The passenger boat had just docked at the Shengjing pier when Tang Shen, still inside the cabin, heard the bustling sounds of people and carriages. Yao San picked up three chests and, together with Tang Shen, left the cabin. Upon stepping outside, Yao San looked at the scene before him, stunned in place, and exclaimed after a long pause, “This, this is Shengjing?”

Even Tang Shen, who had seen the prosperous cities of later generations, was momentarily taken aback before saying, “This is Shengjing!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Heavenly jade capital in the sky, five cities and twelve towers. Carriages and people bustling, pavilions and palaces clustered.

After disembarking, Yao San found a donkey carriage to take them to a nearby middleman agency. The roads in Shengjing were exceptionally wide, allowing eight carriages to travel side by side from the pier to the market district! Although it was March and Shengjing had not fully entered spring, the streets were crowded with pedestrians, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares never ceased. There were two-story buildings, three-story buildings, and Yao San, lifting the curtain of the carriage, was amazed to see a four-story building.

The carriage driver chuckled and said, “You two don’t sound like you’re from Shengjing. Are you from the south?”

“We’re from Gusu Prefecture,” Yao San replied. “What place is this with a four-story building?”

The driver proudly answered, “This is our Shengjing’s largest restaurant, called Qianli Tower.”

Tang Shen mused, “Qianli Tower? Is it named after the line ‘to see a thousand miles, go up one more story’?”

The driver said, “You guessed it right. Little gongzi must be a scholar.”

The driver took them to the middleman agency. Although Shengjing was wealthy and the cost of living was high, Tang Shen was not short of money. With sufficient funds, things were easier than when he had first arrived in Gusu with limited means. Tang Shen had the agent find a spacious house in a good location, renting it for five taels of silver a month.

Yao San was a bit distressed, “What kind of house costs five taels of silver?”

Tang Shen pondered, “Brother Yao, why don’t we buy a house?”

Yao San’s eyes widened, “Little boss, the agent said this house alone would cost four hundred taels of silver to buy!”

Tang Shen thought for a moment, “That’s true. If I rank in the top three in the palace examination, I’ll be granted an imperial residence. No need to rush to buy a house.”

Yao San: “…”

He felt like he didn’t quite understand what the little boss was saying.

No, the little boss will surely rank in the top three!

… Probably.

Yao San busied himself cleaning the house and buying some necessities.

That evening, Tang Shen groomed himself carefully. He took his calling card and Liang Song’s letter to the Fu Residence. Fu Xiru’s reputation was also prominent in Shengjing, and Tang Shen easily found the place by asking a few people. However, this time he didn’t visit directly but handed over his calling card along with Liang Song’s handwritten letter.

“I am Tang Shen, Tang Jingze, from Gusu Prefecture. I will visit Fu daren tomorrow.”

The doorman accepted the name card, and Tang Shen turned and left.

The next day, Tang Shen got up early and washed himself thoroughly. Since Aunt Yao was not around, he could only use a silk band to tie his long hair at the back of his head. He took out the Gusu style embroidered robe he had brought specifically and carried Gusu specialty pastries, a box of original soap, scented soap, and essential oils. Tang Shen and Yao San then headed to the Fu Residence.

The doorman knew he was coming and welcomed him in. “Tang gongzi, please come in. Daren has been waiting for a long time.”

Tang Shen slightly bowed, “I made daren wait for so long; I am late.”

Seeing Tang Shen dressed in brocade and jade, appearing polite and dignified, the doorman had a good impression of him and said, “Tang gongzi, you are too considerate. Daren habitually gets up before dawn every day to feed the birds and water the flowers. He is now reading in his study.”

The doorman led Tang Shen to the study and knocked on the door. Before he could speak, he heard a displeased voice inside.

“You little rascal, I asked you to find a book for me, and here you are being lazy. You deserve a beating, don’t you?”

Immediately followed by a boy’s aggrieved voice, “Sir, you were just sleeping. While you slept, I went to find the book. When I returned, you were still sleeping. I looked at you and became sleepy too, yet you’re blaming me first.”

“I was sleeping because I was tired. I wake up before dawn every day!”

“To tease birds and admire flowers…”

“What are you mumbling about?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

The doorman knocked again, and there was a flurry of commotion inside. After a moment, an elderly voice called out, “Wen Shu, go see who it is.”

Soon, the study door opened, and a small, fair, and thin boy of about eleven or twelve poked his head out. “Uncle Zhang, why are you here?” He then saw Tang Shen behind the doorman, his eyes widened, and he quickly shut the door with a bang, turning around and said, “Oh no, sir, it’s Tang Shen from Gusu!”

“What? How come he is so early!”

Another bout of clattering sounds followed, and the boy named Wen Shu opened the door again.

The little boy, lowering his head, said, “Tang gongzi, sir has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Whatever you say.

Tang Shen smiled slightly and said to Yao San, “Wait outside.” Then he entered.

It was a south-facing courtyard with two gates. As soon as he entered the study, Tang Shen smelled a faint scent of ink. There were four birdcages on each side of the main door, with slender golden chains tying four colorful birds. Seeing Tang Shen, they chirped noisily. In the center of the study was a carved incense burner. On the left was a Taishan stone screen, and on the right was a large bookshelf.

Halfway through, Tang Shen heard a cricket chirping. Turning his head, he saw a cricket gourd in one of the shelves’ compartments!

Tang Shen refocused and walked forward. On the Luohan couch sat an elderly man with white hair. This old man was secretly observing Tang Shen and quickly averted his gaze when Tang Shen looked at him, feigning nonchalance, “You must be the student Liang Bowen mentioned, who once said, ‘The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone’?”

Sir had mentioned this to Fu Xiru?

Tang Shen nodded, “I am Tang Shen from Gusu, it is an honor to meet Mr. Fu.”

Fu Xiru held a book, pretending to read it, without noticing that it was upside down. “Liang Bowen left in a hurry. As you know, during that period, many old friends passed away, and I couldn’t visit them all. Hmm? What do you have in your hand?”

“Some specialties from Gusu.” Tang Shen said, taking out the pastries, soap, and other items one by one.

Fu Wei seemed unreliable, but seeing the pastries, he said nothing and showed interest in the finely packaged essential oils. “I’ve seen this before.”

Wen Shu, the boy, said, “Wang xianggong brought one from Jinling.”

Fu Wei clapped his hands, “Right! Zi Feng once brought one for me, called Golden Wisp? Golden Mist under the misty moon and cold water.”

Tang Shen laughed, “It should be Golden Mist of the snowy willow.”

“Golden Mist of the snowy willow? Vivid and beautiful, a good name, fitting!”

Thus, the distance between the two became closer.

Fu Wei gradually sat up straight, “You just arrived from Gusu. How is your stay in Shengjing?”

Tang Shen: “I arrived in Shengjing yesterday. I’ve gotten used to it so far.”

Fu Wei pricked up his ears.

Oh? Arrived yesterday and visited him today?

Fu Wei asked, “I heard you are fifteen this year and already passed the xiangshi exam?”

Tang Shen: “Indeed. I am unworthy of the praise.”

Fu Wei: “I also heard you can recite the Analects backwards?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Fu Wei: “And I heard you can recite the Four Books and Five Classics backwards?”

Tang Shen: “Yes, just an insignificant talent.”

Fu Wei suddenly laughed heartily, “I am the Master of Insignificant Talent, and you knowing some insignificant talents is wonderful! Eh, Jing Ze is here, what are you rascal doing? Why not serve Jing Ze some hot tea.”

Wen Shu immediately poured Tang Shen a cup of hot tea. Tang Shen thanked him and was about to drink when Fu Wei said, “Aren’t you going to offer me tea first?”

Tang Shen paused, looked up at Fu Wei.

Fu Wei sat in his seat, winked at him and smiled.

Tang Shen immediately stood up, holding the tea cup with both hands. Wen Shu placed a cushion on the floor, and Tang Shen knelt on it, raising the cup high, “Please, sir, have some tea!”

Fu Wei took the cup, sipped, “Wonderful!”

Thus, the apprenticeship ceremony was complete.

Now as teacher and student, Fu Wei became more casual, “Jing Ze, you don’t know, this past year Liang Bowen has always written to me, boasting about his excellent student! I have a student with a perfect memory, and he must have one who can recite backwards, really angering me. By the way, you really can recite the Analects backwards?”

Tang Shen smiled wryly, “Indeed.”

“Good, good. Recite a passage for me.”

Tang Shen: “…”

These old scholars are so unreliable!

Thinking this, Tang Shen obediently recited a passage backwards. Fu Wei praised him repeatedly, and time flew by. Wen Shu reminded, “Sir, it’s time to water the flowers.”

Fu Wei nodded, turned to Tang Shen, “I should go read.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Fu Wei: “If you need anything in Shengjing, come find me. If I can’t do it, your senior brother will. You can leave now, but come anytime if you need me. I have plenty of time.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tang Shen was about to leave when Fu Wei said, “Wait, Jing Ze, if you have time, help me find a book.”

Tang Shen wanted to become closer with Fu Wei, of course he wouldn’t refuse. “What book?”

Fu Wei sighed, “It’s called ‘Tales of Weijing,’ a miscellaneous book. I remember it being on that bookshelf, but I can’t find it. I love listening to… I mean, I love reading this book. Wen Shu, did you not put it back in the right place?”

Wen Shu shouted grievances, “Sir, you clearly put it away yourself, why are you blaming me.”

The three searched but couldn’t find it. Fu Wei huffed, “Go find Fu Qin.”

Tang Shen and Wen Shu left the study.

Just outside, Yao San approached. Wen Shu complained to Tang Shen, “Tang gongzi, you don’t know, our sir has a strange temper. Though I’m called Wen Shu, I’m actually best at playing the qin. We have someone who is best at reading and finding books but he is called Fu Qin. It’s just that I want to read every day, and he wants to be a music master every night. But his music… you’ll hear it, it’s terrible. I’ll find him now. Goodbye, Tang gongzi.”

Wenshu ran off. Yao San watched in surprise, “Is this Fu daren‘s page boy? How… odd.”

Tang Shen laughed, “You mean eccentric.”

Yao San scratched his head, and they left the Fu Residence.

Exiting the study’s door, they entered the garden.

Unlike Gusu’s residences, which often had ponds and lotuses, the Fu Residence’s garden had many exotic flowers and strange rocks, possessing a unique beauty. Walking around, Tang Shen and Yao San got lost.

Yao San: “Little boss, should I ask someone?”

Before Tang Shen could reply, a continuous, melodious qin sound reached them. They followed it, bypassed a rockery, and passed through a stone gate to see a pavilion with eaves and round roof. The pavilion stood over a manmade pond with a few koi. The pavilion was suspended over the pond, accessible by a wooden corridor.

In the pavilion, a young man in a white robe played the qin.

From a distance, his appearance was unclear, but the music was exquisite, like an immortal playing under the moon.

Even Yao San, who knew nothing about music, was captivated. Tang Shen had heard a lot of modern classical music, but this low and gentle melody was entirely different, possessing a unique charm. However, he didn’t get completely lost in the music; his eyes were fixed on the person in the pavilion. Suddenly, Tang Shen stepped onto the wooden corridor and entered the pavilion.

The moment Tang Shen walked into the pavilion, the music abruptly stopped.

The young man’s appearance was as beautiful as jade, with bright, clear eyes. After being in this era for so long, Tang Shen had never seen such a handsome man. His features were delicate yet not effeminate, and his demeanor was cool and ethereal, like an immortal from the moon! He lifted his head and quietly looked at Tang Shen, pressing down on the still-vibrating strings with his hands. His long black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his white brocade robe, although seemingly simple, had intricate silver embroidery on the sleeves, each stitch showcasing the superb craftsmanship of top-tier embroiderers.

The two of them looked at each other for a moment.

Tang Shen suddenly smiled and said, “Are you the page boy, Fu Qin?”

The young man playing the qin paused, then slightly smiled without denying it.

Tang Shen said, “Sir has been looking for you. He has a book called Tales of Weijing.’ He couldn’t find it anywhere and wanted you to help find it.”

The man’s eyes flickered slightly before he finally spoke, his voice pleasant and carrying a hint of a gentle smile, “I understand.”

Tang Shen replied, “That’s good, then. I’ll be off.” With that, he turned and left.

Tang Shen walked up the wooden corridor without looking back and left the pavilion. He could clearly feel a gaze, almost tangible, hotly fixed on him, unwavering, until he left the secluded little garden.

After they left the Fu Residence, Yao San finally reacted, “Little boss, was that really Fu daren‘s page boy Fu Qin? He doesn’t look like it. That page boy Fu Qin’s clothes were too fine, much better than the ones worn by Wen Shu’s. And his playing wasn’t bad either. Although I, Yao San, don’t understand music, I found it pleasant!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Only then did Tang Shen take a deep breath, his previously tense body finally relaxing.

“Of course, that wasn’t Fu Qin.”

Yao San exclaimed, “What?”

Tang Shen narrowed his eyes and said word by word, “He is my only senior brother, Wang Zhen, courtesy name Zi Feng.”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

A few days later, Tang Shen had Yao San call everyone over.

Everyone gathered in the house. It was a rare serious occasion. Accountant Lin, thinking Tang Shen was about to address the recent issue at Xixia Tower, said, “Little boss, though the Xixia Tower incident is a typical case, other restaurants in Gusu City have also shown some subtle movements towards us these days. However, our logistics business is doing well. We’ve been in Gusu City for over a year and have established ourselves so others will have a hard time intervening.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen replied, “I’m not worried about that. Although Xixia Tower’s business is good, it only deals in special cuisine and doesn’t have much conflict of interest with other restaurants. As for the logistics business, it would take others at least another year or so to catch up. Today, I called everyone over to discuss something else.”

Yao San asked, “Little boss, what is it? Please tell us.”

“I’ve decided to go to Shengjing next month.”

Everyone was shocked.

Tang Huang’s eyes widened. “Brother, you’re going to Shengjing? Why suddenly go there?”

Tang Shen didn’t hide anything. “After sir left, I received a letter a few days ago. It turns out he found a new teacher for me. That person is in Shengjing and is named Fu Wei. I’m taking the imperial examination to become a juren in August and haven’t registered yet. Whether I take it in the Jiangnan Academy or in Shengjing makes no difference. Since I’ll have to go to Shengjing for the huishi exam next February if I pass, I’ve decided to go early and take the imperial examination directly in Shengjing.”

Accountant Lin exclaimed, “Fu Wei? Do you mean the great scholar Fu Xiru?”

“Exactly.”

Tang Huang asked, “Accountant Lin, you know him?”

Accountant Lin sighed, “More than just knowing him. I once told the little boss that over twenty years ago, the four great scholars of the world were Zhong xianggong, Liang xianggong, Fu xianggong, and Chen xianggong. Among them, Fu xianggong is the great scholar Fu Xiru. He was originally the Right Chancellor of the Palace Secretariat. A few years ago, due to his old age, wanted to retire to his hometown, but the emperor, valuing his talent, did not allow it and gave him a position overseeing the Hanlin Academy in name while actually spending his days gardening and bird-watching, living a leisurely life.”

Yao San asked, “Being a high official allows you to garden and bird-watch every day?”

Accountant Lin replied, “With the emperor’s favor, anything is possible.”

Yao San remarked, “Hearing that makes me want to be an official.”

Aunt Yao retorted, “But you have to pass the exams first!”

Accountant Lin continued, “It’s really inconvenient for the little boss to go to Shengjing alone. Being so far away from home, who will take care of you?”

Tang Shen had already thought about this and said, “I’ll arrange everything in Busy City and leave at the beginning of March. At that time, Brother Yao will go with me to Shengjing. Once I’m settled, he will return.”

Yao San agreed, “Alright, I’ll accompany the little boss.”

Accountant Lin nodded, “That’s acceptable. The little boss need not worry about Gusu City matters. With Yao San and me here, and with the Tang family in the west of the city, there won’t be any issues.”

Thus, Tang Shen’s trip to Shengjing was decided.

Aunt Yao began preparing Tang Shen’s travel clothes early, muttering, “Shengjing is much colder than Gusu. I heard it still snows in April,” as she packed thick cotton-padded jackets into the suitcase. Yao San also busied himself, reviewing the Tang’s Logistics and Xixia Tower’s business once more. Tang Shen checked the accounts with Accountant Lin again and left some funds for emergencies.

Only Tang Huang was sullen these past two days.

Tang Shen’s decision to go to Shengjing was too sudden, giving no one time to think it over.

At night, after dinner, Tang Huang was practicing calligraphy in her room, an assignment from Accountant Lin before he left. Tang Shen entered, watched for a while, and said, “You’ve started learning the Book of Poetry?”

The little girl pouted, lowered her head, and mumbled, “Yes,” without looking at Tang Shen.

Tang Shen found it amusing. Although he was a man, he could easily understand Tang Huang’s little girl thoughts.

Tang Shen said, “This calligraphy model is too good, not suitable for beginners. Before I leave, I’ll copy a Book of Poetry for you. You can practice copying my calligraphy. When you come to Shengjing, I’ll see how your handwriting has improved.”

Originally unwilling to talk to him, Tang Huang looked up in surprise after a while. “I’m going to Shengjing?”

Tang Shen replied matter-of-factly, “Yes, you are going to Shengjing.”

“I can go to Shengjing too?”

“Why wouldn’t you go to Shengjing?”

Tang Huang was overjoyed, but then she thought of something: “Brother, you said ‘when I go to Shengjing’… Can’t I go to Shengjing with you? When can I go then?”

“What would you do there now? It’s an unfamiliar place, and I’m also going there to test the waters first. I also have to take the imperial examination. If you come along, what can you do? I’ll have to take care of you.”

“I can cook for you, wash your clothes!”

“A maid can do that too, and besides… Ah Huang, do you really believe you can cook and wash clothes for me?”

Tang Huang giggled: “I don’t believe it either.”

Knowing that Tang Shen wasn’t really leaving her behind, Tang Huang felt much better. “Brother, you said you were going to take the huishi examination, to become a jinshi… You told me before that you didn’t want to become a jinshi, only a juren.”

Tang Shen raised his eyebrows: “I said that?”

“You did!”

“Well, if I said it, I did. Can’t I change my mind?”

“…”

This is truly the worst, most rotten brother in the world!

Seeing the little girl ignoring him again, Tang Shen smiled and said, “Before Mr. Liang left, he gave me a courtesy name, Jing Ze.”

Tang Huang knew this: “Ah, why mention this now?”

“Jing Ze, Jing Ze. So Ah Huang, I can’t let him down.”

Tang Huang was puzzled. After a while, she murmured, “Do you really have to go now? You can go after becoming a juren.”

Tang Shen was silent for a moment, then patted her head: “I have too many important things to do to waste any time. Also, your brother has a selfish reason.”

“What selfish reason?”

“I’ll tell you when you get to Shengjing!”

Tang Huang: “…”

“Not telling and keeping me in suspense, Tang Shen, you wait, when I get to Shengjing, I’m definitely going to beat you up!”

“Hahaha.”

After packing his luggage, Tang Shen went to the Tang Manor to inform Tang juren and Madam Tang about his trip to Shengjing.

Tang juren was surprised: “You want to study under Fu Xiru?”

Madam Tang said, “Why so sudden, without any time to prepare? What else do you need, tell us. Do you need to bring some servants and maids to Shengjing? How will you take care of yourself alone!”

Tang Shen answered one by one: “It’s the teacher Mr. Liang chose for me before his passing. Don’t worry, Eldest Aunt, I’m well prepared, and I won’t be going alone, Yao San will be with me.”

“Though Yao San is strong and sturdy, he is still a rough man. How about taking two maids from the Tang Manor?”

“No need.”

After bidding farewell to Tang juren and Madam Tang, Tang Shen submitted a withdrawal letter to Ziyang Academy.

Dean Zheng was quite surprised to receive Tang Shen’s withdrawal letter and asked, “You want to study at Jiangnan Academy?”

All the juren of Jiangnan could study at Jiangnan Academy once they pass the examination. Even though Tang Shen was currently studying at Ziyang Academy, his student status was registered at Jiangnan Academy, where he would take the xiangshi examination in August.

Tang Shen shook his head: “Dean, I want to take the exam in Shengjing.”

Dean Zheng said, “Why go so far? Your student status is registered at Jiangnan Academy, it’s not easy to transfer. If you have no connections, it’s better not to go to Shengjing. You can only take the exam at Jiangnan Academy.”

Tang Shen then explained about Mr. Liang finding a new teacher for him. Dean Zheng was silent for a long time and sighed, “Liang daren has really thought it through! As the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Fu daren can easily transfer your student status.”

Dean Zheng approved Tang Shen’s withdrawal letter, and Tang Shen packed his belongings in the classroom. As he was about to leave, he saw Sun Yue standing at the door, looking at him anxiously. “Tang Shen, I heard you quit school!”

Tang Shen: “…”

He smiled wryly: “Where did you hear that nonsense? When did I say I quit studying!”

Sun Yue rushed over: “Teacher Qian said so! You’ve withdrawn from school, you won’t study at Ziyang Academy anymore.”

“I am indeed not studying at Ziyang Academy, but I am going to study in Shengjing. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Ah, that’s it…” After a while, Fatty Sun exclaimed in shock: “What, you’re going to Shengjing?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Could your reaction be any slower!

As Tang Shen was leaving, Sun Yue felt sad and accompanied him to Xixia Tower for a farewell meal.

Tang Shen said helplessly: “If you’re giving me a farewell, why come to my restaurant for a free meal? This counts as seeing me off?”

Sun Yue put a slice of mutton into the pot, swirled it around, and ate it. Satisfied, he squinted his eyes and said, “Why not? Tang Shen, why are you in such a hurry to go to Shengjing? Is Fu Xiru really that great? You could go to him after becoming a juren, Fu Xiru won’t run away.”

“How can I let down Mr. Liang’s painstaking efforts!”

Sun Yue muttered, “I think you’re just tired of Gusu and want to see the bustling Shengjing.”

Tang Shen said nothing. He put a chopstick full of vegetables into the pot: “The food is ready, eat up!”

“Okay!”

Half a month later, after packing his belongings, Tang Shen boarded the boat to Shengjing with Yao San.

On the canal, with the sunset glowing in the sky, Tang Huang and Accountant Lin stood at the dock, waving goodbye to Tang Shen. After a quarter of an hour, the dock of Gusu City became a small black dot, and the crying girl on the dock could no longer be seen.

Tang Shen sighed, suppressing his reluctance.

After another quarter of an hour, Gusu City disappeared into the horizon. Suddenly, a melodious ringing of a bell broke through the spatial distance, echoing above the canal.

This was the evening bell of Hanshan Temple outside the city!

“The Hanshan Temple outside Gusu City, the bell sounds to the ships at midnight. So this is what it means!”

Tang Shen suddenly felt that he already missed home, even though he had just left for less than an hour.

Yes, having lived in this era for two years, Tang Shen had already considered this place his home. From the beginning, he was wrong. He was already a person of Gusu, a person of the Song Dynasty, a person of this era. He once only wanted to be a wealthy country squire, not seeking fame or fortune, only seeking comfort.

But was that really the limit of what he could achieve?

That wasn’t the limit of what he could achieve. He was content with his current situation until the deaths of Mr. Liang, Grand Secretary Luo, and Zhao juren woke him up like a bolt from the blue, shaking him from the prosperous and wealthy Jiangnan water town.

Gusu was a rich place, where everyone had no worries, but the Song Dynasty wasn’t, this era wasn’t!

Along the way, Tang Shen observed the situation on both sides of the canal. Sometimes it was covered in snow, yet the porters still wore thin tunics, running between the docks to load and unload goods for these passing ships, earning one coin per trip. Sometimes the docks on both sides of the canal were so dilapidated that they couldn’t dock, which was completely different from the grandeur and cleanliness of Gusu!

This was the Song Dynasty, this was the true face of this era.

Day by day, they got closer to Shengjing. Tang Shen sat in the cabin, writing characters. He wrote regular script, repeatedly writing the word “谋” (strategy). Yao San couldn’t read, so Tang Shen would write fifty “谋” characters and then fifty “静” (tranquility) characters, asking him to throw them into the river or burn them.

“Little boss, what are you writing?”

“I’m writing my conflicting feelings!”

One “谋” (strategy) character was the way of being an official, the path he must take in the future.

And one “静” (tranquility) character was his last bit of peace at this moment.

From the moment he decided to go north to Shengjing and study under Fu Xiru, Tang Shen knew he had no way back.

He didn’t plan to take a new teacher after becoming a juren, even though that was Mr. Liang’s original plan, because from that moment he had truly decided to sever all ties with Mr. Liang!

How much dread and aversion the emperor had for the Songqing Party, Tang Shen saw clearly. He imprisoned Zhong Taisheng for twenty-six years before secretly executing him, not because of mercy, but because he knew Zhong Taisheng couldn’t die without reason. Even if he wanted to kill, Zhong Taisheng had to die deservedly, leaving no loopholes, otherwise, the literati of the world would criticize him.

Mr. Liang was demoted to Gusu, Grand Secretary Luo was never trusted with any important official duties.

Since the emperor ascended the throne, not a single Songqing Party member entered the Palace Secretariat, which was his death sentence for the Songqing Party!

Tang Shen wanted to enter officialdom, to become an official, a powerful minister, so he had to sever all ties with the Songqing Party from the start. While he was still a xiucai it was fine, Mr. Liang was the governor of Gusu, so even if Tang Shen studied under him, it could be called an enlightening teacher-student relationship, and they were actually not that close.

Once he passed the examination to become a juren, if Tang Shen’s nominal teacher remained Liang Song, it might arouse Zhao Fu’s suspicion.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen didn’t dare to gamble on whether Zhao Fu was a distrustful and suspicious emperor or not. Therefore, he needed to become Fu Xiru’s disciple before passing the examination. Only when he had uncovered the truth and could personally rewrite the history of these loyal ministers who had sacrificed themselves would he say to the world and to Liang Song, “This student has accomplished it.”

This was his private ambition that he had never shared with anyone.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

The next day, Tang Shen and Xu Hui headed north to Shazhou County. After searching for a while, they found Zhao juren‘s house.

Xu Hui had the book in hand and was about to knock on the door when he heard crying sounds coming from inside. Tang Shen and Xu Hui looked at each other. Xu Hui knocked on the door, and a woman wearing white mourning clothes came to open the door. Seeing Tang Shen and Xu Hui outside the door, the woman looked confused. When she lowered her gaze, she found that Tang Shen and Xu Hui were both wearing white hemp, and that they were also mourning clothes.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The woman asked: “I wonder who the two gentlemen are here to see.”

Tang Shen said: “We’ve come to find Zhao juren. Last year at this time, I came to Shazhou County with Mr. Liang Bowen, Liang daren, and borrowed a book from Zhao juren. It was this book.”

Xu Hui presented the book with both hands. 

Behind the woman, a middle-aged man walked up. Like the woman, his eyes were red and swollen from crying. He took the book and said to Tang Shen: “I remember. You are Liang daren‘s student. I heard that you scored a sanyuan last year. It’s a pity that you came a little late. My father left a few days ago. Thank you for coming to return the book.”

There was a coffin in the house. Just now, the man and woman were keeping vigil and mourning.

Tang Shen said: “Can we come in and offer incense to Zhao juren?”

“Please.”

Tang Shen and Xu Hui entered the house, and each gave Zhao juren a stick of incense.

Xu Hui said: “How did Zhao juren leave?”

As soon as these words were uttered, both the man and the woman hid their faces in tears. The man said: “My father hanged himself four days ago! I have known for a long time that Liang daren is gone, Luo daren is also gone, and so many great scholars are gone. My father did not want to live twenty years ago. However, despite all precautions, my father secretly took the hemp rope and hanged himself that night!”

Tang Shen and Xu Hui were stunned on the spot.

After the man’s explanation, they realized that this Zhao juren was also considered a member of the Songqing Party!

Twenty-six years ago, the Songqing Party was not called the Songqing Party, it was not a faction, it was just a young society that was admired by scholars all over the world. Who didn’t want to join the Songqing Party and express his admiration to the great scholars in the world? Zhao juren had the good fortune to attend a Songqing literary gathering once, and it was also at that time that he met Liang daru.

After Zhong daru was imprisoned in the imperial prison, Zhao juren was obstructed in his official career and was framed many times. In the end, he ended up in this situation and had no choice but to return to his hometown to farm the fields to make a living.

Only then did Tang Shen understand why Zhao juren, a juren, had such a difficult family situation. The first time he saw Zhao juren, he felt strange at how poor he was. He didn’t expect that the truth turned out to be like this.

“Everyone in the world knows that Zhong daru left, and the seven great scholars went with him. But no one in the world knows that my father also left with them!” The man was so distraught that he knocked the ground with his head, “Dad, you are so confused, how could you leave Hui Niang and me alone? This son has not taken care of and shown you filial piety!”

Tang Shen and Xu Hui were speechless as they left the Zhao family.

Xu Hui: “I don’t know how many people in the world have quietly left this world in a place where no one knows. The integrity of the scholars, the passion in their hearts, worth praises and tears.”

Tang Shen opened his mouth, but did not speak after all. He clenched his fist tightly.

Sir, you think it’s worth it, but is it really worth it?

The two of them were leaving Shazhou County by carriage, and Tang Shen saw Xiangshan Mt. from a distance. He still remembered how he and Liang Song came to Shazhou County a year ago, and the teacher and student went hiking together. Tang Shen: “Stop. Yu Zhi, I want to climb that mountain. Last year, sir and I came here and climbed that mountain together.”

Xu Hui: “Okay, but I still have things to do and can’t wait for you.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll go back to Gusu by myself.”

Xu Hui nodded.

Tang Shen got off the carriage and walked toward Xiangshan Mt. alone.

After crossing the Peach Blossom Stream and walking along the Incense Picking Path, Tang Shen climbed the rock steps and reached the top of the mountain. Standing on the top of the mountain, overlooking half of the scenery of Gusu. There was smoke from farmhouses in the distance, and nearby were the sea of ​​pine trees and the waves of clouds passing by, as well as the sound of birds singing.

Tang Shen stood on the top of the mountain and stood there for a long time.

After a long time, he said loudly: “The mountains stand tall and the scenery stretches. Although I can’t reach them, my heart longs for them!”

“The scenery, greatness.” (TN: “jing”=scenery, bright)

“The principle, truth.” (TN: “ze”=truth, reason)

“Sir, you know that I have always been cautious in my words and deeds, but I have also always been timid. Even if I talk about big ambitions, I never truly have big ambitions. I only care about the small family, not the big family.”

“Jing Ze, Jing Ze!”

Tang Shen opened his mouth, but was speechless.

From the very beginning, Liang Song wanted to tell him that as a human being, walking between heaven and earth, he could only live in peace and happiness in this life, but no matter when…

Jing Ze, you must never forget what you once said, the rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone!

At the beginning, he used Gu Yanwu’s words as a clever trick to become Liang Song’s student. But he never followed the words himself. In this world, there were Liang Song and Luo Zhen, who had no choice but to die in order to correct an eternal infamy. There was also Zhao juren, who died quietly in an unknown place. His name would never be recorded in the history books, but he had no regrets!

Tang Shen quietly looked at the Gusu Prefecture at the bottom of the mountain, and said to himself: “Don’t worry, the promise I made to you will definitely come true.” After that, he turned around and went down the mountain, returning to Gusu City at nightfall.

When Tang Shen returned home, Tang Huang and Yao San were very anxious and wanted to go find him.

Seeing her brother coming back, Tang Huang ran over and grabbed his arm: “I was so anxious! Brother, where have you been? Xu daren said that you were hiking in Shazhou County and you would come back. It’s so late now, and you finally came back.”

Yao San: “Little boss, there is food left for you in the kitchen. I will heat it up for you right now.”

Tang Shen: “Okay.”

After eating, Yao San went to boil hot water for bathing, and Tang Huang went back to her room to practice writing. This was the homework left by Accountant Lin. Tang Shen had taken a bath and was thinking about how to realize his ambition to his teacher that “the rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone” when he heard someone knocking on the door. Tang Shen opened the door, and it was Xu Hui standing outside.

Xu Hui looked travel-worn and had already put on a heavy cotton-padded jacket, as if he was going on a long trip.

Tang Shen asked: “Is Yu Zhi going to leave Gusu City and take office?”

“Yes. There is something before I leave. I have thought about it and decided to tell you now.”

Tang Shen: “Is it related to sir?”

Xu Hui: “Yes. Daren left me a letter before his death, which explained his posthumous affairs. My position as county magistrate was arranged for me in advance. It turns out that in the early morning of that day, the steward got the news, and after telling daren that Zhong daru died in prison, daren became determined to die. You came just in time, and he saw you for the last time and fulfilled his last wish, so he had no regrets when he left.”

Tang Shen: “Did sir have anything to say to me?”

Xu Hui hesitated for a moment and took out a letter from his sleeve. “This letter should not have been given to you at this time. Daren said, I should give this letter to you after you become a juren. But I can’t wait any longer. I am about to take office, and I don’t know when I will see you again. If you fail this year, would I have to wait three years to give you the letter? If something happens in these three years, I can’t guarantee it, so I can only disappoint daren‘s request and give it to you in advance.”

Tang Shen took the letter with both hands.

Xu Hui: “I’m really ashamed, but I can only do this, and I have to rush to take office.”

Tang Shen: “The mountains and rivers are high and the rivers are long. I don’t know if I will see you again in this life. Be careful along the way.”

“Thank you. No need to see me off.”

Tang Shen returned to his room and put the letter on the table. This was what Liang Song left to him who had become a juren. At this moment, he was just a xiucai. Should he open this letter or not? Xu Yuzhi was unburdened after throwing the problem to him. Now it was his turn to have a headache.

Tang Shen thought about it and decided: “Open it!”

When he opened the letter, he found beautiful calligraphy written in small regular script on the snow-white rice paper.

“Jing Ze, when you read this letter, I should have been gone for half a year. You and I are teacher and student. Having left you first, I am remiss in my duty. Now that you have passed the examination, I cannot see it with my own eyes, and it is also a great regret in my life. I know that you just want to live a stable life, which is fine. After I leave, if the Tang family changes and they no longer take care of you, you can go to Shengjing to find a person.

This person’s name is Fu Wei, with the courtesy name Xi Ru and the pen name of “Master of Insignificant Talent”. On that double ninth day, the painting we admired together was exactly his handiwork.

Fu Xiru has been friends with me for many years. If you trust this letter to him, he will take care of you for the rest of your life.”

“Sir!” Tang Shen’s voice choked up when he saw this. He didn’t expect that even if his teacher left, he would never forget him as a student and had arranged all the retreat routes for him!

However, there was a second piece of paper in this letter. Tang Shen pulled out the second piece of paper. When he saw the content clearly, his gaze became stern.

“If you intend to pursue an official career, as your teacher and a remnant of the Songqing Party, I will not be able to take care of you. As a student of Liang Bowen, you may attract fatal danger. If you decide to serve as an official, after you go to Shengjing, you will give Fu Xiru the silver leaf left in teacher’s letter and respect him as your teacher. From then on you cannot mention my name again.

Don’t be willful. Although Fu Xiru is not the head of the four Confucian scholars in the world, if you are his student, your future career will be bright.

However, you must remember that it is not a top priority to become Fu Xiru’s student. The reason why I ordered you to respect him as your teacher is because Fu Xiru has a student named Wang Zhen, whose courtesy name is Zi Feng. This person is the most proficient, competent and talented person at being an official I have seen in my more than 40 years of officialdom. He also has the Wang family of Langya as his backing. If you become Fu Xiru’s student, you will be the junior brother of Wang Zifeng. This is the only way you can become connected with him.

Wang Zifeng is a person who is unfathomable and cannot be simply believed, but he can also be trusted a little.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

If you can conspire with him as allies, your teacher I will be rest assured in heaven.

The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone.

I hope that when you come to offer incense at my grave next year, you will bring the fruit juice you have brewed. It will be sour and sweet, and it can also bring back the taste of the living world.”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Tang Shen asked: “Doctor Liu, what disease did you diagnose him with?”

“It seems to be poisoning. It must be due to consuming something bad. I prescribed some medicine for him and after taking it as usual, he should be fine in two days. I don’t know the details but there are many reasons for vomiting due to consuming something. Who knows what he ate?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen: “I know what he ate.”

Everyone was stunned.

Tang Shen: “Yao San, go get the bill.”

Yao San: “Okay!”

Yao San turned around and walked into Xixia Tower, and took a thick stack of paper from the shopkeeper. “Little boss, the guests who ate at Xixia Tower at noon yesterday and the food they ate are all recorded here.”

The woman was shocked, and even Zhao Si, who was lying on the ground and rolling around, was stunned.

Who would have thought that Xixia Tower did everything unconventionally. In the entire Gusu City, even in the entire Song Dynasty, no restaurant would record all the dishes eaten by its customers in a book!

Tang Shen flipped through the papers and pulled out one: “February 19, 3:00 noon, dark face, short body, and a brown birthmark on the left cheek. This must be you, Zhao Si.”

Onlookers said: “Yes, Zhao Si has a brown birthmark on the left side of his face.”

Tang Shen: “Okay, since this is you, it proves that you have indeed come to my Xixia Tower to eat.”

Shrewish woman: “Then what else can you say!”

Tang Shen: “Wait until I finish. What you had for lunch yesterday was a plate of mutton slices, a plate of bamboo shoots, a plate of cabbage… and a plate of sprouts. Tell me, which of what you ate caused you a stomachache.”

Zhao Si: “How do I remember? Anyway, it was from eating your food.”

“Oh, your wife just said that you felt something was wrong as soon as you ate it, but now you can’t remember it?”

Zhao Si was stunned and said quickly: “The sprouts, the last plate of sprouts! When that plate of sprouts was brought to the table, I felt something was wrong. The roots were all rotten. But I was thinking about how a restaurant as big as Xixia Tower could not sell bad food, so I ate it boldly.”

Woman: “Everyone has heard it. Even fools know not to eat rotten sprouts. My husband ate it, of course he ended up vomiting like this!”

Sprouts, also known as bean sprouts. As we all know, you could not eat the rotten roots of sprouts, as eating it would cause food poisoning.

Tang Shen: “Yao San, please count for me the people who ate in our Xixia Tower with Zhao Si at the same time and also ate sprouts. Find them all. I want to see how they are doing now. Do they also have food poisoning?”

Yao San immediately found two people from the bill. These two people were sitting at the table next to Zhao Si and also ordered a plate of sprouts. One of them happened to be in the shop next door at that moment. He was called over by Yao San, and had a surprised look on his face: “I did eat sprouts, but the plate of sprouts I ate was not rotten.”

Tang Shen: “Zhao Si, is it possible that I, Xixia Tower, only targeted you and only gave you rotten sprouts?”

Zhao Si got up from the ground and said: “Who knows if you only have one plate of sprouts that is rotten? Don’t deny it!”

Tang Shen laughed loudly: “Okay, I can’t prove the other things you said, but you dare to say that you were poisoned by eating my plate of sprouts. Yao San, go to the kitchen and get a chicken. Everyone present, if you have rotten sprouts, I, Tang Shen, will buy it from you for ten taels of silver.”

“I have it at home!”

The chicken and the rotten sprouts were all brought over. Tang Shen didn’t blink and directly fed the whole plate of sprouts to the chicken.

In full view of everyone, the chicken began to vomit.

Zhao Si said proudly: “Yes, I had the same symptoms yesterday, and I still have to vomit from time to time today!”

Tang Shen: “Such big talk! Zhao Si, do you know how long this chicken can live?”

“Ah?”

“I, Tang Shen, will make a bet with you today. If this chicken can live for more than one month, I will pay you one hundred taels of silver. If it does not live for more than one month, and you Zhao Si survives, Zhao Si, do you dare to kowtow a hundred times in front of Xixia Tower to clear my name?”

Sprouts, also known as bean sprouts.

Rotten bean sprouts would produce aflatoxin, which was the same as moldy peanuts and soybeans. It was a highly toxic substance even more toxic than arsenic.

Tang Shen didn’t believe it. Someone could eat a whole plate of bad bean sprouts and still not die!

Tang Shen’s expression was stern, and Zhao Si was so frightened that his eyes widened. He wanted to bet with Tang Shen, but Tang Shen’s confident look made him dare not say a word. His mouth opened and closed again, Zhao Si had nothing to say. His shrewish wife was also frightened by Tang Shen, but she said bravely: “Who, who wants to bet with you! Maybe my husband remembered it wrong. Yes, what he ate was not sprouts. It’s the bamboo shoots, that plate of bamboo shoots was bad.”

Tang Shen: “You first say sprouts and now you say bamboo shoots. Okay, Yao San, find the guests who ate bamboo shoots at the same time as Zhao Si that day. Zhao Si, I will go to court with you today to find Magistrate Jia! First of all, you slandered my name, saying that you have eaten something from my Xixia Tower and got sick to your stomach. I, Tang Shen, am a distinguished xiucai with honors. You, A commoner, want to go to court with me, but you are confused and unclear. You will be beaten ten times with a board as soon as you go!”

Zhao Si was so frightened that he sat down on the ground.

Tang Shen: “Brother Yao, pick him up and let’s go find Magistrate Jia.”

The onlookers also saw at this time that Zhao Si and his wife were clearly here to cause trouble.

“Let’s go find Magistrate Jia.”

“Let’s all go together, we want to see Magistrate Jia administer justice.”

When Zhao Si’s wife saw this, she couldn’t help but run away. Zhao Si was weak and was easily captured. Seeing that Tang Shen was about to turn him in to the county government office, he said loudly: “It was the shopkeeper Wang of Ruyi Tower who hired me. Boss Tang, please spare me. Ten hits with the board can take half my life!”

Ruyi Tower was on Suijin Street, half a street away from Xixia Tower. Shopkeeper Wang was standing in the crowd watching the excitement. When Tang Shen said that he would send Zhao Si to the county government office, he turned around and wanted to sneak away. Suddenly hearing this, his expression changed drastically, and he turned around and said, “You hooligan, why are you making false accusations against me!”

“Shopkeeper Wang, you can’t burn bridges after crossing the river. It was you who asked me to find a way to slander Xixia Tower and shut it down.”

“You, you, you… you are full of slander!”

Tang Shen: “Shopkeeper Wang, is he a slanderer? Let’s go together and find Magistrate Jia and listen to what he has to say!”

Shopkeeper Wang opened his eyes wide and was dumbfounded.

A farce came to an end like this. Zhao Si received ten hits by the big board, but Shopkeeper Wang insisted he did not instigate Zhao Si. He refused to admit it, and Magistrate Jia could do nothing to him. However, before he returned to Ruyi Tower that day, he was kicked out by the owner of Ruyi Tower: “You incompetent failure!”

Shopkeeper Wang hugged his baggage and slunk away in shame.

This farce troubled Tang Shen for two whole days. The owner of Ruyi Tower came to the door in person, gave him gifts and apologized, and only then was it settled.

Yao San looked at the gifts on the table and said: “Little boss, this Landlord Wu is quite kind and has compensated us a lot. It was obviously the shopkeeper Wang who ordered it, and he himself doesn’t admit it. He is really not a thing.”

“Was it really instigated by Shopkeeper Wang?”

Yao San: “Huh?”

Tang Shen stood by the window of the second floor of Xixia Tower. He leaned against the window sill and looked at the few small gifts on the table calmly. Scented soap and Golden Wisp, hey, they were both from the Zhenbao Pavilion!

“Brother Yao, do you really think that a mere Shopkeeper Wang dares to do this by himself? The real mastermind behind this is none other than Landlord Wu.”

“What! Damn it, we even accepted his things. I have to throw them all back to him.”

“Why bother.”

“Little boss?”

Tang Shen turned around and looked at the bustling Suijin Street. As the sun sets, the vendors on Suijin Street have set up lights. The people on this long street will never change themselves because of the death of one person. Just like the entire Gusu City, don’t even mention Liang Song, even if the emperor dies, they will still live their lives.

“In the past two years, I have been making soap, scented soap, and brewing Golden Wisp. I have been doing logistics and making hot pot. Many people in Gusu City are jealous of my business, but they have never touched me. Soap is sold by Zhenbao Pavilion. But Tang’s Logistics and Xixia Tower belong to me alone.”

“When sir was alive, they didn’t dare to make it difficult for me.”

“When sir left, they swarmed over like hungry wolves.”

“Sir has actually helped me so much while I never noticed.”

Yao San looked at Tang Shen’s back and said, “Little boss…”

In the setting sun, Tang Shen’s back looked extremely thin. He never turned around, but said lightly: “Brother Yao, only today do I know that sir has truly left.”

“Little boss?”

“Sir, has truly left…”

Sobbing suddenly sounded. Even with a soul of more than 20 years old, Tang Shen felt like a large piece of his heart had been dug out, empty and soundless, and he couldn’t bear it. He cried loudly and desperately, knowing that there was no way to save the situation, and he was powerless to save it.

He suddenly realized that the person who had treated him best, most sincerely, and most dearly in the past two years.

Had truly gone.

At night, Tang Shen, wrapped in a fur coat, went home with Yao San.

Just after returning home, he saw a person in the courtyard who shouldn’t be there.

Tang Shen was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward and said, “Yu Zhi.”

Xu Hui looked at Tang Shen’s red eyes and said subconsciously: “Did you cry?”

During the seven days of Liang Song’s funeral, Tang Shen cried the least among them. Xu Hui thought that he was introverted by nature, or that his feelings for Liang Song were not that deep. After all, the two only had a teacher-student relationship for less than two years.

Tang Shen did not hide anything: “I thought that of sir, and I felt sorrow.”

Xu Hui was silent for a while.

Tang Shen said: “I thought you had gone to another place to apply for a post. Didn’t you serve as a county magistrate? Why didn’t you take up the post?”

Xu Hui: “I was going to leave yesterday. When I was packing up daren‘s belongings, I found a book. I have never seen this book before. It should be on the customs and sentiments of the Gusu people collected by daren. There was only one time when I didn’t travel with daren. He was with you that time. Do you know whose book this is?”

Tang Shen took the book and looked at it: “It was indeed borrowed from Shazhou County with my teacher before the county exam. I had already copied this book, but I didn’t expect that sir would borrow it anyway.”

Xu Hui: “I want to return this book to its original owner. Do you know how to get there?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen gave a rough description.

Xu Hui frowned: “I have never been to Shazhou County. When you describe it like this, I am confused. Tang Shen, do you have time these days? If you are free tomorrow, can you go to Shazhou County with me? Let’s return it to its original owner together.”

Tang Shen: “Okay.”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ