Chapter 584: Joyous God Money, Commandery Prince's Mansion

Clatter!

Copper coins scattered like raindrops.

In the blink of an eye, they were snatched away by people along with the accumulated snow.

The surrounding people were so greedy they even quarreled and fought over it. Seeing that the eunuchs were still scattering money, some hurried home to call for more people.

Four hands were always better than two.

This "Joyous God Money" naturally did not count as currency.

The fall of the Great Xing Dynasty was certainly due to the corruption and lack of ambition of the upper classes, but the excessive issuance of currency was also a major factor.

At that time, local wealthy gentry and officials privately minted copper coins to share the benefits, and even the emperor turned a blind eye, leading to soaring prices and the people's misery.

"Ten thousand strings for a single pancake" had already been written in the history books.

Therefore, since the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the right to mint coins had been reclaimed. Anyone in the private sector who dared to mint coins would have their nine clans exterminated, and informants could be pardoned. This law was so strict that even vassal kings who violated it had to be granted death.

So this "Joyous God Money" was decorative money.

Although it could not circulate, it was forged from high-quality refined copper, suitable for holiday gifts, warding off evil, or even playing with and collecting.

At worst, selling it for copper was still worth several wen.

Moreover, there was a custom in Shu: on the first day of the first lunar month, children would receive "hanging money" from their elders, which was copper coins strung on red ropes to suppress evil.

This "Joyous God Money" came at just the right time.

Among the bustling crowd, there was naturally no shortage of beggars.

Several beggars with frostbitten faces snatched quite a bit from the crowd, and seeing no one paying attention, they secretly ran into a dark alley.

Passing through several streets and alleys, a dilapidated large mansion suddenly appeared before their eyes. The surroundings were already desolate. Behind the broken walls, a bonfire was burning, boiling a pot of thick rice paste.

Beggars of all sizes stood trembling beside it, their eyes glowing green, swallowing their saliva.

At a glance, this was the West-bound Beggar Gang of Chengdu Prefecture.

Sitting on the steps was an old beggar, wrapped in layers of tattered clothes, his old cotton-padded jacket shiny with grease, looking like armor.

His messy white hair covered his gaunt face.

This was Lu Sanshui, the leader of the Chengdu beggars.

"Water Master."

Several beggars handed over the copper coins like treasures, sniffling and smiling: "You asked us to keep an eye on the Prince of Shu's procession, and sure enough, there were benefits. Look, they've started scattering money. We'll call more people to go grab some!"

The beggar leader didn't respond, extending a withered, blackened finger to pick up a piece of decorative money, observing it carefully.

He saw that this "Joyous God Money" was round on the outside and square on the inside, cast with hollowed-out designs. The main relief depicted the Joyous God riding a crane, with the inscription "Heavenly Official Bestows Blessings" in regular script.

Holding the coin up to the sunlight, it actually shimmered faintly with gold.

"Good heavens!"

"Could this Prince of Shu's decorative money have gold added to it?"

The surrounding beggars shouted and clamored.

For a time, all the beggars were red-eyed, ignoring the hunger in their stomachs, and rose to go out and grab some.

"What's the rush!"

The old beggar gave a low shout, and everyone stopped.

Lu Sanshui had controlled the Chengdu West-bound Beggar Gang for many years, letting go of small matters but grasping the big ones, combining kindness with severity, and no one dared to disobey him.

"Water Master, is there something wrong with this thing?"

An elderly beggar bowed and asked.

"I can't tell."

The old beggar held the coin, looking at it left and right, while simultaneously forming a seal and sniffing it under his nose, frowning: "The casting of this decorative money is far more exquisite than usual. It is definitely the work of a highly skilled craftsman, taking time and effort."

"Although I can't tell, I do know one thing..."

"Wealthy families and powerful nobles would never be so generous!"

"Pass the order down: not a single one of those coins is to be picked up!"

"Also, send these coins to Fatty Wu of the Qingfeng Restaurant..."

"Yes, Water Master."

With the old beggar's order, strong and vicious beggars immediately wrapped all the decorative money in rags and hurried out.

On the first day of the first lunar month, the traveling people had all gathered toward the Prince of Shu, so the streets were very empty.

This disheveled, vicious beggar, clutching the rag bundle, wove through the streets and arrived at the old street in the east of the city, looking up to see the sign of the Qingfeng Restaurant.

According to the customs of the Divine Land, merchants only opened their doors after the fifth day, so the main gate was tightly shut, and firecracker scraps were scattered all over the ground.

Knock, knock, knock!

The vicious beggar knocked directly on the door, muttered a few words through the crack, and then stuffed the items inside.

The clerk inside gave them to the fat proprietor, the fat proprietor ran to a nearby alley and gave them to a man with an honest appearance...

After going around in circles, they finally arrived at the Yu Wang Temple.

This was Wuxiang Young Master's way of survival.

If any line was investigated, there was a chance to cut it off.

In the main hall of the Yu Wang Temple, the atmosphere was very solemn.

Some people had already been sent out to ambush on the road to the Wu Hou Shrine, not seeking to kill the enemy, but just to harass them.

And the remaining experts discussed how to attack the Commandery Prince's Mansion.

"This is the 'Joyous God Money'?"

Wuxiang Young Master had already received the news, but this was the first time he saw the actual object.

He was very cautious, having people pile the money on the table, and with a flourish of his chopsticks, he lightly picked up one to examine it carefully.

Others also gathered around, each using their own methods to investigate.

"Forgive my clumsy eyes, I can't tell."

"There shouldn't be any trickery."

"Nonsense, look at the precision of this decorative money; even the cellar money of Mount Tai is no better than this. If there were no problem, why go to such lengths?"

Li Yan also formed a seal and investigated carefully.

Likewise, he didn't smell any strange odor.

Speaking of which, there was no problem.

But not all decorative money had the chance to become a magical artifact. After forging, it had to be consecrated for several years in famous mountains and great rivers, blessed lands, and incense-filled Daoist temples before it could become spiritual.

And this thing looked very new...

Cackle! Cackle!

Just at this moment, a strange sound reached his ears.

Li Yan frowned slightly and looked around; the others had no change in their expressions, clearly not hearing the sound.

He was thoughtful and leaned in to listen carefully.

Sure enough, it came from the pile of decorative money, hollow and cold, like someone clicking their tongue, or like bones twisting...

"This object has a problem!"

Li Yan's expression was solemn, and he spoke without hesitation, "I don't know what it is, but it has been hidden using some special method."

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other.

Although Li Yan was famous, there were many veterans of the Mystic Sect present, and Wuxiang Young Master had even more methods, yet none of them could see the flaw.

And these words were too far-fetched...

"There must be a problem!"

Wuxiang Young Master took over the conversation and nodded: "Young Hero Li is certainly right, but we have other important matters. No matter what plot the Prince of Shu has, as long as we seize military power today, we can put him in check!"

"Rest assured, keep these things for now. I know a few master artifact refiners; once today's matter is over, we can ask them to examine them."

Li Yan nodded slightly and didn't dwell on this matter anymore.

Everyone continued to discuss, and news kept coming in.

"The Prince of Shu's procession has passed the Yudai Bridge..."

"Report from the Mule and Horse Market: the procession has passed. Salt Gang brothers were discovered by the 'Yinshan Kites' and were shot with bows..."

Crack!

The Salt Gang elder was full of anger and shattered a chair with a slap. Everyone comforted him a few words, all looking solemn.

Li Yan and Sha Lifei looked at each other and shook their heads slightly.

The "Yinshan Kites" were not beasts, but the most ferocious archers in Western Shu. They usually wore white hemp snow cloaks, their arrowheads were soaked in "Bone-Rotting Paste," and their bowstrings were specially made from demon tendons, silent when fully drawn.

Before the appearance of new firearms, they were the most terrifying evil assassins in the Western Shu Mystic Sect underworld.

It seemed the Prince of Shu had recruited quite a few sorcerers.

"Passed the Wenshu Monastery..."

"Passed the Sima Bridge..."

"The monks of Anfu Temple opened the gates to welcome them..."

Reports came in rapidly, but everyone was not in the least bit anxious.

The Wu Hou Shrine was outside Chengdu Prefecture; when the Prince of Shu took this group of elites away, that would be their best opportunity............

Outside Anfu Temple, the eunuchs were still scattering money.

Compared to before, the speed was slower, but the people who heard the news had already gathered from all directions.

Children scrambled to pick them up, and the elderly were all smiles.

The snow was deep, but the scene was extremely fanatical.

And the monks of Anfu Temple had long since opened the gates to welcome them.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Prince of Shu."

The old monks bowed their heads in unison.

Not all Daoist priests and monks were members of the Mystic Sect.

This Anfu Temple was built in the Later Shu period and couldn't be considered a famous temple. Because Meng Chang built the Black Pagoda back then, the people of the Song Dynasty would light lanterns on the pagoda on the first day of the first lunar month to remember him, calling it "Looking West from Brocade City."

!

And this custom had been passed down to this day.

The incense in the temple couldn't be considered prosperous, and the monks were mostly secular monks who didn't learn martial arts, didn't know sorcery, and dared not offend the Prince's Mansion.

The gorgeous silk curtains were slowly lifted.

A person stepped down from the sedan chair, dressed in a bright yellow python robe, wearing a crown, with a jade sword hanging at the waist, white-haired and withered in appearance.

It was the current Emperor's younger brother, the "Prince of Shu," Xiao Qipan.

Although he was already old, his eyes were sinister, his two white eyebrows swept across, and the corners of his mouth drooped, possessing quite a bit of majesty.

"No need for formalities."

The Prince of Shu didn't even look at these old monks, ascending the steps where the snow had frozen hard, heading toward the Black Pagoda in the distance on his own.

To welcome the Prince of Shu, the route had already been cleared.

Residual snow pressed on the branches, and the Prince of Shu soon entered the Black Pagoda, arriving at the top floor.

The Prince's Mansion attendants lit the eternal lamps of Qiongzhou, illuminating the interior of the pagoda. Outside, the flying eaves' copper bells were covered in ice crystals, and when the wind passed, they shattered like silk.

The Prince of Shu, Xiao Qipan, ascended high and looked west with all his might.

The sky was clear today, and the people scrambling for money outside Anfu Temple saw that flash of bright yellow on the Black Pagoda and immediately shouted "Long live" in unison.

The Prince of Shu had always been famous in the Shu region, and many people only knew of the Prince of Shu, not the imperial court.

Today, having received money, they were naturally happy in their hearts.

Hearing the sound from below, the Prince of Shu's eyes suddenly changed, devoid of his previous dominance, instead appearing somewhat indifferent, whispering:

"Both beautiful and lofty, truly called Chengdu... what a pity..."

After saying this, he turned and descended the pagoda, leaving Anfu Temple.

The massive ceremonial procession, carrying more and more people, headed toward the South Gate of Chengdu Prefecture, scattering money all the way, the noise constant, truly having the momentum of a Joyous God's outing.

Of course, there was no shortage of prying eyes in the dark.

The procession passed through the Mule and Horse Market, and the elderly storyteller on the second floor of the carriage shop played with his gavel and drank turbid wine...

At the entrance of the pharmacy, an apprentice pretended to sweep snow while watching...

The three religions and nine schools of Chengdu Prefecture, no matter what trade they were in, usually had a cover on the surface, walking between black and white, talking about martial arts loyalty, and never submitting to the imperial court's control.

Observing movements was something they did often in their daily lives.

Under the gaze of these people, the Prince of Shu's ceremonial procession passed through the South City Gate of Chengdu Prefecture...

…………

"The Prince of Shu has left the city!"

In the Yu Wang Mansion, everyone stood up abruptly.

"Follow me!"

Wuxiang Young Master didn't say a word, went to the backyard woodshed, lifted the straw and floating soil, and revealed another secret door.

After opening it, he led everyone inside.

Li Yan was also in the group.

Wang Daoxuan was not suitable for close combat, and Wu Ba was too big, making it troublesome to crawl through tunnels, so to prevent accidents, they both stayed in the Yu Wang Temple.

This secret passage was the first time Wuxiang Young Master had exposed it.

Li Yan had a premonition that this secret passage was likely connected to the Prince of Shu's Mansion, so he remained silent and carefully memorized the route.

In the darkness, the candlelight flickered, and footsteps were constant.

The air in the secret passage was already foul, and with so many people, the atmosphere became even more oppressive.

After walking for a long time, Wuxiang Young Master suddenly stopped.

He looked around and said in a deep voice: "Outside is an inn, not far from the Commandery Prince's Mansion. I used a trick to make them close their doors early and leave Chengdu Prefecture."

"Although that's the case, caution is paramount. Which comrade will help scout it out?"

"I'll do it..."

An aged voice sounded.

A blind old man walked out, supported by his disciple.

This old man leaned on a cane, trembling, and had dragged them down quite a bit along the way, but no one complained.

The reason was simple: this was a true Du Yuanguang Sorcerer of the Gold Sect.

The disciple beside him was tall and sturdy, but his face was round, with a bit of baby fat, and he wore his hair in a topknot, painted with rouge, looking very festive.

Hearing the old man's words, the disciple gave an honest smile, immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, reached into his bosom, took out a handful of white medicinal powder, and swallowed it in large gulps, making his face turn white.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes and took a few steps back.

He had seen Du Yuanguang Sorcerers perform magic; usually, it couldn't be done without a spirit medium, and that powder was mixed with poisonous mushrooms, which he didn't want to smell too much of.

Sure enough, after eating the white fungal powder, the medium immediately became cross-eyed and crooked-mouthed, with snot and saliva flowing down together.

The blind old man formed a seal and chanted a mantra, pressing his hand on the medium's eyes, and black smoke rose up instantly.

"Did you see it?"

"I... I saw it."

"Is the Grand Commandery Prince there?"

"Disciple doesn't recognize him, but there is a person in a yellow robe sitting in the main hall, and the people in the mansion are all kowtowing, and he is even giving out money..."

"Is there an ambush inside?"

"No one, only a few guards..."

After a round of questioning, the old man raised his hand.

The medium's face was already pale, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

"Thank you, Senior Wu."

Wuxiang Young Master smiled and cupped his hands, and others also showed smiles.

The exploration techniques in the world each had their pros and cons, but in terms of secrecy, only the Du Yuanguang technique could confirm there was no ambush.

"Go!"

Wuxiang Young Master didn't hesitate anymore, leaped up, pushed open the secret door above, and others followed closely behind.

After coming out, it was indeed the inn's wine cellar, and the doors and windows were tightly shut, with no one around.

Wuxiang Young Master went to the second floor, opened a crack in the window, and observed outside.

Others followed suit.

In the distance was the Grand Commandery Prince's Mansion.

Compared to the Fifth Commandery Prince Xiao Jinghong, the Grand Commandery Prince acted more ostentatiously.

Although the imperial court had etiquette regulations, he directly bought the houses of his neighbors on the left and right, and after connecting them, formed a mansion of no small scale.

At this moment, smoke was curling from the mansion, clearly busy preparing for the noon banquet, and the guards at the gate were yawning, probably not having slept well after staying up for the New Year.

The features on Wuxiang Young Master's face began to distort.

"Everyone, according to the plan, act!"

With an order, the Salt Gang elder was the first to strike.

He took down the dharma flag from his back, placed it on a square table as a temporary dharma altar, chanted incantations, picked up the wine sent by his disciple, and continuously sprayed wine mist toward the magical artifact.

On the street outside, white mist soon rose.

As soon as the white mist rose, Tang Jiuniang, the leader of the Yanzi Sect, pushed open the window and flicked both hands.

Swish, swish, swish!

Flying shuttles attached to ropes shot directly toward the Commandery Prince's Mansion.

Wuxiang Young Master led the way, and more than a dozen figures leaped up, stepping on the ropes behind the shuttles, sliding silently into the Commandery Prince's Mansion.

These methods usually had to be used cautiously in the city.

But ever since the Prince of Shu sealed the City God Temple.

Chengdu Prefecture today was completely uninhibited......

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 585 =====