Chapter 14: The Dragon King's Dream
Chapter 14: The Dragon King's Dream
Chen Chang’an naturally couldn’t tell them that a great calamity always followed the heavy rains.
In his previous life, after the plague had subsided, many people developed painful, itchy boils all over their bodies. The pharmacies were so crowded they were practically bursting at the seams.
And the cure for those boils? The humble, unassuming purslane.
He had to seize the opportunity and make a killing.
Steward Wang kept his promise. He handed Chen Chang’an two hundred and thirty taels of loose silver coins and had the food brought over.
All four of them had been starving for a long time. The moment they saw the steaming, fragrant rice, Zhou Qiankun and the others couldn’t help but dive in, grabbing handfuls with their hands.
Food piled up in their mouths, too fast to chew properly.
Watching the boy eat like that, Steward Wang’s lips twitched, but he ultimately just shook his head.
*Sigh. Really. I’m a grown man; I shouldn’t take offense at children who have no father or mother.*
Steward Wang crouched by the doorway and reminded him, "Eat slowly. Don’t choke."
"I see you’re quick on the uptake. You’ve got the makings of a good steward. If you came to work for Squire Zhuge, you wouldn’t have to live like this."
Steward Wang had offered Chen Chang’an a way out, assuming the boy wouldn’t refuse.
The brothers, hearing this, immediately turned to look at Chen Chang’an.
"Keep eating. What are you staring at me for?"
Chen Chang’an looked up. "Thanks for the offer, but... I’m scared of staying in wealthy households. I don’t dare go back."
The brothers finally relaxed, and Steward Wang merely shook his head in resignation.
After finishing the meal, Steward Wang led them to the medicinal fields, where various herbs grew in abundance.
Chen Chang’an instructed his brothers on which herbs to pick, and the group worked diligently in the fields, filling two entire carts.
Looking at the mountain of medicinal herbs, Steward Wang was speechless.
"Hey, hey! That’s a lot of herbs. That’s worth sixty or seventy taels!"
Chen Chang’an smiled sheepishly. "What can I say? I grew up in the Foundling Hall. I wanted to transport some medicine back there just in case of an emergency."
Steward Wang’s expression immediately turned solemn. So, he was a child from the Foundling Hall.
Just as he was about to let them leave, a man who appeared to be in his thirties appeared behind Steward Wang.
The man wore luxurious robes. He had a square face and a wide mouth, giving him an imposing presence.
He laughed heartily. "Steward Wang, the fish arrangements today were excellent. My father asks you to come to the front hall. He wants to toast you with a cup of wine."
The man was Squire Zhuge’s eldest son, Zhuge Haotian.
Zhuge Haotian had inherited his father Zhuge Sheng’s expertise and was highly skilled in flood control, earning the respect of many.
Seeing Zhuge Haotian come to invite him personally, Steward Wang was naturally overjoyed.
"Young Master, I merely did my duty. I dare not claim the credit."
"Besides, if it weren’t for this young man delivering the fish, I would have faced Squire Zhuge’s punishment."
Zhuge Haotian glanced at Chen Chang’an.
*A mere commoner. Not worth my attention.*
But Chen Chang’an suddenly spoke up. "Lord Zhuge, I had a dream last night. I think it’s necessary to tell you about it."
Zhuge Haotian was puzzled. What was there to say about a dream?
"In the dream, the Dragon King held a golden halberd and struck my head. He told me to convey a message to you: 'Rejoice not, for sorrow may follow. Do not let your guard down.'"
"The deity said that if possible, you should inspect the Seventh Embankment of the Changqing River. There is still time to relocate the people and open the floodgates."
Zhuge Haotian frowned slightly. Those who worked in water conservancy all revered the Dragon King.
Steward Wang, however, shook his head urgently. "You brat, don’t talk nonsense. Take the herbs and leave immediately."
Chen Chang’an nodded and led his siblings back toward Jiangdu.
In his previous life, the Seventh Embankment of the Changqing River had burst exactly two days after Squire Zhuge’s birthday, causing a devastating flood in Yuyang City.
The Emperor had been furious and ordered the execution of the entire Zhuge family.
The people had been displaced for half a year.
Chen Fusheng, having passed the imperial examinations with the highest score, had been appointed as the Magistrate of Yuyang County.
That scumbag had used deception and manipulation to govern Yuyang City efficiently, earning a promotion after six months.
Chen Chang’an wasn’t trying to scheme against Chen Fusheng; he was simply grateful to Steward Wang for saving his life.
He had said his piece. Whether they believed it or not...
What did it have to do with him?
Steward Wang shook his head. "Young Master, he’s just a fish-selling commoner. There’s no need to take his words to heart..."
Zhuge Haotian raised a hand, a look of contemplation crossing his brow.
"This boy... I feel like I’ve seen him before."
Steward Wang: *???*
The Young Master only mingled with distinguished guests and nobles. How could he possibly know a fish seller?
Zhuge Haotian fell silent as he led Steward Wang toward the inner courtyard, but suddenly let out a gasp.
"I remember!"
"Two years ago, the Prince of Huainan summoned me to report on the flood control efforts. This boy was standing timidly in the corner by the wall!"
"I specifically looked at him twice. It can’t be a mistake. It can’t be!"
Zhuge Haotian’s heart began to race. "The Prince of Huainan’s son! The Ninth Prince!"
Steward Wang’s heart skipped a beat, and his whole body trembled.
"Young Master, if he is the Prince of Huainan’s son, why would he be out selling fish in the heavy rain?"
"And he haggled with me, refusing to budge even by one tael of silver?"
Zhuge Haotian was also confused.
Yeah, what was going on?
Regardless of whether the boy was the Ninth Prince or not, the dream he had described left a persistent unease in Zhuge Haotian’s mind.
Zhuge Haotian said thoughtfully, "Steward Wang, you go in and report to my father."
"Tell him about the flood threat in Jiangdu. I’m going back to the embankment to take up my post!"
Zhuge Haotian was swift in his actions. He immediately mounted his horse and rode off, leaving Steward Wang no chance to object.
Steward Wang grimaced. Did he dare to stop the Young Master?
...
Chen Chang’an pulled the heavy cart into Yuyang City.
By now, it was completely dark, and the roads were muddy. They definitely couldn’t travel further.
Chen Chang’an had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "Brothers, we can’t go back today. We’ll rest here for the night."
"Zhaoyao, Jingyi, I’ll give you five taels of silver. Go buy some steamed buns, ten large pots, some starch, and order three hundred small boxes made."
"Then come find me on the back mountain of Yuyang City. I’ll be waiting in a cave."
After giving clear instructions, Chen Chang’an separated from the group.
He found a cave and told Zhou Qiankun to unload the herbs and build a stove. He himself gathered a large amount of berries.
These berries had a very sticky pulp, which they often used as glue.
One hour later, Li Zhaoyao and Sun Jingyi returned.
Chen Chang’an directed them to place the large pots on the stove and dump the herbs in.
"Brothers, focus! Let’s begin our great pharmaceutical venture!"
"Follow my lead. Today, we must refine all these herbs. White silver is waiting for us!"
The others naturally didn’t believe it.
But since the eldest brother had said it, they didn’t dare disobey. They just had to do it!
Most of the herbs they had picked were for treating skin diseases. Regardless of the dosage, they just added them to the pot.
The pot of medicinal liquid quickly reduced to a quarter of its original volume. Chen Chang’an added flour and berry pulp, stirring constantly.
Once the stirring was complete, he placed the mixture in the cart.
He continued the process.
...
The rain had stopped.
Chen Hongluo had searched all day but found nothing.
Returning to the Huainan Manor, she saw her father instructing Chen Fusheng in sword practice. Several of her sisters stood around them, offering praise.
Seeing Chen Hongluo, Chen Fusheng immediately sheathed his sword.
He asked with false concern, "Eldest Sister, did you find Ninth Brother? I... miss him so much!"
Chen Zhan turned around, looking at Chen Hongluo with suspicion.
Chen Hongluo sighed lightly and affectionately stroked Chen Fusheng’s head. "No. Your Ninth Brother... is not in Jiangdu."
The corner of Chen Fusheng’s mouth lifted, but a bitter smile appeared.
Chen Zhan frowned slightly. Chu Yanran, however, sneered. "If he’s not in Jiangdu, where else could the fool have gone?"
"You searched the wealthy districts. The fool keeps company with commoners!"
"Double the search party tomorrow. Look for him among the commoners. I don’t believe the fool can turn the world upside down!"
Chen Hongluo nodded. Mother was right.
They would search again tomorrow.