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Morning sunlight filtered through the window lattice into the room.
Though the room wasn't large, it was exceptionally clean and tidy, with few furnishings—just one table, one mat, and an incense burner.
However, the desk was coated with high-quality red lacquer, smooth and even like a mirror reflecting one's image; the mat was woven from extremely fine bamboo strips, delicate and dense, something only wealthy households would use; the incense burner was even more exquisite, consisting of upper and lower parts. The upper part featured three layers of lotus petal patterns in bud, each row with eleven petals, each petal carved with clear veins of varying sizes. The lid top was adorned with an exquisite little bird, standing gracefully, gazing into the distance. The lower part was a cylindrical hollow pillar, lively in shape, simple and natural. Now it emitted wisps of blue smoke, filling the entire room with rich fragrance.
On the red lacquer desk lay some yarrow stalks, neither too many nor too few, exactly fifty, matching the number of the Great Expansion.
Ancient people favored yarrow, mostly believing this plant didn't wither through the years and could communicate with spirits.
It was said: "Yarrow grows from the earth, withers and dies over a thousand years in Yin. At one hundred years, it grows forty-nine stems, sufficient to bear heaven and earth's numbers. At five hundred years, its form gradually dries and solidifies. At seven hundred years, it has no branches or leaves. At nine hundred years, its color turns purple like iron. At one thousand years, purple qi rises above, and below, divine dragons and spirit turtles lie hidden."
Therefore, Han Dynasty people valued yarrow that was dried, solid, and deeply colored. If truly surrounded by purple qi, it would be a top-grade divine artifact, used for divination with unfailing accuracy…
The yarrow stalks on the desk, though lacking so-called purple qi swirling, had deep coloration and were likely frequently handled, each glossy and smooth.
Wei Ji, still clad in pure white, sat properly and upright behind the desk with closed eyes, calm and composed, his expression neither sad nor joyful, his breath long and steady.
Suddenly, Wei Ji extended both hands. First, he took one stalk from the yarrow on the desk and placed it aside. Then he gently swept the remaining stalks with the back of his hand, instantly dividing them into two piles, holding one pile in each hand. From the right hand, he took one stalk and clipped it between the little finger of his left hand. The rest he divided four by four, quickly completing the first change…
Next came the second change…
Three changes formed a line; six lines formed a hexagram.
His movements flowed like drifting clouds and flowing water, without the slightest stagnation or hindrance, clearly indicating Wei Ji frequently performed this major six-line divination, extremely proficient.
The six lines were complete; the hexagram was revealed.
Mountain above, Marsh below.
There is truthfulness. Supreme good fortune. No blame. Perseverance is possible.
This was the second time in recent days Wei Ji had divined this hexagram…
Just then, the light outside the room flickered. An old man slowly entered.
Wei Ji hastily set down the yarrow stalks and stood with hands respectfully at his sides.
Though elderly, with streaks of grey at his temples, the old man was robust in build, ruddy-faced. Though wearing long robes, his movements carried an aura of martial prowess.
"Nephew failed to greet you from afar. I beg forgiveness, Uncle." Wei Ji bowed with clasped hands.
"Dispense with that. I rose early for quiet sitting but found my mind unsettled, hence came here." Wei Ji's uncle motioned for Wei Ji to sit and spoke slowly.
Unsettled mind…
Wei Ji remained silent. He could understand why his old uncle felt this way. Faced with such major matters, anyone, no matter how steady, would inevitably weigh things repeatedly, especially when involving not one person but an entire clan.
But the current opportunity was truly too tempting.
Wei Ji knew what his old uncle wanted to ask. After all, his uncle differed somewhat from his father. At least, when Wei Ji made preparations, his uncle hadn't been fully aware or understood why Wei Ji was doing this. So upon learning the situation, though unlikely to oppose his elder brother—the Wei family head's decision—he inevitably harbored some internal misgivings.
After all, Wei Ji had only briefly met and talked once with his uncle upon arriving in Linfen yesterday evening. The expressed meaning might not have been fully conveyed, hence the old man specifically came early in the morning, not sparing the effort to come personally, certainly not just to say "I'm in a bad mood this morning."
"Among the feudal lords under heaven, the Wei family is last." After remaining silent for a while, Wei Ji slowly spoke as he collected the yarrow stalks one by one into their box. Since his uncle didn't spare coming personally rather than summoning him, it showed importance. Naturally, Wei Ji himself would speak more directly and clearly.
Hearing this, Wei Ji's uncle slightly turned his head, staring intently at his nephew: "What is your intention?"
This question made things very clear. The old uncle's query wasn't about not understanding what Wei Ji meant, but about this matter…
His nephew's ambition was actually this grand!
The State of Wei, a feudal state during the Zhou Dynasty, established by Kang Shu, younger brother of King Wu of Zhou, was a genuine, legitimate, pure-blooded descendant of Zhou kings.
Initially, the State of Wei was an important pillar of the Zhou Dynasty, even helping pacify the Rong and Hu barbarians, once powerful, becoming one of the strong leaders among feudal lords.
But any powerful state seemed to decline from within. The extravagant and dissolute Duke Yi of Wei, due to frequent internal strife, weakened and was defeated by the Di people. The State of Wei lost its sovereignty, later re-established at Chuqiu, only then surviving, henceforth reduced to a minor state.
Entering the Warring States period, Wei had already declined, clinging to survival between Zhao, Wei, Qi, and Chu.
But such a small state was never abolished. Even when Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, he still didn't conquer Wei. Only by the time of Qin Er Shi was Wei completely destroyed.
Thus, the State of Wei was the last feudal state destroyed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
After the State of Wei was destroyed by Qin, descendants of the Wei nobility took the state name "Wei" or "Kang" as their surname. Ji Zi once said: "The land of Wei has a gentleman; no calamity befalls the state."
"These times are not those times." Wei Ji's uncle said.
Wei Ji placed the last yarrow stalk into the box, closed the lid, and said lightly: "What's the difference?"
Wei Ji's uncle was taken aback, his beard twitching slightly, but he said nothing, seemingly deep in thought.
Wei Ji gently pushed the box to one side of the desk and smiled. "In the past, they lost the tripod cauldron, symbol of rule; today, they lose the handle, authority. In the past, Han, Zhao, and Wei divided Jin three ways; today, the two Yuan and Yang occupy north and south. What difference is there?"
The old man was first surprised, but this expression didn't last long, soon becoming calm and composed. He said: "The fat is rich and grease delicious, but there are bones. How can one eat it easily? If one acts hastily, one might lose the vessel instead."
Ultimately, people of the Wei clan, regarding the surname "Wei," held inner sense of glory and degree of identification no less than current great clans like Yuan and Yang. The old man's tone wasn't opposition but rather like a reminder—
There are too many bones here now. To consume it, don't risk your own pot…
Wei Ji nodded, expressing thanks for his uncle's kind reminder. "First implement the plan to confuse the enemy army; only then can we fish in troubled waters. One bone has already been removed; just pick out the other two…"
The old man drew a soft breath. "Only two bones left?"
"The other is actually the blade, not remaining bones." Wei Ji gently brushed off his white robe, as if doing this were as easy as brushing dust off clothes.
"…Who holds the blade?"
"Your nephew was just about to bid Uncle farewell."
Wei Ji's uncle remained silent for a long time, finally shaking his head. "Not suitable! You stay here. As for handling the blade… let this old man make the trip! It's been long since I galloped; my thigh flesh has grown too much."
"Uncle!" Wei Ji blinked. "How dare I trouble Uncle's esteemed self?"
His uncle snorted disdainfully. "If not for that, why did you come to Linfen?"
Exposed by the old man, Wei Ji didn't mind. He rose, went before his uncle, and performed a solid grand bow, touching his head to the ground. "In that case, I entrust this to Uncle!"
"Hahaha…" The old man laughed heartily, didn't help Wei Ji up, merely nodded, stood, and walked out. "Practiced martial arts all my life, never thought I'd have a chance to display it in old age. How delightful! How utterly delightful!"
Just as the old man was about to exit, his steps suddenly paused. "…What hexagram did you divine?"
"…Mountain above, Marsh below."
"Any changing lines?" Wei Ji's uncle asked.
"The original hexagram has no changes."
"…'Favorable to have somewhere to go'… Good… Good…" Wei Ji's uncle laughed heartily again and strode away.