Aoyama

Chapter 441 The Returning Master, The Top Scholar's Poem

"Killed!"

On both sides of Zhengyangmen Street, onlookers suddenly exclaimed in shock: "Murder!"

Upon hearing this, the people instinctively stepped back dozens of paces, and the figures that had been swarming behind them merged into the crowd and disappeared.

Suddenly someone shouted, "What's the panic? It was the Imperial Guards who killed the thugs who were disrupting the ceremonial procession. They're not seriously injured!"

Someone else shouted from among the people, "Yes, someone has disrupted the imperial procession. The Imperial Guards should have acted decisively, that's right!"

Lin Yan's killing of Wang Gui was entirely in accordance with the law and regulations. Even if we disregard the established order, Wang Gui's actions constituted an offense against the imperial procession; killing him without question was not only correct but also meritorious.

But rules are rules, and reason is reason.

On the long bluestone street, the Imperial Guards all reined in their horses and stood still. They ignored the common people passing by and stared at Lin Yanchu in disbelief.

Then he looked at the traces.

Qi Zhenzhuo said dryly, "Master, is there any other way? How about we accompany you to the Meridian Gate to explain the whole story?"

Li Xuan disregarded the ceremonial procession, spurred his horse forward from the front of the procession to stand before Qi Zhenzhuo, and barked, "Nonsense! You want to stage a coup? How many heads do you have to go to the Meridian Gate to stage a coup?"

He turned to Chen Ji and said, "Since things have come to this, we can settle the score later. With your abilities, it won't be difficult for you to find another way to deal with him. With so many people watching, let's have the ceremonial procession send the top three scholars to the Qionglin Banquet first."

Chen Ji stood there, letting the wind from the long street blow over him, looking down at Wang Gui's corpse lying in a pool of blood.

He ignored Li Xuan, looked up and followed the dripping blood from the halberd to Lin Yanchu: "Is it because of money, or power?"

Lin Yanchu's lips trembled, and she couldn't speak.

Qi Zhenzhuo cursed angrily, "You son of a bitch, I'm asking you a question!"

Duo Bao held his halberd to Lin Yanchu's neck: "Believe it or not, I'll chop off your head right now! Do you remember who got you out of prison?"

Li Xuanyi asked in a deep voice, "Who instructed you?"

Lin Yanchu ignored the halberd around his neck, gritting his teeth and refusing to admit it: "No one told me to do this. He offended the imperial procession and deserved to die. I am a close attendant of the emperor and a member of the imperial guards. If a villain offends the imperial procession, I can execute him first and report later!"

Chen Ji nodded: "That's a smart way to put it. No matter who asks, you have to stick to this story to survive."

Lin Yanchu was slightly taken aback.

Chen Ji changed the subject: "So here's the question: I also offended the ceremonial procession, will you kill me or not? If you don't kill me, wouldn't that be dereliction of duty?"

Lin Yanchu looked troubled: "My lord, please don't force me."

Chen Ji sighed softly, "Impressive tactics."

He wasn't referring to Lin Yanchu, but to Grand Secretary Chen.

A single small piece can easily stir up the chessboard.

At first glance, it didn't seem particularly clever. A high-ranking official in the imperial court should be able to kill without leaving a trace, which is why he seems so profound and unfathomable. But in this case, blood was drawn and people were killed.

However, upon careful consideration, Chen Ji realized that the other party had made a strategic move early on, demonstrating remarkable foresight.

It even had a touch of irony.

Seeing Chen Ji's silence, Lin Yan couldn't bear it any longer and turned his head away, saying, "My lord, this is probably the only opportunity my Lin family has had for generations, and there won't be another one. I owe you a favor, and I will definitely repay it in the future."

Qi Zhenzhuo angrily retorted, "What will you use to repay me?"

Duo Bao's eyes were bloodshot: "You want fame and fortune? Can't the adults give it to you? Can't you earn your achievements through your own abilities?"

Lin Yanchu lowered his head and said, "I am different from you sons of officials and nobles. Even if I have the ability, I may not be able to bring glory to my ancestors. I am the only son in my family, and I cannot be someone's son-in-law like Lord Li."

Qi Zhenzhuo flew into a rage: "What the hell did you say?"

At this moment, Chen Ji did not look at Lin Yanchu again, nor did he care about the noise. Instead, he looked at the roadside.

The people all hid more than ten feet away, except for one person who stayed behind.

The other party was dressed in a black Taoist robe, strategizing and composed.

Preface by Chen.

Seeing Chen Ji looking at him, Chen Xu immediately bowed to the Imperial Guards and said, "Gentlemen, please allow me to have a private conversation with my young master."

Qi Zhenzhuo and the others looked at Li Xuan, Li Xuan looked at Chen Ji, and Chen Ji nodded slightly.

The men dispersed on their horses.

Shen Ye teased from a distance, "Hey, do you guys remember when we were parading through the streets?"

Li Xuan clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "Please wait a moment, Top Scholar."

Shen Ye laughed heartily: "No problem, no problem at all, it's just the right time to watch a good show!"

……

……

Chen Xu approached Chen Ji and said gently, "Young Master, you won't lose anything by this man's death; you'll just miss out on some pent-up anger. Second Master will be setting off for Luzhou tomorrow, and the entire Qin Zheng Garden will be yours. Second Master won't lay a hand on you again. Just wait another year, and the Patriarch will give you a satisfactory explanation."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Chen Xu said earnestly, “Young master, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Forcing the master to make this move is already far superior to his peers. Losing to the master is not shameful. There are countless ministers in the court who have lost to him... You have a long road ahead of you. The Chen family will be yours in the future. Come home with me. The master specifically instructed that dinner has been prepared for you tonight, including your favorite pan-fried tofu.”

However, at that moment, a muffled drumbeat was heard from the Drum Tower.

At first, it was just one drum, but then all eight large drums on the east city wall started beating in unison, creating a deafening sound.

This isn't a night drum, it's a war drum!
Chen Xu frowned slightly and looked north with everyone else.

variable?

Why are drums suddenly being beaten on the city wall?
Wait a moment longer, and then the drums on the north, south, and west city walls also began to beat, extremely exciting, as if a thousand troops and ten thousand horses were galloping in!

Finally, the bugle sounded!

Chen Xu's expression changed as he realized what had happened.

Gradually, a voice came from afar: "General Wang has captured the Grand Councilor of the Jing Dynasty alive, and with twelve personal guards, he is returning to the capital through Chaoyang Gate! All nine gates are open, and all officials will welcome him at the Meridian Gate!"

"The nine gates open wide, and all officials welcome them!"

Wang Daosheng has returned to the capital!

Chen Xu suddenly looked at Chen Ji: "You've been waiting for Wang Daosheng for fifteen days?"

Chen Ji cupped his hands and said, "That's right."

Chen Xu was filled with surprise and doubt: "He landed at Taicang Port in Suzhou, traveled overland, and demonstrated his military prowess to the world. This was the itinerary arranged by His Majesty. According to the imperial decree, he should have waited another half month before returning to the capital. He returned early for you, which is against the rules!"

Chen Ji countered, "What rules?"

Chen Xu gazed northward and sighed, “I admit this move was indeed effective, but I underestimated the weight of Mr. Wang’s personally taught disciple. Regardless of how Mr. Wang is dealt with for disobeying the imperial decree, as long as he brings great merit to support you, His Majesty will definitely give him face. When Wang Gui is tried, Second Master will be exiled three thousand miles at best, and beheaded as a warning to the public at worst.”

Chen Xu changed the subject, looking directly at Chen Ji: "But young master, even if Wang Daosheng returns with a great victory, you have no witnesses now, so he can't help you much. When discussing matters before the emperor, one must be reasonable. If there is no reason, His Majesty... no one can overstep the bounds. I am even somewhat glad that you took this step in advance, otherwise things would really be beyond repair."

Chen Ji smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes: "Did Steward Chen think I was going to send Wang Gui to the palace for trial?"

Chen Xu asked in confusion, "No?" Chen Ji smiled and replied, "No."

The next moment, the sound of horses' hooves came from Zhengyang Gate, and a person galloped over.

Chen Xu turned his head and saw a servant of the Chen family dismount in front of him and hurriedly say, "Young Master Chen Wenren was living in seclusion in Jinling, but he was captured by Wang Daosheng and brought back. He has now been sent to the Meridian Gate to enter the palace to meet the Emperor!"

Chen Xu took a small step back.

Chen Wenren?
Why did they make this move? Everything is over!
Chen Wenren was exiled to Lingnan. On the way, he bribed the officials who escorted him to live in seclusion in Jinling. This was a common practice among officials and nobles. Chen Wenren was not the only exiled official or noble who lived in seclusion in Jinling.
If one acquires a modest residence in Jinling, changes their name and identity, and keeps a low profile, they can live the life of a wealthy man for a few years until His Majesty grants a general amnesty.

This matter can be big or small.

On a smaller scale, no one would investigate this under normal circumstances. It was just a matter of forging household registrations and travel permits to evade responsibility. The Chen family could simply pay tens of thousands of taels of silver to settle the matter.

To put it more bluntly, if this matter were brought to light at this critical juncture, and Wang Daosheng were to personally apprehend him, it would constitute the crime of deceiving the emperor.

Chen Xu never expected that Chen Ji would take this step in order to kill the second branch of the Chen family!

He took a deep breath: "Young Master is using Wang Gui as a smokescreen, what a clever trick of feigning one thing while secretly doing another."

Chen Ji cupped his hands to Chen Xu and said, "You flatter me."

Chen Xu was not annoyed, but asked curiously, "How did you know about Young Master Wenren's whereabouts? Was he not hiding well enough?"

Chen Ji calmly said, "Chen Yue, the head manager of the Chen family salt shop, went to Jinling to manage the second branch of the business. Chen Wenren's food, clothing, and daily necessities were all drawn from his counter. This person owed me a few fingers back in the reed marshes of Shanchuantan."

Chen Xu shook his head: "Young master, Chen Yue is a true villain. He will not repay this favor to you."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "So I promised him that if the salt business expands to Nanjing, he will be the head manager."

Chen Xu shook his head again: "Not enough."

Chen Ji added, "Otherwise, I'll die."

Chen Xu finally nodded: "That makes sense... There's still one thing I don't understand, please teach me, young master. Please don't think I'm being troublesome, these things all need to be reported to the master one by one."

Chen Ji asked, "May I ask?"

Chen Xu seemed to be deep in thought: "Who did you send on this mission? The Zhang family's assassins? No, they haven't left the capital recently..."

This time, Chen Ji did not answer.

Chen Xu remained unperturbed and suddenly smiled, saying, "So, young master has other trump cards. I have served the Chen family for twenty-seven years, and today I have finally met someone with real ability. Young master, before entering the palace today, my master instructed me to pass on a message to you if you win."

Chen Ji remained calm and asked, "What are you saying?"

Chen Xu bowed deeply: "This world belongs to you young people. This morning, the master sent someone to rescue the brother and send him to Plum Blossom Ferry. He is a tough man and didn't say anything. He can be relied on as a right-hand man."

After saying that, Chen Xu turned around, took the reins from the servant of the Chen family, mounted his horse, and headed towards Zhengyang Gate.

……

……

Snapped.

Snapped.

Snapped.

Chen Ji looked toward the applause and saw Shen Ye clapping and praising, "First you came back from Changping County, and today you overcame all difficulties to kill your enemy. That's truly exhilarating."

Chen Ji cupped his hands in apology: "I'm sorry, I've disturbed Brother Shen's limelight."

Shen Ye smiled and pointed at him: "You do have to apologize, but there's more to apologize for than just this one thing. I conspired with Lord Zhang to start a wave of reform during today's palace examination. Do you know that reforms have always resulted in deaths? I was risking my life and fortune to do this, and I was prepared to die for it, intending to be remembered in history. Unfortunately, you ruined my plans a few days ago, and I've become a dispensable pawn."

Shen Ye continued, "Besides today, it was clearly me, Shen, who won the top scholar title, but the limelight has fallen on you."

Chen Ji was taken aback.

The next moment, Shen Ye laughed heartily: "That won't do, I am the true champion. This page in history, the eighteenth day of the third month of the thirty-second year of Jia Ning, should belong to me!"

As he spoke, Shen Ye spurred his horse and rode off towards the west ward.

The Imperial Guards tried to stop them, but it was too late.

Qi Zhenzhuo said urgently, "Brother Shen, don't wander around and break the rules!"

Shen Ye burst into laughter: "You've broken so many rules today, what's one more from me?"

He approached the crowd of onlookers and shouted, "Make way! Make way!"

The people parted to make way for him.

The top scholar has run away!

"Go see what he's up to!"

Shen Ye rode his horse through the streets, and the people followed behind him. His running drew everyone's attention back to him!
Gradually, everyone realized something was wrong. How did they end up in the Eight Great Hutongs?
Upon arriving at the gate of Plum Blossom Ferry, Shen Ye tightened the reins and slowed the horse's speed.

He looked up at the Hanmei Pavilion facing the street, where Liu Suliu, the head of the Liu family, was standing by the railing: "Oh, isn't this the top scholar? Why aren't you out enjoying the scenery? Why have you come here to see me?"

Liu Xingshou, dressed in a light blue brocade robe, looked like a fairy from clear water.

The onlookers whispered amongst themselves, puzzled.

Amidst the intense attention of the crowd, Shen Ye proclaimed loudly, "Master Liu, do you still remember my promise to you? If I could announce your name outside Donghua Gate, I would write you a poem as the top scholar to help you become famous throughout the world!"

Liu covered his mouth and laughed, "It's rare that the top scholar still remembers. So, are you going to fulfill your promise today?"

"A promise is a promise!" Shen Ye said with a smile.
"At three years old, he could recite the Six Classics; in his childhood, he could compose a hundred poems."

"In the golden palace, national policies are implemented; with a vermilion brush, the top scholar is selected."

"With flowers adorning his hair, he left through the Meridian Gate; leaning on his horse, he passed by Chengtian Palace."

Shen Ye paused here.

The people were so anxious they were scratching their heads and cheeks. Someone shouted, "Scholar, what's the last line?"

"Read it quickly!"

But Shen Ye ignored it all, letting himself be thrust into the limelight.

Liu Xingshou stood leaning against the railing, his arm propped on the wooden railing, and teased with a smile: "What's wrong? Can't write the last line? The top scholar, with flowers in his hair, walked out of the Meridian Gate, leaning on his horse as he passed Chengtian, truly full of vigor and the focus of everyone's attention... and then what?"

Shen Ye gazed intently at Liu Su in the sky: "The world vie to see me, but I see the immortal leaning on the railing."

Liu Su's eyes sparkled, seemingly with a hint of water, but she still said unintentionally, "I've heard about the poem that the top scholar wrote for my employer on Andingmen Street. How come it was written so well for him, but when it came to mine, it wasn't even neat and sounded like something a child would write?"

Shen Ye laughed heartily: "Perhaps it was written by me when I was a child? I wrote this poem when I was nine years old, and I was waiting to give it to you."

Liu Su was slightly taken aback.

He then casually tossed the handkerchief off the high building and turned to enter Hanmei Tower.

Along with the handkerchief, Liu Su's light and airy words also drifted down.

"Pah! Sweet talk!"

(End of this chapter)