The Great Wei Music Bureau

Chapter 15 Old Silver Coin

Last time we talked about Li Yi coming to Shangjing City and being turned away at Juxian Hall. By the way, he delivered Fang Zhuo's two letters to the Shuide layman Tao Zhongwen. Let us continue to read on and see how the story will develop.

Tao Zhongwen asked Li Yi: "Mr. Li, I see that you have reached the eighth level of Confucianism and self-cultivation. It is rare for someone to reach this level at such a young age. I value talent, and I wonder if you are willing to join my treacherous path?"

Li Yi thought: Trickster? Playing tricks all day long? I don't want that. I have no interest in scheming people! Fang Zhuo is a big silver coin. You old man is his master, so I have to call you old silver coin! I am a commoner with no one to rely on. If I get involved with you, I am afraid that you will swindle me to death without leaving any bones!

Thinking of this, Li Yi said, "Master Shuide, thank you for your kindness. I have always followed my heart and do not want to be bound by any constraints. I am not interested in a career in government. If I become your disciple, I am afraid that I will bring disgrace to your reputation."

Tao Zhongwen said seriously, "Mr. Li, you think that I am a cunning person, and I am not upright enough because I use many shady tricks." Li Yi was shocked. Could it be that this old man could see through his thoughts? Tao Zhongwen continued, "Things in the world are not either this or that. Those who use conspiracies and tricks are villains?"

Li Yi clasped his fists and bowed, "Sir, you misunderstood. I don't think so."

Tao Zhongwen stretched out his hand to interrupt Li Yi, stood up, and said in the hall: "Master Li, is it wrong to use conspiracy and trickery against the enemy? Why can conspiracy and trickery be used in marching and fighting? Can it be explained by the saying that all is fair in war? No, trickery is also recognized by heaven. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The oriole is also using trickery, is it wrong? Master, please don't misunderstand our lineage."

Li Yi stood up and saluted, saying, "Sir, you are too polite. I don't think there is anything wrong with the Way of Tricksters. In this world, existence is reasonable. I don't want to join the Way of Tricksters because I have no intention of scheming and just want to live a free life."

Tao Zhongwen said: "Oh? If so, then I won't force you. I just think that Master Li is kind-hearted. Saving Miss Xiao Ye'er in Qing'an City was kind, and helping the young man just now was also kind. A kind person like you, I'm afraid, can't live a carefree life in this world."

Li Yi said with a smile, "Sir, you are too serious. I just can't stand some things and some sufferings. I just follow my heart and don't intend to do good." Tao Zhongwen said with a smile, "I practice Taoism to make good connections. Sir, if you do more good deeds, you will definitely have good connections in the future." Li Yi replied, "I don't think so much, but do good things without worrying about the future."

Tao Zhongwen laughed and stroked his beard, "Great! Great quote. Just do good things and don't worry about the future. If you do good things for the sake of good karma, it is not a good deed. If you seek good karma for the sake of good results, it is not good karma. Master Li, since I started practicing Taoism, I have been looking for good people and making good connections, intending to seek good results. After hearing what you said, it seems that all these years have been in vain."

Li Yi hurriedly explained: "Sir, you are a great kind person. As the saying goes, the highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without contention. You have such a profound virtue. I have neither your virtue nor your ability. I cannot be a great kind person. All I ask of myself is to do good deeds no matter how small they are, and not to do bad deeds no matter how small they are." As soon as Li Yi finished speaking, he felt that his body was surrounded by purple air, and a powerful and righteous energy broke through the air and poured directly into his body. In a moment, he felt a great sense of heroism in his chest, his ears and eyes were sharp, and his thoughts were clear.

Am I promoted to the seventh rank? The seventh rank of Confucianism to cultivate Qi? Li Yi felt the changes in himself and thought: I didn't expect that famous aphorisms could have such an effect? ​​What is this feeling? It feels like I got something for free! I have never gotten anything for free in my previous life or this life! This feeling is so good! This is the feeling! So good!

The Shuide Layman who witnessed everything interrupted Li Yi's thoughts. Tao Zhongwen said three wonderful words in a row, "Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, it's really wonderful. What a good saying, 'The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without contention.' What a good saying, 'Do not refrain from doing good deeds even if they are small, and do not do evil deeds even if they are small. Young master is indeed extraordinary. With these two mottos, he was promoted to the seventh rank. It's really good! Great good! I congratulate you!"

Li Yi returned the greeting and said, "I have to thank you for reaching the seventh rank here. Without your guidance, I am afraid I would not have been able to say what I said just now."

Tao Zhongwen felt proud when he heard this. His ordinary words actually had the effect of inspiring others. He laughed and said, "Great! Wonderful! I call myself the Water Virtue Hermit. Can you give me your saying, 'The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without contending?'"

"I was inspired by what you said, so I'll give it to you." Li Yi just finished speaking when Shuide Lay Buddhist grabbed a purple-gold brush out of thin air and wrote four golden characters "The highest virtue is like water" in the air with his righteous spirit. The old man raised his hand and shouted "Go!" The four golden characters turned into a plaque hanging in the hall. In an instant, the whole teahouse was filled with purple air, as if all the objects in the building were sublimated. Shuide Lay Buddhist looked around with a satisfied smile on his face, "Thank you, sir. I have benefited a lot today!"

Li Yi was stunned by what had just happened, thinking, what the hell, what's going on? Is this magic? What the hell is this old man? Shuide looked at Li Yi standing there in a daze and said with a smile: "Young Master, you have just entered the seventh rank, it is normal that you have never seen such a scene. This is just the words of the fourth rank of Confucianism. Don't panic."

What the hell? Say what you want, and the law follows? You just shouted "go" and a golden plaque appeared. This is clearly according to your ideas, whatever you want! Confucianism! Is this cheating? Won't this kind of operation be reported? Can this Confucian fourth-rank person fight with just his mouth? Can he kill his opponent with just his mouth? Mouth-to-mouth?

Li Yi thought so, and felt that the old man was emitting an aura of "I am a cheater, come and beat me!", and his heart was filled with shock and envy. At this time, Li Yi was a country bumpkin, who had never seen the world and did not know the ranks and advantages and disadvantages of the various families in this world.

Tao Zhongwen looked at Li Yi and said with a smile, "Mr. Li, your surname is Li and your name is Yi. Great! Yi means to spread your wings and fly high. It seems that Mr. Li has both lofty ambitions and amazing talents!" "Sir, you are too kind. I am a humble person and I don't have lofty ambitions, let alone amazing talents." "Mr. Li, you are too modest. I want to know if you have a given name?"

Li Yi bowed and said, "As I said before, I am a nobody and my words are not taken seriously. I don't know any famous people, so I have never asked for calligraphy from a great person." In this world, only people who have entered the rank can have calligraphy. Being able to ask for calligraphy from a person of high moral character and profound knowledge is also a kind of recognition. "In this case, I just shamelessly asked for the golden words from you. If I don't return the favor, it would be a loss of etiquette! How about I give you the calligraphy?"

Since Master Shuide has spoken, I can't help but give him this favor. Maybe there will be other gains! Thinking of this, Li Yi bowed and replied, "I am very grateful to Master Shuide for giving me calligraphy. May I ask what calligraphy you gave me?"

"Mr. Li should follow his true heart and do good deeds, and I should follow my true intention and make good connections. Although fate is determined by heaven, and we are destined to meet today, if Mr. Li has not cultivated real talents and knowledge, you and I will only be a distant relative. Therefore, the words I gave to you are the words 'cultivate fate'."

As Li Yi listened to "Fate is Destined", an old song from his previous life suddenly rang in his mind, "30% is determined by fate, 70% depends on hard work, only those who work hard can win." He hummed along with the tune in his mind.

Shuide Layman saw that Li Yi seemed to have some enlightenment, and thought, could it be that the two words "cultivation" given to him by me made him realize something? Good, good, if this boy can be carefully cultivated, he may be able to achieve great things! He smiled and stroked his beard as he looked at Li Yi.

As the tune in his mind ended, Li Yi came back to his senses and bowed deeply again, "Thank you for the calligraphy, sir!" But what he was thinking was, Xiuyuan? Li Xiuyuan? Jigong? Damn! Thinking that there was no monk Jigong in this world, Li Yi gave up the idea of ​​changing the calligraphy.

But he thought: It seems that you, an old man, are not very capable. Are you trying to get my famous quote for free? "The highest good is like water"! This is Laozi's Tao Te Ching! You, an old man, want to get it for free? You are a big shot after all, so be generous! Just give me a word and that's it? If you can really show me a way, it would be fine. Let alone cultivating a relationship, you can even ask me to repair the toilet!

Shuide Jushi seemed to have seen through Li Yi's thoughts and said with a smile: "Of course, I am taking advantage of Mr. Li today. Just giving him a calligraphy will not be enough to repay this good karma. I remember that Mr. Li said he came to the capital to avoid disaster. I think it was to avoid Yuwen Ye's revenge. Yuwen Ye is the legitimate son of Yuwen Tian, ​​and the Yuwen family is a wealthy and powerful family. I can't help with this matter." Hearing this, Li Yi began to curse in his heart, you are kidding me, what are you talking about if you can't help! !

Tao Zhongwen looked like a young man, don't worry, listen to me patiently, "Although I can't help, but after thinking about it, there are two people who may be able to help Mr. Li." Li Yi asked hurriedly, "Please teach me, sir!" What he was thinking was, big brother, don't talk and breathe so hard, I can't stand this! If you have a trick, tell me quickly!

Tao Zhongwen still had the expression of a young man who said, "Don't be impatient, listen to me patiently until I finish my words." "Yuwen Zheng, Yuwen Ye's cousin, is the leader of the Yuwen family and the current Minister of Revenue, a second-rank official. He and Yuwen Tian have been playmates since childhood and have a very good relationship. If we can ask him for help, I believe that big things can be turned into small things, and small things can be turned into nothing."

Minister of Revenue? Second rank? Yuwen Zheng? The leader? How can I, a commoner, get help from such a person? Li Yi pondered in his heart, but couldn't figure out how to get in touch with Yuwen Zheng, so he could only ask, "Who is the other one?"

The old man still had an expression that said, "Young man, don't worry, just listen to me patiently. The other one is Dugu Long. He is the leader of the new generation of the Dugu family and the eldest son of the Northern Zhenwang Dugu Rong. He is both wise and brave. He is the youngest fourth-rank warrior in the Wei Dynasty and a talented general!"

Li Yi muttered in his heart while listening, Dugu Long? Dugu Yu's brother? The youngest fourth-rank warrior? What can he do about this? Lead people to kill Yuwen Ye directly? You old man, I'm afraid you have some serious illness!

Li Yi looked at Shuide with a puzzled look, and the latter once again put on the expression of "young man, please don't be anxious and listen to me patiently until I finish my words." "As for your matter, Mr. Li, in my opinion, Dugu Long is more suitable." After hearing this, Li Yi put on an expression of "I believe you are just believing in ghosts."

Shuide Jushi smiled knowingly and said, "Mr. Li, think about it. You ruined Yuwen Ye's reputation in Qing'an City, and ruined the reputation of the Yuwen family. You asked Yuwen Zheng to help you, which was based on your relationship and face. If you suppress this matter, won't Yuwen Tian and Yuwen Ye be dissatisfied? Who can guarantee that they won't take revenge in the future?"

Li Yi's mind was full of questions. What should I do? What should I do? Should I find a way to get through this hurdle first? And then think about the rest later? One question after another popped up in his mind.

Shuide Jushi spoke again: "If we ask Dugu Long to help, we can directly wipe out Yuwen Tian and Yuwen Ye and put an end to this matter completely." Li Yi frowned even more tightly after hearing this. He asked: "Why would Dugu Long help me kill Yuwen Tian and his son?"

Tao Zhongwen smiled and said, "Didn't you meet Dugu Yu and Nangong Qi in Qing'an City?" Li Yi nodded.

Tao Zhongwen asked: "What do you think they went to Qingzhou for? Did they go sightseeing?"

Li Yi looked puzzled, Tao Zhongwen explained: "Yuwen Tian is the head of the Qingzhou Military Equipment Bureau. He owed Dugu and Nangong families military equipment before, so those two families sent these two princes to Qingzhou to find trouble with his son Yuwen Ye in the name of sightseeing. Their original intention was to warn Yuwen Tian that if he didn't hand over the military equipment, he would kill his son! If the time comes, the one who draws the sword will definitely be Dugu Long! And what Mr. Li has to do is to go with the flow."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi's frown relaxed, thinking, Great! Great!! If I can kill someone with a borrowed knife, it will be a permanent solution, and I can also help Xiao Ye get revenge! It's worthy of being an old silver coin! Old silver coin plus! Alas, it's still the same saying, you can offend anyone but not the old silver coin, I can kill you in a minute! Killing without blood! Eating people without spitting out bones!

Li Yi saw hope, and then looked at Shuide with expectation, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. May I ask if you can help me get to know Dugu Long?" The old man shook his head, "I can't intervene in the affairs of the noble family. Even if I can help Master Li, I won't do it. Please think about the reason slowly."

The herd of alpacas in Li Yi's heart had already begun to gallop. Good fellow, you old silver coin, you don't have the spirit of being a good person to the end, and sending Buddha to the west! Those who play power games are black-handed and dirty! I can't afford to play with you! After dealing with Yuwen Ye, I will definitely stay away from the officialdom! He stood up and bowed deeply to Shuide Jushi, saying: "Thank you for your guidance today, if Xiuyuan can accomplish this matter, I will definitely come to thank you again!" After that, Li Yi stood up and went out, disappearing into the streets.

Inside the teahouse, the waiter came up to Tao Zhongwen, who was staring at the direction where Li Yi disappeared. The waiter asked, "Master, do you like that young master Li?" Shuide Jushi came back to his senses, smiled and nodded, "This boy has talent. If he can be carefully cultivated, he will become a great man."

"He is talented, but his thoughts and knowledge are far from enough. The master showed his magical skill of saying what he wants, but Mr. Li was unmoved. If it were me, I would have knelt on the ground and asked you to teach me!" Shuide Jushi smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. He will come back sooner or later. This game of chess has just begun."

As Li Yi walked towards the inn, he thought about what Shuide said. Yuwentian owed him weapons, and the Dugu and Nangong families threatened him. Then he borrowed a knife to kill someone. It seemed perfect, but something seemed to be missing. What if Yuwentian delivered the weapons? Wouldn't he be unable to borrow a knife? Suddenly, he felt a chill on his back. Li Yi realized the problem. He had been tricked by Shuide!

I cursed in my heart: Old Silver Coin is really insidious! He just proposed a proposal to kill someone with a borrowed knife, but he didn't explain many of the links in the middle, leaving so many holes for me to fill!

Indeed, Tao Zhongwen did give Li Yi some advice, but he only started the conversation. He didn't say how to prevent Yuwen Tian from delivering the weapons, nor how to instigate the Dugu family. Most importantly, why did he mention the Dugu family but not the Nangong family? Wouldn't the Nangong family take action against Yuwen Tian? There are many doubts here. If we act simply, I'm afraid it will lead to endless troubles!

Thinking of all these things, Li Yi felt that this person's heart was sinister. Although Tao Zhongwen had retired in name only, he had actually been watching the developments in the court and was well-informed. He must be looking forward to returning to the court.

Li Yi narrowed his eyes towards Qingshui Pavilion and said, "Old Silver Coin, you want to use me as a pawn, humph, wait and see!" He continued to walk towards the inn, thinking about how to start with Dugu Yu, make friends with Dugu Long, and plan how to find out about Nangong Yuwen's family. If you want to kill someone with a borrowed knife, you must have these key information.

As he was walking, two figures appeared in front of Li Yi. He looked up and saw that they were Dugu Yu and Nangong Qi! Just when Li Yi was thinking that he had found it without any effort after searching everywhere, he was pulled into a carriage by the two of them.

Li Yi was confused as he looked at the two people sitting opposite him with serious faces. He saluted and said, "Brother Yu, Brother Qi, long time no see! How are you?" The two people looked at each other and nodded. Dugu Yu said, "Brother Li, when did you come to Shangjing?" "Just arrived at noon today."

Nangong Qi then asked, "When Aunt Yun asked you and me to come to the capital, why didn't you come?" Dugu Yu added, "Why are you here again now?" Li Yi sorted out his words and said, "I have no money!"

Nangong Qi said unhappily: "Brother Li, do you think we are fools?" "Brother Yu, Brother Qi, it is indeed because we have no money! If I come to the capital with you two brothers, wouldn't Li Yi have to rely on you for food and accommodation? How can Li Yi realize his ambitions in this situation?"

Dugu Yu asked, "So you have money now?" Li Yi felt that something was wrong. He had been thinking about how to plot against these two princes, but when he got on the carriage, why did he feel like he was the one being plotted against?

Li Yi nodded weakly. Dugu Yu and Nangong Qi looked at each other again, then rushed towards Li Yi. One of them held Li Yi down, while the other searched all the money on Li Yi's body. Dugu Yu then said with satisfaction, "Okay, you have no money now! What are you going to do?"

Li Yi wanted to die! Where can he go to seek justice? If he reports to the police and says that the two princes of the Dugu and Nangong families robbed his money, no one would believe it! If he doesn't report to the police, there are only three people in the car now. The two on the opposite side must be in the same group. He can't get it back even if he robs it! What should he do? In this situation, what can he do? It's very difficult to deal with an acquaintance who commits a crime! Li Yi can only look at Yu Qi and the others with a dark face...