Chapter 48: The Transmigrator and the Child of the Plane

Over a hundred Palace Gentlemen and Imperial Academy students blocked the street outside the Master of Fates' residence to plead for Diwu Lun. The commotion was so great that officials from the Left, Front, and Rear Fates Halls inside the compound all came out to watch. In the end, even Kong Ren's superior, Chen Chong, the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties, was roused.

Chen Chong was not like Kong Ren. He had been a trusted confidant of Wang Mang ever since Wang Mang became "Regent." At that time, Wang Mang gathered the realm's most brilliant talents: his clansmen Wang Shun and Wang Yi served as his heart and mind; Zhen Feng and Zhen Han handled judgments; the great Confucian Ping Yan oversaw confidential affairs; Liu Xin was in charge of official documents; and Sun Jian, Protector-General of the Western Regions, acted as his claws and teeth. In addition, Cui Fa of Zhuo Commandery and Chen Chong of Nanyang both earned important posts through their abilities.

After the Xin Dynasty was established, Wang Mang richly rewarded them all, enfeoffing Chen Chong as Marquis of Tongmu. As the saying goes, "By the Emperor's command he leads and follows, uniting in harmony at court" — his status was exceptional. Wang Mang even had him perform sacrifices to Chen Hugong, treating him as imperial kin.

To put it simply, Chen Chong was a founding hero of the Xin Dynasty.

In terms of office, Wang Mang made Chen Chong the backbone in establishing the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties, overseeing everyone below the upper dukes and replacing the authority of the former Han's Governor of the Capital.

Chen Chong was a man of clear insight. With the crowd now blocking his gate, he did not go straight out. Instead, he first stood inside watching for a while, mentally noting the most conspicuous agitators — Jing Dan, Geng Chun, Diba Jiao, Liu Long, and the rest.

Liu Xiu, who had shrunk back to the rear, escaped his notice.

Only when Ma Yu, Colonel of the Central Ramparts, also arrived and the situation shifted dramatically did Chen Chong, judging the moment ripe, ride out through the main gate, followed by the honor guard that Wang Mang had specially granted to the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties.

He rode in a Qian carriage, drawn by Kun horses. There were five banners: the Azure Dragon on the left, the White Tiger on the right, the Vermilion Bird in front, the Black Tortoise behind, and the Red Star in the center — an awe-inspiring sight.

This honor guard made even the impassioned Imperial Academy students shrink back in fear, retreating several steps. They did not fear Kong Ren, but the Marquis of Tongmu was different. Since the Shijianguo era began, countless officials had died at the hands of this smiling tiger, Chen Chong.

A flustered Kong Ren hurried over and prostrated himself. Chen Chong said little, merely gazing down at the crowd from his Qian carriage. Wherever his eyes fell, whether Academy student or Palace Gentleman, all guiltily averted their gaze. Even Ma Yu, Colonel of the Central Ramparts, had to bow to him with clasped hands.

He slowly spoke: "The case is still under investigation. The laws and statutes have their own time limits — how can a man be convicted in an instant? Do you treat the state's laws as child's play? Even if Diwu Lun is innocent, being implicated by your mob agitation would be a crime greater than releasing prisoners. Have you not heard of Guo Jie's case in the former dynasty? Disperse for now. If Diwu Lun is truly blameless, tomorrow I, the Master of Fates, will naturally give him justice."

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Chen Chong had timed his exit precisely. As his last words fell, the daytime water clock before the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties ran out, and all across Chang'an the "gate-closing drums" began to beat. One after another, their sound shook the city, with long intervals between them. Over the course of half a shichen, they would sound six hundred times.

Combined with Chen Chong's words, they seemed to hammer against the crowd's chests, making them feel even more guilty.

"The night water clock has begun its count. Curfew is near. Before the gate-opening drums sound, anyone found walking without cause on the eight avenues and nine lanes shall be punished for violating the night ban and publicly flogged twenty strokes."

Chen Chong stretched out a hand and pointed south down the street, toward the procession slowly approaching the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties — the mounted honor guard of the Bearer of the Gilded Mace. "Will you go home and leave the city on your own, or wait for the Bearer of the Gilded Mace to arrest you, to be flogged on the road at dawn tomorrow, your dignity utterly ruined, bringing shame upon the Palace Gentlemen's Office and the Imperial Academy?"

He then turned to Ma Yu with a smile: "Colonel of the Central Ramparts, the Academy students and outer gentlemen are young and foolish. Why don't you set an example? I imagine Colonel Ma is a man who respects the state's laws — unlike your younger brother."

These words carried enormous weight. Ma Yu, having already achieved his aim, immediately assented, mounted his horse, and left.

The Palace Gentlemen also felt they had done all they could. Now it was best to trust the authorities, trust the Marquis of Tongmu. They dispersed on their own, one after another. Even Geng Chun took his leave, until only Jing Dan remained.

The Imperial Academy students looked at each other. This was a far cry from their plan to rescue Diwu Lun tonight.

Just as they hesitated, a loud burst of laughter rang out behind them.

"Worthy indeed of the Marquis of Tongmu — he does not bully the weak, nor does he fear the strong. He does not cower before power! Truly admirable."

The crowd turned. No one was more delighted than Jing Dan. The speaker was none other than the State Preceptor's trusted man, the Yuanshi Wei Ao.

Wei Ao had shared a table with Diwu Lun and Jing Dan at Changping Lodge, where he had shown appreciation for Boyu. He was also one of the people Diwu Lun had asked Jing Dan to approach. But beneath Wei Ao's unrestrained exterior lay caution and hesitation. He had not immediately agreed to Jing Dan's request, and only now did he show himself.

Chen Chong frowned. "So it is Wei Jijie. Did you come on your own, or by the State Preceptor's order?"

"It has nothing to do with the State Preceptor." Wei Ao smiled and glanced at Jing Dan. "I was passing by and heard there was a miscarriage of justice here. I came specially to listen, to observe — nothing more!"

Everyone knew that Wei Jijie of Longyou was the State Preceptor's trusted man. He said it was unrelated — who would believe that!

They could only assume that even the State Preceptor had been stirred to action. Kong Ren secretly regretted it bitterly. He had thought he was squeezing a soft persimmon; instead, he had grabbed a steel blade. Diwu Lun's backing was truly formidable!

Wei Ao's appearance put the Academy students even more at ease. They felt the matter was now secure. Seeing that the gate-closing drums had already sounded over a hundred times, they conferred briefly and dispersed one after another, agreeing to return early the next morning to welcome Diwu Lun out of prison. If the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties still refused to release him, they would reconsider.

Meanwhile, in a carriage far from the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties, Huan Tan, who had arrived too late, looked at his old friend Yang Xiong.

"Did Ziyun really persuade Liu Zijun?"

At the mention of this, Yang Xiong grew angry and cursed: "No. Liu Zijun is the same as ever."

Yang Xiong had set aside his dignity to plead, but Liu Xin had only mocked him thoroughly. As for the "Fangyan" that Yang Xiong had sent him, though Liu Xin clearly wanted very much to read it, he put on a disdainful air and said: "This sort of miscellaneous learning, fit only to be a lid for a sauce jar in later ages, need not be brought before my eyes."

After this round of revenge against Yang Xiong, Liu Xin had indeed intended to send someone to the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties to look into things. But just then, a crowd of Imperial Academy students arrived at Shangguan Ward, beseeching Duke of Gongchong Wang Zong to intervene and rescue Diwu Lun. Their voices were so loud every household could hear.

"Since you have already petitioned the Duke of Gongchong, what did you come to me for?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xin rescinded his order, declared he would no longer involve himself in the matter, and told Yang Xiong to go back where he came from.

Yang Xiong had no choice but to leave dejectedly. He followed behind the Academy students to watch from a distance and happened to run into Huan Tan.

Since Ma Yu, Wang Chong, and Wei Ao had all already stepped forward, Huan Tan considered his own words too insignificant to matter and did not go forward. He merely said: "So, this Wei Ao really was not sent by Liu Zijun?"

Yang Xiong nodded. "I heard he met Boyu once at Changping Lodge. Perhaps he acted out of public righteousness."

Huan Tan sneered. "Then why didn't he come earlier or later, but only showed his face after Chen Chong had spoken and the matter was largely settled? In my view, this Wei Ao is an expert opportunist."

Yang Xiong rapped his cane against the carriage rail. "Junshan, you are the true bystander here. I'm afraid you have no standing to criticize Wei Jijie."

Diwu Lun should not be wrongly convicted now. Though Yang Xiong had not been able to help much, his heart was much lighter. With a touch of smugness, he smiled and said: "Boyu has been in the capital barely more than a month, yet his reputation has already spread throughout Chang'an. From Palace Gentlemen to Imperial Academy students, so many people spontaneously rushed about for him. Junshan, is there such a 'village worthy' in this world?"

Yang Xiong was still brooding over Huan Tan's extremely low appraisal of Diwu Lun last time. He was protective of his protégé.

Huan Tan merely laughed. "Has Ziyun ever been to the seashore?"

"In my youth, I wanted to." Yang Xiong looked down at his broken leg, stroked his white beard, and said regretfully: "It's a pity I can never go now."

Huan Tan said: "I once traveled in Langya. When the tide comes in, there is much foam on the shore. After it recedes and the sun shines on it, it all comes to nothing."

"Reputation is the same. It resides in people's hearts. Believed, it exists; disbelieved, it does not. Sometimes it is very useful — a grand momentum, commanderies and counties rallying to you, making people mistake you for a sage reborn."

"But more often, it is merely a beguiling trick, like shifting shadows on a wall, like the leftover foam of a wave. No matter how great the reputation, it cannot withstand a single iron needle. One prick and it bursts."

His tongue began to itch again. "A filial son is not necessarily a capable official. The sage the world longs for may well make a complete mess of the realm. Such a person — I do not care how high his reputation is. In substance, he is still a village worthy!"

Yang Xiong knew exactly whom Huan Tan was obliquely referring to. He sighed. "This is right in front of the Bureau of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties. Do you not value your life? Besides, you're not even in office anymore."

Huan Tan put away his sarcasm and looked at Yang Xiong. "Ziyun, although the overall situation is settled, getting involved with the Duke of Gongchong, Wang Zong — who knows if that is a blessing or a curse. Tell your prized pupil to be careful!"

With that, he spurred his horse to leave, but turned back to add: "Diwu Lun and I find each other disagreeable. Be sure not to say this came from me!"

…

Counting from the previous night, Diwu Lun had now gone a full day without food.

The hunger was bearable — he could treat it as clearing out his stomach. What was unbearable was not a single drop of water had passed his lips; even his saliva had dried up completely.

He could only lick his parched lips and think to himself: "If they keep me trapped like this for two or three days, I'll probably be so thirsty I'll have to drink my own piss."

No wonder Zhou Bo, a founding hero of the Han dynasty who had once commanded a million troops, still feared the power of jailers once thrown into prison. Because in here, they were the cleaver and the chopping block, able to manipulate you at will.

Conserving energy was paramount; otherwise, his willpower would slowly weaken. Diwu Lun closed his eyes and leaned against the thin straw. After nightfall, the bone-chilling cold from the ground seeped into his skeleton, making him shiver uncontrollably. He hugged his arms tightly and could only go over his plan again and again in his mind.

He was no infallible genius. From asking Jing Dan to rally the Palace Gentlemen and blow the matter up, to beseeching Wang Yuan, the Marquis of Qiongcheng, and Wei Ao to step forward — none of it had a hundred percent certainty. It could even all fail completely.

So he slept, woke, shivered, and slept again, until he heard a cock crow once or twice. Footsteps suddenly sounded outside — the door was pushed open, a wooden tray was set before him, and the aroma of food wafted into his nose.

Diwu Lun raised his head and saw that today the jailer actually wore a rare smile. Looking again at the millet and clear water on the tray, Diwu Lun let out a dry laugh.

Either this was the final meal — the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties was sending him on his way.

Or, the matter had succeeded!

He had thought it would be a drawn-out tug-of-war; who could have guessed it would be settled in a single night? A truly unexpected delight.

Diwu Lun feigned composure as he drank the water, moistening his throat, then unhurriedly ate the millet, making himself appear utterly at ease — as though he had devised the whole strategy and held everything firmly in hand.

When the meal was finished, the jailer respectfully led the way and brought him back to the Right Master of Fates Hall. Kong Ren had certainly not slept well the night before; his face was somewhat puffy, and he looked at Diwu Lun with a baleful expression.

wWW ●тt kдn ●￠ o

And the judgment that followed was even more laughable. With a perfectly straight face, Kong Ren announced that upon investigation, the principal offender who had released the prisoner and harbored the fugitive was indeed Ma Yuan, and that Diwu Lun was an innocent bystander — however…

"The crime of group drinking?"

"Correct. As a Palace Gentleman, you gathered with others to drink at Willow Pavilion. Knowing the law and willfully breaking it, the offense is compounded by one degree. You are therefore fined eight thousand cash! Payment is to be made in full within three days of your return home!"

Wasn't that exactly three days' profit from his family's coal-ball business?

Suppressing a laugh, Diwu Lun cheerfully admitted his crime. The Office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties had already raised its hand high and brought it down gently — there was no point making a fuss over such a minor offense; it was merely a way to let them save face.

Before Diwu Lun departed, Kong Ren did not forget to tell him one thing.

"Diwu Lun, the reason you have been able to gain release is entirely due to the efforts of the Duke of Chongchong. Do not forget who saved you!"

The Duke of Chongchong, Wang Zong? When Diwu Lun, Jing Dan, and the others had come to Chang'an, they had seen this imperial grandson's retinue on the Heng Bridge over the Wei River. It was said he was Wang Mang's most beloved grandson.

But he had no prior connection with Wang Zong. Why would he reach out to help without any cause? Diwu Lun grew increasingly curious: during these two days he had been trapped in a cage, what exactly had happened outside?

As Diwu Lun left the Office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties, he suddenly felt as though someone was watching him. He turned his head and saw, standing upstairs, a minister wearing an astronomical crown, hands clasped behind his back — it was the Marquis of Tongmu, Chen Chong.

Seeing Diwu Lun turn around, Chen Chong gave him an amiable smile and even waved his hand.

After Diwu Lun had bowed and gone out the gate, Chen Chong's smile slowly faded. He only murmured softly: "Disaster is where fortune hides; fortune is where disaster lurks. Today he leaves in triumph, but perhaps in a few days, he will gloomily re-enter the prison!"

……

Wang Long was the other person Diwu Lun had entreated before entering prison. His task had been to return to Liewei Commandery, spread word of the matter, and then ask Zhang Zhan and the Marquis of Qiongcheng, Wang Yuan, to step forward and help.

Zhang Zhan was his patron, but he had lately been repeatedly reprimanded by the court. No one knew how much longer he could remain Grand Governor of the commandery. Apart from agreeing to write a letter proclaiming Diwu Lun's innocence, he had no other recourse.

As for the Marquis of Qiongcheng, Wang Yuan, being a fellow townsman, he carefully weighed the matter of whether to save Diwu Lun. In the end, considering that Diwu Lun's reputation resounded throughout Liewei, helping him — whether successful or not — would benefit the Marquis of Qiongcheng's household.

"Uncle, we must go faster."

Wang Long was simple-minded and regarded Diwu Lun as a friend. Riding in the same carriage as his uncle, he repeatedly complained that the carriage was too slow.

It was not until the sky was fully bright that they reached the vicinity of the Office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties, where they found the atmosphere amiss.

"Why are there so many people?"

The Office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties was surrounded again. There were several dozen Palace Gentlemen, over a hundred Imperial Academy students gathered, and several hundred commoners of Chang'an who had come spontaneously to watch the excitement.

The total number approached a thousand, enough to obstruct traffic. The Upholder of Martial Order had no choice but to come over to maintain order and disperse the crowd.

"Could it be that the carriages of the Four Supports and Three Dukes are passing through? Or is the Son of Heaven leaving the palace, and the Upholder of Martial Order is conducting a sweep search?" Wang Yuan was somewhat surprised. Just then, he heard the crowd suddenly erupt in cheers!

"He's out!"

"The Filial and Righteous Diwu the Fifth has been released!"

Accompanied by shouts, after spending a day and two nights in a dark, damp prison, Diwu Lun squinted his eyes, faced the winter morning sun, and stepped over the high threshold of the Office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties. Though his body was filthy and somewhat bedraggled, his spirit was still good.

Upon seeing him in person, Diba Jiao wept tears of joy. Jing Dan set his heart at ease. The Imperial Academy students cheered and leaped as though they had won a tremendous victory.

Not only Wang Yuan and Wang Long — even Diwu Lun himself was stunned by the huge scene outside.

Although he had anticipated that some people might come to greet him, the number was more than ten times what he had imagined!

This posture — it was practically the treatment Gandhi or Mandela received upon leaving prison.

In his astonishment, a colloquialism from Diwu Lun's past life slipped out of his mouth.

"What's all this about?"

……

The surroundings were so clamorous. Diwu Lun was like the moon surrounded by a host of stars. Before entering prison, his name had been obscure in Chang'an; now he had become a "righteous man" known to all — and the entire process had been full of surprises.

The several backup moves Diwu Lun had arranged had all gone unused. Instead, it was Diba Jiao — that clan elder-brother and bookworm who had not been part of his plan — who had brought reinforcements, even stirring the Duke of Chongchong to action.

With so many onlookers on the main road, Diwu Lun had no time to hear the detailed account. He could only continuously offer thanks — thanks to Jing Dan, thanks to Diba Jiao, thanks to Yang Xiong who had not come to the scene, and thanks to the Yuanshi Wei Ao, who had come to join the excitement again today.

And Ma Yu — it was thanks to his decisive word that the matter was settled. None of the Ma brothers of Maoling were ordinary.

Diwu Lun also bowed in gratitude to Wang Long and Wang Yuan, who had arrived a step late. As for Wang Yuan, seeing that Diwu Lun's release from prison had drawn a thousand people to greet him, his surprise was coupled with an increasingly amiable attitude, his mouth full of the bonds of fellow townsmen.

"When I suddenly heard that Boyu had been imprisoned, I was like King Zhuang of Chu hearing that Shen Zhou had been killed by the men of Song — I flung up my sleeves and rose, spurring my horse forth before I could put on my shoes or gird my sword."

Finally, Diba Jiao introduced Diwu Lun to the crowd from the Imperial Academy.

"This is Liu Long of Anzhong County in the Front Brigade, courtesy name Yuanbo. When I raised the banner at the Imperial Academy, he was the first to respond."

Diwu Lun bowed to Liu Long: "The first step of any endeavor is the hardest. Yuanbo stepped forward righteously — you were the first to raise the call that began this affair. Receive my bow!"

Liu Long's face flushed the color of pig's liver. Having stolen the spotlight today, he was utterly elated. Diwu Lun committed this young man to memory, and also took note of the prodigy Deng Yu, who had entered the Imperial Academy at only thirteen or fourteen. Then it was Liu Xiu's turn.

"This is Liu Wenshu! The donkey we rode back and forth here was funded by him!"

Diba Jiao did not understand strategy and had not grasped the key to yesterday's success. With no time to explain in detail, he had not even mentioned that Liu Xiu had proposed seeking out the Duke of Chongchong — he only remembered the donkey.

Diwu Lun, however, saw that this man was in his twenties, with fine beard and eyebrows. Covering his mouth, his features were not bad — a pity that his large mouth dragged down his looks. Moreover, Liu Xiu always stood behind the others, appearing to be a cautious and honest man.

Far less striking than Liu Long or Deng Yu, Diwu Lun merely smiled and cupped his hands slightly. His impression of this man remained…

Utterly unremarkable!

"Many thanks, Wenshu."

And whenever he called this man by his courtesy name, he always felt he was getting the short end of the stick.

Liu Xiu, for his part, gave Diwu Lun a thorough looking-over. Truly a young talent — and now, having won the esteem of the people of Chang'an, he would be worth his elder brother Bosheng's recruiting in the future.

But with Wei Ao, a trusted aide of the State Preceptor, standing right beside them, he dared not report his real name. He merely bowed to Diwu Lun and said flatly: "I dare not accept such praise. Liu Jiao of Caiyang in the Front Brigade Commandery, at your service, Master Diwu."

……

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