Chapter Four: The So-Called Celestial Empire, Part One

Zheng Renji was the prefectural granary and treasury officer of Luzhou, in charge of grain, wealth, and supplies.

Now that Luzhou had come under the jurisdiction of the Henan Intendant, Zheng Renji’s rank and authority had not changed much.

Since Luoyang was governed by the Henan Intendant, Zheng Renji could certainly still put in a word.

Three years ago, after Zheng Renji had spoken up for Zheng Yanqing outside the General’s Hall, the relationship between Bamboo Garden and the Zheng residence in Luoyang had clearly improved. Though on the surface the two sides still behaved as if they had nothing to do with one another, in private Xu Shiji and Zheng Hongyi often came over to play, which was enough to show Zheng Renji’s attitude.

After all, they were young gentlemen; face mattered.

Strictly speaking, it should have been Zheng Shian who went to the Zheng residence to gather information. But Zheng Shian also knew that Zheng Renji was not especially fond of him. Rather than running over only to meet cold indifference, it would be better to have Yanqing handle it, which would be easier.

In any case, Zheng Renji truly did value Yanqing’s talent.

Zheng Yanqing agreed at once and had Mao Wang bring the horse around.

It was White Dragon, fitted with silver tack that Xue Ju had someone bring back from the Western Regions. White horse and silver saddle made a fine match.

Yanqing put his foot in the stirrup, swung himself into the saddle, and rode off toward Luoyang.

With the new Luocheng completed, the distance from Bamboo Garden had been shortened considerably. In no time at all, Yanqing arrived outside Long Summer Gate in Luoyang. The gate guards stepped forward to block him, preparing to inspect his identity. Unexpectedly, the gate sergeant came up, shoved the soldier aside, and said with a broad smile, “Young Master Zheng, are you heading into the city?”

Zheng Yanqing quickly clasped his hands from horseback. “Old guard, do you need me to dismount for inspection?”

“Heh heh, no need, no need.” The sergeant waved him through with a smile. “Others naturally have to be checked, but for Young Master Zheng, what inspection is there to perform? Please, enter the city.”

Yanqing saluted again, then urged his horse through the gate.

“Old guard, who was that man?” a younger soldier asked.

The sergeant said, “You all recite his writings every day, and yet when you see him in person, you still block his way?”

“You mean...”

The sergeant chuckled. “The one who just passed by was Half-Fated Lord. I used to see him often three years ago, but in the past few years he has rarely come out. Since the new Luoyang City was completed, he has only come by two or three times. Just as polite as ever.”

The soldier could not help saying, “We have long heard that Half-Fated Lord is a rare genius, and still young. Seeing him today, it truly is so. He looks only fourteen or fifteen. How could he possess such astonishing literary talent?”

“Fourteen or fifteen? He’s only twelve or thirteen, at most!”

The old sergeant seemed to grow interested. “Back when he answered Wang Tong, he was even younger. At that time, his talent...”

Whatever the scholar-officials thought of Yanqing, in the eyes of these ordinary gate soldiers and old guards, Half-Fated Lord was still a man of extraordinary brilliance. A talent gone dry? If his talent had truly run dry, how could he have written such a captivating story as Records of the Three Kingdoms?

For ordinary folk, Yanqing’s Records of the Three Kingdoms was undoubtedly a hundred times stronger than Yan Shigu’s Annotations on the Three Kingdoms. The reason was simple: the story was clear in its structure and absorbing in its telling. Compared with the annals and genealogies and such found in the annotations, it was far easier for people to accept. Perhaps in scholarly circles Records of the Three Kingdoms counted as coarse, vulgar street writing, but the common people liked it, and that was enough.

The Zheng family residence stood in Zhengsu Ward, the second ward east of Long Summer Gate Street, entered through Long Summer Gate.

Zheng Yanqing went straight through the main gate of Zhengsu Ward and followed the long eastward street through the ward until he reached the Zheng residence.

A covered oil-topped carriage was parked outside the Zheng house. Zheng Hongyi had just come out of the main gate with a little girl of three or four.

“Brother Yanqing!”

Seeing Zheng Yanqing, Zheng Hongyi was very surprised.

As he grew older, he had gradually come to understand a little of the grievances between Zheng Yanqing and his own family. Since Yanqing had settled in the Bamboo Garden at Longmen, he had never once come to the Zheng residence. So Zheng Hongyi was naturally astonished by his sudden arrival today.

“Master Hongyi.”

Zheng Yanqing reined in his horse and dismounted.

Lady Cui and two young married women were just coming out of the residence. When she saw Zheng Yanqing, Lady Cui clearly froze, embarrassment showing on her face. She seemed unable to move forward, as if she wanted to avoid him; yet she could not quite retreat, and did not know how to begin. Once upon a time she had schemed every way she could to deal with Yanqing, but now Zheng Yanqing was no longer someone she could shake.

Holding the reins in one hand, Zheng Yanqing cupped his hands to Lady Cui and bowed. “Aunt, your nephew has come to pay his respects.”

In terms of generation, Zheng Renji counted as Yanqing’s uncle, so this address was not out of line. Lady Cui’s expression immediately softened, and a trace of a smile appeared. “Yanqing has come... are you here to see Hongyi and Shiji?”

“Oh... Your nephew has come today to pay a visit to Uncle on some business.”

“So that’s it. He’s at home. Hongyi, take Yanqing to see your father. You need not accompany me to White Horse Temple.”

Zheng Hongyi was probably not eager to go to White Horse Temple in the first place, and hurriedly agreed.

A servant from the Zheng residence came over to take Zheng Yanqing’s horse. Yanqing patted White Dragon on the head, then entered the residence with Zheng Hongyi.

“Sister, who was that young fellow just now? I’ve never seen him in your house before.”

For some reason, Lady Cui lifted her chin, smiled, and said, “Oh, that was Zheng Yanqing, my husband’s clan nephew.”

“Zheng Yanqing?” one of the women clearly knew the name. “He is Half-Fated Lord?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh my, I never thought I would meet Half-Fated Lord here... How hateful, how vexing!”

After the new Luoyang City was built, the families of many nobles and high officials from Chang’an had moved to Luoyang one after another. Yet by the time they arrived, Zheng Yanqing had already shut his doors to guests and rarely appeared in public. As a result, many people knew the name Half-Fated Lord, but had never had the chance to see him.

Even when some powerful and influential figures wanted to force the issue, Pei Shiju had once said in private: Half-Fated Lord wishes to devote himself to study, and that is a good thing. I ask you all not to become the father in the story of Precocious Genius.

In the tale of Precocious Genius, the father was greedy for wealth and prevented his son from studying.

Pei Shiju’s meaning was perfectly clear: do not disturb Half-Fated Lord. Let him study in peace and read in peace, so that in the future he does not fade into obscurity among ordinary men.

Since Yang Guang ascended the throne, Pei Shiju’s power had grown greater by the day.

In the second year of the Daye reign, he was dispatched to the Western Regions as a Palace Attendant Gentleman, and after writing a three-volume Record of the Western Regions, dividing and drawing together the states of the Western Regions, he was ennobled by Yang Guang as a Grand Master of the Imperial Household and put in charge of the affairs of the palace and secretariat, his authority growing heavier and heavier. Still, Pei Shiju knew how to conduct himself; he accepted no bribes and kept himself unsullied. Yang Su’s sons and grandsons were all given titles or entrusted with power.

Pei Shiju had four sons, and the highest-ranking among them was only a sixth-rank official.

In that respect, Pei Shiju was more adept than Yang Su at navigating the world. He did not usually speak harshly, but once he did, all the civil and military officials in court had to think carefully. Otherwise, Yanqing would never have so easily enjoyed his peace.

The harder a man was to meet, the more curious people became...

Over time, this Half-Fated Lord had become a topic frequently discussed in many noble households.

Seeing the two women look so envious, Lady Cui’s mood greatly improved. “We’ll go to White Horse Temple first. When the chance comes, I’ll have him write you both a couple of pieces of calligraphy.”

“That would be splendid, splendid indeed. Then we shall have to trouble you, sister.”

Lady Cui picked up her daughter and climbed into the carriage. Yanqing and Zheng Hongyi headed toward the rear courtyard, passed through the corridor beside the main hall, and soon reached the door to Zheng Renji’s study.

“Father, Brother Yanqing asks to see you.”

The day before, Zheng Renji had happened to attend a drinking gathering and had gotten a little too high-spirited. He was now sitting in his study, rubbing his temples.

“Which Brother Yanqing?”

Zheng Renji was still groggy and had not yet reacted.

“The Brother Yanqing from Bamboo Garden!”

Zheng Yanqing also hurried forward. “Your nephew has come uninvited; I ask Uncle not to take offense.”

“Ah, Zheng Yanqing?”

Zheng Renji suddenly woke up. He stood and walked to the door, opening it and looking outside.

To be honest, it had been a long time since he had last seen Zheng Yanqing. Since the matter with Wang Tong, he had only met him once in Yingyang last year after Zheng Dashi fell ill. That time, Zheng Dashi had sent men to invite Grandfather Zheng Shian and his grandson to Yingyang.

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