NOVPUB"When constructing the granaries, I also had a Feng Shui Master look at the location. I built the entire granary underground and put rammed earth firebreaks between them; each compartment is separate. Even if a fire starts in one section, all we have to do is seal it off," Fa Zheng said with extreme pride, habitually lifting his eyelids to glance at Zhuge Liang.
"Truly a job well done," Chen Xi couldn’t help but give Fa Zheng a thumbs-up. "You’ve really mastered what I’ve passed on to you."
"Of course, I’ve studied it thoroughly. Recently, Lord Kang Cheng brought a young member of his clan over, you didn’t see it, but that man is truly a genius. Not only is he proficient in literature, he excels incomparably in all kinds of craftsmanship. The idea of independent sealing was his suggestion, and he also completed it," Fa Zheng said with a smile before nominating someone to Chen Xi.
"Zheng Hun, Duke Zheng Wen, right?" Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and said, "In today’s world, the only Zheng who could earn such tremendous respect from the proud Fa Zheng in both literature and craftsmanship is probably only Zheng Hun."
"Eh, you know?" Fa Zheng exclaimed in surprise.
"I had Weishuo looking for such people quite early on, but at the time, he and his brother might have been in trouble, and no one could find him," Chen Xi sighed.
Chen Xi, of course, knew that after 191 A.D., Zheng Hun should have been in Chang’an. However, by the time he went looking for him, Zheng Hun was nowhere to be found. Moreover, at that time, Zheng Hun’s brother, Zheng Tai, was persuaded by Xun You to cause trouble for Dong Zhuo and ended up imprisoned. To avoid being captured himself, Zheng Hun had no choice but to hide. These were all unavoidable circumstances.
"I always feel that you know too much," Fa Zheng said discontentedly, but he didn’t challenge Chen Xi the way he would provoke Zhuge Liang—he did have that much self-awareness.
"All right, let’s go inside and talk. It’s not right for you to be blocking the way here." Chen Xi, not wanting to explain himself, patted Fa Zheng and led the group inside. As for Patriarch Lul and Madame Lul, they had already gone in. Only someone as informal as Fa Zheng and Chen Xi would be blocking the entrance.
"Come on, I’ll take you to eat. ’A diner will never tire of fine food; a reader will never tire of detailed exegesis.’ I will let you taste the most famous dishes of Qi State: fish belly stuffed with lamb and sliced raw fish. Oh, and Zichuan, those kitchen utensils you mentioned before, I’ve made them; they are really useful," Fa Zheng said, waving his hand and leading the group straight to the dining hall inside the station.
Originally, the station didn’t have such facilities, but when the new city was being built and Fa Zheng had nowhere to live, he stayed at the station. Naturally, everything needed for eating, drinking, and cooking was moved in as well, including the kitchen. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝘤𝘰𝑚
"Oh, ’A diner will never tire of fine food; a reader will never tire of detailed exegesis.’ Although I don’t particularly like sliced raw fish, I do love cooked food. I certainly don’t want to end up unlucky like Chen Yuanlong," Chen Xi said with a yawn. "Let’s go, let’s see how your little kitchen is. These past few days of dining in the wind and lodging in the dew have been uncomfortable. We can talk about important matters later; first, let’s have a proper meal at your place."
"Chen Yuanlong, that unlucky fellow…" As Fa Zheng recalled what Hua Tuo told him, which scared him half to death, he hadn’t dared to eat sliced raw fish for a long time. However, as time went by, it seemed less important. Now that Chen Xi brought it up, Fa Zheng thought it might be better to avoid such risky foods.
"Let’s eat cooked food then," Fa Zheng said as he exhaled. "I don’t want to end up like that unlucky egg, Chen Yuanlong, who ended up with so many little worms inside him, it’s frightening just to think about it. Physician Hua said that if he had gone two years later, Chen Yuanlong would need to prepare his coffin. I should go and have another check-up with Physician Hua; I’ve eaten quite a lot of that kind of food recently."
"Eat less raw food, and definitely stay away from live food," Chen Xi advised, patting Fa Zheng on the shoulder. He had been feeling sleepy lately, estimating that a natural disaster might once again brew in the lands under Liu Bei’s rule, though it was still manageable.
Fa Zheng, observing Chen Xi’s drowsiness, leaned back and looked around. "You didn’t bring Beautiful Lady, and it’s just Kongming and this. Why are you so tired?"
"Get lost, get lost, get lost," Chen Xi said annoyingly. "How old are you to be thinking about these things already? Really."
"It’s just strange, that’s all. As for age, you talk as if you were quite old. But this guy must be the Lul Boyan you mentioned to me before; with those shifty eyes, he looks pretty elfish," Fa Zheng said unabashedly, adopting an authoritative tone. After all, he now had the right to do so, be it due to status, identity, or age.
"Lujiang Lul Family’s Lul Xun pays his respects to the Prime Minister of Qi State," Lul Xun quickly stepped forward to salute Fa Zheng.
"He does seem quite promising," Fa Zheng stroked the few long whiskers he’d managed to grow, "Tonight, I’ll take you to the brothel!" he declared audaciously to the respectful and courteous Lul Xun.
"..." Chen Xi and Zhuge Liang couldn’t help but twitch at the comment, while Lul Xun was completely stunned. His family’s rules were very strict; they would never allow him to visit such licentious places. Furthermore, the Lul Family was a noble household that certainly didn’t lack for singers.
"He seems a bit stunned; it looks like he truly has never been to such a place before. Good, I’ll take you there tonight; you must be curious indeed!" Fa Zheng proclaimed recklessly, "But there’s no need to be shy; you’ll have to go sooner or later."
"Whack!" Fa Zheng got a hit on his back with a cane, "You unfilial son!"
Anger filled Fa Zheng’s father as he struck his son’s back with the cane, causing Fa Zheng to stagger. Without even turning his head, Fa Zheng knew it had to be his father and hurriedly ran outside.
While overseeing the construction of New Linzi City, Fa Yan was quite satisfied with his son’s performance, especially when he saw the heartfelt gratitude in the eyes of the citizens, giving him the feeling that his son had finally come of age. However, when he turned around, Fa Zheng had made such an outrageous comment in public, which was unbearable for Fa Yan.
"You dare to run!" Although Fa Yan used a cane, his legs were quite nimble; the cane was mainly to show that he was old and his son was in charge now. But seeing his son’s shameless behavior he became irate and picked up his cane, wanting to strike him.
"Unfilial son!" After chasing Fa Zheng around a pillar several times, Fa Yan realized he shouldn’t pursue him any longer, and he angrily pointed at Fa Zheng and scolded, "Doesn’t our household have maids?"
"We do," Fa Zheng replied in a small voice.
"What about singers?" Fa Yan continued questioning.
"We have them," Fa Zheng replied promptly.
"How many of them know music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?" Fa Yan asked, his mustache bristling with each word.
"There are certainly more than a dozen," Fa Zheng answered carefully.
"Then what on earth do you need to go to the brothel for!" Fa Yan shouted, his anger unabated, "Haven’t you considered your status and theirs, that such a place is not fit for you to step into? Is there anything you lack at home?"
"I was going there to watch a play, honestly! You see, since Boyan is new here, I thought I would take him to see the best entertainment our Mount Tai has to offer," Fa Zheng quickly came up with an excuse, cautiously explaining to Fa Yan. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)
