Chapter 68 – Great Ambitions

In the blink of an eye, Xu Chun had sailed smoothly all the way to Minzhou Harbor. Gazing out at the sea, he saw sails as dense as clouds and masts like a web, which filled him with immense joy. Upon disembarking, he found that Sheng Changzhou had already received news and was there to greet them, paying his respects to his father.

Xu Chun, seeing Sheng Changzhou, was overjoyed. He rushed over and clung to Sheng Changzhou’s arm. “Brother Changzhou, I’m here. Are you happy?”

Sheng Changzhou observed that Xu Chun was dressed simply, yet his appearance had become even more charming since the winter when they last met in the capital. This stirred his curiosity even further, but ever since he learned the identity of the Ninth Master, he no longer dared to make rash speculations.

Sheng Tongyu noticed the unusual expression on Sheng Changzhou’s face but did not press for details, choosing to wait instead until they returned home together.

Xu Chun paid his respects to his maternal grandfather, uncle, and aunt. Since he spent several months each year living here during his childhood, he was quite familiar with the place. He had his own courtyard and servants, including four young lads—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—who promptly went to the courtyard to tidy it up. There would be a welcoming family banquet in the evening.

Arriving at his courtyard, Xu Chun looked up at the plaque inscribed with “Dingfeng” and felt an itch in his hands. He thought his calligraphy from the past was too poor; if Ninth Brother were here, he would surely mock him…He could then drag Ninth Brother into writing a new plaque for him.

He gazed at the plaque, which read “Pingbo” for Sheng Changtian’s courtyard. Seeing Xu Chun looking at it, he asked, “It was repainted last year. Do you find it dull now? Shall we have someone redo it?”

Xu Chun replied, “No, I remembered that before I left, I had just commissioned a plaque for the courtyard in the capital. I wonder whether it has been hung yet.” He had left in haste that day and didn’t get to see the final result. Thinking about it now, his heart filled with a bittersweet ache.

Sheng Changyun asked, “Oh? Did you write it yourself? Which courtyard is it?”

Xu Chun answered, “It’s called ‘Envy Fish.'”

Confused, Sheng Changyun asked, “What kind of fish?”

Xu Chun explained, “The ‘Envy Fish’ from the phrase ‘stand by the water’s edge and envy the fish.'”

Sheng Changyun wasn’t well-read, but he recognized that particular idiom. Nodding, he said, “Ah, I remember my teacher taught us something like ‘standing by the water and envying the fish is not as good as retreating to weave a net.’ Does your plaque mean something about setting a net to catch fish?”

Xu Chun: “…” Suddenly, he began to doubt Ninth Brother’s intentions when he wrote that plaque. At the time, Ninth Brother said he envied how Xu Chun lived as freely as a fish. But now, considering that Ninth Brother might still harbor some dissatisfaction with his previous remarks about forgetting worldly affairs like a fish in a vast river, perhaps he had inscribed those words to subtly criticize him?

Given Ninth Brother’s usual tendency to hide his true feelings, it was likely so. Xu Chun belatedly sensed that Ninth Brother’s words back then had a hidden, sarcastic tone…

But Sheng Changyun had already pulled him inside. “I’ve added many things for you. Look at this mirror, made of pure silver. And this self-sounding clock, isn’t it beautiful? Also, check out this salt crystal bathtub. See this solid piece of salt ore! The doctor said that soaking in it occasionally is good for your health!”

Xu Chun thanked him with a smile. Then, he saw Sheng Changzhou approach with a tall guard. “Grandfather said to assign another guard to you. This is Dinghai. From now on, he’ll follow you.”

Dinghai came forward to bow, and Xu Chun returned the gesture while laughing. “Grandpa has already given me Spring Stream and the others. They’ve helped me a lot. Why the sudden addition of people? What about Brother?”

Sheng Changyun had long been envious. “Not for me. I’ve been saying I need a capable assistant. Grandfather told me to find one myself. Now, look at this fine guard he’s picked out. Dinghai, right? His physique doesn’t seem typical of our southern people.”

Sheng Changzhou gave him a stern glance before smiling. “I’ve already spoken to Spring Stream and arranged a place for Dinghai to stay. You’ve just gotten off the boat; go wash up and rest for a bit. When it’s time for dinner, I’ll send Changyun to fetch you.”

With that, he pulled Changyun away. As they walked, Changyun grumbled to Sheng Changzhou, “How did Grandfather train such a fine guard? Just look at those legs and the shape of his fingers. You can tell he’s a real martial artist.”

Sheng Changzhou shot him a dismissive glance and ignored him, sending him back to his room to rest. He then headed to his grandfather’s place.

Sheng Jingyuan was listening to his son recount various matters from their recent trip to the capital. “From what I can see, Auntie finally seems to have turned a corner this time. She looked much better when I visited her. She oversees all the northern businesses, but now that she has a title of nobility, she can’t appear in public as much. Fortunately, Bai Bi has been trained and can handle some business dealings. Still, the scale of operations is vast, and there are areas she can’t cover. I think it would be best if Changyun or Changtian could go to the capital to help Coral. That might be better.”

Sheng Jingyuan replied, “Isn’t there Qing Qian by Coral’s side? With both Qing Qian and Bai Bi, it shouldn’t be a problem. We haven’t sent anyone over before because we thought Young Lin seemed interested in business. Therefore, we left it for him. Has something changed?”

Sheng Tongyu said, “Auntie handed Qing Qian over to Young Lin and let her manage the Thousand Autumns Workshop and Leisure Cloud Workshop for him. She also bought a printing hall and started reproducing some rare books. Business has been good. However, Auntie mentioned that Young Lin suddenly became ambitious for some reason. He must have met some good friends and mentors. This year, he unexpectedly entered the Imperial Academy. Now, it seems he’s lost interest in business. He spends most of his days associating with nobles. Even the top three scholars have come to visit, offering their books to Young Lin’s printing hall for publication.”

“I heard that even in this case, they owe a great deal to the top scholar. This term’s top scholar, He Zhiqiu, who works at the Ministry of Justice, took charge of the case and investigated thoroughly. That’s how the truth was uncovered. Otherwise, Auntie and Young Lin would have suffered a huge loss. Even if they weren’t framed, they would have been dragged down by the scandal. Fortunately, everything was handled under imperial decree, preserving their dignity. The old lady committed suicide by poison, to maintain her posthumous honor.”

Sheng Jingyuan commented, “If she hadn’t taken her own life, she wouldn’t have had a good life afterward. It was better to endure the pain and protect the eldest branch of the family.”

Sheng Tongyu added, “Auntie was really angry, but because of Young Lin, she didn’t openly quarrel with the Prince of Jing. If not for his carelessness, Young Lin, as the legitimate heir, wouldn’t have been suppressed by a bastard for years. Fortunately, now that the Prince of Jing knows he was in the wrong and is mourning his wife, he dare not act foolishly anymore. He has given up drinking and debauchery, and seems to have regained some clarity.”

Sheng Jingyuan remarked, “We don’t need to meddle in their marital affairs. Just take care of Young Lin. Last time, Changzhou mentioned that Young Lin seemed to have developed an interest in men. Did you notice anything during this trip to the capital?”

Sheng Tongyu said, “Because it was a mourning period, aside from Young Lin appearing unwell due to the summer heat, there was nothing unusual. However, Changyun and Changtian said they met a friend of Young Lin’s surnamed Fang, who was very generous and hospitable. He hosted them for a few days, taking them to tour the entire capital city. He even showed them the artillery camp outside the city.”

“Changyun was somewhat suspicious, so he probed a little. Although Fang hasn’t married yet, he seems to be a good person. Moreover, his character is simple and upright, unlike a frivolous person. He must be a genuine friend. Out of respect, he didn’t investigate Fang’s background further.”

Sheng Jingyuan inquired, “Did you catch his name?”

Sheng Tongyu replied, “Fang Zixing. I didn’t join them since they were young people having fun. I only heard about it from Changyun.”

Sheng Jingyuan sighed. “I usually remind you to pay attention to the major officials in court. You didn’t think of Fang Zixing, but what about Fang Zijing? Guangzhou is so close to us.”

Sheng Tongyu pondered for a moment and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Could it be the eldest son of the Pingnan Duke… No, the Pingnan Marquis, the one who married a princess, Marquis Fang Zijing? Who could Fang Zixing be in relation to him? It sounds like they’re brothers. It seems Young Lin indeed associates with extraordinary people. No wonder Coral told me that Young Lin’s ambition has grown.”

Sheng Jingyuan said, “Years ago, I conducted business in Guangzhou. It was a prosperous and splendid place… Our current emperor has great ambitions.” By relying heavily on the Fang family in Guangzhou and placing a long-term bet in Minzhou, the rise and fall of their clan depended on this move. The Sheng family couldn’t afford to miss this golden opportunity.

Sheng Tongyu appeared bewildered, seemingly unable to understand why they suddenly mentioned the emperor. Meanwhile, Sheng Changzhou entered the room. Sheng Jingyuan said, “Changzhou, tell your father about the guard.”

As soon as Sheng Changzhou entered, he carefully explained the situation. Sheng Tongyu wore a stunned expression. “So…that Ninth Master might be the current emperor? Then, regarding this case at the Prince of Jing’s residence…”

Sheng Jingyuan nodded. “A ninth-rank official from the Ministry of Justice couldn’t possibly issue a secret edict. Instead, it was the current emperor who instructed Scholar He to take charge, secretly investigating and handling the case. That makes sense.”

Sheng Tongyu said, “No wonder he refused to accept a house I offered him as thanks when I visited him. He only said it was his duty to serve the emperor…It turns out there was more to his words than meets the eye.”

Sheng Jingyuan commented, “Now there’s only one question left: Does Young Lin know that the Ninth Master is the emperor?”

Both elders turned to look at Sheng Changzhou, who broke out in a slight sweat. “That day, the Ninth Master told me that Young Lin saved him during an attack. He regards Young Lin as a junior and intends to mentor him. In the future, when Young Lin enters the court, he will definitely be of great use. Therefore, he didn’t reveal his identity to Young Lin and ordered me to keep it a secret.”

Sheng Jingyuan nodded. “Entering the Imperial Academy to study and arranging for a famous teacher, that’s why Young Lin suddenly became diligent in his studies. That’s a good thing. Since the emperor is intent on nurturing him, we should naturally contribute our efforts.”

Sheng Tongyu hesitated slightly. “Coral only has one son…Going to sea is truly too risky.”

Sheng Jingyuan patted his shoulder. “One phoenix child is enough! Since he has ambition, we should let him forge ahead. We’ll make plans for him. Furthermore, our Young Lin has some mystical qualities about him. Remember how Empress Heaven gave signs at his birth. How come only he saved the emperor? Now that he’s eighteen, he’s deeply favored by the emperor. What a blessing! I believe his good fortune is yet to come!”

“As merchants, if we don’t seize the opportunity when it comes, we’ll regret it later!”

Sheng Tongyu felt slightly relieved upon hearing this but still said, “Tomorrow, we should go to the Heavenly Empress Temple and burn some incense for Her Ladyship, asking for her blessings.”

Sheng Jingyuan nodded slightly. “There are two things we need to arrange now. First, after Young Lin leaves, Changzhou, you’ll go to the capital and assist your aunt in overseeing the northern businesses.”

Sheng Changzhou was taken aback. “What about the business here?”

Sheng Jingyuan replied, “Your father will take over. Besides, I’m not old yet. I can still steer the ship for you. Sending the eldest grandson to the capital is a way to show loyalty to the emperor. Whatever tasks the emperor entrusts you with, do your best to accomplish them.”

Sheng Tongyu and Sheng Changzhou remained silent. Sheng Jingyuan continued, “The second matter is where Young Lin should go on this sea voyage.”

He took his walking stick and walked to the maritime map on the wall. Sheng Tongyu suggested, “Safety should come first. How about going to Ilan Island first, then to Qiongzhou and Java. The resources are abundant, and the routes are safe.”

Sheng Jingyuan shook his head. “Ilan Island is controlled by the Nong clan. According to legend, after Nong Zhigao was defeated by Di Qing during the Song Dynasty, he led his remaining troops to that island and established himself as king. Our dynasty bestowed upon him the title of Guangyuan King. Although he nominally submits to our rule, he doesn’t pay tribute or pay homage. He remains a country within a country. The court focuses on pacification and appeasement. Going there once is merely to observe the local customs and conduct some trade. It’s not particularly meaningful.”

Pointing his walking stick at another location, he said, “Go to Danzhou Island. It’s currently occupied by the Wuhe people. If the wise ruler intends to pacify the maritime borders and dominate the southeast, how could he not take Danzhou Island? In the previous dynasty, there was a governor-general’s office there. The Lu clan is still present, and they share the same cultural roots as us. It’s worth considering. If the court can reclaim this place in the future and establish a governor-general’s office, it can control the islands and stabilize the southeastern maritime borders. All territories will submit, and vassal states will offer tributes. That day is not far off.”

“Let Young Lin visit there. It will be greatly beneficial. Select the best large ships and assemble a fleet. Changtian and Changyun should also go. Send the best of the Sheng family. Ordinary pirates will naturally avoid us. With Empress Heaven’s blessings, the seas will be calm, and the journey will be trouble-free.”

Sheng Tongyu and Sheng Changzhou were always extremely filial and silently followed orders. Sheng Jingyuan waved his hand, his eyes shining with determination. “I only regret that I can’t be ten years younger. Otherwise, this glorious endeavor of dominating the seas wouldn’t be left to you youngsters!”