Chapter Seventeen: The Heavenly Tome

Above the waters of the Qiongzhou Strait

At this moment, two immense passenger boats were sailing across the gently breezy sea. Standing upon the vast deck, gazing into the distance, one could see the horizon where sky and sea merged into a single line, indistinguishable from one another. The boundless ocean resembled a crystalline sapphire, or perhaps a vast blue carpet, laid out flat upon the water’s surface.

“Young man, you’re quite bold—so young and unafraid to travel far from home. I must say, I admire your courage,” said Chen Yide, standing side by side with Li Sanjian on the deck, their eyes fixed on the magnificent sea and sky as they conversed.

There had been some past friction between them, merely matters of business, nothing of deep enmity. Thus, they did not treat each other as foes now; in fact, Chen Yide found himself admiring Li Sanjian, who, despite his youth, dared to travel alone in pursuit of learning.

It should be known that, though the Song dynasty enjoyed long-standing peace, the wild lands of Lingnan still harbored highwaymen and bandits.

“Children of poor families are not so pampered,” Li Sanjian replied with a smile. “Liang’s Liu Qi burned reeds to study, Sui’s Li Mi hung books from ox horns, Jin’s Che Yin read by the light of fireflies—all these sages began their scholarly pursuits younger than I. Besides, I believe you, sir, have been engaged in business for more than a year or two. Surely you started at a young age yourself?”

Chen Yide looked up at Li Sanjian, puzzled. “How did you know that?”

“You are skilled in calculation, shrewd and seasoned, successful in trade. Such accomplishments are not gained without decades of immersion,” answered Li Sanjian, smiling.

“Successful in business? And how did you know that?” Chen Yide was even more mystified. How did this young man seem to know everything?

“The cargo piles up like mountains, servants abound—what else could it mean but success?” Li Sanjian glanced at the ship’s hold and Chen Yide’s entourage.

“Haha!” Chen Yide laughed heartily. “Though young, your eye is sharp indeed. I must have underestimated you before. You’re right; I began trading alongside my father at the age of ten, and now it’s been over thirty years. I’ve built a modest estate. As for your claim of my skill in calculation, I once lost to you, and thus admit you surpass me.”

Li Sanjian shook his head. “Sir, you are mistaken. It is not that I am skilled in calculation, but rather a matter of right and wrong. The sages say evil cannot overcome righteousness. That is the principle, not my skill in calculation.”

“Oh? Is there a distinction between right and wrong in business?” Chen Yide asked.

He was increasingly intrigued by Li Sanjian; his words were not those of a mere youth, but someone seasoned in life. Who was he really? Chen Yide pondered.

“Indeed,” Li Sanjian nodded. “The way of commerce is the way of conduct. Merchants seek profit—there’s nothing wrong with that. The world bustles for profit, comes and goes for profit. Yet, a gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it by proper means. The way to earn wealth is to not betray one’s conscience or compromise one’s principles—that is the righteous path, honest and upright, and only such a way endures. If one seeks profit through deceit, trickery, or actions against heaven and reason, that is the crooked path—a merchant of ill repute, whose gains are fleeting and who will be despised, unable to last.

Those who walk the righteous path in commerce will become great, honorable, renowned merchants.”

Before his misfortune, Li Sanjian’s family had been among the great merchants, so he spoke with confidence and clarity.

“You speak nonsense, child. Haven’t you heard 'there’s no trade without trickery'?” Chen Yide’s face flushed with embarrassment at Li Sanjian’s words, and he stormed off in anger.

Was he advising me? Chen Yide wondered as he walked away.

“Jian, impressive,” praised Fu Lin, who stood nearby. Though he understood little of the conversation, he recognized that Chen Yide had left in defeat and so commended Li Sanjian.

Li Sanjian shook his head, gazing out over the calm sea, lost in his own thoughts.

...

“Master Li, slow down, my master has something for you.”

After crossing the Qiongzhou Strait, Li Sanjian, having sent his reluctant third uncle Fu Lin back onto the ship, set off alone toward Qinzhou. The sky was now drizzling, and the ground had become muddy and difficult to traverse. As Li Sanjian trudged forward, two servants caught up with him, breathless, calling out.

“Your master wishes to give me something? What is it?” Li Sanjian recognized them as Chen Yide’s servants from Quanzhou, so he stopped, surprised.

“This,” said one servant, handing him a small oilcloth-wrapped bundle.

Li Sanjian opened his oil-paper umbrella before unwrapping the bundle. Inside was a somewhat worn book, its cover inscribed with curving characters unknown to him. He asked in confusion, “What is the name of this book?”

“Our master bought it from a merchant traveling from India. The writing is Sanskrit. We do not know its meaning,” replied one servant.

Li Sanjian was a bit disheartened—Sanskrit? They didn’t know it, nor did he. Judging by the book’s appearance, though, he sensed it was extraordinary. He also realized that Chen Yide had not taken offense at their earlier conversation, but instead offered him a book as a gift.

“In any case, thank your master for me,” said Li Sanjian, grateful for Chen Yide’s kindness.

“Farewell, Master Li, safe travels,” the two servants said, then turned to leave.

Li Sanjian placed the umbrella on his shoulder, flipping through the book as he walked. He soon discovered that, although the cover was in Sanskrit, the contents were written in Chinese, which he could read.

He had barely turned a few pages when several golden, gleaming objects slipped out of the book, startling him. He quickly gathered them up and tucked them into his coat, glancing anxiously around. Fortunately, no one was nearby, and he felt a measure of relief.

These golden objects were gold leaves—twenty in all, each weighing two taels. Though he did not know the current value of gold, he was aware that this was a considerable gift.

Now carrying a fortune, Li Sanjian felt uneasy. He was young and not strong, and possessing so much gold could invite trouble. If discovered, it might tempt others to crime, and he was keenly aware of the danger.

He was perplexed—was Chen Yide’s gesture truly benevolent, or a deliberate act to put him in danger?

Hurriedly, Li Sanjian turned through the pages, hiding the remaining gold leaves in his coat, and found a note written on a sheet of paper.

“Your heartfelt words, young friend, I shall remember. May this humble profit help you succeed in your studies...” read the note.

Support? Success? Li Sanjian smiled as he read. If you wish to support me, wait until I am settled—otherwise, I’ll be anxious all the way...

After a moment’s pause, Li Sanjian gathered his belongings and continued toward Qinzhou.

The rain grew heavier, the road ever harder to walk. Fortunately, Li Sanjian had already inquired about the route and chose the official road or post road, which was more even and populated with travelers, offering relative safety.

“Runaway horse! Runaway horse! Get out of the way!” As Li Sanjian walked with his head down, a cry suddenly rang out behind him.

Startled, he turned to see two riders approaching at speed. One was a man, shouting loudly, the other a young woman dressed in red. Through the rain, she appeared youthful.

Li Sanjian quickly stepped aside to avoid the runaway horse. Though he managed not to be struck, the horse galloped by with a shrill neigh, its hooves splattering mud a yard high, soaking Li Sanjian from head to toe.

Enraged, he wiped the mud from his face and cursed loudly.

His voice carried, causing the woman in red to glance back and scold, “What did you say?”

“I—%……&……%￥#.” Li Sanjian spat out a string of curses, unintelligible to others.

“You... how dare you! Ah!” The woman, though she didn’t understand his words, knew they could not be pleasant. But with the horse dashing wildly, she had no time to argue, clinging tightly to the reins.

She was clearly an experienced rider, even skilled in martial arts, for she remained steady atop the galloping horse.

Anyone who could afford a horse was no ordinary person—at least from a wealthy, noble family.

Li Sanjian’s indignation grew. Was it right for the wealthy and powerful to act this way?

“Sister, hold the reins tight! Don’t fall! I’ll catch the horse!” the man pursuing her shouted.

The two soon vanished from sight. Li Sanjian spat in disgust, shook out his wet clothes, and looked around for shelter, lest he catch a chill and fall ill.

He spotted a stone pavilion not far away and, carrying his small book case, walked toward it.

A cursed beginning, Li Sanjian muttered as he went, still fuming over his misfortune.

Upon reaching the stone pavilion, he found it small but ample for shelter. Seeing no one around, he took off his wet clothes, intending to dry them before continuing his journey once the rain ceased.