Chapter 5

Qin Haidu turned around and saw it was Hejian Prince Li Xiaogong, Li Er's cousin, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty, dressed in brocade with an extraordinary demeanor. Since the other party called him a nephew, he naturally did not want to reveal his identity, so he bowed and said, "I have seen you, Uncle."

Li Xiaogong nodded in satisfaction, took the sword to examine it, and then looked at the Red Blood Saber with a chipped edge, his eyes brightening as he said, "Nephew, this sword is worth 20,000 taels. Would you be willing to sell it to your Uncle? My family needs a tool to slaughter chickens and sheep, and this one looks just right."

20,000 taels was an astronomical sum. At the current rice price, one coin could buy about two pounds of rice, roughly equivalent to ten yuan in modern times. One tael was 1,000 coins, so 20,000 taels was 20 million coins, equivalent to 200 million yuan in modern times.

Spending 20,000 taels to slaughter chickens and sheep must have a story behind it, but after going through all the trouble to set a trap for the Wang family, Qin Haidu was about to refuse when he heard the shopkeeper shout impatiently, "No selling! It was agreed to be an auction, Little Duke Qin, a man must keep his word."

"Of course, in three days at Jufu Wine House," Qin Haidu said smoothly.

"Alright, then let's have an auction, the highest bidder wins." Li Xiaogong returned the sword to Qin Haidu, patted his shoulder, and smiled meaningfully before leaving.

Seeing the trap set, Qin Haidu, having achieved his goal, took the 1,000 taels he won and left. Cheng Chumo, ignoring the shopkeeper's pained expression, took his share and caught up, excitedly saying, "Brother, no need to say more, let's celebrate at Chunman Tower later, call the other brothers, I'll treat!"

Chunman Tower was a famous pleasure house in Chang'an. Qin Haidu refused, "My injuries haven't fully healed, I won't go. By the way, did Secretary Li hint at something just now?"

Cheng Chumo looked around, lowered his voice, and said, "Secretary Li has a deep grudge against the Wang family. The Blackbird is the Wang family's emblem. Buying it to slaughter chickens and sheep is clearly to humiliate the Wang family. If you really auction it, the Wang family will definitely want it."

"I see. Jufu Wine House is your family's property. The Five Clans and Seven Families will definitely send people, and other families, nobles, and wealthy merchants will come to watch. I remember Uncle Cheng hates these aristocratic families the most. Go back and tell them to charge more for tea, and take a good cut from them to vent your anger."

"Ha ha ha, you're devious, I like it." Cheng Chumo patted his chest gratefully, making a thumping sound.

Back at the mansion, Qin Haidu threw the 1,000 taels he won to Jia Youcai and instructed, "Uncle Jia, buy two sheep and stew them for everyone, and get each person in the mansion a new set of clothes and a pair of shoes. Go do it."

"Master, what is this?" Jia Youcai, looking at the bag of silver, was completely stunned.

"Won it."

"Won it?"

Jia Youcai was even more confused. Winning 1,000 taels in one trip, this silver was too easy to win. But seeing Qin Haidu drift into the inner courtyard, he didn't dare to follow and ask. Just then, an old brother came in from outside, excitedly saying, "Steward, good news, good news."

"What good news?"

"Master just went to the Cui family weapon shop to test swords, and broke the Cui family's invincible Red Blood Saber, winning 1,000 taels. Also, the Hejian Prince is willing to pay 20,000 taels for Master's sword, but Master refused, saying it will be auctioned in three days, and the price will likely be even higher. Our mansion won't lack money for now."

"What, is this true?" Jia Youcai was greatly surprised, grabbing the other person excitedly.

"True, it's all over Chang'an."

"Ha ha ha, great, Master really has a way. General, can you see this in heaven? Master's great talent, personally crafting a divine weapon that surpasses the Red Blood Saber, with this skill, the Qin family won't fall."

"Yes, the Qin family won't fall. Master can craft one, he can craft a second, a third. I didn't expect Master to be so proficient in craftsmanship, but I wonder why he doesn't want to teach it?"

Jia Youcai's face turned serious, and he warned solemnly, "Don't even think about it, remember your place."

"I understand, it's just that I have the strength and want to help Master."

"Such a skill, unparalleled in the world, will be the foundation of the Qin family. How can it be passed on? Pass the order down, no one is to reveal that Master personally forged the weapon. If anyone leaks it, their entire family will be executed!"

"Understood!"

...

Liangyi Hall.

A man was sitting on a cloud couch, reviewing memorials, dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe, his eyes sharp and intelligent, his body somewhat plump but exuding supreme authority. He was none other than the Tang Emperor Li Er.

A eunuch tiptoed in, his expression indifferent, stopping at a distance and softly calling, "Your Majesty, the Hejian Prince requests an audience."

"Admit!" Li Er put down the memorial, his wide sleeves sweeping in a domineering manner.

Soon, the Hejian Prince Li Xiaogong hurried in, bowed, and said, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Xiaogong, what is it?"

"Your subject encountered something interesting today. The son of the Duke of Yi, Qin Haidu, went to the Cui family weapon shop to test swords and broke the Cui family's invincible Red Blood Saber with his sword. Your subject personally inspected it, and the sword is undamaged, a true divine weapon. It will be auctioned at Jufu Wine House in three days, as the Qin family is in financial distress and needs money."

"Oh, such a thing? When did the Duke of Yi's family have such a divine weapon? Your subject has never heard the Duke of Yi mention it. What is the origin of this divine weapon?"

"Your subject was told it is a relic from the cave of a pre-Qin alchemist in Kunlun. Your subject examined the sword closely and found it to be quite special, but as your subject does not understand the art of forging, I cannot explain it clearly. Your subject believes that such a divine weapon should be returned to the court for the protection of the state. If it falls into the hands of the aristocratic families, it will be detrimental to the court."

"Reasonable, but..." Li Er was somewhat troubled. Participating in the auction would be complicated, using state funds would cause a commotion among the court ministers, using the imperial treasury, well, the imperial treasury is empty, and the palace is still practicing frugality. Using personal favors is out of the question, and the court has not yet taken a stance on Qin Haidu being attacked, so Li Er couldn't bring himself to do it.

Li Xiaogong had already thought of many things before coming and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, your subject still has some savings and is willing to purchase the divine weapon and present it to Your Majesty, to fulfill a subject's duty."

"My brother is thoughtful!" Li Er smiled, changing his address to show closeness.

"To be able to help Your Majesty, your subject is honored. With that, your subject will take my leave."

Li Er watched Li Xiaogong leave, his brows furrowed. As a famous general who had conquered much of the Tang territory, Li Xiaogong indeed had a high status. He indulged in debauchery to eliminate suspicion, but this time, by spending money to buy the divine weapon and present it, was it not also a way to protect himself and show loyalty?

As a ruler who loved and valued talent, Li Er wanted to heavily use Li Xiaogong, but the risk was too great.

Hesitation and appreciation, two emotions made Li Er very troubled.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Er, while flipping through the memorials, said coldly, "Secret Guard, investigate this matter!"

"Understood!"

A black shadow darted away from an inconspicuous shadow.

...

In the inner hall of the Wang family's mansion in Chang'an.

The head of the family, Wang Gui, the current Minister of Rites, stared coldly at the man in front of him and said, "Are you sure you saw the Blackbird emblem on the sword?"

"Father, I did not see it with my own eyes, but the shopkeeper of the Cui family weapon shop and many servants and onlookers were there, it can't be fake. Li Xiaogong, that old man, will definitely participate in the auction. If he gets it, a divine weapon with the Blackbird emblem used to slaughter chickens and sheep will damage the Wang family's reputation. This is not just a matter of money, but of the Wang family's dignity. Besides, the divine weapon is extraordinary and can be taken as a family treasure."

"My son is right, but this is clearly a deliberate plot to harm our Wang family."

"Most likely, but this boy is using our family emblem, a direct strategy. Even knowing it's a trap, we must act, or the Wang family will become a laughingstock. This boy is more troublesome than Qin Qiong, understanding the art of psychological warfare. What do you intend to do?"

"Send assassins to take the divine weapon. If that fails, kill him to eliminate the threat. The Wang family cannot be humiliated. This time, we cannot fail. Prepare the money to participate in the auction as a backup. We have three days, enough time to plan everything!"

"Good!"

Wang Gui's eyes glinted coldly, like a lurking old fox.