Chapter 931: Sun Yuanzhen

The news reached the Hangzhou Prefectural Office; the Prefect of Hangzhou immediately reported it, and Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan learned that the National Teacher had arrived in Hangzhou.

They had been waiting for her to come to them, but from the day before yesterday until yesterday, she never appeared, and their people could not find her.

They immediately suspected she had gone to find Xue Shao.

It was said the two had been friends since their humble days.

So they sent people to shadow Xue Shao.

But those shadowing Xue Shao were not just them—Sun Yuanzhen also received word.

"You mean there are twelve other groups watching Xue Shao?"

"Yes, sir. I counted carefully; several of them look familiar—they must be Yang's men."

"Yang Zan is watching him because, like me, he wants to find the National Teacher. Now the National Teacher is the Emperor's confidant, and she possesses real ability. It is said that though she is thousands of li away, she left the Emperor a magical artifact through which they can communicate across great distances. In short, the Emperor probably knows what happens in Hangzhou today even before I, the Provincial Administration Commissioner, do." Sun Yuanzhen mused: "But this is a secret. Few should know it—Yang Zan may not even know. Others certainly shouldn't recognize the National Teacher. Moreover, how could they know about her relationship with Xue Shao?"

This gave Sun Yuanzhen the feeling that his secret was an open one—information that should only be known to someone of his rank was now known to others.

The Emperor possessed a magical artifact allowing communication with the National Teacher across great distances—this was told to him by a close friend in the capital through coded language, and he could swear no more than a handful of people nationwide knew of it.

His aide silently thought: Now one more person knows.

His aide whispered: "The others are watching Xue Shao—they don't know about the National Teacher."

"Oh?"

His aide reported: "Xue Shao acts with force. In Zhejiang alone, he has investigated five county magistrates and one Department Magistrate, reclaimed eight hundred and sixty-eight mu of land illegally seized by officials and gentry. He arrived in Hangzhou three days ago and immediately began reviewing Hangzhou's case files and Juan Sect records. Those watching him must be the Prefect of Hangzhou, the county magistrates, and gentry and merchants with guilty consciences."

"Good!" Sun Yuanzhen sneered. "Last year, I was away suppressing disasters and not in Hangzhou city—if I had been here, I would have…"

Sun Yuanzhen frowned: "Now, many refugees have gathered inside and outside Hangzhou. The slum in Chengnan has expanded three li, its thatched huts packed so tightly they're a disaster waiting to happen. So long as peace holds, it's fine—but if fire, flood, or plague strikes, tens of thousands will suffer, and there's no way to control it."

This is also one of the main reasons he petitioned to build Haigang.

Once the Emperor approves, he will immediately recruit laborers from the slums, hiring suitable refugees to work at the port—and these people can then support others as well…

Then he will reorganize the slums: tear down what must go, rebuild what needs repair—above all, he must disperse the population.

That's why he urgently wanted to meet Pan Yun.

He knew many court ministers opposed building another port in Hangzhou; yet he didn't absolutely need Hangzhou—he just needed one in Zhejiang.

Zhejiang's textile industry is so advanced, and it produces vast quantities of tea—how can it lack a port?

Now, only Pan Yun might persuade the Emperor.

Yang Zan naturally understood Sun Yuanzhen's intentions; on this point, their goals aligned. Moreover, he truly wished to meet this legendary National Teacher.

So, as soon as he received his subordinate's report, Yang Zan set out for the inn—and met Sun Yuanzhen at the inn's entrance.

The two exchanged glances, smiled, and went upstairs together to request an audience with Pan Yun.

Xue Shao pushed open the window, glanced down, then turned to Pan Yun: "They're here."

Pan Yun: "You're the Censor. In your presence, they won't speak freely. Leave first."

"Alright," Xue Shao nodded. "I'll leave Xi Jin with you. When you're done, send him to call me."

Pan Yun shook her head, picked up Pan Xiaohei, and placed him on the table: "You have too many spies around you. For safety, keep Xi Jin. When I'm done, I'll send him to find you—it's the same."

Xue Shao looked down at Pan Xiaohei's glossy black eyes and asked: "Can he run far now?"

Pan Yun smiled and nodded: "I'm about to break through the Second Marquis. He can now run the entire Hangzhou city. Of course, if you leave the city, forget I said that."

Xue Shao did plan to leave the city—but their next meeting would be when he returned. So he said: "Fine, I'll take Xi Jin with me."

Xue Shao descended with Xi Jin. On the stairs, he met Sun Yuanzhen and the others. He smiled and stepped aside to let them pass.

Sun Yuanzhen paused—but seeing Xue Shao in plain robes, eyes bright, he merely glanced once, then lowered his gaze: a sign he meant not to expose their identities.

Sun Yuanzhen understood at once, gave a slight nod, and passed him with Yang Zan.

Once upstairs, he looked down and saw Xue Shao and his servants exiting the inn's main gate—those lurking around immediately followed.

Sun Yuanzhen frowned. Though he didn't think any of them were fools, he still had to be cautious.

Censors come every year, but their surveillance of Xue Shao is excessive—let nothing happen.

Sun Yuanzhen beckoned his aide and whispered: "Send people to follow him. Protect Censor Xue. Don't let anyone be killed in Zhejiang. To harm an envoy is treason."

The aide understood at once and bowed deeply before withdrawing.

Yang Zan waited to the side. Seeing Sun Yuanzhen turn back, he smiled: "My lord, the National Teacher is in this private room."

Yang Zan's advisor immediately stepped forward and knocked.

Pan Yun set down her teacup, withdrew her gaze from the window, and called out clearly: "Come in."

Yang Zan opened the door and gestured for Sun Yuanzhen to enter first.

Pan Yun sat watching them enter and smiled: "I've been waiting for you both. Please sit."

Sun Yuanzhen was slightly surprised: "National Teacher, you knew we would come?"

Pan Yun smiled, pointing to the two chairs opposite: "Mr. Sun, Mr. Yang, please sit."

Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan exchanged glances. Both had come on impulse—surely their attendants hadn't leaked word. Given Pan Yun's profession, they could only assume she had divined it.

They sat down and immediately summoned the waiter to order dishes, then dismissed all guards outside—only the advisors remained.

Pan Yun's gaze swept over their advisors, and she smiled lightly, gesturing to the chairs: "You two sirs, please sit as well. It seems Mr. Sun and Mr. Yang have matters to discuss that won't be settled quickly."

Sun Yuanzhen gave his advisor a slight nod and took up Pan Yun's words: "No wonder you're the National Teacher. We haven't even spoken, yet you know our purpose."

Pan Yun smiled faintly: "I know why you've come. But do you know why I've come?"

Sun Yuanzhen's heart tightened. He hurriedly asked: "What can I do to serve the National Teacher?"

Pan Yun said: "Though I already know your purpose, please state it anyway. I've heard your memorial listed ten reasons—I'd like to hear them." (End of chapter)