Chapter Sixty: Returning with Rich Rewards

At this moment, Ellie’s sobs gradually subsided. Zhang Juntai helped her to her feet and gently wiped away the tear stains from her face. Li Wenyuan then questioned Ellie in Latin as to why she harbored such hatred toward the two men, and only then did the truth come to light:

Ellie was not the daughter of a Gallic governor, but the child of a Gallic merchant. Because her father often traveled back and forth between Byzantium and the Great Sui, she had learned some martial skills for self-defense. Later, her father saved a Xianbei man, who then taught her the sword techniques of the Central Plains and accompanied her father on his trading journeys.

While passing through the Kingdom of Gaochang, these two men gathered dozens of accomplices and ambushed her father’s caravan, killing everyone. The Xianbei man who had taught her swordsmanship died fighting valiantly, while she was knocked unconscious and bound. When she awoke, she found herself locked in this specially made cage, watching the seven survivors outside quarreling. Soon after, blades were drawn and they began to slaughter one another, until only these two remained alive.

These two then disguised themselves as merchants, took her father’s caravan, and continued toward the Great Sui, eventually arriving here, where Li Wenyuan purchased her. Now, with no home and stranded in a foreign land, she wished only to survive, willing to live as a slave.

Her emotions were still unsettled as she recounted the events to Li Wenyuan in halting speech and gestures. Li Wenyuan translated her story for Zhang Juntai. Then, Li Wenyuan said to Ellie, “Come with me. You will not be a slave. There is work for you.” He then pointed to Zhang Juntai and said, “With him, learn the Han language.”

Ellie nodded in agreement. Seeing that everything was settled, Li Wenyuan suggested they spend the night at the auction house and return to Wuwei County the next day.

The night passed without incident, and soon it was dawn. Li Wenyuan was awakened by the clanging of metal in the courtyard. He rubbed his eyes, walked to the window, and opened it to see Ellie and Zhang Juntai sparring below. Without saying a word, Li Wenyuan leaned against the window, basking in the sunlight, lazily watching the two in the yard.

Not long after, a victor emerged—Zhang Juntai withdrew his sword from Ellie’s neck and sheathed it. Ellie stood up from the ground and, in very clumsy Han speech, said, “Teach me.”

Before Zhang Juntai could reply, Li Wenyuan interrupted, “Teach her when we return. Juntai, today we’re going back to Wuwei County.” Zhang Juntai nodded, and the party left the auction house, mounted their horses, and retraced their route to Wuwei.

Upon returning, Li Wenyuan arranged for Ellie to stay with Qiuniang, then summoned Manager Jin and asked, “Manager Jin, I remember on the list of craftsmen you gave me, there was a jade carving master from the former dynasty. Did he come with you?”

Manager Jin nodded. “Indeed, that man is here. He’s currently assisting with the city construction in Guantun.”

“Very well, Manager Jin. Could you tell me more about this jade carving master?” Li Wenyuan asked curiously.

“His original name is Zhao Shisheng. Because of his exceptional jade carving skills and deep understanding of jade properties, he earned the nickname Zhao the Jade Artisan. The Emperor of Northern Zhou once ordered craftsmen to recreate the First Emperor’s imperial seal. Relying solely on sparse historical records, Zhao managed to replicate the jade seal, even bringing the dragon-tiger motif on the seal to vivid life. The emperor was overjoyed and wished to appoint him as an official in charge of all matters related to craftsmen. However, the status of artisans has always been low, and few were literate. Though Zhao could carve the eight grand seal characters ‘Heaven grants the mandate, longevity and prosperity,’ these words had been written by a court scholar; Zhao merely followed the design and did not understand their meaning. In the end, he received only a monetary reward. Later, when Emperor Jing abdicated to the former Emperor Wen, Zhao, now elderly, wished to retire. But which emperor would willingly let a craftsman who could make imperial seals disappear among the common folk? At that time, he sought my help. I used my palace connections to fake his death for the emperor and secretly brought him to Jincheng, where he now lives under a new name.”

As they spoke, the two made their way to the construction site in Guantun. Manager Jin asked Li Wenyuan to wait while he went to fetch Zhao Shisheng. Before long, Manager Jin returned, escorting an elderly man with white hair and beard. “Brother Shisheng, this is Li Wenyuan, the Grand Administrator of the Western Regions, whom I mentioned to you.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shisheng immediately bowed to the ground. “This humble artisan, Zhao Shisheng, pays his respects to the Grand Administrator.”

Li Wenyuan hurriedly helped him up. “Please, sir, there is no need for such formality.” He then took Zhao’s hands in his own and examined them closely, noting the dirt and dried mud. With deep regret he said, “A phoenix will not rest save on a parasol tree, nor drink but from sweet spring. Forcing you master craftsmen to labor on bricks and walls is truly our failing. But the times are harsh—when Guantun is finished, I promise you all a brighter future.”

Then, Li Wenyuan changed the subject and took out a wooden box containing a piece of fine jade. “But now, I have a request. Master Zhao, would you be able to carve this piece of jade for me?”

At the mention of jade, Zhao Shisheng eagerly wiped his hands on his clothes, carefully unwrapped the cloth around the jade, and handled it with great care. Shielding the stone from the sun, he examined it in the shade, then held it up to the sunlight to inspect the interior. After a long look, he wrapped the jade again and returned it to the box, handing it back to Li Wenyuan with trembling hands.

“Grand Administrator, this is white jade from Khotan—soft jade. Judging by its quality, it is nearly the equal of the tribute jade of the Northern Zhou royal family.”

“I acquired this by chance from a Sogdian merchant. I hope you might carve something on it for me. Naturally, I will compensate you handsomely. Would you be willing, sir?”

“Though white jade is rare and precious, I have carved it before. It is not particularly difficult to work, but it is indeed time-consuming. May I ask what you wish to have engraved?”

Li Wenyuan glanced around to ensure no one was near—his guards had kept the workers at a distance—then handed a slip of paper to Zhao Shisheng. “Sir, can you carve these characters?”

Zhao Shisheng unfolded the paper. On it were twelve grand seal script characters, as used in Qin times: “Heaven’s will be heard, the chariot cools in the north, to rule the Western Regions, and claim the title of king.”