Chapter 134: Laying It All Out

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Everyone went up to the Fragrant Retreat and chose an elegant room upstairs. After ordering their dishes, the waiter brought out wine and poured a cup for each of them.

Liu Yuxi said, “Now that Young Lord Wei has come to Chang’an, you can finally put all your ambitions into practice. That will be a blessing to the common people. Come, Young Lord Wei, have a cup first.”

Wei Renshi shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m still young. I can’t drink.”

The others were somewhat surprised and stared blankly for a moment. Liu Yuxi was familiar with him and paid no mind to it. He set down his cup and said, “What? Do you think you won’t be able to realize your ambitions in Chang’an?”

“You know perfectly well how lazy I am.” Wei Renshi laughed. “I improved the plow because my household consists entirely of women and children, and they couldn’t manage the old one. I built irrigation equipment for the village so that I could exchange it for the other villagers’ help in tilling my family’s fields. As for making seasonings and white liquor, that was because my family had fallen into poverty. If I didn’t earn some money, I was afraid we would have to sell the last old house and the few acres of poor farmland we had left. I reclaimed wasteland because it was easier and cheaper to buy than fertile fields. I gave you the method of building dams to accumulate silt because I wanted you to rise quickly through the ranks, so that I could find myself a powerful patron. I’m merely a vulgar man. I only trouble myself to think of solutions when the matter concerns me personally.”

The others were even more astonished by his words and all turned to look at Liu Yuxi.

Liu Yuxi was not embarrassed in the slightest. Instead, he laughed. “Hahahaha! Young Lord Wei truly lives up to the name Renshi—your words are as plain and honest as they come. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’ve disappointed you. My official rank is still lower than yours.”

Wei Renshi looked at Liu Yuxi with a broad grin. The moment he saw Liu Yuxi arrive with these men, he had known what the man intended. There was no chance he would let him have his way.

“Does Baron Wei truly care nothing for the people of the realm?” Liu Zongyuan finally failed to contain himself and asked.

The moment Liu Yuxi heard the question, he shook his head and gave a bitter smile. “Brother Zihou, this boy is sharper than he looks. He saw through our intentions long ago, which is why he said all that. If you ask him like that, he’ll certainly say he doesn’t care.”

“Er, Brother Mengde, Baron Wei is still a baron. You mustn’t be so disrespectful.” Seeing how Liu Yuxi spoke to Wei Renshi, Liu Zongyuan glanced at Wei Renshi and hurriedly reminded Liu Yuxi.

“It’s all right, it’s all right!” said Wei Renshi. “You may all address me that way as well. It’s more comfortable to speak freely.”

“Then what is your view, Baron Wei?” Liu Zongyuan asked.

Wei Renshi stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “In my opinion, you two are both complete fools. You ought to learn more from Doctor Han.”

Liu Zongyuan’s expression changed in shock, while Liu Yuxi froze.

“I’ll be frank,” Wei Renshi said, his smile fading as he addressed the two men. “Wang Shuwen certainly has ideals, but it’s also true that he has ulterior motives. The two of you are genuinely devoted to the people, but your hot blood has clouded your judgment, and you’ve failed to see the problems right in front of you. If all you wanted to ask me today was whether I care about the people of the realm, then naturally I do. But if you’re trying to bring me aboard Wang Shuwen’s ship, I’m still young, I haven’t read many books, and I can’t understand a word of what you’re saying.”

Seeing the shameless expression on Wei Renshi’s face, everyone at the table was deeply moved.

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Even Han Yu, who had not spoken a word since sitting down, wore an astonished expression and stared at Wei Renshi in disbelief.

Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan exchanged bewildered looks, utterly stunned.

Liu Yuxi asked in amazement, “Young Lord Wei, how did you know about the Crown Prince’s Reader?”

“Five thousand years of history, eighty thousand miles across the four seas. Is there anything I don’t know?” Wei Renshi lifted his chin, looking unbearably proud.

Liu Yuxi’s expression turned strange. “Then do you know that I didn’t bring any money today?”

“Please enjoy yourselves, gentlemen. I just remembered that I have something to take care of at home. I’ll be leaving first!” Wei Renshi immediately rose to go.

When he reached the door and saw that no one had moved, he turned back. “Wait. You really didn’t bring any?”

Liu Yuxi nodded calmly. “I’ve only just entered the Censorate, and my salary has not yet been paid.”

“You’re a grown man. Don’t you have even a little savings?” Wei Renshi asked again.

“I spent it all in Weinan,” Liu Yuxi replied.

Wei Renshi slapped his forehead, turned around, and sat back down. “Fine, I’ll lend you the money for this meal. Remember to pay me back—and you really didn’t bring any?”

Liu Yuxi nodded. “I used every bit of my money in Weinan. It has been a long time since I’ve had a decent meal. Now that I heard you had come to Chang’an, I naturally had to hurry over and mooch a meal off you to satisfy my cravings. If you didn’t yet have a place of your own, I would have insisted on eating at your house.”

You make that sound perfectly reasonable!

Wei Renshi could not help raising his thumb. “Splendid!”

“Your praise is undeserved.” Liu Yuxi cupped his hands.

Everyone turned to look at Liu Yuxi, then turned back to Wei Renshi, utterly dumbfounded by the exchange between them.

Liu Yuxi asked again, “Young Lord Wei, tell me honestly. How did you know about the Crown Prince’s Reader?”

“Stop asking how I know,” Wei Renshi said. “Master Liu, Master Liu—allow me to offer you both a word of advice. Wanting reform is a good thing, but you must pay attention to the proper method. The Minister of Works once wrote:

‘The good rain knows the season,
And comes when spring arrives.
It slips into the night upon the wind,
Moistening all things without a sound.’

The situation is complicated at present. This is the proper path of reform. Under violent winds and sudden downpours, the earth often cannot hold the water.”

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“Do you believe the Crown Prince’s Reader’s plans will never come to fruition?” Liu Zongyuan lowered his voice as he spoke to Wei Renshi. “The Crown Prince’s Reader enjoys the Crown Prince’s deepest trust, and the Crown Prince himself enjoys the Emperor’s favor. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Scholar Wang will be able to implement his new policies.”

“Master Liu, be careful what you say.” Wei Renshi warned him. “Such words must never be spoken.”

“Quite right. Young Lord Wei is correct,” Han Yu hurriedly added.

Liu Zongyuan realized that he had misspoken and fell silent.

“Heh heh, why are these dishes taking so long? I’m so hungry my front and back are practically pressed together.” Zhang Ji laughed, steering the conversation elsewhere. “To tell you the truth, I’ve been thinking day and night about the hot pot I had at Young Lord Wei’s home. I tried making it several times after I returned, but I could never reproduce Young Lord Wei’s flavor. I wonder when I’ll have the chance to taste it again.”

“That’s easy enough to arrange.” Wei Renshi laughed. “Give me a few days to make preparations, and I’ll invite you all over for a combined barbecue and hot pot. Hahaha.”

“What is a combined barbecue and hot pot?” Han Yu asked.

“Barbecue together with a hot pot.” Wei Renshi grinned. “We’ll make a stand, place charcoal underneath, and put a grill on one side and a hot pot over the fire on the other. If it happens to snow, we can watch the snow falling from the sky while warming ourselves by the coals and enjoying steaming-hot barbecue and hot pot. Now that would be the life. Once I’ve made the thing, I’ll call you all over.”

“Excellent!” Zhang Ji’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “But you must hurry, Young Lord Wei! After hearing you describe it, I’m certain I won’t be able to think of food or tea until then.”

“I’ll have to find a blacksmith first,” Wei Renshi said. “It shouldn’t be difficult to make. I estimate it will take three to five days at most. It won’t be long.”

“No hurry. We have plenty of time.” Liu Yuxi smiled meaningfully and suddenly spoke.

“That’s right. We have plenty of time,” Liu Zongyuan said with a smile.

Wei Renshi nodded. “Indeed. We have plenty of time. We can take it slowly.”

With that, the three of them exchanged smiles.

Whether they meant the same thing, however, was impossible to say.