Chapter Thirty-Five: Indulgence

Just as Pei Min had thought, Li Yide was not a true member of the orthodox martial world. With the collapse of the government militia system, his hope of joining the army was dashed, so he had no choice but to rely on his brute strength to make a living in the martial world. Not everyone was as fortunate as Pei Min, who, despite being of humble origins, was able to befriend someone like Xue Na. If Pei Min had not slain Li Mo and fallen into the trap, and if Xue Na had not been anxious to root out Li Wuyi and avenge the wrongful deaths of one hundred thousand Tang soldiers, he would never have sought Pei Min out in person as the Grand Commander. Thus, he discovered Pei Min’s terrifying swordsmanship that far surpassed his age, recognized his abilities, and granted him special favor. For most people, even seeing Xue Na was a challenge, much less displaying their talents before him and winning his personal attention.

When Pei Min told Li Yide that Xue Na was willing to recommend him for the army and grant him a position as a squad leader, letting him train with the new recruits in the art of battlefield combat, Li Yide had no reason to refuse. He thumped his chest in excitement and laughed heartily.

For people like him, sadness comes quickly and leaves just as fast. Moments ago, he was gloomy over the shattering of his idol’s image, but now he was laughing with a voice like a bell, echoing through the hall.

“Brother, I’ll remember your kindness. If I ever become a general, I’ll make sure to take care of you... Haha...” He was so overjoyed that he couldn’t finish his words before bursting into laughter.

Pei Min didn’t argue, replying, “Then I must thank General Li in advance for your future protection!”

With Li Yide persuaded, Xue Na’s reward was soon bestowed. Just as Pei Min had requested, Xue Na’s gifts were mainly tangible—ten strings of copper coins, ten taels of silver, five taels of gold, and an invaluable black Ordos steed. For helping Xue Na this time, the rewards were indeed generous.

Holding the heavy rewards, weighing over sixty pounds, Pei Min felt thoroughly delighted. Don’t think Xue Na gave too little; in truth, the silver and gold often shown in television dramas are exaggerated. In ancient times, prices were low and copper coins were the main currency. Though gold and silver could be exchanged for copper coins, most shops would not accept them. According to prices of this era, one string of coins could buy six bushels of rice, and a bushel equals eighty-five pounds in today’s measure. Six bushels would be five hundred pounds of rice, enough for an adult’s yearly consumption.

And that was just one string of coins!

With Xue Na’s rewards, Pei Min and his mother could live comfortably for the next two or three years, free from worry.

With these funds, Pei Min could devote himself to studying the classics at home, preparing for the upcoming examinations. The most crucial reward was the last condition he agreed upon with Xue Na: Xue Na had already recommended him for qualification to participate in the winter solstice provincial examination. With the Grand Commander’s personal recommendation, as long as he didn’t write too poorly, winning the title of tribute student would be no problem.

But Pei Min’s goal was not just to become a tribute student, but to take first place in the provincial exam, to go to Chang’an as the top scholar of Youzhou, building his reputation in advance. After all, there were countless tribute students, but only one top scholar in Youzhou for this term.

If he was to compete, he would compete for the best. If he couldn’t win first place even in the provincial exam, how could he hope to become the top scholar in Chang’an?

Ambition breeds motivation, and Pei Min’s ambition was anything but small.

Pei Min carefully stowed away his money, calculated the remaining coins—about half a string, enough to prepare a sumptuous dinner.

During his stay at the Yuan residence, all his living expenses had been covered by Yuan Luqian. Yuan Luqian truly regarded him as a friend. Scholars are indifferent to material things, but Pei Min could not help but feel grateful. Previously, he was too poor to reciprocate, but now, with a fortune in his pocket, how could he continue to freeload? He gave the old steward some household funds and planned to personally buy food and wine for a proper feast and conversation.

He and Yuan Luqian now enjoyed a gentleman’s friendship, plain as water.

Yuan Luqian respected his filial piety, but their relationship at the academy was rather ordinary; they had not truly confided in each other.

Pei Min intended to deepen their bond, to transform their friendship from cool and distant to warm and intimate.

To be treated sincerely at his lowest point—if such a person was not worth making friends with, who in the world would be?

After touring the marketplace, Pei Min gained a rough understanding of prices: in the Tang Dynasty, vegetarian dishes were mostly simple seasonal vegetables. The seasons were distinct, and now, in autumn, only autumn greens could be bought—there was no hope of eating winter bamboo shoots or summer melons. Vegetables were easily grown and extremely cheap.

Meat was most expensive when it came to beef. The state forbade the slaughter of cattle, so only those that died naturally were sold, making beef especially costly. Next came donkey meat, then mutton, and finally pork. Chicken, duck, and goose were not considered meat in this era.

In the Tang Dynasty, "meat" meant animal flesh, while chicken, duck, and goose were poultry, regarded as "non-vegetarian" but not "meat."

Compared to beef, donkey, mutton, and pork, chicken and goose were much cheaper—especially chicken, which was so common it cost only slightly more than vegetables. As for duck, Tang people rarely raised ducks, so they were scarce and not sold.

Pei Min, having figured out the market, bought ten pounds of beef, five pounds of donkey meat, selected a few fat, lively perch, and picked up ten pounds of Du Kang wine from the tavern. After buying so much, he found he still had plenty of coins left and couldn’t help but marvel at the purchasing power of ancient money. Unlike modern times, where a meal out with friends costs several bills, and at upscale places, even more.

Returning to the Yuan residence just as dusk fell, he wanted to see if Yuan Luqian had come back.

He heard lively conversation from the main hall. The old steward greeted him warmly, taking the food from Pei Min’s hands, saying, “The young master’s childhood friend has arrived and they’re catching up in the hall. The young master said, if you returned, please join them.”

“Very well!” Pei Min straightened his attire and entered the hall.

Yuan Luqian, seeing Pei Min, hurriedly came down from the couch barefoot, smiling, “Brother Pei, you’re back? Let me introduce you—this is my childhood companion, Yan Gaoqing, with the courtesy name Xin. He is not like us; he is the grandnephew of the great scholar Yan Shigu. Like Brother Pei, he is exceptionally talented, truly a leader among the younger generation!”

Yan Gaoqing also stepped down barefoot, smiling, “Yuan, don’t mock me...” He looked at Pei Min warmly and said, “You must be the Brother Pei Yuan spoke of. For the sake of filial duty, you dared to leave the Pei family and embark on your own path. I admire your courage.”

Pei Min regarded Yan Gaoqing with respect, recognizing another renowned figure from history.