Chapter 1 The Grandeur of Shaolin and the Delicacy of Gardens

The magnificent Shaolin Temple astonished everyone, but such a vast architectural complex was rarely relatable, as it was beyond the means of anyone present to build independently. Ye Tao's second presentation, however, was a very exquisite garden, one that evoked a sense of longing and moved the hearts of all those present. In the time and space Ye Tao came from, this garden was called the "Wangshi Yuan" (Master of the Nets Garden).

The reason for choosing this garden, which occupied only eight mu (a Chinese unit of area), was also to undermine Yuantong, Luo Qin, Song Yu, and even the entire Chun Nan Kingdom's arrogance. This was a quintessential Jiangnan garden, a small classic presented by someone other than a craftsman from Chun Nan. Wangshi Yuan had a compact layout, exquisite and refined, with a delicate elegance. It successfully employed proportional relationships and contrasting techniques to create a sense of spaciousness in a relatively small space. The refined temperament of this quintessential literati garden made everyone unconsciously want to immerse themselves in it.

The essence of Wangshi Yuan could not be fully described by a simple schematic diagram. Besides the diagram with annotations, Ye Tao also drew several landscape sketches in line drawing. The brick-carved gatehouse of "Zao Yao Gao Xiang" and the small courtyard named "Ming Xuan" (actually named "Dian Chun Yi", the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York built a Chinese-style courtyard in 1981 called "Ming Xuan". The name "Ming Xuan" was chosen for its simplicity and euphony.) with peonies, bamboos, and chrysanthemums, were all incredibly captivating.

After all, the scale of Wangshi Yuan was relatively small. The entire schematic diagram was much simpler than that of Shaolin Temple and was completed in about half an hour. But after finishing Wangshi Yuan and spending so much time drawing the schematics of these two gardens, the surge of boldness that had been stirred up by the alcohol seemed to subside somewhat.

Ye Tao wiped the sweat that had begun to bead on his forehead and exhaled. He signaled Lu Dan to change to another drawing. The earlier statement of drawing thirty gardens to completely subdue Yuantong now seemed beyond his physical endurance. However, now that he had already made such a bold claim, there was no reason to back down, nor could he.

"Young Master," Lu Dan hesitated. Although Ye Tao was only fifteen years old, the vigor and talent he displayed in his words and actions could not be measured by the standards of an ordinary teenager. Although Lu Dan was fond of martial arts and did not quite understand the so-called distinctions among literati, he came from a prominent family and had received considerable education in literature and calligraphy. He could at least appreciate some of the literary talent reflected in the annotations next to the schematic diagrams of the two gardens. He thought that there was no need to continue drawing; the current achievements were more than enough to subdue that silly Yuantong. However, at this point where there was no room for retreat, saying that he was tired and needed to rest would truly be a loss of face. Lu Dan glanced at those other纨绔 (wan ku - playboy sons of high-ranking officials) in the room who had not yet grasped the situation, and followed Ye Tao's instructions to unfold another drawing and clip it onto the table.

"Liyuan Garden" was written at the top of the drawing. Ye Tao naturally wrote another name. After drawing two artificial landscape gardens, he naturally thought of this young garden built on the shores of Wuli Lake. Soon, a rough plan of the garden was already on paper.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps rushing up the stairs echoed, followed by two cries of "Aiyo," "Aiyo," as if Luo Qin and Song Yu's men, who were responsible for welcoming guests at the entrance and also for driving away irrelevant idlers, had been thrown down. Just as everyone was wondering who was making such a commotion at this time, the "culprit" appeared before everyone.

"Greetings, Your Highness Princess," everyone said, bowing to this little mischief-maker, Tan Wei Shi, who did things according to her mood.

Although she was also a princess, Tan Wei Shi was very different from her sister Tan Wei Xin. Although she did not care much about the distinctions of status and loved making friends, easily joining various social circles and playing with everyone, she was incredibly mischievous. On the one hand, Tan Wei Shi was, after all, young and adorable, so even if they ignored her status as a princess, no one would really hold it against her. Moreover, her actual status as a princess was her best protection.

"Sister Wan Wan, didn't you say you were coming to play with me? I waited so long for you, so I had to come find you myself." Tan Wei Shi ignored everyone around her, rushed to Huang Wan's side, and eagerly held Huang Wan's hand, half-complaining and half-coquettishly.

Huang Wan was a little embarrassed and said, pulling Tan Wei Shi, "Today, watching Ye Tao, Young Master Ye, draw the scenes of the gardens, I was so absorbed that I didn't realize how much time had passed."

Although Huang Wan's words were an explanation, they also expressed the sentiments of many people present. In this era, there were not many entertainment options, and gatherings among young people were often troubled by not finding topics or suitable ways to pass the time. However, as long as something truly captivating emerged at a gathering, whether it was a remarkable article or a rare object from a foreign land, everyone would become enthusiastic and immersed in it for a long time. And today, Ye Tao's performance was truly captivating. This young man's demeanor and talent were enough to command everyone's attention and even guide their thoughts, immersing them in one imagination after another with his brush.

Tan Wei Shi pouted and said, "Painting? What did you paint? Let me see."

Lu Dan very consciously and tactfully pieced together two tables, spread the drawings flat on the table, and said very respectfully, "Your Highness Princess, these are the rough sketches of the garden plans."

Tan Wei Shi looked at Lu Dan with some surprise, seeing this "guard" she often saw at Tan Wei Xin's place suddenly appearing in this setting in a different outfit. She immediately asked, "Lu Dan, what are you doing here? Why are you dressed like this?"

Lu Dan bowed and replied plainly, "Your Highness, I am now the butler of Ye Tao, Young Master Ye."

Tan Wei Shi was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, "You haven't resigned from the military, have you? You're taking two salaries, huh? You have to buy me a gift later."

After speaking, Tan Wei Shi turned her head to carefully look at the two schematic diagrams. However, Tan Wei Shi's words entered the ears of everyone around without missing a word. Who was Lu Dan? Everyone knew. They also knew that the reason Lu Dan was mixed up in the princess's mansion as a guard was not because he lacked talent or because his family could not recommend him for officialdom, but simply because he liked martial arts and was young, and his family did not require their children to become officials, so he was happy to be a carefree guard in the princess's mansion. However, Princess Zhaohua, Tan Wei Xin, allowed an active guard to go to Ye Tao's place to be a butler, and this son of a prominent family did not seem to show any dissatisfaction. The inside story here, even if Lu Dan made it clear that he had lost a bet and had no choice but to do so, no one would believe it. Everyone's view of Ye Tao was raised several notches higher in their minds.

As for the schematic diagrams of the gardens, Tan Wei Shi originally just wanted to see what they were, simply out of curiosity, and did not think she could understand them. However, when the line drawings of the individual landscapes of Wangshi Yuan came into view, she really felt like she couldn't tear herself away. Those exquisite details and the leisurely charm revealed in the ordinary were perhaps not what Tan Wei Shi noticed first, but she really thought that this small courtyard was very beautiful.

Tan Wei Shi had already met Ye Tao. She turned her head and asked Ye Tao, who was standing aside with his hands clasped, without any restraint, "Did you draw this?"

Ye Tao replied, "It was indeed drawn by me just now."

"I heard my sister say that you have already built several gardens. Is this drawing a diagram of something that has already been built?" The thought that was moving in Tan Wei Shi's mind at this moment was that if it had really been built, she would definitely have to squeeze money from her sister to buy it.

"No, this is just a garden plan. It's just what's in my mind, not a single brick or tile has been laid." Ye Tao could see that Tan Wei Shi seemed very interested in this garden, so he naturally understood her unspoken intentions.

Sure enough, as expected, Tan Wei Shi nodded in satisfaction. The little princess, not yet ten years old, looked especially cute making an adult-like gesture. "I want this drawing. You come and help me build a garden. Well, come with me now, we'll go find my sister, I'm going to ask her for money."

Tan Wei Shi always said whatever she thought. The unfettered family atmosphere of the Dongping Kingdom, especially the royal family, further indulged this trait of hers. The纨绔 (wan ku - playboy sons of high-ranking officials) who attended, as well as the literati and painters who happened to be there, all wanted to laugh but didn't dare to. Tan Wei Shi would not really retaliate, but if she remembered someone's name, they would inevitably be subjected to a small prank.

Tan Wei Shi didn't plan to ask for Ye Tao's opinion. In her view, Ye Tao should naturally agree. Since Ye Tao was someone her sister, Tan Wei Xin, was optimistic about and had hired into the mansion, given the close relationship between the sisters, Ye Tao was basically equivalent to someone she could command. Tan Wei Shi's logic had always been like this. Moreover, she had vaguely heard her sister say that Ye Tao still owed her a gift.

After all, Tan Wei Shi was from the Dongping royal family and still remembered to pay her respects to the host of the party. After saying a perfunctory, even impolite, farewell to Luo Qin and Song Yu, Tan Wei Shi took Huang Wan by the hand and had Ye Tao follow along. Even more outrageous, the deputy chief steward of the palace who was following Tan Wei Shi, made a preemptive strike, went downstairs and settled the bill for this party on his own, but only sent a guard back to tell everyone after the princess's carriage had left. Luo Qin and Song Yu's faces turned even worse.

Not only did they fail to achieve their goal of winning over the literati of the Dongping Kingdom and establishing a good image of the Chun Nan Kingdom in the Dongping Kingdom, but Luo Qin did not even achieve the minimum task of maintaining the face of the Chun Nan Kingdom. Their attempts to overwhelm a young man in every possible way had turned into such an embarrassing situation. Luo Qin really didn't know how to report back.

In fact, the Chun Nan Kingdom needed cooperation and even an alliance between the two countries far more than Dongping did. The Chun Nan Kingdom, which valued literary pursuits and neglected military affairs, could only strengthen its military power by importing a series of weapons and equipment from the Dongping Kingdom, coordinate with the Dongping Kingdom to defend against the Xiling Kingdom through an alliance treaty, and slow down the expansion and influence of the increasingly powerful Dongping maritime merchants in the entire maritime trade market through Dongping's concessions on tax rates. However, what they saw was that although Dongping was willing to form an alliance with Chun Nan for various reasons, most of the officials and people were not very enthusiastic about this alliance. Where was the problem exactly?