Chapter 73: Jiang Nan, Jiang Nan

Zhao Ti took the letter, unfolded it, and saw it was written by Duan Zhengming.

The words were few, the tone humble and respectful.

After reading it in a moment, Zhao Ti raised his brows—Ji Mo Zhi had actually come to Dali again. This time he did not come openly through the front door, but had slipped secretly into Tianlong Temple, intending to steal the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Tianlong Temple had been on guard since the last incident, and the monks discovered Ji Mo Zhi. His face unable to bear the embarrassment, flying into rage and shame he struck out fiercely, abducting Duan Yu, who was studying martial arts within the temple.

Ji Mo Zhi suspected Duan Yu knew the manual of the Six Meridian Divine Sword. Before leaving he declared he would take Duan Yu to the Murong family estate in Gusu, Jiang Nan, and make him recite the Six Meridian Divine Sword, or have Dali send martial arts in exchange for ransom—otherwise he would burn Duan Yu before Murong Bo's grave to comfort his departed friend's spirit in heaven.

Duan Zhengming was anxious at heart, but due to his position could not leave Dali. He earnestly requested Zhao Ti to help investigate Ji Mo Zhi's whereabouts, saying he would send people to think of a way to rescue 【Duan Yu】 on his side. If Zhao Ti could lend a hand, he would surely reward him handsomely.

Setting down the letter, Zhao Ti deliberated. Setting aside Duan Zhengming's plea for help—even if it had nothing to do with Dali, did the Murong family's Canhe Zhuang at Yanziwu in Gusu truly need to exist? It seemed not.

Since the founding by the Grand Ancestor and the southern campaign of the Grand Emperor, Jiang Nan Wu Lin had been at peace too long and had already forgotten the old days of cavalry trampling the jianghu. The once-dormant martial world noble families and hidden sects of the jianghu had surfaced one after another, stirring up wind and waves.

If he did not go to Jiang Nan, so be it. But if he did… even a place like Shanhai Guan of Nan Tang, so powerful and unmatched, brimming with experts, its martial arts vast as smoke over the sea—would it not still be unable to withstand the iron hooves' trampling, wherever the army's command pointed?

Willows like smoke, painted bridges, wind curtains and emerald screens, osmanthus of three autumns, lotus flowers stretching ten li—amid the whistling arrows of the wind, how could they bear to be plucked? Nothing but withered blossoms and faded fragrance filling the lake.

Zhao Ti thought for a moment, called Zhou Dong to summon Yang Yang Yun Chong over from Jin Feng Lou. Yang Yang Yun Chong had personally crippled Yin Muzhang's Wu Gong the night before—there was no turning back.

After a while Yang Yang Yun Chong entered the study, prostrated himself and said: "This guilty subject pays respects to the Wang's Thousand Years."

Zhao Ti bade him rise and said coolly: "In two days you will travel with this Wang to Jiang Nan. Think of some way to explain matters of the Eastern Capital, then return to the Ming Cult's main altar. Don't let any flaw show."

Yang Yang Yun Chong was greatly shocked: "The Wang intends to…"

Zhao Ti said: "Since you are the Vice Banner Commander of the Rui Jin Banner among the Ming Cult's Five Element Banners, directly under the Cult Master, returning to the altar should allow you to cover things up. Just send secret messages on the side when the time comes."

Yang Yang Yun Chong had not expected the other party to actually have his sights set on the Ming Cult's main altar—was this planning to annihilate the Ming Cult?

Zhao Ti added: "If this matter succeeds, your status will naturally be different again. This Wang will petition for you an official post. From then on… change your family gate, alter your identity, and bring shade and favor to your descendants."

"This guilty subject, this guilty subject understands!" Yang Yang Yun Chong heard these words and was stunned for a moment, his heart instantly stirred. Change the family gate, alter the identity, bring shade and favor to descendants—wasn't this exactly what one seeks in life! At this moment, whatever Ming Cult, whatever Great Ming Zun—all forgotten. No, no—the teachings say to yearn for light and cast off darkness. Isn't this very moment the light? What he himself does is absolutely without error, all in accordance with the teachings!

"Wang, since ancient times it has been said that fine birds choose trees to perch, fine ministers choose lords to serve. This guilty subject will strictly obey the Wang's command, and would not shrink from laying down his liver and brains."

Zhou Dong watched him expressionlessly from the side: "Young Hero Yang, you may now be called a subordinate."

"Yes, subordinate, this subordinate is loyal and true, absolutely without second thoughts…"

Zhao Ti waved his hand. Yang Yang Yun Chong carefully rose, bowed once more, turned and went out the door.

Zhou Dong said in a low voice: "Wang, this man…"

Zhao Ti smiled faintly: "To save others is to save oneself; cultivating the Buddha is cultivating the self. Wherever the heart's wish is fulfilled, there is light. He has not, after all, violated the Ming Cult's scriptures."

Another day later, Zhao Ti received the imperial decree and left court, went to the military camp outside the city, and from several units—the Shen Wei Left and Right Xiang, the Hu Yi Army, the Wu Wei Army—selected troops from each. Once the number reached a full five thousand, he raised various banners and began the march toward Jiang Nan.

Five thousand imperial guards were not many, but if real military matters arose, each region had its imperial guards and Xiang troops stationed, and they could be mobilized by order at the time.

This time within the Office he only brought Zhong Pu. The Office had to keep someone behind to handle daily military affairs—at least one of the Vice Commander or the Du Yuhou had to remain. Zhong Pu was a son of the Zhong family and would sooner or later return to the Western Army. Keeping him at his side to mentor was, in effect, building a channel for future contact with the Western Army.

From the residence he brought Tong Guan, Zhou Dong, Bai Zhan, and Su Da—four men.

From Jin Feng Lou he brought Hou San, Zhu Si, and Yang Yang Yun Chong.

Heading south all the way now, the scenery gradually changed—the warm wind intoxicated, willows shading flowers bright, little bridges over flowing water, and the human culture also shifted.

Officials of every level along the route came forth to welcome him one after another. Though they did not know why the Yan Wang had gone south, since he led troops it was clearly important. After inevitably hosting banquets, they would secretly send along a gift.

Zhou Dong was well-acquainted with the jianghu. Wherever they went, he would recount the local notable figures, and Zhao Ti told him to pick those of good character and recruit them over to serve.

Originally he had expected perhaps some stubbornness, but who would have thought that when Zhou Dong went to parley, none dared disobey. Zhao Ti then had Zhou Dong take on the role of squad leader in charge. By the time they reached the banks of the Yangtze, there were already forty or fifty men.

Among them were those whose skills were no less than Zhou Dong's. In Zhong Xilu of Huainan there was a jianghu faction called the Golden Blade Sect, whose leader styled himself "Golden Blade Soul-Severing Wang Yishou," and he actually wanted to bring his whole sect to join. Zhao Ti saw that his disciples were simply too many, like a household coming to eat the rich, so he drove them all away and kept only the man himself for use.

The army crossed the Yangtze, and the scenery instantly became unmatched. The season was just right now—everything seen was graceful and lovely, mountains and waters clear and gentle. Even women whose looks were only an eight out of ten, with their gentle and soft bearing, tender and elegant air, would gain another point.

Past the Yangtze heading east, not far was Jiang Ning Prefecture. Jiang Ning Prefecture was the capital of Jiang Nan East Circuit, where both the Anfu Office and the Prefect's yamen were located in this city.

Generally speaking, in border circuits the Anfu Commissioner also served as Military Commander-in-Chief, and additionally as the capital's Prefect. However Jiang Nan was not a border region—here some posts were held concurrently, others separately. But Jiang Ning Prefecture was concurrent, and the Anfu Commissioner had taken up the post not long ago.

This Jiang Nan East Circuit Anfu Commissioner was a member of the New Party, named Lv Jiawen. He had previously served as Prefect of Jiang Ning, but later when the Old Party rose to power he was demoted to be Prefect of Huaiyang Military Prefecture. Just last month he received a transfer order and returned once again.

A few days earlier he had already received a secret letter from like-minded friends in the Eastern Capital, and only then saw the imperial decree. He had made preparations in advance. When Zhao Ti's forces were still twenty li from Jiang Ning, he led the assembled officials out to welcome them.

Although Zhao Ti did not associate with the New Party, at this moment he had imperceptibly become the leading figure of the New Party, the initiator of abolishing the old and restoring the new. Many New Party members demoted to various places already regarded him as their core.

Lv Jiawen thought the same in his heart. After meeting, he was exceedingly respectful, inquired solicitously after Zhao Ti's well-being, and exhausted his ability at flattery. He invited Zhao Ti to the Anfu Commissioner's Office, served fragrant tea, and then said: "Wang has come from afar. This subordinate originally had many matters to consult about, but the Wang must be weary from the journey. Let me first arrange for the Wang to rest, and then go prepare a banquet—what say you?"

Zhao Ti nodded and said: "By the way, Anfu Commissioner Lv, who of Wang Wen Gong's family is present? This Wang will pay a visit tomorrow."

If it were not for seeing Wang Anshi's family, Zhao Ti might not necessarily have taken the Jiang Ning route—he could well have gone directly through Suzhou, then south to Hangzhou.

Wang Anshi's family was in Jiang Ning. Most of the brothers were born in Linchuan. Later, when Wang Anshi served three times as Prefect of Jiang Ning, and his younger brother Wang Anli had also served as Prefect of Jiang Ning, the whole family moved over, and the clan gathered and lived here.