Chapter 646: Temple's Loftiness

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Tai'an City was deserted, with everyone gathered outside. Emperor Zhao and Empress Zhao Zhi had already set up their imperial carriage outside the city gates to wait, bringing all the imperial eunuchs, great and small, from the Hanlin Academy—all just to await one person. Surprisingly, all the principal officials of the Six Ministries spontaneously "slacked off" and gathered outside the city. Even Lu Baijie, the Minister of War, managed to take time away from his busy schedule, not to mention Yuan Guo, the Minister of Personnel, who had plenty of time on his hands. Among them were Zhao Yourong of the Ministry of Personnel, head of the Six Ministries, and Wang Xionggui of the Ministry of Revenue, who, though from the same school, had eventually parted ways. Behind each of them stood a large group of affiliated officials, creating a distinct division. Also present were numerous Grand Academicians of the Hall and Pavilion, including the imperial relative Yan Jiexie, all holding esteemed and transcendent positions, as well as many elderly meritorious nobles, who were no longer required to attend court sessions, along with their descendants. One could say the only one missing was Yin Maochun, the "Heir Apparent Chancellor" who was outside the capital overseeing the grand evaluations of local officials. However, only those with a keen eye would notice that this unprecedented outdoor gathering was slightly incomplete, because two exceptionally important figures were absent: Grand Chancellor Zhang Julu, and Tantan Weng Huan Wen, who held immense power within the Menxia Province (Chancellery). Nevertheless, too many high-ranking officials, wealthy nobles, and common vendors had gathered outside Tai'an City. The intentional or unintentional absence of these two crucial court officials did not diminish the extraordinary bustle in the capital that day.

When the Song family's elder and younger masters dominated the literary world, who was it that made the father and son visit on a snowy night only to be turned away? Who did Xu Weixiong's highly ambitious mentor pick a fight with that caused him to lose the readily available position of Grand Libationer of Shangyin Academy? And who was worthy enough to make the Neo-Confucian family led by Yao Baifeng spare no effort to contend against him with the full might of their clan? Who was it that, in the past, caused the Great Chu Emperor to exclaim, "If you do not emerge from the mountains, what will become of the common people?" At the end of the Spring and Autumn period, who was it that, when faced with Xu family's ten thousand iron cavalry pressing down, walked out alone and, with just a few words, made that slaughterer willingly bypass them?

This great figure, universally acknowledged by both court and common folk as having "learning as high as the heavens,"

is Qi Yanglong, the current Grand Libationer of Shangyin Academy.

About fifty li from Tai'an City, on a somewhat remote official road, there was a peculiar group of travelers. The oldest among them was short, with sparse white hair, dusty from travel, and carried a worn-out bamboo book box on his back. A man in his thirties carried a girl in a green robe on his back. The three had met on their journey north to Tai'an City. The old man, who, despite his advanced age, was traveling like a young scholar with his books, was short on money and had latched onto them, refusing to leave without freeloading drinks and meals, thus becoming their companion. The little girl in green wasn't particularly fond of this disrespectful old fellow. He was a bit eccentric and always spoke in words she couldn't understand. Isn't that just showing off his superficial knowledge? Especially when the old man rambled on about things in Northern Liang, Green Robe deeply hated the prince who had prevented her from seeing her second grandfather again, so she became even more unwilling to talk to the old man, whom she had nicknamed "Dwarf Winter Melon." Moreover, along the way, the old man couldn't take his eyes off beautiful women. The little girl complained to her "Little Yu" several times, but he would only smile without agreeing to do anything about it.

Just then, a group of noble youths, dressed in splendid clothes and riding spirited horses, galloped past on the official road. The old man finally managed to tear his gaze away from a wealthy woman on horseback, and began to ramble again, "Ah, today's girls are truly becoming more vibrant and beautiful! Much prettier than fifty or sixty years ago."

Yu Xinlang, who had been traveling north since leaving Wudi City, chuckled softly and asked, "Old sir, is there a particular reason for that observation?"

The old man carefully stroked his thinning white hair, feeling a pang of sympathy for the "old brothers" that had fallen from his head along the way. He squinted and sighed with emotion, "Indeed. When times are good, women can grow up well. The older I get, the more I envy you young people. Young man, when you reach my age, you'll feel the same way."

Wang Xianzhi's eldest disciple, referred to as "young man," merely smiled in response. Yu Xinlang was not one for pleasantries, so he said no more.

Once the old man started talking, he was like a floodgate opening, unstoppable. He muttered to himself, "The world flows like water, but after the Spring and Autumn Wars, there was a major turning point; the current changed, and from now on, things will generally only get better. What's the reason? I couldn't explain it thoroughly in three days and three nights, but hey, I just know."

Green Robe, lazily perched on Yu Xinlang's back, curled her lips disdainfully and said, "Even if you like to talk, do you think I like to listen?"

The old man chuckled, "Little girl, do you know what it means to like someone?"

Green Robe turned her head, pointedly ignoring the bothersome old man.

The old man answered his own question, "It means before you meet that person, you don't know what love is, and after you miss them, you still don't know what love is."

Yu Xinlang, whose profound understanding seemed limitless, appeared to be touched by the words and furrowed his brow.

The old man bounced a little, likely hoping to catch a glimpse of Tai'an City's walls. This comical action, performed while carrying a heavy book box, made Green Robe, who was secretly peeking at him, burst into laughter. The old man made a funny face at the little girl, earning a roll of Green Robe's eyes. She then rested her head on Yu Xinlang's warm shoulder and asked, "Grandpa Dwarf Winter Melon, do you have someone you like?"

The old man shook his head and chuckled, "No, but when I was young, countless women liked me."

Green Robe scraped her finger across her cheek, mocking the shameless old man.

Yu Xinlang reached a fork in the official road and smiled slightly. "Old sir, we still have to continue north. We hope to meet again someday."

The old man waved his hand, chuckling freely, "It'll be difficult to meet again after today's parting; I'm an old man with one foot already in the grave. Little green girl whose name I don't know, you must grow up to be graceful and elegant!"

Green Robe simply said, "Oh."

Yu Xinlang continued toward Liangliao with the little girl on his back, while the old man headed towards Tai'an City.

He had lived too many years and hidden too many words. The old man couldn't find anyone to talk to, so for many years, he could only talk to himself.

"Old Hong, you took on a basketful of disciples and proteges, yet only Zhang Julu and Huan Wen turned out to be successful. It seems your wide net didn't catch many big fish, did it?"

"Now look at me: Xun Ping, Xie Feiyu, Yuan Benxi. Just these three unofficial students."

"Old Hong, don't blame me for bullying the young on this trip to the capital, though if you have the ability to crawl out of your coffin and curse me, then you'd truly be something."

As he walked, the old man finally looked up and saw the majestic outline of Tai'an City. He shifted his book box, and in a hoarse voice, hummed a little tune.

I come from the mountains, carrying my old book box. I go to the bustling city, but where is my home...?

Tantan Weng carried a pot of fine wine as he walked along the quiet, desolate street. On both sides were the capital's foremost mansions and grand residences. However, everyone was currently outside the city, waiting to greet that old geezer who was even older and more "undying" than himself. With every household's gate tightly shut, it saved him a lot of gossip and rumors that might have arisen from his visit. He stopped outside a mansion and looked up at the golden plaque inscribed with the Emperor's calligraphy. The plainly dressed doorman, who served the "Chancellor," was somewhat taken aback to see this unexpected distinguished guest. However, before this year, Tantan Weng had always entered and exited without fuss, so the doorman didn't presume to make a big commotion. Otherwise, he might have been criticized by the Left Minister. He simply stepped forward respectfully and greeted him. Huan Wen smiled and nodded, casually asking, "Old Ma, has your youngest daughter married yet? If not, would you like me to help you 'kidnap' a young man from the Menxia Province?" Such familiar remarks greatly amused the old doorman of the Zhang residence, whose surname was Ma. Huan Wen was more familiar with this mansion than his own home. Without needing anyone to guide him, he walked directly to the Grand Chancellor's study. Without knocking, he stepped over the threshold. Zhang Julu, who was habitually standing and reading a book, merely glanced sideways without speaking. Huan Wen placed the pot of imperial wine, which he had pilfered from the Ministry of Rites, on the desk. He sat on the only chair in the study and remarked, "Indeed, the cicadas' chirping only makes the forest seem quieter."

The two old men were close friends. As Tantan Weng would say, "When you, Green Eyes, stick out your backside, I already know what kind of crap you're about to pull." Zhang Julu quickly understood and calmly said, "This is no mere cicada's chirping. Qi Yanglong's entry into the capital is like walking on the grand Yang Pass Road, or rather, a dragon entering the sea."

Huan Wen snorted coldly, casually picked up a few policy proposals from the desk, and his heart immediately sank as he asked, "Are you truly going to drastically reform the Grand Canal transport system, which is controlled by the northern nobles, and the salt administration, which the Spring and Autumn upstarts in the capital consider their lifeline? Adding to that, a few days ago in court, you proposed setting a rule for the Ministry of War's Left and Right Vice Ministers to regularly inspect the borders. Well, this involves the two bastions of literati in court, plus the local generals led by Gu Jiantang, and your policy of curtailing the power of the vassal states. You're taking on these four behemoths, leaving none untouched. Are you, Green Eyes, trying to make more enemies?"

Zhang Julu did not look up and said, "You missed one. I also plan to rigorously rectify the abuses of minor officials and clerks. Even after the impoverished scholars advance in rank, they cannot rest on their laurels; rules must still be followed."

Huan Wen murmured, "Madness, sheer madness."

Zhang Julu closed the book he was holding and meticulously returned it to its place on the bookshelf. The tall Grand Chancellor of the current dynasty stood in the shadows and slowly said, "Our Liyang is not the Great Chu of old, which merely clung to a corner of Jiangzuo. Regardless of when the remnants of Western Chu are extinguished, the continuous transport of grain and resources from the fertile southeastern regions to the capital is inherently a national strategy requiring a century of careful management. Furthermore, border conflicts are imminent, making this an urgent matter. When I proposed transporting grain by sea back then, it proved unfeasible; the risks were too great. The disappearance of that fleet at the Yonghui era—it's still unknown whether they encountered a shipwreck or were robbed. This canal is often spoken of as 'scraping clean the fat of the southeast,' but that also highlights its importance to the court. My original strategy was indeed to use taxes from the southeast to support the Northern Liao army, incidentally forcing Western Chu into rebellion. Even when people along the canal yearly incited popular uprisings over water rights, we intentionally did not suppress them. However, in recent years, the northern nobles, who hail from the imperial heartland, have profited by controlling a vital lifeline of the nation, yet they act without restraint and with increasing audacity. In the sixth year of Yonghui, nine million *shi* of grain were transported to the capital. Since then, the amount has decreased annually, and now it has sharply dropped to less than eight million *shi*. Where has it gone? Even if we allowed bandits and horse thieves to brazenly carry off grain, how much could they take? To appease those so-called founding heroes, the court even established the position of Canal Transport Official, a second-rank post, under which eight principal officials, all fifth rank or higher, managed 'retirement' yamen, including the Grain Transfer Office and Dispatch Office. It would be fine if they merely quietly amassed wealth. But now that Western Chu has revived, they dare to use the excuse that the northern grain transport is not yet complete, even stubbornly rejecting Minister of War Lu Baijie's troop deployment orders by citing so-called ancestral regulations. If I don't move to reform the canal administration, who will? Are the northern soldiers expected to fight against Beiman on empty stomachs then? Are armored soldiers, who are ready to die for the country, supposed to beg for a mouthful of grain to fill their stomachs, and even then, depend on others' moods? Or even beg and plead with those canal transport officials who never pay any heed to the Ministry of Revenue?"

Huan Wen sighed, shaking a memorial in his hand. "What about the salt administration then? Does it matter who makes money? It's always been a piece of fat meat for outsiders to gobble up, but you insist on pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth?"

Zhang Julu sneered, "Stagnant water stinks, flowing water is clear. The power to issue salt licenses has been in their hands for over a decade, and they've amassed enough wealth for ten generations of their descendants to spend. Haven't the court's rewards been generous enough? Even the greatest military achievements have their limits of reward. It's time to change the 'dealer' and let another group rake in daily fortunes!"

Huan Wen asked, "Are you planning to give it to the aristocratic families of Jiangnan who pride themselves on being 'incorruptible and virtuous'?"

Zhang Julu nodded. "If not, how would they genuinely exert themselves for the court? Otherwise, while the court struggles with Western Chu for decades, they could leisurely enjoy their decades of romance and leisure. This has always been the habit of powerful clans. There are only two things that will make them willingly submit: official positions and money bags."

Huan Wen hesitated to speak further. In previous years, he would have debated any single issue with Green Eyes endlessly, day and night, until they were certain it would not greatly harm the common people. Only then would they jointly implement state policies, much like slowly unblocking the empire's meridians.

Zhang Julu stepped out of the shadows. In the twilight, the dim, yellow afterglow illuminated one side of the tall old man's face.

Huan Wen sighed.

Zhang Julu asked, "I heard you've been coughing quite badly lately?"

Huan Wen glared. "Minor ailments versus unrestrainedly guzzling strong liquor—which do you think will kill me faster?"

Zhang Julu merely smiled in response.

Huan Wen hesitated, about to speak. Zhang Julu smiled slightly and said, "As for that young man from Northern Liang who is attached to your Menxia Province, I will give him the evaluation: 'cleverness abounds, but character is lacking; he can be used, but not for great things.' That should ensure his safety for a few years."

Huan Wen gave his old friend a deep look, then silently walked out of the study.

Zhang Julu opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, merely watching Huan Wen's aging back and gently waving his hand.

After leaving the Zhang residence, where people now dared to even leave letters at the gate insulting the Grand Chancellor, Tantan Weng went directly to Zhao Family Urn, and then to the Hanlin Academy, which was almost empty, with no one on duty except for a few minor clerks.

The old man gave a bitter laugh. Tai'an City believed that once that "old dragon" emerged to save the common people, what need would there be for a "deer"?

Huan Wen walked to a secluded room and asked someone to bring the key to open it. Although no eunuchs had worked there for many years, it was regularly cleaned and remained simple and tidy.

Back then, he and Green Eyes had been in this very room. Huan Wen was full of vigor and ambition, looking down on all others. After drinking, he dared to curse anyone, believing there was no matter in the empire he couldn't comment on.

But Green Eyes never drank; he would just listen. Every time Huan Wen got drunk, he would have to carry him home.

Huan Wen rummaged through a book box in the corner and found a set of cups and chopsticks, which he placed on the table.

Huan Wen sat down and lightly tapped a porcelain cup with a chopstick.

It made a "ding-ding" sound.

The old man choked up and said, "The spring mountains remain eternally green, but old men of seventy have no companions; they only hear the 'ding-ding' of woodcutting."

Ding-ding-ding.

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