Chapter 18#
Chapter 18#
Shen Zheng pulled Gu Weizhi aside and, beating around the bush, managed to extract a full account of Wen Zhuo’s three years in Bozhou.
Of course, Gu Weizhi knew his limits. He only spoke of Wen Zhuo’s political achievements, never mentioning things like turning a blind eye to the Bandit Rouge.
From him, Shen Zheng finally filled in the gaps missing from the Qian History, giving the beautiful treacherous minister’s bureaucratic career a basic logical framework.
Wen Zhuo had passed the imperial examinations from Mianzhou, the southernmost prefecture on the map of the Great Qian Empire. Mianzhou was near the sea, rich in storax and ambergris, and many local merchants were in the spice trade.
With unimpeded sea routes, these spices could be sold overseas, traded with Persia and even the West.
But Mianzhou was quite far from the capital. Even riding a horse would take a month or two to get there.
Fortunately, Wen Zhuo’s family were local gentry, so he likely didn’t lack travel funds. In any case, he arrived safely in the capital, passed the metropolitan examination, and was appointed as the bangyan (second place) in the palace examination.
But strangely enough, he wasn’t kept in the Hanlin Academy as a shujishi (bachelor). Instead, he was sent to the remote Bozhou as a tuiguan (judicial official). This was essentially being banished right at the start of his career.
It was well known that shujishi were close to the emperor, always revolving around the top leader, and had the potential to grow into cabinet ministers and rise swiftly through the ranks.
Of course, shujishi were chosen from the most promising metropolitan graduates, but who could say that Wen Zhuo, as the bangyan, wasn’t outstanding?
In any case, Wen Zhuo still harbored ambitions when he arrived in Bozhou. He introduced Songluo tea to Bozhou, had the locals dig waterways and mountain roads, and opened up transportation channels. In just two years, he had brought about earth-shaking changes to the lives of Bozhou’s people.
When the economy improved, many problems ceased to be problems. Wen Zhuo’s influence grew, and things went more smoothly for him.
But how did the emperor find out about all this?
It was because the prefect of Huizhou submitted a memorial complaint, saying that Bozhou was selling Songluo tea at low prices, stealing Huizhou’s market share.
The emperor investigated, and instead of blaming Wen Zhuo, he transferred him back to the capital.
But in the four years in the capital, aside from continuous promotions, Wen Zhuo didn’t seem to put forward any constructive suggestions. Instead, he seemed to indulge in the prosperity of the entertainment quarters, showing no ambition.
But there was still one thing that didn’t add up.
The kitten had already settled down to enjoy a comfortable life of eating salted fish. Why did it suddenly change course and head straight down the path of being a great treacherous minister?
Of course, none of this had happened yet. Even Gu Weizhi didn’t know the reason.
Gu Weizhi asked, “Brother, are you from the capital? Your accent doesn’t quite sound like it.”
Shen Zheng’s mind was full of Wen Zhuo, so he answered absently, “Sort of. Born in the capital, just got back from abroad.”
“Abroad?”
“…Just got back from Nanping.”
Gu Weizhi looked at him with newfound respect. “Brother has been to Nanping? The border is far from stable. General Jun Dingyuan just defeated Nanping’s 100,000-strong army and welcomed the Fifth Prince back to the capital. Nanping’s court is unwilling to accept this, and I’ve heard they’ve sent players to this Spring Terrace Chess Tournament.”
Just as he said this, they heard a soldier raise a wooden plaque and shout loudly: “Nanping player Mu Yi Bai wins by four and a half pieces!”
The word “Nanping” was like cold water poured into a boiling cauldron. The crowd, which had been whispering and discussing among themselves, fell into dead silence.
The characters “Mu Yi” on the wooden plaque shone dazzlingly in the sunlight, stinging the sensitive pride of the Great Qian people.
From the west side of the chess field, a figure slowly stood up. He moved stiffly like a puppet, his eyes bloodshot, with dark bruises underneath, as if he hadn’t slept for several nights. He looked quite frightening.
Mu Yi’s expression was indifferent, showing no joy of victory. He just moved his feet and slowly walked out of the arena. From start to finish, his gaze never fell on his opponent, as if the person sitting across from him was just insignificant air.
Finally, someone asked, “How many is that?”
“The third. All three won. The one playing against Mu Yi seems to be an outer disciple of the Xie School, whose family serves in the Imperial Hospital.”
Someone sneered, “Heh, the Xie School is getting more and more pathetic. Now they’ve lost face to a Nanping ghost. If it were my Xiao School, we would never lose.”
Someone hesitated, “Maybe he’s genuinely skilled? Has any chess club replayed this game?”
“Impossible!” The previous person shook his fan and sneered, “Chess clubs only replay games of the prodigies from the mainline families of each school. Most of those became famous young. The Nanping guy just got lucky and ran into a few easy opponents. How could he compare to the deep chess heritage of our Great Qian!”
“Exactly! This disciple of the Xie School has disgraced them all! The first two losers were unknown nobodies from other places, but he’s been personally taught by the Xie School and still plays like this.”
“I’m afraid his father in the Imperial Hospital will be too embarrassed to show his face.”
Among the crowd, there were those who felt regret, those who sneered, and those who looked down on him. After a moment of shock, they became arrogant again.
The match had already been going on for three hours. Players were gradually leaving the scene, and the spectators were slowly dispersing.
Just at this moment, someone shouted in alarm, “No! Someone’s banged their head against a pillar!”
Upon hearing the shout, the patrol officer felt no stir of emotion. He waved his hand and ordered soldiers to carry the person away.
It turned out that two young men, one from the Xiao School and one from the Song School, were unlucky enough to draw each other in the first round. The match was exceptionally fierce. Finally, the Song School was defeated by the Xiao School. Unable to bear the humiliation, the Song youth slammed his head into a pillar. His scalp was bleeding, and it was unclear whether he would survive.
The rivalry among the Eight Schools was always this intense. A losing player would feel such deep shame that they might truly prefer death.
Ending the first day of the tournament with bloodshed was hardly a good omen. Gong Zhiyuan found it unlucky and hurriedly led the Xie School away.
Wen Zhuo waited until the very end before unhurriedly descending from the observation platform. As he passed through the crowd, he glanced at Shen Zheng, then called Gu Weizhi over to share his sedan chair.
The sedan chair made a turn east near Huiyang Gate before heading straight for Viewing Chess Street.
Wen Zhuo said, “I wanted to introduce someone to you, but it seems you’ve already met him?”
Gu Weizhi hesitated. “The Director is referring to…?”
Wen Zhuo said, “The current Fifth Prince, Shen Zheng. The one who was talking to you for quite a while.”
Gu Weizhi sat up abruptly in shock, his face full of disbelief. “He is the Fifth Prince who was sent to Nanping?”
Wen Zhuo asked, “You chatted with him for a long time. What did he ask you?”
Gu Weizhi answered truthfully, “He asked about your time in Bozhou, Your Excellency.”
Wen Zhuo was not surprised. Although he and Shen Zheng had an agreement, they hadn’t known each other for long. It was only natural for the other party to want to learn more.
He lowered his head to straighten his official robe and asked casually, “Surely he asked about my political achievements and failures in Bozhou?”
“More than that,” Gu Weizhi said, counting on his fingers. “He also asked about your preferred colors, the fabric and styles of clothes you usually wear, where your home is, how many relatives you have, your pet phrases, your past affairs, your criteria for choosing a partner, and your life goals.”
Wen Zhuo: “…”
What kind of questions are these? Am I trying to win the throne or arrange a marriage with you?
Gu Weizhi quickly added, “There are many things I don’t know either. Even if I did, I would never dare to disclose any of Your Excellency’s private matters.”
Wen Zhuo slowly exhaled, trying to keep his expression steady. “No need to be guarded. I recommended him to you, so you should know what that means. We’ll meet together in a moment.”
Shen Zheng had arrived early this time. Wen Zhuo brought Gu Weizhi in. As soon as Gu Weizhi closed the door, he started to bow. “I didn’t know you were the Fifth Prince. I was rude earlier—”
Shen Zheng stopped him, not allowing him to kneel, and said with a smile, “I don’t have many rules.”
Wen Zhuo picked up a cushion and sat down, giving Shen Zheng a deep look. “You’ve already met. Weizhi is someone I personally promoted. He’s capable and trustworthy.”
“If my teacher says he’s trustworthy, then I have no objections.” Shen Zheng had one hand behind his back, hiding something.
Wen Zhuo tilted his head and glanced. “Jujube Cold Cake?”
“…” A slight stiffness appeared in Shen Zheng’s smile. He had no choice but to bring out an oil-paper package from behind his back, trying to act nonchalant. “Yes, the bet I promised. I had to buy it for you.”
Gu Weizhi’s gaze was drawn to the bulging oil-paper package. He asked curiously, “Is this the legendary famous capital delicacy, Granny Wang’s Jujube Cold Cake?”
Wen Zhuo unfolded the soft, oily paper, revealing the snow-white cake inside. A sweet fragrance spread out, tempting the tongue.
He pushed it forward. “It’s already cold, but it should still be good. Weizhi, have a taste. I’ve been busy with the Spring Terrace Chess Tournament and haven’t had time to entertain you properly.”
Gu Weizhi quickly waved his hand. “Director, I don’t really have a sweet tooth. Please, you have it.”
Shen Zheng’s gaze shifted from the cake to Wen Zhuo’s face. His eyes were somewhat deep, but he said nothing.
He too questioned himself. Wen Zhuo had introduced Gu Weizhi, clearly to help strengthen his wings. So why was there this feeling of displeasure in his heart?
Possessiveness?
He was cautious in projecting this desire onto Wen Zhuo, because with his vile nature, once he developed possessiveness towards someone, what he wanted would be far from simple.
The rumor was that the beautiful minister was a frequent visitor to the entertainment quarters and had countless lovers. Could he tolerate being beneath another man?
Nine-year compulsory education taught well—forcing someone to change their orientation is immoral…
Besides, he had no morals when it came to that.
Gu Weizhi’s stomach was already craving the treat, but he remained polite. He cast a surreptitious glance at Shen Zheng beside him.
Shen Zheng smiled. “Weizhi, don’t be shy. Please.”
Only then did Gu Weizhi carefully pick up a piece as if picking up a chess piece, gently bite off a corner, and chew slowly. His eyes immediately lit up. He raised his head and praised loudly, “Excellent cake! Truly worthy of being the capital’s premier delicacy. Sweet on the tongue, fragrant in the mouth!”
Wen Zhuo saw that Gu Weizhi had tasted the local specialty, so he began to discuss business.
“Today, you both saw it. The Nanping players all won their first matches.” Wen Zhuo’s eyes were serious. “I can tell you two clearly: those three Nanping men have obtained the secret chess manuals of the Eight Schools of the Great Qian. That’s how they won.”
Gu Weizhi stopped eating his cake, his smile instantly freezing. “This—!”
Wen Zhuo’s brows furrowed. “The Eight Schools are fighting each other, and the fisherman gets the profit. Now that the chess manuals have fallen into foreign hands, it shows that the court has long been corrupt. But what I can’t understand is that even if an ordinary person got hold of the Eight Schools’ chess manuals, it would be very difficult for them to master them in a short time. For those three youths to achieve such skill at nineteen years of age, even I feel inferior.”
“Even with your intelligence, Director, you couldn’t?” Gu Weizhi looked as if struck by lightning, unwilling to accept that anyone could be stronger than his idol.
Wen Zhuo slowly shook his head, then turned his gaze to Shen Zheng. He was about to ask a question when he suddenly felt that Shen Zheng’s expression today was different from usual.
His eyes were extraordinarily dark, with an indescribable meaning hidden in their corners, making one’s heart inexplicably tighten.
Wen Zhuo paused before saying, “You were in Nanping for ten years. Have you ever heard of a strange medicine that can keep people awake all night without fatigue, give them a photographic memory and doubled memory retention, allowing a few days of effort to equal ten or more days of hard work by others?”
Shen Zheng withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened, tapping his knee with his fingers. “You suspect the Nanping players used such pills?”
Wen Zhuo nodded. “I can’t think of any other reason.”
Shen Zheng said seriously, “Although I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, such a drug probably exists. However, it does great harm to the human body. Relying on it for learning is like drinking poison to quench thirst.”
It was essentially something like methylphenidate, central nervous system stimulants—what modern people call “smart drugs.”
Wen Zhuo, having schemed and calculated for many years, had developed a habit of thinking three steps ahead. “If we can prove that they used foul drugs to cheat, we’ll have a hold over Nanping. Such a good opportunity cannot be wasted.”
Gu Weizhi asked, “What does the Director plan to do?”
Wen Zhuo didn’t answer. Instead, he said, “Weizhi, after the Spring Terrace Chess Tournament, I want you to come to the capital to help me and His Highness.”
“This—” Gu Weizhi looked incredulous. “Is it possible? Are there any vacancies in the capital?”
Wen Zhuo looked inscrutable. “Don’t worry. Soon, there will be many vacancies.”
Gu Weizhi didn’t pretend to be modest. He said bluntly, “I am naturally willing, especially to work with the Director.”
Wen Zhuo nodded. “Good. Let’s leave it at that for now. You can also help me sound out others and ask if any of them are willing to come. But don’t rush it. We can’t let the emperor catch on.”
“I remember,” Gu Weizhi replied seriously.
“Weizhi, I’m feeling hungry too. There’s a menu hanging in the main hall to the east. Go and take a look, order a few dishes.”
Wen Zhuo made up a pretext to send Gu Weizhi away. When the door clicked shut gently, he suddenly turned his body towards Shen Zheng, his eyes questioning. “What’s wrong with Your Highness? Is something on your mind?”
Shen Zheng gave a half-smile. “You noticed?”
Wen Zhuo’s heart stirred, thinking: Could Shen Zheng have noticed his connection to the Spring Terrace Chess Tournament case? This matter really couldn’t be hidden. If he hadn’t known in advance that there would be a disturbance at the Spring Terrace Chess Tournament, how could he have planned ahead?
He just didn’t know whether Shen Zheng thought he had been the instigator in his past life or just a bystander.
Shen Zheng asked, “If Gu Weizhi and I both fell into the river at the same time, who would you save first?”
Wen Zhuo: “…”
Since getting to know Shen Zheng, Wen Zhuo felt that overthinking was also a kind of illness. If he couldn’t cure it, he might scare himself to death.
He stared at Shen Zheng, bewildered. “I can’t swim. I’d go call Jiang Manü to save you two. She’s strong.”
This surprised Shen Zheng. Strange, how could a person from Mianzhou not know how to swim?
He pressed further, “Then if Granny Wang and I both fell into the water, who would you save?”
Wen Zhuo choked again, momentarily speechless.
Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow. “You’re hesitating? You want to save Granny Wang?”
“Granny Wang is old. She might not last until Jiang Manü arrives.” Wen Zhuo’s tone gradually became more confident, with a hint of impatience at being disturbed. “You ask these strange questions. What are you really trying to do?”
The playfulness on Shen Zheng’s face gradually faded. He was silent for a moment, then said, “You saw it too. The line in front of Granny Wang’s Jujube Cold Cake stall was packed like a mountain. I bought this bag with my wrist aching from the jostling. I finally got it, but you turned around and gave it to Weizhi to eat.”
Wen Zhuo started to speak, “Weizhi is—”
“Weizhi is the pillar you took pains to choose for me, someone to support my future endeavors. I’d be willing to buy him ten or eight bags of Jujube Cold Cake, no problem, but that’s not the same as my teacher giving away the token I brought for you.”
Wen Zhuo was taken aback. A thought flashed through his mind—the gifts he had given to Xie Langyang over the years, which had also not been cherished. They were either donated to the academy or exchanged for money and grain to aid refugees. At the time, he had only felt a dull ache in his heart, but couldn’t find the standing to blame him.
So it turned out that empathy and shame were so simple.
“…”
Shen Zheng stared at him with a burning gaze. Seeing him first confused, then his eyes gently trembling, his long lashes folding like a homing bird folding its wings, his gaze involuntarily avoiding.
Heart softened.
What’s the point of arguing with an ancient kitten?
“Teacher, just rest your head on my lap for a moment. Let me know that we, like Li Bi and Suzong, are special too. Then I won’t be sad.”
Shen Zheng spread his knees and patted his own leg.
Wen Zhuo instinctively glanced at his knees. Those long, straight legs were wrapped in moonlight-white silk. Though slender, they had strong bones and muscles. If his vitality were fully restored, perhaps he would possess the strength and spirit of the Jun family, who could ride horses, wield swords, and stabilize the world.
Wen Zhuo’s cheeks flushed inexplicably. He turned his head away. “Nonsense.”
Shen Zheng put his ear to the door, listening for a moment, then smiled and urged, “Weizhi will be back soon, Teacher. Hurry.”
Wen Zhuo was silent.
Xunzi said: A teacher is one who sets an example of propriety and values self-discipline.
As his teacher, he should lead by example. Resting his head once would just be imitating the ancients in Shen Zheng’s eyes, a novelty.
But… did Shen Zheng have to be this upset? He hadn’t done it on purpose!
How frustrating to be in the wrong! How frustrating!
Cursing under his breath, Wen Zhuo tightened his lips, his ears burning. He pressed his palms against the straw mat and slowly lowered his body.