Returning to the Mountain
Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Under the rule of the emperor and empress, the Great Yong Dynasty ushered in an unprecedented golden age.
The world submits to our rule, granaries are full, and no one picks up lost items on the road.
Although not perfect, it was already a period of great renown in the writings of historians, known as the "Reign of Yong and Xuan".
That morning, the gates of the Forbidden City were opened, not for a celebration, but for a farewell.
Nearly fifty years old, Wei Jin still stood tall and straight, his elegant white robes accentuating his refined demeanor. Beside him, Ling Zhan, dressed in simple white, remained as aloof as ever, seemingly untouched by time. The two walked side by side out of the palace that had witnessed twenty years of glory, their splendor and simplicity complementing each other perfectly.
Outside the city gate, banners fluttered slightly, and civil and military officials stood solemnly by the roadside.
The leader, dressed in a scarlet robe embroidered with peacocks and a jade belt, was none other than Shen Yu, the Grand Secretary. At thirty-five, he stood among a group of white-haired veteran officials, his demeanor composed and dignified. In the morning light, the gold-embroidered patterns on his scarlet robe shimmered. His once clear eyes appeared even deeper, his gaze seemingly able to see through all things, yet also containing a gentle compassion for humanity.
As the emperor and empress's carriage approached, Shen Yu was the first to lift his robe and kneel down, his movements as fluid and graceful as flowing water.
"Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress, we respectfully bid them farewell!"
His voice was clear and steady, carrying through the quiet morning breeze.
Wei Jin got out of the car and personally helped his son, who was now capable of standing on his own, up. His gaze was complex—containing pride, relief, and a subtle sense of emotion. He gently patted Shen Yu's shoulder: "Do a good job. This country will depend on you from now on."
Shen Yu bowed and replied humbly and appropriately: "Your subject will certainly live up to your trust."
Ling Zhan stood quietly to one side, gazing at the child she had raised with her own hands, a barely perceptible tenderness flickering in her cool eyes. She didn't utter a word, only giving Shen Yu a slight nod.
At this moment, the young prime minister and the retired pioneer completed a silent handover of power in the court.
Accompanying them on their farewell were their dozens of adopted children, who had grown into pillars of the Great Yong Dynasty.
The eldest daughter stepped forward. Although she was now a mother, she still carried the demeanor of an elder sister. She straightened Ling Zhan's clothes and said in a slightly choked voice, "Mother... it's cold on the mountaintop. You and Father must take care." She then turned to Wei Jin, her eyes reddening, "Father, my embroidery workshop will definitely send you the latest clothes according to the season."
Wei Jin loved hearing this, and laughed, "No one can design clothes like my eldest daughter's."
The second daughter, Suihe, followed closely behind, gently tugging at Ling Zhan's sleeve and whispering, "Mother, I've loaded all the newly harvested candied fruit from the estate onto the cart for you... and I've also buried a few jars of Autumn Dew White wine, which Father loves to drink, under the old locust tree."
His earnest words of advice and encouragement all stemmed from his heartfelt concern.
Shen Hong helped his master, Xuan Chenzi, into a specially made carriage where he could lie down.
The old Taoist priest was truly old; his hair and beard were all white, and his steps were unsteady.
"Good disciple, I entrust the Imperial Observatory to you."
"Don't worry, Master." Shen Hong carefully settled his master in and checked him over thoroughly before feeling at ease.
At this moment, Shen Zhangwu suddenly ran forward, hugged his father tightly, and said in a choked voice, "Father, let me escort you back to the mountain! The journey is long and arduous, and I'm worried about you!"
Wei Jin patted his son's broad, sturdy back, a look of tenderness in his eyes: "Alright, I'll let you see him off."
The convoy set off for Kaoshan Village in Qingzhou.
The northern border at this time was no longer the bitterly cold frontier it once was.
Looking out into the distance, the new city appears scattered like pearls. Its layout blends the rugged grandeur of the grasslands with the refined elegance of the Central Plains; the arched stone walls resemble a crouching beast, and the watchtowers combine loopholes and crossbow mechanisms. Inside, along wide streets, courtyards with blue-tiled roofs stand side-by-side with domed yurts, and there are also unique buildings combining flying eaves with stone foundations. The market is bustling with activity, merchants from various ethnic groups come and go, and the air is filled with the aroma of roasted lamb, the rich flavor of mare's milk wine, and the refreshing scent of tea.
The newly built official roads connect the cities like blood vessels.
Amidst the sound of camel bells, caravans came and went in an endless stream.
What's even better is that the cities are only a hundred miles apart, so when the beacon fires are lit, reinforcements can arrive in half a day.
Behind this lies the story of General Shen Xiao, who has been stationed here for twenty years and is about to return to the capital by imperial decree. He has fulfilled his promise to marry the foreign princess he fell in love with years ago, and is now setting off with his spirited wife and two daughters to return to the capital to take charge of the nation's military affairs.
Shen Zhangwu, his physique as imposing as ever, had transformed the impetuousness between his brows into an imposing and dignified presence.
He held two positions: the Imperial Clan Minister in charge of imperial family affairs and the Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Garrison in charge of the capital's defenses.
One role requires flexibility, the other an iron fist, yet both are perfectly combined in him.
He had his own unique way of handling things, disregarding formalities and only adhering to the principle of "reason." Once, a prince was arguing over his inheritance, and the dispute reached the Imperial Clan Court. After listening to the case, he simply divided the land deed in two: "Since it is ancestral property, each person shall have half. If there is any further dispute, the entire property will be confiscated!" His method was simple, yet it won the hearts of everyone.
Approaching forty, he still retains the habits of his youth. Before making important decisions, he would always subconsciously stroke the jade pendant given to him by his father at his waist; when going to the palace to report on his duties, the first thing he would always do was to pay his respects to his parents.
It was this contradictory combination—the coexistence of kinship authority and childlike innocence—that earned him widespread respect from the imperial family to the nobility.
Today, Shen Zhangwu, like a piece of black iron forged through countless hammer blows, stands heavily in the center of the capital.
Three children, three different paths leading to the same glorious future, together supporting the future of Dayong.
After a long journey, the familiar mountains of Qingzhou gradually came into view.
At the summit of Kaoshan Village, everything seems exactly the same as it was decades ago.
The faint light from the star's core nourishes this place, making the mountains and fields even more beautiful and enchanting.
Xuan Chenzi tossed aside his cane, took a deep breath, and exclaimed with delight, "It's so much more comfortable here! The tiles in the Forbidden City are making me sick!"
Wei Jin ignored him and personally repaired the old log cabin, his movements swift and efficient. Despite being a father, he was almost the same age as his eldest son, his brows showing no signs of age, and he still retained the vibrant spirit of a young man.
During a break from his work, Xuan Chenzi sidled up to Ling Zhan, who was arranging herbs, and slyly leaned close to Wei Jin: "Hey, Emperor, now you can finally tell me, right? You've all stepped down and gone back to your mountain retreat, so who do you really want to succeed you?"
Wei Jin stopped what he was doing and glanced at him: "What do you think?"
Xuan Chenzi stroked his sparse white beard, squinted, and shook his head: "If you ask me... whoever takes the position, it won't be bad."
Upon hearing this, Wei Jin laughed loudly, then turned to look at Ling Zhan, his eyes filled with the deep affection and tacit understanding that had remained unchanged for decades.
"I worked hard for twenty years and stepped down at a young age, setting an example for them and establishing the rules. No one should try to cling to power. If it's not necessary, step down when it's time, and give way when it's time! This country is alive, not some inanimate object belonging to any one family."
Ling Zhan nodded, his voice calm yet carrying the power to end the conversation: "Let them decide this themselves."
At this moment, Shen Zhangwu strode over; he had already settled the guards on the mountaintop.
Filial piety towards his father was the thing he loved to do most in his life.
Ling Zhan stopped what he was doing, looked up at Wei Jin, and said seriously, "Little Stone's bird sent a letter the other day, saying that once the situation is more stable, he, Xiao'er, and Zhang Wu's children will all be sent up the mountain to live for a while."
Wei Jin's eyes lit up instantly, like a child who had received candy. He rubbed his hands together and grinned broadly: "This is great! I love kids the most! Let all those little brats come! You're in charge of teaching them. I'll be in charge of spoiling them."
Xuan Chenzi looked at the emperor and empress, who had already laid down the burden of the country and begun to plan their lives of enjoying their grandchildren, smiled and shook his head, then went to meditate by himself.
As the sun sets, golden rays bathe the mountaintops, casting a warm glow on the log cabin, the cuddled figures, and the faint light of the star's core.
The world is vast, but it all begins with a single step.
The vastness of the Milky Way leads back to one's true self.
Their legendary status in the temple has come to an end.
Their stories of the mountains and fields, however, are unfolding in another way, like still waters running deep, continuing endlessly.
"over"
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