Chapter 37: The Prisoner (Part 2)

Zheng Yuanshou is getting a promotion?

Zheng Yanqing was quite surprised upon hearing this news.

It seemed that Zheng Yuanshou was planning to get on Zheng Renji's good side. There had been no prior hint of this whatsoever, which meant it had been kept under wraps by him.

Yongan Commandery was located in present-day Huo County, Shanxi Province. It was established during the Northern Wei dynasty, but the commandery system was abolished in the early Kaihuang era, renaming the place Huoyi. In the third year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui abolished the prefecture-county system and reinstated the commandery-county system, allowing the name Yongan Commandery to be used once again.

Its jurisdiction encompassed modern-day Huo County and Hongtong County, serving as a vital thoroughfare connecting Taiyuan to Guanzhong.

This showed that although Emperor Yang of Sui was not entirely satisfied with Zheng Shanyuan, he was basically quite pleased with Zheng Yuanshou.

What Zheng Renji said was true; Zheng Weishen possessed formidable martial arts skills, and it would be somewhat of a waste for him to remain in Luoyang.

It would be much better for him to accompany Zheng Yuanshou to Yongan, where he could at least secure an official reputation and career. This would be immensely beneficial to both Zheng Weishen and the Second Branch.

"In that case, this old man will not put on false modesty. While I am still capable of working, I shall contribute once more to our Anyuan Hall."

Zheng Shian readily agreed.

He knew when to be modest and when not to step aside out of modesty.

Excessive modesty would only lead Zheng Renji to suspect that he harbored ulterior motives. Agreeing readily, on the other hand, would set Zheng Renji's mind at ease. This old man's grasp of human psychology could be described as having reached perfection. Sure enough, Zheng Renji smiled...

"Brother Yanqing, are you returning to Luoyang?"

Zheng Hongyi asked reluctantly, pulling on Zheng Yanqing's sleeve and speaking in a soft voice, "Why won't you stay here... I am so bored. Big Brother Xu is not here, and neither are you. There is no one to play with me or tell me stories."

Zheng Yanqing embraced Zheng Hongyi and spoke softly, "A good man has ambitions across the four seas. Hongyi, you are no longer a child; you should learn to help your uncle share his worries. I am very glad that you secretly sent someone to inform me this time. Even though I will be in Luoyang, I will keep an eye on you... Do not play around all day long, and do not let your studies fall behind. I heard that Master Yan is returning soon. If he finds out that you have neglected your studies, you will inevitably receive a scolding. How about this? Whenever Big Brother Xu and I have free time, we will often come back to visit you."

Only then did Zheng Hongyi reveal a smile.

Saying one wanted to leave was one thing, but departing immediately was not so simple.

With Zheng Shian now holding the position of Clan Elder, his status and prestige skyrocketed, and naturally, the matters he had to handle multiplied as well.

Upon hearing that Zheng Weishen was about to embark on an official career, Zheng Zusheng and his brothers of the Second Branch were overjoyed.

Especially Zheng Zuxing, as Zheng Weishen was his own flesh and blood. Now that his son had achieved success, he, as a father, was naturally thrilled. Therefore, he repeatedly invited Zheng Shian to banquets to express his gratitude. In Zheng Zuxing's view, Zheng Weishen's success was not due to Zheng Renji, but rather thanks to the fortune of Zheng Shian and his grandson, which made him feel even more warmly toward Zheng Shian.

Naturally, Zheng Shian could no longer live in his former dwelling.

As a Clan Elder, living in such a shabby residence would be a disgrace to the Zheng family's reputation, wouldn't it?

Therefore, after consulting with each other, Zheng Renji and the others broke ground on the shores of Donglin Lake to construct a grand mansion.

It covered an area of about a hundred qing (approx. 150 acres), and this was only after Zheng Shian repeatedly asked to downsize it to that extent.

The estate featured front, middle, and rear courtyards, with courtyards nested within courtyards and winding paths leading to secluded spots. Directly bordering Donglin Lake was the rear residential garden.

There were rockeries, flowing streams, pavilions, and storied buildings.

When Zheng Shian saw the architectural blueprints, he was filled with deep emotion.

When could he have ever imagined that he would experience such a glorious day? The location was superb. Standing on the pavilion, one could listen to the Zen bells and Sanskrit chants of Donglin Temple while admiring the sparkling, ripples of the clear lake water. There was also a cherry orchard by the lake; when idle, gathering with three or five close friends to share wine and cheerful conversation would indeed be an exceptionally fine place...

Zheng Yanqing, however, felt nothing special about this. His current focus was on Shen Guang's injuries.

Following his battle with the Wild Lion of the Western Regions, Shen Guang's arm meridians had suffered damage. The doctor said that without a hundred days or so of recuperation, it probably wouldn't heal properly. Moreover, the recovery process required many precious medicinal ingredients, the cost of which alone was staggering.

Fortunately, Zheng Yanqing was not short of money nowadays, so he hesitated not at all and had the doctor prepare the medicinal formula.

Shen Guang was secretly moved in his heart: this young master was not only exceptionally talented and extraordinarily wise, but also extremely kind to people.

Ever since the failure of Prince Han, Yang Liang, Shen Guang had drifted from place to place.

He had seen quite a few capable heroes with impressive martial arts skills who, after being injured, were abandoned by their masters and ended up in bleak desolation.

In contrast, his own luck was truly good.

A good master, and a good master with a boundless future... Shen Guang began to calculate in his heart.

"Doctor, is this prescription really effective?"

Zheng Yanqing held a yellowish medical formula and asked doubtfully.

The physician who came to treat Shen Guang was over sixty years old. He spoke softly, "Young Master, rest assured, this prescription is definitely effective.

Do you know Shaolin Temple?

When the warrior monks there suffer meridian injuries, they use this formula to prepare medicine and clear the meridians. To be frank with you, this prescription was given to me by a cousin of mine. He became a monk at Shaolin Temple at the age of seven, studied under Master Sengcan, and is currently practicing at Zhengjue Temple on Potian Mountain in Huangmei. He secretly handed this prescription to me just before he went off to study with Master Sengcan."

Studying under Master Sengcan?

Could it be the Third Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Master Sengcan?

Zheng Yanqing shivered involuntarily and looked at the physician in astonishment, "May I ask what Buddhist name your cousin holds?"

"Oh, when he took monastic vows at the age of seven, he received the Dharma name Daoxin at Shaolin Temple.

Later, when he became a disciple of Master Sengcan, he continued to be called by that name. My cousin's original surname was Sima, so some people also call him Sima Daoxin."

The Fourth Patriarch, Daoxin?

Zheng Yanqing was truly shocked this time!

Turns out, famous historical figures were everywhere... Sima Daoxin was actually the cousin of the physician before him?

In his past life, there were many Buddhists who deceived the world for personal fame, and the original intent of Buddhism had also become unrecognizable with the passage of time.

Shaolin Temple—how could he have forgotten about Shaolin Temple?

In later generations, Shaolin Temple could hardly be considered a pure Buddhist sanctuary anymore; it had become a tool for a bunch of monks to make money. Shaolin Temple was not too far from Xingyang, but since no one had mentioned it earlier, Yanqing had almost forgotten about this place, or rather, he had instinctively cast it aside simply because the impression left by Shaolin Temple in his past life was truly terrible.

But now...

The story of the Thirteen Staff-Wearing Monks saving the Tang Emperor had not yet happened, and Shaolin Temple's fame was far less resounding than it would be in later generations.

On the contrary, Luoyang's White Horse Temple and Xiangshan Temple, as well as Xingyang's Donglin Temple, were far more famous than Shaolin Temple.

He looked at the prescription in his hand and believed it eight tenths.

One might say that those monks in later generations resorted to fraud and deception, but the prescription passed down by Master Daoxin was trustworthy.

Yanqing paid a hundred strings of copper coins to buy the prescription.

After sending the physician away, he immediately sent Mao Xiaonian to the pharmacy to gather the herbs according to the prescription. Then he personally decocted the medicine for Shen Guang. For an entire afternoon, he boiled a bucket of water down to a basin's worth, and then helped Shen Guang over.

Immersing his arm in the hot medicinal broth felt searingly painful, causing excruciating agony.

Yet Shen Guang felt deeply grateful in his heart—grateful to Yanqing for sparing no expense, and even more grateful to Yanqing for personally brewing the medicine for him.

It was just that Shen Guang was not good at expressing his emotions, so he buried this gratitude deep within his heart.

That night, Yanqing tended to Shen Guang until he fell asleep and was preparing to return to his room when he was called over by Zheng Shian.

"Yanqing, matters here are almost settled. You should pick a date and return to Luoyang as soon as possible."

Zheng Yanqing was startled, "Grandfather, are you not returning?"

"Of course I am returning... It's just that with the construction of the houses here, someone needs to keep an eye on things. However, it won't take too long. Once everything is on track, I can head over. Probably half a month; half a month from now, I will return to Luoyang."

Zheng Yanqing thought for a moment and nodded gently.

Although Zheng Shian was now a Clan Elder, some of his habits could not be changed.

Breaking ground for the construction of a house was a major event. Although Zheng Shian didn't need to supervise the entire process, he had to be present for the groundbreaking ceremony. Because this was a joyous occasion, and for ordinary people, it was even a monumental milestone of a lifetime.

"Since that is the case, I will set off the day after tomorrow."

Yanqing suddenly asked, "Grandfather, when you take over the businesses in Luoyang, will you be able to manage them alone? You must have a helper."

"Oh, I discussed this matter with the Eldest Young Master... Renji, but finding a suitable candidate all at once is not so easy. The various branches do have a few candidates, but after much thought, none of them are truly suitable. As you know, the Zheng family currently lacks usable talent, and among the third generation, most are idle loafers. If they went to Luoyang, they would only cause trouble."

Zheng Yanqing was also a member of the third-generation clan.

Both Yanqing and Zheng Hongyi belonged to the younger end of the third generation.

However, there were also older ones; third-generation descendants in their twenties and thirties were quite numerous, but most of them could not amount to much.

"Then what should we do?"

"Renji did mention a candidate, but it's not very safe."

"Who?"

"Yanqing, do you remember five years ago when the Second Master—no, when the Second Brother returned from Taiyuan and brought someone with him?"

Zheng Yanqing was startled at first, then let out a cry of surprise and spoke softly, "Could it be that Wang Jingwen?"

How could he not remember this matter? It was precisely because of this affair that Duo Duo and Mother Xu had been forced to leave Xingyang. Moreover, that was the first time in his life, and also the only time, he had killed a man. What was the name of the person who died at his hands again?

Zheng Yanqing could no longer remember the name of the fellow he had killed; he only vaguely remembered that the man's surname was Pei, and he seemed to belong to the Hedong Pei clan. However, his status probably hadn't been very high; otherwise, with him disappearing for so long, there wouldn't have been zero reaction at all.

Zheng Shian said, "That person's name is Wang Kui, but he currently goes by the name Wang Jingwen."

"The Eldest Master didn't kill him?"

Zheng Shian shook his head. "Initially, the Eldest Master intended to use him to stabilize Prince Han, which is why he kept him alive. Later, he discovered that this Wang Jingwen truly possessed genuine talent and practical knowledge. After His Majesty ascended the throne, Wang Jingwen once advised the Eldest Master not to tie himself too closely to the Duke of Chu. But the Eldest Master refused to listen... Afterward, the Eldest Master kept him hidden away.

When the Duke of Chu was still alive, he inquired about this person, but the Eldest Master claimed he had already killed him.

Later, after the Duke of Chu died, no one else in the imperial court ever asked about him again. Renji says this person is quite capable, resourceful, and possesses considerable insight. He is only worried that if he is taken to Luoyang, he might be recognized and cause massive trouble.

I have also been hesitating these past few days whether to take this person or not.

On one hand, I need someone to assist me and offer strategies and advice; but on the other hand, it poses a huge risk."

"The Eldest Young Master's stance is..."

"The Eldest Young Master is also conflicted about him: on one hand, he wants to use him, but on the other, he dares not use him. As for me, I am also worried whether he will truly help us from the heart."

Zheng Yanqing was equally hesitant.

Bringing Wang Jingwen back to Luoyang carried too high a risk, and Zheng Yanqing was unwilling to take that gamble; but if he were left in Xingyang, or put to death, it seemed somewhat regrettable. After all, capable talent was hard to come by; a person praised by Zheng Dashi, even relied upon by Prince Han and remembered by Yang Su, was definitely no ordinary individual. He couldn't be used safely, yet killing him felt extremely wasteful.

Zheng Yanqing pondered for a long time before his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Grandfather, I have an idea."

"Oh?"

Zheng Yanqing leaned close to Zheng Shian's ear and whispered for a good long while. "Teacher is currently in a bitter, desolate place and also needs someone to lend a hand. Since this Wang Jingwen cannot see the light of day, we might as well gift him to Teacher. At least that way, there will be an extra layer of safety.

In truth, keeping Wang Jingwen in Xingyang is not a long-term solution either.

After all, there are numerous travelers passing through this place. Should someone accidentally spot a flaw one day, it could invite disaster. Therefore, sending him to Tongwan Town is the best course of action... I can write a letter to seek Teacher's opinion before making a final decision."

Others might be afraid of being implicated, but Li Ji probably wouldn't care.

Zheng Yanqing figured that Li Ji could handle Wang Kui. He might even be able to turn him into an assistant for Li Ji.

If that happened, Li Ji's position within the Li Tang dynasty would become even more secure, and he might even forge an alliance with the Bachen Wang clan.

This would simultaneously solve Anyuan Hall's future worries and preserve a talented individual.

Furthermore, it would add an assistant for Li Ji, and most importantly, it would prove immensely beneficial to his own future prospects. Killing several birds with one stone—why not do it?

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shian nodded repeatedly.

"Since that is the case, I will leave this matter to you to handle.

However, it needs to be resolved as soon as possible. I will linger here to build a rapport and get on closer terms with that Wang Jingwen. Once there is a reply from your Teacher's side, I will immediately order someone to escort him over... Only, this way, I might return even later.

And another thing, Wang Jingwen's affair is settled, but our own family matters still have no resolution."

Hearing this, Zheng Yanqing could not help but smile awkwardly.

Indeed, being preoccupied with solving Wang Jingwen's problem, what should they do about their own household affairs?

"Grandfather, why don't we put this matter aside for now and let the search for a helper happen naturally. If all else fails, we can simply look for one once we reach Luoyang.

After all, there are plenty of people in Luoyang, and quite a few who want to latch onto our Zheng family's banner. We can pick and choose at leisure."

"In that case, let's do as you say."

The matter of selecting literary aides was not truly crucial at the moment anyway.

Over the next two days, Zheng Yanqing accompanied Zheng Shian to visit the heads of the various branches before preparing to return to Luoyang. However, this time the momentum and scale of their departure were vastly different from when they had arrived. With Zheng Shian now a Clan Elder, the retinue of retainers and servants could naturally not be lacking.

Aside from leaving a portion behind to guard the Xingyang residence, Yanqing had to take some along as well.

Zheng Yanqing didn't want to make such a fuss, but Zheng Shian would not hear of it. Not only Zheng Shian disagreed, but including Zheng Renji, many others disagreed as well. Four years ago, Zheng Yanqing and his grandfather had departed lightly with only modest renown.

Now, Yanqing was already a dignified Yunqiwei, enjoying a resounding reputation among the literati.

A necessary display of pomp and circumstance was an absolute must!

Therefore, Zheng Renji selected ten clan warriors from Anyuan Hall to accompany Zheng Yanqing back to Luoyang. For these ten warriors, they also hoped to secure a bright future by following Zheng Yanqing. At the same time, Zheng Yuanshou sent five wrestling athletes, all robust soldiers selected from the Right Wuhou Guards, to serve as Zheng Yanqing's bodyguards.

Added to them were Pei Zi, the three Dang brothers, Shen Guang,

and Mao Xiaonian, whom Zheng Shian had assigned to stay by Zheng Yanqing's side...

The return procession grew to over twenty people, complete with three or five carriages, and departed from Xingyang on a bright, sunny morning.

"Has that brat left?"

In the Xingyang restaurant, Zheng Shize slammed his wine cup down onto the food table with a sharp crash.

With a ferocious and terrifying expression, he asked through gritted teeth, "Has contact been made with the Twin Snakes of Shouyang Mountain?"

"Reporting to Second Master, contact has already been made.

The Twin Snakes said that as soon as he passes through their territory, they will handle the job impeccably. Only, the price will have to be raised somewhat."

"Send word to the Twin Snakes immediately: money is no object, I want that brat's life...

Zheng Shian, you old eunuch, you usurped my position as Clan Elder. Heh, this time I will make sure your ancestral line is cut off!"