Chapter 38: The Legacy of the Taoist Merchant

“Master, should we inform the Lord?”

On the way back, the little fox reminded Shen Shi at just the right moment.

“Inform the Lord?”

“Yes! If the Lord finds out, he’ll surely be delighted,” the little fox said.

“That’s certainly true,” Shen Shi agreed, then added, “But there’s no need to inform him.”

“Why not?” the little fox asked.

“The reason is simple—I don’t know where he is.”

Some customs in China are strange indeed: a son must inform his parents of his whereabouts, but when the parents go somewhere, the son need not know. Shen Shi had been here for quite some time after crossing over, yet he had never met his father or mother.

Thinking of this, Shen Shi shook his head with a wry smile.

The little fox fell silent after hearing his words, following Shen Shi gloomily.

Along the way, Shen Shi bought chicken legs and wine. Seeing Shen Shi heading not toward home but in the direction of the prison, the little fox finally spoke again, “Master.”

“What is it? Do you need something?”

“Yes, I’ve been out for so long—I’d like to go home and visit,” the little fox said with reluctance.

“Oh, you’re homesick. You should go back. All right! I approve. The sooner you go, the sooner you’ll return,” Shen Shi said, patting her head in agreement.

“Thank you, Master!” The little fox was overjoyed at his consent.

To send her home, Shen Shi bought more wine, food, and clothing for the little fox to take back.

The little fox packed everything up, carried it on her back, and bid farewell to Shen Shi.

“Master, take this Bewitching Orb. If the jailers regain their senses, you can shine it on them again and they’ll obey your commands.”

“Alright, I understand.” Shen Shi accepted the Bewitching Orb from her.

The last time he saw Zhuge Wolong, it was thanks to this orb.

When the Bewitching Orb was used, the jailers were confused and took Shen Shi for the son of a high official. Whatever he said, they listened.

The only drawback was that the effect didn’t last; every night at midnight, the carriage turned into a pumpkin—cough, I misspoke. The orb only worked for twelve days. But once someone had been affected, there was no need for spells; shining the orb on them again would re-enchant them.

Waving goodbye to the little fox, Shen Shi thought for a moment, then turned back and bought more wine and meat.

With the little fox gone, the house was empty; naturally, Shen Shi went according to his original plan to visit Zhuge Wolong.

“Teacher, I’ve come to see you again.”

Carrying food, he entered the prison; the jailers served him carefully, retreating only when Shen Shi waved his hand.

Zhuge Wolong’s cell had long since changed—there was a bed and bedding, and the floor was kept clean by dedicated staff.

“Boy, whose child are you exactly? Why do they listen to you so well? I’ve been thinking for days and can’t recall any prominent Shen family in Jinhua.”

Zhuge Wolong was frustrated. As a grand scholar of the Celestial Pavilion, he couldn’t claim omniscience, but not knowing the Shen clan was a blow to his pride.

“Hehe, Teacher. I said my family is influential, that I could get you out, but you didn’t believe me. Regret it now, don’t you? Shall I…”

“Enough. No need to say more. You know me. In the past, I refused to leave. Now, there’s a bed, there’s tea, and you bring food from time to time—why would I leave?”

Zhuge Wolong cut him off directly.

Shen Shi smiled, knowing his teacher would refuse; yet every time, he couldn’t resist inviting him to leave.

“By the way, Teacher, I’ve passed the first level of the imperial exam,” Shen Shi announced.

“Passed… hmm, good! I remember I passed at five, became a scholar at six, earned my degree at fifteen or sixteen…”

His teacher truly wasn’t good at conversation. He quickly killed the mood.

Honestly, Zhuge Wolong’s exam record was truly discouraging. The saying goes: comparison leads to despair.

“But I can see you already have talent. There are things you ought to know now.”

Hmm? He was saying something different today.

He continued, “Since you have talent, it’s time to tell you about our lineage. Our ancestor is the founder of Dao and Commerce, a hero of Wu and Yue—Fan Li, also known as Fan Shaobo. He was born in poverty but was learned and gifted, befriending Wen Zhong, the magistrate of Chu. Dissatisfied with the corrupt politics of Chu, which barred commoners from office, they both went to Yue and assisted King Goujian. He helped Goujian revive Yue, destroy Wu, avenge the humiliation of Kuaiji, and after achieving fame, wisely withdrew, changing his name to Chi Yi Zi Pi, swapping official robes for white garments, leaving with Xi Shi from Suzhou, drifting on a lone boat among the five lakes, roaming the seventy-two peaks. During this time, he became a wealthy merchant three times, dispersed his fortune thrice, and called himself Tao Zhu Gong.”

Our lineage traces from Laozi—Ji Ran—Fan Li. Fan Li’s teacher, Ji Ran, originally surnamed Xin, was a renowned strategist, thinker, and economist, one of Laozi’s ten disciples.

Our school originally passed down scriptures, law, Dao, commerce, military strategy, and governance. Unfortunately, by the time it reached me, all those teachings were lost. So I have little to teach you.

Fan Shaobo’s lineage—it was the first time Shen Shi learned that Zhuge Wolong was from Fan Li’s line. No wonder he possessed the art of awakening wisdom.

Though the art of awakening wisdom was not profound, it was not something just anyone could possess.

Zhuge Wolong also told Shen Shi that since his family was powerful, he hoped Shen Shi could help recover lost Dao and Commerce texts.

“Teacher, is that possible?” Shen Shi asked.

“Of course it is. Back when Emperor Gaozu of Han gave the order, he saved the hundred schools. If you can find the Han dynasty’s library, it’s possible.”

Comparing himself to Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang? Shen Shi’s teacher certainly thought highly of him.

Seeing Shen Shi’s lack of confidence, Zhuge Wolong said, “If you find even one ancestral text, I’ll listen to you and leave the prison.”

“But Teacher, this isn’t the early Han; so many years have passed, and there’s not a single clue. Where do I even begin?” Shen Shi said in difficulty.

“Don’t worry. Such national treasures aren’t easily lost. Even if destroyed, someone will have preserved them.”

“All right! I’ll do my best.” Shen Shi said no more and accepted the task.

Seeing Shen Shi’s troubled expression, Zhuge Wolong patted his shoulder, “Jieyu, don’t worry. As long as you have talent, the lost texts will return in time. Our lineage is extraordinary.”

“Yes, Teacher.” Shen Shi thought for a moment, believing it was possible. Ever since he received the Dao and Commerce awakening, he was tied to its fate; perhaps he really could find them.

But as Shen Shi was leaving, Zhuge Wolong mischievously said, “Talent gives birth to fragrance, sages gather—you never know, maybe our immortal ancestor will visit you in a dream. Haha, I have faith in you!”

Shen Shi knew this was his teacher’s drunken irreverence, but his jokes were truly outrageous, making light of the ancestor…