Chapter 16: Summary of the Jin Dynasty
After the autumn harvest in the 22nd year of Emperor Zongming, Emperor Zongming held a ceremony to offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth with great fanfare.
What was different from previous fasting and prayer ceremonies was that this time, Emperor Zong Ming recounted his merits, stated his political achievements, and looked forward to the future during the fasting and prayer ceremonies.
He named himself "Lingxiao Shangqing Tonglei Yuanyang Miaoyifeixuan Zhenjun"! In short, destiny is in my hands.
The Gu family's old house was finally completely cleaned up and opened for business.
"It's a pity you didn't go, that scene, wow"
At the dinner table, Andy Hui was beaming with joy as he recounted his experiences during the fasting and prayer ceremony.
Most of the civil and military officials who could attend were present, and the Taoist priests of Qingfeng Temple also worked at full capacity, so the ceremony was grand and magnificent.
The rare treasures presented by all parties were dazzling and overwhelming.
The imperial physician Pang Qi sat in the main seat, his face flushed from drinking. He glanced at Gu Dan and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "This kid has no ambition at all. He received the emperor's gift, but he wants to open a medicine shop on his own. He really deserves to be punished!"
Today, the imperial physician Pang Qi no longer looks self-pitying as before. He looks radiant and his face is full of rosy glow, and he is experiencing a second spring in his life.
Through his unremitting efforts, the Imperial Medical Service finally found a space for survival under the shadow of the alchemists.
More importantly, the previous offering of treasures was very much in line with Emperor Zong Ming's wishes. Although it did not win the first prize, the Imperial Medical Service also gained great fame.
During the ritual held by Emperor Zong Ming, he also took the opportunity to meet the Third Prince, and it was said that they had a very pleasant conversation! With his money and future in hand, Pang Qi's mental outlook naturally changed. He swept away the irritability he had when he was demoted and bullied by the alchemists.
Today, Gu Dan's martial arts school and medicine shop opened together, and it was natural for Pang Qi, the fifth-rank imperial physician, to sit in the first seat.
It is no exaggeration to say that Pang Qi's presence here is a gift to him.
"Kid, drink three cups as punishment!"
Gu Dan picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
"That's more like it."
Pang Qi was very satisfied with Gu Dan's attitude, and said: "Even if you open a pharmacy, you are still a member of the Imperial Hospital. If anyone is blind..."
Pang Qi glanced at another table further away and snorted, "No need to be polite to them!"
Following his gaze, he saw that jailer Wang and several other jailers were sitting at a table by themselves. They were extremely honest and even spoke in soft voices.
Noticing Pang Qi's gaze, he immediately raised the wine cup in his hand with a flattering smile on his face.
However, Pang Qi just glanced at it and didn't bother to pay any attention.
To him, the jailers in these prisons were all peasants who were obsessed with money, mean, ungrateful, and extremely greedy. Even when the Imperial Hospital was in its worst period, not all the jailers could be compared to it.
Unless it's the Imperial Guard.
"A person's vision is very important. The people you deal with determine your future path. You must remember this!" Pang Qi taught earnestly.
"You are right."
Gu Dan just nodded.
Many colleagues from the Imperial Hospital came to this meal. Apart from those from the Imperial Hospital, only Wang Laotou and a few jailers came to congratulate.
The Mohist Martial Arts School and the Health Medicine Shop were officially opened.
After eating and drinking, the imperial physician ordered Pang Qi to go out, holding on to the wall, and said that the cook was good.
The other imperial doctors also took their leave in twos and threes, and Gu Dan personally saw them off to the door.
After the people from the Imperial Hospital had left, Gu Dan quickly walked to the table where Wang Laotou was sitting, holding a wine cup and said, "I really neglected my brothers today, so I'll drink a glass as punishment!"
"Hey, Brother Gu, what are you talking about?" Prisoner Wang stood up quickly and took up the wine glass first. "It is thanks to you that we can come here. Otherwise, how could we taste the craftsmanship of the palace?"
"Yes, yes. I didn't expect that even the imperial physician would come. Brother Gu really is a man who never shows his face!" The other jailers also stood up to congratulate him.
During the few months in prison, Gu Dan went there every day and became familiar with them.
The most important thing is that Gu Dan never puts on airs, and is always kind and gentle to others.
When they learned that he was going to open a martial arts school and a medicine store, they naturally came to congratulate him.
But compared with the group of old men in the Imperial Hospital, they have to take a back seat after all.
The people who were making the most of the excitement were from the Imperial Hospital, and they didn't dare to speak loudly.
People are close or distant, and Gu Danran has to stay with the people from the Imperial Hospital. This is human nature.
Wang Laotou and his men naturally knew what was going on, and they didn't feel left out. After all, it was quite a treat for Gu Dan to give them a table! "Don't be so polite. There's plenty of food and drinks. Don't go home until you're drunk today!" Gu Dan said with a smile.
"This wine tastes much better than the one in the restaurant, but unfortunately I have a public office to perform and I dare not get drunk." Prisoner Wang felt a little regretful and then pulled out a teenager from his side, who looked to be about eight or nine years old.
That’s right, he brought his family to the banquet.
And he was the only one who brought his family with him.
"This is my son, the second child in the family, with a single name, Mang. The eldest son could follow me to inherit the family business, but this kid is very unreliable. He just fiddles around all day and does not do his job properly. It's not a good thing to continue like this. When I learned that Brother Gu was going to open a martial arts school, I started to think about it. What do you think of this kid?" asked prisoner Wang.
"Wang Mang? Good name, good."
The smile on Gu Dan's face suddenly froze, "Wang Mang?!"
The young man called Wang Mang had a big head and a pair of big eyes that rolled around. He looked at Gu Dan without any fear and even muttered, "He only looks good. What can he teach me? I don't want to study medicine."
"You have no right to speak!"
Wang Jiatou slapped Wang Mang on the head and immediately scolded him.
"I have no say in matters concerning the martial arts school. Let Brother Mo come and take a look." Gu Dan's eyes were quite complicated. The name Wang Mang was not very high-end and classy. It should be just a homonym.
Mo Qiu came over and clapped his hands twice at Wang Mang. The little fellow who was full of energy just now had turned as red as a cooked shrimp and could only barely cling to Wang Laotou's body.
"Your blood is pretty good, and your bones are okay." Mo Qiu nodded, "If you practice hard, it shouldn't be difficult to achieve something."
"This kid weighed 15.7 jin when he was born. I knew he was a good candidate for martial arts!"
A look of joy appeared on Wang Laotou's face. He knew Mo Qiu's abilities very well. Meeting dozens of fierce bandits would be a piece of cake for him. Learning from such a man, even just the basics, would be enough to benefit him for a lifetime.
"How much money do you think it will cost per month?" Having made up his mind, jailer Wang asked carefully.
It is true that martial arts schools are not doing well nowadays, but what you can learn are skills that can help you make a living.
The monthly fee ranged from a few taels to dozens of taels! And this was just the tuition fee.
After paying tuition, do I have to pay for food? In this era, it is not easy to have enough food.
Most people only eat meat during the Chinese New Year, and on weekdays it is considered good enough to be able to wipe the pot with some pig skin.
If you can have meat twice in three days, you can definitely be considered a wealthy family.
Even if you exercise, if the exercise is intense, eating meat twice every three days is not enough.
From this we can see that those who can go to a martial arts school to learn martial arts can never be ordinary people.
Although he is a leader in the prison and has a fairly good salary, if he wants his son to learn martial arts, he will have to empty his family's pockets!
"If you practice low-grade martial arts, you will get ten taels of silver per month. Not only will you be provided with food and accommodation, but you will also receive a package of health-preserving medicine every month," said Mo Qiu.
This was the price he and Gu Dan had already agreed upon.
The monthly salary for low-grade martial arts is ten taels of silver, which is neither high nor low in any martial arts hall in the imperial capital. The conditions are similar, neither special nor outstanding.
Most people don't study in a martial arts school for several years or even more than ten years. Most of them learn for a few months and then start practicing on their own or going out to explore the world.
"You mean, I can also learn middle-level martial arts from you?"
However, Wang the jailer was moved and understood the hidden meaning, so he asked immediately.
A martial arts school is about teaching, not passing on.
Of course, most of the teachings are common stuff.
If you want to learn truly extraordinary martial arts, you often have to kowtow three times and nine times, perform great rituals to worship your teacher, and spend a lot of money as a tribute every month!
If they are not happy with you, even if they have been filial to you for more than ten years, they will only teach you two or three skills, and then your skills will be considered "lost skills".
"Middle-level martial arts can also be taught. If you don't have a foundation before, you will be given fifty taels of silver for the first month, and twenty taels for each month thereafter. I will also give you two packages of health-preserving medicine." Mo Qiu said without hesitation.
Even though he was mentally prepared, jailer Wang couldn't help but gasp.
Fifty taels of silver are needed for the first month, which is enough for five months of training of low-grade martial arts!
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Although it later became twenty taels, which was only twice the price of low-grade martial arts, it was no longer a price he could afford.
"Alas, I am powerless!" Prisoner Wang shook his head and sighed.
Even though he knew that he could rule a region after learning intermediate-grade martial arts, the price was not something he could afford.
Gu Dan clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention, and said, "Let's put it this way. The martial arts school is opening, so we should celebrate. Wang Mang is the first one who wants to come. The first three apprentices will get half price for six months! The first ten will get an extra health-preserving medicine package every month."
"Really?" Prisoner Wang was overjoyed.
In this way, only twenty-five taels of silver are needed in the first month, and only ten taels are needed afterwards, which is the same as learning low-grade martial arts.
Although I can only enjoy it for half a year, what I learn is much more advanced! "I guarantee it, how can it be false?" Gu Dan said with a smile.
Wang the jailer stared at Wang Mang for a few times, gritted his teeth and said, "The first place is mine, and I will learn middle-level martial arts!"
"Of course. Wang Laotou has many friends, so please help spread the word." Gu Dan said again.
"Of course!"
The names of some friends have already appeared in Wang Laotou's mind. If you learn a medium-grade martial art for half a year at this price, you will make a lot of money as long as you get started! Even if you just practice it by yourself, you will be much stronger than ordinary martial artists.
After finalizing the matter, they chatted for a few more minutes and then left. They looked more anxious than he was.
There is no doubt that the first three places will be occupied by friends of Wang Laotou and his group.
But so what? This opening event was just an opportunity for Gu Dan to spread his fame and tell others that Mohist Martial Arts School could teach mid-level martial arts.
Activities are just a bonus, Moqiu's abilities are the real core competitiveness.
As for the middle-level martial arts that I teach, of course I don't just write them out and throw them to the other party, but break them down into steps, and let them learn as much as they can.
If you have some skills and want to come to Mohist Martial Arts School to learn mid-level martial arts, the price will not be this high.
Only when you have the diamond drill can you take on the porcelain job!
He and Mo Qiu also need money to practice martial arts, so it is natural for them to spend more time and effort on it.
"First, let's take a look at the gifts sent by colleagues from the Imperial Hospital."
The opening banquet was not free food and drinks. His colleagues prepared gifts for him, and even several of Wang Laotou's brothers each took out some money as a token of their thoughtfulness.
Gu Dan was the first to pick up the gift box sent by the imperial physician Pang Qi and opened it.
"Tsk, three hundred taels of silver!"
Gu Dan didn't expect Pang Qi to be so generous.
The three hundred taels were more of an investment in him than a congratulation.
Even if he wants to stay away from trouble, people will still give him a good impression.
No wonder after being silent for ten years, he was able to take advantage of the opportunity of Emperor Zong Ming's fasting and prayer ceremony to get in touch with the Third Prince.
"Let's take a look at Uncle Xu's." Gu Dan grabbed another gift box and opened it quickly. Inside was a hundred-liang silver note and a... prescription?
Gu Dan picked up the prescription and looked at it carefully.
It says on it that there is a special medicinal wine called [Soul-breaking Wine].
As the name suggests, if you drink a sip, even your soul will be burned away. Ordinary people can't stand it at all. Even martial arts masters can't drink too much.
It has the same effect as the legendary "Three Bowls but No Breach".
The medicinal materials needed are all of good quality, even the imperial physician would shudder when seeing them.
Considering his family wealth, he would have to spend a lot of money to brew the Soul-Severing Burning once. The things he needed were shocking and most people would not even dare to think about it.
In addition, several kinds of animal bones need to be refined using special methods, and the base wine must be aged for at least fifty years, the stronger the better.
Written on the back of the prescription are Andy Hui's instructions. This special medicinal wine was obtained by chance when he was young. It was calculated based on the medicines needed in it. Only those who are fully energetic and spiritual should not drink it. Otherwise, it will be as its name suggests, and it will kill the soul if consumed.
Only a true martial arts master, whose blood and energy far exceed that of ordinary people, can give it a try.
This item is just a useless gem in his possession. Since Gu Dan is planning to open a martial arts school with someone else, perhaps he can use it.
"Uncle Xu is also thoughtful."
Gu Dan carefully put away the recipe for the medicinal wine. Although he couldn't use it now, there would always be a time when he would need it.
As for the gifts sent by other imperial doctors, they naturally could not compare with those from Pang Qi and Xu Zhian.
One is wealthy and powerful, the other has close connections.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Gu Dan touched a mahogany box.
Opening the mahogany box, a ginseng was quietly lying inside. It had long, old, tough, sparse and long hairs, dotted with millet-sized bumps. At the top of the hair roots, there were fine and deep screw-like horizontal lines, which looked quite rough.
"Wild ginseng?!"
Gu Dan was quite surprised.
Medical books record that wild ginseng can greatly replenish vital energy, restore pulse and strengthen the body, nourish the spleen and lungs, promote body fluid and calm the mind.
Judging from the size of this wild ginseng, it must be at least several decades, or even hundreds of years old.
More importantly, it is expensive and out of stock.
What is even more eye-catching is that next to the wild ginseng there is a book wrapped in red silk.
It is not difficult to see that the person who gave the gift felt that wild ginseng could not compare with the book.
Gu Dan picked it up curiously and uncovered the red silk.
"Gold Creation Essentials."
(End of this chapter)