Chapter 29: What Extraordinary Talent Could Shine So Brilliantly?

"Be good and wait for my news."

Li Yuanjing gave Xiu Gu's slender waist a firm squeeze and strode away, leaving the trembling woman clutching over a hundred copper coins, lost and disheveled in the wind.

Yet, after a short while, the lifelessness in Xiu Gu's eyes began to fade, replaced by a spark of vitality. Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably with embarrassment as she hurriedly gripped the coins and ran to the other end of the alley, disappearing in an instant.

...

"Are you thinking I'm a bit unscrupulous, always trying to take advantage wherever I can?"

On the way to collect wood, Li Yuanjing suddenly stopped and looked at Zhao Zengjin, who seemed as if he had something to say but was holding back, nearly suffocating.

"This..." stammered Zhao Zengjin.

"Master, I... I wouldn't dare..."

Startled, Zhao Zengjin quickly lowered his head in denial.

Li Yuanjing shook his head with a smile. "Not daring doesn't mean you don't think it. But it doesn't matter; it's only natural."

"However," he continued, "Old Zhao, do you know why I spoke with Xiu Gu today?"

Zhao Zengjin looked puzzled and shook his head.

Li Yuanjing let out a deep sigh. "She wanted to kneel and beg my forgiveness, then take her own life. But I stopped her. After all, the sins of a husband should not be visited upon his wife and daughter. Whatever crimes Hou Wu committed, they were his alone—what has that to do with poor Xiu Gu?"

With that, Li Yuanjing said no more to Zhao Zengjin and strode ahead.

After a while, Zhao Zengjin finally came to his senses. When he looked at Li Yuanjing again, his gaze was filled with indescribable admiration and respect. He quickly caught up and declared, "Master, your righteousness—I truly don't know how to express my gratitude. From now on, my life belongs to you..."

Seeing Zhao Zengjin so moved, Li Yuanjing's lips curled into a faint smile, though he said nothing further.

The sages say: "Teach according to the student's ability."

In truth, this applies equally to all human relations: adapt to the person.

If one wants the loyalty of a man like Zhao Zengjin, mere rewards are not enough. Yet this man cared deeply for his wife. In some respects, he is unlike most people of this era—he possesses a certain respect for women.

Li Yuanjing's actions had struck directly at his heart. How could they fail to have effect?

...

With the zealous Zhao Zengjin lending his strength, it wasn't long before Li Yuanjing had collected a good amount of quality poplar and willow wood.

Though the men selling the wood refused payment and even helped carry it home, Li Yuanjing still pressed a few coins into each of their hands for their trouble. This gesture earned him their heartfelt gratitude and deepened Zhao Zengjin's respect and deference towards him.

With such a reliable master, what more could Zhao Zengjin ask for?

Yet, though Zhao Zengjin was a carpenter, and Li Yuanjing's household owned a loom, and though Li Yuanjing in his past life had run textile businesses and even personally visited Britain to see the legendary "Spinning Jenny"—still, he was not an engineer by training. To create a treadle loom, he would need to draw up plans first.

He sent Zhao Zengjin home to rest, telling him to return in the morning. Then, calling for Jade Maiden, he threw himself into the work of drafting designs, almost forgetting to eat or sleep.

By evening, Zhang Kun, now well-rested, arrived. This time, Li Yuanjing did not stop him but merely cautioned him to be careful and allowed him to travel to the county town overnight. Though traveling at night risked stumbling or encountering wild beasts, it was safer—there would be no bandits on the road.

...

While Li Yuanjing was pouring his efforts into the loom design, in Iron Ox Town, the Xue family compound—

Philanthropist Xue, who had been on official business in the county, returned well-fed and tipsy. But upon hearing Xue An’s report that Hou Wu had led men to rob most of Li Yuanjing’s silver and fled, the philanthropist flew into a rage.

His broad, ruddy face, reeking of wine, twisted with malice as he glared at Xue An and shouted, "That son of a bitch! Has Hou Wu lost his mind?"

"Xue An!"

"Find him!"

"Bring me Hou Wu—dead or alive! If you can’t, don’t bother coming back!"

"And another thing!"

"At dawn, go to Spring Village and demand payment from that penniless Li fellow!"

"I want to strike while he’s down—take his little wife for myself!"

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes, master..." Xue An, his eyes flashing, kowtowed furiously. Since Hou Wu had failed, he would have to take matters into his own hands and restore their honor.

...

At the same time, in the county town, at the government office—

The magistrate of Fengcheng County, Zhao Bingchun, was frowning in deep thought, brush poised, seemingly struggling to compose poetry.

Though he had passed the imperial exams, he was only at the bottom of the third tier; eight-legged essays had already nearly killed him, and poetry and song were far beyond his reach.

Yet the dignitary from Fengcheng, soon to be reinstated as Left Assistant Minister of Personnel—a man who loved poetry above all—was about to become the leader of the Qi faction at court. If Zhao Bingchun failed to seize this opportunity and win the party leader’s favor, he dared not imagine what future awaited him.

"Master, Ma Huan of the Household Registry requests an urgent audience..." reported a pretty maid just as Zhao Bingchun was fretting.

"Ma Huan? What’s that fellow doing here so late? Has there been trouble with the autumn taxes?" Zhao Bingchun grumbled, his face growing even darker.

The maid dared not say more, hardly daring to breathe. Impatiently, Zhao Bingchun gave her a swat and barked, "Go, send him in."

"Yes, sir..." The maid, as if granted amnesty, hurried away.

Soon, Master Ma Huan entered the study, bowing and flattering, "Congratulations, my lord! Our Fengcheng County has produced a talent!"

"A talent? What talent?" Zhao Bingchun’s expression was still thunderous. If Ma Huan dared to trifle with him, he would not hesitate to break the man’s legs.

"My lord, it’s like this..." Ma Huan, a wily old hand, saw his master’s foul mood and dared not prevaricate. He quickly recounted the events concerning Li Yuanjing of Spring Village, especially those two lines of verse.

"‘Heaven-born talent must find use; gold spent returns anew’?"

"Old Ma, is this truly the work of a Fengcheng scholar?" Zhao Bingchun’s face flushed with excitement, his voice trembling.

Ma Huan, ever astute, replied, "Master, I have never heard these lines before. In fact, I asked around on my way here—no one else seems to know them either..."

Though Ma Huan was tactful, Zhao Bingchun immediately grasped the implication: Ma Huan had investigated, but found nothing; he himself had never heard the lines before.

Looking at the deferential Ma Huan, Zhao Bingchun quickly made up his mind and called out, "Summon the legal advisor!"

Noting that he was not dismissed, Ma Huan trembled with excitement. It seemed he had played his hand well.

Before long, the bearded legal advisor entered, swaying a white paper fan with leisurely grace. When Zhao Bingchun recited the two lines, even this dignified man was stunned, exclaiming, "Sir, a great talent, a peerless talent! What kind of genius could compose such astonishing verse?"

Seeing the legal advisor so impressed, Zhao Bingchun grew ever more excited, though he restrained himself and recounted Li Yuanjing’s recent deeds.

The advisor applauded enthusiastically. "No wonder! Sir, this poem would be highly esteemed even in the capital—it will surely make its author famous. In my opinion, you should visit Master Murong without delay."