Chapter 296: The Daoist

Across mountains and rivers, traveling a thousand li, the hardships along the way were not as easy as Zhe Congruan had made them sound. Without any pretense of modesty, he accepted the hospitality of the post station—eating, washing, sleeping—and indulged in the corrupting pleasures of the Central Plains' splendor.

Having spent years in remote borderlands and grown accustomed to hard living, even the "impoverished" Central Plains offered luxuries that were hardly lacking. Under Liu Chengyou's direction, the reception for Zhe Congruan was of a very high standard.

Of course, among all the military governors, only Zhe Congruan received such treatment. The other governors all maintained private residences in the Eastern Capital—no matter how thoughtful the hospitality of the post stations, nothing compared to the comfort of one's own closed-off mansion.

Even though old men sleep little and lightly, by the time Zhe Congruan woke, more than two shichen had slipped away without cost—it was already late afternoon.

The wind outside seemed to have picked up. Opening the window, it rushed through the gap, cutting against the face like a knife. But this northern wind was nothing to Zhe Congruan—Fuzhou was a traditionally bitter cold land. Still, his fatigue had dissipated quickly.

"Where is my daughter?" Zhe Congruan asked casually, inquiring about Zhe Saihua.

"The young lady has gone to browse the winter market!" the yabing officer replied.

Hearing this, an image of his lively daughter seemed to float up in Zhe Congruan's mind. The corner of his mouth twitched upward slightly, then quickly reined in. Though he knew the accompanying yabing officers would make arrangements, he still couldn't help asking: "Have the escorts been properly arranged?"

"Rest assured, Commander. Two family guards are protecting her, and the post station has also sent a minor clerk as a guide. I gave instructions in advance—by the look of the time, she should be returning soon!"

Hearing this, a satisfied expression appeared on Zhe Congruan's face—satisfied both with the yabing officer's arrangements and with the court's hospitality.

"I hear this Xiangfu Post Station was newly furnished, and the name was personally chosen by the Son of Heaven himself!" Accompanied by his yabing officer, Zhe Congruan strolled through the simple yet orderly station, remarking with emotion.

"It seems the Son of Heaven and the court truly value our Fuzhou!" the yabing officer said with pride in his voice.

Zhe Congruan stretched his muscles and bones. The old general's body indeed looked quite sturdy—the crackling sounds of his joints gave a sense of vigor. Expelling a breath of turbid air from his lungs, Zhe Congruan said: "The court treats us with such respect, so we must give them face in return. Instruct the retinue—the Eastern Capital is not like our hometown. Everyone mind their conduct, and no troublemaking, or don't blame me for applying military discipline!"

"Yes!"

Throughout history, local military governors coming to the capital to stir up trouble and cause incidents were hardly few in number.

"Commander, the station master requests an audience."

Soon, the station master's humble figure appeared, and from him they learned that someone had come from the palace.

When Wang Qiwu, dressed in court robes and wearing a scholar's cap, stood before Zhe Congruan, his proper bearing and appearance immediately won Zhe Congruan's favor—especially upon learning that Wang Qiwu had placed second in the imperial examination and was a close minister of the Son of Heaven, dispelling any thought of underestimating him.

Sometimes, observing the conduct of the Son of Heaven's close ministers allowed one to gauge the Son of Heaven himself. As a standout talent of his era, Wang Qiwu displayed impeccable bearing before Zhe Congruan, responding appropriately and doing great credit to Liu Chengyou.

Zhe Congruan also showed sufficient warmth toward Wang Qiwu. On the way to the palace, he chatted with him, probing the situation along the way.

Seeming to understand Zhe Congruan's thoughts, Wang Qiwu spoke on the matters Zhe Congruan cared about: "When the governors came to the capital this time, His Majesty was greatly pleased. Upon learning that Grand Commandant Zhe was coming, he made preparations for the reception well in advance..."

"If not for concern over Your Excellency's travel fatigue, he would have summoned you to the palace for conversation before noon!"

Hearing this, Zhe Congruan's white eyebrows couldn't help but rise. Stroking his beard, he said modestly: "What virtue or ability do I possess, to merit such regard from His Majesty?"

In Zhe Congruan's view, the Son of Heaven's enthusiasm toward him seemed somewhat excessive, slightly lacking in authenticity. He wondered how the other governors were treated, but such words were not something Zhe Congruan could voice.

Noticing Zhe Congruan's expression, Wang Qiwu said with refined elegance: "His Majesty's words—the Grand Commandant has guarded the distant frontiers, toiled hard and rendered great service—you deserve it!"

"His Majesty is wise." This was probably the first time Zhe Congruan had praised Liu Chengyou.

When Zhe Congruan entered the palace for his audience, Liu Chengyou was not idly waiting in the palace. He was receiving a person whose fame far exceeded Zhe Congruan's—a Daoist priest.

In Chuigong Hall, upon a wide chair, the Daoist sat with a calm expression. His robes were old and worn, his demeanor natural, exuding an air of otherworldliness. Even under Liu Chengyou's scrutinizing gaze, he remained perfectly at ease—the image of an enlightened master, remarkably complete.

Liu Chengyou had been staring at the Daoist for quite some time. Such observation was somewhat rude, but Liu Chengyou truly could not contain his astonishment. This was probably the first time he had "lost his composure" before an outsider.

If the investigation was not mistaken, the Daoist before him was nearly eighty years old—yet his robust physique created a jarring sense of incongruity. His hair bun and long beard were inevitably streaked with white, but this only highlighted his full spirit; even the wrinkles on his face were not noticeably aged.

Letting Liu Chengyou look his fill, the Daoist remained serene, even carrying a hint of peaceful smile at the corners of his eyes.

"Daoist Master, you were quite hard to find!" Liu Chengyou's self-control meant his lapse lasted no long. Quickly collecting his surprise, he spoke in a tone of feeling.

"I have kept Your Majesty waiting long—please forgive my offense." The old Daoist's expression did not change as he replied.

This old Daoist was naturally the renowned Patriarch Chen Tuan. Earlier, Liu Chengyou had issued an edict for the local officials of Huazhou to invite the old Daoist to the Eastern Capital. Unfortunately, several expeditions into the mountains yielded nothing. Later, the Patrol Inspector of Hua-Tong, Wu Qianyu, even sent troops into the mountains to search—naturally, all in vain.

Mount Hua was vast, with treacherous and perilous terrain—finding a person there was truly too difficult. Had it not been for woodcutters entering the mountains who reported seeing the old Daoist, the local officials would have given up long ago. However, before the heavy snow sealed the mountains, the old Daoist voluntarily appeared at the Huazhou government office, and was then treated by the mortals as an immortal being, escorted with utmost reverence to the Eastern Capital.

"Has the Daoist Master been living in seclusion on Mount Hua all these years?" Liu Chengyou asked.

The old Daoist nodded, his smile highly infectious: "Indeed. In earlier years, I did travel to Wudang, Emei, Qingcheng, and other places."

Liu Chengyou muttered inwardly—this old Daoist certainly got around.

"So many people searched all over Taihua without finding you—could the Daoist Master truly be an immortal?" Liu Chengyou said.

"It was merely that fate had not yet arrived." The old Daoist could not help being cryptic, yet he did not arouse in Liu Chengyou any feeling of disgust or rejection.

In truth, it was merely Liu Chengyou's double standard at work. In Renming Hall, Liu Chengyou had also seen those monks who lectured on Buddhism to the Empress Dowager—they too were accomplished eminent monks.

Toward Patriarch Chen Tuan, Liu Chengyou clearly showed special regard: "My subordinates were tactless, disturbing your peace and hindering your cultivation—please forgive them, Daoist Master."

"No matter." The old Daoist was as steady as an old dog, his smile never changing.

"Since the Daoist Master has deigned to appear, fate must have arrived!" A shrewd glint flashed across Liu Chengyou's face, and his eyes suddenly brimmed with expectation: "In the Daoist Master's view, do I possess the affinity for immortality?"