Chapter 497 Avoiding the Moon and Plucking Stars (First Update)
"I heard that Lord Lingtai Lang went to Longcheng the day before yesterday?"
"Eunuch Hu's information is quite accurate."
"I wanted to invite Lord Lingtai to Tingzhuxuan for dinner a couple of days ago. I sent people several times, but I couldn't find him. I was so anxious. In the end, I heard from Lady Rongzhen of the Censorate that Lord Lingtai was not in Xunyang City."
"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law."
"It's nothing to worry about. It's our duty. We all came from Luoyang to serve His Majesty on his inspection tour. Since we came together, we should go back together. We can't leave anyone behind."
Inside Tingzhuxuan, Lin Cheng and Hu Fu, who were serving as special envoys from Luoyang, were sitting at a dining table, chatting face to face.
The table was laden with fine wine and delicacies, yet no one touched their chopsticks.
“Father-in-law is right.”
Lin Cheng smiled and nodded, his expression one of agreement.
Khufu stroked his beard, glanced at the slightly overweight young man's face, and changed the subject, asking:
"What brings Lord Lingtai Lang to Longcheng this time?"
"Nothing, just browsing out of curiosity."
"Curious?" Hu Fu frowned. "Lord Lingtai, don't forget why we came to Jiangzhou. His Majesty's mission did not include leisurely strolling around."
“I know.”
Lin Cheng sighed:
"I'm just a little curious about Prefect Ouyang. I've long admired the name of Lianghan, a true gentleman. The Broken Wing Canal in Longcheng also has a very high reputation among the gentlemen of the Council of State..."
“Prefect Ouyang is the official in charge of the construction of the Donglin Buddha. It is my duty to learn more about it.”
"oh."
Khufu's brow relaxed slightly, and his tone became indifferent:
"Lord Lingtai is indeed very meticulous. In this light, it seems that I was careless and negligent."
"Not at all, not at all, I don't deserve it."
Lin Cheng immediately waved his hand:
"Eunuch Hu is stationed in Xunyang, and he is also working hard for the court. He is loyal to His Majesty. There is no difference between them. Even if there is, the superior ones labor with people, the middle ones labor with their minds, and the inferior ones labor with their bodies. Eunuch Hu is also the superior one."
"Lord Lingtai Lang is quite the smooth talker."
Khufu chuckled for a moment, and his expression softened slightly.
He picked up a pair of chopsticks neatly arranged on the table, took a bite of food, and ate it.
The bearded eunuch, while chewing, picked up a jug of sake, leaned forward, and poured a cup for Lin Cheng:
"Alright. So, what are your thoughts, Lord Lingtai, after your tour of Dragon City?"
"It lives up to its reputation."
Lin Cheng's expression was full of emotion. He raised his wine glass, habitually sniffing the wine at the rim, and said earnestly:
"A simple folding canal directly replaced the Di Gong Sluice Gate, solving the flood problem in the most dangerous area of Jiangnan once and for all."
"Moreover, from the top of Dagushan Mountain, I surveyed this landscape and found that it subtly utilized the geomantic veins of the majestic Dagushan Mountain, with earth overcoming water, thus achieving a feng shui treasure land layout with a mountain behind, a green dragon on the left, a white tiger on the right, a small lonely mountain in front, and a dragon city in the middle."
The Xia official nodded with obvious admiration:
"Ancient books say that a stable mountain as a backing, with the dragon and tiger assisting and protecting it, a spacious bright hall that enhances its momentum, and a water city that gathers the vital energy from the outside, are all auspicious."
"This broken-wing canal is a masterpiece of engineering, revitalizing the poor and barren land and bringing great fortune to Longcheng."
Khufu involuntarily leaned back slightly:
"I didn't expect that Lord Lingtai Lang would also be knowledgeable about feng shui?"
Lin Cheng waved his hand modestly:
"I'm just showing off. I know a little bit about the celestial phenomena and feng shui surveying, but it's all from my teacher's teachings, so I only have a superficial understanding."
"Lord Lingtai Lang doesn't seem to be someone who only knows a little bit about things."
Khufu waved his hand.
Lin Cheng smiled but remained silent.
Khufu stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then quietly leaned closer and said:
"So, do you Yin-Yang School Qi Practitioners know how to read faces and tell fortunes? Why don't you tell our fortunes?"
Lin Cheng raised an eyebrow:
"These arts of divination and face reading are more proficient in certain branches of the Northern and Southern schools of Taoism. We, the Yin-Yang masters, are more skilled in surveying Yin and Yang and observing the stars and qi, but..."
"My master does know a little about the art of observing stars and predicting good and bad fortune."
"Unfortunately, this technique is difficult to learn. The method of refining qi to predict fortune and misfortune must be a mysterious and profound secret technique that is difficult for ordinary people to grasp. I am also stupid and do not know this technique, so I cannot tell fortunes for Eunuch Hu."
"However, Eunuch Hu has a prominent and straight nose, a full forehead, and a radiant complexion. He is clearly an auspicious person and destined for a noble life."
"No, no."
Khufu waved his hand, but being praised made him slightly raise his chin, and there was still some joy on his face.
"Your teacher is that Deputy Supervisor Zhao, isn't he?"
Khufu looked quite interested.
“Vice Director Zhao is highly respected in the Imperial Observatory and is greatly valued by His Majesty. I have long admired your name and hold you in high esteem.”
"If I have the chance during my return to Luoyang, Lord Lingtai must introduce me to him and see if he can predict my fate."
The bearded eunuch rubbed his hands together and said.
Lin Cheng glanced at Khufu's unceremonious and eager expression, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, and nodded:
"Although the teacher is very busy, Eunuch Hu is no outsider. He is deeply favored by His Majesty. Helping Eunuch Hu relieves his worries is helping His Majesty. It's no problem, no problem."
"Okay, it's settled then."
Khufu grinned, took a leisurely sip of wine, and at the same time, rolled his eyes slightly upward to examine Lin Cheng's smiling and sincere expression.
He spoke again:
"To be honest, the reason I invited Lord Lingtai to dinner this time is to discuss something with him."
"Please speak, Eunuch Hu."
“Then let’s not beat around the bush. We’ve been in Longcheng for so many days now, and winter is just around the corner. If we don’t leave soon, it will snow in Luodu. We won’t be able to see any snow in Xunyang, haha.”
Khufu jokingly asked, seemingly casually:
"So, has Lord Lingtai finished writing the memorial to be delivered on this trip? So much time has passed, we've read what we need to read, and our inspection is almost complete. It's time to return to the capital to report back."
As he spoke, he took out a memorial with a blue silk cover from his sleeve, placed it on the table, tapped the cover with his finger, and earnestly suggested:
"If Lin Lingtai has finished writing, we can discuss it now and submit it together tomorrow."
Lin Cheng stopped eating, glanced at Hu Fu's smiling face, and then continued picking up food.
He shook his head, his face apologetic.
"It will be done soon. I was busy the past few days and didn't have time to sit down and organize it. I will catch up in the next few days and inform Eunuch Hu once I have finished writing the memorial. Please be patient."
Khufu slightly composed himself and put away the memorial.
"Does Lord Lingtai mean that you haven't even started writing yet?"
Lin Cheng smiled sheepishly:
"It's just a matter of the next couple of days, Eunuch Hu, please wait a moment. There's really no need for us to rush."
Khufu tilted his head back and finished the wine in his cup. He wiped his mouth, picked up the wine jug, refilled the cup, and, while watching the trickle of wine from the jug's spout, said in a calm tone:
"Then Lord Lingtai is indeed a bit slow."
Lin Cheng immediately saw the bearded eunuch in front of him ask him with a curious expression:
"We've been to the Xunyang Grottoes with its twin peaks seven or eight times these past few days, and Chief Secretary Ouyang has been there to explain everything to us the whole time."
"Moreover, after each incident, Chief Secretary Ouyang seemed to send us all the budget ledgers and detailed expense statements, all with complete official seals and procedures."
"This is a bit strange. What is Lord Lingtai still hesitating about? What is he worried about? Is there something wrong with Chief Secretary Ouyang?"
Khufu tapped his foot with his index finger, laughing familiarly:
"Could it really be true? Haha, anyway, there are no outsiders here. Lord Lingtai can tell me. Otherwise, if Lord Lingtai has already seen the problem and written it into the memorial, and I, foolishly, continue to submit memorials saying there is no problem, it would seem too irresponsible. Although compared to you quick-thinking young people, I am indeed a bit stupid... Haha, Lord Lingtai, stop teasing me, tell me quickly."
Lin Cheng shook his head:
"As it stands, Chief Secretary Ouyang is honest and upright, does everything personally, strictly adheres to procedures, and there is nothing wrong with the accounts."
"That's good."
Khufu smiled and nodded, then thought for a moment and continued to ask:
"Then there's no problem with the whereabouts of the 20,000 taels of silver His Majesty donated to the Donglin Buddha for cosmetics. There was no embezzlement by any villains, was there?"
Lin Cheng shook his head again: "No, His Majesty's money has been put to good use."
"good."
Khufu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then immediately showed a puzzled expression:
"That's strange, Lord Lingtai Lang..."
Lin Cheng was quiet for a moment, then nodded slightly:
"It seems there are no problems so far. Well, it's just that I'm a bit slow at doing things. Don't worry, Eunuch Hu, I'll start writing as soon as I get back. It will probably take two or three days to finish. Please be patient, Eunuch Hu. I will definitely let you know when I'm done."
The slightly chubby young man smiled broadly, revealing some bright white teeth:
“Eunuch Hu is right. It would be more appropriate for us to exchange opinions and then submit a petition together.”
He immediately raised his glass:
"Come, let's drink. I'd like to offer a toast to Eunuch Hu."
Hu Fu looked at the sincere and respectful Lin Cheng before him, remained silent for three breaths, and then raised his wine cup to gently touch the rim with Lin Cheng's.
"Alright. Lord Lingtai, please hurry."
"That's natural."
Lin Cheng only took a few bites of the food in front of him, and after a short while, he got up to say goodbye, citing that he couldn't hold his liquor.
Hu Fu escorted Lin Cheng to the gate.
Before leaving, Khufu suddenly shouted:
"Lord Ling Tailang."
Lin Cheng, who had just taken the reins from his beloved horse, turned around curiously: "What is it, Eunuch Hu?"
"Although Chief Secretary Ouyang is the official in charge, Prince Xunyang is the supervisor of the construction of the Donglin Buddha. You should know about the relationship of delegation of authority between them, right?"
"Of course I know." Lin Cheng looked puzzled. "Why did Eunuch Hu bring this up? Um, you mean..."
The two looked at each other for a moment, then Hu Fu laughed and clapped his hands, interrupting Lin Cheng, saying:
"Haha, what I mean is, we can visit Prince Xunyang together tomorrow to be proper etiquette. Besides, when it comes to inspections, we also need to go through the procedures with the supervising prince, right? Let's see if the prince has any constructive suggestions."
"Well, Eunuch Hu is the most thoughtful."
Lin Cheng mounted his horse, cracked his whip, and rode away.
"Father-in-law, see you tomorrow."
Hu Fu smiled and watched Lin Cheng leave.
I watched as his horse disappeared around the street corner.
He immediately turned around, walked quickly back into the mansion.
"Someone come here."
Khufu summoned one of his personal guards.
Immediately afterwards, he strode back to his study, took out a familiar waist knife, and handed it to the guard behind him who was respectfully bowing.
"Go, take it to a private residence called Jingyiting in Xiushuifang, and tell them you're looking for Uncle Shun, and also to deliver a message for our family..."
Khufu lowered his voice and slowly gave the instructions.
"yes."
Before long, the personal guards clasped their hands in a deep fist salute.
Before diving into the pitch-black night outside the door, he couldn't help but glance at the bearded eunuch's face.
He squinted slightly, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
...
Lin Cheng returned to the house where he had settled down.
The house is near the Control Yuan.
As he rode past the Censorate, he turned his head and glanced at the brightly lit compound, where he could vaguely see female officials bustling about.
I wonder what that lady is busy with.
Lin Cheng returned to the house with a calm expression.
I walked into a study and sat down.
He took out paper, ink, brush, inkstone, and a blank memorial.
It was placed on the table.
There was only an oil lamp on the desk in the room.
Lin Cheng leaned back slumped in the soft chair.
He liked the location of the desk in front of him.
It faces an open window.
You can see the autumn night outside, studded with scattered stars.
In fact, Lin Cheng had rearranged the furniture in all the rooms, including the study and the bedroom.
Even the placement of a pen holder on the desk must strictly adhere to the requirements, being placed in the upper left corner a few centimeters from the top edge... otherwise it will slightly obstruct his view.
He liked this order.
The world outside his study and bedroom is difficult to navigate in accordance with his obsessive-compulsive demands.
However, the study and other areas at home must be arranged according to Lin Cheng's principles of comfort and intuitiveness.
Just like the incredibly comforting stars in the sky above, each one has its own position and trajectory.
The autumn wind blew into the window.
He blew on the blank pages of the memorial in front of him, making them rustle loudly.
Even a lone lamp flickers and sways.
The lamp wick swayed for about half an hour, and the memorials on the table remained empty for about half an hour as well.
This official in charge of the Lingtai Pavilion has yet to begin writing.
His eyes were fixed on the sparse starry sky outside the window.
A bright, clear moon was slowly covered by a dark cloud that seemed to have drifted in from nowhere, dimming the entire world.
"Avoiding the moon and plucking stars...avoiding the moon and plucking stars..."
Lin Cheng muttered to himself.
"That night, the teacher observed the stars and predicted good and bad fortune, saying that my journey would bring misfortune if I encountered the moon, but good fortune if I encountered the stars."
"Fortune and misfortune are interdependent; one should seek fortune and avoid misfortune. Hence the saying, 'Avoid the moon and pluck the stars, for great fortune will follow.'"
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"Is it really such a coincidence?"
I sat there for a long time.
Suddenly, an autumn gust of wind swept into the house, and the lone lamp on the table went out abruptly.
The study was plunged into darkness.
Along with the lights, the figure of the slightly overweight young man at the table also disappeared...
It was late at night, before dawn.
A bright autumn moon hangs high above the twin peaks, ten miles from the western suburbs.
A tributary of the Xunyang River divides Shuangfengjian into the North Peak and the South Peak, which face each other across the river.
The Xunyang Grottoes, currently under construction in Jiangzhou, are located at the foot of the North Peak by the water.
At this moment, a slightly chubby young man slowly emerged from the summit of South Peak.
Lin Cheng gazed at the majestic Buddha statue in the Xunyang Grottoes on the opposite bank for a while, then slowly lowered his gaze to look down at the Xun River that divides the South Peak and the North Peak.
He stared intently.
The Xun River, which was artificially opened up and cured Xunyang City's seasonal flooding, is not a straight line, but has a long and narrow arc.
The autumn moon overhead cast its light on the water, making the Xun River resemble a dazzling crescent moon.
"Pillow Moon Feng Shui...moon..."
Lin Cheng shook his head.
At one point, the eastern sky began to lighten with the first light of dawn.
He looked back from the mountaintop and gazed eastward at a neighborhood in Xunyang City that was the first to come alive at dawn.
"Xingzifang...a good name."
(End of this chapter)
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