A fierce battle of water and fire concluded with a masterful piece of ceremonial prose.
Both Yan Song's faction, his son included, and Xu Gaozhang felt a sense of amusement. An unexpected master of ceremonial prose had appeared, one who so pleased the Emperor…
After the court session, Jiajing immediately summoned Lu Fang.
“Lu Fang, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate. This writer of ceremonial prose is a talent, I want to know his background… Also… you understand my meaning. Go…”
Jiajing was always a man of few words and strong resolve.
Lu Fang, having served Jiajing for forty years, understood perfectly. The Emperor hadn’t spoken his mind directly, but his intention was crystal clear – Yan Song and his son must not harm this person!
Leaving the Yuxi Palace and arriving at the Western Garden's duty room, he immediately summoned Wu Feng, the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Thirteen Protectors, and gave him instructions. He then added a reminder, “Do the job with the utmost meticulousness…”
…
In the Hanlin Academy,
Gao Gong was laughing heartily, while Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng felt a lingering apprehension.
Li Qingyuan, a Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, had already found out: only one person had entered and exited the Hall of Classics yesterday. He was a young attendant named Zhu Mo. Several academicians had already gone to his residence on the back street to question him.
Zhang Juzheng, however, was worried. The Hanlin attendant he had casually fabricated could only temporarily silence the Yan faction. If the Yan faction pressed their advantage, it would be difficult to handle. Therefore, it was imperative to solidify this matter first: if he was to be an attendant, he must truly be an attendant!
Being a man of action, he immediately picked up paper and brush to write an appointment letter, asking, “What is that person’s name?”
“Reporting to Scholar Zhang, that person’s name is Zhu Mo. The Zhu from the Great Ming, and the Mo from ink and brush.”
Mmm,
Zhang Juzheng casually wrote at the top of the letter—
“To Mr. Zhu Mo: The ancients said that in literature there is no number one, yet today we suddenly realize this is untrue. Your great work, divinely inspired and nearing the realm of creation, makes us and the Grand Secretaries feel that such writing has not been seen in three hundred years…”
…
Similarly,
In Yan Song’s residence.
The Yan faction was in a noisy uproar.
Yan Shifan shouted, “Damn it! I don’t believe they could write this! Old Luo, Mao Qing, quickly send people to investigate and find this person!”
Luo Longwen, who was always meticulous, now wanted to hear his elder’s words and remained standing still.
Yan Shifan cursed, “Old Luo, why aren’t you going?”
Yan Song slammed his teacup onto the table and roared, “Shifan! What’s the rush? Are you going to investigate so openly? Investigating someone the Emperor favors? … Haven’t you used your brain at all?”
Only then did Yan Shifan calm down. He sat down with a thump and pondered for a moment before saying, “That’s right, Old Luo, this matter must be investigated secretly, without making a fuss. Let’s see after we’ve clarified the facts… In any case, we must get him into our hands as soon as possible!”
The Yan faction did as they said, immediately ordering the Ministry of Justice to dispatch personnel. They were to monitor the Hanlin Academy and set up eyes and ears around Xu Gaozhang’s three households, waiting to reel in the big fish behind the scenes.
…
At this time,
Zhu Mo was not at his residence on the back street of the Hanlin Academy. He had already packed his bags last night and was about to leave Zhengyang Gate.
It was already noon, and the bustling crowds near the city gate were gradually dispersing. The setting sun hung on the city wall, lending a tragic aura.
“Bye-bye, I’m done with this. I’m going to do business in Nanyang… Silk, tea, porcelain, whatever it is, I can surely become a wealthy man!”
Muttering to himself for a while, he mustered his courage and strode out of Zhengyang Gate.
And at that very moment,
A voice called from behind him: “Young Master Zhu, please wait!”
Zhu Mo turned around and saw two middle-aged men dressed as household retainers. They looked strong and burly, both with arrogant expressions, and about a dozen thugs followed not far behind them.
“Young Master Zhu, please come with us!”
Seeing their domineering demeanor, Zhu Mo guessed they were confidants from some powerful official’s household, accustomed to bullying others and speaking with overbearing arrogance. He naturally showed no pleasant expression, saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t know you two!”
The eyes of the two retainers immediately blazed with anger. The胖 fellow on the left snorted and said, “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! In this city of Beijing, those who show us a bad face do not end up well! We advise you to be careful!”
Zhu Mo vaguely guessed something and asked, “Oh? How did I offend the two of you? And where are you taking me?”
“Hmph! Don’t you have any idea of what you’ve done? You impersonated a Hanlin scholar and wrote some damn ceremonial prose, committing the crime of deceiving the emperor! My master is willing to save your life, so if you’re sensible, come with us now!”
Hiss!
Zhu Mo immediately realized: they had presented the ceremonial prose? It seemed he had caused a big mess! Were these two Yan family thugs?
Seeing their aggressive posture, Zhu Mo instantly felt regret: why did I have to show off my writing?
Just then, a round-faced胖 man walking by the street suddenly approached with a smile, cupped his fists, and said to the two retainers, “Two gentlemen, I know this young master, you two must have misunderstood!”
“Misunderstood my foot! Get lost, I advise you not to meddle in other people’s business!”
Facing the two retainers and the group of thugs behind them, the round-faced胖 man was not the least bit flustered. He smiled slyly and said, “I’m idle today, and I was just looking for something to manage, heh heh heh…”
“What?”
The two thugs immediately became furious: How dare he meddle in the Yan family’s affairs?
Without a word, they waved their hands, and over a dozen people immediately surrounded the round-faced胖 man, shouting sternly, “How dare you! Have you eaten the gall of a bear? Do you know who we are?”
The round-faced胖 man remained unconcerned. He only looked at Zhu Mo for a moment, then turned around, slid a plaque out of his sleeve, showed it to the two Yan family retainers, and then quickly put it away.
Since his back was to him, Zhu Mo saw nothing. He only noticed that the two retainers instantly deflated, their faces filled with a very difficult and indignant expression.
The two men whispered to each other for a moment, cupped their fists to the round-faced胖 man, glared fiercely at Zhu Mo, and then turned to leave.
Zhu Mo was greatly perplexed. Just as he was about to ask the round-faced胖 man, he saw the latter also bow slightly, make a gesture of respect, and turn to leave. But as he took half a step, he suddenly turned back, his face filled with a friendly and sincere smile. He lowered his voice and said, “Young Master, if anyone asks anything, please remember: absolutely do not answer! Otherwise, you might bring trouble upon yourself. Remember, remember…”
Zhu Mo was stunned for a moment. He felt that these words were particularly serious, but they didn’t seem malicious… He quickly asked, “May I ask your esteemed name, and why you saved me?”
The胖 man thought for a moment and then smiled, “My name is Wu Feng. A Taoist priest asked me to come and look after you… We’ll meet again.”
Before he finished speaking, the胖 man turned and left.
Zhu Mo gave a wry smile: Why is everything so strange today?
Taoist priest?
It couldn't be Master Pu Qing; he didn't know anyone so formidable… Who could it be? Could it be the Blue Immortal that Master had mentioned?
The two retainers and the round-faced胖 man earlier were clearly not ordinary people. It seemed that the last scroll of ceremonial prose had indeed caused a major problem.
“Since I’ve caused trouble, I should leave quickly… I’ll go to Hangzhou first, then find a ship to Nanyang and see what good business I can do…”
Just as he was about to stride out of the city gate, someone rushed over from behind. It was Wang Yong, a Reader of the Hanlin Academy, who was usually a very kind person and had no airs with his subordinates.
He was panting, out of breath, and shouted, “Zhu Mo, don’t go yet! Elder Xu wants to see you! Come back with me quickly, I’ve been looking for you all day!”
“The ceremonial prose you wrote is truly a salvation! Our Hanlin Academy colleagues almost fell today, all thanks to your scroll! Alas, I never imagined your ceremonial prose would be so good! It’s simply stunning!”
Zhu Mo was instantly stunned: Elder Xu?
Since it was Xu Jie saying this, there should be no immediate danger. Even if he wanted to leave, informing him would be safer.