Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Accountant

Year eight of Longchang, Great Li.

Emperor Chen Yu of Li has passed away, the news proclaimed throughout the land; a national mourning of three years ensues, with the entire country enveloped in grief.

The Crown Prince, Chen Xi, ascends the throne and declares the new era as Hongqing.

Moved by the late emperor’s virtuous governance and frugality, the Hongqing Emperor honors him in the ancestral temple with the epithet ‘Ren’ and bestows the posthumous title ‘Filial and Illustrious Emperor.’

—

With the passing of the Son of Heaven, Great Li dresses in mourning.

Anyuan County is no exception; white banners adorn the streets.

Already a quiet county, the silence now deepens.

At the Wu Family Pharmacy, Cui Xiu finishes his bookkeeping, instructs the clerks to watch the shop, and heads towards the Wu residence with the account ledger.

Though titled as the bookkeeper, he is in truth the manager of the pharmacy, for there is little difference in their duties.

He cares little for titles; business is light, clerks manage the daily affairs, and he merely oversees the accounts, occasionally handling external negotiations. Troubles are few.

He has now worked at the Wu Family Pharmacy for over two months.

Aside from pharmacy matters, his days are spent either practicing martial arts or studying literature, leading a fulfilling life.

As time passes, the classical doctrines from the original Cui Xiu’s memories gradually fuse with his own, and with his prior life's experience, his essays now carry a richer flavor.

He cannot claim certainty of success in the provincial exam, but after showing his writings to Wu Yu and a scholar from the academy, both approved, saying his chances would be good if fortune favored him.

Cui Xiu is content with his progress; he does not crave the highest honors, only the identity of a scholar, enough to secure his place and status in this world.

He does not presume himself a genius, but holds some confidence.

Firstly, the original Cui Xiu’s scholarship was not lacking; his repeated failures in the provincial exam were mostly due to his rigid nature, which made his essays lifeless.

Secondly, luck played its part.

Now, with Cui Xiu in command, he has critically analyzed his shortcomings and, after consulting Wu Yu and several teachers, has studied diligently. He believes that, with three years of earnest preparation, his chances in the provincial exam are considerable.

Moreover, conscious of the dangers of this world, he has not neglected his martial training.

The two martial disciplines learned from Wu Yu have been thoroughly studied, and with the aid of his source power, he has already achieved mastery.

---

Now, his strength, though not comparable to the likes of Guan Yuan whom he once witnessed, far surpasses what he was two months prior.

Even Wu Yu’s bodyguard, Wu Qi, is no longer his match, though Cui Xiu deliberately refrains from revealing his full ability.

Nevertheless, Wu Qi remains astonished; when Wu Yu heard of it, he too was amazed, praising Cui Xiu’s extraordinary talent, albeit lamenting that such talent did not appear on the path of the imperial examinations.

He even invited Cui Xiu for drinks over the matter.

Cui Xiu could only smile wryly, offering no explanation—each had their own perspective.

…

“Steward Xu, I have finished sorting this month’s accounts for the pharmacy; please have a look.”

Entering Wu Manor, Cui Xiu does not seek out Wu Yu first, but pays a visit to the steward, Xu Wei.

Xu Wei is a man in his fifties, plain in appearance, with a limp in his right leg, resembling a typical farmer, yet sharp of mind.

According to Wu Yu, he once roamed the martial world—there is more to him than meets the eye.

Though merely the steward, his standing in Wu Manor is high; even Wu Yu often consults him. In this household, he is not to be slighted.

“Master Cui, you are too polite. You are a friend of our young master, and he has instructed us not to neglect you. There’s no need for you to bring the accounts yourself—let a clerk deliver them. If the young master saw this, I would have trouble explaining.”

Xu Wei smiles kindly, his wrinkled face folding like an old chrysanthemum, revealing a set of yellowed teeth, appearing quite honest.

Cui Xiu is wary not to take Xu Wei’s words at face value.

“Not at all. Wu Yu often says Steward Xu is a man of great wisdom. I hope for the chance to seek your guidance, though fate has not granted it yet. For now, I must be diligent and pay my respects in person.”

“Haha, Master Cui speaks well—much better than my own grandchildren. I had hoped you might teach those unruly boys, but our young master said you must devote yourself to the writings of the sages, so I dared not disturb you. Should you ever find time, might you visit and sit with me?”

Xu Wei’s intentions are unclear, whether genuine or merely polite; at least Cui Xiu cannot discern his true feelings.

“That would be my honor. If I find free time, I will certainly call on you.”

Cui Xiu smiles, bows slightly, and says, “I have matters to discuss with Wu Yu today, otherwise I would have stayed to trouble you, Steward Xu. I must take my leave.”

“You are too courteous, Master Cui.”

…

---

Cui Xiu’s words about visiting Wu Yu are no mere formality; he genuinely has matters to discuss.

With the recent death of the Longchang Emperor, the political climate is shifting; though the Crown Prince has taken the throne, further developments are uncertain.

It may seem that such changes have little to do with him, but the reality is otherwise.

He still intends to sit for the provincial exam. The imperial examinations are unlike other matters—one must prepare early, adapting to the times and studying relevant essays in advance. Otherwise, no matter how well-written, a misstep may ruin one’s chances.

Since he has not returned to the academy for his studies, his sources of information are few; the most convenient is Wu Yu.

Moreover, Wu Yu will be heading to the Divine Capital next year to participate in the spring examinations, so he must be paying close attention to these affairs.

Wu Yu’s connections are far broader than Cui Xiu’s; what Cui Xiu wishes to know, Wu Yu likely already has learned.

In such circumstances, Cui Xiu naturally seeks his advice.

Given Wu Yu’s character, he will not begrudge pointing out a thing or two.

…

“Zixing, forgive me for disturbing your reading.”

When Cui Xiu finds Wu Yu, Wu Yu is in his study, immersed in a book.

“Ah, Dongshan!” Wu Yu’s face lights up. “Why are you so formal with me? Actually, you’ve come at the perfect time—I was about to look for you.”

Cui Xiu is surprised by this.

Wu Yu, seeing his expression, invites Cui Xiu to sit before continuing: “Dongshan, the late emperor’s passing and the new monarch’s ascension are no trivial matters. It may appear unrelated to us, but in truth, it is of great importance. I was just preparing to seek you out, and here you are.”

“I, too, wanted to consult you on this. Have you received any news, Zixing?”

Cui Xiu realizes Wu Yu’s thoughts align with his own—both concerned with the emperor’s demise.

This is only natural; with Wu Yu’s background and current status, he ought to be even more attentive and responsive to such matters than Cui Xiu.

“The new emperor has taken the throne; from the news I have received, the court is poised for major changes. With such upheaval, the imperial examinations will inevitably be affected. Our futures are tied to our essays—if things go awry, we may face another three years’ wait. This matter must not be taken lightly.”