2. Competition for Treasures

Xu Guan returned to the inn, and there was no conversation throughout the night. By the next morning, Lu Huai had risen early and instructed his attendants to pack the goods. The group headed straight to the eastern dock of the city, intending to leave Sichuan by water. As they reached the banks of the Jinjiang River, suddenly dark clouds covered the sky, and a light drizzle began to fall. Before long, the rain intensified. Just as they were hurriedly boarding the boat, Lu Huai suddenly shouted, "Ah! Not good! My treasure was left in the guest room." The others quickly asked him what he had lost, and Lu Huai replied, "It is a gold silk nanmu box, about two inches square, which I usually keep by my pillow. I woke up in a hurry today and forgot to bring it." He was about to rush back to the inn when Xu Guan, seeing the heavy rain, quickly stopped him and said, "Sir, I will go get it for you." Xu Guan had the Wave Moon Stone with him, and soon arrived at the inn. After inquiring with the innkeeper, he learned that Lu Huai had indeed left a wooden box at the establishment. Xu Guan took the wooden box, thanked the innkeeper, and should have hurried back to the dock, but for some reason, he walked to the entrance of the Ruyi Building and stood there in a daze. The staff inside Ruyi Building noticed he had been standing there for a long time and remarked that this person must be crazy for standing in the rain. One of the staff recognized him as a customer from the previous day and came out to wave at him, saying, "Guest, please do not stand in the rain; do come in and sit down." Only then did Xu Guan come to his senses, waved his hand, and slowly turned back towards the eastern part of the city

The two chatted and laughed, enjoying each other's company, and before they knew it, the sky had darkened. Xu Guan remembered that he had an appointment with Lu Huai, so he stood up to meet with Chao and Xiao Yan as they left the inn. A small, plump blue donkey came strolling slowly from somewhere, its body round and smooth, its coat glossy and sleek, with a silver bell tied around its neck, jingling as it swayed its head and walked along. Xiao Yan reached out to lead the blue donkey, gently leaped onto its back after pulling the reins, and bowed to Xu Guan, saying, "We shall meet again if fate allows." With that, she floated away. Xu Guan stood at the entrance of the inn, watching her sit sideways on the donkey, her feet gently swaying, as the two of them gradually moved further away. It was not until she was no longer in sight and the sound of the bell faded that he slowly made his way back to the inn where he was staying.

Yet, there was a sudden sound as the small bottle fell to the ground, producing a noise akin to that of a metal object striking against stone. This small bottle not only did not shatter but instead bounced high into the air. Xue Yuanshan sprang up, snatched the bottle, and tightly gripped it in his palm as he returned to his elder brother's side. Xue Pinhai took the small bottle and, filled with suspicion, asked, "Younger brother, where did you obtain this bottle?" Xue Yuanshan replied, "Elder brother, do you still remember that last month when we were traveling by boat through Qianzhou and were suddenly caught in a heavy rainstorm?" Xue Pinhai said, "I seem to recall such an event; what of the rainstorm?" Xue Yuanshan continued, "After the rain passed, you went into the city to procure goods while I stayed on the boat. At that moment, I suddenly noticed a spot on the riverbank where steam was rising, reaching several zhang in height, so I left the boat and went ashore to take a closer look. As a result, I found this small bottle among the scattered rocks and thought it to be a rare item, so I picked it up." Xue Pinhai asked, "Why have you never mentioned this before?" Xue Yuanshan replied, "Because I have never been able to figure out the mechanism on the bottle, and I have had it for quite some time without being able to open the cap. I was afraid you would laugh at me, so I never brought it up."

At the other end of the cave is a short corridor, with four bronze beast heads embedded in the stone walls on each side. Each beast head holds a pure white pearl in its mouth, emitting a soft glow for illumination. At the end of the corridor stands a stone door, which Lu Huai pushes open. As the two step outside, they are greeted by a sudden brightness, revealing a vast stone hall before them. In the center of the hall are three square tables, each surrounded by several people, and a circle of round stools scattered around, all of which are fully occupied. In each corner of the hall stands a large gourd-shaped ceramic lamp, illuminating the entire space. The stone hall features a bronze ceiling, gilded above, with the walls intricately carved with birds, beasts, and floral patterns, truly magnificent and splendid, a stark contrast to the small tavern at the entrance.

Seeing Xu Guan unaware of the Hu merchants' treasure fair, Lu Huai said: "This is an old custom of the Hu people. At the treasure fair, everyone presents their treasures for trade. Nowadays, this treasure fair is not limited to the Hu people; many established businesses also send representatives to bring treasures to participate. The most precious treasures displayed often receive additional rewards from the Hu merchants' association. Today, there happens to be a treasure fair in Chengdu, and if you have nothing else to do, it would be good to go and broaden your horizons." Xu Guan, being young and fond of novelty, was naturally eager to go. The two then left their place, with Lu Huai leading the way to a tavern south of Xuan Zhong Guan.

The two men settled in the shop, and Xu glanced around, noticing the cramped space, the mottled walls, and the rather shabby furnishings. He thought to himself, "Could it be that the Hu people's treasure is in this small tavern?" Lu Huai discerned his thoughts but merely smiled without speaking. After a long while, the bartender came out and nodded to Lu Huai, saying, "Please follow me, gentlemen."

A guard suddenly approached an old man from behind and forcefully grabbed his shoulder, startling the old man and causing the soup in his hands to spill all over him. The guard scrutinized the old man for a moment, snorted, then released him and looked around to see if there were any other suspicious individuals. Xu Guan felt anxious, while Xiao Yan remained unconcerned, pouring wine from the jug on the table for both Xu Guan and himself, saying: "Among the various establishments in Chengdu, the Jian Nan Shao Chun at this Ruyi Building is quite authentic; you should give it a try." Xu Guan raised his cup and drank, finding the Shao Chun wine to be quite spicy upon entry, yet rich and sweet in aftertaste, indeed a fine wine. Seeing him drink as instructed, Xiao Yan was very pleased and also took a sip from his cup. At this moment, the group of guards turned and went downstairs, clearly failing to recognize that Xiao Yan was the one who had stolen the treasure. Xu Guan leaned against the railing and looked down, observing that the group of guards had exited the tavern and proceeded to patrol elsewhere.

The portly middle-aged man entered the shop without taking a seat, pulled out an invitation from his bosom, and handed it to the bartender. The bartender glanced at it and bowed, saying, "So it is Master Lu from Jinzhou, please wait a moment." He then turned and walked into the inner hall. Only then did the portly middle-aged man find a table, and with great enthusiasm, he beckoned Xu Guan to sit down, saying, "Brother Xu, this Hu Shang Bao Hui is held only once every three years, you are truly fortunate to have coincidentally encountered it this time."

In the early years of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, the area around Xuanzhong Temple in the west of Chengdu was bustling with numerous eateries, tea houses, taverns, and markets. Vendors lined the streets selling fruits, flatbreads, cosmetics, and powders. The air was filled with fragrant smoke, and tourists flocked like ants, making it a lively and noisy place in the city. At the corner of the street south of Xuanzhong Temple, there was a dilapidated stone bridge beside which a blue cloth sign for a tavern was prominently displayed, featuring a golden gourd that fluttered in the wind. One day, two guests arrived at this tavern. One was a man in his forties, dressed in a silk robe, with a round face and large ears, appearing quite prosperous; the other was a young man with a broad forehead, thick eyebrows, and a wide nose and mouth, who was none other than Xu Guan, on his way to the capital for the imperial examination.

The Ashina Brahmin approached the wooden box, faced the crowd, and spoke a few words in Turkic. The interpreter explained: "Everyone believes that the golden vase from the Jiyuan is crafted by the renowned artisan Su Xiaoshou of the Su family, which is indeed a rare treasure. However, compared to this wooden box, the golden vase is truly insignificant. Next, my master will demonstrate the wonders of this wooden box for you all." After this statement, the entire audience fell silent, all eyes fixed on the wooden box, each thinking: "So he even knows the origin of the golden vase; this wooden box must indeed have an even greater significance. Let us see what mysteries it holds."

At this moment, the glass bottle had been passed to the square table on the west side, when suddenly a burst of laughter erupted from the gathering. Everyone turned to look, and a young man in his twenties stood up beside the square table, draped in a luxurious black mink coat, with his hair tied in numerous small braids, and a large face of a purplish copper hue, appearing quite robust. This man was holding the very glass bottle and walked slowly to Xue Pinhai, speaking each word distinctly: "Is this the treasure you brought?" His tone was peculiar and rather stiff, evidently due to his foreign origin. Xue Pinhai bowed and replied, "I dare not claim it; it is indeed presented by the junior. I hope you will enlighten me, sir." The man asked, "What kind of treasure is this?" Xue Pinhai explained, "This bottle can be called a jade glass bottle; it was just appraised by the esteemed head of the merchant association and is believed to be made by the third generation of the Su family from Taiyuan." The man responded, "So it is from the Su family of Taiyuan..." After saying this, he lifted the glass bottle as if to examine it closely under the light, and suddenly, with a forceful motion, he smashed it downwards. With a crack, the jade glass bottle was shattered into pieces.

Xue Pinhai felt quite helpless, realizing that he had no way to deal with this younger brother. He sighed, unsure of what to say, and glanced at the small bottle, saying, "I do not recognize this bottle either; it is best to ask Master Xingtou for identification." He then handed the small bottle to the old man in the red robe. The old man took the small bottle and placed it on the table, pressing his face against the bottle to examine it closely. After discussing quietly with a few people beside him for a long time, he finally straightened up, let out a long sigh, and said to everyone, "Do any of you have treasures to present?" Seeing that no one dared to respond, he continued, "Thanks to your assistance, today's treasure meeting is even more splendid than in the past. The treasures presented by everyone are truly dazzling and radiant, making it difficult to choose. After careful discussion, we ultimately feel that the leader of this treasure meeting..." Before he could finish, Ashina Boluomen had already thrown his head back and laughed heartily, feeling quite pleased, clearly believing that the leader of the treasure meeting should be none other than himself. However, what the old man in the red robe ultimately said was, "We all feel that the leader of this treasure meeting is undoubtedly the Baorui Pavilion of Jiangling!"

Xue Pinhai took the tray and brought it to the middle of the square table, placing it in front of an elderly man in a red robe, saying: "Please, esteemed sir, take a look." The elderly man in the red robe picked up the crystal-clear glass bottle and examined it carefully for a while before saying: "This is indeed quite rare. This glass bottle has some history; it should have been made by a member of the Su family from the third generation in Taiyuan Prefecture." Upon hearing this, Xue Pinhai's face lit up with joy, and he said: "I knew I wasn't mistaken." The elderly man in the red robe handed the glass bottle to a middle-aged Hu merchant beside him, saying: "You all take a look as well." The glass bottle was then passed around among the guests at the table, and wherever it went, there were sounds of admiration and praise.

Xu Guandao: "So it turns out you... you are the old gentleman who just used a whip to steal someone else's treasure." The young lady replied with slight annoyance: "First, I am a young lady, not an old gentleman. Second, this bottle does not belong to Baoruige, and I did not steal their treasure; rather, I saved the lives of their brothers." Xu Guandao, having grown up in a poor and remote village, had never interacted with young women before. Seeing the young lady suddenly become angry, he scratched his head awkwardly, momentarily at a loss for words. The young lady, noticing his foolish expression, found it amusing and asked, "What is your name?" Xu Guandao replied, "I am Xu Guandao from Jinzhou, and you?" The young lady did not answer but asked again, "Why did you come to this Hu merchants' treasure fair? Are you here to compete for treasures as well?" Xu Guandao said, "I came with a friend. He is a merchant from Jinzhou, traveling to Chang'an for business. Passing through Chengdu, he learned about this treasure fair and brought me along to broaden my horizons." The young lady nodded and said, "I see. " After a moment, she asked again, "What is your name?" Xu Guandao replied, "I am Xu Guandao from Jinzhou, and you?" The young lady did not answer but asked again, "Why did you come to this Hu merchants' treasure fair? Are you here to compete for treasures as well?" Xu Guandao said, "I came with a friend. He is a merchant from Jinzhou, traveling to Chang'an for business. Passing through Chengdu, he learned about this treasure fair and brought me along to broaden my horizons." The young lady nodded and said, "I see. " After a moment, she added, "My name is Xiao Yan, and I am also going back to Chang'an."

The Ashina Brahmin shook the small bottle by his ear and heard a rustling sound inside. He wanted to remove the cap to see what was inside, but despite his efforts, he could not pull off the small cap. It turned out that the porcelain pieces embedded in the bottle wall served as the lock for the cap, and the only gap was reserved for the movement of the porcelain pieces. These pieces formed a complete pattern, allowing the cap to be opened. However, with so many porcelain pieces and only one gap, it was already a considerable effort to fit any two pieces together, and creating the pattern was even more difficult. The Ashina Brahmin, unaware of the mystery, continued to pry at the bottle's opening, but the cap remained immovable. Frustrated, he exclaimed, "What a strange thing this is!" and hurled the small bottle to the ground with great force. Everyone shook their heads, thinking that yet another pile of broken porcelain would soon appear on the ground.

Upon arriving at the dock, Lu Huai had been waiting for quite some time. Seeing him return with a wooden box, he was overjoyed. He opened it, took a glance, and tucked it into his bosom, saying: "Little brother, while you were at the inn, I received another business opportunity. A guest is also heading to Chang'an, and there is still some space on the boat, so I agreed to take her along. However, she has some luggage and will need half of your cabin." Xu Guan replied: "That is certainly no problem." Lu Huai continued: "You should come and meet her... Oh, she was just here, but now I wonder where she has gone?" Suddenly, a sound of bells rang out. Xu Guan turned to look and saw a small, plump donkey coming through the rain, on which sat a woman wearing a conical hat, obscuring her face. The woman's clothes were already soaked, yet she seemed unconcerned, allowing the donkey to stroll leisurely. Xu Guan hurriedly approached to take a closer look, and just as the woman lifted her head, he saw her pair of eyes sparkling like crystals, with a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her mouth. It was none other than Xiao Yan. Xu Guan was both surprised and delighted, striding forward to greet her, momentarily at a loss for words. After a long while, he finally said: "How is it you? It is wonderful that you are traveling with us!" Lu Huai looked at Xu Guan and asked: "So you know this young lady?" Xu Guan then recounted the events of their meeting at Ruyi Tower yesterday, omitting only the part about Xiao Yan stealing the treasure.

At this moment, Ashina Brahmin raised a golden vase from the Garden of Bliss and walked up to Xue Pinhai, saying: "This vase is returned to you." Xue Yuanshan stepped forward to take the golden vase and smashed it to the ground. Xue Pinhai exclaimed in surprise: "Younger brother, do not..." But it was too late to stop him; with a loud crash, the rare golden vase from the Garden of Bliss had turned into a pile of shattered glass, and the hall was suddenly filled with sounds of regret and sighs. Xue Yuanshan glared at Ashina Brahmin and said: "Who cares about your things? You smashed one of our vases, so I will smash one of yours. That makes us even." Ashina Brahmin laughed heartily and said: "Good lad! Refreshing! Refreshing!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall erupted with a loud noise as if a pot had exploded. The Ashina Brahmin was understandably filled with anger and astonishment, while the Xue brothers wore expressions of confusion. The old man in the red robe had a serious expression, pointing at the small bottle and slowly explaining: "This bottle is a treasure. It is said that there is an island called the White People's Kingdom in the Western Sea. This small bottle is the national treasure of the White People's Kingdom, which has been lost for many years due to war. The king of the White People's Kingdom once issued a decree to seek this treasure, stating that whoever finds it could be appointed as the prime minister of the kingdom." Hearing this, Xue Yuanshan asked, "Since this bottle is originally the national treasure of the White People's Kingdom, what is its use?" The old man in the red robe replied: "This bottle is called the Longevity Bottle, made from the horn of a mythical beast known as the Chenghuang that existed in ancient times in the White People's Kingdom. The Chenghuang only lived in the White People's Kingdom, resembling a fox with a long horn on its back. It is said that if someone can ride on the back of a Chenghuang, they could attain two thousand years of longevity. The Chenghuang is now extinct and cannot be seen again. However, it is said that this Longevity Bottle contains the secrets of longevity, which is why it became the national treasure of the White People's Kingdom. Unfortunately, the White People's Kingdom has now been completely swallowed by the sea, and the secrets within this bottle are now unknown to anyone."

The two approached closer, and Xu Guan noticed that many among the group had high noses and deep-set eyes, clearly not of the Central Plains people. There were also quite a few Han people mixed in, most of whom were dressed luxuriously, adorned with pearls and jewels, evidently wealthy merchants. A merchant sitting on a round stool by the wall recognized Lu Huai and stood up, saying: "Why has Master Lu only just arrived? Have you brought some astonishing treasure?" Lu Huai laughed heartily and replied: "Master Liang, how could my humble possessions dare to show themselves here? I have come merely to broaden my horizons. I was delayed on the road, hence my late arrival." The merchant surnamed Liang nodded, pointing to the two empty round stools beside him: "In that case, hurry and take a seat; we can discuss other matters later. Don't miss the good show; several rounds have already been played."

While the three were conversing, the old man in the red robe at the round table in the middle stood up and indeed spoke: "This bottle must be the Qiyuan Golden Bottle of the Su family." Upon hearing the words "Qiyuan Golden Bottle," there was another round of exclamations from the crowd. The man who smashed the bottle laughed heartily with his arms crossed, greatly pleased with himself. Xu Guan quietly asked Lu Huai, "What is the background of this bottle-smashing Hu man?" Lu Huai replied, "I do not know either. Has Mr. Liang ever seen this person?" The merchant with the surname Liang shook his head and said, "I have never seen him before..." At that moment, a cold voice suddenly came from behind: "This man is called Ashina Boluomen. He is a prince of the Turkic nation."

This wealthy gentleman, surnamed Lu and named Huai, is a prominent merchant from Jinzhou. The Zhixing Temple was originally the ancestral temple of the Lu family. One day, Lu Huai went to the temple to offer sacrifices, and a monk mentioned the story of Xu Guan, who received silver from a benefactor and was able to take the imperial examination. Lu Huai thought to himself: "I have heard that there was a Zhu Maichen in the Han Dynasty, who also came from humble beginnings as a woodcutter, but later achieved great success and became the Chancellor and Longshi, his name renowned throughout the world. This Xu Guan has such a fortunate encounter; he must also be someone with destiny. Since I am going to Chang'an for business, it would be better to take this young man along, treating it as a bet. If he can succeed in the future, it would be considered a prior acquaintance." When he met Xu Guan, both the old and the young felt an extraordinary affinity and set off together. Lu Huai traveled extensively, gaining a wealth of knowledge, and along the way, he shared stories about the customs and people of various places, which Xu Guan listened to with great interest, not realizing how far they had traveled. One day, upon arriving in Chengdu, Lu Huai settled his goods and companions, and suddenly said to Xu Guan: "Young brother, have you ever heard of the Hu merchants' treasure meeting?" Xu Guan replied: "I only know that Hu merchants are often wealthy, but I have never heard of this treasure meeting." In fact, during the Tang Dynasty, the treasure trade was largely operated by merchants from the Western Regions. There is a saying that describes the incongruity of certain things: "Poor Persians, sick doctors, thin people wrestling, and fat brides." Ultimately, it is said that the wealth of Hu merchants has truly penetrated people's hearts.

Chengdu has a warm climate and fertile land, benefiting from the advantages of fish, salt, copper, and silver, as well as the convenience of water transport, which has led it to be historically known as the "Land of Abundance." Since the Han Dynasty, Yang Xiong has washed his ink, Wen Jun has sold wine, Sima Xiangru has composed songs, and Zhuge Liang has engaged in warfare and defense. By the time of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Chengdu's prosperity surpassed that of the past, and it was renowned alongside Chang'an, Yangzhou, and Dunhuang as one of the four great cities of the world.

The elderly man in the red robe seated in the middle stood up and said, "Prince Ashina, is this golden vase from the Jiyuan your treasure to present at today's meeting?" Ashina the Brahmin shook his head and replied, "No, no. This vase is not a valuable treasure. My treasure is over there." After saying this, he pointed with his hand, and everyone could not help but exchange glances, for what he pointed to was actually the wooden box containing the golden vase from Jiyuan. A merchant with the surname Liang said, "In ancient times, people sold the case and kept the pearl, which has become a subject of ridicule. Could it be that this prince does not recognize this pair of golden vases and mistakenly considers the wooden box to be a treasure? No wonder he does not feel distressed when the vase is smashed." Lu Huai shook his head and laughed, saying, "I do not know whether that wooden box is a treasure, but I do know that today, over ten thousand taels of silver have been smashed into pieces."

Two individuals were conversing when they suddenly heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Several men with fierce appearances ascended, each armed with swords and knives; they were indeed a few guards from the Hu people’s treasure meeting. Upon reaching the upper floor, these men stood in the corner of the tavern, surveying their surroundings as if they were searching for the thief of the treasure

The stone hall was thrown into chaos, and in the darkness, the sounds of screams and shouts echoed one after another. After a while, several guards emerged to check the surroundings, but the frail old man had long since vanished. The old man in the red robe furrowed his brow and said to Xue Pinhai: "I sincerely apologize for today's incident, young master. Please follow me back so we can discuss further." He then addressed the crowd: "I apologize for the inconvenience, everyone. Please exit the hall first." Upon hearing this, the crowd hurriedly rushed out through the corridor, and in an instant, the dilapidated little inn was filled with elegantly dressed wealthy merchants. After a meal's time, many people gradually dispersed, while those who remained gathered together, exchanging words. Some said that Baorui Pavilion was truly unfortunate, having lost two treasures in one day; others speculated that the longevity vial contained a life-prolonging elixir, and that the Xue brothers were not young anymore, relying on this elixir to extend their lives and maintain their youth; still others suggested that the frail old man might be part of the Ashina prince's group, having conspired to steal the longevity vial. Xu Guanyue found it increasingly amusing and did not wish to listen any longer. He turned to see Lu Huai still engaged in idle chatter with the others, so he arranged to meet him at the inn later that night and walked out alone.

In the past, the World-Honored One, Shakyamuni Buddha, delivered teachings in the city of Rajagaha. A wealthy elder from the country of Shravasti, upon seeing the Buddha, was filled with great joy and expressed his wish to invite the Buddha to Shravasti. The Buddha granted his request and instructed him to return home to establish a monastery. The wealthy elder sought out Prince Jeta, who owned a garden that was pure and pristine, and requested the prince to transfer it to him. The prince was unwilling and posed a challenge, saying, "If you can cover this garden with gold, I will sell it to you." To the prince's surprise, the wealthy elder indeed covered the ground with gold. Moved by this, Prince Jeta agreed to jointly build the monastery with the elder. This monastery later became known as Jeta Grove. The name of this golden vessel is also associated with Jeta Grove, signifying that although gold is precious, the teachings of the Buddha are difficult to encounter.

As soon as the words were spoken, a man from the Hu people brought a wooden box and placed it in front of the table where the Hu people were seated. The Hu man opened the wooden box and took out a pair of glass bottles, placing them on the table. The crowd gasped softly in surprise; these glass bottles had narrow mouths and wide bellies, with an ancient design, standing about an inch taller than the recently smashed jade glass bottle. What was most remarkable was that each bottle contained a layer of gold, shimmering brightly from a distance, resembling a pair of golden vases. The Hu man casually picked up one of the gold-laden glass bottles and handed it to the elderly man in the red robe seated at the central square table. The crowd gasped softly in surprise again; these glass bottles had narrow mouths and wide bellies, with an ancient design, standing about an inch taller than the recently smashed jade glass bottle. What was most remarkable was that each bottle contained a layer of gold, shimmering brightly from a distance, resembling a pair of golden vases. The Hu man casually picked up one of the gold-laden glass bottles and handed it to the elderly man in the red robe. The elderly man in the red robe received it with both hands and lowered his head to examine it carefully.

Everyone was momentarily stunned, all thinking: "Today is truly unlucky for Baoruige, this person who smashed the vase must have come specifically to cause trouble." The young man in white, Xue Yuanshan, rushed forward, his face filled with anger as he pointed at the vase-smashing foreigner and exclaimed: "On what grounds did you smash my family's treasure!" He was two heads shorter than the foreigner, yet he showed no fear, his brows and eyes filled with a stubborn fierceness. The vase-smashing foreigner paid him no mind, and with two light claps of his hands, a Han man emerged from the corner of the hall. He wore a small hat, had a pair of small, darting eyes, and two short whiskers, looking quite capable. The Han man, with a face full of anger, pointed at the vase-smashing foreigner and said: "On what grounds did you smash my family's treasure!" He was two heads shorter than the foreigner, yet he showed no fear, his brows and eyes filled with a stubborn fierceness. The vase-smashing foreigner paid him no mind, and with two light claps of his hands, a Han man emerged from the corner of the hall. He wore a small hat, had a pair of small, darting eyes, and two short whiskers, looking quite capable. The foreigner had just spoken loudly, but this time he spoke in a jumble of foreign language. The Han man in the small hat coughed once and said: "Today is a fine day for the treasure gathering, everyone should bring precious treasures. If some ordinary items are also brought here, it would be better to smash them cleanly." Only then did the crowd realize he was a translator, and they heard him continue: "Please appreciate the glassware from the Su family of Taiyuan that my master has brought."

The bartender led the two into a kitchen, where a fire blazed on the stove, and a large iron pot on top was emitting steam, the contents unknown. The bartender took a fire poker and stirred the flames a couple of times before stepping back. Suddenly, with a loud crash, both the stove and the pot sank into the ground, revealing a large hole in the wall, about the height of a person and a half. The bartender took a piece of wood and laid it on the ground, gesturing for the two to enter. Xu Guan felt a secret alarm in his heart, while Lu Huai smiled and whispered, "This treasure attracts attention, so it always chooses a concealed location. Just follow me." With that, he bent down and crawled into the hole, and Xu Guan followed suit.

At this moment, a man stood up beside the square table at the east end, performed a formal bow to the crowd, and said in a clear voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Xue Pinhai from Baorui Pavilion in Jiangling. I have just seen the purple jade glass cup from the country of Bolu, and it truly opened my eyes. Coincidentally, I have also acquired a piece of glassware, and I invite everyone to appraise it." The speaker appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, dressed in a white brocade robe, with a face like jade, and a handsome demeanor, making him a remarkably talented and attractive young man. A fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, also in white attire, stood behind him holding a tray with both hands. On the tray, there was a high object covered with a piece of light yellow silk cloth. Xue Pinhai reached out to unveil the silk cloth, revealing a lake green glass vase on the tray. The vase was oval in shape, with ears on both sides, and under the light, it appeared even more crystal clear and dripping with emerald green.

Xue Pinhai said with slight annoyance: "Younger brother, stop messing around, what treasures do you still have?" Ashina Boluomen snatched the small bottle, lifting it to take a look. It was an old small porcelain bottle with a lid, its glaze dull and lacking luster, the outer wall displaying a mix of blue and red colors, seemingly adorned with some chaotic patterns. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the outer wall of the porcelain bottle was carved with many small compartments, each containing a small piece of porcelain except for one compartment. The chaotic patterns on the bottle's wall were composed of these porcelain pieces. Seeing the small bottle being taken away, Xue Yuanshan rushed forward, attempting to snatch it back from the other party's hands, but being small and short, he could not reach it as Ashina Boluomen held the bottle up high.

The eyes of the crowd were filled with astonishment and envy, and Ashina Bolo was particularly pleased. The elderly man in the red robe at the center addressed everyone: "At this treasure gathering, the treasure presented by Prince Ashina is the Music and Dance Treasure Box. Is there anyone else who has treasures to present?" Everyone felt that the items they brought were far inferior, and for a long time, no one spoke up. Ashina Bolo walked up to the Xue brothers and said: "Do you have any treasures to compare with mine?" Xue Pinghai replied: "Your Highness, the treasures you possess are incomparable to ours." However, Xue Yuanshan said: "Who says we have none? I still have a treasure." With that, he took out a small bottle from his bosom.

The merchant with the surname Liang remarked, "Su Xiaoshou is a devout Buddhist; after crafting only four golden vases for the Jiyuan Temple, he returned to Longxing Temple to become a monk. From then on, he only created Bodhisattva statues and no longer made any glazed items. In later generations, there were no more of these golden glazed vases..." Lu Huai chuckled and said, "While the glazed and golden items can still be discussed, where can we find another dwarf who knows how to use the Vajra Finger?"

As Ashina Bolo was cursing vigorously, a frail old man beside Xu Guan suddenly stood up, shaking his seven-section bamboo staff, from which he flicked out a gold snake whip several zhang long. With a light flick of his wrist, the whip, like a serpent tasting the air, lashed towards Ashina Bolo's legs. Although the Turkic prince stood his ground, he was knocked down to the ground by this whip. The frail old man, seeing his strike hit, chuckled with great satisfaction and said, "If you don't listen, I'll make you fall a few more times." He then drew a large circle in the air with the whip, raising the whip head, and charged again at Ashina Bolo. Just as this whip was about to strike again, a person appeared in front of Ashina Bolo, wielding an iron staff to intercept the whip. The gold snake whip swept across the iron staff, and the frail old man felt a violent shock in his hand, nearly losing the soft whip. Upon closer inspection, the figure blocking Ashina Bolo was a burly man with a thick beard, possessing a leopard-like head, round eyes, an eagle-like nose with curled whiskers, and fierce tiger-like eyes that exuded authority. The frail old man pouted, realizing the severity of the situation, and reversed the soft whip, no longer attacking the prince. Suddenly, he snatched the longevity vase from the table, tucked it into his bosom, and then struck the four ceramic lamps in the corner of the stone hall with the whip. There were exactly four sounds of pottery shattering, the lights extinguished, and the hall was plunged into darkness.

The three hurriedly turned their heads and saw that behind them, an elderly man of small stature had appeared without them noticing. The old man was dressed in a blue robe, with a small mole at the tip of his right eyebrow, and his eyes were as black as lacquer, bright and spirited. He leaned against the wall with a seven-section bamboo staff. Xu Guan quickly stood up, vacated the round stool, and said to the old man, "Please take a seat, elder." The old man smiled slightly and replied, "Thank you very much, young man." He then sat down with a firm posture. Lu and Liang, seeing that the old man was knowledgeable, did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly introduced themselves. The old man nodded and said, "Well said, well said." Xu Guan stood to the side and caught a glimpse of the old man's dark complexion. His left hand, resting on the staff, revealed a section of his wrist, which was adorned with a wine-red agate bracelet, while his skin was as fair as white jade, leaving Xu Guan slightly puzzled.

Ashina Polomen first closed the wooden box, then reached out and scratched a few times on the lid, exclaiming, "Everyone, please look." Before their eyes, a small cloud resembling a lotus leaf emerged on the lid of the box, floating to a height of seven or eight feet above the ground before ceasing to rise. Gradually, several figures appeared within the cloud. As the crowd focused their gaze, they discovered that atop the cloud was a group of musicians, each holding their instruments, playing music. Listening closely, the melodies were delicate and lingering, sometimes rapid and clear, at other times gentle and profound, at one moment expressing longing and yearning, and at another, sorrow and lamentation, with varied tones and harmonies, creating a magnificent spectacle. In the cloud, there was also a woman dancing gracefully, her skirts fluttering, appearing ethereal. As the music concluded, the figures on the cloud gradually faded away, and the cloud slowly gathered, eventually being drawn back into the wooden box. Although the dance had ceased, the lingering resonance remained, captivating the audience. Suddenly, a sound of a thud was heard; it turned out that the small old man beside Xu Guan had been so entranced by the wooden box that he had unconsciously let his bamboo staff slip from his hand to the ground.

Xu looked on and quietly asked Lu Huai, "Is the Su family from Taiyuan very famous?" Lu Huai nodded and replied, "The Su family of Taiyuan is renowned for their glass craftsmanship, having inherited the art of glassmaking for generations, unmatched in the world, and now it has reached the fifth generation. However, most of the items produced by the Su family are supplied to the imperial court, and since glass is fragile and difficult to preserve, very few pieces of Su family glass are circulated in the market. For an ordinary person, possessing an item made by the fifth generation of the Su family is already like finding a treasure. If this clean vase were made by the third generation of the Su family, it would indeed be extremely precious." The merchant with the surname Liang interjected, "Baorui Pavilion has been thriving these past two years, and it seems that Young Master Xue indeed has a discerning eye. It is said that the young man in white behind Young Master Xue is his younger brother, named Xue Yuanshan. Although he is young, he is exceptionally intelligent."

As soon as the old man in the red robe finished speaking, Ashina Bolo Men stepped forward and seized the longevity vial. Xue Yuanshan angrily exclaimed, "Are you trying to rob me openly?" Ashina Bolo Men, a prince of noble birth, had never heard such words and was filled with rage, swinging his fist towards Xue Yuanshan. The onlookers, seeing his fierce demeanor, felt a chill of apprehension for Xue Yuanshan. Unexpectedly, Ashina Bolo Men took two steps forward but suddenly stepped into thin air, falling with a loud thud. Just as he got back up, he took a step and fell again. The crowd found it amusing, watching him stand up with a flushed face, loudly cursing in Turkic. Although the interpreter did not translate, it was clear he was cursing someone for plotting against him.

Lu Huai listened and led Xu Guan to one side, chuckling, "Little brother, this is called fate. When you go to Chang'an, if you don't become the top scholar, you should at least bring home a wife. You are sure to make a profit with this bet." After saying this, he laughed heartily again. Xu Guan's face turned red, and he replied, "Sir, you jest." Lu Huai continued to laugh uncontrollably, turned around, and walked towards the boat. However, in a moment of excessive joy, he stumbled and fell with a loud thud after just two steps. He thought it was slippery due to the rain, got up, and barely steadied himself, but before he could take a step, he fell again. Xu Guan's face flushed, and he said, "Sir, you jest." Lu Huai kept laughing, turned around, and walked towards the boat again, but in a moment of excessive joy, he stumbled and fell with a loud thud after just two steps. He thought it was slippery due to the rain, got up, and barely steadied himself, but before he could take a step, he fell again. Xu Guan realized it was Xiao Yan's mischief and hurriedly said to her, "Please let Lu Yuanwai be, he was just joking." Seeing him anxious, Xiao Yan giggled and said, "If he keeps talking nonsense, he might have to pay his respects to the father-in-law ten or eight times today."