Chapter 2

"Uncle Fu, what Cui Xiaolangjun has come?"

Fei Qian was still in a daze and quickly snapped out of it, slapping his forehead, "Ah, almost forgot. Let me go and welcome him."

Fei Qian stood up, ready to go out and welcome Cui Xiaolangjun. Uncle Fu hurriedly smiled and helped Fei Qian straighten his slightly wrinkled clothes.

Although Uncle Fu was quite old, his hands were still nimble. He straightened the wrinkles on Fei Qian's front, then turned to smooth out the creases on his back, occasionally looking up at Fei Qian, his wrinkles revealing kindness and joy.

Fei Qian, seeing Uncle Fu's smile, couldn't help but laugh, "Old Uncle Fu, what are you smiling about? Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

"No, no, Young Master, your clothes are fine. I just feel happy when I see you..." Uncle Fu's hands didn't stop, but his voice grew softer, "... May the old master rest in peace and bless you... to be safe and healthy... without any illness or disaster..."

Fei Qian laughed, "Old Uncle Fu, I'm fine, don't worry. My body is in good shape!" He patted his chest as he spoke.

"Yes, yes, Young Master." Uncle Fu finished straightening the clothes, straightened his back, and suddenly thought of something, his smile fading, "Young Master, I shouldn't meddle, but... Cui Xiaolangjun is a good friend, but their Cui family... well, Young Master, just be careful..."

Fei Qian was a bit puzzled, "Can you explain more clearly, Uncle Fu?"

"I've heard some rumors in the market these past few days... It's a long story. If you want to know, I'll tell you in detail after Cui Xiaolangjun leaves. But now, we shouldn't keep him waiting and lose our manners... Just be careful..."

"Alright, I understand." Although Fei Qian didn't fully understand, he decided to go and welcome Cui Xiaolangjun first. Keeping someone waiting at the door would be impolite.

Cui Xiaolangjun, named Hou, with the courtesy name Yongyuan, is the son of Cui Yi. His appearance is almost identical to someone with the same name in later generations. Fei Qian once met him in the market and couldn't help but blurt out his name. Coincidentally, Cui Hou's courtesy name is Yongyuan, and they became acquainted.

Cui Hou is the first relatively high-ranking "official's descendant" Fei Qian met after arriving in the Han Dynasty. To be precise, he is the descendant of an official who has retired for many generations.

Cui Hou is the eldest son of Cui Yi, who is the younger brother of Cui Lie.

Since the current court does not have the position of Chancellor, the highest civil officials are the Three Excellencies: Grand Tutor, Grand Commandant, and Grand Works. Next are the Nine Ministers: Grand Master of Ceremonies, Minister of Education, Commandant of the Guards, Grand Coachman, Grand Judge, Grand Administrator of Guests, Grand Genealogist, Grand Farmer, and Grand Steward. The highest military official is the Grand General, equivalent to the Chancellor, a position higher than the Three Excellencies. Next are the General of the Flying Cavalry, the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and the Guard General, equivalent to the Three Excellencies. After that are the Four Conquering and Four Pacifying Generals, and below them are the Miscellaneous Generals.

According to Fei Qian's knowledge, Cui Lie served as Grand Tutor during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, making him a top official. Later, due to conflicts with the eunuchs, the Ten Attendants, Cui Lie lost his position and was stripped of his wealth. He died of frustration and depression soon after.

Cui Yi was also implicated, almost losing everything. Fortunately, someone in the court secretly helped him. After the Ten Attendants had their revenge on Cui Lie, they lost interest in further persecution, allowing Cui Yi to survive. Now, the Cui family has a farm outside Luoyang and a pawnshop in the city, which, while not as large as the one run by the Grand General He Jin, is sufficient for their needs.

Because the Cui family is no longer a prominent official family, Cui Hou, the son of Cui Yi, does not have the airs of an official's descendant. Otherwise, Fei Qian would not have been able to meet him.

Every time Fei Qian sees Cui Hou, he feels a strange sense of familiarity. This small-eyed, round-faced man looks exactly like someone from later generations!

Fei Qian went out to welcome him, standing to the left and bowing, "Brother Yongyuan, I apologize for the late welcome. Please come in, please come in." Although he wanted to laugh at the sight of Cui Hou's face, he maintained proper etiquette.

Cui Hou also smiled, his small eyes becoming even smaller, "Ha ha, Brother, no need to be so formal. It's been a few days, and you look even better." As he spoke, he naturally took Fei Qian's hand.

Although Fei Qian knew that hand-holding was a way to show intimacy in the Han Dynasty, he still felt a bit uncomfortable with such a gesture from a man.

"Brother Yongyuan, please come in." Fei Qian tried to pull his hand away without showing it and instructed Uncle Fu to bring some dried fruits and tea to the hall.

Cui Hou seemed not to notice and continued to smile, "Ah, Brother, there's no need for such formality between us. Just be casual. I've heard that the Fei family of He and Luo is known for its literary tradition and extensive collection of books. May I be so bold as to ask to visit your study?"

"Study?"

Cui Hou nodded with a smile, "I have no other hobbies, only a love for reading new books. I wonder if you would grant me this request? Of course, if it's inconvenient for you..."

"Not at all, Brother Yongyuan, please come this way." Although Fei Qian didn't understand why Cui Hou had this request, he decided to go to the study since it was proposed.

The two moved to the study and sat down. Uncle Fu brought some dried fruits and tea and stood by the side.

Cui Hou looked around and praised, "I've heard that the Fei family of He and Luo is known for its literary tradition. Today, I see it is indeed true. You have such a vast collection of books. Tsk tsk. By the way, the item you gave me a few days ago was highly appreciated by a noble guest, who bought it. This noble guest is quite generous, and I will send your share to you at the third watch of the day."

"Ah, thank you, Brother Yongyuan, for your efforts!"

"Not at all, I should thank you, Brother..." Cui Hou suddenly clapped his hands, "Ah, I almost forgot. My estate has recently produced some new fruits. I brought some for you to try. Old Uncle Fu, could you please go and collect them? They have been sent to the back alley."

Fei Qian couldn't refuse and thanked him, instructing Uncle Fu to go to the back alley to collect the fruits.

Once Uncle Fu left, and there was no one around, Cui Hou leaned in and whispered, "Such treasures... do you have more? The noble guest said he would buy as many as you have..."

The so-called treasures were actually large glass beads with carved patterns, correctly called crystal beads, as Fei Qian couldn't purify the material. Crystal is hard and brittle, making it difficult to carve. Later, people invented the lost-wax method, allowing for more intricate patterns. The lost-wax method for crystal was not invented until the Tang Dynasty, but Fei Qian, who had a personal interest in crystal in his later life and collected many pieces, knew a bit about it.

Fei Qian had just recovered from typhoid, and his family's finances were almost depleted by medical expenses. Fortunately, he remembered the traditional method of making crystal. After multiple attempts, he used the lost-wax method to create a few successful pieces, which he polished and finished. He met Cui Hou in the market by chance and learned that the Cui family had a pawnshop. He asked Cui Hou to sell the beads for him, which helped him through the initial difficult period.

This was Fei Qian's only "golden finger" so far. It was somewhat ironic that in the Han Dynasty, the social hierarchy was clearly defined. Although there was no household registration system like in the Ming Dynasty, Fei Qian, as a scholar, was not supposed to sell things directly.

The more common way for scholars to trade was through "gifts." You give me a few songstresses, and I give you a few fine horses. Everyone knew it was a trade, but it was wrapped in a veneer of elegance.

For Fei Qian to sell his crystal products, the fastest way was to pawn them. He met Cui Hou by chance, otherwise, he might have chosen another pawnshop.

However, making traditional crystal was very difficult, with most pieces cracking or forming cavities. The success rate was very low. Fei Qian made several batches, but only a few were successful. The recent two batches were all defective and had to be discarded.

Fei Qian also knew that rarity was valuable. If he sold too many, it would disrupt the market and invite trouble. Therefore, he only sold a few pieces, claiming they were family heirlooms, and had Cui Hou sell them. The defective pieces were crushed and buried.

It was better to have a reputation as a wastrel than to be coveted by others.

It seemed that Cui Hou had profited from this transaction and came to inquire about the possibility of more.

Fei Qian thought for a moment and shook his head, "Brother Yongyuan, don't laugh, but selling these items has been like a knife in my heart. They are family heirlooms, and it's a shame to part with them... sigh..." This was a difficult question to answer. If he said he had more, it would be obvious he had a stock. If he said he had none, he might run out of money. He couldn't close off all options.

Fei Qian covered his face with his sleeve, feigning sadness, and avoided a direct answer.

Cui Hou "hehe" coughed, thinking to himself, "As my father said, there must be something more to it. This guy is just pretending to be sad. Not even a tear. What a poor act. I would have to cry my eyes out to make it look real."

But Cui Hou understood that Fei Qian didn't want to answer and changed the topic, "Brother, don't be sad... What books have you been reading recently? I see you have over a thousand scrolls here. Could you show me some?"

While Fei Qian was still covering his face, Cui Hou subtly opened a bamboo scroll on the table and glanced at it, seeing a few words, "My bow is good but unused..."

"Ah, just some ordinary books. Look, Brother Yongyuan, this is the Qi Lun. Unfortunately, I only have eleven volumes, and many are missing..."

Cui Hou laughed and pretended to listen as Fei Qian introduced various classics and collections, but he was trying to recall if he had read anything with that phrase. He couldn't think of anything and cursed, "What kind of book is this guy reading?"

Fei Qian, still covering his face, avoided a direct answer, "Just some ordinary books. Look, Brother Yongyuan, this is the Qi Lun. Unfortunately, I only have eleven volumes, and many are missing..."