Chapter 2371: The Heart's Grief, Become Ashes

As usual, when I went to the East Hua Pavilion, Li Zhengshu was there several times.

That year, when we recited "Jing Lue" here and talked about the time when the "Crown Prince shot the Dragon Fox," Li Zhengshu was always by my side, answering questions and resolving doubts.

But today, Li Zhengshu is at the Destroy City Marquis Manor, presiding over the funeral of his nephew, Li Longchuan.

Wearing plain clothes and often accompanying the readings at the East Hua Pavilion, even earning the elegant title "East Hua Scholar," Li Zhengshu was absolutely one of the few people closest to the Son of Heaven.

But after this, Li Zhengshu will no longer come to the East Hua Pavilion.

The Emperor, seated high above, never let people clearly see his emotions: "Do you know? Yu Langjun was a very sensible person from beginning to end."

"Mister Li has vast learning," Jiang Wang said.

The Emperor said: "You know which 'sensible' I am referring to."

Jiang Wang remained silent.

The Emperor said: "Li Zhengyan is my Chase Wind Commander, top-notch in all aspects, especially his varied military style, wielded freely, like elegant writing from a book. But I must truly say, purely in terms of cultivation talent, Li Zhengshu surpasses him by more than a notch. His literary elegance is needless to say; to stand out at the Green Cliff Academy means he can write the world's articles. As for military strategy..."

The Emperor glanced at Jiang Wang: "Yu Langjun also claims 'not knowing military,' never discusses military affairs, and doesn't read military books. But sometimes when we debate historical examples, in my opinion, his strategy is not inferior to Li Zhengyan's."

Jiang Wang felt this word "also" was truly inexplicable. Just talk about Li Zhengshu, why drag this so far?

The Emperor said: "He is the legitimate eldest son of the Li family, his birth mother died very early, and he was raised by the old Li matriarch from a young age. Because his talent was too outstanding, he chose to suppress his cultivation progress, achieving Divine Presence late, thereby avoiding competition with Li Zhengyan. Because the Li family's glory was too prosperous, he was unwilling to enter court, willing to conceal his talents for the family—such a person, don't you say he is a sensible person?"

Previously, Jiang Wang would never have guessed the Son of Heaven's thoughts, but today he thought—the Son of Heaven probably felt that Li Zhengshu's resignation this time was somewhat willful.

Such a sensible Li Zhengshu, suddenly not sensible once, the Son of Heaven was not accustomed to it.

Jiang Wang couldn't help but say: "Sensible people are often wronged people. Always gritting their teeth and making no sound, gradually others actually don't feel he will feel pain."

The Emperor's voice was like it was floating at an extremely high position: "Have you been wronged in my place?"

"This humble one has not," Jiang Wang said with lowered eyes: "This humble one is not sensible."

If he had truly not been wronged, why is the former national prodigy, the youngest military merit marquis of various countries, called "this humble one" today?

The Son of Heaven gave a cold laugh: "Even you don't speak true words to me? You one by one, accumulate resentment in your hearts, ah!"

This morning should have had rain; there was thunder all around outside, yet at this moment, it scattered in fright.

Inside the warm pavilion, bright treasure pearls were hung, and the warm light shook.

Jiang Wang raised his head, seriously looking at this Emperor who had personally established hegemony: "If you want to speak like this, then this humble one will feel wronged now."

Huo Yanshan tried his best to hide behind the corridor pillar, but because he was unusually tall among the inner officials, his attempt to hide was very unsuccessful.

"Huo Yanshan!" The Son of Heaven raised his voice.

Huo Yanshan hurriedly stepped forward, responding in a low voice: "Your Majesty."

The Son of Heaven said: "Jiang Rumo went to the Destroy City Marquis Manor today to convey the opinion of the Council of State Affairs, to give my Fixed Sea Divine General a grand burial. How did the Destroy City Marquis respond?"

Huo Yanshan said: "The Destroy City Marquis said this matter has two theories, public and private—privately, Li Longchuan did not die properly, unsuitable for a large arrangement, a long sight that hurts the heart. Publicly, Li Longchuan enjoyed the country's salary but did not establish great merit for the state and die, so he does not deserve to receive a large sacrifice."

"Dog dǎn!" The Son of Heaven cursed: "The matter involves a hereditary state marquis, do you dare to not speak a single true word?"

Huo Yanshan bowed his body: "This inner minister guarantees with his head, there is not a single word added or reduced."

"Jiang Zhenren!" The Son of Heaven said: "How do you see it?"

Midsummer's East Hua Pavilion gave people a cool feeling.

Jiang Wang raised his head and straightened his spine, receiving this "Jiang Zhenren."

He turned his head to look at Huo Yanshan, asking from a high vantage point: "Dare I ask Duke Huo, how did Prime Minister Jiang respond at that time?"

Huo Yanshan raised his head to look at the Son of Heaven.

The Son of Heaven only said one word: "Speak!"

Huo Yanshan said: "Prime Minister Jiang said Li Longchuan is a good general of the state, his funeral is a state affair, and should be handled by state ritual. But in this kind of matter, a father's wish is above everything. Even the state ritual system should yield to this. Since the Destroy City Marquis dislikes noise and fears disturbing the heroic spirit, this matter will be abandoned. Our mourning hearts are here, no harm in them turning to ashes."

Jiang Wang turned to the Son of Heaven and bowed: "Your Majesty's demeanor is grand, truly a benevolent ruler for a thousand ages!"

The Emperor said coldly: "Jiang Rumo is an old good person, used to saying superficial words. Only a blunt person like you would take them as true."

Jiang Wang said: "I have also heard the evaluation 'old good person.' I have also heard the evaluation 'kind face, black heart.' Jiang Rumo can be any kind of person, this humble one's eyes are clumsy and unable to see clearly, and I dare not wildly evaluate. But the Prime Minister of Great Qi, at the Destroy City Marquis Manor, facing Li Longchuan's body, only had attitude, no superficiality."

The Emperor said: "That is also only Jiang Rumo's attitude."

Jiang Wang said: "You use old Jiang as Prime Minister, this is your attitude."

Just like Cao Ji overseas, no matter what decision is made, it represents the Qi Son of Heaven.

Even if the Qi Son of Heaven himself wouldn't necessarily do so!

A wise emperor like Jiang Shu is willing to let his ministers take the good name while he takes the bad name. If any matter truly stirs up public resentment, he absolutely will not shift the blame to anyone. He will only say, "I did it personally."

"No need to talk about Jiang Rumo," the Emperor waved his sleeve: "You come and guess my heart for once! I also want to know how you, Jiang Qingyang, think of me."

Jiang Wang said: "How dare this humble one wildly measure the heart of heaven!"

"You must guess," the Emperor said.

Jiang Wang was silent for a while, then said: "In the battle of attacking Xia, the Chase Wind Iron Cavalry successively took twenty-three cities in Fengjie Prefecture, then leaped onto the Jiangyin Plain, confronting the Xia army. The front was spread out, blade tip against blade tip. One charge reduced their members by thirty thousand plus, directly crippling the old Xia's Town Guard Army. The Destroy City Marquis personally served as the vanguard, leaping on horseback to meet the enemy. His son and daughter were all in the array, closely following as the second vanguard. The whole family in one battle—this is something this humble one has never heard of but has personally seen."

"In the Ghost Face Fish Sea Domain, Li Fengyao spoke with this humble one, saying the Li family accepts all decisions of the court. At the Destroy City Marquis Manor, the old matriarch spoke with this humble one, saying the Li family eats military grain, picks up this bowl of rice, and will not complain. This is something this humble one has personally heard."

"How the Stone Gate Li family is, whether they owe the state or not, is truly not in this humble one's words. It is in those past years and months, in that sprinkled fresh blood, in the broken bows, in your eyes!"

He raised his voice: "Your Majesty is such a sage Son of Heaven, how could you not understand a father's sorrow!"

His words were like gold and jade, striking the ground with a sound.

The Emperor looked at him, yet said: "You thought this much in your heart, speaking fluently, and still say you dare not wildly measure the heart of heaven!"

"...I thought of it temporarily," Jiang Wang said.

The Emperor said in a cold voice: "This is towards Yan Dao, you don't even pretend to be blunt, dare to say your brain turns fast?"

Jiang Wang said: "Speaking true words requires no fast thinking. Only false-hearted people need to spend thought!"

The Emperor looked at him for a while, then said: "Where do you plan to go next to prove the Dao?"

Jiang Wang said: "The Central Domain."

The Emperor again laughed coldly: "The Central Domain has good feng shui. Probably more suitable for you."

Jiang Wang said: "From ancient times until now, there has been no one evaluated as first, nor anyone who claims to be first, only those who fight their way to first."

The Emperor asked: "Then why not go to the North Domain?"

Jiang Wang didn't speak.

"You doing this really annoys me!" The Emperor lifted the memorial, seemingly wanting to smash him, but finally only threw it on the table, emitting a 'pa' sound: "Get out! I need to go to court."

Jiang Wang cupped his hands and bowed: "This humble one takes his leave."

He turned and walked towards the outside, his posture very free and easy.

The Emperor's voice rang out behind him again: "Do you go directly to the Central Domain after leaving, or return to the Bo Wang Marquis Manor first?"

Jiang Wang turned back again, saying with utmost caution: "I'll go back and look once."

The Emperor impatiently flung his hand, like driving away an annoying fly.

This time, Jiang Wang quietly walked out of the East Hua Pavilion, no longer interrupted.

Only when he walked out of the East Hua Pavilion and looked back at that corridor terrace garden—the Great Qi Emperor's dragon carriage had already started. Through the curtain, only the Emperor's profile could be seen. He was leaning back under the canopy, supporting his forehead with his hand, seemingly taking a short rest, or perhaps deeply thinking about something.

The sky was dimly bright, still with a few stars. Today was the sixty-fifth year the Son of Heaven had trod the supreme path, and every day at this time he went to the Purple Extreme Hall. Except for personal expeditions, he would not stop, come rain or shine.

In any past moment, the Qi Son of Heaven in Jiang Wang's heart either represented majesty, or power, or made people revere and submit, or made people grateful.

But at this moment, he felt this was truly a lonely person.

If there was any place within the vast city of Linzi that would be forever locked in memory, forever make Jiang Wang feel it would not change, it was only the Bo Wang Marquis Manor. More specifically, it was the home of Chong Xuan Sheng and Yi Shisi.

They were, of course, all at home this time.

He had met Chong Xuan Pang at the Destroy City Marquis Manor, exchanging only one glance, not a single word between them. Now they met again at the Bo Wang Marquis Manor, and words flowed endlessly.

Shisi didn't speak, only silently brewed two cups of tea.

The tea fragrance was light, elegant, and pleasant.

Chong Xuan Sheng stopped talking and emphasized: "Shisi fried this Jianxue tea herself before Qingming, learning the skill from Doctor Yi."

Shisi then smiled slightly.

Jiang Wang said: "Good tea!"

He took a small sip, then praised again: "Really good! Too good! World-invincibly good!"

Shisi brought over a green jade bamboo tea canister, placed it next to Jiang Wang, her eyes brimming with a smile: "Take it with you to drink."

Chong Xuan Sheng grabbed with a big hand: "Don't, I don't even have enough—"

He only grabbed a handful of air.

Jiang Wang carefully put away this tea canister, then asked: "Tell me, Shisi, we are always on the same side—what has Sheng ge'er been doing during this period?"

Shisi smiled and shook her head.

Chong Xuan Sheng said: "Killed a few people. All small fry. What's there to ask?"

"That's worth you personally taking action?" Jiang Wang asked.

"My temper wasn't smooth, I needed to vent. Some people will understand," Chong Xuan Sheng said: "Instead, the Bo Wang Marquis stepping forward to protect the Li family made people feel uneasy, more or less."

Jiang Wang said: "The Son of Heaven won't mind these."

He looked towards Chong Xuan Sheng again: "You don't need me to remind you. Why?"

"What why?" Chong Xuan Sheng spread his large hands: "I know I can't stop you, so I didn't write you a letter. I know going to the Ghost Face Fish Sea Domain is meaningless. So I didn't go."

"If you don't want to say it, forget it," Jiang Wang drank a mouthful of tea, then praised again: "This taste is really not bad! The tea leaves are well-chosen, and the frying method is even more superb. If I could drink this every day, I would truly be the happiest person in the world!"

"No more will be given to you, no matter how much you praise—" Chong Xuan Sheng suddenly turned his head: "Shisi, guard our family's assets!"

Shisi, who had originally reached for the storage box, drew a large circle and pinched her forehead hair.

Chong Xuan Sheng then looked back at Jiang Wang: "This time you entered the palace, what did the Son of Heaven say to you?"

He waved his hand again, adding: "You don't need to say your private words, just say the part involving the Li family."

Jiang Wang recounted his dialogue with the Son of Heaven about the Li family.

Chong Xuan Sheng leaned back, listened quietly, then sighed: "Longchuan always used to say how good his big uncle was, what a romantic figure, and that he always took him out to play. He didn't truly understand his big uncle—a person like Li Zhengshu, if not born into the Li family, should now also be sealed as a marquis and worshipped as a prime minister."

Everyone had a big uncle in the marquis manor, but...

Big uncle and big uncle sometimes seemed like two different nouns.

Jiang Wang nodded in agreement: "Mister Li is indeed a very talented person."

"You don't understand what I mean," Chong Xuan Sheng said: "If the Son of Heaven can ask for the six directions, Li Zhengshu is the next prime minister. If not, then Li Zhengshu is the prime minister he leaves for the next emperor."

Jiang Wang was silent for a while.

He originally wanted to continue to be silent.

But he still couldn't help but say: "Ah?"

Chong Xuan Sheng pressed his forehead, skipping this topic: "Did the Son of Heaven mention me?"

"Why would he mention you?"

"Think carefully."

Jiang Wang thought carefully: "'Do you go directly to the Central Domain after leaving, or return to the Bo Wang Marquis Manor first?'—does this count?"

"Too much," Chong Xuan Sheng breathed a long sigh: "You, Jiang Zhenren, are indeed useful."

"How?" Jiang Wang asked.

Chong Xuan Sheng leaned back on the large chair, looked up at the dome, and his tone was slightly sighing: "Listening to thunder in a silent place. This conversation inside the East Hua Pavilion is the Son of Heaven's comfort to the Li family, the Son of Heaven's concern for you, Jiang Zhenren, and also the Son of Heaven's—admonition to me."

These words required some effort to understand. Jiang Wang thought for a while: "You mean... a warning to you? What were you originally planning to do?"

Chong Xuan Sheng closed his eyes: "You won't want to know."

"Probably you don't want to tell me," Jiang Wang said.

"Things won't continue. No need to say," Chong Xuan Sheng opened his eyes and looked at him, smiling: "The summer heat is intense, better drink tea."

"I also want to admonish you once," Jiang Wang said to him sideways: "Speak a little more clearly, don't always be cloudy and misty."

Shisi listened quietly beside them, and there was also doubt in her clear eyes.

"Sometimes it's not clear what is being said," Chong Xuan Sheng smiled and explained to Shisi: "For example, I said the Son of Heaven admonished me. This is called being sensible, called 'embodying the will of heaven.' But if I were like some people and said, 'Isn't the Son of Heaven warning me?' This is called harboring resentment and not being a good minister. Afterwards, it might be dangerous. Some ordinary people can say anything they want. But your husband is a heavy minister of the state, and every word and action requires some thought."

Shisi gently touched his belly: "Husband is working hard."

Chong Xuan Sheng covered her small hand with his large hand: "Being able to hold your hand, no matter where we are, I enjoy it all."

"You doing this really annoys me!" Jiang Wang drank the tea clean, placing the empty cup on the tea table with a thud: "Grandpa is leaving! The road is long and there are many matters, I won't talk idle gossip with you!"

Saying so, he truly pressed his sword and stood up, striding away.

"Jiang Zhenren!" Chong Xuan Sheng shouted from behind, then said: "This journey to the mountains and rivers is long and the wind is strong and the road is dangerous, I don't know if you can ascend to heaven in one step?"

Jiang Wang patted the sword hanging at his waist: "You only need to wait quietly."

Thus, he walked out the door alone.

This was the midsummer of Dao Calendar 3929.

A youth named "Jiang Wang" decided to go to the Central Domain to prove the Dao.