Green Mountain-Chapter 581 - 440: Master’s Return, Scholar’s Verse
The horn sounded at last!
Chen Xu’s face changed, realizing what had happened.
Gradually, a voice came from afar: "General Wang captured the Council Chief Executive Officer of the Jing Dynasty alive, and with twelve trusted aides, he returned triumphantly to the capital through the Chaoyang Gate! All nine gates open, and officials welcome him at the Imperial Palace Gate!"
"All nine gates open, and officials welcome him!"
Wang Daosheng has returned to the capital!
Chen Xu looked abruptly at Chen Ji: "You delayed fifteen days to wait for Wang Daosheng?"
Chen Ji clasped his hands and said: "Indeed."
Chen Xu was puzzled and uncertain: "He landed at Taicang Port in Suzhou, took the land route, demonstrating his power as he passed through states and prefectures; this was the journey decreed by His Majesty. According to the Imperial Decree, he should have waited half a month to return to the capital. He returned early for you, which is against protocol!"
Chen Ji retorted: "What protocol?"
Chen Xu sighed deeply as he looked northward: "I admit this move is quite effective, and I underestimated the influence of Mr. Wang’s Direct Disciple. With Mr. Wang’s return to the capital, regardless of how his defiance is handled, as long as he backs you with merits, His Majesty will surely show him some respect. When Wang Gui is put on trial, Second Master would at worst be exiled for three thousand miles, or at worst be executed publicly."
Chen Xu changed his tone, looking directly at Chen Ji: "But, young master, even if Wang Daosheng returns with a great victory, you now have no witnesses, he cannot help you much. Matters debated before the Imperial Court require logic and reasoning; without it, His Maj... no one can overstep. I am even somewhat relieved that the master made this move in advance, otherwise the situation would truly be irreparable."
Chen Ji smoothed the creases on his clothes: "Does Steward Chen think I want to send Wang Gui to the palace for trial?"
Chen Xu was puzzled: "Isn’t that so?"
Chen Ji laughed slightly: "No."
The next moment, the sound of hoofbeats came from Zhengyang Gate, as someone arrived hastily.
Chen Xu turned his head to see a Chen family servant dismount before him, urgently saying: "Young Master Chen Wenren was living in seclusion in Jinling, captured by Wang Daosheng, and has been sent into the Imperial Palace Gate to face the emperor!"
Chen Xu took a slight step back.
Chen Wenren?
How could this be the move? All is lost!
Previously exiled to Lingnan, Chen Wenren bribed the government officer during the journey to live in seclusion in Jinling; this was a common practice among officials, and Chen Wenren was not the only exiled official hiding in Jinling.
Buying a modest house under a new identity in Jinling, one could live like a wealthy landowner for a few years, waiting for His Majesty to grant an amnesty.
This matter could be trivial or significant.
On a small scale, usually, it goes unnoticed, merely falsifying household registration to evade punishment, and perhaps the Chen family paying several thousand taels of silver could resolve it.
But on a large scale, happening at this juncture and being personally captured by Wang Daosheng, it could be judged as a crime of deceiving the emperor.
Chen Xu never expected Chen Ji to make this move to bring the Chen family’s second branch to ruin!
He took a deep breath: "Young Master used Wang Gui as a decoy, such a brilliant move."
Chen Ji clasped his hands toward Chen Xu: "Thank you for letting me win."
Chen Xu was not angry, only curious: "How did Young Master know of Young Master Wenren’s whereabouts? Was he not well hidden?"
Chen Ji calmly said: "The Store Manager of the Chen Family Salt Shop, Chen Yue, manages the second branch’s business in Jinling. Chen Wenren’s expenses were drawn from his shop. This person owed me a few fingers at the reed marshes of the Mountain and River Altar."
Chen Xu shook his head: "Young Master, Chen Yue is a true villain; he wouldn’t return your favor."
Chen Ji smiled slightly: "Therefore, I promised him that if the salt permit business reached Jinling, he could become the Store Manager."
Chen Xu shook his head again: "Still not enough."
Chen Ji added: "Otherwise, he would die."
Chen Xu finally nodded: "Makes sense now... I have one more thing I don’t understand, please teach me. Please don’t mind my troubling you, these matters must be reported to the master one by one."
Chen Ji said: "Please ask."
Chen Xu pondered: "Whom did you send for this task? The Zhang Family’s Death Soldier? No, they haven’t left the capital recently..."
This time, Chen Ji did not answer.
Chen Xu was not annoyed, unexpectedly smiling broadly: "So the young master still has other cards to play. I’ve served the Chen family for twenty-seven years, and today I finally see someone capable. Young master, before entering the palace today, the master instructed me that if you win, I should convey a message."
Chen Ji remained composed: "What message?"
Chen Xu bowed deeply: "The world belongs to you young people. Brother Pao was rescued by the master this morning and sent to Meihua Ferry Crossing; he is firm and resolute, not divulging anything, an arm to lean on."
After speaking, Chen Xu turned to take the reins from the Chen family servant, mounted his horse, and headed to Zhengyang Gate.
...
...
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Chen Ji looked towards the source of the applause, seeing Shen Ye clapping and praising: "First, you made your way back from Changping County, and today you overcame all difficulties to bring your enemy to ruin; truly satisfying."
Chen Ji clasped his hands and apologized: "Sorry for stealing Brother Shen’s spotlight."
Shen Ye laughed, pointing at him: "You should apologize, but there’s more you owe an apology for. Lord Zhang and I plotted to stir up a wave of reform during today’s palace examination; do you know, throughout history, reforms often lead to bloodshed? I have been prepared to die for this cause, hoping to leave a name for myself. Unfortunately, my plans were ruined by you, and I became an insignificant pawn."
Shen Ye continued: "And today, clearly, I am the best scorer, but it is you in the spotlight." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
Chen Ji was taken aback.
The next moment, Shen Ye laughed heartily: "That won’t do; I am the best scorer. History shall remember March 18, The 32nd year of Jaining as my day!"
While speaking, Shen Ye rode away towards Zhengxi Fang.
The Yulin Army attempted to block him, but it was too late.
Qi Zhenzhuo urgently shouted: "Brother Shen, don’t go running around; you’re breaking the rules!"
Shen Ye laughed loudly: "You’ve broken so many rules today, what’s one more from me?"
He approached the throng of onlookers: "Make way!"
The crowd parted to let him pass.
"The best scorer is running away!"
"Go see where he’s heading!"
As Shen Ye rode off, he drew everyone’s attention back to him.
Gradually, people began to realize something was amiss; where was he going?
His path led him to Andingmen Avenue, towards Cold Plum Building.
He looked up at Liu Su, the leader, who was leaning against the railing of the street-facing Cold Plum Building: "Yo, standing there all pretty in your cloud brocade robe, just like the Qingshui Fairy."
The onlookers murmured among themselves, making way for him to pass.
"The best scorer has run away!"
"Go see what he’s going to do!"
Shen Ye looks up as Liu Su, standing gracefully, dressed like a Qingshui Fairy in her pale turquoise cloud brocade robe.
"Yeah, I promised you, if I could sing my name gloriously outside the East Gate, I would write you a poem as the best scorer, to help you become famous!"
"My promise is worth a thousand gold pieces!" Shen Ye laughed as he began to recite:
"At three, I recited six thousand.
In bloom, I leave the Imperial Palace Gate, astride my horse passing Chengtian."
Shen Ye paused there.
The crowd murmured, allowing him to pass.
Liu Su’s eyes gleamed like water as she casually threw down her handkerchief from the upper floor of the Cold Plum Building and turned to go inside.
