In modern times, Xiao Rong never engaged in artistic activities like making tea by the stove to prove he wasn’t an absolute “little zero.” Now, in ancient times, he couldn’t avoid it because it was the only entertainment he could afford.

 

This tea was different from modern tea. Instead of boiling water first and then steeping tea leaves, they threw tea leaves, spices, and dried fruits into the pot to boil together.

 

Once the water turned dark, it was ready to be scooped out and drunk. As for the taste… having any taste at all was good enough, it wasn’t worth thinking about whether it was delicious or not.

 

In this era, civilization was quite advanced, and most inventions already existed. However, they were monopolized by aristocratic families and clans, and only enjoyed by themselves, their allies, and those they married into. Ordinary people had no access to them.

 

On Xiao Rong’s first day here, it was midsummer. He didn’t have to worry about freezing, but he was hungry, and solving that wasn’t easy. Between risking stealing a bun and interacting with locals, Xiao Rong reluctantly chose the latter.

 

He earned his first bit of money by observing passersby and following a servant to a wealthy household. He pretended to be a wandering scholar who had lost his belongings and sold a recipe for a sauce to the household head.

 

The sauce was simply the sweet bean paste known to everyone in the future. To persuade the wealthy old man, Xiao Rong personally cooked an extremely greasy roast meat feast. Sweet bean paste was originally for roast duck, but after the Huns people invaded, the Central Plains’ recipes changed. Now, lamb and pork were most commonly eaten, and only wealthy people like the old man could afford beef for every meal.

 

Though the sweet bean paste was simple to make, it lacked one ingredient—oyster sauce. However, since the old man was used to herbal meals, the paste was impressive enough without it. Sweet bean paste countered the greasiness, and combined with the crispy, juicy roast meat, it became a unique dish. After tasting the sauce, the old man’s eyes flashed with excitement, but he slowly put down his chopsticks, looking displeased.

 

Xiao Rong understood that he wanted to haggle.

 

Sure enough, the old man then began a scholarly monologue, essentially saying the sauce wasn’t that great and not worth buying, but out of pity for Xiao Rong’s youth and misfortune, he would buy it as a charitable act.

 

As the old man spoke, Xiao Rong’s expression darkened. When the old man finally named his price, Xiao Rong suddenly placed his hand on his sword, drawing it partway with a clang.

 

The old man was speechless.

 

After a heated negotiation, Xiao Rong sold the recipe for twice the old man’s price plus an additional zero. The old man wanted to pay him in small coins, but Xiao Rong insisted on silver ingots. Even without knowing the local prices, Xiao Rong knew copper coins varied widely in value, but gold and silver retained their worth. 

 

With the transaction complete, the old man demanded Xiao Rong sign a document stating he wouldn’t use or sell the recipe again, threatening to report him to the authorities if he did.

 

Xiao Rong agreed. Once outside, both Xiao Rong and the old man wore smug expressions, each thinking they had the better deal.

 

The old man believed Xiao Rong was foolish, thinking the recipe could easily fetch a much higher price and ensure his family’s wealth for generations.

 

Xiao Rong, on the other hand, planned to publish the recipe and another one for oyster sauce once he established himself with the Northern Border Army.

 

After six months, Xiao Rong had spent almost all the silver, with only one and a half ingots left. If Jian Qiao didn’t come to find him soon, he might have to sell another recipe to a wealthy family. When General Jian called for nearly a quarter-hour, Xiao Rong finally relented and had Ah Shu open the door.

 

General Jian practically stumbled in, immediately kneeling in a military stance before Xiao Rong, hands clasped above his head.

 

“Master Xiao! Jian Qiao failed to recognize a great talent and mistook you for an ordinary scholar! Thanks to your guidance, we avoided a disaster in Changan. Please accompany me to Yanmen County. The King of the North needs talents like you. I implore you to help us!”

 

Ah Shu widened his eyes. Though he’d always believed his Master was extraordinary, seeing a general like Jian Qiao so respectful still shocked and impressed him.

 

Time ticked by, and Jian Qiao glanced up, seeing Xiao Rong’s indifferent face.

 

Jian Qiao’s heart trembled. From the moment he received the news of the Xianbei sneak attack from his personal soldiers, he knew he’d made a grave mistake. This is all because of his error. Letting a talent like this slip away was unbearable for Gao Xunzhi. Not only did he want to kill Jian Qiao himself, but Jian Qiao also felt like killing himself.

 

The Northern Border Army desperately needed a strategist! It was all his fault, and his fault alone.

 

Jian Qiao could no longer hide his emotions. He looked directly at Xiao Rong, almost on the verge of tears. Just as he was about to plead further, Xiao Rong sighed, made an expression of reluctant acceptance, and then, with a gentle smile, tilted his head and said, “Alright.”

 

Jian Qiao was stunned. He stupidly asked, “What did you say?”

 

The sky seemed clear just a moment ago, but upon hearing Jian Qiao’s question, Xiao Rong’s face darkened as if offended. “I said alright. What, have you changed your mind, General?”

 

Jian Qiao quickly shook his head. After that, Xiao Rong smiled again. “Then we will leave tomorrow. Let me pack my things tonight. How about that, General?”

 

Jian Qiao dared not say a word, nor did he dare to nod too vigorously, fearing Xiao Rong might change his mind again.

 

With the arrangements made, Jian Qiao swiftly exited. Once he was gone, Xiao Rong couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, rolling around on the bed.

 

Ah Shu stood aside silently, the admiration in his heart slowly fading, leaving only a sense of resignation.

 

…

 

Ah Shu quietly began to pack. He picked up the sword hanging on the wall. Seeing this, Xiao Rong quickly sat up. “Give me the sword. I will carry it myself.”

 

When Xiao Rong arrived, he didn’t have many possessions. This sword was one of the few things he could carry with him.

 

Ah Shu handed the sword to him, noticing how Xiao Rong treasured it. He suggested, “Master, why don’t we find a blacksmith to sharpen it?”

 

Having worked for the Xiao family from a young age, Ah Shu had seen a lot, but he had never seen a weapon that wasn’t sharpened.

 

On their journey, they had encountered bandits several times and Xiao Rong had used this unsharpened sword to scare them off. The sword’s intricate craftsmanship indicated it belonged either to a top-tier family or a top-tier swordsman—both of whom the bandits wouldn’t dare provoke. One could only imagine the bandits’ reactions if they found out the sword wasn’t sharpened.

 

Xiao Rong refused without a second thought. “No sharpening.”

 

Ah Shu was puzzled, “Why not?”

 

Xiao Rong replied, “Ordinary blacksmiths aren’t worthy of this sword’s craftsmanship.”

 

After all, it was a masterpiece by a world-renowned swordsmith from 1,500 years in the future. The sword was worth 300,000, and that was a friendly price because the Dean knew the Master. If an inferior blacksmith caused any damage, Xiao Rong feared the Dean would haunt his dreams in tears.

Although the Dean might have already cried when the sword disappeared along with Xiao Rong.

 

…

 

The next day, Xiao Rong sluggishly left the inn under Ah Shu’s watchful eye. The feeling of being light as a feather had disappeared.

 

It wasn’t because Qu Yunmei had done something despicable again. This was Xiao Rong’s normal state before Qu Yunmei became emperor—weak and heavy-bodied. When Qu Yunmei did good deeds, Xiao Rong felt better, when Qu Yunmei did bad deeds, Xiao Rong felt worse.

 

With recent experiences, Xiao Rong was now very eager to help Qu Yunmei. He missed the times when he could jump around energetically.

 

Yesterday he had deliberately scared General Jian, but today, lacking energy, he didn’t even think about scaring people, appearing much more subdued.

 

However, General Jian, having been bitten once, was now overly cautious and treated him with the utmost respect. Jian Qiao even arranged a carriage for Xiao Rong. After Ah Shu helped him aboard, the carriage set off.

 

Bored, Xiao Rong chatted with Ah Shu.

 

“People say the Northern Border Army is ruthless, but I think they are rather simple-minded.”

 

Ah Shu asked, “Why do you say that, Master?”

 

Xiao Rong shrugged, “If it were me, upon receiving such a secret message and then seeing it come true, I wouldn’t immediately believe in someone’s supernatural abilities. I’d suspect a trap, a mole in the army, and that the sender might be the mole’s accomplice trying to lure us into an ambush.”

 

Ah Shu was silent for a moment before replying, “Luckily, the Northern Border Army isn’t as suspicious as you, Master.”

 

Xiao Rong retorted, “It’s called being cautious.”

 

Ah Shu chuckled, thinking to himself, ‘It’s just being paranoid.’ Luckily, there were few like Xiao Rong. One could hardly find another in the northern region even with a lantern.

 

…

 

Meanwhile, in the army camp at Anding City.

 

Before leaving, Jian Qiao had taken leave from Gao Xunzhi. He left in a hurry, but he had left a personal soldier to explain everything to Gao Xunzhi. Upon hearing the story, Gao Xunzhi immediately…

 

Gao Xunzhi’s face lit up with joy.

 

“Is this really true?!

 

“Ah, this is indeed a blessing for our Northern Border Army and our great King, and he’s a scholar too! How rare and precious!”

 

Seeing his happiness, the soldier felt pleased as well and continued, “Moreover, Master Gao, this Master Xiao is from the Xiao family of Linchuan. The General said that the Xiao family of Linchuan is a second-class family!”

 

Gao Xunzhi nodded while stroking his beard. “Indeed.”

 

The ranking of noble families had changed over time. The last change was sixty-five years ago, when the Yong dynasty was established.

 

The founding emperor of Yong elevated his own family to the first rank, granted three other families that contributed to his rise the secondary first rank, and demoted the original first-rank families to the second rank.

 

This meant that the Xiao family had a deep heritage, with many notable ancestors. Although Gao Xunzhi was a scholar, he wasn’t from a noble family. He was from a humble background. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have ended up at Yanmen Pass and become associated with the Northern Border Army.

 

The army had expanded its forces, but talented people were as rare as phoenix feathers. Before Xiao Rong came, the only noteworthy advisor under the King of the North was a scholar named Yu, whose background wasn’t as prestigious as Xiao Rong’s and who lacked the King’s trust.

 

Gao Xunzhi couldn’t help but clench his fist in excitement.

 

With Xiao Rong’s arrival, the awkward situation was resolved, and they would no longer be looked down upon by the southern faction. Gao Xunzhi immediately wanted to inform Qu Yunmei of the good news. The soldier quickly stopped him and then informed him about the six conditions Xiao Rong had imposed.

 

Gao Xunzhi: “….”

 

Who taught you to deliver good news before bad news?

 

After a brief moment of joy, Gao Xunzhi started worrying again. He spent the night pondering how to get Qu Yunmei to accept Xiao Rong but came up with nothing better than Jian Qiao’s old approach.

First, the good news, then the bad news.

 

…

 

He didn’t mention the six conditions imposed by Xiao Rong. Instead, he went to the main tent and reported that the hero behind the recent great victory was Xiao Rong.

 

It was just after dawn, and Qu Yunmei, as usual, was practicing with his long sword, hacking two wooden stakes to pieces before doing anything else. Gao Xunzhi was accustomed to this and knew it wouldn’t interrupt his report.

 

After listening to the report, Qu Yunmei slashed down fiercely, splitting the already battered wooden stake.

 

He then stood upright, the tip of his long sword touching the ground, and turned around. Under the same spring sun, Xiao Rong needed warm tea by the stove to feel comfortable, while Qu Yunmei was dressed in a single layer, his robe slightly open revealing chest, sweat trickling down his neck, over his honey-colored chest, and being absorbed by his clothes.

 

Even though Gao Xunzhi had watched him grow up, he still instinctively felt a need to avoid Qu Yunmei’s sharp edge.

 

He stood silently, a yard away from Qu Yunmei.

 

After a moment of breathing, Qu Yunmei sneered, “Is this what you believe, sir?”

 

Gao Xunzhi was taken aback. “Does the King see any problem?”

 

Qu Yunmei said, “If someone could know the world’s affairs just by divination, why hasn’t this world fallen into Xiao Rong’s hands? To me, it seems more likely that he’s involved in a larger plot. Maybe it’s a trap, or he became a traitor’s traitor at the last minute. If he hadn’t turned, we’d be fish in a barrel. Would you trust such a double-dealer, sir?”

 

Gao Xunzhi: “…”

 

It’s precisely because of your groundless mistrust of good people that we have no capable advisors here!

 

How could anyone think this way? The Xianbei lost 30,000 men with countless wounded, and who knows how many more in Yizhou. Xiao Rong was an obscure figure, how could he orchestrate such a massive scheme alone? Moreover, are the Xianbei so foolish as to sacrifice so many lives just to infiltrate our ranks?

 

However, Qu Yunmei was like this. For those he didn’t trust, no amount of suspicion was too much. After a long silence, Gao Xunzhi said, “The King’s reasoning is sound, but it’s only a conjecture. If Xiao Rong truly possesses such skills and is friendly to our army, driving him away rashly might result in him serving someone else, which would be a loss for us. I suggest we enlist him and observe. If there are issues, we can deal with them later.”

 

Qu Yunmei glanced at him and agreed. “Alright.”

 

Gao Xunzhi was pleased, but then he heard Qu Yunmei ask, “Where is this Xiao Rong now?”

 

Gao Xunzhi didn’t understand the reason for this question but answered, “General Jian went to fetch him. He should be brought back to Yanmen County and placed near the royal palace.”

 

Qu Yunmei said, “Good. I’ll leave all matters here to you. I’ll return to see what’s special about this man. If he’s a fraud—”

 

With a wave, a guard brought Qu Yunmei his horse. He mounted smoothly and looked down at Gao Xunzhi with a cold smile.

 

“I’ll bring back his head as a snack for you.”

 

Gao Xunzhi: “…”

 

In the blink of an eye, Qu Yunmei rode off. Gao Xunzhi watched his figure disappear into the distance, then closed his eyes in despair.

 

Now he could only hope that when the King arrived, it would be dark. In the dim light, with his features unclear, at least two of those six conditions might be overlooked…

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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