Lanke Chess Edge

Chapter 416: A Stream of Immortals

Inside the Literary Hall of the Dazhen Imperial Palace, several princes and princesses, ranging in age from ten to their teens, were studying. Yin Zhaoxian’s second son, Yin Zhong, was also studying there, serving as a companion to the princes and princesses.Strictly speaking, the prince who excelled the most among these students was only set to become Yin Zhaoxian’s apprentice in the future. However, that would still make them a dragon among men, an exceptional individual, as the current Emperor of Dazhen had already said that Yin Zhaoxian would concurrently serve as the Crown Prince’s tutor in the future.

This meant that whoever recognized Yin Zhaoxian as their master in the future would become the Crown Prince, or become a candidate to be Crown Prince. Although the Emperor’s favor might influence the decision, the current emperor differed from Emperor Yuan De in that he was selecting outstanding successors from the very beginning, nurturing them with all his might, rather than suppressing everyone.

Being a prince or the son of a high-ranking official wasn’t easy. Being a spoiled or unambitious was one thing, but those who aspired to higher positions faced even stricter requirements. It was almost New Year’s Eve, and they still had classes every day.

At this moment, in the main study of the Literary Hall, an elderly scholar holding the rank of Junior Tutor was reciting a book he held.

“Learn the Six Arts1 to govern oneself, learn high virtue to govern one’s mind, and learn advanced skills to govern the world…”

As the old scholar read, he glanced down at the students sitting at the desks below. They all sat upright, but most of them looked indifferent, and some were even whispering to each other. He stopped talking.

As silence fell, the children below all sat up straight. The scholar glanced around and looked at a prince sitting in front.

“Your Highness, this is the first time we’ve learned ‘The Art of the Gentleman’ today. I’d like to ask you, could you give examples of the advanced realm governance skills mentioned in the book?”

The prince who was called on was a little nervous and subconsciously whispered for help.

“Uh, Tiger…”

Tiger was Yin Zhong’s2 nickname, not only at home, but also among his close friends. And Yin Zhong was indeed very sturdy, much larger than other children his age.

“No asking others for help!”

The old scholar said sternly.

“Please answer this yourself, Your Highness.”

“Uh… to govern the realm… one must understand the classics, discern right from wrong, and be learned in history…”

The eldest prince stammered, unable to continue.

“Haha…”

The old master chuckled and looked at Yin Zhong.

“Yin Zhong, since His Highness has asked you for help, why don’t you answer for him?”

Yin Zhong frowned, thought for a moment, and said.

“Teacher, you yourself said that this is the first time we are learning the ‘The Art of the Gentleman’ today, and this was also the first time you read it. You clearly only read up to the part about learning the skills to govern the realm. If you are asking about the governance techniques mentioned in the book, then we have not learned them yet.”

The old scholar smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded. “As expected of the second son of Lord Yin,” he said.

“What I’m saying can also be interpreted as asking what the governance techniques mentioned in the book might be. To truly govern the realm, not everything can be found in a book.”

“Hmm, Teacher is right. In my opinion, there are only two true skills needed to govern the realm!”

“Oh? Which two?”

Yin Zhong replied earnestly.

“My elder brother once told me that the art of governing the realm consists of two parts: ‘military’ and ‘governance’. These can be further divided into ‘military conquest’ and ‘maintaining the status quo’, ‘law’ and ‘system’…”

The junior scholar and senior students above frowned from time to time as they listened, then seemed to understand. Yin Zhong’s simple explanation was far from superficial; it seemed to be even more profound and thorough than the content of “The Art of the Gentleman”.

“Teacher, am I right?”

After Yin Zhong finished speaking, he asked the Junior Scholar above him, who slowly nodded.

“That makes sense, but it’s too early and too pragmatic for you. What is written in ‘The Art of the Gentleman’ is more appropriate…”

“Teacher, I have another question.”

The old scholar looked at Yin Zhong but did not reprimand him for interrupting him.

“Speak.”

“The three kinds of governance are ordered in sequence. Governing the realm is naturally the last. So, which comes first, governing the body or governing the mind?”

With Yin Zhaoxian’s son as a student, the students would feel more pressure, and so would the teachers. The old scholar frowned and pondered for a while before answering solemnly.

“As the saying goes, it is difficult to control one’s mind and thoughts. Therefore, it is natural to prioritize controlling one’s body and then controlling one’s mind.”

Yin nodded.

“Yes, that’s what my father said too.”

Upon hearing this, the junior scholar inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

“But my father also said that the so-called ‘gentleman’s art of self-control’ is often just lip service in our Dazhen. Although it is not necessary to be proficient in the Six Arts, it is hard to determine how many scholars who only know how to read books can actually control themselves. What do you think, Teacher?”

This question was a bit difficult to answer. The junior scholar was pondering it when suddenly a guard with a sword hurriedly walked into the Literary Hall.

The old scholar looked at the newcomer.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

The guard bowed and clasped their hands in greeting.

“Junior Tutor, the Yin family has sent someone to urgently summon the Second Young Master Yin back home, saying that a guest they haven’t seen for many years has come to visit.”

The old man nodded and looked at Yin Zhong.

“In that case, Yin Zhong, you should go back now.”

“Yes!”

Yin Chong stood up, bowed to the teacher, bowed to the other princes and princesses, and then left with the guards. The remaining students all looked at Yin Zhong with envy.

Once outside, after walking for a while, Yin Zhong couldn’t hold back any longer. He breathed a sigh of relief and his mood improved; studying was just too boring.

He wondered who the relative from his hometown was. Could it be his uncle?

Once they had exited the gate and arrived in the capital proper, Yin Zhong saw the servants and carriages waiting outside. He immediately ran over and asked excitedly.

“A-Yuan, who came to visit? Why would my dad send you to call me back?”

This servant did not look young; he was at least around fifty years old, making him one of the oldest of Yin Zhaoxian’s servants. He was clear-headed and a martial arts expert.

“Second Young Master, the person who arrived is Mr. Ji. I met him once in Wan Province. You will understand when you get back.”

“Mr. Ji!?”

Yin Zhong was surprised. He had heard his father, brother, and even mother mention Mr. Ji countless times, so he was naturally familiar with the title, but he had never seen him. Although his family said that he had seen Mr. Ji when he was a baby, how could he possibly have any memory of that time?

So this mysterious Mr. Ji had greatly piqued Yin Zhong’s curiosity. Occasionally, when he pressed for details, his family would reveal some information about Mr. Ji’s extraordinary abilities. Some of the details made Yin Zhong wonder if his family was talking about a deity rather than a neighbor.

“Indeed, it is Mr. Ji. He is almost identical to the man I saw all those years ago.”

Yin Zhong lightly leaped onto the carriage, as agile as a swallow.

“Let’s go, let’s go home, let’s go! I want to see what this Mr. Ji looks like, and whether he’s really that amazing!”

Urged on by Yin Zhong, the carriage started moving. Because his home was not far from the palace, it did not take long before they arrived at the gate of the Yin family residence. Yin Zhong jumped off the carriage and ran quickly inside.

Mrs. Yin had already returned home to the main hall. After greeting Ji Yuan, Mrs. Yin, who hadn’t cooked in a long time, insisted on going to the kitchen to show off her skills, worried that the servants at home wouldn’t be able to cook the New Year’s dishes from her hometown well, let alone recreate the flavors of Ning’an County.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan and the Yin family father and son were chatting about the changes that had happened in their hometown, and their experiences in officialdom over the years.

Just then, Yin Zhong’s footsteps approached from outside. He hurriedly to the living room door, forcibly restrained himself, straightened his clothes, and knocked on the door impatiently.

“Father, I’m back!”

“Little Tiger is back, come in quickly!”

Upon hearing his father’s voice, Yin Zhong immediately pushed open the door and went inside. A wave of heat from the charcoal fire hit him in the face, and he quickly closed the door to prevent the warmth from escaping.

After scanning the room, Yin Zhong intended to immediately lock onto Ji Yuan, but unfortunately, the red fox was too eye-catching. When he saw the fiery red fox perched on his brother’s lap, Yin Zhong’s attention was immediately drawn to it.

“What are you standing there for? Pay your respects to Mr. Ji!”

Yin Zhaoxian said, and Yin Zhong quickly bowed to Ji Yuan.

“Yin Zhong greets Mr. Ji!”

“No need for formalities. Your father and I are close friends. A gentleman’s friendship is as pure as water, so there’s no need to be so formal.”

Ji Yuan looked the child up and down. He was about twelve or thirteen years old, with strong muscles and bones, bright eyes, long and steady breaths, and a fiery temper. He was quite different from his father and brother.

Although Yin Zhong was initially drawn to the fox, he couldn’t help but scrutinize Ji Yuan more closely now.

At first glance, he seemed quite young, but upon closer inspection, he felt as though he couldn’t be much younger than his father. There was a peculiar cleanliness about him. When he focused on the man’s eyes, he could indeed see a hint of gray within them.

‘This is Mr. Ji? He doesn’t seem like much…’

“You’re Yin Qing’s younger brother?”

A clear voice suddenly rang out. Yin Zhong was stunned for a moment. His gaze passed over Ji Yuan, Yin Zhaoxian, and Yin Qing, before finally landing on the fox. His eyes widened involuntarily.

“Haha… Father, Father, Brother, Mr. Ji, this fox… it spoke!”

Yin Zhong pointed at the fox and shouted in panic.

“What’s the big deal? You’re Mr. Yin’s son and Yin Qing’s brother.”

The red fox jumped down from Yin Qing’s knees and walked step by step to Yin Zhong, who subconsciously stepped back until his back bumped directly against the door.

“Well, my name is Hu Yun. I’m Yin Qing’s good friend. I came with Mr. Ji.”

Yin Zhaoxian, Yin Qing, and Ji Yuan all wore smiles, looking on with amusement, deliberately watching Yin Zhong make a fool of himself.

Yin Zhong was still just a child. He jumped away from the door and ran to Yin Zhaoxian’s side, staring at the red fox in astonishment.

“Father…this can’t be…”

“That’s right, I am a monster. I am a spirit fox who cultivates on Niu Kui Mountain. Your brother and I were friends when we were children.”

Hu Yun narrowed his eyes, and a remarkably human-like smile appeared on his fox-like face.

“Hahahaha…”

“Hahahaha…”

“Just as I expected, hahaha…”

The other three finally couldn’t hold back any longer, and the living room erupted in laughter. Even Yin Zhong, after realizing what was happening, laughed awkwardly, while his gaze towards Hu Yun and Ji Yuan became even more curious.

He thought to himself: ‘So there really are monsters in this world. Does that mean Mr. Ji is truly some kind of deity?’

The Six Arts of Confucian scholars are archery, chariot-riding, Chinese music, “Li” (principles of Confucian ethics), calligraphy, and mathematics Yin Zhong’s name is spelled: 尹 (yǐn): to govern, and 重, a character that could either be chóng: to repeat/repetition, or zhòng: serious/important. Both are somehow the same character. I chose the latter, but it’s not clear which one was the right one