Chapter 197: Do Nobles and Generals Have Any Lineage? Who Doesn

Everyone's gaze gathered on the two faint crane‑shaped water stains on the table, first pondering, then full of confusion.

No, what can you see from this?

Understand what kind of thing?

Du Gou wore a solemn expression, furrowed his brows and said, "Is there something wrong with my jade pendant?"

"It shouldn't be," Li Chengqian said, rubbing his chin, "I recall Brother Du's jade pendant was also bestowed when Father Emperor ascended the throne, the same type as Zi Anxiong's pendant, only the symbolic meaning differs."

"That was commissioned by My Mother Empress from the finest craftsmen in the world, carved from the best jade, how could there be a problem?"

The others nodded in agreement.

Chen Yan: "......"

What does this stepping horse have to do with your jade pendant?

The jade pendant isn't the point; the fact that different water stains were printed is the point, okay?

Chen Yan felt utterly weary.

Can't carry it, completely can't carry it.

Seeing Chen Yan's expression, Du Gou realized he had guessed wrong, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.

Actually it's not his fault; like Chen Yan, this pendant was bestowed by the Empress, and he has always valued it.

All attention was focused on the pendant, and the others were led astray by him.

Just as Chen Yan was about to explain, Li Lizhi, who had been staring at the two water stains, suddenly realized something, eyes widening, and exclaimed excitedly, "I get it, I understand what it means now."

"What does it mean?" Li Chengqian hurriedly asked.

Chen Yan's gaze was also a bit surprised, "Tell us, what have you understood?"

Li Lizhi curled the corner of his mouth, looking somewhat smug, then pointed at the two water stains on the table, "Don't place your attention on the jade pendant; these two water stains are what Lord Chen… intends to express."

"You can imagine the crane head of the first water stain as a character, say 'Wen', and the crane foot of the second water stain as the character 'Wu'."

"Then, what do these two water stains combine to form?"

"Wenwu Duck~" Xiao Sizi interjected suddenly.

Li Lizhi was startled, then laughed, "Right, Xiao Sizi is really clever, it's 'Wenwu.'"

"That's right," Xiao Sizi swayed his head, looking extremely pleased.

Gao Yang gently patted his sister's head; as for Sizi, she also liked him very much.

Li Chengqian and Du Gou ignored Sizi's words, carefully pondering Chen Yan's and Li Lizhi's remarks, yet the two still couldn't figure it out—what's the use?

Why should the two water stains be seen as the characters 'Wen' and 'Wu'?

What significance does that have?

"Lizhi, could you explain more clearly?"

Du Gou also spoke, "His/Her Highness of Changle, what exactly did you mean just now? I, Du, am ignorant and truly cannot understand."

"Hey, what will you two do from now on?" Chen Yan smacked his lips and said.

Li Chengqian and Du Gou were extremely embarrassed.

If no one understood, the two would naturally have nothing to say, but Li Lizhi seemed to truly understand.

This gave rise to a rather interesting situation.

A Crown Prince and a prime minister's eldest son were both outdone by a woman.

It's no wonder they felt embarrassed.

Fortunately, Li Lizhi, being perceptive, promptly sensed their mood and explained, "Did you forget? Earlier Lord Chen said he would earn money by selling books."

"But trying to make money by selling books through ordinary means certainly won't work; there are several difficulties that must be overcome."

"So at this point, Lord Chen borrowed Young Master Du's jade pendant, printed two water stains on the table, and you should associate these two events, then think carefully about my earlier suggestion to imagine the two water stains as the characters 'Wen' and 'Wu'."

"Then, at this moment, if you used another jade pendant—say, Lord Chen's— and printed two more water stains behind the original two, viewing them as the characters 'Double Spring' (both complete)."

Perhaps having dealt with Chen Yan for a long time, Li Lizhi didn't answer directly when questioned, but instead posed a problem, letting them think for themselves.

It could also be that Li Lizhi was mindful of their pride, offering a hint so they could guess the answer themselves.

Fortunately, Li Lizhi's hint reached that level, and Li Chengqian and Du Gou seemed to truly understand, a word‑unspeakable excitement enveloping the two.

"I… I also understand now."

"Right, right, yes, I get it, I get it!"

Both flushed with excitement, their bodies trembling, unable to finish their sentences.

They weren't excited because they grasped Chen Yan's meaning, but because they realized the significance of this method.

Compared to the changes it brings, money is the most trivial thing.

It is something that can change the world, truly shake the status of noble families, and break the monopoly of knowledge.

Gao Yang and the Crown Princess were frowning, unable to comprehend why the two, who were fine a moment ago, suddenly became so excited.

No, what exactly did you understand?

Is that really necessary?

Also, there are still people here who don't understand; could you explain?

"......"

Chen Yan, seeing their attitude, knew they truly wanted clarification, raised an eyebrow and asked, "So?"

"Isn't this more profitable than running a brothel?"

Du Gou: "......"

Li Chengqian: "......"

The two were instantly speechless, feeling utterly at a loss for words.

"Brother Zi An, such a breathtaking method, and you actually…"

Li Chengqian didn't know how to describe it.

Sometimes he really couldn't understand Chen Yan — his mind was clearly full of monstrous ideas, and the things he produced were one shocking thing after another, possessing knowledge they couldn't comprehend.

How can he just think about making money all day?

If it were anyone else, they would definitely trade these things for power and fame.

But Chen Yan, on the contrary, seems completely uninterested — he neither craves power nor cares about fame, only money.

Li Chengqian simply couldn't understand how a position of "one person below, ten thousand above" could possibly be worth less than those copper coins.

In other words, Chen Yan doesn't know Li Chengqian's thoughts; if he did, he would surely scoff.

"One person below, ten thousand above"?

Isn't that just something others give?

Since it can be given, it can also be taken back at any time.

Anyway, as long as he remains valued, that thing is utterly useless.

As for fame, that's even more ridiculous.

Everyone dies eventually; after I'm dead, I don't care what others say.

Of course, Chen Yan having this thought is unavoidable — who made him travel to the Zhenguan Tang?

He simply can't match Li Er, who is called the strongest carbon-based lifeform of the seventh century.

If you just let him switch dynasties, say, travel to the late Song and see?

See if he loves power or not.

"Would nobles and generals be born of a different stock? Whoever hears this can't help but feel pumped."

""......""