Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  In the beginning of the sixth year of the Qing calendar, both Northern Qi and the Qing Kingdom had mysterious things happen within their borders. Due to cold weather, the millet had not yet grown in the rice paddies, so there were no double ears of grain or white fish in the rivers, and no one found any kylins in the mountains. When Wuzhou was excavated, they dug out a pair of copper walls. When Shazhou was repairing its river, workers found—to their great surprise and joy—a giant turtle decorated with cloud patterns; there also were black birds in the Jiangnan rice paddies and red geese flying in the horizon. 

  No matter whether it was copper walls, cloud turtles, or black birds, these were all auspicious signs. Officials from all over rushed to send in memorials and all kinds of fawning, however, the Emperor in Jingdou did not care because this shameless atmosphere of auspiciousness began in the Northern Qi. 

  The first rumor said that after the first snowfall on Xi Mountain, a woodcutter on the mountain found white deer, white wolves, and white foxes. Considering them auspicious signs, he wrote a memorial to the Northern Qi Emperor. 

  Great Grandmaster Ku He considered this a celestial sign and decided that the rulers of each country had governed well and aligned with heaven’s will. He reopened his school and took a female disciple, Si Lili, from a temple outside Shangjing. She later entered the palace. 

  This tempest eventually came south. Throughout Qing Kingdom things began to happen. However, it was clear that the Qing Emperor was an unyielding man who did not respect ghosts and spirits. It was not until the Director of the Imperial Observatory announced ecstatically in a shaky voice that the Imperial Observatory had seen a large star and iridescent clouds that the Qing Emperor began to take the matter seriously. 

  Auspicious signs, also known as lucky symbols, had a long history and were often noted in literature. It was a little magic that the heavens used to show people their satisfaction with their governance. There were many types of auspicious signs, such as favorable weather, double ears of grain, and new sweet springs from the ground. The common people were very trusting of them. 

  Auspicious signs were divided into five levels. Other than things like kylin, which could not be found and were considered excellent auspicious signs, the other levels were superior auspicious signs, upper auspicious signs,middle auspicious signs, and lower auspicious signs. 

  White wolves, white foxes, and such were upper auspicious signs. Black birds, red geese, and such were lower auspicious signs. The so-called large star and iridescent clouds the Director of the Imperial Observatory had so happily reported were strange and colorful clouds of the sky and most certainly a superior auspicious sign. Furthermore, the name had the Qing nation name within it. No matter how aloof and suspicious the Emperor was, he began to become elated. After all, the Emperor was still a man and always liked being fawned on. This year was sure to be a year with favorable weather. 

  Since it was to be a good year, there naturally couldn’t be warfare. Using auspicious signs as a directive, the communications of state affairs between the Northern Qi and Qing Kingdom became much closer, particularly since the two countries were about to be joined in marriage. The Great Prince and Great Princess of Northern Qi were just about to tie the knot. 

  Northern Qi had sent out a rather large diplomatic mission. The Qing people were surprised and honored that the Northern Qi Imperial Advisor, Ku He, was coming south with the diplomatic mission. He was going to be the presiding witness. 

  Although the Qing people were proud and radiant, each arrangement for welcoming the guests had to be redrafted. Ye Liuyun had disappeared to somewhere where even cranes couldn’t find him. The only person of rank left to welcome them seemed to the Emperor of the Qing Kingdom. However, the officials of the Honglu Temple did not dare to ask the Emperor to personally show his face. 

  In the end, the empress dowager could not stand to see the officials below panicking and came forward to solve the issue. Following the old rules for the literary master Zhuang Mohan, they would invite great master Ku He into the palace. She would be responsible for welcoming him. 

  The position of the Great Grandmaster Ku He in the world was extraordinary. Not only was he one of the top great grandmasters, but Tianyi Dao was secretly influencing the temples in all locations as well as the Ascetic Monks wandering the wilderness. Although the Temple never interfered in mortal business, this kind of restrained renown had long surpassed the influence of an ace martial artist. 

  Unexpectedly, when Imperial Advisor Ku He reached Jingdou, he politely declined the invitation and situated himself into the Temple of Qing. This did indeed match his identity. 

  Although the two countries had their differences, the Qing people still showed sufficient respect to the great grandmaster. Besides respect, everyone had a sense of curiosity and were making guesses. Although the marriage alliance was an important matter, it still shouldn’t have been enough to move him, right? 

  A few days after the Northern Qi diplomatic mission entered the capital, the true reason for Ku He to personally visit the Qing court was revealed. 

  It turns out that the Northern Qi Emperor had written a new state document explicitly stating he wished to repair his relationship to the South Kingdom and extend the draft agreement from last year into perpetuity. The two countries would refer to each other as brothers. They would not discuss the matter of juniors and seniors and only talk about their future friendship. Generation after generation, they would remain friends. 

  Ku He had to oversee such an important negotiation personally. The Qing Emperor held the letter from his northern colleague in his hand and thought about it for many days before finally gently nodding his head. It was probably three-tenths for the sake of Ku He’s face. 

  Once the message went out, the world celebrated. Even though the Qing People valued martial prowess, in the end they liked to have peaceful days. It was only the military that was quietly angry. They felt that since the court was in its golden age, it was the perfect time to unite the world as one. Why would they cover their heads with some papers? Although they weren’t heavy, it still made breathing less easy. 

  It was the leader of the old Qin family that saw things for how they were and did not care at all. He occasionally said to those closest to him: “Currently the Northern Qi is recovering at a pace that has exceeded our expectations. It won’t be good to send out troops for the next few years. This negotiation is just a few pieces of paper. When the time comes for them to be torn, they will be torn. It’s not like our Emperor hasn’t done something like that before.” 

  Ku He’s other purpose for coming south shocked the officials and commoners in Jingdou. He was going to take Minister Shang’s only daughter—the lady of the Fan family—as a disciple. 

  His reasons were quite sufficient. Months before the end of year crossing of Yin and Yang, the heavens sent down auspicious signs. It was the kind will of heaven. Tianyi Dao believed in the unity of heaven and man. He conducted human matters according to heaven’s will, thus he was to select a prodigy among mankind and nurture them with care. To work for the happiness of the people was the right path. Since it was a deed to honor heaven, then it was not restricted by territory. Northern Qi showed auspicious signs, and he took a disciple. Now the South Kingdom had shown auspicious signs, so he would take another disciple. 

  The news of the Tianyi Dao Great Grandmaster Ku He reopening his doors had already spread all over last year, but the South Kingdom never thought this news would have anything to do with them. Who would have thought that the last female disciple of Tianyi Dao would be from Jingdou? 

  As to why he would chose the lady of the Fan family became the question. Not many people would think of Fan Xian far away in Jiangnan. No matter how arrogant and powerful Fan Xian was, he still didn’t have the power to order Imperial Advisor Ku He to create benefit for himself. 

  Ku He did not explain his criteria for choosing a disciple. It was only rumors from the eunuchs responsible for serving him that people learned Ku He had occasionally traveled through the Jingdou public. He once stood silently outside the Imperial Academy of Medicine for half a day and had a warm and appreciative expression afterward. He had said that one of the girls in the hospital was kind and pure, very intelligent, and an able person. 

  That day, Fan Ruoruo had been interning at the Imperial Academy of Medicine. She used the nursing knowledge and medical skills she had learned in the past months to carefully tend to the critically ill patients in the hospital. She hadn’t taken time to change. Her lips were dry, and her clothes were soaked with sweat despite the winter weather; she had worked very hard. 

  In this world there was a saying, “literary and martial skills know no borders.” The student of Northern Qi’s Zhuang Mohan could be a great official in the Qing Kingdom. Ku He wanted to take a Qing person as a disciple, and the Qing people would only feel honor rather than anything else. Thus, the public did not have any big reaction. In fact, they were happy to see it happen. 

  However, Ku He taking a disciple was a big matter, especially since it was the lady of an official’s family. He had to solicit the opinion of the seniors in the other party’s family. Even Fan Jian was not sure what to do in this matter and had to enter the palace to ask the Emperor for an edict. 

  Among the many palaces, the Qing Emperor sat on his dragon chair and furrowed his brows. After a long silence he only asked one thing: “An Zhi dislikes Hong Cheng this much?” 

  Fan Jian was shocked and didn’t know what to say. 

  A smile flashed through the Emperor’s eyes. He was amazed at the length of Fan Xian’s reach and power. He also felt that Ku He was overly tender toward the girl named Haitang, but he still felt some remorse for banishing Fan Xian to Jiangnan, so it was not sufficient to be a problem. He waved his hands and allowed this proposal. 

  Not long after the Great Prince was married, Ku He left behind the diplomatic mission, took Fan Ruoruo, and swiftly left the capital. 

  Thus, the marriage between the Fan family and King Jing’s family was pushed back indefinitely. It was only a matter of time before it disappeared completely. King Jing’s heir, Li Hongcheng, had been under house arrest. Hearing the bad news, he almost spat blood. Once King Jing knew of this, he entered the palace and made quite a ruckus. In the end, it forced the empress dowager to come out. Only then could he be pacified. 

  After King Jing returned to his manner, he still couldn’t swallow his anger. He took the gardeners and thugs from his manor straight to Minister Shang’s manor, someone his family has been friendly with for generations. Regardless of the front residence or the back residence, everything was smashed to pieces. They smashed until the Fan manor resembled a heap of trash. They completely destroyed countless antiques Fan Jian had collected for many years and chased the Fan manor serving girls until their faces became pale. At the end, King Jing left Minister Shang, who had rushed home with a brutal black eye. Only then did he arrogantly lead his troops back to his manor and feel the anger in his chest dissipate slightly. ……

  Jiangnan, beside West Lake, and no lotuses at the start of spring. The thin rain fell like thread. 

  Fan Xian and his group had already been living in Hangzhou for almost a month. Although nominally there were on holiday, with spring approaching there was another deeper layer of meaning for his stay. In the last few days, the Jiangnan branch of the Overwatch Council began working at full steam. Unlike before, when all their business had to be sent to Jingdou to be processed, now it was delivered directly to the manor beside West Lake. 

  Outside of the main Council in Jingdou, this manor had formally become the second center of power of the Overwatch Council. 

  All matters relating to the situation of the officials of Jiangnan Road, the details of the Ming family and the salt merchants, and the movements of the palace treasury in the last few months, were all summarized by the Fourth Bureau official in the manor. He then reported to Fan Xian. Without the distance between the cities, the control the upper levels of the Overwatch Council had in Jiangnan took a big step forward. However, the Ming family reacted quickly. They had made arrangements last autumn. As the Ming family was one of the giant local families, everyone they used was a family member. Thus, the Council was not able to place sufficient spies or receive much useful information. 

  \r \r \r 

  On the contrary, the Jiangnan water bandits they had recruited in Shazhou began to show their use beyond what Fan Xian had expected. Xia Qifei was a man who planned far ahead. He had long planned to win back the Ming family and been preparing for many years. He had more detailed knowledge than the Overwatch Council about the Ming family’s export routes and other related information. 

  The Ming family had stayed strangely silent. It was said that they had an upper level meeting in Suzhou, and it was clear they were there for Fan Xian. However, the meeting was highly secretive, and the Overwatch Council didn’t find anything on it. 

  Given Fan Xian’s identity and position, in addition to that of the Third Prince, no one, whether it was the Ming family or the many officials of Jiangnan Road, had the daring to provoke him first. As for Yun Zhilan and those people from Dongyi, they were originally here to support the Ming family. Who would have thought that Fan Xian would be so unreasonable as to start an operation to chase out all the dogs? 

  One immortal living in the mortal realm could perhaps hide for a long time in a city, but a group of immortals would not be able to hide all traces of their movements. The long empty Peng family manor suddenly had more people living in it. Regardless of whether it was the grains, fruits, and vegetables that were bought, or the expensive daily use items brought in, when seen by those in Hangzhou who had the mind to care, they would all be able to guess something. 

  Eventually the news that Commissioner Fan was in Hangzhou had spread like wildfire throughout Jiangnan Road. However, he stayed in the manor and did not see guests. The Zhizhou of Hangzhou went to visit once and was turned away politely by the guards. Everyone knew Commissioner Fan was still on holiday and did not want to be disturbed. 

  However, the people wondered what exactly Fan Xian was preparing since he had been quiet for a long time. As he was silent, the officials and jianghu people were also forced into silence. There was no decrease in the gifts being sent to the big ship on the river, and the Ming family very respectfully moved out of the other manors beside the West Lake in fear they were disturbing the commissioner’s peace. 

  The manor beside the West Lake was quiet, yet it attracted the gazes of countless people. ……

  A small leaf-shaped boat floated on the lake. Two young men, who looked to be students, sat on it. One was at the head, and one at the tail. There was a low table between them on which sat fresh fruit and Jiangnan alcohol. The set up was comfortable and at ease. 

  The two were Fan Xian and Haitang in disguise. They had not rubbed flour and such on their faces. Fan Xian had cleverly shaved the corner of their eyebrows and used glue to smooth the tail of the eyebrows up a little. With the eyebrows changed, the two people’s appearances were immediately different. If it were not people who were familiar with them, they would certainly not be recognized. 

  At this time, the little boat was slowly moving in an isolated corner of the West Lake. The lake air was fresh after the small rain had stopped. 

  Fan Xian often went boating on the lake with Haitang. He liked the lake scenery, and he was beginning to learn the Heart of Tianyi Dao. Haitang had said he needed to be close to nature to use the yuanqi between the heaven and earth to repair the Meridians in his body. 

  Speaking of which, that was rather miraculous. After Fan Xian began to cultivate Tianyi Dao, he no longer retained zhenqi in his lower back. It had shifted to a point just below his navel. Those drops of collected zhenqi seemed to carry a fresh scent and slowly spread moisture on the walls of his Meridians, moistening his dry and damaged Meridians. Being close to the beauty of nature, with the slightly cold lake water reflecting the white clouds and blue sky below and the forests at the foot of the mountain that were just starting to show green to his side, his cultivation was indeed faster. 

  Fan Xian believed what Haitang said made sense. He knew that most importantly the zhenqi in his body circulated one time more than other martial cultivators as he had practiced the skill of circulating back and forth internally and externally too much back in the day. In the past he had only used it for rock climbing. He only just learned that it was greatly beneficial for his spirit and interaction with the heaven and earth. 

  He closed eyes and half reclined at the head of the boat. His right hand was carelessly laid on the side of the boat, and his fingertips gently trailed along the lightly rocking water. A thread of very light, almost undetectable, zhenqi flowed out of his fingertips. It touched the water of the lake before gently being pulled back to flow into his body. His fingertips left fine ripples on the water’s surface. 

  Haitang gently rowed the double oars. Her eyes, as bright as the water of the lake, focused on Fan Xian’s fingertips. Her brows furrowed slightly and she quietly sighed. The comprehension ability and destiny of this young man in front of her was rare to see. Like the scene before her, the zhenqi leaving the body and then returning, stained with the breath of nature. This was clearly the appearance of the third level of the Heart of Tianyi Dao. Although she was considered a prodigy—she had been cultivating for five years before she understood this kind of realm—it only took Fan Xian a few weeks. 

  Fan Xian’s current realm was much higher than when she first started, and his comprehension ability was also much stronger. Haitang still felt a thread of disbelief and fear at his rapid progress. Fan Xian knew, at the same time, two great martial schools of the North and South. He also held great power in his hands, and his prestige among the people was excellent. This kind of person……what if in the future he walked an evil path? Who would be able to control him? 

  In reality, Fan Xian’s martial comprehension ability was nowhere close to that of Haitang’s. He was able to so successfully cultivate the Heart of Tianyi Dao because, first, Haitang was beside him teaching him without holding anything back; second, Fan Xian had built a strong foundation for his zhenqi as a child; and third, as mentioned earlier, Fan Xian was very familiar with the kind of method of having the zhenqi leave and then return. He was a stingy man, but had coincidentally catered to the Tianyi Dao cultivation method. 

  Seeming to sense what Haitang was thinking, Fan Xian woke from his meditation and slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Haitang with a not-quite-there smile. “Don’t worry. If I really wanted to go back on my word, I wouldn’t have let that Northern Qi man you brought to Jiangnan come into contact with so many things.” 

  In his agreement with Haitang, or more accurately, in Fan Xian’s negotiation with the Northern Qi royal family, after the Eldest Princess had fallen, the smuggled goods from the palace treasury toward the north would not decrease. Additionally, their quality and level would see a major increase to the extent that Fan Xian would agree to the Northern Qi’s request for certain goods strictly prohibited from being exported. 

  The Northern Qin man that Haitang had brought to Jiangnan was an official of the Northern Qi court. He was the manager of the Ministry of Revenue, but also held the position of siyu in the Ministry of Works. In the beginning he had floated around the Ministry of War. Although this official has not risen in his official career, he was a multi-talented and able man. He could manage accounts, was knowledgeable about the making of weapons, and proficient in inspecting merchandise. Haitang’s decision to bring him here to be responsible for the trade with the Qing Kingdom palace treasury was truly an appropriate one. 

  “I am someone who takes promises very seriously.” Fan Xian looked at Haitang and said, “What I promised you before in Shangjing, I will do it for sure.” 

  “So are we.” Haitang smiled slightly. She let go of the oars and allowed the little boat to drift as it wished on the lake. “You should have already received the message. Teacher has already taken lady Fan and left Jingdou.” 

  Without waiting for Fan Xian to reply, she continued. “Fan Sizhe is also beginning to gradually take over the business left by the Cui family in the territory of my court. You should know, if it weren’t for the Emperor’s assent, these should have been taken into the national treasury and would not have become your personal property.” 

  Fan Xian shook his head. “The Cui family were citizens of the Qing Kingdom. Even if they committed crimes and were caught, it should naturally be Qing people that take over.” 

  Haitang did not acknowledge his irrational arguments. “Furthermore, I have already brought the Heart to you as we agreed in the letter. I think there is little for us to be picky about in the content of the first part of the agreement.” 

  Fan Xian nodded. This was a deal that greatly benefitted both parties. Only, he wasn’t sure why he was placing so much trust in Northern Qi people. Haitang also seemed to not understand this point and furrowed her brows. “An Zhi, you’ve sent both your sister and brother to Shangjing. Don’t say you did this for no reason. What is this for?” 

  Fan Xian smiled and knew she had finally realized something was up, but he also could not reply to her straightforwardly. Was he going to tell a foreigner that he was worried the Emperor would suddenly have a purge so he was placing reserve forces in the other countries under heaven? 

  He waved his hand. “This is nothing. As long as our agreement continues to be fulfilled, I trust that both you and that……little Emperor will protect my family well.” 

  Haitang’s eyebrow rose. “If things fall through, how will you face everyone in Qing Kingdom?” 

  “Face? There will be absolutely no need to face them.” Fan Xian smiled. “Although I don’t think I am a traitor, others will definitely think of me as the biggest traitor of the Qing Kingdom.” 

  Haitang smiled, having no words for this forthcoming and hooligan-like temperament. Fan Xian continued to smile. “Besides, as for this world, I don’t mind being an internationalist.” 

  “Did you have a hand in the auspicious signs around the Qing Kingdom? Haitang lowered her head and asked. 

  Fan Xian did not deny it. The events in Wuzhou and Shazhou, among others, were naturally the work of the Overwatch Council. As for the large star and iridescent clouds the Imperial Observatory saw……don’t forget, the previous official of the Imperial Observatory was one of the Second Prince’s people and had, one dark and windy night, been invited to the Overwatch Council for tea. He had yet to be realized. The current official of the Imperial Observatory’s relations with Fan Xian was much closer. 

  He thought to himself: The little Emperor in the North thought he was clever and did the three whites. Over here there have few creatures in our snowy mountains, but if we make a lucky cloud, that should be able to hold you down. In the Emperor’s secret letter, it was clear he was very pleased with the arrangements he made. A sense of pride came through between the words and lines. 

  “The Emperor of Qing……” Haitang deliberated on her word choice, “although he has rarely shown himself these years, everyone knows the Emperor has heaven given brilliance, particularly since this time teacher has accepted your sister as his last disciple. It is difficult to say that he won’t guess something.” 

  Fan Xian nodded. “These things could never have been hidden from His Majesty. As an official, I also will not hide it. I have submitted a secret memorial on the related matters.” 

  Haitang was slightly surprised. “You are certainly open and candid. What things will you not say?” 

  Fan Xian furrowed his brows and became serious. “For example, moving the silver from the palace treasury to my own home. This kind of thing, of course I’m too embarrassed to tell the Emperor.” 

  The little boat once again sank into silence, and the waters of the lake also once again became calm. Fan Xian gazed at the slightly worried looking Haitang and found that after a half a year, this girl’s personality seemed to have changed a little. Perhaps it was her initial foray into court politics that had some influence on her frame of mind. 

  Facing Haitang, Fan Xian actually felt a faint unease. In the days they had interacted from last year to today, he had followed the principle of summarizing his heart with one word, to do his best to open his heart in their interactions, to be utterly sincere, and to even say some unbelievably childish things. He truly valued Haitang as a friend, but he also wanted to influence this girl from his heart to win a strong helper. That his starting point was calculated made him feel slightly ashamed. 

  From the side of the lake came the sound of urgent hoof beats. Fan Xian turned his head to look and saw a handsome horse rushing on the stone path beside the lake. It was candidly and openly heading toward the Peng family manor door that officials had not dared to approach in days. A familiar looking official flipped off the horse and angrily began to beat on the door.

  Chapter 343: Pick Up The Bowl To Drink Congee, Put Down Chopsticks To Curse 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Leaving behind the boat to step onto the shore, Fan Xian walked toward the garden with some puzzlement. Haitang was behind him and greeted the old man fishing beside the lake, however Fan Xian did not have the mind to get close to the people. Seeing the fine horse outside the yard, his brows drew together. 

  The official that came on the horse had already entered the garden and just left the horse outside. He hadn’t even tied the lead rope. It seemed he was truly in a rush. The horse was just standing around below the stone steps, snorting and smelling the green grass that had just grown out. Unfortunately it was wearing a bridle, so it could only mouth at it anxiously but was not able to eat it. 

  “Sir.” The guard at the door saluted him and a subordinate edged closer to explain something. Fan Xian held up his hands to stop him. He had long recognized who the angry official was. He hadn’t seen the man in a year, but he could tell he still had the same personality, which made Fan Xian a bit angry. 

  From the depths of the manor came the faint sounds of an intense argument. After rounding the screened wall, the sound became louder. The tone of the voice was full of criticism, anger, and disappointment that seemed to come from the very marrow of their bones. 

  Fan Xian stopped his steps. He turned to Haitang with a self-deprecatingly smile and said, “It’s just a small matter. Save me some face and don’t come in.” 

  Haitang smiled and nodded. She headed toward a path to the side that led to the garden. 

  Fan Xian tidied his clothes and listened with patience from the outside before he gently coughed. Acting every inch the teacher, he crossed his hands behind his back, stepped over the tall threshold, and walked in to the main hall. 

  Inside the main hall, the two red-faced, thick-necked people facing off like fighting roosters were Shi Chanli and Yang Wanli, whom he hadn’t seen in a while. 

  Last year Yang Wanli was in the third rank of candidates to pass the imperial examinations. Sice everyone knew he was under the personal command of the Fan family, the managing official at the Ministry of Appointments waved his brush and transferred him to a wealthy county in Jiangnan to be a county magistrate. It was a lucrative post. It was only because the Minister of Appointments meddled, otherwise, given the Fan family prestige, it was not impossible for him to have been a Zhoutong or Yunpan right away. 

  Yang Wanli had also worked hard for his teacher Fan Xian and did not disappoint. He was hard working in politics, kind to his people, and loved to learn. In just one short year, the area he governed was neat and tidy, honest, and safe. He earned the praises honest, good, and fair in his autumn review. When the Supreme Court reviewed, they came to a similar conclusion. Although his term limit was not up and he could not be promoted, he was a proper sixth-level official. 

  Of the four disciples under the Fan family, Hou Jichang and Chen Jialin were both officials to the south of Jiaodong Road. It was said that their reputations were excellent as well. 

  After Fan Xian entered the room, he watched Yang Wanli and Shi Chanli argue with cold eyes. He found that Yang Wanli was being intimidating as Shi Chanli was slowly backing up. With a quick listen he realized what they were arguing about and laughed. 

  Yang Wanli turned his head to glance at him, paused, furrowed his brows, and then turned around to continue speaking to Shi Chanli. “Brother Shi, it’s fine that you won’t enter into an official position. Following beside teacher, helping him remedy omissions and correct errors, and to do so diligently can also be considered working for the good of the people……but now that teacher has clearly done the wrong thing. Why aren’t you reminding him as you are by his side? Following the etiquette as disciples, we should still speak honestly and admonish. That is the correct way! Do you know what kind of embarrassing rumors are traveling around Jiangnan? Everyone is saying that Commissioner Fan can take the position, but who knows how well he can handle matters? But he certainly collects silver very openly!” 

  Yan Wanli unleashed sarcasm and laughed. “The Great River? I think that’s a silver river. Before that ship takes all the silver in each province is another day the people on the ship refuse to go on land!” 

  The more he spoke the angrier he became. His sleeve shook. “To be an official for one day is to work for the happiness of the people for one day. Last year, teacher left word for us to be good officials, to be good people……but……but……is this how an official should act? I……I have almost no face to see people! Old Shi! You have disappointed me so much! Rotting insect! Traitor[JW1] !” 

  Hearing the last two adjectives, anger poured into Shi Chanli. He thought: You bastard! You’ve enjoyed being an honest official out here. What do you know of the hard work? I’ve suffered as the boss of a brothel in Jingdou. You call me traitor? Are you criticizing teacher as the tiger that eats people’s bones and marrow? I see Yan Wanli, you haven’t been an official for long, but you’re much more daring now. 

  With a burst of hot blood, he turned around to curse. “You are a sour scholar who doesn’t know the pains of the common people! If it weren’t for teacher in the capital, do you think you can get such high praise? You ungrateful bastard!” 

  Yang Wanli tilted his head up and said proudly, with a hint of pain, “Although I only govern one county, within a year all bandits have disappeared and the people live in peace. I have not let down Sir Fan junior’s initial hope.” 

  In reality, Shi Chanli understood why the other party was so angry he had come directly to their door. The so-called higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment. They both hoped to follow Sir Fan junior to make a career for themselves in the Qing Kingdom and be truly honest and considerate officials. However, Fan Xian was in the Overwatch Council. Holding great power……the things he did……did indeed look the actions of a powerful official, but his distance from being an important official was getting larger and larger. 

  However, Shi Chanli had spent many years beside Fan Xian and knew that there were many things teacher did unwillingly, furthermore, they had a deeper relationship. He instinctively smiled coldly and continued to counterattack. “All the bandits are gone? If the provincial barracks hadn’t moved 12 li into your Fuchun County……do you think those bandits were scared away by your sagely words? 12 li of land……unremarkable, right? But how capable are you, you little county magistrate?” 

  Yang Wanli froze and furrowed his forehead. “What do you mean by that?” 

  “What do I mean?” Shi Chanli turned his head to glance at Fan Xian and furrowed his brows. It seemed like he was wondering why the guards hadn’t stopped this man from coming in. If outsiders heard him arguing with Yang Wanli and it got out, that would be bad. ……

  At this moment, the most innocent one was Fan Xian. The two students were arguing intensely while he, the teacher, stood on the side for a long time without being acknowledged. He had been left out so long he’d almost dried out. He picked up Shi Chanli’s words and smiled. “Doesn’t mean anything. It was just that the old master felt sorry for all of you and just wrote a letter to the Sub-Prefect in command in the province.” 

  It was at this moment that the two arguing recognized Fan Xian’s voice. They jumped in shock at the same time. After a moment of surprise they said, “Teacher?” 

  Fan Xian stretched out a hand to rub at his temples, removing the glue at the corner of his eyebrows. His eyebrows returned to their original places, and that delicate and handsome face recovered its original appearance. He had forgotten to take of his disguise after he entered the room, and the two arguing excitedly had not even recognized him. 

  He gave a pained laugh. “If you’re going to fight you have to close the door. This time I heard it, but if an outsider heard it……I’m afraid they’ll think something along the lines of deceiving your master and betraying your ancestors has happened to the Fan family.” ……

  The main hall in the manor suddenly became silent. Thinking of how the contents of their argument had completely fallen into Fan Xian’s ears, both Shi Chanli and Yang Wanli felt awkward. 

  The two invited Fan Xian to sit in the middle and situated themselves on either side. Although Fan Xian was younger in age, the absurd seniority of student and teacher was present and had to be done correctly. 

  Yang Wanli rubbed his head, feeling a slight headache. Suddenly he remembered Fan Xian’s last words……deceiving the master and betraying the ancestors? He suddenly raised his head and cried loudly, “Sir! I had no such intentions.” 

  Fan Xian looked at him with a kind smile. He knew that Yang Wanli was born of a poor family and was very disdainful of corrupt officials. Furthermore, his personality was straightforward and fiery, otherwise he wouldn’t have come helter-skelter to their door. 

  “Fuchun County is a full 200 li from Hangzhou. You, a civil servant, rushed here without bringing soldiers and cursed me to my face as an old tiger who eats without even spitting out the bones. If this isn’t deceiving your master, then what is?” 

  He was joking, but the weight of his joke was not one that Yang Wanli could bear. However, Yang Wanli’s personality was straightforward and honest. He gritted his teeth, approached Fan Xian and bowed low. In a serious voice he said, “Student is wrong. I was wrong to talk such things behind your back.” 

  Fan Xian was a little startled and thought the man had sure changed quickly. 

  Unexpectedly, Yang Wanli’s topic changed with the wind. “However, now that teacher has returned, I will say it face to face. You know that I have never feared to speak to teachers and seniors in a straightforward manner.” 

  “Speak.” Fan Xian said helplessly. “Your personality is just this strange.” 

  “On your trip down to Jiangnan this time to help the court manage its finances, I think there are three things you shouldn’t have done.” Yang Wanli completely missed Fan Xian’s evaluation of his personality. 

  “Three things?” Fan Xian was startled. He had thought it was just the problem of Su Wenmao collecting silver. He hadn’t expected there to be three shouldn’t-have-dones. Do you think you are Chi Zhiqiang singing the 10 shouldn’t-haves in jail? 

  “First, you shouldn’t have allowed your subordinates to go along the river and strip commoners of their wealth and make use of their labor.” Yang Wanli had not slept well last night before he made up his mind to come to Hangzhou to admonish his teacher face to face. In a pained voice he continued. “As the ship from the capital went south, the officials in the provinces and counties along the river purposely came out to welcome and gave mountains of gifts. They also forced commoners to drag the boat. The waters in the Jiangnan region are calm. If that big ship hadn’t been going slow on purpose, why would it need barge haulers? This matter has long spread throughout Jiangnan and become a joke, furthermore, where do the gifts that the provincial and county official give come from? From exorbitant taxes that scrap away at the people’s belongings? As the commissioner of the Overwatch Council, you shouldn’t ignore the law, take bribes, disregard the people, and levy labor from hardworking people!” 

  Fan Xian seemed to not have listened. He waved his hands to have Shi Chanli pour a cup of tea and guzzled it down. 

  Watching his actions and expressions, Yang Wanli felt a bit apprehensive. He didn’t know whether or not his teacher was truly angry. But, it also made him angrier. “Second, you shouldn’t have mobilized the ships of the Jiangnan sailors for protection. Although you have the identity of an imperial envoy, you didn’t travel in broad daylight in the beginning but instead traveled by the stars. This is against regulations and underhanded. You also mobilized soldiers as escorts. Other than being against regulations, it exceeds the bounds of propriety. Disturbing the land and having lax defenses are all serious mistakes.” 

  Fan Xian sprayed the tea out of his mouth and laughed as he scolded, “Will you only be happy if someone chopped me up?” 

  \r \r \r 

  He waved his hand to stop Yang Wanli’s next words and spoke. “Let’s first talk about these two shouldn’t-haves.” He considered them for a moment. “The matter you mentioned about collecting gifts along the river. I have also heard some rumors and the influence is indeed very bad. According to a letter from Jingdou, this matter has become a joke at court in Jingdou. They’re all saying that I’ve been trapped in Jingdou and now that I’m in Jiangnan I want to take a few layers off of the ground……” 

  Hearing him speak, Yang Wanli felt a little joy. “Exactly. Putting aside the matter of law and order, just speaking of influence, it would impact your official reputation greatly……” 

  “You mean, it will greatly affect your official reputation, right?” Fan Xian mocked. “Earlier you said you had no face to meet people. If you wanted to be an honest official that is remembered by the history books, but have landed a greedy official like me as a teacher, I suspect you would be rather unhappy. I can understand, however……” 

  He changed the topic. “It doesn’t matter how the Jiangnan officials see it, how the people see it, or how the Six Ministries sees it. No one will care about them. The question is, you are my student, how could you think I am greedy for money?” 

  Yang Wanli paused to collect his thoughts. The exploitation by that big ship of yours is the truth, and all the evidence is solid. There are rumors that the reason Commissioner Fan was going to Jiangnan so secretively and splitting into northern, central, and southern routes was so that he could receive gifts from all three. Did people wrong him by saying that? 

  “I have plenty of silver.” Fan Xian stared at Yang Wanli and roared in anger, “Why would I be greedy for silver? What kind of head do you have?” 

  “You, Jicheng, and Jialin, the three of you are now outer officials. Every month you are sure to receive the silver that the old master sends from the capital, why is that? Because we are worried that you will be pulled under by your colleagues’ money. I already have such expectations for you. Why would it be more so for me?” 

  Ever since they left the capital after the imperial examinations, Yang Wanli and the two others had received monthly banknotes from Jingdou. The amount far exceeded their official salary. This matter actually had nothing to do with Fan Xian. He wasn’t that detailed. It was all Minister Shang attentively taking care of these things for his son. 

  With silver on hand, Yang Wanli and the two others had more room to move and money to use for practical things. Thinking of Fan Xian’s attentive care, he felt moved. He had also been quite scared by Fan Xian’s rare display of anger. He quickly replied, “Thank you, teacher.” 

  Fan Xian smiled and reprimanded his student. “You are grateful when given money, but do you not think about where the money came from? Of course, it’s not from corruption. You know I have a few businesses under me. I can still afford to feed you all.” 

  Yang Wanli furrowed his brows. “But……the ship on the river?” 

  “What does that ship have to do with me?” Fan Xian’s face and mouth were shameless, “You want to go fight and curse those corrupt officials? Then go on the ship and curse those people. Running to Hangzhou to curse me……Yang Wanli, ah, Yang Wanli, you are quite daring.” 

  Yang Wanli said dejectedly, “Teacher, those people are your subordinates.” 

  “Yes. Subordinates take silver, and I ask no questions. Does it seem like everything is under my orders? This is all just a show. You are too anxious.” 

  Shi Chanli made his own urging. “Teacher must have his reasons. Rushing in today like this, who knows how many people are going to secretly laugh their faces off?” 

  Yang Wanli thought about it and found it logical. Even if Sir Fan junior wanted to be greedy, there was no need to do it so openly or in such a lowly manner. Perhaps he had thought wrong? 

  “There isn’t that deep a reason.” Fan Xian sighed. “It is just that I will need to put on a show in Suzhou on March 3rd. The show is too sappy. Even thinking about it right now gives me goosebumps. You’ll understand when you see it.” 

  At this moment, Yang Wanli believed what Fan Xian said and did not dare speak again. He was feeling regretful for his rashness. If he ruined teacher’s plan to fix the treasury, that would not be good. 

  “Let’s talk about the second shouldn’t-have.” Fan Xian furrowed his brows. “Wanli, you are too naïve, do you really believe it is a golden age?” 

  Yang Wanli was slightly startled. Considering the country was at peace, the people safe, and weather favorable, where was the lie? Fan Xian laughed coldly and tried to scare him. “If I hadn’t mobilized the sailors as an escort, that ship could have been dragged to the bottom of the river at any moment by divers. Do you believe me?” 

  Watching Yang Wanli’s expression, Fan Xian knew he wouldn’t believe him. Fan Xian shook his head. “I won’t hide the palace treasury matter from you. I need to defeat not just the parasites in the palace treasury and the wealthy families of Jiangnan, but perhaps also the officials in Jiangnan and nobility in Jingdou. How did that Ming family get their start? And how have they made their business so large?” 

  Faced with this question, Yang Wanli shook his head. Shi Chanli had also just started to learn about the secret reports between the Overwatch Council and Jiangnan water bandit, Xia Qifei, so he knew a few things. 

  “Pirates!” A severe look flashed through Fan Xian’s eyes. “The Ming family collects the goods from the palace treasury and ships out to sea via Quanzhou. All the way north to Dongyi, and south to the foreign devils beyond the sky in the west. These years, every time the ships sail out they run into pirates. Out of three ships, they will always lose one ship.” 

  Yang Wanli furrowed his brows. He had some contact with the Ming family, and each of them were warm, literary, and good natured millionaires. Surely they couldn’t be held responsible for running into pirates on the seas, unless teacher’s words had another layer of meaning? 

  Fan Xian said coldly, “In reality, the pirates were all the Ming family’s own people!” 

  Yang Wanli paled in shock. 

  “When the palace treasury products are taken by pirates, the Ming family has to pay back the palace treasury. It looks like they are suffering a loss, but in reality they secretly ship the goods overseas and sell them. They don’t have to pay six-tenths of the profits of the ship to the court. Furthermore, what they paid back to the palace treasury is only the production costs……this one ship earns more than those two ships. Who knows how many departed souls were added to the seas in these years.” 

  Yang Wanli was dumb-founded. “The……the Ming family won’t make that much more. Why would they take such a risk?” 

  Everything Fan Xian had said was what the Overwatch Council and Xia Qifei had found out. It was a pity they hadn’t caught live evidence. Who knew how much the Ming family had earned these years with their ruthless methods. These people did things ruthlessly. Secrets were closely guarded, and they were protected by nobility. Everyone in court knew that going south on the seas was dangerous with wild winds and rough waters, and ferocious sea bandits, but they didn’t couldn’t imagine that the Ming family would steal their own goods and play a game where merchants and bandits were of the same family. 

  He stood up and stared into Yang Wanli’s eyes. “Once there is sufficient profit, merchants will become more daring. When there is a 50% profit, they will take desperate risks. For 100% profit, they will dare to trample over all of the Qing laws. With a 300% profit, they will commit any crime. They will even run the risk of losing their heads and not care about the court.” 

  Yang and Shi were both shocked into lowering their heads by the words and savored them for a long time. 

  “Besides, they’ve always had their supporters in court.” Fan Xian smiled coldly. “Profits made from proper exports all have to be registered. What could be smoother and safer to spend than this out of account money?” 

  This line was acknowledging matters concerning Xinyang. If it weren’t for these ruthless methods, it would have been much more difficult for the Eldest Princess to take money from the palace treasury that had long been monitored by the Overwatch Council. 

  “Every copper piece is drenched in blood.” Fan Xian lectured Yang Wanli. “If we want to accomplish anything, we need to first ensure our own safety. The Ming family can kill and have killed. When it comes to their final struggle, they will not even be afraid to kill me! In a matter of life and death, there is no need to talk about etiquette. You’ve been an official for too long. You’ve become a piece of rotting wood!” 

  Yang Wanli was dazed and stunned. He had studied strenuously for 10 years. After he became an official, he had Fan Xian, this giant tree, to protect him in his shadow. He never experienced the true dangers of the world. After being scolded, he was finally a bit more awake. 

  Calming down, Fan Xian waved his hand and said, “Nevermind. We won’t talk about these matters yet. Although you have today to kick at my door, no guests actually came to this yard. We haven’t seen each other in a year, and there will be things we need to discuss. In a while we’ll get some dishes and alcohol and can drink a few cups.” 

  Yang Wanli hung his head dejectedly. Knowing that teacher continued to see him as one of his closest friends, he finally let out a breath. He was only slightly regretful of his rashness. Suddenly he remembered something and hesitantly said, “That third shouldn’t-have……” 

  Fan Xian laughingly scolded, “Seems like you won’t eat until you’ve accused me completely, so go ahead.” 

  Yang Wanli thought for a bit and felt that in this matter, teacher was indeed in the wrong. With conviction he said, “Recently, various places have sent out auspicious signs. Officials and commoners always say a few words after the banquet, and I have never said this in front of others before, but facing teacher I will have to be presumptuous and speak. To judge others by their appearance will never last, and to garner affections through flattery is also not how a court official should act. What you did, teacher, truly is not virtuous.” 

  Fan Xian froze, he knew that although Yang Wanli was stubbornly honest, he was also clever. He even managed to realize that the four auspicious signs were made by him. But this bastard thinks……dared to say to his face……accused him of fawning on the Emperor! 

  “Get out, get out. Out!” Fan Xian was finally truly angry and scolded fiercely, “Don’t bother having dinner. Go back to your Fuchun County and have porridge!” 

  At this moment, Yang Wanli was like a bare stick, standing straight and allowing his teacher’s spittle to wash his face. With face full of righteousness he said, “I am eating porridge in the Peng garden today.” 

  Fan Xian shook both his arms in anger and stormed out the door. Shi and Chan both quickly pattered after him, not daring to be even half a step behind. It was not until now that this youth of not yet 20 finally seemed like a young man, rather than the usual straight sitting and careful of speech mature teacher passing himself off as shrewd and ruthless. ……

  The family carriage group in Danzhou and Jingdou ship following the silver river both arrived at the docks outside of Suzhou. The night before, a group from Hangzhou had quietly boarded the ship. The three groups from Jingdou finally successfully met up in Jiangnan. 

  On the dock, the drums rolled and firecrackers cried. Jiangnan officials of all ranks stood under the sign in tidy robes. They craned their heads in anticipation of the arrival of the Imperial College siye, vice-minister of Taichang Temple, the new Overwatch Council palace treasury commissioner, and imperial envoy inspecting Jiangnan Road……Sir Fan junior. 

  [JW1]伥货. 伥 – “ghost of sb devoured by a tiger who helps the tiger devour others”