Chapter 653: Great Cause and Timing

When the scholar named Qi hurried away, Ji Yuan had already walked far. He had subtly altered the two ordinary copper coins he left behind. It wasn't an exaggeration, but it might help the scholar at a crucial moment. Observing his aura, Ji Yuan saw that the man was resolute, and would likely sense the coins' special nature upon touching them. Taking the coins was a good deed; anything more substantial would be unnecessary.

Ji Yuan walked through the streets of the capital city, occasionally spotting posted announcements. Some had crowds gathered around them, with someone reading the content aloud. Ji Yuan paused to listen, learning that these included calls for virtuous individuals to join the army, as well as various encouraging messages and declarations of national defense from the imperial court, all intended to boost public morale.

However, in Ji Yuan's view, the morale of the Dazhen people hardly needed boosting. Public sentiment was far more impassioned than many in the imperial court imagined; almost everyone was not only supportive but also eager to go to the front lines.

After wandering the city for half a day, Ji Yuan still went to the Yin Manor.

In front of the Yin Manor on Rong'an Street, eight armed guards now stood post. These guards, however, did not seem to be part of the imperial army; they were likely the Yin family's private retainers, as Ji Yuan recognized most of them, and they, of course, recognized him.

So, as soon as Ji Yuan arrived at the manor's entrance, one of the guards immediately recognized him and quickly descended the steps to greet him.

"Mr. Ji, you've arrived!"

Ji Yuan was familiar with the voice of the lead guard and knew his name instantly. As the guard bowed with clasped fists, Ji Yuan also returned the gesture with a slight bow.

"Indeed, Steward Zhao. I've come to bother you. Are Master Yin and Qing'er here?"

At such a critical time, Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing were undoubtedly very busy, likely occupied with state affairs at their respective government offices. Yet, Ji Yuan still asked.

The guard straightened up, received the courtesy, and shook his head.

"The Grand Councilor and Minister Yin are both at their offices. Sometimes they don't return home for days, staying overnight at the government building. Even when they do return, it's quite late. And the second young master is away, serving in the army."

Realizing a key point, the guard quickly invited him in.

"Mr. Ji, please come in quickly! After we inform the Old Mistress and Her Royal Highness the Princess, we will definitely go to the government offices to notify the Grand Councilor and Minister Yin."

"Alright."

Ji Yuan nodded without further comment and entered the Yin Manor with the guard.

That day, Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing did not immediately return home upon learning of Ji Yuan's visit. Instead, they finished as many urgent matters as possible before returning home at their usual "off-duty" time.

Soon after Yin Qing and Yin Zhaoxian entered the manor, the two children, Yin Chi and Yin Dian, excitedly ran out, sweetly calling to them.

"Daddy, Grandpa, you're back!" "Daddy, Grandpa!"

"Oh, oh." "Good children."

Yin Zhaoxian looked up, seeing only his daughter-in-law emerge, and promptly asked,

"Where is Mr. Ji?"

Princess Changping, though in her thirties, was still as well-preserved as a young maiden. After greeting her father-in-law and husband, before she could even speak, Yin Chi and Yin Dian eagerly blurted out.

"Mr. Ji already had dinner here. He said he's going to the best place in the capital to look at stars and enjoy the moon!"

"Yes, yes! But Mr. Ji wouldn't let us go with him. Grandpa, Daddy, do you know where that is?"

Princess Changping rubbed the children's shoulders and said to Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing with a smile,

"Alright, your grandpa and daddy are tired. Let them rest first. Grand Councilor, husband, please go to the dining hall for dinner. It's ready, and it will be dark soon."

Princess Changping was exceptionally intelligent. She naturally knew her husband and father-in-law would certainly go look for Mr. Ji. The best place in the capital for stargazing was the very platform used only for significant sacrificial ceremonies, the main altar built by Emperor Yuande for the Water-Land Dharma Assembly years ago.

"Alright, Qing'er, let's go eat."

Yin Zhaoxian, nearly seventy, walked with brisk energy, showing none of the stoop typically seen in men his age. Yin Qing and Princess Changping followed behind with the children.

The platform for the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, built years ago, was undeniably magnificent. Even to Ji Yuan now, it seemed like an immense project, which had indeed been costly in terms of both labor and resources at the time.

However, after that Dharma Assembly, the platform became a somewhat special place. Because Ji Yuan had cast spells there, and the dragons had struck demons with lightning upon it, combined with its current use for annual imperial sacrifices, the platform had acquired a degree of spiritual potency.

At this moment, Ji Yuan stood on the platform with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the bright moon in the sky. Today, the moon was radiant, yet the stars were not sparse. Perhaps due to the psychological effect of having seen the Golden Crow, Ji Yuan couldn't shake the feeling that a silver toad was squatting within this luminous orb.

The platform, having served as the main venue for the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, was naturally quite large. Ji Yuan standing alone on it made the space seem vast. Footsteps sounded from behind him. Ji Yuan turned, seeing not the Yin father and son, but Yan Chang.

"Grand Astrologer, it's been a long time. I trust you are well?"

Even when Yin Zhaoxian feigned illness, though Ji Yuan was at the Yin Manor and Yan Chang had visited several times, Yan Chang had never met or even known Ji Yuan was there. Thus, it had indeed been a very long time since he last saw Ji Yuan.

Suddenly seeing someone standing on the platform and hearing such words, Yan Chang was momentarily stunned. Then, the scene abruptly reminded him of witnessing the immortal dancing with a sword under the moonlight and gifting mooncakes years ago, immediately filling him with excitement.

"Mr. Ji! Mr. Ji, it is you! We haven't met in years. Yan Chang pays his respects!"

Yan Chang bowed deeply in a long salute, then quickly approached. Stopping a short distance from Ji Yuan, he performed another deep bow. Ji Yuan returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"Minister Yan, there's no need for such formality."

By now, Yan Chang's hair and beard had long turned mostly white, with more white strands than black. Yet, he remained very energetic, certainly not showing the full signs of old age.

"I came here to observe the celestial phenomena, and I never expected to encounter you, Mr. Ji. After so many years, your demeanor is still as splendid as ever. What a true fortune!"

Ji Yuan smiled and looked up at the sky again.

"Minister Yan, you're here to observe the stars to discern Dazhen's destiny, aren't you? Are you concerned about the war on the front lines?"

Stargazing was Yan Chang's original profession, and he had been highly esteemed by emperors since the late reign of Emperor Yuande. The current emperor still valued him greatly, making him a true veteran official who had served three dynasties, much like Yin Zhaoxian.

Listening to Ji Yuan, Yan Chang stroked his beard while looking up at the stars and replied,

"What you say is absolutely correct, Master. However, I am not concerned about the war on the front lines. Although our troops have suffered occasional setbacks, our Dazhen nation is prosperous, its people are strong, and its governance is just. The celestial signs indicate a powerful and vigorous destiny, with the Ziwei Emperor Star shining brightly. The Zu Yue rebels can only boast for a moment. What concerns me more is the change in our nation's fortune foretold by the stars after this war."

Ji Yuan lowered his gaze and looked at Yan Chang again.

"Minister Yan, have you reached a conclusion?"

Yan Chang also looked down, smiling at Ji Yuan.

"Seeing you here today, Master, I believe the outcome is self-evident. Our Dazhen's destiny will certainly..."

Yan Chang spoke with conviction, but before he could utter the last word, Ji Yuan raised a hand to stop him.

"Grand Astrologer Yan, there's no need to voice it, unless the Emperor asks. Though it's not a profound heavenly secret, one must still speak cautiously."

"Yes, I understand."

After speaking, Ji Yuan continued to gaze at the moon. Yan Chang, not a talkative man himself, also looked up at the stars a moment later. When Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing ascended the high platform step by step, they saw two backs in the distance, looking up.

As the footsteps drew near, Ji Yuan and Yan Chang successively lowered their gazes and turned around.

"Grand Councilor Yin, Minister Yin!"

Yan Chang quickly bowed to these two high-ranking officials, though he wasn't overly surprised by their presence. The latter two also seemed unsurprised to find Yan Chang there, approaching with clasped hands.

"Mr. Ji, Minister Yan!" "Minister Yan, you're here too!"

"Master Yin, Qing'er, come and sit. Though I am not an imperial official, I am quite interested today in hearing you three high-ranking officials discuss current state affairs."

Ji Yuan smiled and returned the greeting, then with a flick of his sleeve, cushions and a low table appeared before them.

The three wasted no time on pleasantries, immediately sitting on the nearby cushions. Yin Qing directly picked up the teapot from the table and poured tea for everyone, saying as he did so,

"In that case, we naturally must discuss the war on the front lines. The Zu Yue rebellion was indeed unexpected, but for our Dazhen, it might not be a bad thing. As the saying goes, 'righteousness and opportune timing are both on our side!'"

At this very moment, in the distant southern part of Qizhou, the Dazhen Imperial Army's encampment was a forest of military tents. All units and teams were bedding down and patrolling in an orderly fashion, with a guard post every five paces and a sentry every ten paces along the perimeter.

Inside a large military tent within the camp, under the light of an oil lamp, Yin Chong sat at a desk, still in his armor, reading a book.

Early winter in Qizhou was already very cold. As a general, Yin Chong naturally had a brazier for warmth in his tent, its glowing charcoal casting a reddish light that added to the tent's illumination.

Inside the tent, on the weapon rack to the left, lay two heavy-looking black short halberds. On the right-side rack was a fine steel longsword, its scabbard intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, a personal gift from the current Emperor Yang Sheng to Yin Chong before his campaign.

"Whoosh..."

A dark wind swept through the night, causing the tent flaps to sway gently and the oil lamp's flame to flicker. Yin Chong looked up; the wind had passed. He picked up an iron stick to adjust the lamp's wick, hoping to make the light brighter.

As the light steadied, Yin Chong paused slightly, frowning as he looked up. There was suddenly another person at his desk: a hunched, white-haired old woman. He had heard no footsteps just moments ago.

"Are you a demon, or a ghost?"

Yin Chong's voice was steady, without any tremor.

"General, you truly are a dragon among men! To know I am not human and show no fear—"

The old woman's eyes were filled with admiration as she looked at Yin Chong. His composure and response clearly showed the bearing of a great general.