Chapter 82 – Yearning

When Fang Zijing left the palace, his brother Fang Zixing came to see him off, but he had to stay on duty. He was worried about his older brother coming to see him off. Seeing his younger brother, Fang Zijing felt somewhat helpless. He beckoned him over and lowered his voice, asking, “Why did you deliver a memorial for an official? Delivering memorials is the responsibility of the cabinet. Aren’t you afraid the Emperor might suspect you?”

Fang Zixing was bewildered. “But His Majesty said the Naval Academy is very important and asked me to pay attention to it.”

Fang Zijing paused. He asked softly, “Who is Zhao Yu? Just because he asked you to deliver it, you did? Did he give you any reason? Like who asked him to find you?”

Fang Zixing looked blank. “Everyone knows I serve His Majesty every day.”

Fang Zijing continued, “What if someone else asked you to deliver a memorial?”

Fang Zixing replied, “If it’s not related to the Naval Academy, I’d let them go through the cabinet.”

He suddenly seemed clear-headed! Fang Zijing felt a surge of frustration. He knew that Zhao Yu must have been acting on Xu Chun’s behalf, but he was still deeply concerned about his naive younger brother. “If you don’t ask about the background of the memorial, what if His Majesty asks you about it?”

Fang Zixing was puzzled. “His Majesty didn’t ask.” He looked at Fang Zijing with a hint of reproach in his eyes. “Brother, you’re more nagging than the Emperor.”

Fang Zijing was speechless. “What if the Emperor reprimands you for overstepping your bounds?”

Fang Zixing replied straightforwardly, “If His Majesty thinks it’s inappropriate for me to deliver the memorial, he’ll tell me. I won’t do it again next time.”

Fang Zijing couldn’t help but laugh. He waved his hand and ordered him to leave quickly. “Fine, it seems you and His Majesty have absolute trust in each other. I’m the odd one out.”

Fang Zixing said, “Grandfather and you always told me to listen to everything the Emperor says.”

Fang Zijing shooed him away like a mosquito. “Yes, yes, you did the right thing. Go now.”

Back at the Marquis’s Mansion, Fang Zijing thought about it and decided to write a couplet to send to Minzhou. Since he had already offended people, and the Emperor clearly favored the Prince Jing’s heir, he might as well make a move. His interest lay in maritime affairs, and the older ministers in the court could see that. The Prince Jing’s heir was rare in his expertise in economics and his foundation in maritime trade. The Emperor had chosen such a person to break the deadlock, which was quite fitting. It was likely that he had been searching for years.

Fang Zijing felt a pang of regret. Had he known that he would eventually be dragged into it, he should have tried earlier. However, the current Emperor was suspicious and meticulous. He preferred simple-minded and straightforward officials rather than highly intelligent ones who often pondered too much. People like Zixing and Xu Chun were his favorites.

There was nothing he could do about it. He was born that way, which was why Grandfather had called them three sons to his bedside to settle matters before he passed away.

The Pingnan Duke was content with his fate, staying in Guangdong East without going to the capital. He wasn’t very intelligent and shouldn’t interfere with his two sons. Fang Zixing should serve the Emperor in the court and listen to everything the Emperor says without worrying about the consequences. No one in the family was allowed to inquire about the Emperor’s affairs from Fang Zixing. Fang Zijing would safeguard the family’s future, plan for the future, and manage their business, making all decisions independently, just like the head of the clan.

Fang Zijing sighed deeply and returned to his study. He personally wrote a memorial, detailing his strategies for governing the country. Since he was entering the court, he needed to put on a show. This Emperor couldn’t be deceived.

In Minzhou, Xu Chun had rested for some time and regained some energy. He received a letter from his mother at home. In it, she mentioned that she had received the gifts he sent back, and the ivory carvings and jade sculptures were useful. She asked him to gather more. Second, due to the cold weather, the canal had frozen over, and since he had fallen ill, there was no need to rush home to avoid the hardships of travel. There was nothing urgent at home, so they suggested he stay in Minzhou where the climate was warmer, rest and recuperate properly, and help his cousins.

At that moment, however, Xu Chun felt a little uneasy. Driven by a burst of passion, he had run away and written many letters to Brother Jiuge, sending him many gifts. It was alright when they were still on the ship, but now that it was almost the New Year, even the letter from home had arrived, yet Brother Jiuge hadn’t replied to a single one of his letters.

Before… Before, when he wrote letters, even if Brother Jiuge didn’t reply, he would circle and comment on a word or two of his handwriting or the big characters he practiced, or return something else as a gift.

Xu Chun reached out and touched the armlet on his arm, suddenly feeling worried. Was Brother Jiuge angry with him?

Once this thought surfaced, he suddenly felt very unsettled. A few days before New Year’s Eve, the Emperor personally wrote “Naval Academy” in four large characters and sent them to Minzhou. Afterward, Marquis Wuying sent a couplet with phrases like “peaceful seas and clear rivers,” and “prosperous country and safe people,” but it was no ordinary gift. The couplet came with a letter explaining that it was “written by imperial decree.”

Zhao Yu and the entire Sheng family were overjoyed. Even Governor Lei Ming didn’t say anything further. For a time, the Naval Bureau was filled with joy, and all government offices stopped their work to celebrate the New Year.

The Sheng family had many happy events this year, so after sacrificing to their ancestors and heaven, they held banquets for several days. Only Xu Chun stayed in his room, saying he was mourning and didn’t receive guests. He quietly read books, painted, and planned for the Naval Academy.

But Brother Jiuge still hadn’t replied to his letters.

Before the New Year, Xu Chun bought another batch of New Year goods to send back home. In addition to what he sent to his family, he also delivered gifts to Qianqian in Lamp Grass Lane. They accepted everything. Finally, on the eve of New Year’s Eve, a roll of paper was returned.

Xu Chun opened it eagerly, only to see a “Fu” character, neatly square, written on fine red paper with speckles of gold foil. He knew it was definitely written by Brother Jiuge’s own hand. This was meant to be pasted on the wall to invite blessings, but apart from this “Fu” character, there was not a single other word. He examined the vermilion seal on the box repeatedly, certain that no one dared to tamper with it.

Why didn’t Brother Jiuge reply to his letters?

Xu Chun’s heart churned as he speculated repeatedly. He didn’t eat much during the Sheng family’s New Year’s Eve dinner, and he was listless throughout the night watch. Sheng Taigong was worried about his illness not fully recovering and urged him to rest.

The New Year passed without flavor or excitement, but the festivities were numerous, and with the construction of the academy, time passed relatively quickly.

When he had free time, he saw that Dinghai was still faithfully accompanying him, never leaving his side, which slightly reassured him. Brother Jiuge still had someone by his side, so he probably was just a bit angry. Once he returned to the capital, he would coax him properly.

He wondered what Brother Jiuge was doing in the capital now. He only had people copy the court bulletins for him to read. Seeing the bulletin about the Emperor writing “Fu” characters and bestowing rewards on high officials before New Year’s Eve, his heart trembled. He thought of his own “Fu” character. Last year during the New Year, he encountered Brother Jiuge, who had been bitten by a venomous snake at Bamboo Branch Workshop, and accompanied him to see a play.

Now the court was on recess, but he wasn’t in the capital to accompany Brother Jiuge.

Soon it was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. In Minzhou, lanterns were lit everywhere in the city. He didn’t have much interest, but Sheng Taigong arranged for a huge lantern pavilion specifically to pray for Xu Chun’s health and recovery. He also had Sheng Changzhou and his three brothers accompany Xu Chun to release river lanterns.

As the sky darkened and the city was illuminated by countless lanterns, Xu Chun carried a lantern that had been offered to the Empress of Heaven, walking down the street with Sheng Changzhou. In a flash, he seemed to see a man dressed in a jet-black fox fur cloak, tall and solitary, looking exactly like Brother Jiuge. Next to him was a tall bodyguard carrying a sword, who looked like Fang Zixing.

His heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly looked closely, but the bustling crowd and dazzling lights soon obscured the view. All around, he only saw people carrying lanterns, performing stilts, and dancing lions, amidst the lively festivities.

Sheng Changzhou turned to look at him with concern. “Youling, what are you looking for? Did you meet someone you know?” Thinking that he had probably mistaken someone due to his excessive longing, he ridiculed himself. He shook his head and smiled. “I saw someone who looked like someone I know from the capital.”

Sheng Changtian laughed. “It looks like you’re suffering from lovesickness.”

Sheng Changyun stepped on Changtian’s foot and turned to call out to release the lanterns.

Xu Chun felt a sense of bitterness. Wasn’t he indeed suffering from lovesickness? But why didn’t Brother Jiuge reply to his letters? He went to the riverbank to release the lanterns, but he wrote earnestly on it, “May Brother Jiuge remain healthy and happy forever.”

The lotus lanterns floated down the river, forming a starry river, flowing into the sea. Xu Chun closed his eyes and made a wish, watching the lotus lanterns drift away. In his heart, he secretly resolved that once the New Year was over, he would return to the capital and properly coax Brother Jiuge.

However, the fifteenth and sixteenth days were grand celebrations. Then, he encountered another major event. The three top scholars, He Zhiqiu, Zhang Wenzheng, and Fan Mukun, unexpectedly came to Minzhou together to visit him. When the invitation card was delivered, he was both surprised and delighted, and rushed out to greet them personally.

When Zhang Wenzheng saw him, he was taken aback. “How did you become thinner? You don’t have to worry about studying here in such a warm place, yet you’ve lost so much weight?” Xu Chun hastily bowed. “I just went on a trip to Nanyang and fell ill for a few days, but I recovered quickly. Why did you come to Minzhou, Elder Brothers? You’ve traveled far, so please stay here and allow me to entertain you properly.”

He Zhiqiu said, “With the New Year and the court on recess, there was nothing to do at home. Fan Mukun said he had visited Minzhou before, that it has a warm climate, and there’s the Lantern Festival, so we can come and take a look. Zhang Wenzheng happened to have a ship at home, so we hitched a ride on his ship and came here easily. Mainly, we heard about the establishment of the Naval Academy here and that you played a significant role in it. We were very curious and wanted to come and take a look.”

Xu Chun smiled modestly. “I haven’t done much. It was my cousin who accompanied Lord Zhao Yu in establishing it. I only provided some ideas. But Lord Zhao has been very diligent. He didn’t return to the capital during the holidays, and now, on the fifteenth, he has started up again. The main gate and buildings of the academy have taken shape. My cousin can take us to see them together.”

Fan Mukun said, “This time, we came by sea. Indeed, the journey was convenient. His Majesty has always wanted to open the maritime route, and it seems very feasible.”

Zhang Wenzheng laughed. “Who doesn’t know that? But once the maritime route is opened, what will happen with the inland waterway transportation? Let’s not poke that hornet’s nest. Look at the Naval Academy; the Emperor chose Lord Zhao Yu to lead it, showing that things aren’t settled yet and shouldn’t be publicized. Now, the entire court is watching this closely. Wait and see, there will be more obstacles ahead. Whether this academy can be established is uncertain.”

Xu Chun was stunned. “Now that His Majesty has issued an edict, a considerable amount of money has been raised for the academy. The classrooms, library, and training grounds are almost complete. The Sheng family already has ready-made naval ships. What kind of trouble could there be?”

Zhang Wenzheng looked at his thin face and felt a twinge of pity. “You’re still inexperienced in the ways of the world. Establishing a school isn’t that easy. Who will be the chief instructor? The entire court is watching. Anyone who comes can reap the benefits. Moreover, once it starts operating, will the local tax revenue be enough to support such a large-scale academy? Each of these points can be debated. After all, you haven’t entered the court, and your father is unreliable. Your maternal family is still in business and can’t mediate effectively. How can you withstand the machinations of the high officials in the capital?”

He Zhiqiu also said, “I heard that Governor Lei Ming of Minzhou originally proposed ‘Minzhou Naval Academy,’ but then Lord Zhao Yu requested His Majesty to inscribe ‘Naval Academy.’ There’s a big difference. Siyuan, I think that once the Naval Academy really opens, the support it receives from Minzhou will be quite limited. Is the Naval Academy under the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Rites? There’s a great deal of complexity in this. Without the support of the local officials, if the two ministries within the Six Ministries bicker, relying solely on the Naval Bureau will be difficult. The Naval Bureau is inevitably subject to the jurisdiction of the Minzhou Governor’s Office. How can the academy continue to operate?”

Fan Mukun laughed. “Moreover, there are issues with the teachers and students. I’ve already heard rumors that mainly commoners will come here to gain a naval background. The orthodox path is through the imperial examinations. As a result, the scholarly community across the country will look down on this. If you start off poorly in recruitment, it will be even harder to attract good teachers and students later.”

Xu Chun hurriedly instructed Chunxi to prepare a banquet. “Please, Elder Brothers, teach me in detail!”