Chapter 782: Friends from afar, how can we be impolite

A magnificent convoy entered Youzhou of Beiliang Province from Hezhou of Huainan Province, heading straight for Wudang Mountain. The convoy was personally escorted by Imperial Guards from the capital, whose scabbards were wrapped with eye-catching golden silk threads, and included nearly twenty imperial experts, each wearing a copper-yellow embroidered fish pouch at their waist.

Behind this convoy, another luxurious procession trailed far behind on the post road. Without exception, the coachmen were all top-tier martial artists with profound inner energy.

This was a time when Liyang was suppressing Buddhism and promoting Taoism. Throughout the land, from north to south, new Taoist temples were breaking ground in strategic locations and on spiritual mountains and great rivers, with celestial music resounding across the Central Plains. Among them, the Xingyang Temple in Taian City was constructed like an imperial palace, housing statues of five emperors, including Liyang's Gaozu and Taizong, standing on either side of Taoist saints according to ancient ritualistic ancestral order. Grand materials from the Imperial Palace's Caiyun Pavilion were used to build Xingyang Temple's gatehouse, and materials from the Imperial Palace's Ganquan Hall were repurposed for the Laojun Hall. The temple's spirit screen depicted a magnificent panorama of the Taoist 36 Caves and 72 Blessed Lands, astonishing all who beheld it. This Xingyang Temple quickly became recognized as the foremost Taoist temple in the realm. Its abbot, Wu Lingsu, was the very Taoist priest who had personally sealed the gates of Liangchan Temple, and was now the undisputed leader of Northern Taoism. Thus, the saying "Xingyang Temple in the capital, two ancestral temples in the north and south" emerged. Just as it became widely known that the white-robed monks of Liangchan Temple were to debate Taoist priests from Wudang Mountain on Lotus Peak, news also spread that the Feather-Robed Grand Councillor, who was soaring in prominence in Taian City, would travel to Wudang Mountain in Beiliang, in his capacity as the head official of the Bureau of Esoteric Affairs, carrying an imperial edict to posthumously honor the former Wudang Grand Patriarch Huang Manshan as the Immortal Master Chongxu.

A middle-aged Taoist priest with an otherworldly aura sat inside the carriage, dressed in purple and gold robes, with a purple silken horsetail whisk adorned with three golden rings resting on his arm, a faint smile on his lips. Beside the distinguished Taoist priest sat a young man who bore a striking resemblance to him. Although also dressed in Taoist robes, his demeanor was more worldly compared to the older priest's ethereal presence. The young man chuckled and said, "Father, I thought that once we crossed the Hezhou border, the Youzhou military would at least send a few hundred cavalry to give us a show of force. It seems that man, Xu, isn't truly lawless after all; he still has considerable apprehension towards you."

The middle-aged Taoist priest was indeed Wu Lingsu, who had been rapidly ascending in the capital. He reflected on how, upon his arrival in Taian City, the arrogant nobles in the capital used to joke about his undeserved title of "King of Qingcheng." At banquets and gatherings, they would mockingly call him "Your Highness" while barely bothering to hide the profound scorn in their eyes. Fortunately, those difficult times quickly passed. Longhu Mountain had proven to be inept, repeatedly being humiliated and embarrassed by the young man named Xu. The death of a mysterious Taoist recluse on Longhu Mountain further incurred the wrath of two successive emperors, the former and the current one. Moreover, with Liyang's suppression of Buddhism becoming an irreversible trend, Wu Lingsu finally seized the opportunity to rise like a dragon, literally stepping over the two great mountains of Longhu Mountain and Liangchan Temple to reach the pinnacle of power. In all of this, the secret guidance of his nominal wife had been invaluable. Although they had no true marital relationship, even now, as the leader of Northern Taoism, Wu Lingsu still held her in awe.

Wu Lingsu glanced at his only son, Wu Shizhen, feeling a pang of dissatisfaction. *He thought to himself:* "I am an official of the Bureau of Esoteric Affairs, properly appointed by the court, going to Wudang Mountain to issue an imperial edict. What sense does it make for you, boy, to gather a bunch of Taian City wastrels to trail behind us? That so-called 'First Young Master of the Capital,' Wang Yuanran—his father, Wang Xiong'gui, has already been demoted from the Minister of Revenue to an administrative commissioner in Guangling Province. He's nothing. If it weren't for Master Tantan still remembering the old ties from the Spring of Yonghui, Wang Yuanran's meager cunning would have long ago left him utterly ruined. And the other three young masters from the capital, which one of them truly carries any weight? That lecherous Yan fellow at least has a grandfather, Yan Zhenchun, a famous general who was posthumously honored with a beautiful epithet. In Taian City, people show respect for the sake of the Buddha, if not the monk; they won't quarrel with that boy too much. But that little fat boy, Song Tianbao—none of his ancestors were ever officials or scholars. He relies solely on his father's reputation as the richest man in Liangliao to splurge money in the capital, acting like a daily sucker. He's just a clueless little fool. Can such rootless wealth truly last? It's nothing more than a hundred-zhang tall building built on a sand dune; a strong wind will make it collapse instantly."

Wu Lingsu said earnestly, "Shizhen, in my opinion, even the aristocratic families' children in the capital are divided into different ranks. Take Wang Yuanran, for example. Although his father, Wang Xiong'gui, was demoted from a first-rank capital official to an administrative commissioner in a highly dangerous province, it will become common practice for capital officials from the six ministries to serve a few years abroad before returning to a higher position in the capital. As the sole remaining pillar of Zhang Lu's faction, it's actually a good thing that he stands alone; Wang Xiong'gui might still have a chance to make a comeback, and Wang Yuanran also has the patronage of Master Tantan. I have never opposed your acquaintance with him. However, Wang Yuanran is far inferior to Yin Changgeng, the eldest son of Yin Maochun, and Han Xingyan, the only son of Han Lin, the Vice Minister of Justice. He cannot even compare to the group of young men from other regions like Fan Changhou, Li Jifu, and Gao Tingshu. As for that unpromising Yan child, his family is barely holding on, like a half-dead man clinging to life. So you..."

Young Master Wu Shizhen, who was adept at navigating the circles of power in the capital, chuckled, "Father, I actually understand everything you're saying, but some things can't be rushed. Take Zhao Wenwei, Yin Changgeng, and Han Xingyan, for instance. Their fathers were all favorite disciples of Grand Preceptor Zhang, and then, with foresight, they went their separate ways early on. Their fathers have good official reputations, and the younger generation also has good standing. Even if I were to flatter them tirelessly, they might not agree. Even if I shamelessly entered their homes, I wouldn't become their friend or confidant. Rather than being so futile, it's better to spend more effort on people like Wang Yuanran."

Wu Lingsu sighed, "Petty squabbles won't achieve anything great."

Wu Shizhen said with a bitter expression, "I wholeheartedly wish to curry favor with Young Protector Chen, but he doesn't even show respect for your reputation, Father. Why would he pay any attention to me?"

Wu Lingsu reached out, stroking the red silk strands of his horsetail whisk, and whispered, "Our foundation, as father and son, is still a bit shallow."

Wu Shizhen leaned closer to the new leader of Northern Taoism, lowering his voice, "Father, if we can seize this opportunity to trip up that man Xu, then upon our return to the capital, your standing with His Majesty will surely advance significantly. Even if we take a step back, I could find a chance to secretly push these hotheaded youths like Wang Yuanran to antagonize Beiliang. Once word spreads back to the capital, the Xu family's reputation in the capital will be utterly ruined."

Wu Lingsu hesitated, "That man dared to refuse an imperial edict, and we're on his territory. How could a few people like Wang Yuanran shake him even slightly? As for the criticism from the Taian City officialdom, the Xu father and son have never cared about it. Be careful not to shoot yourself in the foot. The spies of Beiliang's Fushui Pavilion have contended with Liyang's Zhao Gou for years without losing ground; they are not to be underestimated. Those few, like Wang Yuanran, are more likely to ruin things than to accomplish anything. I don't have high hopes for them."

Wu Shizhen grinned, "I'm not hoping to seriously harm Xu. Just annoying him a bit would be good enough."

Wu Shizhen recalled the scene years ago on Qingcheng Mountain when he was heavily humiliated by that peer. His tone chilling, he said, "Even if Xu gets a small handle on us, would he really dare to kill someone over such a trivial matter?"

Wu Lingsu suddenly asked, "That young man named Liu, the son of the Hezhou prefect, in the trailing convoy – did he truly claim he once hit Xu with a scabbard?"

Wu Shizhen said gleefully, "Most likely true. According to Liu Chengfeng, Xu Fengnian was traveling the jianghu with an old servant when they passed through Hezhou. They got into a conflict in the street, and Liu hit Xu Fengnian squarely on the forehead with the scabbard of a Liang knife. That fellow even said Xu Fengnian threatened to bring ten thousand Beiliang cavalry to flatten Hezhou. So Liu Chengfeng asked, 'Who are you?' and Xu Fengnian retorted, 'Xu Xiao is my old man, who do you think I am?' Liu Chengfeng, of course, didn't believe him for a second. After hitting Xu Fengnian with a scabbard, he even drew his sword and chased him for half the street. It was only last year, after hearing the exaggerated tales from storytellers in the county's taverns, that he realized Xu Fengnian had indeed roamed the jianghu in disguise with an old servant when he was still the Crown Prince. He was scared half to death, especially when Xu Fengnian refused the imperial edict and sent Youzhou cavalry to press on Hezhou. Not just Liu Chengfeng but his entire family, including his father, fled the city in a panic overnight. Only after seeing that the Youzhou army had no intention of attacking Hezhou did they nervously return to the county."

Wu Lingsu found it amusing and chuckled, "But didn't ten thousand Youzhou cavalry later enter Jizhou? That would have meant passing through Hezhou."

Wu Shizhen roared with laughter, tears almost streaming from his eyes. "So that family once again reverted to their old habits and fled overnight! Fortunately, the Youzhou cavalry eventually returned via Hulukou Pass, which prevented Liu Chengfeng's father from resigning his post and moving to Jiangnan. However, the Liu family also benefited from this misfortune; all of Hezhou learned of this brave man who dared to beat the King of Beiliang. Even Liu Chengfeng's father received a unique 'mid-to-high' rating for Hezhou in the last local assessment presided over by Yin Maochun. Now, Liu Chengfeng and Song Tianbao have been good friends for years. When they were welcoming Wang Yuanran's group, Liu fell in love at first sight with the daughter of the former Vice Minister of Justice from their convoy. Plus, he's probably sure that Xu Fengnian won't bother with him anymore, which is why he shamelessly tagged along to Youzhou."

Wu Lingsu, who was no longer merely a self-proclaimed king in a corner of the land, sneered, "It is rumored that Song Tianbao's grandfather, as the foremost 'God of Wealth' in Liangliao, had a rather antagonistic relationship with Xu Xiao, who rose to power in Jinzhou, Liaodong, early on. So, Liu Chengfeng, coupled with Wang Yuanran, who clashed with Xu Fengnian at the Jiujiu Pavilion in the capital – truly, birds of a feather flock together."

Wu Shizhen's expression turned a bit awkward, as if he realized he himself should also be added to that group.

The first round of the Buddhist-Taoist debate was scheduled for Lotus Peak tomorrow. There was clearly no lodging left on Wudang Mountain itself, and the inns in the small towns near the foot of the Southern Divine Path were also fully booked. Two groups of people arrived one after another in a town named Taoshu. Their methods for finding rooms to rest were entirely opposite. One group, consisting of about a dozen people, only managed to secure rooms at a small inn on the east side of town after much persuasion. Ordinary rooms were being charged at exorbitant prices, equivalent to top-tier accommodations in the Central Plains. The innkeeper, upon receiving their stack of travel permits, merely glanced at them before dismissing them, thinking, "So what if they're from Taian City, the emperor's domain? They'll still be fleeced by our establishment just the same." However, the names of these guests were truly uncommon: The middle-aged man with the sword was Qi Jiajie. The young couple, who looked perfectly matched, were Yin Changgeng and Zhao Chunyuan. The handsome young man was Zhao Wenwei, and the two scholars in green robes were Han Xingyan and Gao Shilian. As for the rest, who appeared to be escorts and servants, their parents had given them less distinguished names.

The other group, over twenty strong, went directly to the best inn in Taoshu. Hearing it was full, one of them, without a word, threw down over five hundred taels of silver notes, declaring they would book the entire inn. The elderly innkeeper, annoyed by the youngsters' pompous official tone, thought, "What's six hundred taels? My inn charges over a hundred taels a day at market price. You people want to stay for three days; five hundred taels is worthless." Rolling his eyes, the boss said that inns, being businesses, had no rules about expelling guests. The young master, speaking with a strong Hezhou accent, produced another five hundred taels without a word. The innkeeper reached out and felt the thick stack of crisp silver notes, beginning an internal struggle. The young man, seemingly afraid no one knew he was immensely wealthy, waved his hand. A hanger-on beside him immediately tossed out two large gold ingots. The innkeeper's eyes lit up: "Silver is a father, but gold is a grandfather! Since these 'elders' are here, let's not talk about integrity or rules, shall we?" However, the innkeeper, pushing his luck, said there were over thirty guests already checked in, and he was worried his staff wouldn't be able to convince them to leave. At this, several hands immediately went to sword and saber hilts. The innkeeper panicked, quickly begging them not to act, "Please, don't use your hands! Anyone who causes trouble in Beiliang today will be finished." The innkeeper took the silver notes and gold ingots and went upstairs to explain to the guests. He played a clever trick: he not only offered to return their money but also gave each guest three or four taels of silver, telling them that a group of military lords from the Beiliang border had to stay, and his small inn simply couldn't afford to offend them. It was also the innkeeper's good fortune that the guests were all persuaded to leave. After all, foreign pilgrims who ended up needing lodging in Taoshu Town, whether jianghu wanderers looking for excitement or children of officials from neighboring Beiliang Province, couldn't possibly be major figures. So, upon hearing that fierce Beiliang border troops wanted to stay, no matter how tough they sounded, their hearts instantly quailed.

Qi Jiajie was indeed Qi Jiajie, the capital's foremost swordsman. In his early years, he was not only a sword instructor to many imperial princes, but even Zhang Gaoxia, the daughter of Biyan'er, had been his disciple.

The reason Qi Jiajie was troubled to escort this group for a thousand *li* was quite simple. Any one of these young people, if sent to Jiangnan, would be a target for high officials and nobles to eagerly curry favor with. This was because their family elders were, respectively, the deputy to Grand Chancellor Qi Yanglong, the former Minister of Personnel Zhao Youling, Yin Maochun—the "top-ranked future Grand Councillor" from years past—Duke Gao Shizhi of Yan, and Vice Minister of Justice Han Lin. Yin Changgeng, the eldest son of Yin Maochun, and Zhao Chunyuan, the second daughter of Zhao Youling, were a married couple. Both their fathers had strongly opposed the match, but they eventually formed a good marriage under the arrangement of Emperor Fuhui (who was then only the Fourth Prince), making it a much-talked-about romance in the capital. Zhao Wenwei, renowned as a child prodigy, was Zhao Youling's favorite youngest son. Han Xingyan was the second son of Han Lin, the Vice Minister of Justice, and was about to be promoted and dispatched as the Administrative Commissioner of Huainan Province. He was also soon to marry a virtuous princess of the Zhao imperial family. Gao Shilian and his sister Gao Shiqing were the children Duke Gao Shizhi of Yan had in his later years. They had always been extraordinarily doted upon by the Duke. Fortunately, the siblings had always kept a low profile in Taian City. Gao Shilian was extremely close to the sons of Grand Marshal Gu Jiantang, while Gao Shiqing was a childhood best friend of Zhao Chunyuan.

It could be said that these young people were the most outstanding children of officials in the Liyang bureaucracy.

The Military Commissioner of Huainan Province was Cai Nan, formerly Grand Marshal Gu Jiantang's most trusted general. Han Lin was about to assume the post of Administrative Commissioner of Huainan Province, which meant frequent dealings in the future. Moreover, Gao Shilian had an excellent relationship with both of Gu Jiantang's sons. For many matters, powerful figures could neither sit at the same table to chat and laugh, nor even reach an unspoken understanding. However, if a junior who was "ignorant of propriety" stepped forward, things would often proceed much more smoothly.

At this moment, they were all gathered in Yin Changgeng's room. The window faced the street. Han Xingyan stood at the window, watching the Beiliang Brocade Cavalry slowly riding by on the street, and chuckled, "As one leaf falls, one knows autumn has arrived. The combat strength of Beiliang's border army is truly terrifying."

Gao Shiqing teased, "Oh, look at you! Now you're the son of a dignified second-rank Administrative Commissioner, and your courage has certainly grown. You even dare to speak well of Beiliang?"

Han Lin raised his hands, signaling that he would take any blows or insults.

Gao Shilian couldn't help but defend Han Lin, glaring and saying, "Such a loose tongue! How will you ever get married?!"

Gao Shiqing glared back, "Shut up!"

Gao Shilian muttered his usual catchphrase under his breath, "To be stuck with a sister like this, what bad luck."

Gao Shiqing, who most yearned for the chivalrous jianghu, firmly pressed her hand on her sword hilt, threatening, "Are you looking for a beating?!"

Yin Changgeng, the eldest and most composed of the group, helplessly said, "You can have tea, but if you want to quarrel, take it outside."

Zhao Chunyuan, who was brewing tea, beckoned to Gao Shiqing.

Zhao Wenwei, still a young lad, asked with a chuckle, "Brother-in-law, why did Wang Yuanran's group arrive at the foot of Wudang Mountain before the Wu family's Grand Master and Young Master?"

Yin Changgeng softly revealed the secret: "Grand Master Wu deliberately slowed his pace, planning to ascend the mountain and issue the imperial edict only on the last day of the Lotus Peak debate. He rushed before because he was afraid the Youzhou military might interfere, causing him to miss the optimal timing. Since the Youzhou military has made no moves, he can now take his time."

The town was small; one could see from the east end to the west simply by poking one's head out a window. Han Xingyan frowned, "It seems Wang Yuanran's group is causing trouble again. It was bad enough in the capital, but why won't they stop even when they're in Beiliang?"

Yin Changgeng said indifferently, "Let them be."

Gao Shilian leaned over the windowsill and glanced out, then scoffed indignantly, "Quite a spectacle. As expected of the Four Young Masters of the capital traveling together, full of swagger. These parasites, living off their fathers' achievements, it's bad enough they enjoy their lavish lives, but they also harm others! If they ever become high-ranking officials, what else will they do but bring disaster to the nation?"

Yin Changgeng frowned, "Mind your words."

Gao Shiqing made a face at her brother, "Hear that? Even Big Brother Yin wants you to shut up."

Gao Shilian put his palms together and muttered silently, "Oh heavens, oh heavens, please just drop some man down quickly and take this girl off my hands."

Zhao Wenwei puffed out his chest, "Second Brother Gao, what do you think of me? Am I worthy of Sister Gao?"

Gao Shilian's mouth twitched; he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Gao Shiqing slapped the child's head, "Your 'Old Mother' changed your diapers back in the day!"

Yin Changgeng smiled, "Alright, alright, stop messing around, everyone. Sit down and have some tea. This is the last bit of Chunshun Lake Tea we have."

No sooner had Gao Shiqing sat down than she immediately stood up, grinning, "No way! Only a fool misses out on excitement. I have to go take a look on the other side of town."

As she spoke, Gao Shiqing carefully watched Yin Changgeng, who always spoke softly but was the most decisive. He looked up at her and slowly said, "We agreed in the capital: three strikes and you're out. You've already had two incidents in Jingji and Jinan. If there's another, you'll have to return to the capital immediately."

Gao Shiqing's face lit up with a brilliant smile, "Understood!"

Gao Shiqing dashed out of the inn and ran straight down the street towards the most prominent inn in Taoshu Town, though she didn't get too close. After all, she was no stranger to Wang Yuanran, Yan Sepei, and the chubby Song. In particular, the Yan family's residence, where Yan Sepei lived, was a neighbor to their Yan State Duke's manor. Gao Shiqing held the old General Yan Zhenchun in immense respect, but she had detested Yan Sepei, the legitimate eldest grandson of the Yan family—who was utterly depraved despite his upright grandfather—since childhood. After old General Yan sacrificed his life for the country and was posthumously honored with an exceptional epithet, Yan Sepei had become incredibly arrogant. He even dared to incite his family elders to propose a marriage alliance with the Yan State Duke's manor, and Gao Shiqing almost couldn't resist finding someone to bag the fellow and sink him to the bottom of a lake. In Gao Shiqing's view, Yan Se