Chapter 55: Lofty Mountains, Enduring Streams

Before the evening drum had finished sounding, violent knocking erupted at the gate of the small residence in Xuanming Ward.

"Who is it? Coming to the door when curfew is nearly upon us!"

When Diwu Fu opened the gate, men pushed their way in — first, several soldiers in glinting armor, and close behind them, the black xiezhi cap of Clerk Guo Hong.

By the time a trembling Diwu Fu had led the group to the main hall, Diwu Lun was sitting cross-legged before the coal stove eating his meal. Seeing them, he showed no panic, merely swallowed his millet and rose with a smile. "Clerk Guo, what matter brings you to my humble home?"

Guo Hong's expression was solemn. "A few days ago, did the Duke of Chonggong, Wang Zong, present a painting to the Palace Gentleman?"

Wang Zong's painting? Diwu Lun remembered — it was that picture of "Boyu Yielding the Pears." Such a thing could not be concealed. "There was indeed such a gift."

Coming out on such a cold day for this, Guo Hong was resigned, but the task assigned by his superiors had to be carried out. He sighed. "I must ask the Palace Gentleman to go fetch it, and then accompany us on a trip."

Diwu Lun made a show of thinking. "It seems to be up in the loft. Gentlemen, wait a moment; I shall go look for it."

He set down his bowl and chopsticks and told Diwu Fu to attend to the "guests," but Guo Hong personally followed Diwu Lun.

Without any change in expression, Diwu Lun asked, "Clerk Guo, could it be that the Duke of Chonggong has met with trouble?"

"No comment."

So that was it.

Diwu Lun said, "When I went to the Duke of Chonggong's residence, I felt only that the Duke was outwardly modest but inwardly violent, so I declined his offer of employment and refused to serve as his principality's chancellor. I just never imagined it would come so quickly…"

Guo Hong did not answer. As they climbed to the loft, on the narrow staircase his gaze was fixed intently on Diwu Lun's back, his hand resting on the sword hilt at his waist.

Ahead of him, Diwu Lun's mind raced through a hundred twists and turns. Guo Hong was a civil clerk, but if he dared follow alone, he must have some skill. If Diwu Lun drew the knife hidden in his robes, suddenly attacked Guo Hong, and fled, he had perhaps a three-in-ten chance of escaping Xuanming Ward through the armored soldiers' cordon — but he might also be shot down by a pursuer's crossbow.

After that it would be even harder; leaving Chang'an during curfew was nearly impossible. And even if by luck he could sneak away and hide, a runaway monk cannot run away with his temple. If Wang Zong's plot had collapsed, then Diba Jiao, as his groom, had likely already been arrested. If Diwu Lun then fled as well, the Diwu clan of Linqu Township would suffer utter catastrophe.

Diwu Lun pushed open the door. This was a storeroom for miscellaneous items, rather cluttered, and Wang Zong's painting was just where he had tossed it. When Diwu Lun dug it out and handed it to Guo Hong, it was already coated with some dust, all crumpled.

Guo Hong examined the scroll carefully by lamplight and shook his head. "This gift, it seems Palace Gentleman Diwu did not treasure it greatly."

"As Clerk Guo can see, Wang Zong and I are mere casual acquaintances. His flattering gift — I could not accept it. Today's matter, you must bear witness for me."

In his words, Diwu Lun kept trying to sever all ties with Wang Zong, but he could see that Guo Hong was merely following orders. An imperial grandson's downfall was a major case, and they still had the spare hands to send men after him — it seemed some important person bore him a grudge.

Who could it be? The Right Master of Fates, Kong Ren? Diwu Lun recalled that Kong Ren was Wang Zong's brother-in-law; in this affair, even he could not escape implication.

Could it be the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties, Chen Chong?

Remembering the spring-breeze smile on that man's face when he had left the Master of Fates' office that day, Diwu Lun shuddered.

Last time, Diba Jiao and the others had joined forces to save him. This time, Diwu Lun would probably have to save himself.

"Clerk Guo." Diwu Lun suddenly wore a sorrowful expression and bowed to Guo Hong. "This trip to the Master of Fates' office — I fear I shall not return for three to five days. I have a grandfather of seventy at home. May Boyu exchange a few words with my servant, so he can carry word to my grandfather and spare the old man worry?"

Guo Hong's heart softened; he nodded and agreed. Diwu Lun then called Diwu Fu over and whispered in his ear: "Remember every word I say, not a single one missed. Tomorrow morning when curfew lifts, go at once to find Diwu Xian. Have him tell the clansmen who deliver coal briquettes to spread this through the streets of Chang'an."

"Three men were locked up in the Master of Fates' prison, and they began talking among themselves about why they were jailed."

"The first man said: I was arrested for opposing the Duke of Chonggong."

"The second man said: I was arrested for supporting the Duke of Chonggong."

"The third man said: I am the Duke of Chonggong, Wang Zong!"

"And who is the one who opposed the Duke of Chonggong? Diwu Boyu, that's who!"

"Have you got it memorized?"

"Yes!" Diwu Fu nodded, trembling. He understood the gravity of this. He could read and write; he would go record it all at once.

Diwu Lun could only use public opinion to cut himself off completely from the Duke of Chonggong, Wang Zong. As it happened, hadn't people these past few days been slandering him as ungrateful, saying he had turned on Wang Zong? That actually helped him greatly.

But as he followed Guo Hong out, the clerk's next words chilled Diwu Lun's heart once more.

"This trip, however, is not to the office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties."

"Where then?"

Guo Hong sighed. "The Commandery and Principality Hostel Prison."

The Commandery Hostel Prison handled the annual accounting officials from the commanderies and principalities, under the jurisdiction of the Director of Music (the Grand Herald). It was located at the edge of Chang'an; it was said that Emperor Xuan of Han had grown up there.

Generally, there was only one reason to use the Commandery Hostel Prison: too many prisoners had been seized at once, and the Master of Fates' prison could hold no more.

Tonight's affair — even Diwu Lun, barely involved, was being taken away. One could well imagine that the nobles and magnates close to Wang Zong probably could not escape. Hundreds, perhaps a thousand people crammed into the Commandery Hostel Prison to wait. In the dead of winter, a dozen or more might freeze to death in a single night, by morning nothing but stiff corpses, wrapped in straw mats and carted off to the mass grave and dumped. Who would care whether someone among them was innocent or blameless?

He had done everything to avoid disaster, yet still he was inexplicably dragged in. Diwu Lun realized with dawning clarity that from the very first time he had entered the Master of Fates' office, he had already been caught in the vortex.

He and Diba Jiao would not die — it would not come to that — but preparing for the worst, he would likely have to ready himself for unjust exile to a distant land.

Just as the group reached the gate of Xuanming Ward, several men stood blocking the ward entrance. At their head was a burly, thick-bearded man of the Guanzhong region — none other than the State Preceptor's office Senior Clerk, Wei Ao!

Guo Hong saw him too. Frowning, he stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Wei Jijiang, have you come on your own initiative again this time?"

"No, this time I have come on the State Preceptor's orders."

Wei Ao produced State Preceptor Liu Xin's tally, then looked at Diwu Lun and smiled. "Clerk Guo, what a coincidence. The State Preceptor has matters to discuss with Diwu Lun and has sent for him."

Guo Hong refused to back down. "Senior Clerk Wei, I too am acting on orders. I am to bring Diwu Lun and the evidence back with me."

Wei Ao said, "This is about the Duke of Chonggong's case, is it not? What Clerk Guo does not know is that the day Diwu Lun left the Duke of Chonggong's residence, he followed me straight into the State Preceptor's residence. There are matters I can explain on his behalf."

The meaning was clear: Diwu Lun had already chosen his side. He had the State Preceptor's protection — don't think you can take him away.

Guo Hong said stiffly, "In that case, why not come together to the Master of Fates' office and explain there?"

"Impudence."

Wei Ao's face hardened. "My official rank is higher than Clerk Guo's. Why not send someone of matching rank — the Right Master of Fates, Kong Ren, for instance?"

Kong Ren had been placed under house arrest by Chen Chong that very afternoon, because his wife was also implicated in the affair. With his superior barely able to save himself, Guo Hong grew ever more silent. In the Xin, authority issued from many doors; in such a situation, it truly came down to whose rank and stipend were higher, whose backing was firmer.

And in his heart, Guo Hong knew well that the story of Diwu Lun's falling-out with Wang Zong was still circulating through Chang'an. To drag this young man in by association as well was indeed excessive and went against the principles of the Lesser Du Code.

"In that case, this humble clerk can only make another trip." Guo Hong ultimately yielded. He cupped his hands toward Wei Ao and departed, taking only the armored soldiers and the painting.

Diwu Lun let out a long breath and bowed to Wei Ao. "My thanks, Senior Clerk Wei, for helping me yet again."

"Go thank the State Preceptor tomorrow."

Wei Ao pointed at Diwu Lun and laughed reproachfully. "You whelp, these past few days you've tormented the State Preceptor terribly. A mere handful of figures, and he's been forgetting to eat or sleep calculating them. When he heard the Duke of Chonggong was in trouble, the first thing he did was send me to protect you."

And why was that? For the pi ratio and algorithm Diwu Lun had left behind, or out of regard for his friendship with old Yang Xiong?

Or perhaps it was because Diwu Lun had entered the State Preceptor's residence to pay his respects that day — in the eyes of others, he had already chosen a side.

Though Diwu Lun was spared a stint in jail, outside Xuanming Ward the Fenwu Army patrolled all night, and the claws of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties were still openly seizing people by torchlight. Who knew how many households would be shattered and torn apart tonight.

How right Yang Xiong was — "Guests merely redden my carriage hubs, never guessing one tumble will dye my whole clan blood-red!" Chang'an was truly too dangerous, tempestuous waves rising at the slightest stir.

Diwu Lun's thoughts turned anxiously to Diba Jiao's safety. "Wei Yuanshi, the Duke of Chonggong's residence right now…"

Wei Ao knew what Diwu Lun wanted to ask. "Wang Zong is being held in the Lateral Courts Prison. As for his household, from the house steward down to the slaves, even a single dog — all have been seized and thrown into the Commandery Residence Prison. Boyu's clan brother could not escape either… He had a fine future as an Imperial Academy student, so why become a groom at a duke's mansion? Now he can't wash himself clean of this."

"And don't think of rescuing him. This case reaches far and wide — even the Fengxin Duke and Guard General Wang Xing and his entire family have been arrested."

Wei Ao waved his hand. "Boyu, go home, bolt your doors tight. The night is still long!"

…

The dusk drums had ceased. The twelve city gates of Chang'an were shut, and on the eight thoroughfares and nine lanes only the Fenwu Army patrols remained. The Master of Fates of the Five Majesties' office had limited manpower; after successively seizing the principal offenders, they finally freed up hands and dispatched men to the Imperial Academy south of the city.

"On what grounds do you seize me!"

Liu Long's face flushed crimson. He shouted with neck stiffened, and even barehanded, three or four armored soldiers could barely hold him down. Only with great effort did they pin him to the ground and bind him.

Then they were surrounded by outraged Imperial Academy students. The two sides shoved and jostled — one side trying to hurry back with Liu Long, whom Chen Chong had specifically named for arrest, the other side fiercely obstructing them.

Zhu You, Deng Yu, and Qiang Hua were among the crowd when they felt someone tugging at them from behind. It was Liu Xiu, pulling the three out of the throng.

"Go!"

Liu Xiu's face was grim. He said to the three, "While the Master of Fates' claws are tangled up with the crowd and haven't had time to seize us — go, now."

"Wenshu, surely it's not that serious." Qiang Hua was stunned stupid by this sudden turn of events. What did it have to do with them?

"It's all my fault."

Liu Xiu sighed with emotion. "That day when we petitioned for Diwu Boyu, I went with all of you to the Duke of Chonggong's residence to ask Wang Zong to step forward. When we surrounded the Master of Fates' office, Diba Jiao and Liu Long were far too conspicuous — I fear they drew resentment."

"Now those two are surely beyond saving. Once the Master of Fates frees up his hands, the next step will likely be to arrest every Imperial Academy student involved that night!"

"Then what about Liu Long?" Deng Yu turned his head. Liu Long's furious roars still resounded through the dormitory quarters.

Liu Xiu said, "Liu Yuanbo has his own fathers, uncles, and brothers to rescue him — one marquis, seven village deputy marquises. We need not worry on his account."

Liu Xiu keenly sensed that this was nothing like the minor scuffle when they saved Diwu Lun. No matter how many people knelt at the palace gates to plead, it would be useless — and would only drag themselves down as well.

He laid out the matter in the gravest terms. Out of caution, the group decided it was best to leave first. Fortunately, the Imperial Academy lay outside the city walls, so the curfew was lax. The few of them immediately returned to their quarters to pack their bags.

Deng Yu packed books. Qiang Hua packed prognosticatory charts and apocryphal texts. Liu Xiu, however, first grabbed lightweight silks as portable valuables, then stuffed in several pairs of shoes. When fleeing for your life, if you lost your mount, the shoes on your feet became critically important — he had calculated this very clearly.

Finally, Liu Xiu picked up two coal briquettes and put them in, thinking to take them home for his elder brother Bosheng to see. He also lamented that he had no chance to see Diwu Lun one more time and tell him his real name.

Qiang Hua was already out the door. Outside, a light snow was swirling down again. Liu Xiu set his bamboo hat on his head, slung his satchel over his shoulder on his sword scabbard, and looked back into the room. Thinking of these two months of life at the Imperial Academy, he felt a pang of reluctance. He called out just one line.

"Ziling, I'm off!"

A figure lay on the daybed. Unlike his usual aloof, unresponsive manner, Zhuang Ziling today actually stood up. Barefoot, he walked to the doorframe. Silent and wordless, he merely bowed slightly with clasped hands toward Liu Xiu, who was fleeing into the snowy night on donkeyback!

The mountains are high, the waters long — we shall meet again in the rivers and lakes!

…

PS: Begging for recommendation votes!