Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 57 A Feng Shui Treasure Land on the Outskirts of the County

But that's how businessmen are; acting is a sign of respect for both parties.

After a vivid and expressive performance, he took out the box, which contained the Ji Family Merchant Guild's flying banknotes, or silver notes.

It's not that Xu Xuan is inexperienced; none of his current monthly salary or projects involve this kind of thing.

Moreover, I never expected that commerce had become so advanced during this period that even paper vouchers like these had been invented.

But thinking about it, in a world where gods and demons exist, it's not surprising that this happened.

I glanced at the numbers above, wow!
This is a completely new experience, unlike anything I've ever had in my life or my past life.

He remained unmoved; he appreciated the academy's monthly stipend, not just the fifty taels of silver.

So he refused outright, no matter what reasons his father gave.

What do you and I know that Heaven and Earth don't know?

They then directly rejected the land deed they presented.

Mr. Xu has a small courtyard in Qiantang County, and there is also a private courtyard (Yi San Yuan) in the academy, making a total of two courtyards, which is already quite satisfactory.

This firm attitude made Ji's father understand that money could not sway people's hearts.

So he clapped his hands.

They then brought out several beautiful women, hoping to persuade the other party by offering the scholar's favorite phrase: "a beautiful woman to keep him company."

Xu Xuan's refusal was even more straightforward.

The women from Jiangnan were indeed quite beautiful, and they also had a scholarly air about them; it was clear that a lot of money had been spent on their upbringing.

However, she was far inferior in appearance to Xiaoqing, whom I had seen last night, and she had no spiritual aura at all.

They can be so ruthless as to kick such a beautiful woman away with a single kick. For these people to try to sway a Buddhist disciple is an impossible task.

Ji's father was secretly amazed; this man's mental fortitude was rarely seen in the world.

But it also stirred up a bit of competitive spirit.

Four treasure boxes were brought over, which seemed to suggest a test of one's Zen mind by indulging in wine, women, wealth, and power.

The first box was opened, and there lay a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) lying there quietly, as if it had stood for a long time.

The ethereal aura spread out, making it seem as if one could hear celestial music.

Xu Xuan first let out a soft "hmm," then couldn't help but move closer to examine it more closely.

Music was a compulsory course at Chongqi Academy, and he had studied with his teacher for several months. With the memories of his predecessor, he was quite interested in the way of the zither.

Upon closer inspection, this zither is entirely black with a subtle, ethereal green hue, resembling green vines entwined around ancient wood.

All seven strings remain, and an inscription inside the zither reads: "The essence of paulownia and catalpa combined."

"The Green Jade is one of the four famous zithers."

"Instructor Xu has a good eye."

The origin of this zither is extraordinary.

Sima Xiangru originally came from a poor family, owning only four bare walls, but his poetry and prose were extremely famous. The King of Liang, having heard of his reputation, asked him to compose a poem, and Xiangru wrote "Ode to Jade" as a gift. This poem was exquisitely written and possessed extraordinary charm. The King of Liang was extremely pleased and reciprocated by gifting him his own prized "Green Jade" zither.

Of course, this zither is most famous for its rendition of "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate," which attracted Zhuo Wenjun and became a timeless tale.

In my spiritual perception, I can vaguely see phoenixes flying and zithers playing in harmony. This is the mark left by the literati legend, which can almost be considered a rare treasure.

If Professor Shi were there, he would take off his coat, put on a pair of twill, and start acting wildly. Of course, after he had his fun, he would calmly put his clothes back on and leave.

The professor once said that it is the emotion and soul in the music that makes a famous instrument, not that you can play an instrument with emotion simply by holding it.

Xu Xuan agreed wholeheartedly and still refused.

The second item is interesting; it belongs to Xie Yu's ancestors.

Herbal and Plant Manual

General Xie An played chess while strategizing during the Battle of Fei River, ultimately achieving a great victory.

This battle, where a smaller force defeated a larger one, subtly embodies the principles of chess strategy and tactics, hence it is known as the "Treatise on Plants and Trees".

Xu Xuan refused, but if he wanted more, he could ask Xie Yu to go home and bring back a few copies.

The third item is Wang Xun's "Bo Yuan Tie", which can be called a masterpiece of calligraphy.

The fourth item is a copy of the "Nymph of the Luo River" painting. This is a bit far-fetched; it's hard to say whether the Nymph of the Luo River was in the Jin Dynasty.

In short, the four treasures of qin (a stringed instrument), chess, calligraphy, and painting broadened Xu Xuan's horizons.

They also realized that this time, Ji's father was using a sophisticated form of bribery, and it was highly targeted.

An ordinary scholar could easily have mastered any of these skills. Unfortunately...
I may like it, but I can't have it.

Compared to one's own path, these are all external things.

After satisfying his visual cravings, Xu Xuan left the room empty-handed without a trace of regret.

The true way to do good is to be still and inactive, to speak appropriately and without being tempted, to follow one's nature and preserve one's true self, and to remain unchanged. This is the attitude of seeking truth in spiritual practice.

And then he looked back at the room.

The Ji family even has a cultivator as a patron. Although he has not entered the Dao and does not practice any profound methods, he is still quite remarkable.

No wonder Ji Rui was immediately summoned home after Master Li's incident.

It is indeed no easy feat to sit in the top position of the Chamber of Commerce of seven provinces.

After Xu Xuan left, Ji's father invited someone out from behind the screen.

He wore a black Taoist robe and a Qing Dynasty-style crown. His face was as white as jade, his eyes were of an unusual color, and he held three thousand silver threads in his hands. He was indeed a highly accomplished Taoist master.

This person had a cold and arrogant expression, as if he didn't care about anything in the world.

"Master Mao, I'm sorry to trouble you to guard these mundane things."

"It doesn't matter."

"What do you think of Xu Xuan just now?"

Ji's father felt that Xu Xuan was not human.

Considering what the other party did in Qiantang County, this speculation is not unreasonable.

The Taoist priest was getting impatient. When his old friend had guts, he really did. He could use large sums of money, rare treasures, and precious medicinal herbs to win him over and make him pay for his services.

When he's cautious, he's truly cautious; even a lowly scholar has to come and see for himself.

"Hearing that he was slaying demons and monsters in Qiantang, I thought he was a fellow practitioner, but now it seems he is just an ordinary scholar."

"Although one may have morality in one's heart, after a hundred years one will only be a handful of dust."

After saying that, he left and returned to his quiet room to continue his arduous cultivation of the Great Dao.

Then Ji's father spoke to his son.

"Now I have some faith that you were admitted to Chongqi Academy based on your own talent and learning."

"Father, didn't you believe it at all before?"

"Have some faith."

The old father's subtle but decisive move.

"Then why do you believe it now?"

"Because Xu Hanwen is very 'genuine,' such a person would not stoop to lying to me."

The astute merchant had already discerned something and was proud of his son.

"By the way, this person is approachable, but not a close friend."

"Why is that, Brother Hanwen? Isn't Instructor Xu's character admirable?"

Ji's father looked at him with a disappointed expression.

"You, a scholar who doesn't care about money, fame, or women, and doesn't even value rare treasures, what does he want to do?"

"Whatever he wants to do is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Sometimes I think he is even more extraordinary than the Taoist priest we worship at home."

"With your limited abilities, how could you possibly escape unscathed if you got involved?"

Ji's father's efforts to teach his son were not going very smoothly, because Ji Rui was a very honest person and really disobedient.

The next day, Xu Xuan opened the courtyard gate and prepared to return to the academy.

He paused as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, then casually went to the street to buy some things, and went into the pharmacy as he passed by.

A moment later, he carried a cloth bag and walked toward the city gate.

"Master Xu, let's go back to the academy. Take my carriage."

"No, no, I have a classmate waiting for me outside the city."

After leaving the city, he looked at the weeds that were taller than a person all around and shook his head helplessly.

The outskirts of Qiantang County are truly a blessed land.

(End of this chapter)