Chapter 54: From the Viscount's Perspective, All Mountains Appear Small
The emperor said nothing more, but ordered wine to be served, and the banquet continued as before.
After the banquet ended, Zheng Shaoqing of the Court of State Ceremonial escorted the Northern Di King.
This Sifangguan was originally called Honglu Temple Guesthouse. As the name suggests, it was right next to Honglu Temple and could be reached by simply crossing a cobblestone path with a lion playing with an embroidered ball.
Zheng Yangzhi and Hugu Xumi were walking towards the Sifang Pavilion, followed by a group of Di people and subordinates of the Honglu Temple. Suddenly, they heard a conversation not far away: "It seems that we must go to the drill ground tomorrow to conduct an on-site investigation."
“Going to the training ground is great! I ran into Instructor Chu on my way to duty this morning, and he was telling me that everyone at the training ground is looking forward to your return. Instructor Chu himself has also been thinking that he's been swamped with work these past few days without anyone to help him!”
The Northern Di King and Zheng Shaoqing both slowed their pace. Wang Yuying and Liao Qing were leaving the palace, not even looking ahead, let alone directly ahead, but diagonally to the upper left. Therefore, it took them quite a while before they spotted Hugu Xumi and Zheng Yangzhi—Hugu Xumi was dressed in an unfamiliar outfit, his long black hair braided into a ruby and sapphire-embroidered plaque, the ends tied with gold rings, wearing a crimson sable hat, large gold earrings, and a brocade sable coat, cinched at the waist with a leather belt adorned with gold eagle and wolf ornaments.
This is the king's attire; his clothes are magnificent and he exudes great nobility.
She saw Hugu Xumi smiling at her, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled back.
Hugu Xumi nodded, his eyebrows and eyes curving.
Wang Yuying smiled and squinted, nodding at him before turning onto a side road with Liao Qing and the others and leaving the palace.
Wang Yuying thought that there were a lot of people on both sides, so it was inconvenient to talk. She thought she would just smile and say hello. Little did she know that in the eyes of someone beside Hugu, their eye contact was like searching for each other in a crowd, and that the two of them smiled at each other and nodded to each other, which seemed to be exchanging glances.
Zheng Yangzhi pursed his lips slightly and slowly swallowed.
Even though he momentarily lost control of his expression, he remained silent and continued to lead the Northern Di King back to the Sifang Pavilion.
Hugu Xumi slowly opened his mouth: "Lord Zheng, are you surprised that Miss Wang and I know each other?"
Before Zheng Yangzhi could answer yes or no, Hugu continued, "We are old friends. Seven or eight years ago, we met while riding horses in the northern frontier and hit it off immediately, considering each other kindred spirits."
Although the mosaic pebble path was beautiful, it hurt one's feet. Zheng Yangzhi smiled slightly: "I envy Your Majesty for being able to be close to such talents. I also admire your heroic spirit, but unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to get to know you better."
"Does Your Excellency also wish to be friends with Miss Wang?" Hugu Xumi immediately replied, "Then I will introduce you to her when I have some free time in a few days."
Zheng Yangzhi gently bit his lip with his two rows of teeth and said, word by word, "The fact that Your Majesty would recommend him shows that our friendship is not shallow."
Hokuya stood with his hands behind his back, slightly lowering his chin, making no attempt to hide his joy upon hearing those words.
Zheng Yangzhi gritted his teeth again: "Unfortunately, even with Your Majesty's recommendation, I am already seven or eight years too late to catch up with Your Majesty's friendship. Alas, I am late, and my whip is too far away to reach you."
“Alas!” Hugu Xumi reached out and raised his hand, turning to look at Zheng Yangzhi: “Lord Zheng, don’t underestimate yourself! Don’t you Han people have a saying, ‘Old friends are like strangers, and strangers are like old friends’? Between people, some have known each other for a long time but their friendship is shallow, like strangers, while others feel like old friends at first sight. For example, suppose there is someone, suppose there is someone, Miss Wang has known him for even longer than I have, perhaps ten years or so? Before she went to the northern frontier? But to this day, he is still just a casual acquaintance, not to mention he is very sparing with words when we meet, Miss Wang doesn’t even bother to greet him. This is what is called old friends are like strangers.” Hugu’s tone changed, “But Lord Zheng is different. You are handsome and elegant. If you were to introduce us, you would surely be kindred spirits with Miss Wang, and I believe you would soon become close friends, like old friends at first sight.”
Hugu Xumi's words and expression were both earnest and heartfelt, leaving no room for criticism: "Therefore, Lord Zheng, a man of great character should not belittle himself any longer."
As the two walked and talked, they entered the Four Directions Pavilion. Just as Zheng Yangzhi was about to speak about Hugu, a commotion suddenly broke out in front of them: "They've all run away! Catch them back quickly!"
Before Zheng Yangzhi could figure out what was going on, he saw thirty or forty rare sand birds, including white-tailed ground jays, brown bush robins, hairy-legged sandgrouse, and European stone plovers, sent as tribute from the Western Qi Kingdom, all rushing toward him from the sky and the ground.
With nowhere to hide, surrounded by sharp-beaked creatures flapping their wings from all directions, Zheng Yangzhi tensed up instantly, clenching his fists tightly.
Hugu Xumi strolled leisurely, raised his right arm, and immediately several birds obediently landed on it. Hugu turned to Zheng Yangzhi with a smile and asked, "Lord Zheng, what's wrong?"
Zheng Yangzhi tried his best to remain calm and composed, keeping his expression and tone normal: "I never expected Your Majesty to go to such lengths and painstaking efforts for my friendships. I appreciate your kindness, but I still do not need an introduction. I believe that encounters in this world are predestined, and sincerity can move even the most obstructed path."
The yamen runners and patrolmen from the Sifang Pavilion arrived one after another, using nets to catch birds. Hugu Xumi handed the bird on his arm back to the yamen runner and said to Zheng Yangzhi behind him with a smile, "Then we won't force you."
After Hugu finished speaking, he looked up and blew a whistle, and the flock of birds landed one after another—far more effective and elegant than the nets used by the yamen runners and patrolmen.
Finally, a ground crow hid on the roof beam and refused to come down. Hugu Xumi leaped up, spun down gracefully, and personally handed the folded-wing bird he was holding in his palm to the patrol officer.
The sounds of gratitude and admiration for King Di echoed throughout the hall, never ceasing.
As the birds returned to their cages, Zheng Yangzhi's stiffness gradually eased. He tried to lift his legs, then decisively turned and hurriedly left.
On the other side of the palace, the emperor also hurried down to the Immortal Pavilion. Qingfu jogged after him, worried that if he was too slow he would fall behind, and also afraid that if he ran too fast he wouldn't see where he was going and would tumble down the stone steps.
The Emperor, however, was walking briskly, his illness seemingly mostly gone, and he looked far better than in previous days. Qingfu thought this was probably due to the Emperor's improved magnanimity. The men he'd sent to shovel snow earlier that morning had returned, reporting that Prince Di and Zheng Shaoqing had also shown goodwill, but the Emperor remained unperturbed. Now, watching the deposed Empress leave the palace, he saw her again with those two men, yet the Emperor remained neither angry nor annoyed.
After returning to his palace to take medicine and undergo acupuncture, he did not slack off. As was customary, he was to practice longevity exercises next, but the emperor called out to the departing imperial physician: "I have heard that the art of guiding and stretching can preserve one's youth. You are skilled in traditional Chinese medicine, do you have any good prescriptions?"
The imperial physician hurriedly put down his medicine box and bowed: "Your Majesty, there is indeed a Jade Complexion Cream that can preserve youth if used consistently, but at the same time, one must also be pure of heart and abstinent of desires. If one indulges in sensual pleasures, even the most miraculous remedy will be ineffective."
Xu Heng immediately nodded and ordered the imperial physicians to prepare the Jade Complexion Cream, which he personally applied daily.
*
Daying on the outskirts of Beijing.
As the sun rose and smoke filled the air, the soldiers shared their meals from the same cooking pot.
The acting registrar lifted the curtain and entered the tent: "Why isn't the commander-in-chief eating?"
Jing Ye grabbed a book from the table and hid it behind his back, but then realized there was nothing to hide from, since he was perfectly aboveboard.
Put the book back on the table.
"I'm done eating. I ate almost two pounds of beef for lunch today." Jing Ye thought for a moment about why he had come to serve as acting clerk, and continued, "Don't worry, the riding and archery practice will start at 1-3 PM. It won't be delayed or changed. I'll be there on time."
"What are you so busy with? You're always rushing around like this." The registrar walked curiously toward the desk.
Jing Ye grabbed the book from the table and shoved it into the arms of the acting registrar: "Get to work on this!"
The registrar turned to the cover and looked at the *Classic of Filial Piety*.
Then I noticed a calligraphy practice book on the table.
"Didn't you ask me this morning?" the registrar asked in return. This morning, Jing Ye came to ask him about the seventeenth chapter on serving the ruler, whether the "Zi" in "Zi Yue" refers to Confucius, and what kind of poem is the "Yun" in the Book of Poetry.
The registrar answered each question in turn, and it was Confucius who said that the Book of Poetry is the collection of three hundred poems.
"Still figuring it out?"
Jing Ye nodded and gave a heavy "hmm," showing great patience.
The registrar, feeling sleepy when talking about the Classic of Filial Piety, quickly took his leave: "Don't forget the archery later! We have to get there before the ceremony."
“I understand, don’t worry,” Jingye replied. The Classic of Filial Piety says, “My heart is full of love; how can I not express it? I keep it in my heart; how can I forget it?”
My heart is filled with love, and no matter how far apart we are, my sincere feelings will always be treasured in my heart and never forgotten.
The Classic of Filial Piety says this is filial piety and respect, but he felt that the love between men and women was the same. The four lines and sixteen characters were just like him and Wang Yuying, who were separated by the city wall.
Worried about his poor handwriting, Jing Ye dug out his old calligraphy practice books, picked out the corresponding characters, and copied them one by one. He was slow and clumsy, so he had to make the most of his free time each day, and dared to present the poem to the young lady on his day off.
When Jing Ye flipped through the calligraphy copybook, his eyes shone brightly, as if he were panning for gold in the sand or searching for a destined star in the boundless night.
Inside the Sifang Pavilion, the Northern Di King also held a picture book in his hands, carefully examining it. His eyes were deep and dark, as if they could see through all invisible barriers, yet there was a hint of detachment between his brows.
After a short while, he put down the booklet, his face showing displeasure, and pointed to it, saying, "This page is all a sham."
"Your Majesty, please forgive us!" The accompanying Di people all knelt down. "We are truly unable to approach Linxian Pavilion. We have heard that Niuyang Mountain is majestic, and that one can have a panoramic view from the top. Since Your Majesty is going there in four days, perhaps—"
"Don't involve her," Hugu Sumi interrupted without hesitation.
"yes!"
Hugu ordered: "For the next two days, you will disguise yourselves and go discreetly."
*
Wang Yuying spent the entire day at the training ground, surveying and arranging the venue. Not every prefecture or county in the world could provide a sufficiently large space. The examination venue needed to be small and well-designed, yet it could not lose its dignity.
The high platform was where the examiners issued commands, and the viewing platform was where honored guests observed the ceremony. Both needed to be surrounded by flags, with different colors and shapes conveying different commands or determining victory or defeat. Each flag had to be precisely uniform. Wang Yuying and her subordinates in charge communicated for a long time under the flagpole, not looking back, as if they were seeing Hugu Sumeru outside the fence.
But when she finished talking and went closer to look, the place was empty.
The next day, Wang Yuying came to the Ministry of Revenue to check the register and confirmed that the petitioner was innocent. She seemed to see Hugu again, just like yesterday at the drill ground. He was smiling and gazing at her, and this place was indeed near Sifangguan.
Wang Yuying changed course and hurried closer, but Hugu had vanished without a trace.
Two days later, Wang Yuying took a day off and arrived at Niuyang Mountain a quarter of an hour earlier than the agreed time.
Hugu Xumi was already waiting at the foot of the mountain. Today he was dressed in a white Han Chinese robe, without even a dark pattern, which was exceptionally simple. He had no accessories and tied his hair in a ponytail with a matching ribbon. He was carrying a basket of sacrificial offerings in his hand.
Wang Yuying's eyes lit up. First, she felt that the young man from several years ago had reappeared. Then, she compared him with the dignified and noble Di King she had seen that day. She couldn't help but secretly praise Hugu for his etiquette, respectful mourning attire, and impeccable manners.
Wang Yuying's heart softened, and she involuntarily ran towards Hugu Xumi: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Hugu shook his head and said softly, "Don't blame yourself, I just arrived too."
Wang Yuying also brought a basket of sacrificial offerings, which Hugu naturally accepted. He then took out a fox fur handkerchief that he had warmed by his chest from his bosom and handed it to Wang Yuying: "It's even colder up in the mountains. Putting your hands in here will keep them warm."
"I'm not cold anymore after wearing the clothes you gave me," Wang Yuying said, showing him the hooded leather jacket and boots. Her head, ears, body, and feet were all warm.
Hugu Sumi laughed and said, "But aren't your hands still sticking out?"
Wang Yuying's face suddenly felt hot, and as if possessed, she tucked her hands into her pockets. Her previously cold and stiff fingers gradually warmed up and regained their flexibility.
Hugu Sumi's deep voice was as magnetic as a magnet, yet also as soft as a sigh: "Now it's complete."
Wang Yuying lowered her head: "Let's go up the mountain."
"good."
Wang Yuying lowered her head and stepped forward, a smile involuntarily spreading across her lips.
As they walked and talked, Wang Yuying said, "I think I saw you in the palace the day before yesterday and in the training ground the day before that, but when I got there I couldn't see you. I wonder if I was seeing things."
“You’re not seeing things, it’s me.” Hugu Xumi didn’t hide it. “I wanted to know what you do on weekdays, so I couldn’t help but look whenever I had a spare moment.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying's face burned even hotter, and her voice became softer: "Then why did you avoid me later?"
Hugu smiled and said, "It's not that I'm avoiding you, but I don't want to disturb your official duties. Besides, I like to see you not confined to this small courtyard, but have a career to build your life on, soaring high and making great strides every day."
This time, Wang Yuying's face not only burned, but her nose also felt sore.
"This section of the path is steep, watch your step," Hugu suddenly warned. Wang Yuying looked up and realized with surprise that they had reached the most dangerous section in the middle, the "Giant Axe Path." As the name suggests, the hundred stone steps were steep and towering, as if cleaved by a giant axe.
"Thank you." Wang Yuying felt embarrassed, saying that she should have been the guide, but Hugu had protected her along the way. Just as she was about to say something, Hugu added, "If you have any official troubles, feel free to tell me. To be frank, although the Northern Barbarians are a remote and small country, I am still the ruler of a nation."
These words struck a chord with Wang Yuying again, as she was already troubled!
There are three major difficulties in the coordination of various departments in the past military examinations:
She needed to find someone from the Ministry of War to serve as a fellow examiner. Her superiors treated her very politely, so it was easy to resolve.
Secondly, we need to borrow soldiers from the Imperial Guard or the main camp in the suburbs of Beijing to maintain order in the examination hall. With Jing Ye there, it won't be a problem.
The Imperial Medical Academy dispatched imperial physicians to stand by on the sidelines.
She had personally communicated with her subordinates several times, but the Imperial Medical Academy had been stalling and had yet to determine the number of personnel. Wang Yuying couldn't help but tell Hugu Xumi about this.
Hugu pondered for a moment before replying, "There are three strategies: the best is to use their strength against them, avoiding any entanglement with the imperial physicians, and only casually mentioning them during discussions with His Majesty. The middle strategy is to first ascertain the wishes of the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, or what troubles he is currently facing. Imperial physicians are also officials and must have their own requests. Then, find a suitable opportunity to meet with the head of the academy, offering incentives and promising assistance in exchange for their help. The worst strategy is to create a stir by linking the military examination with the greater good of the nation and the safety of the country. If the Imperial Medical Academy continues to shirk its responsibilities, it will be a serious crime of dereliction of duty."
Wang Yuying listened and took notes silently.
Hugu continued, "I suggest you use the middle strategy, but don't blindly trust me. You should think it over carefully before making a decision. If you are inspired and come up with a better strategy, you don't have to stick to my old three methods."
After a long silence, Wang Yuying said from the bottom of her heart, "Amitabha, thank you so much, I am deeply grateful."
Hugu smiled faintly: "I seem to remember suggesting that we not say thank you."
Wang Yuying then remembered that Hugu, like Jingye, was someone who absolutely refused to let her thank him. Jingye did it because he liked her and didn't want to create distance. But Hugu…
She couldn't help but feel uneasy, and out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Hugu. Seeing that Hugu was still looking at her, she became even more flustered. Just then, Hugu spoke up to explain, "I didn't ask you to thank me because my solutions might not be helpful, and might not be able to solve the immediate problem."
So that's how it is. Wang Yuying felt a little relieved and changed the subject: "Everyone's talking about me. What about you? What have you been doing these past few days in the capital? Are you settling in yet?"
She then remembered to reciprocate his kindness and show him concern as well.
Hugu Xumi chuckled: "Fortunately, with the full assistance and meticulous guidance of Zheng Shaoqing of the Court of State Ceremonial, everything went smoothly and without hindrance after we arrived in the capital."
Zheng Shaoqing?
Wang Yuying then remembered that Zheng Yangzhi had been with Hugu that day.
Wang Yuying lowered her eyes: "What do you think of Lord Zheng?"
"He's a very good person." Hugu nodded. "He's as clear as ice and as pure as jade. He's exceptionally talented and handles government affairs with ease."
A voice inside Wang Yuying cried out: "Oh my god, Amitabha, don't let Zheng Yangzhi deceive you!"
Then I thought that Hugu was a really good person. Whether he was a lively young man in the past or a calm king now, he never spoke ill of anyone behind their back.
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