Chapter 10, Yanming Blade

He fixed his gaze on Liu Jian's eyes and asked, "So what is this method that does not eradicate the root?"

Song Limu calculated: "The total is approximately four thousand two hundred pieces."

Holding the lamp, tears welled in his eyes, he puffed up his cheeks and went to fetch water without saying a word. Meanwhile, Liu Jian helped Song Li to sit down—Liu Jian was angry, while Song Li was confused—both of them gently pressed their temples to calm themselves. Song Li did not clearly see what had just happened; he only noticed that the corner of the lamp holder's mouth was bleeding. In his dazed state, he was still pondering: "People say that when performing rituals on the altar, the more perilous it is, the more one must offer sacrifices of three kinds of livestock. Liu Jingru actually used the blood of a servant as a sacrificial offering, which shows that this matter is indeed of great significance."

Yuan Liuzhuang's son, Yuan Zhongche, styled Jingsi, was also quite capable. In his youth, he accompanied his father to meet Zhu Di, who invited the civil and military officials of Beiping Prefecture, such as Song Zhong, Zhang Bing, Xie Gui, and Jing Qing—individuals sent by the court to monitor Zhu Di—to a banquet, asking Yuan Zhongche to discreetly assess their fortunes. After observing them, Yuan Zhongche told Zhu Di that all these people would meet a bad end. This statement solidified Zhu Di's resolve to raise troops for the "Jingnan" campaign. Therefore, after Zhu Di ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Zhongche as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, later transferring him to the position of Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and eventually returning him to the Ministry of Revenue as a Junior Minister. Yuan Zhongche outlived his father, living to the age of eighty-three before passing away, and he left behind a book on physiognomy titled "Ancient and Modern Insights."

When one person achieves success, even the chickens and dogs rise to the heavens. At this time, there was a son of Yuan Liuzhuang named Yuan Zhongche, who inherited his father's business and was also a master of fengjian. He gained fame among the nobles in Nanjing, which led to the Yongle Emperor granting Yuan Zhongche the title of Fifth-Rank Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Treasures. At that time, the Minister of Imperial Treasures was merely a ceremonial position, with most of the responsibilities managed by the deputy, Yuan Zhongche, who was commonly referred to as "Yuan Shangbao." Due to Yuan Zhongche's personal interests and abilities, along with the assistance of his father, Yuan Liuzhuang, the Ministry of Imperial Treasures gradually transformed into an office responsible for managing various talismans and artifacts for subduing demons and dispelling evil within the court.

Liu Jian turned his head and called for someone to bring another wooden stool. He sat beside Song Li, their knees touching, and leaned in to discuss in secret: "Brother Song, if you understand the stakes involved, then it will be easier to handle. You should smash this batch of tiles and bury them under the coal mountain, along with a talisman. I will go to perform the ritual to dispel the negative energy, which can suppress Mr. Gou Cheng's resentment for forty-nine years. After forty-nine years, the talisman must be replaced, and the dispelling ritual must be performed again. As for whether you will have the opportunity to seek someone to perform the ritual at that time, it is beyond my prediction today."

It is alright, it is alright

Yuan Liuzhuang was a highly knowledgeable individual, authoring the book "Liuzhuang Ji," of which physiognomy is merely a part. He passed away in the eighth year of the Yongle era (1410), at the age of seventy-six

Indeed, the currency of the State of Yan primarily consisted of shell money and cloth money. However, during the political turmoil caused by Zizhi, when the State of Qi invaded Yan, the knife money was also introduced to Yan. Since the reign of King Zhao, Yan began to mint knife money, which was produced in limited quantities and is considered a rare ancient artifact

Song Liyue became increasingly confused as he listened, and the more confused he became, the more he admired the speaker. He couldn't help but fix his gaze on the seemingly unremarkable brush, as if he were about to kneel down in reverence. Liu Jian, on the other hand, grew more and more irritated as he listened; his hands even trembled slightly. However, as he was in the midst of drawing talismans, a process that requires utmost focus and understanding, he simply could not muster the energy to command the lamp holder to be quiet.

Song Li gratefully clasped his hands together and said, "Then I thank you, virtuous younger brother."

However, throughout history, there have been many practitioners of the art of physiognomy, yet few have achieved lasting fame. Notable figures include Yuan Tiangang and Chen Xiyi from previous dynasties, as well as Liu Bowen and Yao Guangxiao from the current dynasty. Their renown largely stems from having provided counsel to emperors, and in some cases, serving as imperial advisors. If Yuan Liuzhuang had spent his entire life wandering the world, no matter how great his abilities or how well he wrote, he might not have achieved commercial success. The reason for the large print run and good sales of "The Divine Physiognomy of Liuzhuang" is entirely due to the author's fortuitous encounter with Emperor Yongle, which, after considerable effort, allowed him to ascend to prominence. If Yuan Liuzhuang had spent his entire life wandering the world, no matter how great his abilities or how well he wrote, he might not have achieved commercial success. The reason for the large print run and good sales of "The Divine Physiognomy of Liuzhuang" is entirely due to the author's fortuitous encounter with Emperor Yongle, which, after considerable effort, allowed him to ascend to prominence.

Holding the lamp, he opened the bamboo box hurriedly brought from the Berlin Temple, rummaged through it, and found a small yellow flag, about the size of a palm, which he respectfully presented to Liu Jian. Then, he took out paper and pen from his pouch—of course, it was yellow paper, as this child never carried proper stationery—and carefully mixed a bowl of cinnabar.

The officers scolded him as a "swindler" and "nonsense," reprimanding him before hastily leaving after settling the accounts. However, one of the officers turned back and quietly inquired about Yuan Liuzhuang's name and address. A few days later, an imperial decree was issued from the Yan Wangfu, summoning Yuan Xiangshi to the palace for an audience. When Yuan Liuzhuang entered and bowed, he raised his head to see that it was indeed the extraordinary-looking officer he had encountered at the tavern the day before, who bore the appearance of a "true son of destiny".

To be on the safe side, I will have him bring over four Yanming knives. However, it will take at least fifteen days for the round trip. During this time, I will first draw a talisman. Liu Jianchao waved his hand while holding the lamp, whispered a few words in the ear of the young boy, and then turned to Song Li, saying, "I will give you a few more items. You should gather the tiles into a pile, hang these items at the four corners of the tile pile, and connect them with red threads to isolate the inside from the outside. I can only guarantee that there will be no incidents in the next few days; the rest will have to wait until half a month later." You should gather the tiles into a pile, hang these items at the four corners of the tile pile, and connect them with red threads to isolate the inside from the outside. I can only guarantee that there will be no incidents in the next few days; the rest will have to wait until half a month later.

The world is vast, and there are many talented individuals. After a full forty-nine years, is it not possible to find a master who can resolve this matter with a more reliable method? Therefore, I say that this approach does not address the root of the issue; it merely helps you to get through today's difficulties while waiting for a master to unravel it.

The Shangbao Office was established during the time when Emperor Hongwu occupied Jiangnan and proclaimed himself King of Wu, overseeing the military tokens and seals of the King. When the King ascended the throne and became the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Hongwu, he expanded the scale of the Shangbao Office, which not only managed various seals of the Emperor but also was responsible for the waist tokens and orders for the guards entering and exiting the imperial city

Where then can one find it

Song Li said with a bitter smile: "I still have a pair of children... If something really happens in the future, tracing back to the source will still lead to my Song family. Although it is a matter for after my death, I cannot leave a root of disaster for my descendants. Moreover, if I were still alive at that time... If I say that the root is not removed, it will always resurface!"

Song Li suddenly realized and clasped his hands in salute: "Indeed, my dear brother, you are well-versed in knowledge. But I wonder if you possess this item?"

Liu Jian sat down at the desk, picked up a wolf hair brush, and leisurely dipped it in vermilion, writing in a flamboyant manner on the four small banners, though it was unclear what he had inscribed. Deng Deng, holding a lamp beside him, curled his lips and said: "Master Song, I must say that this brush of my master's is quite extraordinary. It is made from the tail of a white fox mixed with the hair from the top of a white tiger, specifically designed to subdue ghosts, foxes, and other supernatural beings. It can make all evils retreat and cause countless spirits to hide away. Truly, those who hear it become deaf, and those who see it become blind; the breath drives away malevolent spirits, and the intent leads to the demise of phantoms..."

The soldiers were busy, while Liu Jian gazed at the glazed tiles from a distance. He slightly closed his eyes and silently recited something, then suddenly opened them. Before him, a white mist rose into the air, causing him to involuntarily take a step back and draw a cold breath.

Song Li instructed the minor official of the Works Department to prepare two horses. He and Liu Jian mounted the horses and slowly made their way to the construction site—there was no choice but to proceed slowly, as the lantern bearers behind them were already panting heavily. Upon entering the construction site within the Forbidden City, the two dismounted and walked in, at which point the sky had already brightened significantly.

Liu Jian smiled wryly and said: "I am not boasting; although the contents of my mind may not compare to those of the Master, they are not too far off. With the Master’s abilities, he might be able to devise a more straightforward method, but the dragon's blood and dragon's whiskers are indispensable. The Master may have the capability to obtain these two items, but the stakes he carries are significant, and he has no need to take such risks for you. The most prudent approach would be for him to petition the Emperor for these two items to resolve the issue. The Emperor may very well grant his request, but in that case, the responsibility would fall entirely on you, Lord Song."

Holding the lamp, Yan looked at Liu Jian, whose leg had already extended beyond the edge of the table. He knew that as soon as the master finished drawing the talisman, that foot would kick towards him, which made him feel somewhat afraid. However, he was caught up in his speech; this lengthy discourse was akin to the rapid-fire delivery of a later comedic dialogue. If he did not finish, it would not only be unsatisfying but would also feel like having a rice ball stuck in his throat, truly suffocating. Thus, he retreated towards the door while speaking: "... Summon the Jade Maiden, to collect the inauspicious. But he was so engrossed in his speech; this lengthy discourse was akin to the rapid-fire delivery of a later comedic dialogue. If he did not finish, it would not only be unsatisfying but would also feel like having a rice ball stuck in his throat, truly suffocating. Thus, he retreated towards the door while speaking: "... Summon the Jade Maiden, to collect the inauspicious. In front, there is the Yellow God, behind, the Yue Zhang. The divine master wields power, not fearing the powerful. First, slay the evil spirits, then cut down the night light. What god does not submit, what ghost dares to stand against?" This stirring and grand discourse came to an abrupt halt, the final word "stand" resonating through the room, drifting and penetrating the heavy door far away— the speaker had already fled to the courtyard.

Song Liqi said: "Ah? Speaking of which, both of you are equally proficient in the art of wind observation, and you serve as officials in the same court, so you must be close friends. Why then do you come to ask me?"

Liu Jian stood up and walked to the table, dipping his hand into the half-dried teacup. He sketched two shapes on the table: "The left is a hollow sun, the right is a hollow moon, together forming the character 'ming', hence the name 'Yanming Dao'. With the sword of the Ming Yan King, it suppresses the anti-Yan figure, Mr. Goucheng. This is almost an inevitable path determined by fate!"

"I understand, I understand," Song Li gasped for breath, "Don't say that the overall planning of the construction of Beijing City is entirely my responsibility; even if it has nothing to do with me, just using the wrong tiles, if this matter reaches the Emperor's ears... Even if the Emperor will not punish me for the time being, this lingering concern will remain. If there are any future mistakes, it will be brought up again. At that time... If I can hide it, I will hide it, I understand..."

Song Li furrowed his brow and said, "As a foolish elder brother who has reached the age of understanding, I certainly cannot live for another forty-nine years. Although I can leave instructions for my descendants to handle it, must we really suppress and perform sacrifices every forty-nine years like this?"

"How do you say this?" Liu Jian lightly furrowed his brows and asked him, "Is there a deep friendship between Lord Song and Yuan Zhongche?"

Song Li was preoccupied with thoughts of the glazed tiles that had been possessed by the entire Fang Xiaoru family, yet he did not dare to interrupt Liu Jian's ramblings and could only smile and nod in response, making it all the more remarkable that he could work up a sweat on this deep autumn night.

Song Li still thought that to expel the vengeful spirit of the beheaded Fang Xiaoru, one would have to sever the current Yongle Emperor as well, which left him in a cold sweat, his plump face drenched, and his lips trembling. Fortunately, Liu Jian waved his hand and said, "Not quite. However, to dispel the overwhelming resentment of Master Goucheng, we must at least obtain the dragon's blood from the current emperor to write a talisman, and then burn it together with dragon whiskers and dragon hair to ensure the success of the ritual. Using blood in place of a person and hair in place of a head is a practice that has existed since ancient times."

Liu Jian tucked his right hand into his sleeve and calculated with his fingers: "Lord Song, this matter can only be resolved by seeking the Shaobao Division, there is no other way. Unfortunately, Yuan Zhongche and I are truly incompatible; if he finds out that this issue is related to my brother, he will definitely create obstacles. We can only have your Ministry of Works intervene and request a few Yanming knives for use—how many of the tiles that encountered issues do you have in total?"

Song Li nodded: "The map personally drawn by Master Yao, you saw it during the day. We need to raise the coal hill to the north of the Forbidden City, piling the ruins of the previous dynasty's palaces there. Naturally, the waste from the newly constructed halls will also be buried there... As for what is called the central mountain, I, a foolish brother, cannot comprehend it."

It is said that before the "Jingnan Incident," when Emperor Yongle was still the Prince of Yan in Beiping, one day he went out incognito with a group of military officers. After walking for a while, they entered a tavern to rest. As fate would have it, Yuan Liuzhuang happened to pass by and, out of habit, glanced at everyone. Suddenly, he saw the Prince of Yan, was taken aback, knelt down, and exclaimed: "This is indeed the true Son of Heaven!"

The twenty-first volume of "The First Collection of the Amazing Cases" is titled "Yuan Shangbao's Astrology Moves the Name of the Minister, Zheng Shiren's Yin Skills Entangle the World with Nobility" and it details the deeds of Yuan's father. However, these two individuals are not fictional characters from the novel, but rather real historical figures, as recorded in the "History of the Ming Dynasty: Biographies of Sorcerers"

Before long, Deng held a basin of water from the courtyard; the well water in the lunar August was icy cold to the bone. The two of them wiped their faces and felt invigorated. Watching the adults finish washing up and head out to the construction site, Deng secretly twisted a damp towel to wrap around his burning lips, shouldered a bamboo box, and hurriedly followed behind.

The bricks and tiles are shattered, yet the malice remains, Liu Jian explained in detail, "It is buried in such a perilous place as Zhen Mountain. If you simply bury it like this, it will definitely not do. What if something happens again one day? If by then you have already passed away, it would naturally be of no concern..."

At this moment, Liu Jian uttered the name "Shangbao Si," and Song Li suddenly realized, patting his chest and letting out a long sigh: "Oh, if it is Lord Yuan from Shangbao Si, then that makes things easier..."

Previously, Liu Jian, constrained by his identity, found it inappropriate to mention his conflict with Yuan Zhongche to Song Li. However, at this moment, the lantern bearer, who was supposed to recite the text, forgot the idiom at a critical juncture and became incoherent, much like an elderly man holding a joy stick but unable to scratch the right spot, leaving Liu Jian quite uncomfortable. Noticing the puzzled expression on Song Li's face, Liu Jian cleared his throat, gently shook his folding fan, and intended to provide a brief explanation of the lantern bearer's words.

Liu Jian's expression darkened, and he replied slowly, word by word: "Shang, Bao, Si"

Yuan Liuzhuang and Yuan Zhongche

Liu Jian smiled faintly: "I am but a mortal; the talismans I write possess no such great power. Even if you were to find Zhang Zhenren of Longhu Mountain, he may not be able to resolve this matter with just a small talisman. What I need is a knife coin from the State of Yan during the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period."

Liu Jian shook his fan and said, "Ah, look at me, I got carried away with idle chatter, my apologies."

The State of Yan was one of the feudal lords during the Spring and Autumn period and one of the Seven Warring States, and it was also the earliest state to establish a city and capital near present-day Beijing. To ward off evil, one could find an ancient artifact from the State of Yan. Although Song Li had not studied the principles of Yin and Yang or numerology, he could still understand this concept. Historically, copper coins have always been regarded as the foremost among currencies, which is why it has been a long-standing tradition to use coins for home protection, said to be of infinite efficacy, a notion that Song Li also comprehended. Therefore, after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the production of copper coins was limited, with paper currency becoming the primary medium of exchange. The very few copper coins that remained were mostly taken by the populace for home and object protection, leading to a market that had almost entirely become dominated by paper currency.

In recognition of Yuan Liuzhuang's contributions, Emperor Yongle appointed him as a third-rank Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, responsible for conducting sacrifices to heaven and earth and predicting the fortunes of the nation. Consequently, "The Divine Oracle of Liuzhuang" became a bestseller, with countless copies printed. As a result, Emperor Yongle decreed that all those who printed this book must pay taxes to the court, which was termed "royalty".

Song Li was taken aback: "Did the State of Yan also mint knife coins? I have never heard of it."

Song Li's tongue was tied, and his legs felt weak. He held the lamp to see the situation and moved a wooden stool to place under him, preventing the esteemed Minister from collapsing to the ground. After a moment of composure, Song Li finally spoke: "Since this is the case, it would indeed be futile to find Master Yao."

Holding the lamp, the corner of his mouth began to bleed. The little boy took the opportunity to feign pity, not even raising a hand to wipe the blood, his eyes red as he turned around, looking at Liu Jian with a pitiful expression, as if to say: "Sir, look at what I've become; can you still bear to hit me?" Liu Jian was both angry and amused, and felt a bit of pity as well, muttering softly: "I told you not to talk nonsense; even Heaven won't tolerate you. This time, you should learn your lesson."

"The Biography of Fang Ji" records many eccentric figures, such as Zhou Dian, Zhang Sanfeng, and Zhang Zhong (the Iron Crown Daoist), among others, including Yuan Gong and Yuan Liuzhuang. It is said that he was already famous throughout the world during the Yuan Dynasty, having accurately predicted the fortunes, misfortunes, and the life and death of over one hundred scholars and officials. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, on one occasion, Yuan Liuzhuang encountered Yao Guangxiao at Songshan Temple. Upon observing his facial features, he remarked, "You are a person akin to Liu Bingzhong." Later, Yao Guangxiao allied himself with the Yan King Zhu Di and recommended Yuan Liuzhuang to him. It is said that he was already famous throughout the world during the Yuan Dynasty, having accurately predicted the fortunes, misfortunes, and the life and death of over one hundred scholars and officials. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, on one occasion, Yuan Liuzhuang encountered Yao Guangxiao at Songshan Temple. Upon observing his facial features, he remarked, "You are a person akin to Liu Bingzhong." Later, Yao Guangxiao allied himself with the Yan King Zhu Di and recommended Yuan Liuzhuang to him.

Liu Jian harbored a deep resentment towards Yuan Zhongche, simply because they were officials in the same court, often encountering each other. For some reason, whenever they met, they would inevitably clash. Although their ranks were similar, Yuan Zhongche managed the crucial Ministry of the Imperial Household, while Liu Jian merely handled trivial matters at the Zhan Shi Fu in the Qing Shui Yamen. Moreover, Yuan Zhongche had the backing of his father, which left Liu Jian at a disadvantage when it came to confrontations. At this moment, when he had the opportunity to vent his grievances in front of Song Li, he couldn't help but become increasingly agitated; once he started speaking, he found it impossible to stop.

At this moment, the eastern sky faintly revealed the morning light, and the rooster crowed for the first time. Song Li, feeling dazed from the incantations of the lantern bearer and having not slept a wink all night, vaguely saw what seemed like a red light swirling in Liu Jian's writing. However, when he rubbed his eyes and looked again, it had vanished. After Liu Jian finished writing the incantation on the small banner, he took another piece of yellow paper to write a talisman. He glanced at Song Li, frowned slightly, stood up, and stretched widely. Then he walked to the door and called out to the lantern bearer, who was hiding under the tree, saying, "Come here, prepare the items, we are going to the construction site with Lord Song." It was as if nothing had happened just moments before.

Zhu Di summoned Yuan Liuzhuang to the Beiping Prefecture. He deliberately arranged for nine guards who resembled him in appearance, all dressed similarly, to go to a tavern to drink. Upon seeing them, Yuan Liuzhuang bowed and inquired, "Your Highness, why have you come here in disguise?" Zhu Di was greatly surprised and summoned him into the palace for a closer look. Yuan Liuzhuang remarked, "Your demeanor is like that of a dragon and tiger, with the sun's rays piercing the heavens; you possess the countenance of a peaceful sovereign. At the age of forty, with a beard that reaches your waist, it indicates that you will soon ascend to the throne." Consequently, after Zhu Di ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Liuzhuang as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, showing him great favor.

Yuan Gong was a native of Yin County in Zhejiang Province, with the courtesy name Tingyu and the pseudonym Liuzhuang Jushi. This individual was well-versed in physiognomy and was said to have predicted the fortunes of over a hundred scholars and officials, with each prediction proving accurate. During the Yuan Dynasty, he had already made a significant impact in the community. He also authored a book on physiognomy titled "Liuzhuang Shenxiang," which summarized his decades of experience in the field and became widely popular, leading to a surge in demand for copies in Luoyang.

Song Li then let out a long sigh: "What you say, dear brother, is indeed true. However... I do not know what talisman to use for the exorcism. Do you want to write a charm?"

That is certainly the case

However, what Song Li does not understand is that the books he has read all state that the circulating currency of the Yan State consists of shell money and cloth money, which are coins cast in the shape of sea shells or wooden plows made of copper. When it comes to knife coins, everyone would first think of "Qi knives"; it was the Qi State, located by the sea in the east during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, that first minted currency in the shape of knives

Song Li instructed the guards: "Those tiles that do not meet the specifications must be sealed and destroyed in a couple of days." He ordered them to carry basket after basket of tiles into a makeshift shed, piling them up into a large heap—this was Song Li's shrewdness. He had heard Liu Jian mention the need to hang banners and tie red threads, and he was concerned about drawing too much attention from others.

At this time, Prince Yan was being driven to desperation by Emperor Jianwen's policy of reducing the feudal lords and was contemplating rebellion, yet he was still uncertain. Therefore, he revealed his identity and asked Yuan Liuzhuang to take another careful look. Yuan Liuzhuang focused intently, then once again knelt down, performing three kneelings and nine prostrations, expressing his congratulations profusely. It was from this that Prince Yan resolved on his grand plan, raised an army to pacify the chaos, engaged in continuous battles, and ultimately captured Nanjing, ascending to the throne.

Liu Jian smiled and shook his head: "Since the Yan knife is both rare and valuable, of course it is worth a fortune. Do I look like someone who can afford such things?"

Liu Jian pondered for a moment and asked Song Li, "These imperial tiles, even if they are not in use, should not be allowed to scatter among the common people, correct?"

Song Li is well-versed in civil engineering and has some research on artifacts from various dynasties. Although he does not have a penchant for collecting ancient coins and has read some related books, he truly cannot recall that the State of Yan also had knife coins. He directly inquired Liu Jian, who lightly shook his folding fan and leisurely explained that

It should be shattered and buried in a certain place... If I am not mistaken, it is to be buried in the coal mountain, right?

From the Hongwu period to the present Yongle period, the Shangbao Division has been continuously developing. While its powers may not have significantly expanded, the collection and preservation of items have certainly increased. It has prepared all sorts of items that may be needed in the palace for rituals, exorcisms, and the like. Why is this the case? This can be traced back to a person named Yuan Gong.

After talking for the duration of half a stick of incense, Liu Jian finally paused, taking a breath. Song Li seized the opportunity, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief while苦笑着问: "Xian Di, what do you think about my situation..."

Liu Jian spoke eloquently, while Deng Deng listened attentively beside him, nodding continuously, seemingly memorizing the words of his master. Song Li was left dumbfounded. He had little acquaintance with Liu Jian, having only met him once or twice in Nanjing. A few months ago, they traveled to Beijing together by boat, during which he observed this young man constantly fanning himself lightly, wearing a smile, and speaking at a leisurely pace. Aside from occasionally scolding the book boy—who indeed deserved some reprimand—he exhibited the demeanor of a Confucian scholar and the disposition of a Daoist. However, he did not expect that upon mentioning Yuan Shangbao, Liu Jian's expression would suddenly change, revealing a deep-seated resentment. The slight good impression he had previously formed was instantly overturned.

Holding the lamp, it seemed that the master was no longer angry. Joyfully, she rushed into the room, just about to tidy up the items on the desk, when Liu Jian suddenly grabbed her collar. With a startled "Ah!", she instinctively struggled hard as Liu Jian's hand, propelled by a gust of wind, was about to strike. Liu Jian had also stayed up all night, and with no strength left in his hand, he was easily shaken off by her. However, unable to control her momentum, she slammed her mouth against the edge of the desk, nearly knocking out her front teeth. Liu Jian had also stayed up all night, and with no strength left in his hand, he was easily shaken off by her. However, unable to control her momentum, she slammed her mouth against the edge of the desk, nearly knocking out her front teeth

He then raised his voice slightly: "Why aren't you quickly going to fetch a basin of cold water? Bring it to me and Lord Song so we can wash our faces. We are about to start work soon, and finishing early will allow us to return and rest sooner."

Nonsense, it refers to 'fortune-telling gamblers'! Speaking of the Liu family of the Yuan clan, they indeed have a profound scholarly heritage. Seven hundred years ago, Yuan Tiangang was renowned for his ability to observe the winds and predict fortunes and misfortunes, and his skills are well-known. However, the Yuan family is now in decline. This Yuan Zhongche even said: '... the matter of wind divination is a pressing concern for the wise of old to identify and promote talented individuals, not for the likes of street fortune-tellers, used merely to attract fortune-telling gamblers.' He is beating around the bush, calling me a swindler! Lord Song, you say this person only distinguishes between the wise and the foolish, disregarding the distinctions of officials and commoners... The matter of wind divination is a pressing concern for the wise of old to identify and promote talented individuals, not for the likes of street fortune-tellers, used merely to attract fortune-telling gamblers.' He is beating around the bush, calling me a swindler! Lord Song, you say this person only distinguishes between the wise and the foolish, disregarding the distinctions of officials and commoners? Yi Yin was a minister by marriage, and Fu Shuo started from humble beginnings. Back in the day, the young Lord of Xinling befriended Lord Mao and Lord Xue, who were all considered 'fortune-telling gamblers.' He calls me a swindler, yet I could just as easily say he is merely a sycophant who flatters the powerful...

Liu Jian merely pursed his lips, smiling without responding. The lamp holder beside him could no longer contain herself; her little face turned bright red. She even stopped pulling on Wen's sleeve and stepped forward to bow deeply to Song Lishen: "Sir Song, you may not be aware, but this Yuan Shangbao is truly a despicable person. Whether in private or in public, he has insulted my master more than once. I cannot repeat the exact words, but they were filled with such vulgarity, like spitting out grape seeds and other offensive remarks."

He then went on to explain in detail: "The Yan sword embodies the hatred of King Zhao for the fall of his kingdom, the desire for its restoration, and the hope for peace in Yan. It is perfect for calming the malevolence coming from the south. Moreover, there is a character cast on the Yan sword..."