A fierce battle of fire and water concluded with a masterful piece of prose.
The Yan clan, father and son, along with Xu Gaozhang, all found it amusing. A master of prose had suddenly appeared, delighting the Emperor so immensely.
After the morning court, Jiajing immediately summoned Lu Fang.
"Lu Fang, send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate this talented individual who penned the prose. I wish to know his background… And… you understand my meaning. Go…"
Jiajing was never one for lengthy speeches.
Lu Fang, having served Jiajing for forty years, understood perfectly. The Emperor's unspoken words were crystal clear: this person must not be harmed by the Yan father and son!
Leaving Yuxi Palace for his duty room in the Western Garden, he summoned Wu Feng, the leader of the Thirteen Protectors of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. After giving his instructions, he added, "Do this job with utmost detail…"
…
In the Hanlin Academy,
Gao Gong roared with laughter, while Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng felt a lingering sense of dread.
Li Qingyuan, the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, had already ascertained that only one person had entered and exited the Hall of Classics the previous day. He was a young attendant named Zhu Mo. Several academicians had already gone to his residence on the back street to question him.
Zhang Juzheng, however, was somewhat worried. The position of Hanlin attendant he had casually fabricated could only temporarily silence the Yan faction. If they persisted, it would be difficult to handle. Therefore, it was crucial to solidify this matter: if he was to be an attendant, he must truly be one!
True to his word, he immediately picked up paper and brush to write a letter of appointment, asking, "What is that person's name?"
"Replying to Lord Zhang, that person's name is Zhu Mo. Zhu from the Great Ming, Mo from ink and brush."
Indeed,
Zhang Juzheng casually wrote at the top of the letter—
"To Mr. Zhu Mo: The ancients said that in writing, there is no first, but today I suddenly feel that is not so. Your great work is divinely inspired, close to the realm of creation. I, along with the elders of the Grand Secretariat, feel that in three hundred years, no such writing has existed…"
…
Similarly,
In the Yan family residence.
The Yan faction was in an uproar, chattering incessantly.
Yan Shifan shouted, "Damn it! I don't believe they could write it! Old Luo, Maoqing, hurry up and send people to investigate, find this person!"
Luo Longwen, always meticulous, waited for his elder's word and remained standing still.
Yan Shifan cursed, "Old Luo, go quickly!"
Yan Song slammed his teacup onto the table and roared, "Shifan! What's the rush? Are you going to investigate so openly? Investigating someone the Emperor favors… Have you no brain?"
Yan Shifan finally calmed down, sat down with a plop, pondered for a moment, and said, "That's right, Old Luo, this matter must be investigated in secret, without making a fuss. We'll see after we've clarified it… In short, we must get him into our hands at the first opportunity!"
The Yan faction meant business. They immediately ordered the Ministry of Justice to dispatch personnel to both monitor the Hanlin Academy and set up spies and informants near Xu Gaozhang's residences, waiting to catch the big fish behind the scenes.
…
At this time,
Zhu Mo was not at his residence on the back street of the Hanlin Academy. He had already packed his belongings the night before and was about to leave Zhengyang Gate.
It was already noon. The bustling crowds near the city gate were gradually dispersing. The setting sun hung on the city wall, lending a poignant atmosphere.
"Goodbye, I'm not playing this game anymore! I'm going to Southeast Asia to do business… Silk, tea, porcelain, whatever it is, I can become a rich man, right?"
Muttering to himself, he mustered his courage and strode out of Zhengyang Gate.
Just then,
A voice called out from behind, "Young Master Zhu, please wait!"
Zhu Mo turned around. Two middle-aged men dressed as household servants, appearing strong and robust, wore arrogant expressions. Not far behind them were about ten thugs.
"Young Master Zhu, please come with us!"
Seeing their overbearing demeanor, Zhu Mo guessed they were trusted servants from some powerful lord's household, accustomed to bullying others and speaking with an air of superiority. He immediately put on a stern face and said, "I'm sorry, I don't know you two!"
The eyes of the two servants immediately flashed with anger. The胖子 on the left snorted and said, "Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! In this capital city, those who dare to show us a bad face do not fare well! We advise you to be careful!"
Zhu Mo vaguely guessed something and asked, "Oh? How did I offend you two? And where are you taking me?"
"Hmph! Don't you have any idea what you've done? Your so-called prose, written under the pretense of being a Hanlin academician, is an act of deceiving the emperor! My master intends to save your life. If you know what's good for you, come with us now!"
Hiss!
Zhu Mo immediately realized: the prose had been presented to them? It seemed he had stirred up big trouble! Were these two Yan family thugs?
Seeing their menacing approach, Zhu Mo felt a pang of regret: I should have just left, why show off my writing?
Just then, a round-faced胖子 from the side of the street walked over with a smile, cupped his fists towards the two servants, and said, "Gentlemen, I know this young master. You two must have misunderstood!"
"Misunderstood nothing! Get lost! I advise you not to meddle!"
Facing the two servants and the group of thugs behind them, the round-faced胖子 remained unfazed. He smiled faintly and said, "I'm feeling idle today and am looking for something to do, hehehe…"
"What?"
The two thugs immediately flew into a rage: Is he trying to defy heaven itself? He dares to meddle in the Yan family's affairs?
Without a word, they signaled, and over a dozen people surrounded the round-faced胖子, shouting sternly, "How dare you! Have you eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard? Do you know who we are?"
The round-faced胖子 was unconcerned. He merely looked at Zhu Mo for a moment, then turned around, slid a token from his sleeve, showed it to the two Yan family servants, and then quickly put it away.
Since his back was to him, Zhu Mo saw nothing. He only noticed that the two servants seemed to deflate almost instantly, their faces filled with great difficulty and unconcealed resentment.
The two whispered to each other for a moment, cupped their fists at the round-faced胖子, gave Zhu Mo a fierce glare, and then turned to leave.
Zhu Mo was greatly puzzled and was about to ask the round-faced胖子 when he saw him also slightly bow, make a gesture of greeting, and turn to leave. But as he took half a step, he suddenly turned back, his face full of a friendly and sincere smile. He lowered his voice and said, "Young Master, no matter what anyone asks, please remember: absolutely do not answer! Otherwise, you might bring disaster upon yourself. Remember, remember…"
Zhu Mo was stunned. He felt the words were extremely serious, but they seemed to carry no ill intent… He quickly asked, "May I ask your esteemed name, and why did you save me?"
The胖子 thought for a moment and smiled, "My name is Wu Feng. A Daoist master asked me to look after you… We shall meet again."
Before he finished speaking, the胖子 turned and left.
Zhu Mo gave a wry smile: Why is everything so strange today?
Daoist master?
It couldn't be Master Puqing; he didn't know anyone that formidable… Who could it be? Could it be the 'Blue Immortal' that Master once mentioned?
The two servants and the round-faced胖子 just now were clearly not ordinary people. It seemed the final piece of prose had indeed caused a major problem.
"Since I've caused trouble, I should leave quickly… I'll go to Hangzhou first, then find a ship to Southeast Asia and see what good business opportunities there are…"
Just as he was about to stride out of the city gate, someone rushed over from behind. It was an attendant academician from the Hanlin Academy named Wang Yong. He was usually a very kind person and showed no airs towards his subordinates.
He ran, panting, and gasped, "Zhu Mo, don't leave yet! Grand Secretary Xu wants to see you! Come back with me quickly, I've been looking for you all day!"
"Your prose was truly a salvation! Our entire Hanlin Academy was almost ruined today, all thanks to your prose! Alas, I never expected your prose to be so good! It's simply breathtakingly talented!"
Zhu Mo was stunned: Grand Secretary Xu?
Since it was Xu Jie who said this, there should be no immediate danger. Even if he intended to leave, informing him would be safer.