Proofreader/Editor:
Nene Yashiro

Ways To Make Money

In the early morning, after several months had passed, Tang Jiwei’s leg had healed significantly. He could now go to the market for some soy sauce or vinegar, and Madam Xiaofelt a bit more at ease.

Tang Jiwei emerged from the alley onto the main street. The bustling scene before him was unfamiliar; he had been blinded for too long, trapped in a splendid cage, and how could he step out to see other views now?

Vendors peddled their products, and the shops of all sizes bustled with activity, portraying a scene of prosperity where common folk lived in peace. The existence of such a reality indicated that he wasn’t entirely at fault. After all his painstaking efforts and the sacrifices that he made, at least he didn’t end up backing a foolish emperor.

As he looked around at the shops, Tang Jiwei searched earnestly, going through each one. Finally, he found a store at the end of the street near the Weihe River ^[1] Weihe River-also known as Wei River is a major river in China’s Shaanxu and Gaansu Provinces. The Weihe River divided the capital into three parts: on the east side lived officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants, while the west side was inhabited by common people. Even the commoners were divided by the river’s bends, with the north side being comparatively wealthier than the south. Tang Jiwei had an aunt who had married into a family on the north side, and she was still talked about by the neighbors.

“Brother, what are you looking for?” The shopkeeper’s assistant immediately came out to greet him upon noticing. The assistants in these shops had keen eyes; they could tell who someone was just by their demeanor and attire. Naturally, the items they recommended would vary based on who walked in.

Tang Jiwei wore a white robe that Madam Xiao had washed to perfection, clean but somewhat faded. However, his demeanor was impressive, and the assistant didn’t dare to offend him, respectfully inviting him in.

“Is the shopkeeper here?”

The assistant bowed apologetically, saying,“Unfortunately, the shopkeeper isn’t here at the moment. Please have a look around, and I’ll check in the back for him.”

Tang Jiwei was unfamiliar with the rules of such shops; it wasn’t easy for a regular customer to meet the shopkeeper. The assistant was merely trying to appease him and provide a polite exit. However, Tang Jiwei was perceptive and realized that given his current humble status, the assistant was just trying to smooth things over.

“Wait, do you have paper and ink? Give it to me; I’ll write something that you can take to your shopkeeper.”

Tang Jiwei’s tone was neither humble nor arrogant, which contrasted with his appearance and made it hard for anyone to refuse. The assistant had been in the business for years but wasn’t a match for him, as his demeanor and tone revealed his lower status.

“Alright, please wait.”

Tang Jiwei—no, more accurately, Gu Zhenguan—was skilled at imitating the calligraphy of various masters. He could produce works that were nearly indistinguishable from genuine pieces and had spent years copying authentic pieces from the Prime Minister’s residence, allowing him to create original works from memory.

As he put pen to paper, it became clear to everyone in the shop that this was an extraordinary person. Perhaps he was a once-great nobleman who had fallen on hard times, which was quite normal for someone of his status—scholars often held themselves aloof, and it was commonplace for them to be suppressed by the powerful.

“Please wait; I’ll call the shopkeeper right away.”

Tang Jiwei nodded, then browsed through the shop’s offerings. He looked around and noted that whether it was calligraphy or paintings, they were all forgeries ^[2]Forgeries/Forgery- an illegal act of imitating or altering an artwork, document or object. They were also rather crude, with glaring flaws that any discerning eye could catch. It was evident that this art shop was not run by true experts; it merely catered to ordinary folks wanting decorations for their homes or tried to fool merchants who didn’t understand art into thinking they were acquiring something of value.

An elderly man with a cheerful demeanor emerged from the back room, clasping his hands and saying, “Welcome to my humble shop! You must be a student of Zheng Daozi ^[3]Zheng Daozi- a Chinese Calligrapher and Painter during the Tang Dynasty, right? He’s over eighty now; how is his condition? I still have some of his genuine works here!”

Tang Jiwei was well-versed in the art of conversation. He smiled and replied, “I don’t know Zheng Daozi, but I’m quite clear on what the shopkeeper desires.”

The shopkeeper’s face turned red; he had never encountered such bluntness before. He could only step aside and say, “Please, come inside; let’s discuss further.”

Tang Jiwei’s goal was straightforward. He would create forgeries for this art shop, charging according to the renown of the artists he imitated. He wouldn’t disclose his identity and would communicate directly with the shopkeeper. He would take note of the items requested, then deliver them within three days, taking a deposit upfront and collecting the remaining balance upon delivery.

“With your talent, you could certainly establish a name for yourself in the art world. Why would you settle for my humble shop?” Though the shopkeeper was intrigued by the golden opportunity, he had to be cautious. In business, one needed to be wary, as good fortune could quickly turn to misfortune. Countless people had lost everything in this line of work.

“Rest assured, I am a scholar who prefers to stay out of the limelight. If it weren’t for my ailing mother and my father’s early death, I wouldn’t go against a scholar’s conscience!” Tang Jiwei spoke with righteous indignation, expressing a forced sentiment that left the shopkeeper half-convinced yet willing to agree.

“I have a customer here who wants Zheng Daozi’s ‘Chang Ge Xing’ ^[4] Chang Ge Xing- a renowned Chinese calligraphy piece by Zheng Daozi from the Tang Dynasty. You can take this order for now; deliver it in three days, and I will pay you in full at that time. How does that sound? Don’t blame me for being cautious; business is tough these days. What do you think?” The shopkeeper said, trembling. He didn’t want to let go of this money-making opportunity but was also wary of being taken advantage of, so he hesitated over this plan.

“That is an ideal solution. I’ll be back in three days,” Tang Jiwei replied as he stood up to take his leave.

Finding a way to make money lightened his heart considerably. He had been using Madam Xiao’s hard-earned money at home; although she wasn’t his biological mother, his feelings of concern for an elder had made him feel guilty enough.

Gu Zhenguan was no longer the naive child like Tang Jiwei who only knew how to study. His heart had matured early, making him understand the responsibility he needed to shoulder. Since he occupied someone else’s body, it was only natural to repay the mother who raised him.

As he walked past a place where notices were posted, he casually glanced and felt his blood run cold, nearly choking on his breath.

“The Gu family has committed treason; the eldest son is sentenced to death. All males over sixteen are conscripted into the army, and females over fourteen are to become government courtesans; the rest will be exiled to the borders.”

The content of the imperial decree brought Gu Zhenguan back to that dark place, the suffocating sensation of being choked creeping back into his throat. Memories of the past flashed before his eyes: Han Zhen’s cold eyes, the scornful tones of the court officials, the grievances of his parents that couldn’t be spoken of, and the pain of being whipped—all returned to him.

Could he not live this life peacefully even if he had a second chance?

‘Han Zhen, does the Gu family really owe you anything? Even with everything you have gained, can you not spare my parents?’

‘You are so heartless and ungrateful! If I really died, would this be how you repay your benefactor? That brother who once shared wine and revelry with such passion only sought to exterminate the Gu family!’

Gu Zhenguan gripped the vinegar jar, the flames of hatred burning in his eyes nearly consuming him.

‘You took everything from me, yet it was still far from enough.’

‘The kingdom and I, it turns out, were never a dilemma you hesitated over.’

==============================

Author’s Note: In the main story, the two characters do not clash, so let’s have a cute little scene here!

Little Theatre

Little Prince: “Gu Zhenguan, you’re pretending to be poor again!”

Young Master: “I don’t mind having too much money!”

Little Prince: “But you’ve never shared any with me!”

Young Master: “Have you forgotten? You still owe me a life!”

Little Prince runs away crying…