Chapter 56: I Must Climb Higher, Faster, and Grow Stronger… Part 1

With the arrival of the New Year, a sweltering heat seemed to radiate from the very bones of the Imperial Capital.

Auspicious peach-wood charms hung before the shops lining the streets. Hawkers’ cries rose and fell in a rhythmic cacophony, and the crowds flowed like a never-ending river. It was a scene of extraordinary prosperity.

A teal carriage came to a halt before the doors of Hengtai Bank. The curtains remained drawn, revealing only a glimpse of a slender finger tapping lightly against the window frame.

The greeter was a sharp-witted man, well-accustomed to the sight of dignitaries and nobles. He could tell at a glance that while the carriage was understated, the materials were exquisite, and the servants escorting it moved with a disciplined rigor. This was no ordinary household.

He hurried forward with a practiced smile, bowing low. “My lord, have you come to redeem a bank note?”

The attendant trailing the carriage replied, “My master wishes to see your manager.”

“I shall fetch the shopkeeper at once.”

As the greeter turned to leave, a cold, indifferent voice interrupted from within the carriage. “The person I wish to see is Wei Qingya.”

The greeter froze. Very few people knew that Wei Qingya was the true owner behind Hengtai Bank. For this person to address him directly by name suggested a formidable background.

He didn’t dare delay, nodding and bowing frantically. “Yes, yes, of course! I shall go inside and report this immediately!”

Wei Qingya’s residence was adjacent to the bank. The outer walls were modest and unassuming, but the interior held a world of hidden splendor.

Upon hearing the report, the bank manager hurried to the heated pavilion deep within the estate.

Inside, Wei Qingya reclined on a couch, listening to a recitation. Two maidservants stood by his side; one held a hand-warmer, while the other warmed his wine.

The storyteller had been hired from the Heyue Restaurant. He was currently performing the latest sensation: Chancellor Gu Outwits the Eastern Liao Envoys.

“Now, it is said that the Eastern Liao envoy, Wu Wei, relied on his brute strength to issue a public challenge. The civil and military officials were as silent as cicadas in winter, and even the Son of Heaven broke into a cold sweat—”

“But then, Chancellor Gu’s tiger-like eyes flashed! With just a single look, the curved blade in Wu Wei’s hand fell to the floor with a resounding clatter!”

“Chancellor Gu bellowed, ‘You dare behave so insolently in our Great Chen, you barbarian?’ His voice was like a Great Bell, and the Eastern Liao delegation turned ashen with terror…”

Wei Qingya listened with relish, his hand tapping out the rhythm on his knee.

He had heard this story no less than ten times. He’d rotated through three or four different storytellers, and the content changed every time, growing more preposterous with each telling.

The last one claimed that Chancellor Gu merely frowned to make the lead envoy crawl on the ground and beg for mercy. Today’s version had him shouting so loudly that the delegation packed their bags and fled the capital overnight.

The tales were absurd, clearly fabricated nonsense, but Wei Qingya enjoyed them. He truly, deeply enjoyed them.

Folklore always grew more divine as it spread. He felt that even if ninety percent of it was rubbish, that remaining one percent of truth was enough to command respect.

Nowadays, who in the Imperial Capital didn’t have their eyes light up at the mention of Gu Huaiyu?

The manager didn’t dare interrupt until the segment finished. Only then did he step forward and whisper, “Master, there is a distinguished guest outside who wishes to see you. His carriage is parked at the bank. He looks like a high-ranking official from the court.”

Wei Qingya picked up the warmed wine and took a leisurely sip. “I’m not some famous courtesan in a brothel. Just because he calls for me doesn’t mean I have to see him.”

The manager choked on his words, looking troubled.

Knowing what he was about to say, Wei Qingya flicked the rim of his cup. “Tell him he’s too late. I’ve been dead for seven days, and the rot is already leaking from my coffin. It’s inconvenient to receive guests lest I offend a nobleman’s sensibilities.”

The manager lowered his voice further, trying to persuade him. “Master, you hold no official rank. If the court decides to find fault…”

“Find fault?”

Wei Qingya slammed his wine cup back onto the low table and leaned back, nesting into his silk-embroidered couch. “I’m practically begging them to pick a fight. I’d rather take a few lashes than have to kneel to those grandsons in official robes.”

The manager truly couldn’t move him. He could only sigh, bow, and withdraw.

The moment he stepped over the threshold, he heard a shout from inside, carry the arrogant tint of intoxication. “How can I bow and scrape before the powerful, and lose the joy in my own heart!”

Wei Qingya’s sudden roar startled the storyteller so much that his wooden gavel fell to the floor.

“Continue!”

Wei Qingya suddenly surged with energy, sitting upright on the couch. His eyes were frighteningly bright. “Where were we? How did the Chancellor make those Eastern Liao barbarians eat dirt?”