Chapter 312: Letter from the Capital

On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival in the Year of the Jia-Chen, written with respect by Jiuling:

To Brother Li Yan, for your perusal:

Since our hurried parting last time, time has flown, and suddenly several months have passed. Recalling last month, when my family was trapped in peril, it was thanks to Brother Li Yan's swift rescue that I am still here. I have engraved this in my heart and am endlessly grateful...

By the window, Li Yan flipped through Yan Jiuling's letter.

In this era, the exchange of information was very slow.

The events in Yichang were only learned of by Yan Jiuling in the capital after a long time had passed; he was seized by a lingering fear and immediately wanted to return to Ezhou.

Of course, his father, Yan Bonian, had long anticipated this and had simultaneously sent a servant with a sternly worded letter, urging him to prioritize the imperial examinations while also putting his mind at ease.

Although he could not return, he still wrote several letters—some to his parents and elder brother, and others to Li Yan.

This letter contained many things.

First, naturally, was a flood of gratitude. From the words, one could see that Yan Jiuling had been badly frightened.

Following that were various observations and intelligence.

Yan Jiuling was very clever; he knew what Li Yan valued more, so he shared much of the news he had seen in the capital without reservation.

Just as Li Yan had expected.

The Yan family could not be considered a great clan in Ezhou at all, and even in Yichang, they were only upper-middle tier. But because of his grandfather's "Ten Strategies for Securing the Nation," Yan Jiuling's status immediately appeared extraordinary.

The Great Xuan Emperor had adopted two of those strategies.

Whether it was "Opening the Seas for Trade" or "Replacing Native Officials with Appointed Ones," both had produced a decisive influence on the current situation in the Shenzhou.

Any reform cannot be separated from theoretical support.

With the powerful financial support of the Open Seas Faction, Yan Jiuling's grandfather, who had been ignored during his lifetime, had now become a figure of national teacher status.

In any case, they would boast as much as they could.

Therefore, as soon as Yan Jiuling entered the capital, he quickly became a popular figure. Officials and wealthy merchants of the Open Seas Faction vied to invite him, and banquets, large and small, were constant.

People from the local native factions, meanwhile, tried to find faults, and during several consecutive banquets, there were people who spoke out to rebuke and question him.

Under these circumstances, the Yan family had no retreat.

But fortunately, Yan Jiuling was good at thinking. On his way to the capital, he had walked through many places, and his knowledge far exceeded those who only knew how to boast.

Not only was he not stumped, but he also proposed many profound insights.

This, however, was extraordinary.

The Open Seas Faction had originally intended to flatter him, and now they treated him like a treasure. Even the Great Xuan Emperor had asked for his name.

It was precisely because of this that Yan Jiuling came into contact with much intelligence that ordinary people found difficult to know, and he gained a deep understanding of the Great Xuan situation.

The current Great Xuan Dynasty had already reached a critical juncture.

Land annexation in various places had become very serious, and accompanying it was the expansion of local forces in various states. Forming cliques for private gain was common, and they had even privately colluded to sway imperial policy.

The national treasury was empty, and even the post stations could no longer be maintained...

These officials could not be touched; if they were moved, the local areas would fall into chaos...

The imperial court's military funds were also insufficient. Some military generals were even secretly smuggling arms—some to buy food to maintain military stability, others to bribe superiors in an attempt to advance further...

The current Great Xuan Emperor was also a ruthless person, so he naturally thought of many ways.

He elevated the power of the Commandant Office, using its cruel laws to suppress the hundred officials. Although he cleared out some people, it met with even greater backlash...

He balanced left and right, attempting to divide local forces, but instead caused even greater chaos, nearly causing the kind of confusion seen with the Mile Sect to appear again...

If this continued, I fear that in a few decades, the Great Xuan Dynasty would lose control and head toward decline, and there were still enemy nations watching covetously from the surroundings.

And opening the seas for trade was the Great Xuan Emperor's leverage.

The rise of the Open Seas Faction caused the local native factions to begin splitting. After a round of court struggles, they also got rid of quite a few troublesome characters.

More crucially, the national treasury began to fill.

With money, everything was easy to discuss.

This Great Xuan Emperor first moved against the various border armies. Through repeated transfers of generals, he firmly grasped military power.

And this time, replacing native officials with appointed ones was also a reorganization of military forces. The appearance of new-style gunpowder made it even more like adding wings to a tiger.

It could be said that as long as this war was won, the Great Xuan Emperor's prestige would reach another peak.

By then, I fear it would be another round of blood and slaughter...

In this situation, people of insight in the court naturally saw it too. Although their stances and positions were different, they all shared a consensus: the Shenzhou was about to face change.

Either the phoenix would be reborn, and the destiny would continue.

Or it would never recover and gradually decline.

There was no second path to take.

All the chaos in the Shenzhou today had its source right here.

Just two months before the new-style firearms were researched, a Master-level expert entered the imperial city at night, attempting to assassinate the Great Xuan Emperor, but was repelled by Huo Yin, the leader of the Shenquan Society, who was also a Master.

But the identity of this Master remained a mystery to this day...

Furthermore, not only was the Lord Tian Sheng Sect causing chaos in Ezhou, but in Western Hunan, Lingyou Guangxi, and the seas of Minzhou... there were evil cultivation forces at work.

Therefore, the imperial court was simultaneously using Daoist registers to restrain people of the Mystic Sect while vigorously developing firearms...

Aside from the political situation, Yan Jiuling also spoke of many things he had seen and heard.

Lin Yu, the chubby young master of the Jiangzhe Lin family, had found him. The two hit it off immediately, and since both had friendships with Li Yan, they had already become good friends.

Yan Jiuling had originally been obsessed with mountains, rivers, history, and folklore, but after seeing many things, he changed his mind and wanted to enter the court, following the path of regulating the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world...

As for the chubby young master Lin Yu, he did not change his curious nature, following him around to various mansions and seeing quite a few treasures...

Besides this, Yan Jiuling also highlighted one thing.

Because the blueprints for the Ministry of Works' new-style firearms were stolen, new-style gunpowder required traveling to various places to investigate mineral veins, and numerous overseas curiosities and mechanical arts were being transported into the capital...

For various reasons, the Great Xuan Emperor planned to establish a new-style academy in the capital, specializing in the research of yin-yang feng shui, mountain and river history, mechanical firearms, and many other miscellaneous studies.

It was named the Qiankun Academy, meaning to encompass the universe.

Some people from the Confucian Sect and the Mo Sect were pushing for this with all their might, and even some declining Outer Elixir factions of the Mystic Sect were very interested.

Preparations were currently underway, and it would likely be established next year or the year after.

In the capital, many people were waiting to see a joke.

But Yan Jiuling felt that this academy likely had no small potential. If he were on the list after the imperial examinations, he would find a way to enter this academy...

Qiankun Academy?

Li Yan looked at it, and a trace of interest also arose in his heart.

According to the letter, this academy was a bit like a comprehensive university of later generations, but what it researched were some strange skills and mysterious things.

If there were an opportunity in the future, he would definitely have to go and see it...

…………

At the Parrot Island Wharf, the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense.

Today was another clear day. Under the dazzling sunlight, the river surface was sparkling. There was a sea of people on the shore, and dragon boats were lined up neatly beside the wharf.

It was already the ninth day of the fifth lunar month. As the competition progressed, those teams that had come to join in the fun but lacked strength had all been eliminated.

Everyone knew that the next few days were the key.

Every day, a winner would stand out. By the last day, all the winners would gallop on the river to compete for the final championship.

The champion would have a domineering name: "Shi Pai Tou on the River." To the common people and some participating teams, this was just a grand festival. As long as their results were higher than a village they didn't like, they would be happy enough to get drunk for several days.

If they won against their arch-rivals, they would even set up a grand flowing banquet.

The losers would be left with ashen faces, and the villagers wouldn't give them a good look.

And for some major forces, winning the annual "Shi Pai Tou on the River" title was also a symbol of strength. When they spoke outside, their backs would be a bit straighter.

At this moment, all the dragon boats were in position.

From the dragon head to the dragon tail, they were hung with colorful silk, and colorful flags were pulled in the center. This had a saying called "Hanging the Dragon Robe."

The men on the boats were all wearing vests of the same color and tied with belts of the same color, revealing muscular arms. They were fully focused, waiting for the command.

Unlike later generations, it was even livelier on these dragon boats. Not only were there big drums, but there were also gong players used to control the rhythm.

Of course, the most important thing was the "Steersman," who was served by the most experienced person. Waving a colorful flag to command, they not only had to control the rhythm but were also responsible for checking the route.

And on the shore, a sacrificial ceremony was being conducted.

!.

Rows of ritual priests were praying, incense smoke was curling, and various offerings like zongzi were lined up. Numerous virtuous and respected elders, representing the people of the Three Towns of Wuchang, were conducting prayers and sacrifices.

This kind of ceremony had to be held every day before the competition.

Soon, with the crackling of firecrackers, some pastry offerings and zongzi were all thrown into the river, representing the end of the ceremony.

Whoosh—Boom!

A huge sky-piercing firework shot into the air and exploded.

And this was the signal for the start of the competition.

In an instant, ten thousand oars were launched simultaneously, and the dragon boats were like dragons emerging from the sea.

The sound of gongs and drums rang out. The "Steersmen" stood at the stern waving colorful flags, while the crew shouted chants. Their movements were neat, inserting their oars into the water at the same time and splashing water.

One dragon boat after another rode the wind and broke the waves, galloping on the river.

Dong dong dong!

The gongs and drums were war drums. Between the dragon boats, they chased and competed, neither side giving way, like a battlefield confrontation, making one's blood boil.

And on the shore, the common people were also shouting like a tide, each with a red face, craning their necks and standing on tiptoe, vying to watch.

Not to mention the wharf shore, even the trees in the distance were covered with people, waving their own small flags and shouting. From time to time, someone would get too excited, slip, and fall into the river.

Some big shots who came to watch naturally wouldn't crowd with the common people. Near the Parrot Island Wharf, high platforms were specially built, and there were even sunshades for them to watch.

Shi Chen, the leader of the Pai Sect, was also among them.

However, his attention was not on the competition, but on playing with the flintlock firearm in his hand, full of interest.

A leader of a Wudang secular bodyguard agency nearby saw this and couldn't help but shake his head slightly, "Shi Pai Tou Shi, although you already have a quota, this thing is a lethal weapon after all. It's better not to take it out and be conspicuous."

"On a joyous day, it's not good to hurt anyone."

"Lethal weapon?"

Shi Chen laughed and said disdainfully, "For us people of the martial world, a sword is a lethal weapon, a staff is a lethal weapon, and even these two hands are lethal weapons. Could it be that I have to chop them off and put them at home?"

"This thing is a deterrent. What's the use of hiding it? Only by putting it out in the open can it deter the petty."

"Shi Pai Tou Li, don't blame me for being meddlesome. With this thing, the pattern of the martial world has changed."

"Those bodyguards under your command, practicing for three summers and three winters—how many can actually make a name for themselves? Most are just mediocre people, and you still have to spend effort to cultivate them."

As he spoke, he raised the flintlock firearm in his hand and said triumphantly, "And with this thing, I only need to spend a little more silver, and I can immediately set up a firearm team. No matter how many people come, I can knock them all down with one shot!"

The bodyguard agency leader's face immediately became ugly, and he argued, "This thing is just a tool. No matter how good the tool is, it still needs a person to use it..."

"Alright, alright."

Shi Chen said impatiently, "I'm too lazy to argue with you. Confucian scholars study, martial artists practice martial arts, and distinguishing themselves from ordinary people—it's all the same principle. What do you think the imperial court released this thing for?"

"If from now on martial artists are frequently shot to death by ordinary people with guns, how many people do you think will still be willing to suffer this hardship?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people nearby fell into silence.

They had heard a lot about firearms, but when they got the quota and brought a few over to test, they already understood many things.

This thing might not pose a threat to them.

But those ordinary disciples who hadn't practiced martial arts for long simply couldn't block it.

And ordinary disciples were the majority after all, which meant that those yamen runners equipped with firearms by the imperial court could suppress them.

And this was still just ordinary firearms.

If there were a few new-style firearms, even they, if not careful, would be beaten into a sieve.

The pattern of the martial world had indeed changed.

There were some experts that even new-style firearms couldn't deal with, but how many experts could there be? The martial world was composed of ordinary people after all...

For a time, everyone was restless and fell into deep thought.

And at the same time, the competition on the river was still continuing. After a fierce competition, the Pai Sect won again.

"Hahaha..."

Shi Chen was full of ambition. He stood up, tucked the firearm into his waist, and bowed to the surroundings, "Everyone, thank you for letting us win. I am hosting a banquet at my mansion today, so please do me the honor."

"That is only natural."

"We will definitely go to have a cup of wine."

He was just like that when he spoke, and everyone was used to it. But the Pai Sect had quite a bit of influence on the river after all, so whether they went or not, they had to say the right things.

There was no help for it; this was what they called a petty person being hard to offend.

Shi Chen laughed, took his men, left the Parrot Island Wharf, and returned to Wuchang City.

As a leader, he had saved up quite a bit of family wealth over the years. The mansion he built could be ranked even in Wuchang City, and he had even married several concubines and had a large group of children.

In the grand mansion at this moment, a stage had already been set up, and several troupes were performing on stage. Once the news of the victory there came out, a flowing banquet was set up here directly.

"Greetings to Shi Pai Tou Shi!"

"Brother Shi, congratulations, congratulations!"

The guests who came to congratulate him stood up one after another to welcome him.

"Hahaha, congratulations to you too!"

Shi Chen laughed heartily and toasted table by table.

And at a table in a remote corner, the Fu family twins were drinking wine, smiling as they looked at Shi Chen in the distance...

…………

"Patron Li, please this way!"

Under the guidance of a young novice monk, Li Yan entered the Baotong Zen Temple.

Without realizing it, two days had passed. He had waited for a long time in the Chamber of Commerce, and it was only when the sun set that he received the news and came to Baotong Zen Temple.

Zen Master Tongxuan said that he wanted to give him a stroke of fate today.

Abbot Mingzhu had mentioned this matter before, but Li Yan hadn't taken it to heart. Now that Zen Master Tongxuan mentioned it again, it made him quite interested.

It seemed this stroke of fate was likely not simple.

Even though night had already fallen, Baotong Zen Temple was still as busy as ever, with monks constantly coming and going. But after arriving at the Mahavira Hall, Li Yan sensed something strange.

There wasn't a single shadow here, and the sounds from outside seemed to be completely cut off, quiet to the point of being eerie...

Wishing everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, the second update will be a bit later.

(End of chapter)