Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 915 The Tide Surges Across the World
On August 18th, on the banks of the Qiantang River.

This is a rule that has been passed down since the time of Zhao Gou. Every year on the 18th of August, the emperor would watch the tide at Qiantang with his officials and the people.

Today's tide is the most spectacular of the year for the Qiantang River tidal bore.

A silver line stretched into the distance, and as it drew closer, it became clear that it was a jade city and snow-capped mountains, stretching out from the sea.

The sound was like muffled thunder rolling on the ground, and the waves were like thousands of chariots advancing side by side.

White foam billows up from the tidal bore, resembling thousands of white horses galloping with their manes flying.

The waves crashing against the embankment burst into a spray of water, and the people who were nearby would flee soaked to the bone.

The viewing platform had been set up long ago, and civil and military officials, as well as the people of Lin'an, had all gathered at the foot of Phoenix Mountain.

This is the best vantage point.

As the emperor's procession slowly approached, a slight commotion arose among the civil and military officials.

Because Prime Minister Yang Yuan has not appeared.

They had assumed that the Prime Minister would accompany the Emperor on his journey.

But now, seeing the Second Prince Zhao Kai alight from his carriage and then help the Emperor Zhao Dun off the imperial palanquin, while the Prime Minister Yang Yuan was nowhere to be found, the scene became somewhat chaotic.

Some officials even had a sudden thought: Could it be that the emperor had secretly planted assassins to ambush and kill Prime Minister Yang?

But looking at the generals leading troops to protect the emperor—Deng Xun, Li Juncheng, An Haotian, Zhao Jinzhu…

impossible!
These people were all generals who came from the Shandong rebel army.

They only respected two people: their leader Xin Qiji and their leader's leader Yang Yuan.

If the Emperor had truly killed Yang Yuan, they would have chopped him to pieces long ago. How could they possibly have so respectfully escorted the Emperor here?
Zhao Dun, however, did not pay attention to the reactions of the officials. As soon as he stepped off the imperial carriage, he went looking for Yang Yuan.

Upon discovering that Yang Yuan was not there, Zhao Dun felt relieved and a sense of joy welled up within him.

With Yang Yuan gone, he felt much more relaxed.

"Brother, let's go."

Zhao Dun smiled and took the hand of the Second King Zhao Kai, then walked towards the throne set up on the viewing platform.

All the civil and military officials, as well as the onlookers, stood with their hands at their sides, completely silent.

All I could hear was the roar of the mighty river.

When Zhao Dun sat down on the throne, the Second King Zhao Kai also sat down on the right side, but there was still no one on the left side. Only then did Zhao Dun realize that something was wrong.

"Where is the Prime Minister?"

Deng Xun smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister was delayed by some matters and will arrive later. Please enjoy watching the tide; it will not be a problem."

Zhao Dun listened and nodded with pleasure.

It's better if he comes later. As soon as he sees Yang Yuan, his heart races and his breathing quickens. It feels so much more relaxed when Yang Yuan isn't around.

"Your Majesty, the people on the river say that today's tidal bore is the most spectacular in recent years."

Qiao Zhen, the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward and said with a smile.

He didn't know where Yang Yuan was, but he could tell that Yang Yuan was alright.

So, he stepped in at the opportune moment to warm things up.

Otherwise, the atmosphere would be a bit cold.

Zhao Dun turned to look at Qiao Zhen with a smile, but his gaze was not focused on Master Qiao.

He was basking in the immense happiness of Yang Yuan's absence.

Seeing that things were going badly, the Second Prince Zhao Kai quickly covered for him: "Yes, yes, the tide on the eighteenth of August is a magnificent sight. Your Majesty and your ministers are fortunate to witness such a great tide today."

The ministers who had been listening attentively overheard the conversation and breathed a sigh of relief.

The atmosphere was contagious; the entire observation deck quickly relaxed.

Suddenly, Prefect Wang Zirui of Lin'an pointed into the distance and said, "So many more people are coming. Why are they arriving later than Your Majesty?"

In the distance, hundreds of scholars in Confucian robes arrived, some riding donkeys and others in sedan chairs. Such a gathering of so many scholars was an extremely rare sight in this era.

Aside from activities attended by students of the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College, the only other occasion was the examination hall during the imperial examinations.

No wonder Wang Zirui, the prefect of Lin'an, was surprised.

Minister of Rites Chen Weiqing smiled slightly and said, "Oh, those are scholars who went to Wushan Academy to listen to lectures. Master Muyi happened to be giving a lecture at Wushan Academy today. He said that after finishing his lecture, he came to watch the tide with the students."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zirui was immediately moved: "Master Mu has also come to watch the tide today?"

He lifted his robe, intending to go down to greet the emperor, but suddenly realized that the emperor was still sitting upstairs.

On this occasion, his primary identity is that of a subject.

If the ruler remains unmoved, it would be highly inappropriate for a subject to go and greet others.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Zirui said, "The Grand Minister of Rites is in charge of the Ministry of Rites and has the responsibility of educating the people. Master Mu is a great Confucian scholar. Shouldn't the Grand Minister of Rites remind the Emperor to grant Master Mu a seat on the high platform?"

Chen Weiqing nodded with pleasure: "That's only right, I'll do it then..."

He had just finished speaking when he suddenly seemed to be frozen in place, his voice also abruptly stopping.

As the scholars drew closer, he could see clearly in the center of the procession an open-top oxcart with an ancient Qin-Jin style.

Inside the car sat a man in a Taoist robe. Even with a veil over his head, he gave off an ethereal, otherworldly feeling, as if his robes were flowing.

This person is, of course, Mr. Muyi.

Mr. Muyi never shows his true face to anyone. When he preaches, he always wears a veil, which is common knowledge.

However, a boy was sitting next to him.

At first glance, she looked like a boy, but upon closer inspection, she was just a girl dressed as a man in a scholar's robe.

With rosy lips, white teeth, and beautiful eyes, she was extremely handsome.

Uh... scholars are known for their romanticism.

Judging from the way Grandmaster Muyi speaks, he must not be very old.

What's so remarkable about a middle-aged scholar having a handsome boy with ambiguous gender or a beautiful young girl with bright eyes and white teeth by his side?
Very reasonable.

But that girl... that girl dressed as a boy, she is Qian Xingruo!

This is highly unreasonable.

Chen Weiqing was very familiar with the Qian family and also knew their daughter, Xingruo.

Three days ago, if Qian Jiaxing were to be taken as a concubine by the Prince of Yan, he would personally come to congratulate her.

Now, Qian Xingruo was sitting next to Mr. Mu Yi, smiling radiantly.

Even if it seems like there's no more transgression or rudeness, that won't do!
The Qian family has always been known for its strict family discipline and excellent teaching methods. How could they have produced such a daring and audacious girl?

If Prime Minister Yang finds out about this, what will happen?
I'm afraid a great disaster is about to strike!

Minister Chen stared wide-eyed at the carriage in horror.

The car was pulled up to the stands, and "Mr. Muyi" got out.

He got out of the car, then turned around and reached out to take the arm of the girl dressed as a man.

Looking at it this way, even those who didn't know the girl's identity felt something was amiss. They had initially thought she was Mr. Mu Yi's maid or page, but judging from Mr. Mu Yi's attentive manner…

The entire grandstand, including many spectators on both sides, couldn't help but discuss it amongst themselves.

Many people didn't know who the person who came was at first.

But now that they knew that the person was Mr. Mu Yi, the question of who was the person next to Mr. Mu Yi became their biggest concern.

The general leading the troops protecting the viewing platform was An Haotian.

Before the soldiers could stop him, he quickly stepped forward.

The tide surged, its roar like thunder.

The officials and common people watching the tide didn't hear what they were saying, but they saw the imperial guards parting to the left and right to make way for them.

Then, Generals Li Juncheng and Zhao Jinzhu, both fully armored, personally led the way, guiding Mr. Muyi and the pretty young girl who was gently holding his hand onto the stage.

Zhao Dun had already received the news from his entourage and looked on in surprise as a tall, slender figure slowly walked towards him.

His loose-fitting Taoist robe gave him the air of a recluse from the Wei and Jin dynasties.

However, precisely because of this, it tends to conceal body shape.

With the veil on his head, Zhao Dun still didn't recognize him.

He only noticed the beautiful, indescribably charming girl whose arm was linked with Mu Yifuzi's.

It seems she's no less impressive than Li Fengniang.

Moreover, the two women have different temperaments, like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with their own strengths.

Little did he know that this was Qian Jiaxingruo, the other female protagonist he had his eye on.

"Your Majesty, I was delayed by some time today because I went to Wushan Academy to give a lecture. I am late."

As Yang Yuan spoke loudly, he lifted his curtain.

Shock!

The voices, which started from some ministers around Emperor Zhao Dun, quickly spread in all directions.

The hundreds of scholars who had followed Yang Yuan all the way from Wushan Academy to this place almost went mad for a moment.

Today's lecturer is indeed Yang Yuan.

Although it was Mrs. Li who prepared the lessons for him in advance.

These scholars had personally witnessed Mr. Mu giving his lecture, his stepping down from the stage, his boarding the carriage, and their escorting him all the way here.

There was absolutely no chance to make a substitution.

They never dreamed that Mr. Muyi was actually Prime Minister Yang.

Huh? Mu Yi!

Mu and Yi together make up Yang.

Only a very few people, including Lu Jiuyuan, had already vaguely guessed it.

Because they knew Qian Xingruo, they absolutely did not believe that if Mr. Muyi was not Prime Minister Yang, Qian Xingruo would not avoid suspicion and get so close to him.

However, even though they had suspected it, they still couldn't believe it.

Because, of course, officials can be learned, and those who are learned can also become officials.

But how could a master of a field of study, who had even established his own school of thought and become a Confucian sage, possibly be an official? He was so engrossed in his studies that he had no energy to serve as an official.

But now, even the last hesitation is gone. The founder of the new Shu School, the greatest Confucian scholar of our time, Mr. Mu Yi, is none other than Prime Minister Yang Yuan!
On the river, the tide surged.

The gasps of surprise from the people on the stands and the embankment were no less than those from the Qiantang River tidal bore.

Zhao Dun stood up shakily.

Although he heard it, he didn't connect Yang Yuan and Mu Yi in his mind at all.

He only saw Yang Yuan suddenly appear, still wearing a veil. When she lifted her hat, he felt like he had been caught red-handed.

Although he didn't know what he had done wrong or why he felt guilty.

I'm just scared.

"Yang...Master Yang."

Zhao Dun stammered out a sentence.

It was the Second King Zhao Kai who realized what was happening and exclaimed, "Lord Yang, so you are the great Confucian scholar Mu Yi!"

Well, this time it can be considered as receiving the Second King's stamp of approval.

A commotion erupted again from the crowd.

"Second King, it is indeed me."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "Others spend ten years writing books and ten years living in anonymity. However, I have exceptionally high energy. I can manage to do both politics and scholarship at the same time. Although it is hard work, I can still handle it."

The observation deck was deathly silent. The officials stared wide-eyed at Yang Yuan as if he were a monster.

However, considering his illustrious history—he was the top scholar in the imperial examinations, achieving the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations—it seems understandable that he was somewhat superhuman.

As Yang Yuan and the Second King Zhao Kai exchanged words, the hundreds of scholars awoke from their shock, and cheers erupted like a tsunami.

These people can be described as fervent followers of Mr. Muyi.

However, over the years, Mr. Muyi has never shown his true face when lecturing.

Mr. Mu was a leading figure in contemporary Confucianism, and all his works were regarded as classics by these scholars.

The shock of learning that the great Confucian scholar they had long admired was actually the current prime minister was like a bolt from the blue.

Even some scholars who had previously criticized Yang Yuan's control of the government were now filled with fervor.

For them, it was not just about absolute admiration for Mr. Muyi, but also about erasing their prejudice against Prime Minister Yang.

Moreover, they are students who have always followed Mr. Muyi.

They really are students!

This is an even more loyal "disciple of the emperor" than a "disciple of the emperor".

My future is secure!

The emotions of those watching the tide are just like the Qiantang River tidal bore itself, one wave barely subsiding before another surges in...

Fan Jiang of the Censorate touched his sleeve.

Inside his left sleeve was a pre-written "Letter of Recommendation for the Emperor's Accession."

Inside his right sleeve was a pre-written petition requesting the Nine Bestowments.

It seems it's time to use it.

Could he give this opportunity to those who sent people from various places to gather information in Lin'an?

That's a disgrace to those who are "proximity to the source"!

(End of this chapter)