After a period of greetings, the two found themselves in somewhat awkward conversation. Zhang Juzheng felt ashamed that Zhu Mo was shouldering the burden alone, while Zhu Mo had already developed a rift with the Qingliu faction. Their conversation was far from pleasant, and they soon parted ways.
As Zhang Juzheng helped Zhu Mo across the plank bridge, he pulled a letter from his怀 and said with an embarrassed laugh, "Zi Xuan, be cautious with everything you do on this trip! If you encounter anything you can't handle, seek out Hu Zongxian or Tan Lun. If that doesn't work, find Director Yang Jin of the Manufactory Bureau… Ah, here is a secret letter for Tan Lun. When you reach Jiangnan, you must find a way to meet him and deliver this letter in person…"
"Alright," Zhu Mo accepted the letter with a smile. "Minister Zhang, I understand your good intentions, and I will surely deliver this letter… Once things in Jiangnan show some progress, I will need Minister Zhang's assistance…"
Zhang Juzheng laughed, "Excellent! If there is indeed progress, I will recommend you to the court. I assure you, your trip will not be in vain!"
"Mm, very good, very good," Zhu Mo smiled and bid farewell.
…
Without a word, Zhu Mo boarded the boat. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with guards stationed on the corridors on both sides, as well as at the bow and stern. Just as Zhu Mo was about to tell the boatman to set sail, two men hurried aboard. One was burly and imposing, exuding an aura of unapproachability as he stood at the bow. The other was thin and gentle, resembling a scholar, around forty years old, with an inscrutable expression.
Both men bowed deeply and said, "We are friends of Master Feixuanzi from Chaotian Temple, sent by them. Please do not fault us, Young Master Zhu."
"Oh? So, the old Taoist sent you?"
"My name is Zhu Qi. I used to serve in the Eastern Depot. Later, due to some trouble, I was saved by Master Li San and have been helping to guard the ritual instruments at Chaotian Temple… Today, Master Li San sent me to assist Young Master Zhu!"
"Oh. Served in the Eastern Depot?" Zhu Mo was surprised, but then he thought—"That's not bad. I can send him to do things that others cannot. This trip is very dangerous. Minister Zhang's greeting just now means the Qingliu faction doesn't want to get involved at all, which means I'll have to resort to some unconventional methods."
It was already shocking enough to have a former Jinyiwei help him with his luggage, but what the other man said next truly made Zhu Mo's jaw drop—
"My name is Xiaoxiao Sheng. I am from Lanling and have been studying and copying scriptures at Chaotian Temple. At the request of Master Li San, I am here to accompany the Young Master and alleviate his boredom."
Xiaoxiao Sheng? Lanling? Damn! Zhu Mo almost thought he had misheard him—Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng? Wasn't that the person who wrote erotic novels… the author of Jin Ping Mei? How did he end up in the capital? I never heard about this. Today, I'm actually fortunate enough to meet the most famous erotic novelist in history.
Zhu Mo couldn't help but laugh and curiously asked, "Lanling, Xiaoxiao Sheng? May I know your real name, sir?"
Xiaoxiao Sheng smiled and replied, "My humble name is Ding Chun."
"Oh. Ding Chun. So, Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng's real name is Ding Chun. It seems this boat trip will depend on him to keep me entertained." Zhu Mo was overjoyed and shouted for the boat to set sail. He then sat comfortably in the cabin, ordered wine and food, and began his journey towards Jiangnan along the canal, admiring the scenery on both banks.
…
Zhu Mo was particularly interested in Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng, asking him questions for two hours, yet his interest remained undiminished. This Xiaoxiao Sheng had indeed read many books; he seemed to know everything from Heaven to the Underworld, and he didn't put on airs at all. Compared to the orthodox scholars who quoted Confucius and spoke of poetry, he felt infinitely better.
However, it was strange that despite probing in various ways, Xiaoxiao Sheng refused to reveal whether he was writing Jin Ping Mei.
By this time, it was already noon, and the setting sun cast a magnificent glow upon the Grand Canal. Zhu Mo invited the two men to the bow of the boat to admire the scenery and couldn't help but ask again, "Old Ding, tell me honestly, are you writing a chapter novel with a theme of men and women?"
"Oh? Young Master Zhu, are you particularly interested in such matters?" Xiaoxiao Sheng, having been pestered for most of the day, finally seemed to relent, his face filled with surprise.
"Not at all, not at all! I, uh, I just heard about it…" Zhu Mo thought he was implying his own interest in such matters and quickly defended himself. Xiaoxiao Sheng, on the other hand, recalled what the immortal Lan had instructed him before boarding—"This Young Master Zhu must absolutely not be offended. Do as he says, and this mission will be safe."
Heeding the immortal Lan's personal instructions, Xiaoxiao Sheng had already determined that Zhu Mo was a mysterious figure. And after chatting with him on the boat for a while, he realized that Zhu Mo was no ordinary person. Not only was his knowledge profound, but he was also exceptionally insightful, knowing many hidden matters that others were unaware of. Where Zhengde stayed during his trip to Jiangnan, the final whereabouts of Emperor Jianwen in Guizhou… and so on, all of which left people utterly astonished!
And now, he had even heard about his writing a chapter novel? This was truly strange. Aside from himself, only a few reclusive literary friends knew about this matter; others had no way of finding out! Moreover, this book was written to satirize Yan Shifan. How could he dare tell anyone else? If word got out, wouldn't Yan Shifan beat him to death? Therefore, even if Zhu Mo asked directly, he would deny it.
At this moment, he also wanted to test Zhu Mo, so he asked, "Young Master Zhu, I am a maverick scholar. I write whatever I please and love to write things that ordinary people enjoy. However… these things sometimes touch upon forbidden subjects. Usually, only a very few close friends have seen the drafts. I have my own difficulties…"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Mo immediately understood. Before coming here, he had read online that the prototype for Ximen Qing, the protagonist of Jin Ping Mei, was actually Yan Shifan. This was because Yan Shifan's courtesy name was Dong Lou, corresponding to Ximen, and he had nine wives and concubines, known as the golden lock and silver vase… This book only became popular after Yan Shifan was executed. It could be seen that Xiaoxiao Sheng was likely already writing it but had been afraid of the Yan family's power and had not dared to publicize it.
With this thought, Zhu Mo patted his shoulder and said seriously and firmly, "Old Ding, rest assured! Even if you are writing about Yan Shifan, I will bear the responsibility. And… to be frank, my mission as Imperial Envoy this time is ultimately directed at a 'Yan'. Do you understand?"
"Oh." Xiaoxiao Sheng suddenly realized: No wonder he kept asking. It turned out he was also aiming to oppose Yan. Then it would be easier. With Young Master Zhu as a powerful backer, the Yan family couldn't do anything to him! He immediately said, "Young Master Zhu is truly a divine person! Frankly, I am indeed writing an unprecedented chapter novel, intending to expose all of Yan Shifan's filth and corruption, letting the whole world know what kind of people the Yan family are!"
Zhu Mo patted his shoulder again and smiled, "That's right! Keep writing, write quickly! After I return from Jiangnan, I'll find someone to print it and distribute it for free to all booksellers in the world! Let everyone in the world see it."
Hahaha, the three of them burst into laughter.