Gao envoys were also rarely resold by officials or nobles, unless their families had fallen into decline;

Thus, only a small number of Bai Gao Steel Swords captured on the battlefield were sold in Bianjing,

At quite handsome prices!

At the exact hour of Wei (after two o'clock in the afternoon),

On Quyuan Street,

The room beside the racecourse remained as warm as usual,

The Li brothers, having been summoned, lifted the cotton curtain and entered the room; seeing a room full of long swords, the two were dumbfounded.

Li Li Taotie casually picked up a sword, examined it closely, and said, "Young Master, where... where did these come from?"

"Bestowed by His Majesty."

Li Li Taotie handed the long sword to Li Li Chi Mei, saying, "It's much like the ones I used before."

Li Li Chi Mei nodded while looking at the patterns on the sword body.

"Don't just stand there; check if this hilt wrapping (the rope wound around the sword handle) is done correctly."

To bring these thirty-odd swords back, Xu Xu Zaijing had even dismantled the hilt wrappings of several swords to use for tying them up.

The two Li brothers exchanged a difficult glance and said, "Previously, our servants always did the wrapping for us..."

"Shouldn't one wrap one's own long sword? What if it doesn't feel comfortable in hand?"

The two brothers pressed their lips together.

Before the Xu family finished their meal,

The new weapon rack, crafted by Bamboo Mother's father, was carried by Brother Qingyun along with Alan and the others into Xu Xu Zaijing's study,

And soon it was filled with precious Bai Gao swords.

After the meal,

Xu Zaizhang and Xu Xu Anmei came to Xu Xu Zaijing's study,

Xu Zaizhang walked over to the weapon rack on his own and began selecting an iron sword.

Xu Anmei, however, looked at the circle of weapon racks filling the room and shook her head.

Looking at the triumphant Xu Xu Zaijing, Xu Anmei stroked the cat in her arms and said:

"Little Five, this place of yours doesn't even look like a study anymore!"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and said:

"Sister! Naturally, this is a treasure vault!"

Xu Anmei shook her head and said:

"It doesn't look like a treasure vault; it looks like a shop selling precious swords."

Hearing this, Seeing Qingcao and the other maids standing in attendance in the study burst into laughter.

"Sister, do you know how much a high-quality iron sword of this grade costs in Bianjing?"

Xu Anmei knew nothing about such things; looking at her younger brother, she said:

"Tch! How much could one sword be worth? Two hundred guan?"

Xu Xu Zaijing said: "Brother! You explain it!"

Xu Zaizhang, who was examining the swords, turned his head and said:

"For this quality, over three thousand guan! If taken to the prefectures in the south, it might fetch five thousand guan or more."

Xu Anmei was dumbfounded: "Ah?"

Xu Xu Zaijing, standing nearby, playfully mimicked Xu Anmei's tone from just before,

shaking his head and swaying his body,

with a face full of sarcasm, squinting and making faces as he said: "Hmph! How much money could it possibly be?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he took a punch from Xu Anmei.

Seeing Qingcao, the Hua-Xiang sisters, and Ye'er standing nearby looked at the items in the room in disbelief; this must be worth tens of thousands of guan.

Holding the cat with one arm, Xu Anmei's eyes sparkled as she used her other hand to stroke the precious sword, shaking her head in disbelief.

Xu Xu Zaijing, standing nearby, said proudly:

"Sister, when you marry, your younger brother will gift you two swords to guard your household."

Xu Anmei paused for a moment, then laughed and scolded:

"Stinky Little Five! Keep them yourself! I don't care for them!"

Saying this, she walked out of the room.

Xu Zaizhang, who had been looking at the swords with his back turned, shook his head, sighing that his younger brother was 'too good' at talking.

After looking a while longer, Xu Zaizhang returned the precious sword to the rack and also took his leave.

When Xu Zaizhang returned to his own courtyard, he handed the cloak he had been wearing to Sister Cuichan.

Sheng Hualan was just about to rise when Xu Zaizhang reached out to stop her.

Looking at Xu Zaizhang, Sheng Hualan, who had grown somewhat plump, smiled and asked: "How were the rewards Little Five received?"

Xu Zaizhang said with a sigh of emotion:

"They are all good things; Little Five's study has become a treasure vault."

"I remember Father-in-law mentioning before that he liked long swords; if I have the chance to find something Little Five likes, I could..."

At this moment, Sister Cuichan, who was arranging clothes in the outer room, spoke from the doorway:

"Seeing Qingcao and Hua-Xiang have come to deliver items; they request the Young Master to come out."

Hearing this, Xu Zaizhang and Sheng Hualan exchanged a glance.

Sheng Hualan said: "They are all young girls; I will go!"

Sister Cuichan hurriedly said: "Da Da Niangzi, Seeing Qingcao said that Brother Jing specifically instructed that you must not receive them."

Sheng Hualan paused in surprise.

Xu Zaizhang, however, did not think much of it; he simply stood up and walked straight out.

At the doorway of the outer hall, Xu Zaizhang looked at the items held in the hands of Seeing Qingcao and the other, shaking his head with a smile.

Inside the bedchamber,

Sheng Hualan listened to the faint sounds of conversation from outside; after a while, Xu Zaizhang walked back in.

Sheng Hualan looked at her husband and said:

"What items were they?"

"Two treasures."

Looking into Sheng Hualan's eyes, Xu Zaizhang nodded, confirming her suspicion,

then said:

"Brother Jing said that if we want to return a gift, we should ask Father-in-law to write a few more calligraphy pieces."

Hearing this, Sheng Hualan shook her head with a laugh, looking at Xu Zaizhang helplessly.

The sky brightened greatly.

Xingguo Ward.

Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu.

Fuyao Courtyard.

Gu Gu Tingyu woke up smelling a familiar fragrance.

He did not open his eyes.

He only felt an indescribable joy in his heart, and for a moment, he could not recall what matter had caused it.

"Right!"

Lost in thought, he suddenly opened his eyes to see Xu Pingmei beside him hastily shutting hers.

"Was it good to look at?"

With her eyes still closed, Xu Pingmei shook her head, then nodded.

Gu Gu Tingyu smiled, rose to his feet, and gazed at his son on the inner side of the bed, unable to suppress the grin spreading across his lips.

Ever since the night they returned to the capital, he had heard his son call him 'Father' several times!

"I wonder whether this one in the womb is a boy or a girl."

Looking at his son's long eyelashes, he felt his heart melting.

Outside the room, Sister Qingzhi, hearing the voices, entered carrying a basin and a towel.

Gu Gu Tingyu waved his hand to indicate he would do it himself, then washed his face while saying:

"News that Jing-ge'er obtained a fine treasure has spread; we must send Xiao Er quickly, perhaps he can still make a selection."

"Speaking of which, we've indeed come into a fortune."

Xu Pingmei nodded; she understood the value of the Great Gao Iron Sword well enough.

After the couple had finished washing and dressing,

and wrapped the child tightly in thick quilts, they set off toward Bai Shi's courtyard.

In truth, Wu Da Da Niangzi had exempted Xu Pingmei from the morning and evening greetings, but Xu Pingmei claimed she was accustomed to dining with many people in the Xu household.

Finding her meals in the Fuyao Courtyard tasteless, she had earnestly begged to dine daily in Bai Shi's courtyard.

After walking a few steps,

amidst the maid's announcement, Chang Mama at the entrance smiled and lifted the door curtain.

Upon entering the main hall,

Gu Gu Tingyu saw Xiao Er, Gu Gu Tingye, caressing a long sword as if it were a priceless treasure; upon noticing his elder brother and sister-in-law entering, Gu Gu Tingye reluctantly returned the long sword to its rack.

Wu Da Da Niangzi looked at Gu Gu Tingyu and said with a smile:

"Yu'er, these were sent by your wife's family! Pick one for yourself first."

Under Xiao Er's despairing gaze, Gu Gu Tingyu picked up the sword Xiao Er favored and handed it to Gu Gu Tingye.

Gu Gu Tingye performed a most spectacular change of expression.

Jiying Lane.

The Sheng household.

Holding a long wooden box, Zai Zhang dismounted from the carriage.

He glanced somewhat perplexedly at another carriage in the courtyard.

A Sheng family servant, long familiar with Zai Zhang, whispered from the side:

"Young Master, relatives from the Kang household have arrived."

Zai Zhang nodded, then made his way with practiced ease to the Shou'an Hall courtyard.

After drinking tea and chatting for a while,

Zai Zhang presented the iron sword inside the wooden box to the Old Lady as if offering a precious treasure.

Seeing Zai Zhang's demeanor, the Old Lady shook her head with a smile and said:

"This old woman knows nothing of such blades and swords; take it to your father-in-law; he likes such things."

"Yes, Yu Dagu!"

Having studied at the Sheng household for so long, Xu Zaizhang knew the Old Lady held no fondness for Lady Kang Wang, so he asked no further questions.

Weirui Pavilion.

In the inner room,

after discussing Old Lady Wang, their natal family's sisters-in-law, and each other's daughters,

Wang Wang Ruofu sat before the table, glanced toward the outer room,

and listened with a furrowed brow to her elder sister, Lady Kang Wang, who said:

"Sister, how long have you been in Bianjing? You grew up in the countryside since childhood; how could you know what Bianjing is like during the Winter Solstice!"

"Here is the plan! You provide seven thousand strings of cash, and I, your elder sister, will provide three thousand; together we will lend out ten thousand strings!"

Hearing the amount, Wang Wang Ruofu could not even force a smile; she could only twitch the corners of her mouth and say:

"Elder Sister, this amount... is far too large! What if we cannot recover it?"

As she spoke, Wang Wang Ruofu glanced outward again, fearing Sheng Hong might enter.

Lady Kang Wang pinched her handkerchief and pointed at Wang Wang Ruofu, saying:

"Tsk! Look at how timid you are!"

Casting a sideways glance at her sister, she added:

"You do not know the inner workings; those to whom I lend all possess property; otherwise, would I lend to them?"

"Cannot recover it? Then we shall seize their fields and properties! Do you think our father's entitlement to worship in the Imperial Temple is merely for show?"

Seeing Wang Wang Ruofu still hesitant to decide, Lady Kang Wang continued:

"Tsk! Just think! Before the Winter Solstice this month, every pauper and wealthy household in Bianjing must procure new clothes and prepare banquets and food! There are countless people seeking loans!"

"Moreover, gambling will be permitted openly then; there will be no shortage of those desperate from losing! Tell me, what a splendid business this is! Once this time passes, you must wait another year!"

Wang Wang Ruofu looked toward Mama Liu beside her; Mama Liu nodded, confirming that Aunt Kang spoke the truth.

"Very well, very well! By the twelfth month, I will return you eight thousand five hundred strings of cash, principal and interest included!"

"The shortfall is my reward for hard work!"

Hearing that she could earn one thousand five hundred strings of cash in a single month, Wang Wang Ruofu hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement!

In the outer main hall,

Sheng Hong was accompanying his brother-in-law, Kang Kang Haifeng, drinking wine.

This brother-in-law of Sheng Hong came from an official family; speaking of lineage, he ranked slightly higher than both Sheng Hong and his wife's brother, Wang Yan.

Yet this Lord Kang, during the mourning period for his father's death, sired a child, was immediately impeached by a censor, and was dismissed from office.

Actually, relying on the old Lord Kang's family friends, after the storm passed, if Kang Kang Haifeng had made some moves,

there would still have been a chance for reinstatement, but alas, Kang Kang Haifeng had long lost that spirit, immersing himself daily in wine, women, and empty talk.

At the drinking table,

Sheng Hong and Kang Kang Haifeng drained another cup together,

Kang Kang Haifeng, with dark circles under his eyes and a slightly flushed face, said: "Having drunk my brother-in-law's fine wine, I must also show my brother-in-law something good!"

Saying this, he beckoned to the female servant by the door.

"Here! A Great Gao iron sword I acquired last year; it could be considered a fine item."

Saying this, Kang Kang Haifeng drew the long sword out a bit, then beckoned the female servant to bring her head close before plucking two hairs from her head.

After blowing on the hair and severing it, he said:

"Sharp, isn't it?"

"A person should be like a sword! Possessing pride!"

Sheng Hong accompanied him with a smile and a nod, looking at this long sword with some envy.

"Brother-in-law, look at this sword hilt, sword sheath, and so on; I replaced them all, using only good materials, costing just a few hundred strings of cash."

Sheng Hong smiled, revealing dimples, and said:

"My contemporary, Lord Liu, actually possesses one as well."

Kang Kang Haifeng picked up a mouthful of food and sneered:

"That Liu from the Court of Judicial Review? Tsk! His family background is merely so-so, far inferior to my Kang family!"

Sheng Hong said: "Brother-in-law speaks the truth!"

But the Liu family's status was higher than the Sheng family's, with quite a number of people serving as officials within the clan.

Saying this, Kang Kang Haifeng lifted his chin, signaling the female servant to hand the long sword to Sheng Hong, then said:

"Take a careful look; is it the same as his?"

Sheng Hong took the long sword, drew it out, and examined it closely, saying:

"Indeed, it is not the same!"

There were words Sheng Hong did not speak aloud; the Great Gao sword of the Liu family had patterns on the blade that were far clearer and more beautiful than Kang Kang Haifeng's.

Kang Kang Haifeng raised his cup and pointed at Sheng Hong with his other hand, saying:

"You know your goods!"

"When there is a chance, I will take you to buy one, saving you from staring at others' swords like some fool every time."

"Looking like someone who has never seen the world!"

Sheng Hong feigned a smile and lowered his eyelids,

holding his cup with both hands and bowing his head to hide the anger in his eyes; he was a son by a concubine, and although his father was a Tanhua scholar, he died early,

so in the official court, compared to the Wang family, the Kang family, and the Liu family,

the Sheng family was nothing at all!

While smiling and pouring wine for Kang Kang Haifeng, Cai Zhao Huan at the doorway said: "Master, the eldest son-in-law has arrived! He is entering the courtyard immediately!"

"Ah?"

Sheng Hong was stunned.

Kang Kang Haifeng, holding his wine cup, raised his eyes and looked at Sheng Hong with a mixture of envy and jealousy for having such a good son-in-law.

Cai Zhao Huan entered the inner room to announce the guest,

and soon, a cool breeze blew in,

as Zai Zhang entered smiling, holding a long wooden box,

and upon seeing his elders, he hurriedly bowed: "Greetings, Father-in-law; greetings, Uncle-by-marriage!"

At this moment,

Wang Ruo Fu walked out from the inner room smiling: "The eldest son-in-law has arrived! Aiyo!!"

Then she scanned Zai Zhang from head to toe, her eyes filled with indescribable joy.

"Is Hua'er well at home? Has she experienced any nausea or vomiting?"

Zai Zhang bowed and said: "Mother-in-law, everything is well! Greetings, Aunt-by-marriage!"

Lady Kang Wang looked at Zai Zhang, her eyes rarely full of smiles.

Wang Ruo Fu, looking at the wooden box in Zai Zhang's hands, said:

"Good, good, good! You child, returning to your own home, why bring any gifts? Put it down quickly!"

Waving her handkerchief, Wang Ruo Fu said:

"You sit, accompany your father-in-law in drinking some wine to warm your body; Nurse Liu, hurry and tell the kitchen to add a few substantial dishes!"

After an embroidered stool was added before the table in the outer room,

the sisters Wang Ruo Fu and Lady Kang Wang returned to the inner room,

where Lady Kang Wang said to Wang Ruo Fu: "Sister, this youngest son of the Xu family, how many years difference in age is there between him and Yun'er?"

In the inner room, Ru Lan, who was reading a leisure book, pricked up her ears.

In the outer room,

Zai Zhang put down the wooden box and sat on the embroidered stool,

and without saying another word, first offered two cups of wine in toast.

Kang Kang Haifeng had lost the arrogance he usually showed before Sheng Hong; now his face was full of ingratiating smiles:

"Hey! Zhang Zhang Sanlang, let you and I share a drink! What impressive capacity for liquor!"

After three cups down his throat, Sheng Hong glanced at Kang Kang Haifeng, who was somewhat currying favor with Xu Zaizhang, then took a sip of wine himself.

At this moment, Kang Kang Haifeng said:

"Zhang Zhang Sanlang, I see this wooden box you brought is from the Gongsun Studio?"

Xu Zaizhang said, "Uncle has sharp eyes!"

"Could it be a long sword? Brother-in-law, shall we take a look?"

Seeing Sheng Hong nod, Xu Zaizhang, as the junior, hurriedly presented the wooden box, and upon opening it, revealed the great Gao sword inside.

Kang Kang Haifeng raised an eyebrow and said:

"Tsk, it looks very ordinary; what a pity for this box... an... uh... I'm feeling a bit dizzy."

Sheng Hong, seeing Xu Zaizhang losing control of his facial expressions, quickly smiled and said:

"Let me see."

Saying this, he took the long sword out of the wooden box and drew out a section:

"Hiss—a fine sword!"

"Zhang Zhang Sanlang, where did you get this?"

Hearing Sheng Hong's words, Xu Zaizhang smiled.

At this time, Kang Kang Haifeng was also somewhat stunned; looking at the long sword in Sheng Hong's hand, he beckoned to the female servant again.

Then, with one hand he took the drawn great Gao iron sword from Sheng Hong's grasp, while holding his own sword in the other hand;

under this comparison,

Kang Kang Haifeng looked at Sheng Hong with an expression of utter disbelief, and as the force of the alcohol surged upward, his heart burning with rage, Kang Kang Haifeng said:

"This..."

Speaking thus, a ruthless light flashed in his eyes as he swung his own sword to strike the sword Zhang Zhang Sanlang had presented.

"Clang!"

Watching the sword that had cost several hundred strings of cash just for its ornamentation break in two,

while the blade of the other sword held by Kang Kang Haifeng did not bear a single mark,

he felt only darkness before his eyes.

In the afternoon,

at the entrance of the Sheng family residence,

Sheng Hong, with a Serious expression, saw off Xu Zaizhang and the Kang family members, then

looked at Dongrong behind him.

Sheng Hong said:

"Send an invitation card to my lord Liu, inviting him to gather tomorrow at the Sai Sai Fanlou!"

(End of Chapter)