Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

Don't think that fifty gold coins is a small amount; in fact, it's quite a lot.

Although there was a time when Huang Xie spent a thousand gold pieces to ask Song Yu for a poem, it was only because of Huang Xie's suppression that people nowadays don't come to Song Yu to ask for poems. It's already considered good that no one tries to please Huang Xie or humiliate Song Yu.

Song Yu was also surprised by the reward offered by Xu Qing.

Fifty gold coins was not a particularly large sum when he was still a doctor.

However, that was ten years ago.

After being dismissed from all his official posts, he followed the Chu state in moving its capital and drifted with the tide. Now, he is penniless and extremely poor.

He had expected Xu Qing to offer some compensation, but it wasn't much.

I never expected them to be so extravagant.

"If you need anything in the future, feel free to contact me." Song Yu's voice was a little lower, but every word was clear. "The reward... is negotiable."

"Is what you say true, sir?" Xu Qing's eyes lit up instantly beneath his mask.

"I never speak in jest!" Song Yu said resolutely, flicking his sleeve.

Although the person before me was hiding his true form and trespassing on my private property, the sword he brought carried the spirit of Qu Yuan and was imprinted with the soul of "Heavenly Questions".

This shared history is enough to dispel any doubts.

Xu Qing then recounted in detail the origins of the five swords and the profound meaning behind their forging.

Song Yu listened intently, occasionally stroking his sword and pondering.

Before long, he unfurled his brush and wielded his pen with great skill and fluidity, producing a magnificent "Ode to the Sword" that appeared on the silk in an instant.

This also allowed Xu Qing to witness Song Yu's strength.

After Qu Yuan, the State of Chu had three renowned poets of the fu (a type of classical Chinese prose-poetry): Song Yu, Tang Le, and Jing Cha, who were all famous in their time. Xu Qing had never met the other two, but Song Yu's talent was proven by this fu, which he witnessed being written in a very short time.

He left behind fifty gold coins.

With five swords and Song Yu's "Ode to the Sword," Xu Qing quickly returned to the Hidden Dragon Hall of the Chu Kingdom.

……

"Brother, how did it go?" Upon seeing Xu Qing return to the Hidden Dragon Hall of Chu, Situ Wanli hurriedly greeted him, his words tinged with reassurance, "Song Yu's stubborn temper... if it doesn't work out, we can find someone else. He's not the only renowned scholar in Chu..."

“It’s done.” Xu Qing interrupted calmly.

"It's done?" Situ Wanli's throat tightened, and he almost lost his voice.

Song Yu, who would give a fortune for a single word from Huang Xie, actually agreed?

His eyes blazed with ecstasy: "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! When will the 'Sword Ode' be finished?"

Throughout history, scholars and literati have always needed some time to think before composing poems.

Situ Wanli only hoped that Song Yu could be faster.

After writing it down, he also instructed people to spread it.

Once many people have heard of this "Sword Ode," and then mention that one of the swords from it has entered their auction house and will be auctioned off immediately, there will definitely be many people interested who will then participate in the auction.

This was also part of Situ Wanli and Xu Qing's plan to sell the sword.

"It's already written."

As Xu Qing spoke to Situ Wanli, a piece of cloth appeared in his hand.

Situ Wanli quickly took the cloth that Xu Qing took out and began to examine it.

Although he is a businessman, that doesn't mean he lacks culture.

On the contrary, he was proficient in the languages ​​of the seven countries and the customs of each country.

After all, the agricultural trade routes were vast, spanning seven kingdoms.

Situ Wanli conducted business in the seven kingdoms, so he needed to have some understanding of the situation in each country.

"Preface: I observed Xu Zi forging swords, taking Qu Yuan's 'Heavenly Questions' as his soul, forging the stars and moon for the blade, and carving the deep abyss for the edge. When the five swords were completed, their light shone brightly in the palace gates. Therefore, I composed this poem to express their spirit..."

"As for the Sword of the Stars, it receives the light of the twenty-eight constellations in the heavens, its spine floating in the Milky Way, its tip piercing the brilliance of the stars. When it is wielded, the Milky Way pours down; when it is withdrawn, the Big Dipper gathers its light. To which do the sun and moon belong? Where do the stars stand? When this sword is drawn, the netherworld opens up, and demons and monsters flee..."

……

Several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Under Situ Wanli's deliberate guidance.

Song Yu's new work, "Ode to the Sword," quickly spread throughout Shouchun City in the State of Chu.

The name of Song Yu needs no further introduction.

His poems also aroused the interest of many people.

In particular, Song Yu mentioned five divine swords in his "Ode to the Sword," all of which were forged with the spirit of Qu Yuan's "Heavenly Questions" as their inspiration.

When and where did Song Yu see these five swords?

This is impossible to verify.

But these five swords have indeed attracted a lot of attention and curiosity.

At the same time, "Ode to the Sword" has also attracted many people to recite it.

"...As for the blade of Xi Ri, its spine is made of melted gold and crow feathers, six dragons ride on blazing wheels, and crimson flames burn the dark clouds. It cleaves through chaos in the dark of day, and summons Xi He in the dead of night. Before Xi He rises, what light does Ruo Hua have? Evil spirits that touch it are reduced to ashes on the branches of the Fusang tree..."

Inside a tavern, several scholars were conversing. One of them recited the second paragraph of "Ode to the Sword," then couldn't help but question, "Does such a powerful sword really exist in this world?"

"In my opinion, Lord Song is exaggerating!"

Although Song Yu was down on his luck, he was quite famous in the literary world. Even though many people were wary of Lord Chunshen and dared not associate with him, many still called him Lord Song.

“It is indeed an exaggeration, but these five swords obviously have their own special features,” another scholar chimed in, reciting the rest of the “Sword Ode.”

"...It possesses a weapon of immense power, drawn from the icy waves of the Nine Thousand Ren Deep Ruins. Its black jade is solidified in the vast ocean, and its sword's cry stirs up the tides. Still as a hidden dragon calming the waves, it moves like a raging torrent that shatters mountains. The Hongquan spring is so deep, how can it be fathomed? Mermaids weep, holding pearls, and Gonggong strikes the mountain in sorrow. Then comes the sharpness of Boqiang, its blade carved with the wind of Xun (wind) within a hole of black iron. When the sword moves, thunder roars, and its edge leaves a thousand mountains bare. Yuqiang rides it to roam the four seas, while Feilian, bearing a mandate, knocks on the gates of heaven. Where is Boqiang? Where is his benevolent spirit? Clouds and rain heed his summons, how dare they not bow their heads in submission..."

……

The warm pavilion of Lord Chunshen's residence was filled with fragrance.

Ling Yin Huang Xie sat upright in the main seat, his authority honed over twenty years, his majesty as deep as an abyss. Although the King of Chu's health was deteriorating day by day, his heart remained unmoved, for Queen Li Yan was born into his household, and the Crown Prince was a bloodline he had personally sent into the palace.

New peachwood charms and old door charms were both under his control.

The emperor's brother-in-law, Li Yuan, stroked his goatee and said sarcastically, "That old man Song Yu refused the prime minister's daughter back then, but now he's willing to write a poem for an unknown nobody. He really doesn't know how to appreciate kindness."

Huang Xie chuckled: "I'm just a carefree wanderer, writing a few lines for amusement. Why bother with such a serious matter?"

His gaze swept over the copy of "Ode to the Sword" on the desk and landed on the last paragraph.

It read: "...Finally reaching the spirit of the Hanging Garden, cutting the jade peak of Kunlun as the handle, the peach pattern locking in the mist and clouds, the jade pool water tempering the frost blade. Pointing to the garden of the Queen Mother of the West, severing the ladder of banished immortals and mortals. Where is the Hanging Garden of Kunlun now? He who ascends this sword will instantly witness all the spring of the human world!"

When he saw the line "Those who wield this sword will instantly witness the spring of the human world," a pang of unease shot through his heart.

Judging from Huang Xie's expression, Li Yuan knew that Huang Xie still harbored resentment towards Song Yu.

Saying he doesn't care is just lip service.

Deep down, I still feel quite unhappy about Song Yu's refusal to give me a thousand pieces of gold for a poem back then.

Li Yuan had known Huang Xie for many years and knew him well.

This is not a magnanimous person.

He then thought of a recent piece of news he had written, and lowered his voice to say to Huang Xie, "I've heard that this fifth sword, 'Spirit of the Hanging Garden,' contains immense vitality and has the effect of prolonging life. It will be auctioned outside the city soon. If I could present it to His Majesty..."

Huang Xie tapped his knuckles silently on the sandalwood table, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

After a long silence, he finally said to Li Yuan, "Since this sword is rumored to be so miraculous, then you should go and buy it back!"

"If it can really cure the king's illness, that would be a good thing."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan nodded.

After Li Yuan left, Huang Xie watched his departing figure, and his expression suddenly turned gloomy.

Although the current King of Chu was brought back from Qin by him and placed on the throne by him.

But that doesn't mean he couldn't bear to see the other person die.

In recent years, his relationship with the King of Chu has actually deteriorated to an extreme degree.

The King of Chu wanted to seize his power, but he turned the tables and sidelined the King of Chu.

He knew that, given the chance, the King of Chu, lying on his bed, would certainly not want him to continue wielding absolute power in the Chu Kingdom.

Therefore, rather than saving the King of Chu.

Huang Xie hoped that the King of Chu would die as soon as possible!

Huang Xie did not believe Li Yuan's claim about the sword that could prolong life.

Even if it truly exists, that sword should not belong to the King of Chu.

After all, as people get older and their health declines, they should make way for younger people.

Huang Xie had placed all his hopes on the new emperor.

……

Because of Song Yu's "Ode to the Sword," a storm was brewing and undercurrents were stirring in Shouchun City.

However, it must be said that the celebrity effect is indeed very effective.

The reputation of the Qianlong Hall Auction has already been established.

On the day of the auction, the road in front of Qianlong Hall was jammed with carriages and horses. The carriages with blue curtains were lined up one after another, and the Grand Master Pei Yu and the masked knights stood side by side.

Everyone came for the "Sword Ode," and even more so for the line "In a moment, one can see all the spring in the world."

Chapter 102 A Gathering of Powerful and Wealthy Individuals

"Qu, Jing, Zhao!"

"The three major clans of Chu have actually gathered here..."

"And the banner of the Xiang clan!"

"Look, isn't that Li Yuan, a disciple of the Prime Minister? He actually came in person!"