Chinese Generals Summoning System

Chapter 31: Chen Qi’s Terrible Luck

A black rhino horn weighing just five qian required 400 taels of gold—a price that startled Liu Ji. No matter how precious black rhino horn might be, it shouldn’t command such an exorbitant price. However, after his uncle Chen Yan explained the situation, Liu Ji finally understood why black rhino horn was so expensive in the Great Jin Kingdom. To the southwest of the Great Jin Kingdom lay the Great Zhou Kingdom, which had existed for over 400 years—having been founded almost simultaneously with the Great Jin. At that time, the Great Zhou’s territory was only slightly smaller than that of the Great Jin, and the people living within its borders were virtually indistinguishable from the people of Jin. Whether in language, culture, or lifestyle, the people of Zhou and Jin were almost identical. Precisely because the two nations shared so many similarities, they had both sought to conquer one another from the very beginning, aiming to expand their respective territories. Consequently, over the course of more than 400 years, they waged nineteen large-scale wars, not to mention the countless border skirmishes. However, over the course of more than 400 years, although Great Jin and Great Zhou experienced alternating victories and defeats, neither side managed to completely subdue the other. The border between the two nations shifted after every major war. At the height of its power, the Great Jin once controlled 31 prefectures; today, it holds only 24. The seven prefectures that were lost now belong to the Great Zhou. At the height of its power, the Great Zhou Empire also controlled 27 prefectures; today, it holds only 22. Had it not been for the constant natural disasters and man-made calamities that have plagued the Great Zhou over the past decade or so, it is quite possible that the Great Zhou would have long ago seized the opportunity presented by the Great Jin’s internal and external troubles to launch the twentieth large-scale war between the two nations. Years of war between them have caused the two nations to virtually shut down all normal trade. Medicinal ingredients like black rhinoceros horn can only enter the Great Jin through smuggling. Black rhino horn is extremely expensive in the Great Zhou Kingdom, priced at roughly 10 taels of gold per qian; once smuggled into the Great Jin Kingdom, however, the price skyrockets more than eightfold. In the Great Jin Kingdom, five qian of black rhino horn can be purchased for 400 taels of gold—which is already considered a bargain. Liu Ji had only a little over 400 taels of silver in his possession. Compared to the 20 taels of gold required, the gap to reach 400 taels of gold was simply too vast. Liu Ji gritted his teeth—but no matter what, he had to save his father’s life. Deep down, Liu Ji had already come to regard Liu Hao as his true father. Liu Ji turned to Liu Tie and asked, “Uncle Tie, how much money do you have on you?” Liu Tie replied in a sorrowful tone, “Young Master, even if we combine what I and the old master have, it doesn’t even amount to 300 taels of silver—far short of the 400 taels of gold. What are we going to do?” At that moment, Chen Yan asked Doctor Zhang in a grave tone, “Mr. Zhang, is there really no other way to save my brother-in-law besides this prescription? As you know, black rhinoceros horn is simply beyond the means of ordinary people.” Doctor Zhang replied helplessly, “Second Young Master Chen, this ancestral prescription is the only solution I can think of. Otherwise, perhaps you could ask someone else to examine the master’s injuries?” Chen Yan gave a wry smile and said, “Mr. Zhang, your medical skills are second to none—not just in Qi County, but in the entire Changping Prefecture. Of course we trust you, but… sigh—” Liu Ji saw that Chen Yan immediately began sighing heavily upon hearing the figure of 400 taels of gold, and realized that even this amount posed a significant challenge for Chen Yan. However, for the sake of his father, Liu Hao, Liu Ji still said to Chen Yan, ““Second Uncle, the silver we have between us totals 700 taels. I also have five warhorses that are worth at least 1,000 taels of silver. Could you lend me the remaining 6,300 taels for now? As soon as I have the money, I’ll pay you back immediately.” Chen Yan gave a wry smile and said, “Normally, I’d have no hesitation in saving my brother-in-law. But even though I’ve helped manage several of the family’s shops, the money I’ve earned belongs to the family—I only have a little over a thousand taels of silver at my own disposal!” Just as Liu Ji was about to plead with Chen Yan once more, Chen Yan clenched his teeth and continued, “Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll go see Father right away and temporarily borrow some money from the family’s accounts. Let’s save my brother-in-law’s life first.” Liu Hao, lying in bed, said weakly, “My life… how could it possibly be worth 400 taels of gold? Liu Ji… Father won’t go through with the treatment!” Standing by the bedside, Liu Ji squeezed Liu Hao’s hand and said, “Father, you don’t need to worry about the money. Let’s borrow from Uncle and Grandfather to treat your injuries first. As long as you’re okay, everything else is a minor matter.” Liu Ji then turned to Chen Yan and said, “I’m counting on you, Second Uncle! As long as you can save my father’s life, Liu Ji will do whatever Grandfather and Second Uncle ask of me from now on!” Chen Yan nodded and said, “I’ll go see my father right away!” Doctor Zhang said, “In that case, I’ll go tend to this gentleman’s wounds again. Second Young Master Chen, you’d best procure the black rhinoceros horn as soon as possible. If we delay any longer, not even a god could help.” In a study within the Chen family compound, Chen Yan met his father, Chen Ta. There, he also encountered his older brother, Chen Qi, though Chen Qi’s face was etched with bitterness, and Chen Ta’s expression was equally somber. Without a moment’s hesitation, Chen Yan quickly explained to Chen Ta the severity of Liu Hao’s injuries and the need to purchase a black rhinoceros horn for 400 taels of gold. Immediately, Chen Ta snorted coldly and said to Chen Yan, “You still have the nerve to worry about other people’s affairs when your older brother’s life is hanging by a thread!” Chen Yan was startled upon hearing this and asked, “Father, Elder Brother, what has happened?” “Second son, this is a real disaster. This morning, 19 military commanders in Qi County drew lots to decide who would lead 800 men to guard the border at Qianzhou. As it turned out… as it turned out, I had terrible luck and drew the worst possible lot. In four days, I’ll have to set out for Qianzhou with 800 men,” Chen Qi said with a grim expression. “What! Eldest Brother is going to Qianzhou? Father, we absolutely cannot let Eldest Brother go to Qianzhou to guard the border. Right now, the key border towns between Qianzhou and the grasslands are practically non-existent—going to Qianzhou is a sure death sentence!” Chen Yan said urgently. Although Chen Qi and Chen Yan weren’t born to the same mother—one was a legitimate son and the other a concubine-born son—the two brothers were very close. It was partly thanks to Chen Qi that Chen Ta was able to entrust Chen Yan with the management of some of the Chen family’s shops in Qi County. Chen Ta sighed and said, “Our eldest brother is already a military officer—he holds a military post. It’s not as if he can simply refuse to go just because he doesn’t want to!” Chen Yan immediately replied, “Father, Elder Brother, can’t we find someone else to take Elder Brother’s place in Qianzhou?” Chen Qi gave a wry smile and said, “County Magistrate Wang Ji has made it clear: whichever military officer is selected to garrison the border in Qianzhou must lead the 800 men contributed by various families to Qianzhou—or face military punishment! Even if Magistrate Wang Ji were to grant us a favor and allow the Chen family to find a replacement, without a commander capable of maintaining discipline, those 800 men might all desert before they even reach Qianzhou. Not just anyone can keep such a motley crew in check. If we ultimately fail to bring even 500 of them to Qianzhou to garrison the border, then the Chen family will face a catastrophe.” Chen Yan clenched his teeth and said, “Eldest brother, you are the legitimate son of the Chen family; you absolutely must not go to Qianzhou. My martial arts skills are on par with yours—let me go in your place! I’m sure Magistrate Wang Ji won’t object to me taking your place in Qianzhou!” “No way! If I let my younger brother take my place on a suicide mission, how could I, Chen Qi, possibly have the face to go on living in this world? So what if they’re barbarians? The spear in my hand isn’t just for show!” Hearing his two sons’ words, Chen Ta felt deeply comforted. After all, among aristocratic and powerful families, instances of brothers turning against one another were all too common. However, both sons were equally dear to him. Chen Ta was unwilling to send either Chen Qi or Chen Yan to guard the border at Qianzhou. After frowning and pondering for a moment, he suddenly asked Chen Yan, “You mentioned earlier that your fifth sister’s husband needs 400 taels of gold to buy a black rhinoceros horn?”