The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 111 Corpse Dissection

After the two calmed down, Zhang Juzheng instructed them again: "Brother Wen's calligraphy and painting are both superb. It would be a good thing for him to write a few paintings in his spare time and become famous throughout the world."

"I'm afraid that associating with powerful and influential people might inadvertently create enemies for Your Highness."

Although his temper has improved a lot recently and he is not as cynical, his fundamental nature cannot be changed.

News of Gao Gong and Zhao Zhenji's deeds in Nanjing gradually spread back, causing much discussion among officials in the capital. Their previously good reputation has now begun to change.

After all, officials in Nanjing also had friends from the same hometown and year of birth, and it was inevitable that they would mention each other in their private correspondence.

Therefore, Xu Wei was worried that he might push his potential allies to the other side.

"So we've decided that for now, we'll only exchange calligraphy and paintings. You don't have to attend any banquets for the time being. With their abilities, once they figure out your personality, there won't be any conflicts."

Xu Wei shook his head upon hearing this. In the past, he was the one who couldn't adapt to others, but now it was others' turn to adapt to him.

Seeing Xu Wei's predicament, Zhang Juzheng could only helplessly say, "Fine, you don't have to force yourself if you don't want to. Just do what you can to get some money. As for the name cards and such, send them all to Eunuch Ma."

"Uncle, thank you so much."

Zhang Juzheng waved his hand, saying that they still lacked someone skilled in social interaction to handle the welcoming and seeing off of guests. His Highness's status was too high, and he couldn't personally handle everything. After he left the capital, Xu Wei was not suitable.

What about Luo Longwen?

He had never dealt with this person, but the fact that he was able to get close to Yan Shifan shows that he must have some skills.

I just don't know who the Chief Secretary is. I really need to go to the Yan residence tomorrow to sound him out.

In the dead of night, Tao Zhongwen finally woke up slowly. The first words he uttered almost scared the disciples gathered around his bed half to death, and they all turned pale with fright.

"The Holy Heart has changed; my life of honor has come to an end."

Fang Zheng couldn't contain himself and stepped forward, bowing deeply. He said, "Master! Your thunder magic and alchemy are unparalleled in the world. The Emperor has relied on you for many years. How could he abandon you in a single day?"

"This disciple is willing to immediately refine the elixir and present it to the palace to win back the Emperor's favor, Master!"

Guo Hongjing frowned slightly: "We must not be reckless. We should be mindful of our duties, stay at home to cultivate our Tao, not get involved in external affairs, and wait for the situation to stabilize before we can protect ourselves."

"If we rashly offer the elixir, what will become of His Majesty if we anger him?"

"Senior brother, you are mistaken!" Fang Zheng immediately retorted, "Now, only by demonstrating our true abilities and continuing our service in the palace can we ensure—"

Those who cling to the old ways of Taomen and stubbornly defend their position will only be waiting to perish.

Another disciple chimed in, "I heard that Yan Shifan sent people to Longhu Mountain and Suzhou to invite high-ranking Taoist priests to the court—"

These words further fueled the anger of the crowd, who subtly split into two factions, each holding their own opinion and arguing vehemently, creating a standoff.

Tao Zhongwen lay on the couch, quietly watching the two factions argue. His heart was cold; the situation he feared most had finally come to pass.

Even before he died on his sickbed, his two true disciples, whom he had personally nurtured and placed high hopes on, had already developed a rift between them over imperial favor and power.

Fortunately, none of his sons became Taoist priests; otherwise, the situation today would be even worse.

Could one of them back down? Now that things have come to this, perhaps by working together they can still produce a celestial master, after all, the emperor has become accustomed to his elixirs over the years.

For ten years, year after year, people presented him with new elixir formulas and pills, but the emperor only ever took his secret pills. This was the source of his confidence to do that thing, but unfortunately, he still lost.

The second disciple, Wang Hongzhen, knelt by the bedside, glancing at his eldest brother and then at his sixth brother, his eyes reddening with anxiety. He repeatedly pleaded, "Master is still lying on the bed, and you're already arguing like this. What good will it do you if something happens to Master!"

Tao Zhongwen hoped that they could be more sensible at this time and stop fighting for power and profit. Unfortunately, despite the earnest persuasion of his two disciples, neither of them was willing to back down.

Whether they live or die is unknown, but they have seen firsthand how much they can gain by becoming a Celestial Master.

He enjoyed unparalleled favor for ten years, simultaneously holding the positions of three nobles, and was posthumously granted honors to three generations of his family. His sons were granted official titles, adorned with python robes and gold ornaments, and were exempt from bowing when entering the court, with all officials giving way to them.

How majestic this is! Even if he dies a terrible death, as long as he enjoys these ten years of glory, it won't be a wasted life.

He struggled to raise his hand, stopping the two from arguing, his voice weak but cold: "There's no need to argue anymore. I know what you're thinking."

Tao Zhongwen closed his eyes, his withered fingers curled slightly under the brocade quilt, and a faint cough escaped his throat.

Fang Zheng and Guo Hongjing, who had been arguing heatedly, fell silent, the candlelight flickering.

"Competing for these empty titles and honors, it seems you all want to die with me."

"master!"

Tao Zhongwen had someone fetch the elixir; he had already made up his mind that these minor side effects were not worth mentioning.

After taking the pill, he closed his eyes and regulated his breathing for a moment, and the ashen look that had been covering his face indeed faded away.

Tao Zhongwen slowly sat up, no longer the sick old man lying on the couch barely breathing, but Tao the Immortal Master again.

"On the first day of next month, I will undergo a corpse dissection. After my death, I will immediately and secretly destroy my body, placing only a python robe and a jade seal in the coffin."

The magic sword claims to have enabled a true immortal to achieve liberation and ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

If the palace investigates, they will be dismissed as the traces of immortals are too mysterious for mortals to fathom. If the Emperor inquires, they will be told that the master has passed away, leaving behind the sword as a memento.

"this--"

The hall was deathly silent. Wang Hongzhen's knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Fang Zheng and Guo Hongjing also turned pale. They had thought their master was just going to retire, but they never expected him to fight to the death.

"My legacy cannot be destroyed in an instant!"

His light fell on Guo Hongjing, his voice carrying the resolute tone of entrusting his son to someone on his deathbed: "Hongjing is steady and prudent, good at preserving the foundation, Fangzheng is proficient in alchemy and ambitious. If you continue to fight, it will be internal strife among fellow disciples. Your survival in the future depends on each of you fulfilling your duties."

From this day forward, you shall close your doors and cease all offerings of elixirs within the palace. You shall no longer actively seek favor. You shall continue your missionary work, withdraw from the palace, establish a temple in the outskirts of the capital, and restrain all your disciples. They shall not be involved in court affairs or politics, thus dispelling the Emperor's suspicions and stabilizing the foundation.

Guo Hongjing thought about it and thought it was a good idea, so he solemnly kowtowed and said, "Disciple obeys."

"Fang Zheng, you have concealed your alchemy techniques and sealed away my lifelong secret alchemy formulas, never to be shown to others again."

Tao Zhongwen looked at Fang Zheng, who was anxious and unwilling: "Alchemy is the root of disaster, but also a way out. You must wait until the Emperor asks you to refine elixirs!"

Fang Zheng clenched his fists, then finally bowed and kowtowed: "Disciple will remember Master's instructions."

With everything arranged, Tao Zhongwen let out a long sigh of relief, feeling a huge weight lifted from his chest.

While his disciples were important, he was even more concerned with protecting his bloodline and descendants. Now, only his death could dispel the emperor's suspicions and leave them a chance.

In the future, the Western Garden will surely see a surge of new talents and chaos, with Taoist priests from famous mountains and rivers from all over vying to enter the court and divide up the power and favor he left behind.

The hustle and bustle of the world and the turmoil of the imperial court were no longer relevant to Tao Zhongwen.

Regret! Hatred! Too late!