Chapter 231: 法会不寻常

The old emperor in the imperial study in the capital was somewhat agitated. On one hand, he was excited by the news of a dragon; on the other, he was extremely uneasy because the news concerned a fallen dragon.

This feeling of unease was so strong, as if gongs and drums were clanging in his mind.

Emperor Yuande suddenly recalled a secret memorial and, with slightly trembling hands, rummaged through the documents on his desk. Usually meticulous about his demeanor and imperial dignity, he was now completely oblivious to his own agitated state.

Papers rustled… rustled…

Several stacks of memorials slid off the desk due to Emperor Yuande's rough handling.

Prince Jin stared blankly at his father's actions, clearly noticing the slight tremor in the old emperor's hands. At that moment, his heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

‘Father... he's truly aged...'

Even Prince Wu's gaze appeared somewhat complex at that moment, though it was quickly replaced by a hint of joy before his expression settled back into calmness.

“Found it... found it...”

Emperor Yuande murmured to himself, his slightly trembling hand picking up a secret memorial. He carefully opened it; the submitter was Yin Zhaoxian, the Prefect of Lishun Prefecture.

Emperor Yuande unfolded the memorial and quickly scanned it, as if searching for something. After about a dozen breaths, he finally found a line of small text:

(Your humble servant believes that the matters in Wanzhou must not be tolerated. Officials are deceiving their superiors, oppressing their subordinates, taking advantage of the situation to embezzle, and ruthlessly plundering without restraint, leading to widespread destitution among the people. This threatens the very foundation and stability of our Great Zhen empire.)

In truth, Ji Yuan's previous worries were not unfounded. At the time, he had told Yin Zhaoxian that the old emperor was preparing for a Water-Land Dharma Assembly and feared the emperor might lack the mental energy or resolve for state affairs.

Indeed, Emperor Yuande had been extremely angry upon learning of the Wanzhou situation; the breaking of teaware in the imperial study was not a fabrication. However, as time passed, the old emperor's mindset had subtly shifted. These audacious, scoundrel officials had amassed such immense wealth—couldn't these profits flow directly into the national treasury and the emperor's private coffers? Couldn't this continuous influx of gold and silver continue?

Even Prince Jin was unaware of Emperor Yuande's thoughts, let alone Yin Zhaoxian, who was in Wanzhou. This was undeniably a very dangerous notion.

But then, suddenly hearing about "the fallen dragon in Guangdong Lake" jolted the old emperor awake.

He exhaled...

Emperor Yuande exhaled, looked at the ministers and imperial princes in the study, and changed the speech he had originally prepared...

“Just as my dear Minister Yin said, the matters in Wanzhou must not be tolerated. Keep an eye on the faction of officials in court connected to Wanzhou. Following Minister Yin's suggestion, first find a pretext to promote Chen Yuhe, the Prefect of Wanzhou, to a position in the capital...”

As the old emperor spoke, his gaze swept across his ministers and sons.

“I don't care if any of you are also implicated with Wanzhou. Consider this your chance today: if you handle this matter with all your might, I will let bygones be bygones. But if anyone dares to leak news... members of the imperial family will face immediate execution, and court officials will have their three generations of relatives exterminated!”

The old emperor's voice was hoarse as he spoke, but the chilling resolve in his words made the officials and eunuchs in the imperial study tremble slightly. Some felt cold sweat on their backs, secretly thinking that Chen Yuhe's fate was surely sealed.

Of course, as the situation in Wanzhou began to shift without many of the involved parties knowing, preparations for the Water-Land Dharma Assembly in Jingji Prefecture were also in full swing. However, at this point, only people around Jingji Prefecture were aware of it; its fame had not yet spread far and wide.

For Emperor Yuande, this matter was no less important than dealing with Wanzhou. He even planned to send people to investigate the fallen dragon incident and seek out extraordinary individuals in Wanzhou.

Soon after, the emperor's intention to hold the Water-Land Dharma Assembly in Jingji Prefecture was proclaimed throughout the land. It would not be limited to Buddhist, Daoist, or Confucian traditions, inviting renowned scholars and eminent figures from all over to attend the assembly in Jingji Prefecture to pray for the fortune of Great Zhen and for its Son of Heaven.

Furthermore, some eminent figures would be selected and bestowed the title of "Celestial Master," rewarded with a thousand taels of gold, and granted an audience with the Son of Heaven.

Upon the issuance of this imperial edict, the "eminent figures" from all prefectures and provinces of Great Zhen naturally could not restrain themselves. Those with aspirations eagerly wished to travel to Jingji Prefecture to attend the assembly.

More than twenty days passed after the full moon celebration for the Yin family's second son. In the back residence of the Lishun Prefecture yamen in Wanzhou...

A Go board was set on a stone table in the garden. Yin Zhaoxian, dressed in plain white clothes, and Ji Yuan, in a green robe, sat facing each other, playing a game.

By now, Ji Yuan's Go skill far surpassed Yin Zhaoxian's, though the latter had also made progress. Neither of them was the 'bad player' they once were.

Ji Yuan was not like the Old Dragon, so intensely competitive. When playing Go with a friend, he naturally let Yin Zhaoxian have some advantage. Thus, their games were still back and forth. They had played many such games recently, often using the Go session as a chance to chat.

At this moment, Ji Yuan placed a black stone, securing an advantage in a corner, which made Yin Zhaoxian frown in deep thought.

“Master Yin, you seem a bit absent-minded today?”

Yin Zhaoxian looked at the intertwined black and white stones on the board, already able to foresee the final outcome. After a moment's hesitation, he resigned.

“Alas... news has arrived from the capital. His Majesty has finally decided to take action against the Wanzhou bureaucracy. However, the imperial edict for the Water-Land Dharma Assembly has also been issued, proclaiming it the 'Nine Heavens Ten Assemblies,' inviting eminent figures from across the land to partake in this grand spiritual event...”

Yin Zhaoxian had truly encountered eminent figures before, and compared to many in court and society, he understood things a bit more. He wondered how many genuinely capable individuals would respond to such an invitation.

This situation couldn't help but remind Yin Zhaoxian of the many absurdities from Emperor Zhengyuan's past pursuit of immortality. While seeking immortality was one thing, he had lacked the proper approach to cultivation. Clinging to power, he disregarded court principles and neglected state affairs, governing not for the empire but for elixirs of immortality, inevitably placing a heavy burden on Great Zhen.

Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment, then brightened and smiled.

“This matter is beyond your control, Master Yin. There's a group of censors in court, and besides, isn't Emperor Yuande still concerned about Wanzhou? It's much better than I had anticipated. Let him have his Dharma Assembly!”

Yin Zhaoxian smiled and shook his head.

“Hah, I'm going to be extremely busy myself; the Wanzhou matter is already overwhelming. I don't have the capability to handle affairs in the capital, and those in the Department of State Affairs probably won't be able to effectively admonish His Majesty.”

Yin Zhaoxian was merely chatting idly with Ji Yuan. Although he knew a truly eminent figure was right before him, he had no intention of asking Ji Yuan to attend any assembly, as he believed his friend wouldn't be interested in such matters.

However, Yin Zhaoxian was mistaken this time. Ji Yuan was actually quite interested in this Water-Land Dharma Assembly, though certainly not because he coveted the title of Celestial Master or the golden and silver rewards.

In fact, he and the Old Dragon had already discussed this assembly privately, and even Yuhai Mountain was preparing to take some action.

Was Emperor Yuande truly blessed with boundless good fortune? Not really.

The main reason was that the situation in East Earth Yunzhou itself was starting to become unstable, possibly due to problems that had been brewing for a long time. The rumors from Tianji Pavilion years ago had suddenly drawn significant attention to Great Zhen, which was originally considered a marginal realm.

While Great Zhen could indeed be considered a place of "hidden talents," it was also conceivable that Emperor Yuande's Water-Land Dharma Assembly might not only attract charlatans; it was possible that some malevolent spirits or demons might be lurking among the attendees.

After all, being personally conferred the title of "Celestial Master" by the Emperor of Great Zhen effectively granted one official legitimacy within the empire. Even less powerful spirits or monsters, for that matter, would be extremely eager to gain this official recognition.

However, the Jingji Prefecture's spiritual bureaucracy wouldn't be easy to get past, and the orthodox immortal sects within Great Zhen would also seize the opportunity to root out and purge any undesirable elements.

As Ji Yuan was pondering, Yin Zhaoxian suddenly spoke again.

“Oh, right, the Prefect will soon be promoted to the capital. I need to prepare a congratulatory gift for him.”

“Haha, then Master Yin will have to spend quite a bit. A gift prepared with your modest salary might easily be overshadowed by others' offerings.”

“Mister Ji, you jest,” Yin Zhaoxian replied. “I'm reluctant to spend money, so I'll just write a large-character calligraphy piece!”

As he spoke, Yin Zhaoxian stood up.

And indeed, the gift Master Yin was preparing was far from shabby. While it might be an exaggeration to say it was impossible to acquire for ten thousand pieces of gold, it wouldn't be an overstatement to say it was worth more than a hundred.

“In that case, Master Yin, please attend to your tasks. I have imposed upon you for over two months, and it is time for me to depart.”

Ji Yuan also stood, bidding farewell to his friend.

Yin Zhaoxian was not surprised; it was already good that Mister Ji had stayed for an extra month.

“Mister Ji, are you returning to Ning'an County this time?”

Ji Yuan smiled.

“No, I intend to go and see the Water-Land Dharma Assembly in Jingji Prefecture for myself.”

Half a day later, Ji Yuan bid farewell to everyone at the Yin residence, left the Lishun Prefecture yamen, and after a leisurely stroll around the city, he departed, stepping onto the clouds and soaring away.

Ji Yuan himself naturally would not formally participate in that assembly, but he still needed to go early to secure a vantage point.

This assembly was destined to be extraordinary. Perhaps for Emperor Yuande, it could even be considered a stroke of luck; at the very least, he wouldn't experience the same utter lack of genuine encounters as Emperor Zhengyuan.