Chapter 42 The Knife
The chaotic situation was resolved, but Jiang Xi received the bad news from Shang Yuji that she would no longer help apply the medicine.
Before he could grieve, he was met with a month of relentless beatings and an immersion in the vast knowledge of witchcraft.
Jiang Xi, who had tidied herself up, went to carry the ointment and was seen out of her room by Shang Yuji. As for the messy scene inside the room, which looked like it had been through a storm, it was Jiang Xi, who seemed to have been pampered, who was responsible for cleaning it up.
Jiang Xi went back to his room, opened the exquisitely crafted wooden box, carefully folded the handkerchief Ah Ji had given him, and placed it in one corner. He already had three such wooden boxes filled.
The next day, he found some time to discuss the study of Gu with Huigu. Huigu gave him an old book and told him to memorize it: "Insects hibernate in winter, so take this time to learn about insects and plants."
Cold hibernation is the nature of insects; therefore, the strength of those who coexist with insects is greatly reduced.
Aversion to cold is a common trait among those who practice Gu poison.
A-Cuo ate the pastries on his plate with big bites and mumbled, "Instead of recognizing insects and plants, he should learn the script of Southern Xinjiang, right? Otherwise, he won't even be able to understand what's written in the booklet."
Huigu suddenly realized: "Then let's learn the knife first, the language of southern Xinjiang is not easy to learn."
Seeing Shang Yuji's curiosity, A-Cuo drank his tea, swallowing the dryness in his throat: "In southern Xinjiang, each village has its own language. There are many villages on the same mountain, and their writing systems are not mutually intelligible. In some villages, only the villagers themselves can understand the meaning of the characters."
Just like some characters that appear to be "sun" in writing, but are considered to be "moon" in the village.
If someone steals a secret letter from someone in the village, and doesn't understand its contents, they will likely get the wrong answer.
Shang Yuji asked doubtfully, "Does every village practice Gu poison?"
"No, Gu worms are not easy to raise." A-Cuo raised his head, his baby face smiling innocently. "Raising a beast requires many years to cultivate a tacit understanding, let alone an insect?"
During a casual conversation with them, Shang Yuji summarized it as follows: Southern Xinjiang is not a country, but a collection of tribes and villages, with each tribe and village being independent and not interfering with each other.
"What a wonderful place," Shang Yuji exclaimed.
A-Cuo suggested, "If there's a chance, I'll take you guys out for some fun."
After a night, Shang Yuji confirmed repeatedly that most of the terrible bruises on Jiangxi yesterday had disappeared, and it looked much better.
Finally relieved, she sent Jiang Xi to the backyard to learn knife skills from Xiang Fei before turning to head to Yining Mansion.
Today was a rare sunny day. Shang Yuji put on a warm yellow cloak, put on a hand warmer, and rode in a carriage to the front of Yining Prefecture.
The doorman recognized her and quickly led her to the waiting room. He explained, "Besides you, there are other guests at your home today."
They had expected to wait quite a while, but unexpectedly, when Yi Ning heard the news of Shang Yuji's arrival, she summoned someone to invite her into the main hall.
Shang Yuji had visited the Yi Mansion many times and was very familiar with its layout. Without needing servants to lead the way, she walked to the main hall on her own.
Upon entering the hall, Shang Yuji could see that besides Yi Ning, there was another gentle-looking girl inside, but judging from her aura, she was not someone to be trifled with.
When Yi Ning saw her arrive, she showed joy at seeing a savior and waved her over, saying, "Miss Shang, please sit down."
Looking apologetically at Huo Shenggge, Yi Ning leaned closer and whispered to Shang Yuji, "This is Miss Huo from the Yangzhou branch of the Wanshang Alliance. She came to inquire about cooperation on the new wine, hoping that we would increase the quantity of the new wine we sell, mainly supplying it to them, and then splitting the profits 50/50 with us. What do you think?"
The price and quantity of wine were set by the government, and Shang Yuji, who had no connection with the government, was not someone who should get involved.
However, isn't the Wanshang Alliance a business association that has close ties with Fulai Inn?
A while ago, she had considered cooperating with Wanshang Alliance for her regular Jianghu (江湖) customers. And when Yi Ning spoke to her about it now, it meant she was also considering this possibility.
Shang Yuji nodded and made the □□ gesture again, leaving the rest to Yining and Miss Huo.
Fortunately, Yi Ning also understood the crux of the matter and did not intend to let Miss Shang make the decision. Instead, she told Huo Shengge about her concerns and intended to gain an extra 10% profit.
One of the marketing tactics, which imitated the celebrity influence of soap brands in Beijing, caught Shang Yuji's attention.
Yi Ning: "What Miss Huo said was to have the martial arts master taste the new wine and then have him comment on it. How can you invite the martial arts master, and how do you know whether his evaluation is good or bad?"
Huo Shengge: "Miss Yi should trust the new wine. Anyone who knows wine will surely praise it highly."
Yining nodded in agreement with these words.
"As for how to summon the leader of the martial arts world, please rest assured, young lady."
Huo Shengge covered her face with a handkerchief, chuckled softly, and continued:
"The Huo in my name, Huo Shengge, is the same Huo as Huo Wei, the leader of the martial arts world."
After she finished speaking, two astonished faces appeared in the lobby.
Yi Ning pointed at her, stiffly turned her head to look at Shang Yuji first, and saw that Shang Yuji was also looking at her in shock. Then she turned back to look at Huo Shengge in surprise.
After a moment, Yi Ning recovered first: "Since that's the case, let's put this problem aside for now, as for the others..."
They had a pleasant conversation and finally agreed on a 60/40 split of profits. When Yi Ning saw Huo Shenge off, Shang Yuji felt that Huo Shenge looked back at her before leaving.
When Yi Ning returned, Shang Yuji also learned the purpose of her visit that day: a scalpel that could shave hair like mud.
After carefully wrapping it up, Yi Ning hesitated and said, "Miss Shang, this thing is too sharp, please handle it with extreme care."
Even knowing that Miss Shang was shrouded in mystery, Yi Ning couldn't help but be amazed by her. Any one of the swords made using the iron casting method she mentioned could be considered a divine weapon.
Although the output is not high, each one is of extremely high quality.
Upon receiving this instruction, Yi Ning felt as if the pounding of her heart had deafened her. The thought of the soldiers on the battlefield, armed with weapons far superior to those of the enemy…
The soldiers of Da'an will surely survive the battlefield.
An invincible army, undefeated victories, and the ever-expanding territory of Da'an...
Too precious to be true, Yining urgently entrusted it to the Eldest Princess overnight, and the Eldest Princess secretly conveyed the instructions—
“In Yangzhou, Miss Shang’s words are equivalent to my words.”
As for what Miss Shang was thinking, Yi Ning couldn't fathom it. She still seemed to do whatever she pleased, making it difficult to discern whether these things were important to her.
It was this attitude that made Yi Ning unsure how to treat her.
Not greedy for money, only taking what is rightfully theirs, enough to cover daily expenses.
He was not greedy for power. There were fewer servants in his mansion than in a shop. Even Wang Si and Lao Chen were escorted by the Princess when they came to Yangzhou.
As for lust... Yi Ning couldn't find anyone in the whole world more beautiful and charming than the woman beside Miss Shang.
He is approachable and indifferent to fame and fortune, and yet he possesses extraordinary skills. It is thanks to the Jiang family that such a person has come into His Highness's hands.
"Young lady, would you like someone to escort you along the way?"
"No need, Old Chen is here."
.
After saying goodbye to Yining, Shang Yuji headed towards the clinic.
Inside the clinic, Yan Qing was talking to the apprentice doctor when he saw Shang Yuji arrive. He patted his sleeves and stood up, saying, "You're here."
Let's talk in private.
The two walked to the backyard of the clinic, and the noisy sounds of bustling activity gradually faded into the distance.
She unwrapped the tightly wrapped cloth, but found nothing. Yan Qing was dazzled by the sunlight reflected off it.
With its sleek shape and sharp blade, Yan Qing was certain that this was even sharper than the famous swords and sabers recorded in history.
"Little girl, what's this...?"
"A farewell gift for you."
A jumble of thoughts welled up in Yan Qing's chest, finally settling into a sigh: "Little girl, this knife is too sharp. It can save your life if necessary. Take it."
Compared to an inconspicuous physician, she, caught in the treacherous court, needs such treasures for protection even more.
Shang Yuji presented the knife to him, saying, "This knife was made for you. No one is more suited to it than you."
"Why won't you listen to me and take it when I tell you to!"
"But this is a life-saving knife, not a murder knife."
They looked at each other in silence. Shang Yuji placed the knife in his hand and said, "Elder Yan, don't you want to try another way to save people?"
Sensing his intention, Shang Yuji released her hand, only to see him firmly grip the knife handle.
Yan Qing snorted: "Is this order for me, or does my junior brother also have one?"
Shang Yuji smiled and said, "I'm giving you the first one."
After chatting for a few more minutes, the previously somber atmosphere eased considerably. Yan Qing patted her shoulder repeatedly, saying, "The world of martial arts isn't that big, but it's not that small either. If we meet again, you'll have to treat me to a bowl of tea."
"That's natural."
.
A hundred miles outside Yangcheng, there was a place of Xianbei felt tents.
The boy lay on the ground with a bruised and swollen face. The scattered items around him were either trampled or smashed. Only the medicine he was curled up in his arms escaped unscathed.
Rakar's braid was forcefully pulled up, and his face contorted with rage as he glared at the ornately dressed nobleman before him.
"Rakar, the Great Khan said that it is forbidden to trade with the Da'an people. If I were to report to the Khan that you secretly went to Yangcheng to buy things from the Da'an people, what would happen to you and your sister?"
"No, don't say it..." Knowing that if he told the Khan, he and his sister would definitely not escape death, Rakar swallowed the blood in his throat and spit it out.
"If you're asking for a favor, you should have the right attitude. First, get rid of those eyes of yours that look like you want to kill someone. Of course, I can also gouge them out for you. If you can endure the pain, I might not report you."
"Dig it out! Dig it out!"
The noble boy's followers cheered, celebrating a bloody conquest.
Someone brought over sharp scissors, which the young nobleman took and slowly moved closer to Rakar's eyeballs.
The sensation of the scissors poking his eye made his eye twitch, and when they landed on his flesh, the biting cold made his heart skip a beat.
"Something terrible has happened! Young Master, something terrible has happened—"
Suddenly, the lookout standing outside rushed in, shouting, "Lord Bana says that Rakar is the Khan's son from afar! Lord Bana wants to find Rakar and bring him to the Khan!"
"What?! Damn it!"
The young nobleman abruptly threw down the scissors, the sharp blade leaving a thin, long cut on his face. As if afraid of being caught, the young nobleman fled the scene, and his followers scattered in fear.
Bright red blood dripped down, seeping into the earth and leaving dark red bloodstains.
Thankfully, thankfully, my sister's medicine was saved.
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