Chapter 2

Wei Shizhe went to Xinyang Town to sell animal skins. He used the money to buy flint, salt, tea, and meat, which could help digest the greasy food when added to the tea.

On his way through Kuiteng Gully, he stopped by to visit the bedridden Old Liu, whose legs were still swollen and purple, despite the application of herbal medicine. It would take at least a month for him to recover.

Old Liu knew that Wei Shizhe was heading to town and asked Mulian to carry the medicine basket and go with him for company and support.

The two left Kuiteng Gully and followed the mountain path eastward. Mulian, who was small and thin, couldn't keep up, so Wei Shizhe had to slow down. It wasn't until noon that they finally arrived in Xinyang Town.

Xinyang Town was located in the foothills of Laoya Ridge, backed by mountains and facing water. The Ximin River's tributary ran through the town, and three stone bridges connected the east and west: Shangguan Bridge, Yuanlong Bridge, and Xiapu Bridge. Most shops and vendors were concentrated between Yuanlong Bridge and Xiapu Bridge.

Wei Shizhe led Mulian to Zhongyuan Hall first. He dropped the animal skins by his feet, helped Mulian unload the medicine basket, and placed it on the counter. The shopkeeper, surnamed Song, had a bitter face and was very picky, not satisfied with the herbs in the basket. Mulian, nervous, stared at her toes, twisting the corners of her clothes, rolling them up and then letting them go, unsure of what to do.

Song picked out about ten herbs and quoted a price, saying, "That's all. Take the rest back." Mulian's face turned pale. She needed the money to buy rice and salt and to make ointments for her father. The amount offered was far from enough.

Wei Shizhe knew the situation. Although Song had lowered the price a bit out of respect for him, it was still fair. Given that Old Liu couldn't go into the mountains, and Mulian had to find these herbs near Kuiteng Gully, it was already quite an achievement. He thought for a moment, pushed the remaining herbs back, and asked for an additional 100 coins.

Song shook his head, "Wei, these herbs aren't worth much. You should try elsewhere."

Wei Shizhe casually asked, "How much do you pay for bear gallbladders?"

Song's eyes lit up, "Do you have a bear gallbladder?"

Wei Shizhe nodded slightly but didn't move. Song understood and placed half a string of coins on the counter. Mulian glanced at him and timidly took the money.

Wei Shizhe pulled out a shriveled bear gallbladder from the animal skins. It was gray-black and about the size of an adult's palm. Song carefully took it, examined it in the light, and nodded, saying, "The quality is good, it's worth at least four or five taels..."

"Ten taels of fine silver, and it must be official silver."

Official silver was of high quality, and ten taels could be used as eleven. This was a high price, and Song drew a sharp breath. Just as he was about to haggle, Wei Shizhe added, "This is a golden gallbladder."

Bear gallbladders are classified into golden, iron, and cauliflower types. Golden gallbladders, also known as copper gallbladders, have a golden color and shine like amber, making them a rare and valuable commodity. Song knew Wei Shizhe was well-informed and couldn't be fooled, so he gave a fair price, "Wei, you're a regular customer. A golden gallbladder isn't worth that much..."

Someone nearby interjected, "Song, is this a high-quality golden gallbladder?"

Song was annoyed, as interrupting a business deal was a taboo at Zhongyuan Hall. He looked up with a stern face but immediately changed his expression, greeting the man with a flattering tone, "Mr. Deng, you're here. Are you here to buy medicine?" As he spoke, he instructed a helper to prepare a seat and tea.

The man who spoke was an elderly man in his fifties, with a clear and refined appearance, white temples, a goatee, and bloodshot eyes. He sized up Wei Shizhe and asked kindly, "Is this young man a hunter from the mountains?"

"Exactly."

Song quickly introduced them, "He is Wei Shizhe, a hunter from Laoya Ridge. He's an excellent hunter, capable of hunting bears, tigers, and leopards. Every year, he can gather high-quality tiger bones and bear gallbladders. Wei, come and meet Mr. Deng. Mr. Deng manages the affairs at Zhao's residence on Shangguan Bridge. It's your good fortune to have his attention."

Zhao was one of the wealthiest merchants in Xinyang Town, having made his fortune in the horse and mule trade. He was extremely wealthy and influential, and it was said that he handled most of the military horse trade in the northwest. He had three trusted subordinates: Deng Suanpan, Wang Xiangma, and Xie Yitie. Among them, Deng Suanpan was the steward in charge of Zhao's finances, Deng Zhang.

Wei Shizhe bowed, "I greet Mr. Deng."

Deng Zhang nodded and, without beating around the bush, said, "Zhao's residence is in need of a bear gallbladder. Song, you take it first and deliver it to Zhao's residence later. You can collect the silver from the accounting office, and the interest will be as agreed. I won't make it difficult for you."

Song quickly agreed. The interest was a minor matter, and he could decide on it. The more important thing was to establish a good relationship with Zhao's residence. He carefully packed the bear gallbladder and handed the silver to Wei Shizhe, knowing that Mr. Deng's involvement had a purpose and that his role was over.

"Wei, do you need to eat?"

"To be honest, Mr. Deng, I left in a hurry and haven't eaten."

"There's a restaurant nearby that serves excellent beef and mutton. I'll treat you, and we can talk while we eat."

"Thank you, Mr. Deng." Wei Shizhe picked up the animal skins, gave Mulian some instructions to buy a few steamed buns to tide her over, and told her to wait for him at Zhongyuan Hall.

Deng Zhang, impressed by Wei Shizhe's straightforward and respectful manner, decided to be more open with him.

The two left Zhongyuan Hall and walked along the embankment toward Yuanlong Bridge. In the distance, they saw a restaurant with a green flag fluttering, bearing the name "Dongxing."

The waiter led them to a private room upstairs. Deng Zhang ordered his favorite dishes and drinks, and the waiter, smiling, agreed, though he was puzzled. Could this man be a distant relative of Zhao's, to have Mr. Deng personally accompany him for a meal?

In a short while, the waiter brought four cold dishes, a pot of wine, and four hot dishes: braised beef tendon, sliced mutton, clay pot chicken, and shrimp-stewed cabbage. The wine was homemade Ximin Spring, with a fragrant aroma.

Deng Zhang didn't eat much but kept encouraging Wei Shizhe to drink and eat. Wei Shizhe didn't hold back, enjoying the food and drink. He finished the beef and mutton, ate most of the chicken, and drank one pot of wine after another. While chatting, Deng Zhang tried to gauge Wei Shizhe's background. Wei Shizhe was straightforward and honest, neither boasting nor belittling himself, and his answers were steady and sincere.

After a long meal, Wei Shizhe, feeling full, put down his chopsticks and waited for what would come next. He was a smart man, and Deng Zhang appreciated him even more. He noticed that Wei Shizhe referred to himself as "I" rather than "this humble one" or "this servant," showing a hint of pride, far from being an ordinary hunter. After a moment's thought, he decided to be direct.

"Wei, I have a request."

Wei Shizhe smiled, "Mr. Deng, please speak freely."

"My grandson suffered from convulsions as an infant and has been ill for a long time. A famous doctor diagnosed him and prescribed a formula. There are three main ingredients, two of which we have, but we still need a bear gallbladder. The doctor said that this bear gallbladder is crucial and must be from a golden-backed bear over fifty years old. If we use a regular bear gallbladder, the medicine will be much less effective, and the illness won't be cured. My grandson might not live past twenty. I have to ask for your help, as I've heard that golden-backed bears might be found in Laoya Ridge."

Wei Shizhe thought for a moment and frowned, "Could it be the old bear in Heisong Valley?"

Deng Zhang's eyes lit up, "Have you seen that black bear? Does it have a golden stripe on its back?"

"If it has a golden stripe, it must be the old bear in Heisong Valley."

About two years ago, Wei Shizhe was hunting in Laoya Ridge when he saw two gray wolves fighting a golden-backed black bear. The bear was incredibly fierce, striking one wolf's head and breaking a tree trunk as thick as a bowl. The other wolf pounced on its back, but couldn't penetrate the thick fur and was crushed by the bear's body, breaking its spine. Wei Shizhe, hiding downwind, dared not breathe, watching the bear eat the wolves' innards and stagger off toward Heisong Valley.

Learning the location of the golden-backed bear, Deng Zhang sighed in relief and asked, "Wei, how many people would you need to hunt that bear?"

Wei Shizhe firmly replied, "No matter how many people, it won't work. That old bear is not an ordinary beast. It is incredibly strong, capable of breaking a tree with one paw. It has been rubbing against pine trees for years, and the resin has hardened its fur, making it as tough as armor. Even strong bows and arrows can't penetrate it."

Wei Shizhe's response was expected by Deng Zhang. "A golden-backed bear over fifty years old is a magical creature. Ordinary hunters can't handle it. Here's what I propose: I will arrange the manpower, and you will only need to lead the way. No need to fight. If we succeed, I will give you three hundred taels of fine silver. What do you say?"

Wei Shizhe thought for a moment and asked, "Is there a Taoist master involved?"

Deng Zhang narrowed his eyes, tapping his finger on the table, and slowly said, "I have a distant nephew who is a disciple of Xiantu."

翻页上AD开始

翻页上AD结束