【Under the Great Tomorrow】(31-33)

Author: hui329
Published: 2016/10/17 First published
Word count: 20322
Chapter 31 Parting Ways
The alleys and streets outside Zhengyang Gate were bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder. The shopping desires of the people of the Ming Dynasty were no less than
those of the shopaholics of several hundred years later. "Even those who had no means of transportation were eating and dressing like those of the wealthy." Extravagance and luxury were commonplace. "
Even the peddlers, servants, and laborers in the market were often dressed in hats, shoes, gauze skirts, and fine trousers." Even the sedan chair carriers and laborers, who toiled all day,
would buy wine and drink when they returned home in the evening. If judged by the standards of the Qing Dynasty, with its queues and pungent clothing, the Ming Dynasty had at least two hundred
years of the "Kangxi and Qianlong Prosperity."
Luo Jinfeng strode into a jewelry store, picked out and compared several pieces, finally picked up a hairpin,
held it up to her head, and turned to smile, "Brother Ding, do you think it looks good?"
The ancient civil service system was quite humane, with one day off every five days. Ding Erye certainly wouldn't
waste this day on bathing. Taking advantage of Mo Yan's familiarity with Luo Jinfeng, he would frequently invite her out. Luo Jinfeng , a
refined young lady from Emei, rarely had male companions, making it difficult for her to resist Ding Shou's constant flattery and obsequiousness.
The once quiet and shy Miss Luo was now driven mad by this scoundrel, rarely staying home.
Just then, Ding Shou walked to a bookstall in front of the door, casually picked up a book to browse, but was immediately
captivated by its contents. A sly grin spread across his face. Hearing the beautiful woman's voice, he didn't even look up, his eyes buried in the book, nodding repeatedly. "Beautiful,
beautiful."
The young girl gave a soft snort, then raised her voice, "Is the person prettier or the hairpin?"
"The hairpin is prettier," Ding Shou replied casually, only realizing his mistake after the words left his mouth. He looked up at the Lady Luo, her almond-shaped eyes
wide with anger, and said with feigned nonchalance, "The person—is prettier."
Luo Jinfeng's anger turned to delight. She casually tossed the hairpin onto the counter, strode down, and said, "You smooth talker, what are you
looking at?"
"I didn't see anything," Ding Shou casually put his hands behind his back, hiding the book in his sleeve. "If you like that hairpin,
why not buy it?"
Luo Jinfeng curled her lip and said, "It's just that the style is unique, but the workmanship and materials are too rough." Luo Yanbei
was a wealthy man from Jiucheng, and the young lady of the Luo family, born into a wealthy family, still had high standards.
Ding Shou was about to offer to help her choose some nicer items when he heard a faint snort behind him. He turned around and saw
a beautiful woman in an embroidered dress, her face showing disdain. It was Cheng Caiyu.
When Cheng Caiyu saw that Ding Shou had seen her, she didn't say anything and turned to leave. Ding Shou blurted out, "Caiyu!"
He realized that the way he addressed her seemed a bit too intimate.
Sure enough, Cheng Caiyu turned around and said, "Caiyu and you are not related. Please be mindful of your words." "
I spoke rashly in my haste just now. Please forgive me, Miss Caiyu."
"Caiyu is just a commoner. How can I deserve your wrath?" Cheng Caiyu's expression was as cold as ice.
"Brother Ding, who is this—" Luo Jinfeng walked to Ding Shou's side and naturally tugged at his sleeve, asking softly.
Cheng Caiyu glanced at her hand holding Ding Shou's sleeve but didn't answer.
"This is Miss Cheng Caiyu of Changfeng Escort Agency." She then introduced Luo Jinfeng to Caiyu, "This is
Luo Jinfeng, the daughter of Master Luo, the great tycoon of Jiucheng, Sai Mengchang."
"So you're the famous female strategist of the martial world, Sister Cheng, Jinfeng greets you." Luo Jinfeng curtsied,
this child hadn't been completely corrupted by Ding Er.
One doesn't hit a smiling face, although Cheng Caiyu came in a huff, she didn't intend to harm the innocent. "Miss Jinfeng
, you're too kind. I've long heard of the Swift Thunder Heroine's name, I didn't expect to meet you today." She glanced sideways at Ding Shou and said, "However,
the martial world is dangerous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Sister Jinfeng, be careful not to make friends unwisely, after all, it's easy to draw a dragon or a tiger but hard to draw its bones—"
This woman was on fire today, every word was barbed, and Ding Shou was full of resentment.
Luo Jinfeng was taken aback by his words, then smiled. "Don't worry, sister, I understand. Even though I'm young and inexperienced,
I still have Brother Ding to help me."
Good sister, I give you a thousand thumbs up! Seeing Cheng Caiyu's bewildered expression, Ding Shou
felt a surge of joy.
"Miss, I've finally found you!" A maidservant ran up, panting.
Luo Jinfeng frowned. "Qing'er, didn't I tell you to come out and play today and come back later? What's the matter
? Why are you in such a hurry? You don't even know how to greet people."
Qing'er hurriedly gave a deep bow to Ding Shou and Caiyu, then whispered in Luo Jinfeng's ear, "The young marquis is here. Master
wants you to go back."
"What does he want? This is really inconvenient." Luo Jinfeng was very reluctant, kicking a pebble away with her shoe , and forced a smile. "Sister Cheng, Brother Ding, something has come up at home. Jinfeng will take her leave now." She then 　　silently moved her red lips a few times
towards Ding Shou. 　　Seeing that her lips were lip-syncing to "come find me later," Ding Shou smiled and nodded. Luo Jinfeng then led 　　Qing'er back with a smile on his face. 　　"The two of you seem to be on the same wavelength. I wonder if Old Master Luo knows he's about to have a son-in-law?" Caiyu's 　　eyes were icy. 　　Taking a deep breath to calm her anger, Ding Shou said, "Miss Cheng, 　　I have never felt any discomfort towards your escort agency, especially towards you. Why resort to veiled insults and hurtful words?" 　　Hearing his distant address, Cheng Caiyu felt bitter. She didn't know why she was so upset today. Although 　　she had intended to use this chance encounter to sever ties, a gentleman doesn't speak ill of others when ending a friendship. Having run her escort agency for many years, she was known for her deep cunning, 　　and she had never uttered such rude words before. 　　After catching her breath, Cheng Caiyu calmly said, "We owe our journey south to your assistance, sir. The entire Changfeng Escort Agency is deeply grateful 　　. Your substitution of one person for another was a brilliant move. I admit my skills are inferior, so I have nothing to say. Later, you used a double-dealing tactic to 　　bring down Weng Taibei, which was everyone's responsibility, and I can understand that. However, your actions of bullying a vulnerable 　　woman in a remote village are truly malicious. We are not on the same page, and I can only politely 　　decline. It would be best if the Changfeng Escort Agency and you had no further dealings." 　　Ding Shou laughed instead of getting angry. "Is this why you want to turn against me?" 　　"Isn't this enough?" Caiyu's eyebrows furrowed. She had originally thought that severing ties would be enough, but she 　　had a glimmer of hope that her words might have made him see the error of his ways. Who would have thought that he could still laugh? He was simply hopeless 　　.

"Enough, enough." Ding Shou laughed so hard he couldn't straighten up. "Let's not talk about the jade doll anymore. Just talk about visiting the Deng residence.
Did Weng Xizhu say I came to cause trouble?"
Caiyu nodded. Ding Shou laughed and said, "Then what did she say I should make things difficult for her?"
Caiyu hesitated and shook her head. "She said that it was fortunate that Prince Rong and the Grand Princess arrived, which put an end to your delusions."
"That's right. Fortunately, the Prince and the others arrived. Unfortunately, they arrived too early. If Weng Xizhu and I had
gone inside to talk in detail, she probably wouldn't have had time to thank me." Ding Shou wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes.
Sensing something was amiss, Cheng Caiyu asked, "What exactly do you want to say to her?"
"Weng Taibei and Deng Ren are imprisoned, and Weng Xizhu is frantically trying to get them out of prison. The high-ranking
officials in the court are all calculating and won't easily take a stand before the situation becomes clear. Miss Weng is likely to face obstacles everywhere, so
she's set her sights on the censors and officials of the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits. In this dynasty, one cannot be punished for speaking out. These officials, though not
high-ranking, wield considerable power and live in the capital, which is no easy feat. I'm afraid Miss Weng has become a benefactor."
"What's wrong with that?" Cheng Caiyu was very knowledgeable about the affairs of the martial arts world, but less so about the affairs of the court.
"When the time is right, you might as well ask Miss Weng if she entrusted the task to Li Xian, Duan Zhi, Zhang Zan,
Xue Fengming, Zhu Gun, Qin Ang, Yuwen Zhong, Cui Zhe, and others?"
Seeing Cheng Caiyu's doubtful expression, Ding Shou laughed and said, "These people have all submitted memorials recently to severely punish Weng Taibei. Those with
a conscience even suggested exiling him to the border, while the more ruthless ones directly petitioned for his execution and public display. Miss Weng failed to save him, but instead
became the death knell for her own father!"
"Why is that?" Cheng Caiyu asked anxiously. She had no connection with Weng Taibei, but if Weng Taibei were beheaded,
Deng Ren, the culprit, would also be implicated.
"Weng Taibei has been in charge of the Imperial Guard for twenty years, making quite a few enemies. He used to get along very well with the Cabinet and the Nine Ministers, and
no one dared to touch him. Now that these bigwigs are hesitant and observing, the time has come to kick him while he's down—that's one reason. Secondly, ha
ha, Lord Weng is ruthless in his actions. Those who took money from the Deng family can imagine
how Weng Taibei will treat these guys who extorted their daughters once he's freed. Rather than living in fear, it's better to prevent Weng Taibei from ever rising again,
thus eliminating future troubles, and to impeach the Imperial Guard." The commander could also gain a reputation for being strong among his colleagues and the people. Weng Taibei's imprisonment was by imperial
decree, so this could be considered as obeying the emperor's will. He would gain profit, fame, and favor—a triple win. Why not do it?
Ding Shou gestured with his hands, secretly pleased with himself. If Qian Ning hadn't discovered that these officials were secretly associating with Weng Xizhu,
and if Liu Jin hadn't told him to think more about officialdom, he really wouldn't have said these words. Heaven can bear witness that although he said it was
to freeload back then, not a single word of these words was false now.
Seeing Ding Shou raise three fingers, Cheng Caiyu was horrified by the intrigue and power struggles within the court. "Then
why didn't you just tell Weng Xizhu?"
Ding Shou spread his hands and said, "How can I say that? I didn't even enter the Deng residence.
Speaking out in public would get me fired if it got back to the Eastern Depot. My relationship with the Weng family isn't that good."
Realizing he was indeed in public, he looked around and saw an old
face approaching.
"Sir, are you going to buy that copy of 'The Tale of Ruyi Jun'?" the bookseller asked with a mournful face.
He hadn't put the book down since it was picked up, and had even hidden it in his sleeve. If it weren't for Ding Shou's luxurious attire, the bookseller
would have suspected the young man of stealing the book.
Cheng Caiyu blushed and spat. Ding Shou, caught reading pornography by a beauty, was also extremely embarrassed.
He wanted to smash the book in the face of this clueless old man, but he was a little reluctant. He threw out a piece of silver and, amidst the shopkeeper's
profuse thanks, changed the subject to ease the awkwardness.
"Caiyu, you are a wise woman, you should know the saying 'A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.' That day, the Jade Doll
was delivered to the Yun Family Manor in full view of everyone. Putting aside everything else, if the Green Robe Tower had been determined to seize it, the Yun Family Manor would have been ruined
. This would also contradict your original intention of escorting the goods for a thousand miles."
Ignoring his sudden use of affectionate address, Cheng Caiyu's eyes gleamed. "So, you were—"
Ding Shou nodded, "The Jade Doll is an inner court treasure, and taking it back is indeed the proper course of action. However, I have already
copied down what's written on it and instructed someone to deliver it to the Yun Family Manor after the storm has passed."
"That also leaks the secrets of an inner court treasure. Aren't you afraid of being implicated?" Caiyu smiled, her smile
like a blooming pear blossom.
"I have no particular relationship with Weng Xizhu, but I have a very special relationship with you, Caiyu. As long as you don't betray my trust,
I don't care if the sky falls or the earth collapses," Ding Shou said with a grin.
Cheng Caiyu twisted her shoulder and turned away: "Which one has an extraordinary relationship with you?"
***************
Jiujiang, Yun Family Manor.
Late at night.
Having recited the Heart Sutra by heart several times without understanding it, Yun Wu put down the sutra with a bitter smile. Ever since the day
the jade doll was publicly destroyed, he had been depressed. His attempt to steal the treasure had resulted in Chu Chu ruining her reputation by going to a brothel and even losing
her brother's life, ultimately ending in failure. Although Chu Chu had tried to comfort him, he still couldn't resolve his inner turmoil.
In truth, he knew the source of his inner conflict. Deng Ren had given him the jade doll for nothing. Although Chu Chu explained that their relationship
wasn't chaotic, but rather based on mutual understanding and empathy, he could never easily give away a royal gift that concerned the survival of his family.
When news of Deng Ren's imprisonment arrived, Chu Chu's sorrowful expression only deepened his doubts.
His words were inappropriate, and Chu Chu covered her face and left.
With a long sigh, Yun Wu sat in the Buddhist hall, lost in thought. All he could think of was Chu Chu's goodness;
her unwavering care and devotion over the years, even going so far as to act as bait in a brothel. He shouldn't have doubted anyone else. Now that the jade doll
was destroyed, he didn't know how much longer he had to live. He should spend the rest of his time with her. He rose and
headed towards the backyard.
Halfway there, a glimpse of a red dress caught his eye. Startled, he knew Yun San's body was still warm, and
everyone in the manor was in mourning; no one would dare wear red. Realizing an outsider had entered, he immediately crept in and followed.
The person seemed quite familiar with the manor's paths, making a few turns before reaching Chu Chu's residence in the backyard. After a brief pause, the person
slipped through the window and entered.
Worried about Chu Chu's safety, Yun Wu followed, standing behind the door, listening to Chu Chu's conversation with the newcomer inside.
"What are you doing here?" The newcomer seemed to know Chu Chu.
A soft, sweet voice rang out, "After all, we're old acquaintances. Chu Chu and I served you together back then
, young master. Why be so distant today?"
"Shut up! Don't bring that up again." Chu Chu's voice was tinged with panic. "Oh, still embarrassed? 　　Have you forgotten how shameless
I was back then, clinging to your treasure and hogging it all by myself ?" The voice carried a seductive undertone. 　　"You...you...you broke your promise." Chu Chu's voice was filled with shame and anger. 　　A soft chuckle followed, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. If you get too angry, you won't forgive me." Then 　　came a rustling sound, "Here, this is what you wanted. I was afraid something might happen, so I kept it close to my body." 　　"This is—a copy of the jade doll!" Chu Chu seemed incredulous. "Could it be a fake to trick me?!" 　　"Judging a gentleman by his own petty standards, the young master promised you that day, and naturally he would 　　pass on the martial arts secrets hidden in the jade doll. However, he said that with so many heroes around, if he handed it over to you in front of everyone, he feared you 　　wouldn't have a peaceful life afterward. Tsk tsk, the young master has truly gone to great lengths for you." There was a hint of envy in his voice. 　　Chu Chu paused, then bowed and said, "Please tell Young Master Ding that I can never 　　repay this kindness in this life, but I will repay it in the next." 　　A string of silver bell-like laughter rang out, "Finally, you've said something pleasing. Don't worry, I will definitely pass it on." A red 　　cloud drifted out of the window again, circled a few times in the courtyard, and disappeared. 　　Chu Chu looked at the silk scroll filled with tiny characters in her hand, carefully recalling 　　the few lines of incantation she had hastily glanced at when she received the Jade Doll. She compared them, closed her eyes in deep thought, and only after confirming it was correct did she open her eyes, only to find Yun Wu had entered 　　the room at some point. 　　Not noticing Yun Wu's grim expression, Chu Chu happily handed him the silk scroll. "Fifth Brother, look quickly! This is 　　a copy of the Jade Doll's incantation. Although not completely confirmed, it seems authentic." 　　Yun Wu took it, glanced at it, and found that large sections matched the secret manual he had found in his father's study. 　　Even Yun San didn't know he possessed the Jade Doll's martial arts, so it was unlikely anyone would deliberately forge it. He nodded, 　　"It's true." 　　Chu Chu was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! Now your illness is cured!" 　　"Where did I get it?" Yun Wu asked calmly. 　　"Ah?" Chu Chu whispered, "Du Yunniang brought it." 　　"Was that a nine-tailed fox demon just now?" 　　Chu Chu was shocked. "You know all about it?" 　　Yun Wu's voice turned sharp. "Who was that man?" 　　"It was... Ding Shou from the Eastern Depot." Chu Chu knew she couldn't hide it anymore. 　　"When did you two do such a shameful thing?" Yun Wu's voice trembled, he was furious. 　　Chu Chu's face changed drastically upon hearing this. "No, Fifth Brother, I didn't..." 　　Before she could finish speaking, Yun Wu slapped her to the ground and threw the silk scroll at her face. "Still trying to lie to 　　me!" 　　Ignoring the pain, Chu Chu rolled over and crawled a few steps, hugging Yun Wu's leg and crying, "No, Fifth Brother, Chu Chu 　　is still a virgin..." 　　Yun Wu remained expressionless, looking up at the sky, unmoved. 　　As if remembering something, Chu Chu wiped away her tears and forced a smile, "If Fifth Brother doesn't believe me, Chu Chu will give herself to 　　you tonight." She stood up, her fingers gripping the sash at her waist. After a slight hesitation, she pulled, and her moon-white dress slipped to 　　the ground, exposing her long, slender legs to the cold air. 　　Yun Wu staggered back as if bitten by a snake. "What...what are you going to do?" 　　Chu Chu seemed possessed, muttering, "Anyway, Chu Chu is destined to be a member of the Yun family, so giving myself to Fifth Brother sooner 　　is better..." Her hands didn't stop; she had already unfastened her moon-white overcoat, revealing a white bodice underneath. 　　"You slut!" Yun Wu roared, delivering another resounding slap, even harder than before, until Chu Chu's 　　cheek swelled up and blood flowed from the corner of her mouth. 　　Little did Chu Chu know that Yun Wu had suffered a qi deviation during his early training, and instead of guiding his energy properly, he had forcibly 　　pushed his way through, injuring his Kidney Meridian. For years, despite their close proximity, they had never consummated their relationship, not because Yun Wu didn't want to, but because he couldn't . Chu 　　Chu's words and actions had truly touched a raw nerve. 　　Seeing Chu Chu's pitiful state, Yun Wu felt a pang of regret. However, upon seeing the silk scroll on the ground and recalling Du Yunniang 　　's earlier words—what shameful things those two had done—his heart hardened again. He stamped his foot to leave, but 　　suddenly turned back and walked towards Chu Chu. 　　Chu Chu, seeing Yun Wu approaching, looked hopeful, but he merely picked up the silk scroll, gave a cold snort, and 　　quickly walked out of the house. 　　Chu Chu slumped alone on the cold ground, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. After what seemed like an eternity, a 　　soft cough startled her awake. Seeing Yun Wu standing before her with his hands behind his back, hope rekindled in her heart. 　　Yun Wu remained calm. "Put your clothes on." 　　Hearing this, Chu Chu realized her disheveled appearance and blushed as she dressed. Yun Wu 　　placed a letter on the table. "This is for you." 　　The ink on the letter was still fresh, clearly just written. Chu Chu picked it up, but all she saw were the words "Letter of Divorce." 　　She had no interest in reading the rest, only screaming, "No—" 　　"You have committed one of the seven grounds for divorce. The Yun family cannot keep you." Yun Wu said expressionlessly. 　　"Don't you have a shred of affection for me?!" Chu Chu cried out. 　　Yun Wu's face darkened with anger. "If I had no affection for you, I would have killed you with my own hands long ago! Guards!" 　　Several servants rushed in. 　　"Throw her out of the manor." Yun Wu shouted sharply. 　　The servants exchanged bewildered glances. "Fifth Master, Madam—" 　　"She is no longer a member of the Yun family. Are you deaf?" Yun Wu's voice was stern. 　　The servant dared not speak further. "Madam, please forgive me." 　　As Chu Chu struggled, the servant pushed her out of the manor gate. With the black lacquered gate slamming shut, Chu Chu felt as if her heart 　　had died. 　　For years, she had devoted herself to assisting the Yun brothers. To cure her husband's chronic illness, she had even entered a brothel, causing 　　Deng Ren to be imprisoned, a consequence of her guilty conscience. The journey south was fraught with danger, and she had disregarded her daughter's innocence to retrieve the jade doll, 　　only to be thrown out with a letter of divorce. Fate was cruel… 　　Chu Chu wandered aimlessly, her family gone. She had always relied on the Yun family for her life.

Now that the Yun family no longer wanted her, where could she go?
Stumbling and falling, she felt no pain as she fell, got up and continued on her way .
She was unaware that her moon-white dress was tattered and torn by tree branches. Only the sound of the waves brought her to her senses. Under the moonlight, the water rippled, and she found herself on
the riverbank. Looking at the rolling Yangtze River, she smiled sadly and plunged into the water.
Water rushed into her seven orifices, her mind went blank with a thud, and the river water was icy cold, just like her current state of mind. This was the last thing Chu Chu
felt...
Chapter Thirty-Two: Young China Says
"Confucius said: 'On three days of order, even if one day is used, there is still fear of disrespect. On two days, drums are beaten, but where is that?'"
"Confucius said: 'To observe the rituals within the storehouse gate, to observe them in the east, and to observe them in the market in the west—this is a mistake!'"
The clear voice of Yang Tinghe, the Grand Secretary of the Left Spring Palace, echoed in the Wenhua Hall
. Yang Jiefu was a learned scholar of the time. He passed the provincial examination at the age of twelve and the imperial examination at the age of nineteen. In the fifteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, he was promoted from Hanlin Reader to Academician for completing the "Great Ming Code."
He served as a tutor in the Eastern Palace when Zhu Houzhao was still the Crown Prince and now served as a lecturer at the Imperial Lectures. The Imperial
Lectures (经筵) originated in the Han and Tang dynasties. Originally, they were used by the emperor to discuss history and consult on political matters. The Song and Ming dynasties continued this system, but initially
there was no fixed date or location. It wasn't until Emperor Yingzong of Ming ascended the throne at a young age that the three Yangs, who were then serving as Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, submitted a memorial requesting the establishment
of Imperial Lectures. The ceremonial system for Imperial Lectures was established, with lectures held three times a month on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd. This was designated as a grand ceremony of the court, with one meritorious
official in charge of the Imperial Lectures, and Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet either in charge or co-in charge of the Imperial Lectures. Officials such as the Ministers of the Six Ministries attended the lectures, along with other
personnel for displaying books, serving as attendants, providing services, and performing ceremonies. In addition to the three Imperial Lectures held each month, there were also daily lectures, known as Lesser Imperial Lectures (小经筵).
In fact, compared to its practical function in the Han and Tang dynasties, the Ming dynasty's imperial lectures had degenerated into a bureaucratic and cumbersome court system.
A group of civil officials took turns instructing the emperor on how to behave. Even the Hongzhi Emperor, known for his diligence, avoided these lectures whenever possible,
let alone the young Zhengde Emperor. The constant chatter in his ears was truly annoying. Zhu Houzhao slumped his shoulders and stretched
his back, but Yang Tinghe noticed.
Yang Tinghe immediately stopped his lecture and loudly proclaimed, "How can a ruler not be respectful?"
The young emperor, already lost in thought, didn't react.
Yang Tinghe raised his voice further, "How can a ruler not be respectful?"
Still no reaction.
Liu Jian, who was presiding over the lecture that day, couldn't stand it anymore and coughed loudly.
"Ah!? Oh." The young emperor snapped out of his reverie and sat up straight.
Yang Tinghe nodded in satisfaction and prepared to continue his lecture.
Zhengde felt utterly annoyed. "Master Yang, I am not feeling well today. May we pause the daily lectures?"
Yang Tinghe replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, no. If the lectures are not interrupted for a day, one's learning and virtue will advance by a day;
if they are not interrupted for a month, one's learning and virtue will advance by a month. For when a person's mind and spirit are enriched, they will naturally become stronger and more agile. The lectures
are a way for a righteous ruler to broaden his mind and invigorate his spirit."
"Alright, alright, then let's continue," Zhengde said, rubbing his forehead.
Yang Tinghe, satisfied, continued, "The altar is the way of the divine earth. The earth bears all things, and the heavens display their signs. We take wealth
from the earth and take laws from the heavens; therefore, we honor the heavens and cherish the earth."
"Ah—," Ding Shou couldn't help but yawn. Normally, as a military officer, he
wasn't qualified to participate in the lectures, but the young emperor rolled his eyes, "You're the one who instigated me to open the seas, so this lecture was forced upon me
. Why should I suffer alone?" Thus, he was dragged along as a mere figurehead.
He had been listening for over half an hour and was basically certain that this lecture was something a bunch of idle idiots had come up with. Yet,
the civil officials insisted on using the daily lectures as a standard to judge an emperor's worth. Thinking about it, it made sense; there weren't always
opportunities to lecture the emperor like a grandson.
But this yawn caused trouble. Before Liu Jian, Yang Tinghe, and the others could react, the old man Xie Qian had already jumped out
. "The Wenhua Hall is a place where scholars gather. A mere military officer, instead of being grateful for the Emperor's grace, acts with negligence and
laziness. How is he any different from barbarians and beasts? Where are the guards? Throw this man out with clubs!"
There were also burly generals on duty at the Wenhua Hall during the lectures, though they didn't wear armor, only soft robes, but
still held their weapons like golden maces. Hearing Xie Qian's words, they were about to step forward.
Liu Jin, who was attending to Zhengde, shouted, "How dare you! The Emperor has not
issued an edict in person. Do you even have any respect for His Majesty?"
The golden-maces warriors retreated sheepishly upon hearing this, but Ding Erye was not having it.
"You think you're a beast just because you yawn? You spout Confucian classics and think you're so great? You even claim to respect Heaven and Earth? Do you know the Earth is round
? Do you understand calculus? Can you recite the periodic table? And you look down on me…
" Stepping forward, he bowed and said, "Esteemed sages, I apologize for my rudeness, but the lectures are filled with
the words of sages. Please forgive my presumptuousness. Sages lived long ago; how could they possibly foresee everything?"
Yang Tinghe sneered. "Confucius said: 'A gentleman has three things to fear: the mandate of Heaven, great men, and the words of sages.
The words of sages are the rules for conduct. How can one cultivate oneself and govern a country without understanding them?!'"
"In the southeast of our Great Ming, there is a large island, its territory no less than that of the Great Ming. To the west of China lies Europe, where over
thirty countries worship a single religion, whose leader is called the Pope. The world is vast; the nine provinces of today are but a corner of it. Has anyone in the past ever spoken of this?"
Ding Shou spoke eloquently.
Liu Jian frowned and said, "These are all fabrications. What evidence do you have?"
Yang Tinghe, living up to his reputation as a child prodigy, pondered for a moment and said, "It's not entirely baseless. In the second year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty,
Emperor Shun of Yuan sent an envoy westward. The edict stated: 'To you, the Western Land where the sun sets, beyond the seven seas, the Frankish Christians
, and the Pope of Rome, when I send my envoys back, I request that your Pope purchase fine horses from the West and treasures from the Land where the sun sets,
so as not to be robbed.' This shows that such a country does exist. In the twenty-first year of the Yongle era and the sixth year of the Hongzhi era of our dynasty, envoys from the Western Land of the Setting Sun
paid tribute, demonstrating the vastness of the world."
Hmm?! Ding Shou was surprised that Yang Tinghe could find evidence for him, which took the Second Master Ding, who was already prepared to cause trouble,
somewhat by surprise.
Before anyone could react, Yang Tinghe began, "The Records of the Grand Historian states: Zou Yan of Qi said that what is called China is
only one-eighty-one parts of the world. China is called the Red Land of Divine Continent. Within the Red Land of Divine Continent are nine provinces, which
are the nine provinces ordered by Yu the Great, and cannot be counted as provinces. Outside of China, there are nine provinces similar to the Red Land of Divine Continent, which are the so-called nine provinces. There is a vast sea surrounding them, and
people and animals cannot communicate with each other. Each such province is a region within a region. There are nine such regions, and then a great ocean surrounds them."
"Damn, even the ancients knew about continental plate divisions!" Ding Shou coughed, deciding to unleash his trump card. "
The land we stand on is actually spherical, did our ancestors know that?" Fearing a heated debate, he directly presented his evidence:
"Looking out to sea, when you see a ship, you see its mast first, then its hull, and vice versa, simply because the land is not level."
Magellan's circumnavigation took over a decade; find an ancient book to record this.
"Zhang Heng's *Commentary on the Armillary Sphere* states that the celestial sphere is like a chicken egg. Celestial bodies are round like pellets, and the earth is like the yolk inside, residing alone
within the heavens. This shows that our ancestors already knew this," Yang Tinghe said calmly.
Ding Shou looked at Yang Tinghe strangely. "Scholar Yang, do you know about TFBoys?"
"Huh? What about kicking?" Mr. Shizhai finally lost his composure.
Seeing Yang Tinghe's bewildered expression, Ding Shou breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this guy wasn't a time traveler
. Damn it, who said ancient people only knew about the flat earth and round heavens? That's
incredibly embarrassing! Don't blame Ding Shou, though. Even until the late Ming Dynasty, people knew what the Earth was like, and even had
some knowledge of the locations of various countries. Not only did Western missionaries like Matteo Ricci's *Complete Map of the World* and Giulio Aleni's *
Records of Foreign Lands*, but even Chinese-published works
like *Complete Map of Land and Sea*, *Map of Land*, *Complete Map of Land and Sea*, and *Map of Crossing* all contain many geographical names of the five continents.
However, everything changed after the Manchus entered the Central Plains. It was like Wang Xiaoer's New Year getting worse every year .
Even Zhang Tingyu, a high-ranking official who served three dynasties, recorded four names related to European countries—Asia, Portugal, Ireland, and Luzon—when compiling the *History of Ming*
, only knowing that they were in the Atlantic Ocean. Later, after investigation by officials of the Ministry of Rites of the Qing Dynasty,
the information about the "Atlantic Ocean" became "vague and unverifiable," or "its authenticity is unverifiable."
While the countries of the Netherlands, France, England, and Spain could still be identified, what countries and locations were the Atlantic Ocean and the Lesser Western Ocean?
The *Da Qing Yi Tong Zhi*, completed in the eighth year of the Qianlong reign, identified the Western Ocean as being
near the Indian Ocean or in the southwestern sea, with the Franks and the Netherlands bordering Sumatra and Java.
In the *Qin Ding Da Qing Yi Tong Zhi*, compiled by Heshen and others in the fifty-fourth year of the Qianlong reign, all foreign countries were listed as tributary states,
with only the Netherlands, the Western Ocean, Russia, the Western Ocean (Solidland), and the Franks listed as Western countries.
In the thirty-second year of the Qianlong reign, Ji Xiaolan and others, in revising the *Qing Chao Wen Xian Tong Kao* and *Si Yi Kao*, still criticized
the *Zhi Fang Wai Ji* for "exaggeration" and the claim of five continents as "absurd and false." Ping Buqing, a contemporary, was indignant,
believing that the Ming people unknowingly suffered the insults and deceptions of treacherous villains like Matteo Ricci. He argued that Ricci's translation of Europe as
"Europa" was already an exaggeration, and his translation of Asia as "Asia" was even more sinister .
The character "亚" (ya) has meanings such as "second," "ugly," "fine," and "minor," as seen in classic texts like the *Erya* and *Shuowen Jiezi*
, clearly an insult to the Chinese people. Yet the Ming people willingly endured Ricci's insults, with no one realizing his treachery. It's truly baffling
why the later TV series went so far as to praise this Mr. Ji. Only
after the Opium War did the Daoguang Emperor remember to have Britain located. However,
the *Kunyu Wanguo Quantu* (Complete Map of the World) from the Ming Dynasty clearly marked Britain's location and the sea
routes to China. Yao Ying, who was ordered by Emperor Daoguang to inquire with British soldiers captured during the Opium War about
the distance between China and Britain and Russia, discovered that the "Complete Map of the World"
had already clearly marked which countries bordered each other, which were east and west, and how far apart they were.
By the time the Eight-Nation Alliance was at the gates of Beijing during the Guangxu era, Xu Tong, then a university student, didn't believe that
Spain, Portugal, or other countries existed. He thought they were fabrications by the British to fool the Qing Dynasty. "Spain has teeth, Portugal
has teeth, and teeth can form a country? This is unheard of in history, unrecorded in any book, and utterly absurd!"
Seeing Ding Shou's argument fall flat, the senior officials pressed their advantage. Liu Daxia, the Minister of War, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the
presence of such ignorant and incompetent people in the court shows the inadequacy of the system of appointed officials. I request that the system of appointed officials be abolished." The so-called appointed officials were those directly 　　appointed
by the emperor without going through the selection process of the Ministry of Personnel, the court recommendation, or the departmental deliberation .
This was a situation the emperor was forced into. According to the selection criteria for civil officials, his own relatives and close advisors
couldn't be appointed to any positions. However, such appointments weren't legitimate, and these officials were often
looked down upon by those who had passed the imperial examinations. Ding Shou, in particular, was an official position that Liu Jin had secured through connections, so naturally, many people disliked him.
Others' reports were one thing, but Liu Daxia had just been criticized by Liu Jin and Ding Shou in front of Zhengde a few days prior. Zhengde,
seeing his lack of patience, coldly said, "What makes you say such things, Minister Liu? As Laozi said, 'The Way cannot be clear without debate, and principles cannot be understood without
discussion.' We should all sit down and discuss the Way, let alone anything else.
Now, step down!" Liu Daxia was speechless. During the reign of Emperor Hongzhi, he had shown great respect to these old ministers, but since the young emperor ascended the throne,
he had followed the established rules, and such a direct rebuttal had never occurred before.
Seeing that Liu Daxia's memorial failed, Xie Qian followed up with a finishing blow, "Your Majesty's words are inappropriate. Such an unruly person does not
know benevolence, love, loyalty, or forgiveness, nor does he understand the profound meaning of the sage's words. How can he discuss the Way? Please punish him severely."
"Grand Secretary Xie is mistaken." "This humble official dares not agree."
Two people stepped forward from the court in unison. Both were over thirty years old. One had a square face, a fair complexion, and a slight beard. He was
Wang Tingxiang, a supervising secretary in the Ministry of War. The other had a long face and a three-strand beard. He was Wang Shouren, a principal officer in the Ministry of War.
After stepping forward, the two exchanged surprised glances. Wang Tingxiang spoke first: "The words of the ancient scholars are not necessarily
irrefutable conclusions, and later generations may not necessarily be unable to surpass them. The Way has no end; if one only knows how to follow
the old ways and blindly obey the words of the ancient scholars, it can be called a slander against the Way."
Xie Ge Lao was naturally displeased with the two young men who had suddenly appeared, but seeing that one of them was the son of an old friend, he decided not to argue
and said gently: "The ancient scholars had lofty character and noble aspirations; how could we possibly hope to reach their level?"
"The creation of man follows the same path throughout history. Those of average or below-average talent who judge the world by their own standards can be called slanderers."
Wang Tingxiang's words were quite sharp. You, Xie Ge Lao, have only average or below-average talent, yet you judge the world by your own standards, believing that
no one can surpass the ancients like you. This is not slander against the "Way," but slander against "man."
Xie Qian, a top scholar in the imperial examinations, trembled with anger at being criticized by a younger generation. Wang Shouren stepped forward and said, "
The essence of learning lies in internalizing knowledge. If it does not align with one's own understanding, even the words of Confucius cannot be accepted."
"Insolence! You mere children who have only studied for a few days, showing no respect for your teachers or superiors, step back now!"
Wang Hua, the top scholar of the seventeenth year of the Chenghua reign and the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, spoke up in reprimand.
Wang Shouren shrank back, taking a few steps back. He had no choice but to retreat; it was only natural for a father to discipline his son, and he didn't
dare to retaliate.
Ding Shou, on the other hand, was furious. He didn't recognize the two men who had come out earlier, but at least they had helped him 　　out of a predicament.
He didn't recognize this old man who came out later either. Who knew that this man was deliberately disciplining his son to vent his anger for his old friend, also
thinking of protecting his own son. "Sir, please be careful with your words. As the saying goes, 'Better to let down an old man with white hair than to underestimate a poor young man.' When the time comes, the young man will spread his wings like a roc, 　　and his achievements will be limitless." Ding Shou was determined to get revenge for these two. 　　Wang Hua raised an eyebrow. This culprit was really annoying. The old man prepared to roll up his sleeves and join forces with Xie Qian, 　　the two top scholars side by side, to scold this brat to death. 　　Seeing that the lecture had become quite outrageous, Li Dongyang knew that the Emperor and Liu Jin would definitely not allow him to be punished 　　, and he himself would feel unsatisfied if he let the boy go easily. After some deliberation, he chuckled and said, "Fellow colleagues, 　　today's lecture was meant to be a discussion of classics and history. His Majesty's words about sitting and discussing the Way are spot on. Why should we make a fuss about it?" 　　Zhengde immediately nodded in agreement, finding the old man Li much more agreeable than the others. 　　"Lord Ding was indeed disrespectful before the Emperor just now. If we don't punish him, it would seem like we're intentionally protecting him. Since today is a literary gathering, 　　let's punish him by making him write an essay as a warning to others." 　　"That's excellent. One hour is the limit. He just said, 'Don't underestimate a young man's talent .' 　　Let him write an essay on the topic of 'youth,' so that we can broaden our horizons and see what constitutes a young man's talent." Liu Jian immediately nodded. 　　They had already found out about this boy's background. He was from Xuanfu, idle all day long, and hadn't even passed the preliminary examinations. His family had paid for him 　　to become a student of the Imperial Academy. What good essays could such a person produce? 　　Seeing that he couldn't stop him, Liu Jin had a table set up and incense lit. Lord Ding sat behind the table 　　and began to chew on his pen. 　　The scene before him was even more overwhelming than the imperial examination. After all, the imperial examination involved a large group of people taking the exam, with the emperor and several others supervising. 　　Now, however, he was the only one holding the pen, with not only the emperor present but also the Three Dukes, Six Ministries, and the Nine Ministers staring at him. The pressure 　　alone would have paralyzed a timid person. 　　Even if Ding Shou was heartless, he still had to be able to write. Let alone essays, he struggled even with poetry. His 　　predecessors who transmigrated all traveled to the Tang and Song dynasties, freely copying Tang and Song poems. What he had left to 　　copy in this era? He remembered a few poems by the later Taizu Emperor, but they were mostly taboo: "Two hundred thousand troops entered Jiangxi, 　　red flags fluttered beneath Buzhou Mountain," "The blade pierced the blue sky, yet remained unbroken," "The bleak autumn wind blows again, but the world has changed." 　　If he used these phrases, even Emperor Zhengde would probably have beheaded him. 　　Suddenly, Ding Shou heard a faint voice in his ear, "You little monkey, do your best and leave the rest to fate. If things 　　don't work out, pretend to faint." He looked up sharply and saw Liu Jin, his expression unchanged. Seeing him look over, Liu Jin lowered his eyelids and ignored him. 　　Pretending to faint was one way, but he would have to keep a low profile from now on. Ding Shou was very conflicted. 　　Seeing that the incense had burned halfway and he hadn't written a single word, Zhengde grew impatient. If he submitted a blank 　　paper, he, as the emperor, would lose face. With nothing else to do, he ordered a eunuch to bring over a few memorials to review. After 　　reading only a few, his anger flared, and he slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming, "Outrageous!" 　　The court officials, wondering what trouble this prince was about to cause, were furious. Zhengde roared, "In May, the little prince took advantage of the national 　　mourning to raid Xuanfu, and now he's entered Huamachi, captured Qingshui Camp, attacked the Gansu Zhenyi Garrison, and killed Commander Liu Jing, causing great 　　turmoil in Guanzhong! Does he think our Great Ming has no one to rely on?!" 　　Minister of War Liu Daxia replied, "The nine border regions are heavily fortified. Even if the Tartars break through the passes, they will find it difficult to penetrate deeply. They will plunder and then 　　retreat. I recommend Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Yang Yiqing to oversee Shaanxi and concurrently serve as governor, to reinforce the border walls and 　　prevent border troubles." 　　Zhengde couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. They come knocking on your door every few days, plunder, and then leave. I can only wait to be beaten; 　　at most, I can spend money to repair the gates. "Is that so? 'Minister Liu, as the head of the Ministry of War, doesn't know how to advance, only how to repair walls 　　and patch holes?' 　　Xie Qian said, 'Your Majesty, weapons are the most dangerous weapons in the world; courage is the most dangerous virtue. Neither of these are 　　the tools of a gentleman! Minister Liu's words are wise and insightful for governing the country. Ordering the generals of the nine border regions to be on high alert and keep the barbarians out of the country 　　is indeed the right thing to do.' 　　Panting heavily, Zhengde picked up another memorial from the Ministry of Rites, 'The Doyan tribe just colluded with the young prince to invade 　　Datong last year, and the late emperor did not punish them. Now they have submitted a memorial requesting trade. Can this be granted?' 　　Li Dongyang said, 'The Doyan tribe is connected to the Chaobai River and Gubeikou, which are only a day away from the capital. They should be treated well to consolidate their foundation.'" 　　"What Grand Secretary Li says is absolutely right. The Mongols are barbaric, using killing as their means of cultivation. Our Great Ming is a civilized and righteous nation, 　　a celestial empire. Why should we be so petty? Opening up trade and treating them well is the only way to uphold benevolence." 　　Zhengde was so angry at these ministers who were full of talk about benevolence and righteousness that he was speechless. Ding Shou, sitting to the side, watched coldly. A 　　bunch of arrogant old fogies, spouting benevolence and morality, stuck in their ways. Weapons are instruments of violence, and bravery is a vice. The spirit of the Great Ming is 　　being worn away by these civil officials. Ding Shou felt a surge of passion in his heart, and an article appeared in his memory... 　　"The youth are the future of the nation. People have old and young, and so does the nation." 　　"To discuss the age of a nation, one must first discuss the age of its people. The elderly often dwell on the past, 　　while the young often think of the future. Because they dwell on the past, they develop a sense of attachment; because they think of the future, they develop a sense of hope. Because of attachment, they become conservative; 　　because of hope, they strive for progress. Because of conservatism, they remain unchanged; because of striving, they 　　constantly renew themselves. Because they dwell on the past, everything is something they have already experienced, so they only know how to follow precedent; because they think of the future, everything is something they have not yet experienced, so they often dare to break the mold. 　　The elderly often have many worries, while the young often indulge in pleasure. Because of many worries, they become disheartened; because of pleasure, they become arrogant. 　　Because of disheartenedness, they become timid; because of arrogantness, they become heroic. Because of timidity..." Cowardice breeds complacency; heroism breeds daring 　　. Complacency can destroy the world; daring can bring prosperity. The elderly often tire of things, while the young 　　often crave them. Tiredness leads to a sense of utter helplessness; daring leads to a sense of boundless possibilities 　　. The elderly are like the setting sun, the young like the rising sun; the elderly are like lean oxen, the young like tiger cubs. The elderly are like monks, the young 　　like knights-errant. The elderly are like dictionaries, the young like plays. The elderly are like willows after autumn, the young like 　　grass before spring. This is a general outline of the differences in character between the elderly and the young. This applies to individuals, and it should also apply to nations.

"The pipa player on the Xunyang River, as the bright moon circles her boat, maple leaves rustle, and her quilt is cold as iron, in a state between dream and reality, recalls
the delightful beauty of spring flowers and autumn moons in Luoyang. In the Western Palace and Southern Palace, white-haired palace maids, a single lamp like a tassel, sit in small groups, discussing
the events of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, composing the 'Rainbow Feather Robe Dance.' The melon grower at Qingmen, to his left, faces a young woman, watching her play with a child, recalling
the grandeur of the noble man's gate, where pearls and jade clattered everywhere. Zhou Yafu, imprisoned in the imperial jail, and Han Shizhong, dying in Dongting Lake, with a few guards or
curious visitors, recount their past exploits: riding alone with a short sword across the Central Plains, sweeping through the seven kingdoms, fighting a bloody battle at Yingtian, their roar
shaking the world—their magnificent achievements, beginning with a clap of..." He then stroked his thigh, and finally looked in the mirror. Alas, his face was wrinkled, his teeth gone,
his hair white as a handful—he was utterly old and dejected! Such a person has no worries other than melancholy, no world other than sorrow, no
sun or moon other than despondency, no sound other than sighs, no purpose other than awaiting death. Even beauties and heroes are like this, let alone ordinary, mediocre people
? All their friends and family are now in ruins; their daily needs are met by others. They live for today, who knows what tomorrow will bring? They
live for this year, who cares about next year? Of all the disheartening and depressing things in the world, nothing is more devastating than old age.
For such a person, to desire with the means to grasp the clouds, the achievements to reverse fate, the ambition to move mountains and cross seas—is it possible or not?
"Standing in the present and looking back at the past, how well-governed the Tang, Yu, and Xia dynasties were; how heroic and outstanding Qin Shi Huang and
Han Wudi were; how flourishing the literature of the Han and Tang dynasties was; how illustrious the military achievements of the Hongwu and Yongle reigns were. What historians have described
, what poets have sung about—are they not all remnants of the beautiful days and delightful events of my youth?"
"The responsibility of today lies not with others, but entirely with us, the youth. If the youth are wise, the nation is wise; if the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy; if
the youth are strong, the nation is strong. The rising sun shines brightly. The river emerges from its hidden source, flowing into a vast ocean. The hidden dragon soars from the abyss, its scales and claws
flashing. The young tiger roars in the valley, causing all beasts to tremble. The eagle tests its wings, stirring up dust and wind. The rare flower begins to bloom, resplendent and magnificent.
The sword is sharpened, its edge gleaming. The sky is blue above, the earth is yellow below. Stretching across a thousand ages, encompassing the eight directions. The future is like
the sea, coming... " "The days are long. How beautiful is my young China, as timeless as the heavens! How magnificent are the youth of China, as boundless as the nation!"
Originally, a minor eunuch was reciting the text, but after hearing only a few lines, Emperor Zhengde seized the opportunity and began reciting it aloud, his
voice growing increasingly impassioned. He had long wanted to point his finger at these ministers and berate them like this. After finishing the last line,
he let out a long breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him, and proudly asked, "
What do you gentlemen think of this text?"
"This text is stirring and passionate, its ideas flowing like the sea, overwhelming us. It can be compared to the masterpieces of the Qin and Han dynasties," Wang Tingxiang said first.
He, along with Li Mengyang, Kang Hai, Wang Jiusi, and others, had always advocated a retrogressive style of "prose must be like that of the Qin and Han dynasties, poetry must be like that of the Tang dynasty,"
and naturally praised this style.
Xie Qian was trembling with anger at this text that belittled his old age. Li Dongyang stroked his beard and said, "The grammar is parallel
and progressive; reading this text is like viewing the vast ocean. May I ask what the title of this text is?"
"A Discourse on Young China," Ding Shou replied. He slightly modified Liang Qichao's article, removing modern
and world allusions to avoid revealing his ignorance.
"The Discourse on Young China..." The term "China" already existed in the Han Dynasty, and during the Hongzhi era, Grand Secretary Qiu Jun particularly liked to use " China"
to refer to the Ming Dynasty, so the name didn't seem out of place. Li Dongyang nodded, saying, "Indeed, the young are formidable."
Zhengde was overjoyed, "Today's lecture was different from the past, quite interesting. Yang Tinghe is learned and knowledgeable; he has been promoted to Grand
Master of the Palace."
Yang Tinghe stepped forward to express his gratitude, having risen from a fifth-rank scholar to a third-rank Grand Master of the Palace—a meteoric rise indeed. He had gained another pillar of support among the literati
, and Li Dongyang and others were delighted with this.
Zhengde continued, "Ding Shou, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is
exceptionally talented in literature and shall be granted the title of Jinshi." "Your Majesty, you must not!" Liu Jian interjected, "Ding Shou is originally a military officer; there is no precedent for granting him official rank, and it is
unreasonable."
Liu Jin said softly, "Grand Secretary Liu, I remember that during the Xuande era, Vice Minister Zhang Xin was transferred to the position of Commander.
Is there a precedent for transferring from a civil to a military position, and is it reasonable?"
Upon hearing this, Zhengde waved his sleeve, "It's settled then. Anyone who disagrees can write a short story for a young man and let's see..."
Chapter Thirty-Three: Palace Secrets "Great! The expressions
on those old ministers' faces today were truly fascinating." The young emperor left the Wenhua Hall in high
spirits.
Seeing that Liu Jin showed no emotion, Ding Shou was somewhat puzzled, but still forced a smile and said, "I 　　could
n't help myself because those old ministers were going too far." "Good that you couldn't help yourself. Those old bastards deserved a good wake-up call," Ding Shou said, then Zhengde asked in a low voice, 　　"The other day, the Empress Dowager asked about Weng Taibei. What's your plan?" 　　Ding Shou smiled slightly and gave a brief explanation. Zhengde listened with a broad smile, nodding repeatedly. 　　After the lecture, all the ministers left the palace through the Meridian Gate. Zhengde didn't want to meet them again, nor did he like riding in the imperial carriage. 　　He headed east, intending to bypass the Imperial Pharmacy to return to the palace. It wasn't far from the Donghua Gate, but Ding Shou felt something was amiss today, though he couldn't quite 　　put his finger on it. 　　As they were walking, suddenly a cry of "Injustice!" was heard, and a figure darted out from the shadows of a building, 　　lunging at Zhengde. 　　The incident happened suddenly, and the palace maids and eunuchs behind the emperor screamed. Liu Jin remained calm and simply shifted his body slightly to 　　block Zhengde from view. Ding Shou took a step forward and subdued the man with a swift movement. The man did not resist but 　　cried out that he was innocent. 　　The young emperor, intrigued by the case, took a few steps closer and said, "Bring me your grievances quickly." 　　The newcomer, a rustic-looking old man, raised his head. His words shocked everyone around him: 　　"The Empress Dowager, Zheng, has been living in seclusion for many years, receiving no support from the people. Now, her father is here, wishing to present his case to Your Majesty!" 　　Zhengde 　　's expression changed drastically, and he 　　shouted, "Bring him to the Qianqing Palace. 　　I will interrogate him personally 　　." ********** ... 　　Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Houzhao flew into a rage, "Nonsense, nonsense! I only have one younger brother and one younger sister, both of whom died young. 　　They were both born to the Empress Dowager, just like me. How could I have any other princes..." 　　Ding Shou remained silent, Liu Jin looked down at the ground, and Zhang Yong's gaze wandered, not daring to look at the Emperor. Zhengde understood; 　　this prince referred to him. Trembling, he pointed at Ding Shou, "This matter is entrusted to your Embroidered Uniform Guard. 　　Investigate it thoroughly for me."

"Huh?! Is this something I can get involved in? What good will come of knowing palace secrets?"
He looked up at Liu Jin for help, only to see the old eunuch standing there like a statue, eyes downcast, silent.
At this moment, a young eunuch rushed over in a panic, "Your Majesty."
"What is it?" Zhengde roared in anger, startling the young eunuch into kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly,
saying, "The Empress Dowager knows about the Donghua Gate incident and wants to speak with you."
Zhengde snorted and said to Ding Shou, "You come with me."
**********
When Yongle built the Forbidden City, he did not set up a special palace for the Empress Dowager, nor was there an Empress Dowager at that time. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, the Empress Dowager resided in the Western
Palace of the Inner Palace, called Renshou Palace. Because several Ming emperors later died young, and the Grand Empress Dowager often
appeared, the Grand Empress Dowager was invited to move to the Eastern Palace, called Qingning Palace. As for the Cining Palace, which is often mentioned in later generations,
it can be built after Jiajing ascends the throne.
Ding Shou followed Zhengde all the way to Renshou Palace. Through the beaded curtain, he could vaguely see a woman reclining on a warm couch, with a
palace maid kneeling beside her massaging her legs.
Zhengde stopped outside the curtain and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty greets Your Majesty."
Ding Shou knelt down, "Your subject Ding Shou greets the Empress Dowager."
A lazy voice rang out, "You are Ding Shou? Come in."
Zhengde and Ding Shou entered in response. Ding Shou kept his body bowed, not daring to be careless in the slightest towards this Empress Dowager Cishou.
Countless emperors have reigned throughout five thousand years of history, but only this one was monogamous with the emperor. Whether you say she was skilled at managing her husband
or that the couple was deeply in love, she certainly didn't miss out on any benefits.
From the moment Emperor Hongzhi ascended the throne, he never missed a
court session, except for two occasions when he requested leave from his officials. Once was when the Empress Dowager was exhausted after a fire at Qingning Palace; the other was when Zhu Houzhao, then Crown Prince, fell ill and was unable to attend court .
However, Hongzhi was often late for the morning court session because Empress Zhang loved to sleep in. Hongzhi, like an ordinary citizen
, slept in the same bed as the Empress and wouldn't hold court until she woke up, so the morning court session often turned into a midday session.
Empress Zhang's father, Zhang Luan, was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Changguo, and her mother, Lady Jin, treated the palace like her own home. Her two younger brothers, Zhang Heling and
Zhang Yanling, were both ennobled. Hongzhi treated the Zhang family with the utmost favor and privilege. Ding Shou
couldn't believe that the Empress hadn't influenced them.
Entering the room, Ding Shou dared not look around carelessly, lowering his head to fix his gaze on the bright yellow satin embroidered shoes before him.
A bright pearl adorned the shoes, trembling gently as the palace maids massaged them.
"I've heard about the incident at Donghua Gate. What does Your Majesty intend to do?"
"Your Majesty intends to hand this matter over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for investigation."
Ding Shou didn't want to pay attention to the mother and son's heart-to-heart talk. Dongzhu, the Second Prince had already appraised the decorations on the Empress Dowager's shoes.
"This matter has become quite a big deal. It's good to let the Embroidered Uniform Guard give the outside world an explanation. It just so happens that your grandmother wants Weng Taibei
to come out, so let's hand it over to him."
Hearing this, Ding Shou felt like he had received rain after a long drought. This hot potato had finally been thrown away. But then he heard Zhengde say,
"What Mother says is true." Wait, could the young emperor be going to use the suggestion he had just given him?
Zhengde continued, "Weng Taibei is, after all, experienced and prudent. He was highly regarded by Father Emperor for his handling of Li Mengyang's case back then
."
When Li Mengyang, a court official, impeached Marquis Zhang Heling of Shouning for oppressing the villagers, seizing farmland, and becoming a powerful figure
, his memorial also contained disrespect towards Zhang. Emperor Hongzhi imprisoned him. Weng Taibei, being on good terms with the cabinet, naturally wouldn't make things difficult
for this lackey, treating him well. When Emperor Hongzhi remembered to release Li Mengyang, this
man, showing no restraint, thought, "I've already been to prison, what am I afraid of?" He directly knocked out Zhang Heling's teeth in the street. Empress Zhang urged Emperor Hongzhi to punish him
severely, but was reprimanded for the first time. Now, she harbors resentment towards Zhang Heling as well.
Ding Shou closed his eyes. It was over. Sure enough, Empress Dowager Zhang's voice was filled with anger. "Alright, no need to say more. Let Weng Taibei
stay in prison."
"You are Ding Shou, raise your head," the Empress Dowager's voice rose again.
Ding Shou looked up upon hearing this and saw a beautiful woman with a face like a peach blossom and skin like jade, holding a
gilded dragon-carved hand warmer in her hands. She nodded at him and said, "You do have some spirit; this matter is entrusted to you."
"This matter is too important; I dare not accept the imperial decree." "
What?" the mother and son asked angrily.
Ding Shou forced a smile and said, "How could a commoner like a soldier know about palace affairs? There must be someone behind him. Moreover, his
hiding place happens to be on the Emperor's route back to the palace. The person who instructed him is familiar with the Emperor's daily routine. Furthermore, the imperial city is heavily guarded;
how could a commoner infiltrate the palace? There must be someone helping him. If this person is in the outer court, he must be an important minister; if in the inner court,
he must be a nobleman. I am young and inexperienced; I dare not take on such a heavy responsibility." After speaking, Ding Shou realized why he felt something was amiss today. After leaving the Wenhua
Hall, he hadn't seen the burly general responsible for guarding the emperor. There was indeed something fishy going on in the palace.
Empress Dowager Zhang fell into deep thought upon hearing this. To be honest, although these words were Ding Shou's excuses, they were not without reason. The Ming Dynasty's
palace was not particularly secure. A hundred years later, the "Clubbing Case" occurred. However, that Zhang clerk was also
brought into the palace by a treacherous eunuch. Compared to the later glorious Qing Dynasty, it was still much better. Not to mention the White Lotus Rebellion's attack on the palace and the antisocial
personality who attempted to assassinate Emperor Jiaqing at Shunzhen Gate, the fact that a street vendor set up a stall outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation during the Xianfeng era and did so for
several years was quite bizarre. Unprecedented events throughout history all came from the Qing Dynasty. Empress Dowager
Zhang pondered for a moment. She knew that the ministers of the outer court had always been dissatisfied with the Zhang family. Years ago, after a long marriage without children,
those ministers had urged Emperor Hongzhi to take a concubine. After a son was born, they said the emperor's offspring were infrequent. She had also heard rumors that the son
wasn't her biological child. As for her two younger brothers' misdeeds, which had caused public outcry, if it weren't for the fact that the Ming dynasty's maternal relatives weren't incompetent,
they would have been compared to the Yang family during the Tianbao era of the Tang dynasty. She resolved to investigate this matter thoroughly.
"This matter must be investigated in detail, Your Majesty. Grant Ding Shou a gold plaque. If anyone obstructs the investigation, execute them first and report later
."
Emperor Zhengde agreed. Empress Dowager
Zhang still felt it wasn't enough. "I also grant you a palace waist token. Report any progress directly to the palace."
**********
Northern Garrison Command, inner hall.
The banquet was extremely lavish. Old Zheng Wang ate with gusto, his mouth greasy. Ding Shou added wine and dishes,
flattering him with "Old Master" at every turn. There was no other way; Zhengde had only one requirement: he had to obtain a true confession and not allow any torture to extract one
. So, he had to coax him into giving a truthful account.
Zheng Wang, with a chicken leg in his mouth, let out a burp and mumbled, "Everyone in the village knows that my daughter gave birth to a prince.
I often bring some local products to visit her, and my daughter often brings some palace clothes and ornaments as a token of her respect."
"Oh? So you've met your daughter, sir?" Ding Shou poured a cup of wine and asked.
Zheng Wang slurped it down in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "No, my daughter is already a high-ranking lady in the palace. How could she easily
see outsiders? I had Liu Shan deliver it on her behalf.
You don't even know that, young man?" His tone was one of disdain, as if he were an ignorant bumpkin, leaving Ding Shou speechless. He forced a smile and
asked, "And then what happened?"
"I became a member of the imperial family. People from all around came to give me gifts and curry favor. Many even became my slaves.
Back then, who in the capital didn't know that Old Zheng was a member of the imperial family?" Zheng Wang thumped his chest loudly, then sighed, "Suddenly one day, the Imperial
Guards came knocking and threw me into prison. A few days later, they brought me out, only to find out it was the emperor's son-in-law who wanted to interrogate me."
"When I met the emperor's son-in-law, I told him everything, and I was thrown into the Ministry of Justice's prison. Later, the Ministry of Justice ruled that
there was no such person as Zheng Jinlian in the palace, and that she was guilty of spreading rumors. Liu Shan was sentenced to death by slow slicing, and I was also sentenced to beheading." Zheng Wang slapped
himself. "Why didn't I just stay at home and farm? Why did I run to the capital to become a royal relative? I
regretted it so much during that time. After I went to prison, there was no further news, and they didn't seem to want to interrogate me. I
was only released a few days ago. I wanted to go home and farm, but then I ran into a man named Wang Xi who recognized me."
"What does this man do?" Ding Shou had a feeling that this man was the key.
"He said he was from the capital and told me that my daughter was imprisoned by the empress years ago, and that the current emperor is my grandson
, whom the empress took in and raised as her own. He said that as long as I go to the palace to recognize my grandson, I can rescue my daughter and restore
my royal status." Zheng Wang's eyes lit up.
"His logical thinking is full of loopholes; he's a typical paranoid," Ding Shou thought to himself, then asked, "How did he get into the Imperial City?"
"He told me that there were loyal and righteous people in the palace, and that as long as you entered at that time, no one would stop you. He also told me
where to hide, and to come out and plead your case when you see someone wearing a yellow robe. He taught me those words too." 　　At this moment,
Du Xingye entered and reported, "My lord?"
Ding Shou left his seat and went to the door. Du Xingye whispered, "It's been investigated. The people on duty should be Xue Fujing and forty -eight others. I've already ordered them 　　to be arrested." Nodding slightly, Ding Shou said, "Well done. Go and arrest a man named Wang Xi immediately." Seeing Du Xingye hesitate 　　, 　　"Is there anything else?" Du Xingye whispered a few words 　　in Ding Shou's ear 　　, and Ding Shou exclaimed in surprise, "So fast!" 　　********** ... 　　"What's going on?" The common people are always very interested in what happens to the important figures in the capital. 　　"The Emperor's maternal grandfather is crying out for justice at Donghua Gate." 　　"Brother, you must be out of your mind this morning, talking nonsense. The Duke of Changguo has been dead for over ten years." 　　"You're talking about the current Empress Dowager's father, I'm talking about his maternal grandfather, his birth mother's biological father." 　　"What happened? Tell me, brother." 　　The man boasted smugly, "Back then, the Empress hadn't conceived after four years of marriage. In desperation, she devised 　　a plan to substitute a concubine's child for her own, raising the child as her own and imprisoning the birth mother. 　　Now, the concubine's father has gone to cry out for justice." 　　"Oh, I vaguely remember that. A couple of years ago, there was always this 'Old Imperial Relative Zheng' on the street, could it be him?" 　　A customer at the next table chimed in, "I heard there's more to it than that," looking around, he whispered 　　, "It's said that the current Emperor wasn't born to a palace maid, but adopted from outside the palace." 　　"Heavens! This concerns the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty!" 　　Similar conversations frequently occurred in teahouses, taverns, and street corners… 　　************************************** 　　"It hasn't been long, and the whole city is in an uproar! Is the Imperial Palace a sieve? It leaks everywhere! Follow the clues 　　and find the source of these rumors!" Ding Shou slammed his fist on the table in a fit of rage. 　　The officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard received the order and left. 　　Ding Shou stormed off to the Northern Garrison's criminal office. 　　Inside the dungeon, a burly man was bound hand and foot and hung on a torture device. Ding Shou leisurely walked up to him. "Xue Fujing, 　　you're also a member of our Embroidered Uniform Guard. You know our methods. If you know what's good for you, confess quickly." 　　Xue Fujing was terrified, covered in cold sweat. "My lord, I'm innocent!" " 　　Everyone accuses you of conspiring with them to skip their duties at the palace today. What injustice do you have?" 　　Swallowing hard, Xue Fujing spilled the beans. The Minister of War, Liu Daxia, had 　　dismissed 683 military officers, and these 48 of them were among those dismissed. They were understandably depressed. Someone 　　suggested that he simply choose a time to skip all his duties so that the Emperor would know about it, and perhaps things would turn around. 　　Xue Fujing also thought this was a good idea, so he conspired with the 48 guards at the East Gate to 　　skip their duties at the Wenhua Hall lecture. But who would have thought that such a big incident would happen during this time? 　　"Who gave you the idea?" 　　Xue Fujing stammered, "It was a neighbor, a man named Wang Xi..." 　　******************** 　　In an abandoned old house in the capital, Wang Xi, who had caused such a commotion in the city, knelt respectfully on 　　the ground. Not far in front of him stood a masked man in a white robe, hands clasped behind his back, a golden 　　lotus embroidered prominently on the sleeve of his white robe. 　　"This matter was handled well. I will report to the sect leader and award you merit," the masked man said in a low voice, clearly 　　concealing his true voice. 　　"Thank you for your guidance, envoy. I am willing to go through fire and water for the Holy Sect," Wang Xi replied respectfully. 　　The masked man nodded in satisfaction. "Now that you've revealed your identity, it's no longer appropriate for you to stay in the capital. Leave immediately and head 　　south; the sect has other arrangements for you." 　　"This…" Wang Xi hesitated. He had been lurking in the capital for many years, practically a local, and had built up 　　a considerable force. Leaving abruptly was difficult. 　　"Hmm—" the masked man drawled, his tone displeased. 　　"Your subordinate obeys, but those brothers sent out to spread the message can't be recalled immediately."

"Hmph, they're probably already being watched by the Imperial Guards' henchmen. No need for further trouble. Sacrificing themselves for the Holy Church is their
blessing," the masked man said disdainfully.
Wang Xi had no choice but to agree reluctantly, bowing his head and saying, "This subordinate will depart immediately." Without waiting for a response, he looked up,
but the masked man had vanished into thin air.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
"I can't take it anymore... You're courting death... Be gentle..."
In a house near Xibianmen, a long, pale leg draped over Wang Xi's shoulder on a heated kang bed,
swaying with his movements. Wang Xi was panting heavily, his muscular black body covered in sweat.
This woman was a young widow, and one who had lost three husbands in a row. Nicknamed "Little White Shoes," she was
beautiful with slicked-back hair and a slender, almost fleshy waist. Without her husbands to rely on, and destitute, she turned to prostitution .
Normally, someone as powerful and cunning as Wang Xi wouldn't be unable to sleep with a respectable woman, but Little White Shoes was quite skilled in bed
. After his first taste, Wang Xi became addicted and couldn't resist, and the two became lovers.
Wang Xi was about to head south, willing to abandon many things, but his body was a constraint. Strict religious rules
prevented him from taking the beauty with him; he decided to treat this night as his last, satisfying encounter.
"Today... what's wrong with you?" Little White Shoes groaned, "I've done it three times already, and you still haven't come.
Did you take some kind of drug?"
Wang Xi, who had taken an extra dose of aphrodisiac, didn't answer. He just kept thrusting his thick, hard penis
in and out of the woman's vagina. Suddenly, he lifted Little White Shoes' long legs and pressed them against her plump buttocks, thrusting wildly...
"Ah—" Little White Shoes let out a sharp cry, her long black hair hanging down the edge of the bed and swinging wildly. Wang Xi suddenly lay
on top of her, panting heavily.
The girl in white shoes weakly pushed him away, complaining, "It's not the first time. We all know our limits.
Aren't you afraid of hurting yourself by taking that strong medicine?"
Wang Xi didn't answer, reaching out to knead her breasts.
The girl in white shoes pushed him away, "Get out of here. You've made me all sweaty; I need to wash up."
"Huh," the girl in white shoes was surprised to find that Wang Xi's erect penis was standing tall again.
Before she could dodge, Wang Xi pounced on her, pinning her down and penetrating her again.
"You beast! You're never going to stop!" The girl in white shoes, already exhausted, pushed and fought a few times, then resigned herself
to his torment.
Wang Xi thrust his hips forcefully, pumping hard. A large mouth blocked her small mouth as well. Already exhausted,
Little White Shoes was no match for him, constantly trying to escape and pleading. Sweat glistened on her smooth, white flesh. Wang Xi swallowed
hard, pinching her buttocks fiercely, pressing her down even more forcefully, kissing and ravaging her wildly.
Little White Shoes endured the man's lust, pleading intermittently. Her weary and helpless moans only fueled Wang
Xi's frenzy, his penis thrusting in and out, wantonly manipulating and ravaging the jade-like body before him.
Weariness grew heavier and heavier, and she didn't know how much time had passed, only that her legs were limp, allowing him to push and sway them at will
. Sometimes they were pushed to her chest, sometimes spread apart and straightened, and finally, her legs were wrapped around his waist. Little
White Shoes could only moan softly, "Ah—ah—," hoping Wang Xi would finish quickly.
"Damn, this little vixen's body is fucking amazing." Wang Xi suddenly hugged her tightly, biting her full breasts hard
, thrusting vigorously dozens of times, and with a deep, forceful thrust, he let out a howl, a stream of hot fluid spraying straight onto her clitoris.
Struggling to push the man away, Little White Shoes sat up with difficulty, watching the discharge slowly flow out, pinching the man
, "You're having a horny breakdown, so reckless."
Seeing that dawn was breaking outside, Wang Xi, having caught his breath, pulled a bag of silver from his clothes and handed it to Little
White Shoes, "I have to head south early to run some business, I won't be back for a while, take care of yourself."
Taking the silver, she felt its weight, probably no less than a hundred or two taels. A bad feeling crept into Little White Shoes's heart, "Did you get into
some trouble?"
"Nothing, don't overthink it," Wang Xi comforted her.
"Then you should stay home obediently. The world outside is so chaotic. If something bad happens to you, I must have owed you something in my past life.
If you don't mind my tough fate, marry me and settle down. I'll serve you well day and night."
Wang Xi chuckled. "Then just wait and see. I'll go out and make my way in the world. Maybe I can earn you an imperial title
."
Little White Shoes shook her head, her snow-white body resting on his chest, her fingers gently tracing circles on his chest. "Stop talking
nonsense. We're already living a life of luxury and we're still not satisfied. How could a family like ours possibly be able to attain the title of imperial wife?" With a "
smack," a hand slapped onto the snow-white, plump buttocks. Wang Xi retorted, "Why not?
Wasn't Zhu Yuanzhang just a poor beggar monk back then? Why did
he get to rule the country?" The girl in white shoes' almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief at his treasonous words. Just then, a soft laugh was heard outside
: "Slandering the founding emperor is another crime punishable by a thousand cuts."
With a clang, the wooden door swung open, and a dark figure emerged. With a few thuds, it was shot down by several crossbow bolts—
a quilt. Then, the window opened, and Wang Xi leaped naked out of the house.
As soon as he landed, a military officer in brocade robes attacked with a knife. Wang Xi, holding a kang table,
deflected the knife, twisted, and smashed the table onto the officer's back. He then leaped onto the wall, only to see
a flash of silver light before five swords thrusting towards his chest.
Forced into a corner, Wang Xi scrambled down onto the ground, pushed off the wall with his feet, and flipped back into
the courtyard. Exhausted from the exertion of the night, his limbs were weak, and he stumbled upon landing. A figure darted out from the shadows, a scabbard
slashing at his ankle.
Excruciating pain, Wang Xi cried out and collapsed to the ground. A group of Imperial Guards swarmed him, binding him tightly
.
Du Xingye had already sheathed his sword and approached him, sneering, "It's a pity the lord thought so highly of you . You
've cast a wide net at the Nine Gates land and water docks, yet you're hiding in a place like this."
Qian Ning replied with a forced smile, "It's also thanks to your skill, Master Du, that you've managed to pry open those traitors' mouths in such a short time and
traced them all the way here."
Du Xingye's face darkened, showing no sign of smugness, and he said in a low voice, "Take the prisoner to the Northern Garrison."
Watching Du Xingye's retreating figure, Qian Ning spat, "What's with the swagger? Do you think I don't know how you interrogate prisoners?"
"These methods are all ones I've personally learned at the Eastern Depot."
A captain beside him flattered, "Chief Qian, you personally captured this wanted criminal, that's a great achievement, I'm sure Lord Ding
will reward you handsomely."
Qian Ning deliberately sighed, "Lord Ding won't treat us badly, but that scoundrel Baili Ben will cause us
trouble. Alas, who told us to be so devoted to Lord Weng?"
The captain didn't dare to reply, and it was too late to say anything more. Qian Ning rolled his eyes: "Spit it out."
"Chief Qian, what do you think we should do with this little wench—" the captain lewdly said.
Qian Ning turned his head and saw Little White Shoes being dragged out of the house, naked and trembling, her beautiful flesh shaking wildly,
the dark pubic hair between her legs highlighting her fair skin. He chuckled and gestured towards the house, "Have some fun."
"Alright." The group of Imperial Guards lifted Little White Shoes and went inside. Little White Shoes kicked and howled, being
lifted up by four corners like a white sheep, accompanied by bursts of lewd laughter. With a bang, the door slammed shut, a sharp scream
piercing the air, and then silence.
Qian Ning slung his embroidered spring knife over his shoulder, looked at the rising sun breaking through the clouds, gave a cold laugh, and strode away.

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