[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-463":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558629,2024,"Chapter 463: Doujin 14: Where the Heart Finds Peace — Song of the Cloud Bamboo","shao-song-chapter-463",463,"\u003Cp>Doujin 14: Where the Heart Finds Peace — Song of the Cloud Bamboo\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doujin 14: Where the Heart Finds Peace — Song of the Cloud Bamboo\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the cavalry returned from Wulahai City to camp at Yuetai, the spring breezes, summer moons, and autumn rains of the seventh year of Jianyan passed imperceptibly amid daily drills, and time turned to the twelfth day of the eighth month. Although the cavalry had always been required to train by the grass-teaching and daily-inspection methods, large-scale exercises still consumed grain and pay, so Cavalry Commander Qu Duan had stipulated that collective drills would only be held on days ending in five or ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, they first roughly practiced formation coordination, and the remaining time was used to examine the results of individual martial arts training. Not only were those who had merely learned a fancy facade rebuked or even expelled by their squad leaders, but even the barbarian soldiers who were skilled in both riding and archery had to practice the techniques of swords, spears, clubs, and divine-arm crossbows passed down from the Imperial Guard, all in consideration of actual combat. After all, on the battlefield, no one would give you a special chance to settle things solely with archery; otherwise, Commander Qu wouldn't have been so panicked to the point of death when Wushi charged at Yaoshan, would he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once all four squads had finished their drills, thinking this was the last full troop exercise before the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Qu Duan simply ordered his personal guards to prepare a feast from the best restaurant in the capital, along with Blue Bridge Wind Moon wine, and hosted Liu Qi, Li Master, Zhang Zhongfu, Zhang Zhongyan, and other senior cavalry officers at Yuetai. Since Commander Qu was rarely so gracious, the generals naturally responded with enthusiastic support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With pipa and Qiang flutes, wine was set in the central tent; under Qu Duan's command, there were naturally no beauties dancing inside the tent. But Liu Qi came from a military family and handled everything properly, the young duke was also known for his inner refinement, and even Qu Duan, if he could refrain from boasting about his literary and martial talents, could quickly rally people's hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine and five courses, Qu Duan even personally left his seat to toast each person in turn. As mentioned before, Commander Qu was rarely so gracious, so the generals stopped being coy, gradually loosened their tongues, shouted dice throws, boasted of their merits, and casually dreamed of the northern expedition three years hence, vowing to win merit on horseback and secure titles for their wives and children. Some even got so excited that they stepped down to spar, and Qu Duan let them go with a loud laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After toasting Liu Qi and Li Master, he turned to the Zhang brothers. Qu Duan bent down to pour wine but didn't hand it over; instead, he looked at Zhang Zhongfu with deep meaning in his eyes: \"Though this isn't the strong liquor of our border passes, a sip of this fine brew stirs a hundred emotions. Blue Bridge Wind Moon can roughly be called Jade Pass wine. Xinfu, Caifu, can you drink this cup?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhongyan instinctively looked at his elder brother. Amid the clamor and shadows of weapons, Zhang Zhongfu fixed his gaze on the superior he had followed for nearly twenty years since the Zhenrong Army days, and smiled faintly. Whether killing enemies or annexing colleagues, he had done everything that should and shouldn't be done. Yet still, there remained the soaring ambition of youth, the vow to be the finest in the army. The scenes of striking foes and harmonizing poetry on the battlefield were still vivid before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Autumn wind chills the frontier horse, setting sun colors the Han banners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You sing the joy of army life, I urge a cup of Jade Pass wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What always lingers in my heart? Thoughts of those Yan clouds and willows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhongfu actively snatched the wine with both hands and drained it in one gulp, not noticing the complex expression on Xiahou Yuan's face nearby, and cupped his fists boldly: \"I am willing to follow the Commander.\" Zhang Zhongyan beside him also finished his cup heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere grew increasingly heated. In the end, Qu Duan, Liu Qi, and Zhang Zhongfu even took \"moon\" as their theme, seizing the moment to wield their brushes. Qu Duan composed a seven-character quatrain, Liu Qi matched the tune \"Partridge Sky,\" and Zhang Zhongfu also contributed a lyric to the tune \"Mountain Stream.\" As for Li Master, he upheld the fine tradition of ethnic minorities by stepping down to demonstrate riding, archery, and mounted spear techniques—truly exquisite and unmatched among the cavalry. In the end, even people from Wang De's Imperial Guard Central Army next door gradually gathered to cheer and applaud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so it was: feasting tonight at Yuetai, poetry and wine to match the prime of life; another day, galloping through Yan clouds, arrows piercing the proud barbarians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital of Bianjing was neither small nor large, and the people of this dynasty had always loved gossip. So two days later, even Zhang Jun heard about the poetry gambling incident among the senior cavalry officers at Yuetai. That day, after discussing the festival rewards for the various Imperial Guard armies with Liu Ziyu of the Ministry of War at the Western Administration Bureau, he brought up the matter amid laughter. Liu Ziyu was somewhat reproachful: \"Qu Duan has always been a troublemaker. Even if there was a reason to motivate his own cavalry, he shouldn't have pulled such a stunt at Yuetai. How will the other Imperial Guard armies see it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun suppressed a laugh: \"I heard that Wang Zihua complained to his personal guards that Commander Qu, instead of showing off his literary skills, should step down and fight him for twenty or thirty rounds.\" Liu Ziyu quickly raised his tea to hide his smile. After all, Qu Duan couldn't even beat Wu Jie, let alone Wang De, who ranked among the top three in martial prowess among the ten commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So Commander Qu took that lying down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Qu Duan's nature, how could he? He had Young Duke Li drink a whole jar of Blue Bridge Wind Moon and then take his place in the fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He's too mischievous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two unceremoniously discussed a member of their own faction for a few moments, when Liu Ziyu suddenly turned serious: \"Commander Qu's move reminded me. Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival. By custom, the three chancellors... We are not like the Eastern Administration or Hu Mingzhong, who are notorious for private virtue; we must still consider the sovereign's favor. Your Excellency the Privy Councilor knows I am not skilled in poetry either. I'll have to find Zihui to write on my behalf. Deyuan, stay here, no need to see me out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Liu Ziyu waved his sleeve and walked out the door, leaving Zhang Jun barely maintaining a composed face. Zhang Deyuan had always considered himself the one closest to His Majesty, did not reject the path of currying favor, and was even quite adept at it. He had also thought about composing a Mid-Autumn panegyric. But with the recent busyness of court affairs and military matters, he had let it slip his mind. Now reminded by Liu Ziyu, he realized he hadn't prepared any Mid-Autumn poetry yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, as a graduate of the Imperial Academy, Zhang Jun was unafraid of the classics, histories, and philosophical works. He could even shed his official robes, don plain scholar's garb, and debate the classics with students. He could write both parallel prose and free-style essays, and discussing principles and the Book of Changes was no challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this wasn't the emperor who loved Daoist hymns three hundred years later; now, one still had to write poetry. The only option now was to follow Liu Ziyu's example and find a ghostwriter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, within his own faction, Lin Jingmo and Lu Zhi were also not skilled in such trivial matters as poetry. Yu Yunwen was still in the provinces, and Liu Qi, after returning from Yuetai, had packed his bags to go see his brother, who was still serving as a helmsman on the Yellow River while moonlighting as an ice-breaker. Qu Duan was both literary and martial and was in the capital, but with Qu Duan's temperament—did Zhang Deyuan have no face to save?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for that Lu Benzhong, who was useless at everything but had founded the Jiangxi school of lyric poetry—just as Qu Duan was reluctant to face Li Master, Zhang Jun was also reluctant to trouble this Secretariat Drafter, after all, his father, Chancellor Lu... still had considerable prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other choice, he would have to trouble Brother Yuanzhen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By night, with three stars in the sky, Zhang Jun went alone without attendants, striding confidently toward Zhao Ding's residence. It was rare that a certain Eastern Administration chancellor wasn't working overtime on government documents, but was instead trimming several pots of flowers and plants outside his study. In season, the Jian orchids bloomed purple, the clustered chrysanthemums burst yellow, and several osmanthus trees on either side shed jade-like buds, their heavenly fragrance lingering around his sleeves. The plum and winter-sweet blossoms at the corner had not yet bloomed, their sturdy branches slanting, cast by moonlight onto the window paper, creating an interplay of shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhang Jun arrive, Zhao Ding slowly rolled down his sleeves, moving gracefully as he invited Zhang Jun into the study. The clear air drifted, and the rich osmanthus fragrance, filtered through the doors and windows, seemed more subdued. After the two sat down, a servant served tea and then withdrew, closing the door as usual. Seeing this, Zhang Jun took a small sandalwood box from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Ding with a beaming smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening it, he found neither the new blended incense Zhang Deyuan had once given him, nor Huajian paper or Tinggui pine-soot ink, but merely a few lotus seeds. Zhao Ding pondered briefly, then smiled lightly: \"The lotus seeds have ripened, the lotus leaves have aged. Deyuan, are you hinting at a 'Wind from the Valley' match for Fen'er?\" He was naturally thin and refined, and when he smiled, the dimples on his cheeks became more pronounced, set off by his moon-white plain cloth robes, exuding a charm of \"wind suits clear nights, dew suits autumn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun smoothly leaned forward and tugged at his sleeve, asking: \"Are these lotus seeds worthy as your honorarium, Brother Yuanzhen?\" Zhao Ding thought for a moment, realized Zhang Jun had come for the festival panegyric, and barely suppressed a laugh: \"A few lotus seeds are hardly enough. I'd need Deyuan to imitate Li Taibai's old tale and grind ink and spread paper for me.\" Zhang Jun raised an eyebrow at this, went straight to the desk to fetch the inkstone and ink stick, and looked up with a smile: \"For that, what's not possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the ink was dissolved, Zhang Jun urged Zhao Ding to pick up his brush, while he himself sat back down to drink tea. Zhao Ding always used plain things; his tea was ordinary new tea, his cups were plain white porcelain, and the candles were specially bestowed by His Majesty. Perhaps disliking the smell of burning oil and cotton wick tainting the osmanthus fragrance, Zhao Ding had unusually fitted a lampshade, making the candlelight softer, casting a jade-like hue onto Zhang Jun's hand as he held his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some deliberation, the poem was finished in a moment, and Zhang Jun hadn't even finished half his tea. He quickly set down his cup and looked at Zhao Ding, speaking with frustration: \"Brother Yuanzhen, though your poetry is better than mine, you can't be said to be particularly skilled at it. How did you finish so quickly?\" Zhao Ding coughed, looked up at the study's beam, and replied: \"Since it's a ghostwritten piece, I naturally had to go a step further in imitating your style, Deyuan. That's not difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun took a deep breath of tea and osmanthus fragrance. Forget it, forget it; he'd better see what Brother Yuanzhen had written. As for this verbal sparring, he could get back at him in court sooner or later. Seeing those slender, fair fingers take the plain paper, Zhao Ding's heart stirred, and he teased in a low voice: \"Is the shade of my painted brows fashionable enough?\" Zhang Jun caught the allusion and smiled back: \"Brother Yuanzhen truly knows his own beauty and hesitates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then when you copy it, Deyuan, be sure to write neatly. His Majesty is not that Daoist Emperor from Shaolin Temple; he won't understand the 'freehand' style in your brushwork.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few clinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Presumably, a certain Privy Councilor, whom Li Xiantai had dismissed as a \"vase,\" was engaging in some frivolous acts of harming his \"fellow kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, fame and merit have also brought hardship; in the end, to whom can one entrust one's deeds?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness of that time, errors were still accepted; in the chaos of later ages, truth is even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Street gossip is especially foolish; rumors and slander are the most deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, a rumor gradually spread through the markets of Bianjing. It claimed that the two chancellors of the Eastern and Western Administrations pretended to be at odds on the surface, but in reality, they had close private dealings, joining hands to exclude dissidents, block the court, and isolate the inner and outer. Some even swore they had seen Privy Councilor Zhang secretly meeting with Chief Chancellor Zhao on the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival, and that Zhang had come out of Zhao's residence beaming with joy. The story was told with such vivid detail that it added considerable credibility to the rumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, Zhang Jun and Zhao Ding were summoned to the palace by His Majesty Zhao. After leaving the palace and returning home, Zhang Jun shut himself in his study to think for a moment. Soon after, he sent trusted servants to deliver invitations to the residences of various members of his faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Zhang mansion's messenger arrived, Qu Duan was at the specially built training ground in his residence, arms crossed, watching Xiahou Yuan lift stone locks with great interest. Xiahou Yuan was naturally superhumanly strong; stripped to the waist, he was now practicing, swinging two stone locks weighing about a hundred jin each with such force that the wind howled. The veteran soldiers gradually gathering around all cheered loudly. An old gatekeeper led the Zhang servant in, and after the man respectfully explained the matter, Qu Duan took the invitation, pondered briefly, and waved his hand casually: \"Please inform Privy Councilor Zhang that I will certainly attend.\" As he spoke, his eyes never left the training ground, and at an especially thrilling moment, he blurted out: \"Excellent!\" The Zhang servant, long accustomed to the ways of this Imperial Guard Cavalry Commander, paid it no mind and simply bowed and withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan watched for a while, then suddenly remembered the night of the Yuetai poetry gathering. Many fellow officers had come to toast Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou had accepted them all, ending up dead drunk. Qu Duan, thinking he should at least look after his own man, personally helped him to rest in the camp. As he frowned while removing the armor from his little drunkard, Xiahou Yuan suddenly opened his eyes and stared straight at him. Under the lamplight, his gaze was as clear as the moon at its zenith. \"The lonely lamp is dim, my thoughts nearly break; I roll up the curtain and gaze at the moon, sighing in vain.\" These two lines about the moon were uttered by Xiahou Yuan, word by word, his voice like metal and stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The beauty is like a flower, separated by clouds,\" Qu Duan continued without pause, unable to resist reaching out and flicking Xiahou Yuan's forehead: \"Have you set your sights on some young lady from a high and mighty family, to be so lovesick?\" Xiahou Yuan ignored him, closed his eyes, rolled over, and buried himself in the blanket, as if asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling this, Qu Duan stroked his chin in thought. Xiahou Yuan was now past thirty and still unmarried—that was too improper. Glancing at Xiahou, who had put down the stone locks and started practicing with a wolf-tooth club, Qu Duan sighed inwardly. In truth, Xiahou had the look of the \"unremarkable young hero Ding Peng\" from storytellers' tales. Every time he rode through the streets, many in the crowd would throw pouches at him. Qu Duan had no idea which girl Xiahou Yuan had set his sights on so high that he kept putting off marriage. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qu Duan had pressed him repeatedly, but Xiahou refused to say. When pressed hard, he just threw out eight cryptic words—\"Below the Divine Martial Gate, flowing water and slender bamboo\"—and slipped away. Qu Duan figured that the area near the Divine Martial Gate was mostly home to refined civil officials, and his own reputation among the scholar-officials was quite poor, so he had entrusted the matter to Junior Minister Lin. Tonight's banquet at Privy Councilor Zhang's came at just the right time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By night, everyone gathered. Qu Duan was surprised to find that Lin Jingmo had not only brought his now very close nephew Mei Li but also a troupe of household musicians, saying that with night and wine, there must be song. Since they had been raised in the household since their fathers' time, their lives and futures were tied to their master, and they were extremely tight-lipped, it was no problem. Zhang Jun didn't want to offend this \"Lin Jiuzhang,\" so he had to set up a screen to separate the musicians in the outer hall, letting them sing the tune of His Majesty's new work, \"The Legend of the White Snake,\" while he took his seat at the head and, for once, took the initiative to bring up the market rumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingmo, Qu Duan, and even Mei Li remained expressionless. Qu Duan almost laughed inwardly: Is that it? Is that it? This little matter is worth you, Zhang Deyuan, making a big show of calling everyone together for a faction meeting? Lin Jingmo shook his head repeatedly: \"His Majesty is not ordinary. He might actually be pleased that the two chancellors can unite despite differences and contend without breaking, so that the court can be of one mind and cooperate in the northern expedition.\" Lu Zhi, however, suddenly grew excited, stroking his beard with a smug smile: \"Not so. The Eastern and Western Administrations ought to have an appearance of struggle. You must understand that for a thousand years, the art of balancing power at court has been the proper way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan snorted derisively, feeling that Vice Minister Lu's words made no sense. The man's thinking was crooked, and his focus was likely off. Sure enough, Zhang Jun then spoke hesitantly: \"As Shenmu said, His Majesty summoned me and Brother Yuanzhen to the palace today and strongly praised us for each doing our duty and working hand in hand.\" Lu Zhi sighed, looking quite regretful. Liu Ziyu, who had been watching Zhang Jun with concern, relaxed upon hearing this and slapped the table in praise: \"His Majesty is wise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan rolled his eyes inwardly, feeling that this Chancellor Zhang was indeed the biggest sycophant. He now understood the purpose of Zhang Deyuan's summons tonight—nothing more than a grand speech about \"enduring for the country, united for the northern expedition.\" Too lazy to respond, he leisurely scooped up a spoonful of the fermented rice dumplings from the dish before him. After all, Chancellor Zhang's household, being from a famous Sichuan family, had excellent chefs. At the same time, he stole a glance at Lin Jingmo. This Minister of Revenue, known for his inner refinement, had been too forceful and tactless in sending musicians to Zhang Jun earlier. There must be a reason. Feeling Qu Duan's probing gaze, Lin Jingmo turned his head and winked at Qu Duan. Qu Duan was startled, then laughed to himself, and went back to scooping up the fermented rice dumplings. After all, only gaming and good food were not to be betrayed. As for that little brat Xiahou's personal affairs, he'd deal with them later!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine in the second place: A warning cry; there may be an enemy at night. Do not worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Liu Ziyu was deep in discussion with Zhang Jun: \"That Chancellor Lu in the southeast is quite skilled. With him suppressing things there, it shouldn't allow the Jiangnan Daoists and the officials dismissed during the White Horse incident to connect with each other. There must be someone else behind this.\" He then glared at Qu Duan and continued: \"The two commissioners, Chancellor Yuwen, is too weak. As for the various military leaders of the Western Army, if any dare to defy orders, I say we should follow Lu Yihao's example and behead them all for peace! If Chancellor Lu had been sent to pacify Guanzhong, given Commander Qu's arrogant and domineering nature, I fear his half-life of wisdom, courage, and merit would have long been buried among the stone unicorns and wild grass of the new graves at Beimang. It would have been the same if I had gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lin Jingmo frowned deeply. He reached under the mat to gently press the slightly flustered young nephew Mei Li, then rose gracefully and leisurely, stepping out from behind the screen. Vaguely, he seemed to be giving some instructions to the musicians. Lu Zhi narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard in silence as he watched coldly. Zhang Deyuan's heart skipped a beat: Because of the friction at Yaoshan, Liu Ziyu and Qu Duan had never gotten along, often targeting each other in private. But tonight, he didn't know what was wrong with Yanxiu; his words had truly lost all measure, dragging their private grievances into the open. It was highly improper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan threw down his spoon and sneered, about to retort, when he caught the sound from beyond the screen. The clear, melodious tune of the White Snake song had somehow shifted to something somber and desolate:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yesterday, Ju Shou died in the army; today, Tian Feng perished in prison.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan was suddenly stunned. He looked at Lin Jingmo again, saw the man nod slightly, and when he spoke, it was with rare calm: \"The rivers and mountains remain unchanged, but the people have moved many times. If Guanzhong is lost, what meaning is there in the achievements of our lives, whether future generations remember them or not?\" The song from beyond the screen continued, even causing Lu Zhi to furrow his brow and listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Xu You's counsel had been heeded, how could the mountains and rivers belong to the Cao family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun felt that tonight's gathering had been a mistake. Rubbing his throbbing forehead, he urgently steered the conversation to other topics to divert Liu Ziyu's attention. The pipa beyond the screen grew faster and faster, then suddenly a string snapped like tearing silk—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All the pillars of Hebei were broken; how could Yuan Benchu not lose his house and state!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The west wind rustled the bamboo, and an autumn rain fell softly outside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan had already been feeling impatient, and now he used the autumn rain as an excuse to leave first. Seeing this, Lin Jingmo also bowed to Zhang Jun in apology and left with Mei Li. Once outside Zhang’s residence, Qu Duan immediately thanked Lin Jingmo with a serious expression for helping him during the banquet. The young Minister Lin only shook his head with a light smile: “Maoxiu once told me that ever since he entered court, he always felt that this Minister of War had a rather high killing intent. With this move of mine, I only hope Yanxiu might change his temperament a little.” Qu Duan then looked Mei Li up and down again, turned back to Lin Jingmo with a smile, and said: “This is your Xun Ling.” Having said this, he didn’t even take an umbrella, but simply rode off on horseback into the autumn rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ziyu, however, lingered a while longer at Zhang Jun’s place. By the time he was the last to leave the residence, the autumn rain had thickened, fine as silk threads falling from the flying eaves along the road. The street stretched out hazy and indistinct, like smoke and mist in the distance. Liu Ziyu waved away his attendants, refused a carriage or horse, opened an oilpaper umbrella the same green as the rain, lightly gathered his brick-red robes, and walked slowly along the nearly empty street. After a moment, he suddenly laughed at himself: “That song lyric was about me!” He shifted the paper umbrella slightly, looked up at the rain-curtain covering the sky, shook his head, then lightly flicked his left sleeve behind his back. In the movement, a faint, almost imperceptible scent of roses blended into the rain, inexplicably evoking the line, “A powerless rouge beauty reclines on the evening branch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stopping clouds gather thick, the timely rain falls fine… How can we draw our mats close and speak of our lives?” The chanting grew lower and lower, until it finally disappeared with that figure, straight as a sword, at the end of the long street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine in the third place: Strong in the chin—there is misfortune. The noble man walks alone, resolute; he meets with rain and is drenched, feels vexed, but no blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later, the street gossip that had already died down flared up again like wildfire, but the content had changed. Now people were talking about how Qu Duan, as one of the Ten Military Governors and a commander with real army authority, had been meeting privately with Zhang Jun, the Privy Council Grand Councilor, and Liu Ziyu, the Minister of War, suggesting collusion between civil and military officials. Xiahou Yuan rarely lost his composure, pacing anxiously in the study, striking his right fist into his left palm in frustration. “How can those censors not even let go of the absurd talk from ignorant commoners! Military Governor, they’re just out to get you!” Qu Duan sat upright behind the desk, gave a scornful laugh, and kept wiping a treasured blade. Xiahou Yuan’s sharp eyes recognized it as a sword forged back in the old days in Guanxi. “Pearls mistaken for Job’s tears—in the end, it all depends on the sovereign’s single thought. Xiahou, your concern blinds you. His Majesty’s breadth of mind is such that even the sage-kings of old cannot match it. Don’t worry too much—just wait and see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, when the memorial reached the imperial desk, the Emperor set it all aside, and the matter was settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine in the fifth place: The purslane is pulled up resolutely; walking the middle path brings no blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Autumn passed, winter went, and spring came. On the third day of the third month, the Shangsi Festival, His Majesty specially granted a day off, but also issued a decree summoning Yang Yizhong to the inner palace to accompany him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, Qu Duan did not go out. Instead, he entertained a rare guest in his study—Lin Jingmo, the Minister of Revenue. The two talked for a long time, until a whole pot of tea had been brewed dry. Only then did Lin Jingmo rise to take his leave. Qu Duan, somewhat dazed, saw him out the door. Returning to the study, he recalled how during their conversation, the young Minister Lin had specifically pointed out Wang Sizong of the early dynasty, a man known for “strictly controlling his subordinates, especially arrogant and ruthless.” Qu Duan fell silent for a long time. And Lin Jingmo’s parting words— “Commander Qu, I fear you’ve been looking in the wrong direction. The drinker’s heart is not in the cup. Commander Qu is also a man of letters; you should know what allusion Captain Xiahou is using.” —sent a chill through Qu Duan’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaving a sigh, Qu Duan heavily tapped the stack of letters on the desk, his brow furrowing even tighter. The information in the letters was quite detailed and complete. Near the Shenwu Gate, most of the residences belonged to civil officials and Buddhist or Daoist temples, and he had never heard of any “house with green bamboo and flowing water” that had a daughter of marriageable age. He turned his head to look at Xiahou Yuan, who had been standing there like a wooden dummy from the start, and sighed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was utterly silent; spring willows and spring flowers hid the heavy gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the arrival of the two Zhangs that broke this pervasive awkwardness. Perhaps because of the festival, the two Zhangs had also changed into civil official attire today. Zhang Zhongfu glanced briefly at the text on the desk, understood something in his heart, looked at the wooden dummy Xiahou, shook his head, and smiled as he tried to smooth things over: “Military Governor, why not take advantage of this fine festival to go out and have some fun with my brother and me? Don’t waste the beautiful spring scenery. As for Xiahou’s matter, we can talk about it another day!” Qu Duan was about to refuse, troubled by Xiahou’s affairs, but then he thought of the gentle willow wind and the red apricot blossoms on the branches. His heart stirred, and the words on his lips changed to agreement. But just as he was about to leave, he gritted his teeth and told Xiahou Yuan to come along too: “Go pick a good horse from the stable yourself, and give that poor mule a rest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a civet cat seemed to leap through the bushes and flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four of them rode slowly along the Bian River. The wind and dew carried the scent of flowers, spring waves shimmered in the sunlight, and on the roadside they met wandering maidens, while songs and pipes carried new tunes. The song went: “Though the cups and plates are hastily set, the wine is fine and the plum sour, just suiting one’s mood. Drunk, I stick flowers in my hair—don’t laugh at the flowers; pitiful spring, like a person, is growing old.” The four unconsciously reined in their horses to listen. When the song ended, Qu Duan clapped in admiration: “The Lady of Yi’an’s excellent lyrics! With such a breadth of spirit, no wonder His Majesty often borrows the Lady of Yi’an’s name for his own works.” As he laughed and talked, Qu Duan didn’t forget to observe his personal guards’ reactions to the beautiful women along the Bian River. But every time he turned his head, he met Xiahou Yuan’s sincere gaze. The more he looked, the more frustrated he became. Finally, he couldn’t help but ask in a low, stern voice: “You’ve dawdled until now, past thirty with not a single child to your name. If that person doesn’t accept you, what will you do then?” Xiahou, however, boldly broke off a flower and handed it to Qu Duan, grinning: “This flower blooms so well—would the Military Governor like to wear it in his hair?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan stared at that branch of lilac, “dazzling to the eye as if it were a pile of brocade,” felt a lump in his throat, and frantically refused Xiahou Yuan’s attempt to put the flower in his hair. The two Zhangs pretended not to see, leaving Xiahou Yuan standing aside, feeling wronged: Back in Guanxi, I always put flowers in the Military Governor’s hair—why is he so restrained now that we’re in the capital!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, in a tavern on the Bian River, the former trio from the Imperial Academy had also taken advantage of the holiday to gather for a small reunion. They, too, heard this new song from afar and praised it: “No wonder His Majesty would rather mention the Lady of Yi’an than his two consorts.” Zhang Jun shook his head repeatedly: “This is His Majesty’s private matter; we’d better not bring it up.” Zhao Ding personally poured him a cup of wine and asked earnestly: “Although the street gossip storm last autumn turned out to be a false alarm, Deyuan really shouldn’t be so openly inviting Hu Mingzhong and me to a banquet today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun raised his cup and took a light sip, beaming: “A petty trick not worth mentioning. I only hope Brother Yuanzhen won’t become estranged from me from now on.” Hearing this, Hu Yin put down his chopsticks and was about to speak, but Zhao Ding beat him to it: “Back then, we met amid sudden national calamity, forged a bond of life and death in difficult times, and were fortunate to find an enlightened ruler. We have supported each other all the way to this day. Now I am the Chief Councilor and you are the Privy Council Grand Councilor. Naturally, we should jointly stabilize the court. Even if we each have our own wings, there’s no harm in sharing the breeze and the moonlight together. Deyuan is right—I was being too rigid.” Hu Yin tried to interject, but Zhang Jun had already grasped Zhao Ding’s hands: “Today is the Shangsi Festival, Brother Yuanzhen—please don’t bring up state affairs or military matters. Let’s only talk about personal friendship.” Zhao Ding gazed at him for a moment, then smiled faintly, feeling at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yin, having been cut off repeatedly, looked left and right, then simply flicked his sleeves and stood up: “Your younger brother still has documents at home, so I won’t stay here to be an eyesore to you two elder brothers. Farewell!” Without waiting for Zhao and Zhang to rise and stop him, he resolutely turned and went downstairs. Hah, I shouldn’t have come to this gathering today! Better to go home and serve the Great Song and His Majesty—that’s where true happiness lies. In the elegant private room, Zhao and Zhang looked at each other, feeling somewhat ashamed. A civet cat happened to jump from the railing onto the window lattice at that moment, its posture leisurely, but its eyes seemed to flash with a knowing, amused light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When night fell, thousands of household lights gradually lit up along the Bian River, reflecting off the shimmering waves in competition with the newly risen moonlight. On such a fine night, even Liu Zihui had gone out to enjoy himself, but Liu Ziyu was drinking at home. Looking around, only Lu Zhi, who harbored great ambitions, was keeping him company. “A thousand years pass in an instant, yet I hate how fast they go; a single day of sorrow feels as long as a year.” Deep in his cups, Liu Ziyu threw down his wine pot and sang. Lu Zhi shook his head repeatedly but didn’t stop him, slowly sipping the jade-like liquid in his cup, staring absently at the crow’s nest in the tallow tree in the courtyard. “The moon is bright, the stars are few; crows fly south, circling the tree three times—what branch can they rest on?” The walnut in his hand spun faster and faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A civet cat, appearing from nowhere, jumped onto a tree branch, startling the crows into a cacophony of cries. Then this agile, lightning-fast figure leaped into the deep darkness of the distance, heading straight for the inner palace. Before long, Yang Yizhong, who had been standing at the palace gate for half the day, gently caught this civet cat. He held it carefully and joyfully, as if embracing an entire empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand-year-old city wall, a thousand autumns of moonlight; how many people in the annals, how many desolate mounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By midnight, Qu Duan’s residence was still bustling with noise. The old soldiers of the household had set up a barbecue stall, clamoring to continue the fun. Amid the uproar, Qu Duan kept fiddling with the branch of red apricot blossoms that Xiahou Yuan, after being refused the flower in his hair, had stubbornly tied onto his horse, Iron Elephant. Suddenly, he turned back and asked Xiahou Yuan: “Are you still not going to tell me the truth?” Xiahou Yuan’s hand trembled, but he steadied his mind and met his Military Governor’s gaze without flinching: “Since the moment I first saw that peach blossom, I have never doubted until now.” Qu Duan nodded with a smile, but then looked up to the sky and sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, several peach trees blazed with splendor under the moonlight. Thousands of falling petals tangled with willow branches for a moment before drifting down gracefully. On such a fine night, those with feeling should cherish it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ps:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Lin Jingmo’s courtesy name is Shenmu. I’ve done Liu Ziyu a bit dirty in the text, but in this timeline, his methods were indeed quite extreme—scary, a real ruthless one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Ze Tian Guai: The hexagram of resolution, capable of harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. “You Feng Fa Ke” refers to a matchmaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Lilac flower: “dazzling to the eye as if it were a pile of brocade”—indicates the stirring of the red phoenix star (love\u002Fromance)?\u003C\u002Fp>",6258,"2026-06-06T07:46:32.508Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","bd54f7f9e0c65dadd40ce314f585155372c7ea0ad251f1b1110ce413ec884b84","shao-song-chapter-464","shao-song-chapter-462",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]