Chapter 61 Records of a Hundred Battles God General
In the following days, Achan did not see the Lin family members released, so she guessed that the case was not over yet.
In other cases, there would be some rumors circulating in the streets, but when it comes to the Mingjing Division, everyone seems to be very afraid of death, and there are no rumors at all, which makes Achan very dissatisfied.
Seeing that she had been going out to check the tightly closed gates of the General's Mansion every day for the past few days, Chen Hui couldn't help but find it amusing. On this fine day, she discussed with her, "Construction has started in Changping Ward. Would you like to go over there for a stroll to clear your head?"
Ah Chan thought for a moment and nodded. She had been quite bored lately, so she planned to go to Mr. Xu's bookstore and pick out some storybooks to read at home.
Chen Hui drove the carriage with Achan towards Changpingfang. On the way, they passed a bookstore in Anpingfang. Achan saw a lot of people dressed as scholars gathered outside the bookstore, seemingly vying to buy books.
This was the first time she had ever seen a bookstore so popular, and she couldn't help but peek out a few more times, vaguely hearing the exaggerated title of "Hundred-Battle God General".
It seems they mostly bought some unreliable books; who has a good person named "Hundred-Battle God General"?
The last thing that swept through bookstores was Yan Qingtian, but now Yan Qingtian is just rotting and stinking at home.
The last person to be called the God of War was the Marquis of Zhenbei, who is currently confined at home reflecting on his mistakes.
Achan thinks that if this legendary warrior has a real-life counterpart, he might be the next one to suffer.
The carriage passed through Anpingfang and soon arrived at Changpingfang.
Achan spotted her shop at a glance. In just over ten days, the destroyed shop had been demolished, the foundation of the new house had been laid, and even the basic framework of the house had been formed.
The three houses in the backyard were demolished and connected to the new yard she bought. A new wall was built around it to form a larger yard, where new houses are also being built.
There are more than a dozen craftsmen working in the front and back yards combined. Judging by their speed, the house should be completed in half a month at most.
Chen Hui stepped forward and said a few words to the foreman, who nodded repeatedly.
Chen Hui has been in charge of the house reconstruction these days, and she found the foreman through a real estate agency.
The foreman dared not deceive this seemingly gentle yet very opinionated woman in the slightest. He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he always felt an involuntary chill when facing her.
He had mentioned it to his craftsmen before, and they all felt the same way. They all thought that this lady was not simple, so they became even more cautious when working.
Chen Hui didn't notice anything amiss with the foreman. She was quite satisfied with him, even though she had spent a bit too much money. The craftsmen under him were diligent and hardworking, so it was worth the price.
After watching for a while in the carriage, Achan got off and headed towards Boss Xu's bookstore.
Her house was to be rebuilt, which would inevitably disturb the business of the shops next door. At the beginning, Chen Hui had already greeted her neighbors on both sides and even sent them gifts.
Mr. Xu happily accepted the gifts, but the neighbor on the other side seemed less than pleased. After taking the gifts, he chased Chen Hui away.
This time, Ah Chan brought a gift for Boss Xu as usual.
"Boss Xu, look what I brought..." Achan walked into the bookstore carrying two catties of top-quality braised beef bought from Yuzhen Pavilion. She was stunned by the large number of people inside.
Squeezed in the crowd, Mr. Xu had no choice but to stand on a chair and shout to the people around him: "Everyone, don't rush. There are still ten copies of the third volume of the Hundred Battles God General Record left today. If you haven't bought them yet, you can come back to buy them tomorrow."
Immediately, someone shouted in dissatisfaction, "Why should I buy it tomorrow? I want to see it today!"
"Yes, we want to see it today."
Mr. Xu wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling quite helpless.
In the end, he could only sell the ten books according to the order of arrival, and then gently appease the others before sending the group away.
"Mr. Xu, business is booming!" Achan said with a smile.
"Miss Ji, please don't tease me. It's a small business, a small business," Boss Xu chuckled, then looked at the paper package in A Chan's hand.
He took a deep sniff and squinted his eyes: "This smell, is it the braised beef from Yuzhen Pavilion?"
"Yes, I just passed by Yuzhen Pavilion and bought some as a gift for Boss Xu."
Without any formalities with Ah Chan, Boss Xu took the oil paper package from her hand and gestured for her to take a seat: "Oh, honored guest, please have a seat."
Ah Chan smiled and found a chair to sit down. Boss Xu personally brought over two plates of snacks and a cup of sweet and sour plum soup.
"Was that a newly published novel that was being fought over just now?" She picked up an almond shortbread and chewed it in small bites.
"That's right. I don't know who the author of that book, Baomushanren, is. The illustrations and poems in the book were all written by him. Not only is his writing excellent, but the story is also very vivid. No wonder the book was so popular as soon as it was published."
"But the title of that book seems to..."
Mr. Xu suppressed a laugh and said, "Perhaps this gentleman prefers book titles that are easy to understand."
"So what exactly is this story about?" Achan couldn't help but wonder.
Mr. Xu briefly explained to her: "It's actually about a boy from a farming family who had a miserable life from a young age. His parents died and he was kicked out of his home by his brother and sister-in-law to join the army. Later, the boy experienced countless battles in the army, went through life and death several times, and finally became a general and was ennobled."
"It doesn't sound like anything special?" She had seen similar stories before.
Mr. Xu immediately said, "Although the core of the story is similar, the differences are huge because the writers are different."
Miss Ji, you may not know this, but the protagonist of this book is exceptionally intelligent. In the second war, he directly rewrote the course of the battle. You may think the story is a bit exaggerated, but you can't find any flaws in it. You just feel that your brain isn't up to par.
The descriptions of the war scenes, in particular, are exhilarating. Sure enough, the third volume, released just two days ago, has already sold out in droves.
"To be able to write such a clever and capable protagonist, this Mr. Baomu must be quite extraordinary."
"Who says otherwise? At first, everyone was guessing which academy's talented scholar Mr. Baomu was. After reading the third volume, everyone is now guessing that he is from the Hanlin Academy."
Mr. Xu praised Mr. Baomu's books to the skies, making Achan intrigued: "Mr. Xu, do you have any extra storybooks?"
Mr. Xu chuckled: "If it were anyone else, there would be no way to get it, but Miss Ji just gave me two catties of beef, which is enough to exchange for three storybooks."
He went to the back library and rummaged through the boxes and cabinets. After a while, he took out three new storybooks and handed them to Achan.
Just as Achan took it, a pale-faced scholar walked in from outside. The scholar was in his early twenties, wearing a blue cloth shirt, with a book box on his back, from which two scrolls peeked out.
The scholar was taken aback when he saw Ah Chan chatting and laughing with Boss Xu, and then stepped in.
"Manager Xu." The scholar bowed to Boss Xu.
"Young Master Song, I've been waiting for you." As soon as Manager Xu saw the man, his face lit up with a smile as he stepped forward to greet him. "A couple of days ago, one of my regular customers wanted to buy a piece of calligraphy or painting, but unfortunately, he didn't like any of the works in my shop. I thought that only Young Master Song's painting could satisfy him."
The scholar's cheeks flushed slightly as he was praised by Manager Xu.
Shopkeeper Xu helped him take down the book box and eagerly took out the two scrolls of paintings. Achan also came over, and the scholar turned to look at her before looking away.
The scroll was unfurled, revealing a painting of lotus flowers and a landscape painting, with inscriptions on the landscape painting as well.
Achan wasn't very good at appreciating landscape paintings, but this calligraphy really amazed her.
But the lotus painting, with just a slight glance, made the petals seem to tremble slightly, which was truly amazing.
Manager Xu leaned over the long table, carefully admiring the two paintings. Finally, he exclaimed with satisfaction, "Young Master Song is truly talented! I can't bear to sell such masterpieces to anyone else."
"Manager Xu is too kind."
Shopkeeper Xu shook his head: "I mean it all. Given time, Young Master Song will surely become famous throughout the capital."
"Oh, right," Manager Xu said, as if he had just remembered something. "Does Young Master Song have enough money? If not, I can lend you some in advance, and the rest can be settled when the painting is sold."
The scholar shook his head: "Manager Xu, there's no need to worry. I'm not short of money right now. We'll settle the accounts after the painting is sold."
"Very well, now that I have another excellent work, I will certainly try to get a good price for Young Master Song."
"Then I'll trouble you." The scholar smiled slightly, then asked, "Manager Song, has Mr. Wen, who played chess with me in the bookstore last time, come here?"
"I haven't been here recently." After saying that, Manager Xu turned to Achan and said, "I forgot to tell Miss Ji that a Mr. Wen came to buy incense pills a few days ago. When he learned that you were going to close for a month, he said he would come again when your shop reopens."
"Thank you for letting me know, Mr. Xu. I think the house will be completed in about half a month. I'm sorry to have troubled you these past few days."
"It's nothing between neighbors," Manager Xu waved his hand.
"Please select a few more new storybooks for me, Mr. Xu, so I can take them home and read them."
“Alright, Miss Ji, please wait a moment.” After agreeing, Boss Xu turned to the scholar and said, “Young Master Song, please rest for a while, I’ll be right back.”
Shopkeeper Xu went to the bookshelf at the back to find new books for Ji Chan. The scholar didn't sit down; he lingered in front of the pen rack for a long time, seemingly intending to buy a new pen.
Achan suddenly had an idea, and she called out to the scholar, "Young master."
The scholar turned around at the sound of her voice: "Is there something you need, young lady?"
"I see that your calligraphy is excellent, sir. My shop will be opening in half a month, but the signboard outside the shop is not yet finished. I wonder if I would be fortunate enough to have your calligraphy written?"
Achan originally intended to write it herself, but after seeing even more beautiful handwriting, she had this idea.
"Of course, no problem. Miss, do you have a preferred font? If not, I can write it down for you to choose from." The scholar was very considerate.
Achan nodded repeatedly: "Then I'll trouble you, young master. My name is Ji Chan. May I ask your name?"
"My name is Song Yan."
Song Yan took out paper from his book box, borrowed ink from Manager Xu, and began writing in various styles of calligraphy for A Chan on the long table.
Because Achan runs an incense shop, he simply wrote the character for incense.
Looking at the incense characters all over the paper, Achan suddenly wanted to make a dozen or twenty plaques for her shop. One could be outside the shop, one inside the shop, and one could be hung in each of the other new rooms. There should also be one in the kitchen, which Huiniang would like to see when she came and went in the kitchen.
After Song Yan finished writing, he put down his pen and looked up to see A Chan looking conflicted.
"So, your handwriting hasn't even caught the girl's eye?"
“No.” Achan shook her head, tapping her finger on the paper a dozen times. “I like all these fonts. I wonder if Young Master Song could write some other characters in these fonts.”
“Of course.” Song Yan nodded. “What does Miss Ji want me to write?”
"Write a name that is suitable for placement in the study, kitchen, garden, main hall, or outside the house."
Song Yan asked hesitantly, "How many plaques does Miss Ji plan to make?"
"Of course, the more the better. Does Young Master Song have any reservations?"
"No, not at all." Song Yan chuckled and wrote the two characters "Ji Residence" to hang outside the gate of the mansion as requested by A Chan. He also wrote the four characters "Food Brings Good Fortune" to hang in the kitchen. The two characters "Incense Shop" were to be inscribed on the plaque outside the shop, while the four characters "Fragrance Spreads Far and Wide, Purity Remains Inside the shop."
By the time Boss Xu brought out a stack of books, Achan had already finalized ten large calligraphy pieces with Song Yan.
When Boss Xu heard about A Chan's idea, instead of trying to dissuade her, he laughed and said, "Miss Ji is the one with the best ideas. Speaking of which, my shop should also get a new signboard. Young Master Song, you can't be biased."
Song Yan had no choice but to agree to write two large characters for Boss Xu.
With Song Yan's permission, Boss Xu happily put down the stack of books in his hand and let A Chan choose first, and then went to find travelogues and other books for her.
Achan casually flipped through a few books, and could guess the ending just by reading the beginning, so she immediately lost interest.
Song Yan glanced at the three volumes of "The Record of a Hundred Battles Generals" beside A Chan and asked, "Miss Ji, do you also read 'The Record of a Hundred Battles Generals'?"
"I haven't read it yet. Mr. Xu said it's a very good storybook, and the author, Mr. Baomu, is very talented. I'd like to read it. I just wonder if the main characters in this storybook are based on real people?"
“There should be,” Song Yan said.
"Does Young Master Song know who the protagonist is based on?"
"I'm just guessing, but the war scenes described in this book are very similar to several major battles recorded in books a hundred years ago, and only one person participated in these major battles and eventually became a famous general."
Who is it?
"The previous Duke of Song Dynasty lived in Song Yinnian."
Ah Chan recalled that the Duke of Song did not seem to have a daughter, and in any case, no one from the Duke of Song's family had ever appeared in Ji Chan's social circle.
Her only memory of the Duke of Song came from Bai Xiuming, who said that the Duke of Song was his neighbor.
"Was that former Duke of Song really as powerful as described in the book?" Achan asked.
"I have never met the previous Duke of Song, so I cannot make a definitive statement. However, the book does record that the previous Duke of Song was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, and after he distinguished himself in the army and became a general, he was invincible in every battle and never suffered a defeat in his life."
After Song Yan finished speaking, he sighed, "What a pity..."
"What's a pity?"
"It's a pity that the previous Duke of Song had no successor." Song Yan shook his head, seemingly quite saddened.
"Does this Duke of Song lack the talent to lead troops?"
"Yes, the heir of the Duke of Song is said to have amazing talent in martial arts, and he has already entered the army to hone his skills at a young age."
After he finished speaking, Song Yan saw that A Chan was looking at him and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. He said, "I usually like to get to the bottom of things when I read books. I hope you will forgive me."
"It's alright, Young Master Song's words have broadened my horizons considerably."
She's now more interested in the three volumes of "Records of a Hundred Battles of Gods and Generals." Since they're based on deceased legendary figures, there shouldn't be any problems.
As the two were talking, Chen Hui walked in from outside. A Chan pulled her to look at the words Song Yan had written earlier. After glancing at them for a few moments, Chen Hui looked up at Song Yan with some surprise before saying, "Young Master Song's calligraphy skills are profound."
Chen Hui had been influenced by her father since childhood and had achieved some success in calligraphy and painting. This young master Song's calligraphy was indeed excellent. If her father saw it, he would surely be delighted.
"I dare not accept such praise."
Then Chen Hui took out another silver note as a deposit for the ten large characters that A Chan had ordered, and Song Yan did not refuse and accepted it readily.
Achan bought a few more storybooks and travelogues at the shop before saying goodbye to Boss Xu and Song Yan.
A few days have passed since returning from Changpingfang. Recently, Achan has lost interest in the gates of the General's Mansion and instead goes to the bookstore in Chongmingfang every day to buy the fourth volume of "The Record of a Hundred Battles of the Gods".
Just when I was getting really into the exciting part of the book, it suddenly had no ending. It was just too cruel.
Fortunately, Mr. Baomu knew how difficult it was for his readers, and finally finished writing the fourth and final volume.
Yesterday, after being pestered by Achan for half a day, Chen Hui went out to the bookstore at the beginning of Chenshi (7-9 AM) today to queue up for books for Achan. When she arrived, there was already a long queue at the bookstore entrance.
The bookstore owner was still calling out, "Please don't push, everyone. We have enough stock for today. Mr. Baomu's new book, The Revenge, Volume 1, is also on sale. Please come one by one."
Unfortunately, the shopkeeper's words had little effect. Just when it was almost her turn, the people behind her kept pushing forward.
Chen Hui glanced unhappily at the people who were still pushing forward, and with a wave of her hand, the two people behind her were immediately knocked to the ground.
The previously noisy queue instantly fell silent.
"Don't push, didn't you hear me?" Chen Hui looked down at the two people lying on the ground.
"I heard it."
The other people in line nodded in agreement; they no longer dared to push.
When it was Chen Hui's turn, she quickly paid the money and bought a copy of "The Record of a Hundred Battles Generals" and the first volume of the new book "The Revenge Chronicle".
She had just stepped out of the line with two books in her hands when she heard someone call her from not far away: "Hui Niang".
Chen Hui looked up and saw Lin Sui waving at her. Lin Yi was standing behind her. The two looked a little haggard, but they were in good spirits, probably having just come from the Mingjing Division.
As she approached, Lin Sui asked curiously, "Hui Niang, are you queuing to buy books?"
Thinking about how she had overturned two burly men while trying to snatch the storybook, and how it had been seen by an acquaintance, Chen Hui felt slightly embarrassed: "Yes... I was buying a storybook."
She immediately changed the subject: "How's the case in your family? Has it been investigated and resolved?"
Lin Sui nodded: "The case is closed. My father and the others went home first, but my older brother was worried about me, so he came back with me."
As she spoke, she slightly revealed the side of her neck, where Chen Hui noticed a bloodstain.
The fact that they decided to return home in two separate groups suggests there might be some hidden reason behind it.
Chen Hui thought for a moment and then said, "Achan has been talking about you these days. If you're not in a hurry to go home, why don't you come back with me? I was just planning to buy some shrimp and make shrimp and pork wontons for you."
Lin Sui glanced at Lin Yi, and the expectant look in her eyes made Lin Yi smile slightly. He said to Chen Hui, "Then my sister will have to trouble you."
This was not in accordance with the rules, but there were still unresolved problems at home. He and his father had made his sister suffer for many years, so this time, he decided to let them handle it.
"Take care, brother."
Lin Sui accompanied Chen Hui to the market to buy shrimp and cut a piece of fresh meat before heading home together.
Achan woke up unusually early today because she knew she would see the ending of "The Record of a Hundred Battles" today. Her heart felt like it was being scratched by cat claws, and she couldn't fall back asleep after waking up this morning.
When Chen Hui returned, she saw A Chan running around aimlessly on the ground.
Upon seeing Chen Hui, Achan's eyes lit up: "Hui Niang, my book..."
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Lin Sui entering with Chen Hui and exclaimed with delight, "Lin Sui, you're back!"
Lin Sui smiled at A Chan: "You're back."
Achan pulled Lin Sui to sit down and chatted about recent events. After Chen Hui brought out the wontons she had made, the three of them sat down at the table and started talking about the Lin family's case.
“The Yao family was secretly executed last night. When Lin Ting was being executed, I begged the officials of the Mingjing Division to go and see it for myself.”
Lin Sui blew on the steaming wontons in the spoon, recalling how Lin Ting looked back then.
Lin Ting kept cursing her biological parents, because they were the reason she was going to die at such a young age.
Before she died, Lin Ting kept muttering about Yao Shi, as if hoping for a miracle.
Unfortunately, Yao didn't come; it was she who did.
When she met her, Lin Ting actually begged her, saying that she had been adopted by the Lin family and was Lin Sui's sister. She had never thought of harming Lin Sui's life all these years, and that Lin Sui should save her.
Lin Sui stood in front of her and said, "You don't want my life, but I want yours."
Lin Ting's hopes were dashed, so she cursed her viciously until her head was chopped off, saying that Yao would never forgive her in her lifetime.
Thinking about what happened last night, Lin Sui couldn't help but find it a little funny. Lin Ting actually thought she would care whether Yao would forgive her.
"Lin Ting is dead, so the effects of the herb should have worn off by now. How are your mother and your second brother?" A Chan asked.
"The two of them have completely fallen out."
This result was somewhat unexpected for Achan: "Why?"
"The Mingjing Division found out that Lin Ting borrowed luck from Lin Heng. Lin Heng believes that it was all because my mother was blind and let a wolf into the house, which caused his talent to be taken away and he has now become a cripple."
After being scolded a few times, my mother turned hostile, saying that Lin Heng was disobedient and unfilial, of low character, and that it was fortunate he hadn't taken the imperial examinations, otherwise it would have been a misfortune for the Great Xia officialdom.
The harsh words that were once hurled at her are now falling on Lin Heng. In just over ten days, the deep bond between mother and son has become a joke.
Lin Sui once thought that Yao's desire for his death was due to Zhan Cao's control, but only last night did he finally realize that it wasn't.
She was born a hypocritical, selfish, and cold-hearted person. Lin Heng and Lin Ting grew up by her side and eventually became just like her.
There's something Yao said that's quite true: it's fortunate that Lin Heng didn't pass the imperial examinations. Being bedridden and wallowing in self-pity and regret for the rest of his life would have been the best ending for him.
"What does your father mean by just letting this go?"
"My father said he would find a quiet Taoist temple for my mother. Since she likes metaphysics, she can stay there and study hard for the rest of her life."
“General Lin is decisive,” Chen Hui said from the side. “With him here, we don’t have to worry about your family causing any more trouble.”
Lin Sui shook his head: "He's going back to Xiling again. From now on, it will just be my older brother and me at home. When we get home, I will not only have to learn how to manage the household, but I will also have to cultivate with my older brother."
"Cultivation?" Achan and Chen Hui asked in unison.
Lin Sui also found this matter very strange. She said to the two of them, "When I was in the Mingjing Division, an old man came to check why I was not affected by Zhan Cao. In the end, he said that I seemed to have some special physique, and that I was very suitable for cultivation."
This was an ending no one had ever imagined.
Lin Sui ate two bowls of wontons before returning home satisfied.
As Chan watched her open the door and walk briskly towards the General's Mansion across the street in the morning sun, she couldn't help but smile.
This kind of life seems quite interesting, full of surprises.
After Lin Sui left, A Chan finally remembered her storybook. She first finished reading the ending of "The Hundred Battles God General". In the book, the protagonist finally outwitted and defeated the powerful demon king, and was granted the title of Duke by the emperor, taking his surname as his title. From then on, the world was at peace.
After watching the ending, Achan felt something was missing. It seemed that the protagonist's life consisted only of the battlefield, with no real life.
Such thoughts completely disappeared after she opened Baomushanren's new book.
The revenge story is actually about the descendants of a legendary general. The story begins in the Duke's mansion. The legendary general is old and about to pass away, while the new Duke's wives and concubines are about to give birth.
Upon learning that his grandson was about to be born, the old Duke passed away with a smile on his face.
Two boys were born.
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