The rise of the poor

Chapter 2192 Done, work done.

"Ahem, well, I like Li Bai." Xu Wei coughed and stroked his chin.

"Li Bai?" Upon hearing this, Liu Dadao looked at Xu Wei with disdain. "Is she from some brothel?!"

This fat bastard actually went to a brothel! And he had the audacity to say he liked Li Bai?! Li Bai? Is this woman even that fair-skinned that she has such a flowery name?! You like her? What, are you going to redeem her?!

Hearing Liu Dadao's disdain, Xu Wei rolled his eyes speechlessly. This was truly a case of a scholar encountering a soldier, and reasoning with him was futile. "What brothels and pleasure houses? My friend, Li Bai was a great poet of the Tang Dynasty."

"Huh? A great poet from ancient times?! What does that have to do with you being broke? My young master just sent you fifty taels of silver a while ago." Liu Dadao scratched his head and continued to ask.

The great poet Li Bai wrote: "When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest. Don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty. I was born with talent, which will surely be put to use. Even if I spend a thousand pieces of gold, it will come back again." As for me, I am just like that. I enjoy myself as much as I have money, eating meat, drinking wine, and writing.

Xu Wei, with his belly protruding, spoke with an air of pride rather than shame.

"You spend money on eating meat and drinking alcohol, but what money do you spend on writing? My young master also loves to write, he writes every day without stopping, and I've never heard him say that writing costs money."

When Liu Dadao heard Xu Wei mention his three major expenses, and that he had placed calligraphy at the end of the list, he couldn't help but ask in confusion. He seriously suspected that Xu Wei, this fatso, was trying to save face by calling his visit to a brothel calligraphy.

"Ahem, when I was short of money, I used ordinary Xuan paper and ink sticks. When I had money, I went up a bit and used better paper and ink. You don't know that damned profiteer charged me one qian of silver for a single sheet of tribute paper. I bought a hundred sheets and he wouldn't give me a discount! But, expensive as it may be, this paper is really good. Hahahaha, it is said that calligraphy works made on this paper will not change color or fade even after hundreds of years."

Xu Wei coughed and began to explain, his face lighting up as he spoke of the tribute paper.

"One tael of silver per sheet?! Is this paper edged with gold?" Liu Dadao was so surprised that he opened his mouth wide when he heard that a sheet of paper cost one tael of silver.

"Brother Da Dao has good taste! There is indeed Xuan paper with gold trim, called 'Zhang Liu Miao Jin Xuan'. Each sheet costs one tael of silver. I gritted my teeth and finally only bought ten sheets. This paper is as beautiful as snow dancing in the clouds, bright and gorgeous. When I wielded my brush and splashed ink on it, I felt like I was floating on air. It was simply the greatest pleasure in the world."

Xu Wei was completely mesmerized.

"One sheet of paper costs one tael of silver, and you bought ten sheets in one go?!" Upon hearing this, Liu Dadao gave Xu Wei a look of exasperation.

You fatso, you can't even afford to eat, yet you bought ten sheets of Xuan paper that cost one tael of silver each!

Oh, and adding the hundred sheets of Xuan paper that cost one qian of silver each, that's twenty taels of silver.

And ink sticks!

This fatso, you don't seem to care about the cost of your money, do you? My young master has never even used such fine paper and ink.

No wonder you're so poor you can't even afford to boil water! You're wasting money like this, no amount of silver could cover your expenses.

If it weren't for the fact that you need something from me, I would have spat in your face. Don't you know what kind of people you are?

"Sir, at this rate, no amount of silver will be enough for you to build," Liu Dadao said, utterly exasperated.

"Don't worry, I know when to save and when to spend. I know what I'm doing." Xu Wei waved his hand dismissively.

You know what's going on?!

You can't even afford firewood to boil water, and you still have a sense of self-awareness?!

Liu Dadao rolled his eyes.

"Sir, please take care of my young master's matter; he urgently needs it." Liu Dadao clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Don't worry, for the sake of this fifty taels of silver note, no, for the sake of my good brother, I'll write it right now."

Xu Wei patted his chest and said.

Money is still the most useful thing. Liu Dadao was speechless, but he was happy to see him start writing immediately.

Xu Wei quickly read the letter, understood the matter and the requirements, closed his eyes for a few seconds, and then laid out a sheet of Xuan paper.

Then, he began to write in a flamboyant and elegant style.

"I was ordered by the Emperor to inspect Zhejiang, suppress the Japanese pirates and bring peace to the people. On the 28th day of the first month, I led my army to conquer the Japanese pirates on Moon Island. The army sailed there, and on the way, we suddenly heard the roar of a dragon and saw a seven-colored glow. I ordered the ship to go there and obtained ambergris."

This was not an auspicious sign from heaven; the campaign was launched, and indeed, the Japanese pirates on Moon Island were annihilated.

After the Japanese were destroyed, I searched the islands and captured the remaining rebels. I also heard a dragon's roar in a mountain stream. I went to find it and saw two white turtles, as white as jade, bathed in the glow of the sunset.

I humbly believe that the lingering fragrance of ambergris, the jade tortoise's auspicious sign, and the precious inscription on the imperial edict all indicate that this is a time of enlightened rule, a time when special products bring blessings and prosperity, manifesting themselves in accordance with the times, guiding the breath of life, and ensuring its longevity. As for the lingering fragrance of ambergris and the appearance of the jade tortoise, this is unprecedented in history, unheard of in ancient or modern times—a truly wondrous and auspicious sign. This is an auspicious omen, a sign that the Japanese invaders will be pacified, the borders will be secure, and the four seas will be at peace. I respectfully acknowledge Your Majesty, whose virtue shines like Emperor Yao and whose achievements surpass even those of the divine Yu.

"

Seeing Xu Wei wielding his brush, Liu Dadao was about to lean back in his chair and take a nap when he heard Xu Wei shout, "Done, that's a wrap."

what? !

Finished writing?!

Liu Dadao opened his eyes and saw Xu Wei put the brush back on the brush holder and clapped his hands.

"Big Knife, come here, take this congratulatory letter to my good brother." Xu Wei beckoned to Liu Big Knife.

You actually finished writing it?!

Liu Dadao was both surprised and anxious. He quickly came to Xu Wei's side and looked at the congratulatory memorial written in a flamboyant style on the table. "Sir, is it finished so quickly? My young master's congratulatory memorial is to be presented to the Emperor. Sir, won't you take some time to think about it and check it?"

I did urge you to write faster, but I didn't urge you to write this quickly! It hasn't even been the time it takes to brew a cup of tea yet. I've only just closed my eyes, haven't even had a chance to doze off, and you're already finished! That's way too fast!

My son is a top scholar, and he always takes a long time to come up with an essay.

Are you perhaps more capable than my young master?!

Wow, it's finished so quickly! It didn't even take a cup of tea's worth of time.

Are you just trying to fool my young master?!

How can you do things like this?

My young master will be presenting this congratulatory letter to the Emperor; this is no joke.

Liu Dadao was alarmed and thought that Xu Wei had just done a perfunctory job. This was just fooling people. No, no, you have to rewrite it.

However, to save face for Xu Wei and avoid ruining the young master's plans, Liu Dadao phrased it rather tactfully.

"No need for further revisions or checks. This congratulatory letter is a masterpiece, a stroke of genius. No amount of revision or checking will make it any better. Don't worry, take it back. If my brother isn't satisfied, I'll twist my head off and let you kick it around like a ball." Xu Wei waved his hand, patting his chest, brimming with confidence. (End of Chapter)