Chapter 7

Bang!

As the storyteller's wooden clapper fell, a round of applause echoed through the Xuji Teahouse.

The story was intricate and mysterious, captivating the audience.

However, in a corner by the railing, a lone guest sat quietly, out of place amidst the noisy surroundings.

He wore a simple white robe, with a dark blue sash around his waist, his skin smooth and rosy, like a young nobleman.

Yet, he had a short, cropped hairstyle, like a monk.

Neither monk nor scholar, he sipped his pre-Qingming tea while intently listening to the storytelling.

A teahouse boy approached with a pot of tea and said enviously, "Young Master JIan'an, the storyteller today is talking about you."

Jian'an's forehead creased with a few black lines: "Eight feet tall, eight feet wide, a towering figure, with a cold weapon, a square, eight-sided copper mace, still stained with fresh blood from the wilderness."

"Am I a person?"

What a ridiculous description of being eight feet tall and wide. Jian'an had a deep understanding of how folk rumors could become increasingly exaggerated.

The teahouse boy continued to flatter, "All this is because of your bravery, Young Master Jian'an. The people have made you a legend, and it's only natural."

"You've become famous throughout the entire Chang County."

"I've heard that many wealthy young ladies and daughters of officials are fond of you, sending their servants to gather information about you, all hoping to invite you to enjoy fine wine and the moon on the Qingming Festival, the most bustling event of the year in Chang County."

Jian'an's interest was piqued.

He wasn't interested in the fair-skinned, beautiful, and well-mannered young ladies or the daughters of officials, but rather in the bustling Qingming Festival.

This was the first ancient festival he had encountered since his穿越 (穿越 means "穿越" in Chinese, which can be translated as "穿越" in English, but in this context, it means "time travel" or "穿越" in a more literal sense, so I will translate it as "time travel").

He was sure it would be very lively.

He had always loved traveling and visiting various scenic spots and historical sites, which was why he had gone on a self-driving trip to Kunlun Mountain all the way from the south.

Jian'an asked the teahouse boy, "Is this festival very famous in Chang County?"

The teahouse boy, while refilling Jian'an's cup with pre-Qingming决明子茶 (决明子茶 means "决明子茶" in Chinese, which can be translated as "决明子茶" in English, but in this context, it means "决明子茶" or "决明子茶," so I will translate it as "cassia seed tea"), said proudly, "Speaking of the festival in Chang County, it is famous for miles around. Many young noblemen, scholars, and young ladies from all over come to participate in the festival."

Jian'an had been feeling a bit overheated and inflamed recently, possibly due to the change in climate or the season, so he had developed a liking for cassia seed tea, which is known for its effects of dispelling wind, clearing the liver, improving vision, and promoting bowel movements.

The teahouse boy, excited about the Qingming Festival, continued, "Speaking of Chang County, there is a thousand-year-old tree, a Chinese tallow tree."

"No one knows the exact age of this tree, which is older than my great-great-grandfather. The trunk is so thick that it would take six or seven men to encircle it. According to county records, it has been there for a thousand years, making it the sacred tree of Chang County."

"This thousand-year-old Chinese tallow tree has lush branches and leaves, providing a canopy of shade. It is tall and straight, with beautiful and uniquely shaped fruits that resemble strings of copper coins, hence its name 'copper coin tree' or 'money tree.' The fruits hang from September to April of the following year, swaying in the wind, creating a unique and dazzling sight, attracting many scholars and beauties to Chang County for the Qingming Festival."

"Only on the day of the Qingming Festival is the temple open to the public, allowing visitors to see the sacred tree. It is usually not open to protect the tree."

After listening to the teahouse boy's introduction, Jian'an became very interested.

"Thank you for the information."

"I will definitely see this magical money tree at the Qingming Festival in a month."

Jian'an smiled and gave the teahouse boy a few copper coins, making him beam with joy.

The teahouse boy, now even more attentive, said, "Speaking of this thousand-year-old Chinese tallow tree, there is a legend. It is said that those who see the sacred tree can attract the God of Wealth and bring in riches."

"This legend has become more and more mystical over the past ten years. Every year, there are stories of people becoming rich overnight. I heard from the elders that this thousand-year-old Chinese tallow tree was just an old tree until ten years ago. One night, the copper coin fruits turned into ancient copper coins, and the legend of the tree attracting the God of Wealth began to spread in Chang County."

"Over the past ten years, the Qingming Festival has attracted more and more visitors from other regions, all hoping to get rich, especially merchants and the wealthy."

"The festival only happens once a year, so don't miss the opportunity, Young Master Jian'an."

The teahouse boy's enthusiasm made the festival sound like a mystical and fascinating event.

"Have you gotten rich?" Jian'an asked.

The teahouse boy smiled sheepishly, "Not really."

Jian'an smiled, understanding the situation.

Folk legends always follow the three rules of "it is said," "it is rumored," and "it seems."

Looking at the teahouse boy's back as he turned to leave with the teahouse pot, Jian'an's interest grew.

A mystical night?

Copper coin fruits turning into ancient copper coins overnight?

Was this a case of genetic mutation in the thousand-year-old tree?

People know that animals can undergo genetic mutations, such as albinism in foxes, apes, and cows, but plants also have life, can breathe and absorb air, and can feel pain and undergo genetic mutations.

This is like those so-called compassionate vegetarians who are just fooling themselves, thinking that plants are not living beings because they don't see them bleed or feel pain. How ridiculous.

A thousand-year-old tree with genetic mutations?

Fruits of ancient copper coins?

Jian'an was intrigued.

...

It had been two days since Jian'an arrived in Chang County.

That day, after burying the Taoist under an old pine tree and descending the mountain, he surprisingly met a scholar and an old horseman who were heading to Chang County. Due to the muddy road after the rain, they planned to stay in a nearby village for the night. However, they encountered a murder case.

After solving the case, Jian'an earned the favor of the county magistrate, who hosted a banquet for him and rewarded him with 300 taels of silver, which Jian'an immediately realized was a fair and just official who did not exploit the people.

The prices in this world were cheap.

There was no significant housing pressure, no wars or refugees, and the people had enough money, so inflation was not severe.

A family of four would spend about 20 to 23 taels of silver per year.

300 taels of silver was equivalent to a million yuan in modern times.

After experiencing the coffin temple, the horned jar, and the Taoist's qi sensing technique, Jian'an knew that this world was different from the ancient world he had imagined. Therefore, he abandoned the idea of a luxurious and decadent life of fine clothes and food, with beautiful women and maids warming his bed every night.

For the past two days, he had been sitting in this teahouse.

He listened to stories and learned about the local customs and culture.

He also gathered information about the geography of the world from the merchants passing through.

Thus, as a regular customer, Jian'an had become familiar with the teahouse owner and the teahouse boy.

At first, he thought he had traveled back in time to an ancient era, but over the past two days, he realized that the customs, history, and culture here did not match any historical dynasty.

Kangding Kingdom, a dynasty he had never heard of.

...

The sky gradually darkened.

Night fell.

The guards at the city gate began to prepare to close the gates and stop people from entering the city.

The Chang County yamen was not peaceful tonight; it was bustling with activity. A major case involving the private storage of gunpowder had occurred, and it was no longer under the jurisdiction of Chang County. Today, higher authorities had come to take the suspects and personally inquire about the details of the gunpowder storage.

As County Magistrate Zhang, the county secretary, the chief clerk, and a group of bailiffs and constables anxiously waited in the yamen, the banquet had been reheated twice, but no one had arrived... Suddenly, hurried footsteps broke the night.

A bailiff and two jailers rushed into the yamen, their faces pale with shock.

"Magistrate, it's bad, the man is dead! The man is dead!"

"Li Dashan, who was storing the gunpowder, is dead. His death is too strange, too eerie! Please go to the jail quickly. The prisoners are all demanding to be moved, saying the jail is haunted!"