Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 144 Changchun (Part 1)

As Su Xuanlang stood up, a roll of plain silk slipped from his sleeve and gently placed it in front of Lü Shang, saying, "This humble Taoist has a scroll of 'The Treatise on the Mystery of the Dragon and Tiger Golden Elixir,' which I compiled after studying the 'Ancient Dragon and Tiger Classic,' 'The Book of Changes and the Secret of the Golden Jade Hidden Path,' considering the complexity and obscurity of these three scriptures. It is a method of cultivating the mind and a gateway to the Tao."

“When Lu Gong is not practicing martial arts, he might as well read this book, ‘The Profound Treatise on the Golden Elixir of Dragon and Tiger,’ which would be of great benefit to him.”

As they were talking, the cry of a crane suddenly rose outside the window. Upon hearing the crane's cry, Zhongli Quan and Su Xuanlang looked at each other and smiled.

"Lord Lü, we are leaving now."

A fleeting blue shadow appeared outside the window, and two red-crowned cranes landed on the eaves, their red beaks lightly tapping the roof tiles, their feathers shimmering with tiny golden light.

Zhongli Quan and Su Xuanlang walked side by side to the window, their clothes fluttering without wind, carrying with them the aroma of wine that filled the room.

Boo!
Then, the cranes' cries suddenly rose higher in front of the window, and the two cranes folded their wings, transforming into two beams of clear light that lifted the two of them straight into the clouds.

The innkeeper stood dumbfounded under the eaves, holding the empty wine jar, until Lü Shang tapped the edge of the table with his finger, and he suddenly came to his senses.

Lu Shang glanced at the shopkeeper indifferently, his hand stroking the edge of the plain silk. He felt fine lines under his touch, as if they were engraved with cinnabar.

"Shopkeeper, this is the payment for the drinks,"

After putting the plain silk into his sleeve, he took out a gold bean from his pocket, placed it on the table, and got up to leave the inn.

As Lü Shang stepped out of the tavern, dusk had completely sunk into the eaves, and the lanterns on Zhuque Street lit up one by one.

He boarded the carriage, the driver drove off, and the carriage rumbled past the street corner. Through the curtain, he glanced again at the tavern behind him.

"The Eight Immortals, Zhongli Quan, Han Zhongli,"

Lu Shang weighed his sleeve. Inside, besides the scroll "The Profound Treatise on the Elixir of Dragon and Tiger," there was also the Everlasting Elixir left by Zhongli Quan. The cinnabar patterns on the surface of the elixir were faintly warming at the bottom of his sleeve, as if they were alive and gently pulsating.

Changchun,

The so-called wine payment given by Zhongli Quan was exceptionally valuable.

The term "long-lasting spring" in Taoism refers to the harmonious union of spirit and energy.

The carriage passed through two neighborhoods, entered Banzhengfang, and after a bumpy ride, arrived in front of the Duke of Qi's mansion.

The vermilion gates of the Duke of Qi's mansion were slowly pushed open in the night, and the lanterns in the gatehouse reflected the lingering smell of alcohol on his clothes.

Lü Shang stepped into the Duke's mansion. The courtyard was deep and quiet, so quiet that only the sound of his own footsteps could be heard.

"Your Highness, you're finally back!"

The steward, Lü Quan, hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Master has been waiting for you in the main hall."

Lü Shang nodded slightly, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the study.

Upon entering the main hall, one sees it brightly lit. Lü Yongji sits in the main seat, his brows furrowed. On the table beside him, candlelight flickers, casting intermittent light on his face.

Lü Shang stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Father, I have returned. May I ask what brings you here?"

Lu Yongji looked up at Lu Shang, his gaze sweeping over him, and said, "His Majesty has appointed you as the Duke of Lu County and granted you a fief of one thousand households in Lu County, Henan."

“Lu County in Henan is a strategically vital location. If you manage your fiefdom of one thousand households well, it will bring immeasurable benefits to our Lü family.” Lü Shang said softly, “Father, I understand the implications.”

"After court today, His Majesty summoned me privately and decided to appoint me as the governor of Liangzhou."

Upon hearing this, Lü Yongji raised his eyes and stared intently at Lü Shang, saying, "Prefect of Liangzhou? That's no easy task. Liangzhou is located on the northwestern frontier, bordering Tuyuhun. It's a place of frequent warfare and widespread poverty. What did His Majesty say about appointing you as Prefect of Liangzhou?"

Lu Shang remained calm and said, "His Majesty said that I should follow He Louzigan to learn how to govern Liangzhou, and that I should succeed He Louzigan as the governor of Liangzhou after He Louzigan's term is over."

Lu Yongji's fingers unconsciously stroked the jade paperweight on the table. The candle wick crackled and sparks flew, reflecting tiny glimmers of light in his eyes. He said, "He Louzigan is building military farms and fortifications in Liangzhou. He just repelled the Tuyuhun invasion last year. His Majesty has asked you to learn border governance from him. He is really going to cultivate you!"

"After Dou Rongding's death, there were no relatives of the empress in the court who could take on the main responsibility. His Majesty's appointment of you to Liangzhou at this time is probably intended to have you succeed Dou Rongding in order to balance the court."

Thinking of his cousin-in-law Dou Rongding, Lü Yongji sighed. Although the biggest beneficiary of Dou Rongding's death was their Lü family, Lü Shang became even more valued by Yang Jian.

However, Dou Rongding and Lü Yongji had a close relationship, and when Dou Rongding left, Lü Yongji felt empty and lost.

Finally, Lü Yongji picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the rising steam blurred his face. He said, "Although this is His Majesty's favor and high expectations, Liangzhou is a dangerous place. When you go there, you must be careful in everything you do."

"Although He Louzigan is a good minister, the officialdom is complicated and people's hearts are unpredictable. You must handle the relationships between your colleagues properly."

Lü Shang nodded slightly and said, "I understand. I will humbly learn from General He Lou and pay attention to my surroundings, and will not act rashly."

Lu Yongji nodded in satisfaction, got up and walked to the window. Looking at the long shadows of the trees in the courtyard under the moonlight, he said slowly, "You don't need to worry about things at home when you go to Liangzhou. I will take good care of them."

"Just be careful about your diet and daily life while you're away from home, so as not to worry your father."

Lü Shang said, "Father, rest assured, I can take good care of myself. But Father, please take care of your health."

Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, causing the copper bells on the window frame to ring softly.

Lü Yongji turned around and looked at Lü Shang, seemingly with a thousand words to say, yet unsure where to begin. After a moment of silence, he waved his hand and said, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest."

"Yes,"

Lü Shang bowed again, turned and left the main hall. His footsteps faded into the quiet courtyard.

Lü Yongji stood there for a long time, watching Lü Shang's departing figure. Only when the moonlight shone on his shoulders and the chill deepened did he slowly turn around, return to the house, and gaze at the nearly burnt-out candle on the candlestick, lost in thought.

Lü Shang stepped onto the blue bricks, turned through the winding corridor, and entered the Zhangtai Courtyard.

Just as he returned to Zhangtai Courtyard, the second watch had already been struck.

Inside the bedroom, amidst the flickering candlelight, he untied the jade belt from his waist, and the plain silk in his sleeve clattered against the jade bottle, making a very soft rustling sound.

After changing into a wide Taoist robe, he sat down against the carved bed, took out a jade bottle, and the jade bottle gleamed with a warm red light in the room.

"Changchun Pill,"

Lü Shang stroked the seal of the jade bottle with his fingertips, the scent of cinnabar seeping through the porcelain glaze, dancing like a living thing in his palm. After pulling out the stopper, a crimson light suddenly rose a foot or so, making the cloud patterns on the carved bed curtains seem to surge.

His fingertips trembled slightly as he looked at the pill in the bottle, which hung in the air like a blazing sun, with faint sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling emanating from its light.

(End of this chapter)