Chapter 110: Shen Yongmao

In December, the city of Beijing was already biting with cold winds and swirling snowflakes. The whistling cold wind, mixed with ice pellets, wandered through every street in Beijing, and there were few pedestrians on the streets.

Even Tianxian Pavilion, the liveliest restaurant in the city, had become somewhat deserted.

It was past noon this day when two carriages swayed slowly from the distance, followed by a squad of imperial guards.

Once the carriages stopped steadily, someone lifted the sedan curtain from inside and stepped out.

It was Zhang Yunxiu.

The curtain of the carriage behind him was also lifted, and a young man wearing a green cotton robe and a Chengzi Cap stepped out.

That was Shen Shixing's son, Shen Yongmao.

The two belonged to the same cohort of advanced scholars, were of similar age, and with their special statuses, there was a natural sense of intimacy in their relationship.

The two met face-to-face, and Shen Yongmao rolled up his sleeves and made a "please" gesture.

"Brother Jingzhong is the guest; Brother Jingzhong should go first." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and began to be modest. "Why be so polite between us? Let's just go in together!" Shen Yongmao smiled, grabbed Zhang Yunxiu's arm, and strode inside.

The doorman inside saw the two approaching and immediately stepped forward to greet them: "Oh my, I said why my eyelids were twitching this morning; it turns out distinguished guests have arrived. Two young masters—"

"Enough, don't waste your breath on us." Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand to interrupt, then said with the air of a wealthy man: "Bring us all your restaurant's signature dishes, send them to the private room on the third floor, and if you serve us well, there will be no shortage of silver for you."

"Understood, please follow me, two masters."

The waiter smiled and led the two to the private room on the third floor, lit incense for them, and after refilling the tea, the waiter retreated.

Shen Yongmao turned his gaze to scan the room; the interior was luxuriously decorated, from the large tables, chairs, benches, and six-fold screens to the small teacups, utensils, palace lanterns, and decorations, every single item was carefully selected.

Even the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls were from the hands of famous masters.

Clicking his tongue, Shen Yongmao withdrew his gaze, looked at the calm and composed Zhang Yunxiu, and smiled: "Brother Zhang truly has a way of making money. I wouldn't have dared to come to a place like this casually before."

"To invite Brother Jingzhong, one naturally has to choose a place of some quality." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and waved his hand, then poured a cup of tea for Shen Yongmao.

Shen Yongmao hurriedly stood up to receive it, took the teacup with both hands, and after taking a small sip, he smiled and brought up the topic: "Brother Zhang, you are a famous person in the Hanlin Academy now."

"Oh? Tell me about it?" Zhang Yunxiu became interested.

"You must be the first person in our Hanlin Academy who doesn't report to the academy, aside from those in mourning. You didn't see it, but the face of the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Chancellor Yu, was turned green with anger by you."

"Yu Shenxing?"

"Yes, that's him."

"It's not that I don't want to go, it's that matters are truly busy. When spring comes next year, I will personally go and apologize to Chancellor Yu." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and shook his head; he still had some respect for this man.

This man was full of integrity and did not curry favor when Zhang Juzheng was in power.

When Zhang Juzheng passed away and the whole country sought his crimes without daring to mention his merits, he dared to stand up and speak for Zhang Juzheng.

Glancing at Zhang Yunxiu, Shen Yongmao reminded him: "Be careful, this person doesn't get along very well with your father."

"It doesn't matter."

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and shook his head, then took the opportunity to shift the topic to Zhao Yong: "Brother Jingzhong, are you aware of the brawl that happened at Zhaoning Temple earlier?"

Shen Yongmao was stunned and thought to himself: This matter has caused such an uproar, who in the Beijing officialdom doesn't know? It was finally determined to be a brawl, and the old monk Yiru wouldn't even accept it, insisting it was his own monks' fault.

Could it be that there is some hidden story here? Seeing Shen Yongmao not speaking, Zhang Yunxiu smiled, picked up a cup of tea to moisten his throat, and probed indirectly: "What does Brother Jingzhong think of these monks?"

"What do you mean what do I think?" Shen Yongmao was a bit confused.

"Do you think that the more of them there are, is it good or bad for the country?"

"Naturally, it's a bad thing!"

Shen Yongmao gave the answer directly and added worriedly, "My father is in charge of the Ministry of Rites and is busy to the point of exhaustion every year because of this. The Dudie Division issues two thousand ordination certificates to various prefectures every year, but the number of people who actually want to become monks far exceeds this."

"Every time this season comes around, rascals and scoundrels sharpen their heads to squeeze in. These aren't monks; they are simply a group of hoodlums."

"Then you say, what should be done?" Zhang Yunxiu's eyes rolled, and he took the opportunity to move his stool toward Shen Yongmao.

"I think—" Shen Yongmao opened his mouth to speak, but upon seeing Zhang Yunxiu's piercing eyes, he instantly realized what was happening and questioned, "Brother Zhang, you called me here, it shouldn't just be to treat me to a meal, right?"

"It is."

Seeing his true intentions exposed, Zhang Yunxiu did not panic and stated directly what was in his mind: "My meaning is, have your father, Grand Secretary Shen, submit a memorial to conduct an examination of all monks in the world, and force all those who are unqualified to return to secular life."

"Then, wouldn't these monks run to Beijing to cause trouble?" Shen Yongmao was startled.

"They cause trouble? Can they cause more trouble than the clubs in the hands of the soldiers?" Zhang Yunxiu was unconcerned.

"Brother Zhang, I advise you to consider it carefully. This matter is of great importance, and the resistance involved is something even your father might struggle to handle." Shen Yongmao's expression tightened, and he earnestly advised, "Furthermore, the monks have Empress Dowager Li behind them. Don't fail to kill the snake and end up getting bitten by it instead; it wouldn't be worth the loss."

"The pressure from Empress Dowager Li is not something you or I need to consider."

"This matter is too big; I can't make the decision. I have to go back and discuss it with my father first."

"Brother Jingzhong, don't sit on the fence. If you hesitate when you should act, you will suffer the consequences. Empress Dowager Li's tone has softened a bit this time; if we don't take the opportunity to rectify Buddhism now, I fear it will be hard to find another chance in the future."

"Actually... actually, it's not a bad thing to have more monks."

Watching Shen Yongmao change his tune, Zhang Yunxiu cursed him as a slippery fellow under his breath, but on the surface, he could only offer kind advice: "Your father is also an Assistant Minister. If your father doesn't do such a great deed that benefits the country and the people, wouldn't he be laughed at by the literati?"

Once these words were out, Shen Yongmao hung his head and said nothing, not knowing what he was pondering.

A strange atmosphere spread through the private room.

At this moment, a shout came from outside the door: "Two distinguished guests, the dishes are all ready. Should I serve them now, or would you two like to set a time?"

Seeing the atmosphere was dull, Zhang Yunxiu raised an eyebrow and asked Shen Yongmao with a smile: "Brother Jingzhong, shall we eat now, or talk about it later?" "Let's eat while we talk." Shen Yongmao took the opportunity to step down.

The sun slanted westward, and the sunset glow filled the sky.

Two or three hours passed unknowingly; the afterglow of the sunset faded, and the sky grew dark.

Zhang Yunxiu took a written memorial directly from his bosom and handed it forward. Shen Yongmao took it and saw that, except for Shen Shixing, the other three Grand Secretaries had all signed it.

"Brother Zhang, were you waiting for me here?" Shen Yongmao felt he had been tricked.

"Alas, your father is in charge of the Ministry of Rites; this rectification of Buddhism should naturally be led by him. Such a great achievement, if successful, will surely leave a name in history." Zhang Yunxiu said with conviction.

Shen Yongmao's mouth twitched. He closed the memorial, cupped his hands toward Zhang Yunxiu, and said, "I will do my best."

"With Brother Jingzhong's word, I am relieved."

The two exchanged a few polite words and then, cloaked in the night, left Tianxian Pavilion together.

Rubbing his hands together, Zhang Yunxiu arrived at his fourth brother's home, where Zhang Jianxiu met him in the reception hall and asked directly: "That old fox Shen Shixing, did he agree to follow our father and fire this second shot together?"

"Eighty percent chance he will." Zhang Yunxiu blinked his eyes with a smile, then added with a playful tone, "The most important thing is that our father was actually able to persuade Empress Dowager; that is what you call true ability."

"You're still talking? We both ended up as pawns, working for nothing."

"How is it working for nothing?"

"What benefits did you or I get?"

Zhang Jianxiu asked with a frown. Zhang Yunxiu stood up and replied: "Zhao Yong's life was saved; doesn't that count as a gain?"

"Are you stupid? Our father never intended to kill him in the first place!" Zhang Jianxiu widened his eyes, his voice unconsciously rising a few notches.

"Ah?!" Zhang Yunxiu realized it belatedly.

"That is what you call brilliant. He tricked us into running around heart and soul, only for the old man to have had his plans all along." As Zhang Jianxiu spoke, the image of his father's strategic mastery surfaced in his mind.

"You mean, from the very beginning, he was determined to discipline the Buddhist sect?" Zhang Yunxiu probed cautiously.

"Yes. He isn't even afraid of the nobility or being an enemy to the whole world, so how could he be afraid to go to war with the Buddhist sect just because of Empress Dowager alone? Now, Empress Dowager knows she is in the wrong and can't say anything more; these monks are going to have a terrible time this time."

Zhang Jianxiu explained in detail. Zhang Yunxiu felt as if he were trapped in a web, where almost every step he took was calculated by someone else.

"Fourth Brother, since going to war with the Buddhist sect is a foregone conclusion, you Brocade Guards must be well-prepared, lest someone causes trouble and disturbs the common people." Zhang Yunxiu urged earnestly.

"Rest assured, whoever dares to cause trouble, we will let them know the might of our Brocade Guards."

Zhang Jianxiu was full of confidence.

These fat-headed, big-eared monks were no match for the Brocade Guards.

Afterwards, the two brothers briefly asked about recent events, and the topic unconsciously drifted back to Zhao Yong.

Zhang Jianxiu narrowed his eyes and asked Zhang Yunxiu with a smile: "How do you intend to deal with this kid?"

"I advise you to stop worrying about this brat in the future, otherwise he will bring a great disaster upon you sooner or later."

"He agreed to return to his hometown to study martial arts and read books to advance himself. This time, I think he has truly 'attained enlightenment'." Zhang Yunxiu smiled with relief, his gaze towards his fourth brother looking quite smug.

"Enlightenment? It's not that easy."

"How about we make a bet? I bet that in six years at the latest, he will pass the provincial examination."

"Bet on what?" Zhang Jianxiu became interested and leaned his body toward Zhang Yunxiu.

"Let's bet on that precious sword in your room."

"That won't do; that was a gift from my father-in-law, its significance is extraordinary."

"Are you afraid of losing?"

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and used a goading tactic. Zhang Jianxiu's stubborn temper flared up, and he shouted, "Who's afraid of losing? Just look at this kid, he's like a wild ox; what great things can he achieve in the future? Forget six years, even if you give him ten, he won't pass!"

"It's a bet."

"Fine. If I lose, I will find a good wife for Zhang Zhongrun."

"My son, does he need you to find him one?"

Zhang Jianxiu muttered, but in the end, he nodded and agreed.

At this moment, Zhang Zhongrun walked in from outside, wearing a small yellow padded jacket and covered in snow.

"Father, Fifth Uncle." Zhang Zhongrun rolled his big eyes and called out obediently.

Zhang Jianxiu grabbed his son, patted the snow off him, and scolded: "Where have you been running wild again? Getting yourself into this state, aren't you afraid your mother will beat you when she gets back?"

"Father, you forgot, Mother went back to Huguang to visit Grandfather."

"Oh, so your mother is gone, and that's why you dared to go out and play wildly." Zhang Yunxiu smiled, his brows relaxing. He waved at Zhang Zhongrun, and Zhang Zhongrun broke free from his father and ran to Zhang Yunxiu's side.

"Little guy, Fifth Uncle just made a bet with your father; if I lose, I have to find you a good wife."

"Really?!" Zhang Zhongrun widened his eyes instantly.

"Look, look at how young he is, and he's already thinking about a wife." Zhang Yunxiu pointed at his nephew, looked at Zhang Jianxiu, and laughed: "Fourth Brother, this kid needs strict discipline, lest he becomes a young master who bullies men and oppresses women one day."

"My son doesn't need you to tell me that. If you want to discipline someone, go have a son of your own and discipline him yourself."

(End of chapter)