Chapter 16

Xu Qian’s Diary

[Today is the 31st day of the 10th month and 37th year… The timekeeping system is confusing. I would be so confused without the host’s memories. Based on my calculation, this is the year of the rat. 18 October of the Gregorian calendar will be the day I begin my diary, though how long will I keep up the habit?

[My uncle is right, I should change my lifestyle. In this dog-eat-dog society, it’s best to avoid the top of the social ladder. Many high-ranking officials have had their possessions confiscated due to political power plays. My research says the middle class is the most comfortable. You get to enjoy material wealth without the high-level politicking. Some small bribes never hurt anyone, it was how the middle class made do.

[On another note, I found a mace of silver today at the markets.]

[19 October, cloudy day. I need to earn money. In this world, gold is more reliable than silver. Although merchants have no official positions, it is a small price to pay for money. I plan to resign in a few days. A constable’s monthly pay of two silver taels and one stone of grain was too little. At this rate, I will never get to sleep with the Queen of Flowers.]

[20 October, sunny day. I have decided to wait until I have a stable income from my business before resigning. Today I witnessed a few constables make use of the warrants to extort money from the merchants, it makes me wary but I understand it is a societal norm. A younger me would have rushed forward and berated the constables but life has dulled my sense of righteousness. It is important to stay silent when you can’t change things. Side note: I found a silver mace in the courts.]

[21 October, sunny day. Constable Wang brought me to the playhouse. The place has a variety of performances in addition to the sexual services. It is a shame I have to hold onto my virginity for the sake of advancing my martial arts rank.

[We spent half a day in the playhouse. I saw none that could trump my aunt. Her natural beauty and endowment coupled with her proper manners made her a class above. The women in the playhouse are too frivolous and tainted. Lingyue and my aunt are quite the specimen.

[Also, I found a silver mace at the playhouse, enough to cover my food and entertainment… Luck has been on my side recently.]

[22 October. Spent my time enjoying melodies in the playhouse.]

[23 October. Went to the playhouse for their songs.]

[24 October. Went to the playhouse again. Constable Wang asked why I was so happy. The fair ladies make me happy.]

[25 October. Xu Qian, get a hold of yourself. Have you forgotten your goal? Set a small target: earn 100 million.]

[26 October. Spent time in the playhouse.]

[27 October. Visited the playhouse. I didn’t find any silver but I gave money to one of the girls. I should stop visiting places like this.]

[28 October. This world has gunpowder and guns. They even have soap that works miraculously well so there goes my plan to sell soaps. I hate the alchemists. Oh, glass! I can make glass that’s useful. That’ll amaze the people.]

[29 October. They already have glass. I’ll have to think of something else. Today I found my uncle’s private stash and helped myself to a silver mace.]

[30 October. Paid a visit to the playhouse.]

[31 October. I thought of a money-making tactic today. Dafeng has a rich literary culture. If I can improve the paper quality, it’ll make me rich. Then, I’ll be able to afford the best food and women. Let me recall the process of paper production…

[Nevermind, let’s pass on paper. I have a better idea, cement. The composition of cement is calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and iron oxide. With the right protocol and appropriate ratio, these compounds will form cement. Good. Today I picked up another silver mace in the markets. The frequency of me picking up money from the ground is making me suspicious.]

[2 November. The cement plan failed—theory and practical are vastly different. This is the real world.]

[3 November. Used up all my savings so I went to my uncle. He had no money to lend me. When Xu Xinnian found out I was in need of money, he gave me five silver taels but not before expressing his disapproval and mocking me. Beyond the ego and his sharp tongue, Xu Xinnian is quite a stand-up guy. I replied with a quote, “If I, Xu Xinnian, was not born, Dafeng would have been in eternal darkness!” My cousin left embarrassed. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re sworn brothers, I would have thought you were the main female protagonist.]

[5 November. Today I went with the constables to the teahouse to fish for suspects. It was the first time I’ve listened to a storyteller. Then, the thought occurred to me—what if I wrote down the famous novels that would come to be in the future. I will earn so much money. What a great plan. Another silver mace found today, enough to pay for my trip to the playhouse tomorrow.]

[7 November. What an idealist. The novels are a few million words each and I’m supposed to write them down by hand with a brush. Of course, I could produce a charcoal pen but do I even remember the stories? It’s been days and I still have no concrete plans. My head feels like exploding.]

[8 November, rainy day. The rain reflects my mood. I have bits and pieces of knowledge but how do I turn them into money? When I think deeper, I realize I lack many skills. Now I have truly witnessed the failings of examination-oriented education.

[I met my uncle today and he spoke a lot about the courts. He mentioned he had heard of my deeds in the county courts. From his stories, I realized this world is worse than I imagined. Corrupt officials run amok while those who take petty bribes are deemed good. An honest official is rarer than a virgin in the playhouse.]

[9 November, cloudy day. Why hasn’t Lady Caiwei from the Imperial Astronomers visited me? Didn’t she want to learn the legendary alchemy that could turn salt into silver? The lady is as pretty as Lingyue—a cute, oval-shaped head and big, captivating eyes. With my experience in courting women, I may stand a chance with her. I just don’t want to be discarded by society, it doesn’t matter if I’m not a disciple of the Imperial Astronomers. All I want is love. Come find me, I’m running out of hope.]

[10 November. I was unwilling to let go of the novel-writing plan so I told my sisters the story of the Butterfly Lovers. Many scenes and details were missing due to my bad memory but the gist of the story was enough to make Lingyue tear up. Lingyin was unaffected so I punched her and she cried. At her age, I believe it is appropriate for her to experience some bullying.]

[11 November. I went drinking with Executive Li. Tipsy, he said the Northern King’s daughter was the most beautiful woman in the realm. I asked him how beautiful she was but he couldn’t give a description as he heard it from the county magistrate.

[After work, I went home and asked my uncle. An odd expression crossed his face and with his limited vocabulary, he attempted to describe the princess. The gist was, “F*cking huge t*ts.” Now, my curiosity is piqued. I can’t wait to meet this princess.]

[12 November. To this date, I have accomplished nothing. I am a disgrace to the country and time travelers.]

[13 November. Today marks my one-month stay in this world. My salary came in. I have decided to focus on my work, the business can be a side project…]

[14 November. Visited the playhouse.]