Chapter 82: Cement
“Here, the Hundred Schools contend; here, all learning under heaven converges.”
What Chen Bai wanted to create was exactly this kind of special town. In the modern world, when people spoke of technological research and development, the first thing they might think of was Silicon Valley. What Chen Bai wanted was for everyone, whenever they spoke of sage learning, to immediately think of this small town of theirs, and of Cloudtop Academy.
Of course, all of that was for later.
What Chen Bai and the others needed to deal with first was the follow-up after Mo Qianji led Mohist learning to settle in Great Qian, meaning Qi Zheng had won the final victory in the prince competition.
After all, the king’s previous attitude truly made people feel uneasy. They had to make sure everything was settled once and for all.
But what Chen Bai had not expected was that things would be much simpler than he had imagined.
The next day, at the arena where the results of the prince competition were announced, it was still packed with people.
“For the final round of the prince competition, the winner is Grand Scholar Zhaoxue, Chen Zixiu. Prince Zheng is awarded three points.”
Chen Bai had been the retainer competing in this round, and he was also the one who had invited the Mohists to settle in Great Qian. His victory was completely justified.
He just had not expected that the king would not do anything to stop or delay it, and would simply let the presiding official announce the result.
“The final winner of the prince competition is Prince Zheng!”
The presiding official was also somewhat excited. The prince competition, which had lasted so long, had finally produced a result. Great Qian had finally welcomed a new heir apparent.
With the king seriously ill, appointing a crown prince to stabilize the state was something everyone had hoped for. On top of that, this crown prince had been chosen under everyone’s witness, with even the common people as participants.
Though there would certainly be some people who were dissatisfied, at least most officials and commoners were satisfied.
“Peace under Zheng’s rule, harmony among the people, and great fortune under heaven. I said long ago that this admonition was referring to Prince Zheng.”
“Compared with the other princes, Prince Zheng surpasses them by far in both civil governance and martial achievement. If not for the king disliking Prince Zheng in the past, he should have had the most supporters from the beginning.”
“What a pity. Who knows how many people misjudged the situation? But those few high-ranking officials who supported Prince Zheng all along are probably going to rise high now. Especially the Court of Judicial Review. I heard it was Minister Chen of the Court of Judicial Review who first recommended Prince Zheng when the matter of appointing a crown prince was raised…”
“Exactly. Grand Scholar Zhaoxue even openly stood on Prince Zheng’s side and won the final round as his retainer. He is the Grand Scholar of the Brush in the Hall. Technically, doing that was against the rules. If Prince Zheng had not won, his end would probably have been…”
The wave of discussion surged like boiling water.
This grand event in Great Qian, which had gone on for so long, now waited only for the king’s final declaration to draw its conclusion.
Almost everyone’s gaze turned toward the high platform.
Deafening drumbeats rang out, suppressing every voice.
Chen Bai’s hand clenched tightly. He only hoped there would not be any more unexpected complications. To push Qi Zheng onto the position of crown prince, they had honestly worked themselves to the bone for so long. He had not had a proper rest or lived a peaceful, carefree life in ages.
Chen Bai was summoned onto the high platform. He was the Grand Scholar of the Brush. For major edicts, he needed to draft the decree on the king’s behalf.
Chen Bai’s hand, holding the brush, was somewhat stiff.
“With majestic virtue and sacred grace, may all under heaven prosper… Prince Zheng is hereby conferred as Crown Prince of Great Qian…”
The king’s voice sounded as though his breath was somewhat insufficient.
Chen Bai did not even know how quickly he wrote it down, afraid that the king would suddenly change his words.
Fortunately, it was a false alarm.
The entire capital of Great Qian erupted in cheers.
A smile finally appeared on Chen Bai’s face. It was the happiest smile he had worn since coming to this era.
In other words, from now on, he would no longer need to worry about all those messy matters.
His whole body seemed to relax completely.
Next came the ancestral temple sacrifices for the appointment of the crown prince, as well as the grand banquet for officials at Prince Zheng’s residence.
Chen Bai was happy, but there were also some people whose hearts were panicking badly.
For example, the families of those students from Cloudtop Academy.
Logically speaking, their juniors had stood on Qi Zheng’s side and even fought for him as retainers, so they should have been happy.
But that had not been their intention. Some of them had even tried to stop it. How would Qi Zheng think of that?
Qi Zheng was now the crown prince, and in the future, he would be the king of Great Qian. When that time came, how would he treat people like them, who had not supported him immediately and had even faintly tried to obstruct him?
They were naturally worried.
However, today was a little different. A group of students came home carrying baskets. Inside the baskets were bunches upon bunches of grapes.
At last, it was grape harvest season again.
“Father, the grapes from His Highness’s estate are ripe. He told us to bring some home for you to taste too.”
The parents were stunned and hurriedly asked, “You didn’t buy them yourselves?”
The students were also puzzled. In the past, Qi Zheng had been so stingy. This time, he had actually given them grapes and told them to bring them home. They shook their heads. “They really were given by His Highness. He said this year’s grape harvest was good and that everyone should have a taste.”
The parents’ eyes shifted. For some reason, their previously worried expressions disappeared, replaced by smiles. They had their households prepare generous gifts to attend Qi Zheng’s banquet.
Some things did not need to be said clearly, because that would be too awkward. One only needed to express an attitude from the side.
And Qi Zheng’s attitude could be seen from these grapes he had sent.
The appointment of the crown prince was a first-rate major event, so this banquet at Qi Zheng’s residence was truly grand.
The residence’s name was also changed from Second Prince’s Residence to Crown Prince’s Residence. The brand-new plaque also signaled a new atmosphere.
At the banquet, the seats for the Court of Judicial Review had been arranged at the first position among the Nine Ministers. Those present were all old foxes of the court. From the arrangement of seats alone, they could actually see many things.
In the past, the seats before the Court of Judicial Review had always been neglected. Now, people who came forward to toast filled the area, cups clinking back and forth in lively fashion.
Madam Ronghua was still quietly complaining, “Your father is someone who cannot hold his liquor. Later, he’ll definitely have to be carried back lying down.”
Though she was complaining, a smile had appeared at the corners of her mouth.
Chen Bai and Chen Xiaobu sat to the side. “Brother, Father used to say he hated lively gatherings. Look, look at him now. He’s so happy. Hmph, before, he was definitely just like sour grapes.”
Chen Bai smacked Chen Xiaobu on the head. “Careful Father hears you. He’ll beat you when we go back.”
Chen Xiaobu pouted. It was true, though. He secretly took some food and stuffed it to the Dalmatian lying beside him.
Although Chen Bai had previously been Grand Scholar Zhaoxue and held some duties at court, the young masters of Shangjing had still not liked to deal with him because of his past affairs.
But now, things were different. With Qi Zheng appointed crown prince, Chen Bai’s status had risen along with the tide.
Aside from Shanjun, the number one favorite in the Crown Prince’s Residence was probably Chen Bai.
In the past, he had merely been one of many young masters from the families of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. Because of certain matters, he might even have been inferior to those young masters.
But now, Chen Bai was about to become the top figure among Shangjing’s young masters.
Therefore, quite a few young men of his age also came over to toast him.
Chen Bai was a little unable to react. He had spent too long playing with those little brats from the academy and had almost forgotten that the young masters of Shangjing were a completely different group.
Come to think of it, he had fallen out of touch with his peers. There was no helping it. In the past, whether it was spring outings or banquets, these people had never invited him. From today onward, things would probably be different.
“Young Master Bai, now that the grapes in the crown prince’s fief have ripened, why don’t we go on a spring outing tomorrow?”
“I heard that divine bird, the peacock, has grown even more breathtakingly beautiful now. Why don’t we go together and admire it?”
“Back then, when the divine bird descended in the crown prince’s fief, such an obvious omen was right before us, yet we failed to see it. Young Master Bai truly has good judgment…”
Chen Bai honestly did not know how to respond to this sudden wave of enthusiasm. It left him a little caught off guard.
Fortunately, Qi Zheng’s steward walked over. “Grand Scholar Zhaoxue, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence…”
Who knew how many people were dying of envy? Logically speaking, at such an important banquet, the new crown prince should be entertaining the important court officials. He would not have time to bother with young masters like them. Yet the crown prince had personally sent someone to invite Chen Zixiu. This was more than enough face.
So sour. So envious.
Chen Xiaobu was left tearfully dealing with a group of enthusiastic young masters. He was still so small. Why were they coming to him too?
Chen Bai followed the steward inside. Apart from Qi Zheng, the people inside were indeed all older high-ranking court officials. Chen Bai looked rather out of place among them.
However, these officials all wore smiles and did not show anything unusual. Some even had to say a phrase like “young and promising.” Whether it was deliberate or not, their voices just happened to be loud enough for Chen Bai to hear.
Though Chen Bai held the position of Grand Scholar of the Cabinet, compared with these true court officials, he was still far below them.
But there was no helping it. Who told him to be the current crown prince’s favorite? His official rank naturally “rose” by several levels.
Add to that the fact that he had been summoned in during such an occasion, and one could imagine just how favored Chen Bai was in the crown prince’s eyes.
Chen Bai hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Qi Zheng smiled and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Have I ever failed to fulfill what I once promised you?”
Back then, under such difficult circumstances, Chen Bai had agreed to stand together with Qi Zheng through thick and thin. His condition had been that the Court of Judicial Review would enjoy wealth and honor for generations, and that he could comfortably be his Shangjing young master and idle second-generation noble.
Now it was time for Qi Zheng to fulfill his promise.
Arranging the seats of the Court of Judicial Review at the first position among the Nine Ministers, summoning Chen Bai on such an important occasion—these were all things Qi Zheng did for everyone to see, a way of expressing his attitude.
A smile appeared on Chen Bai’s face too. In the end, his gamble had been worth it.
He poured Qi Zheng a cup of wine. “After hardship comes sweetness. A toast to Your Highness.”
The two exchanged a glance and drank it down in one go.
This sweetness after shared hardship truly felt somewhat different.
Qi Zheng would be very busy today. There were too many people he needed to entertain. After saying a few words to Chen Bai, he went to speak with others.
Chen Bai did not leave either. He found a corner for himself and drank his little wine.
After tonight, once news from the banquet spread, his status would be completely different from before.
Even a banquet decorated with lanterns and ribbons and filled with lively noise would eventually come to an end.
Minister Chen of the Court of Judicial Review was indeed carried back lying down. Who knew how much wine people had forced on him?
After holding back his grievances for so long, today could be considered a complete release.
The next day, as expected, the moment Chen Bai got up, the steward of the residence delivered many invitations. They were basically all invitations from the young masters of various households.
Chen Bai had Chen Xiaobu choose among them to see if there was anything he liked. If there was, he could take Chen Xiaobu along.
The necessary socializing still had to be done. Breaking away from the group and acting alone was not a good thing.
However, the most important matter was still the construction of Qi Zheng’s fief.
Chen Bai and Chen Xiaobu sat in the carriage. As they passed through the streets, there were discussions everywhere.
Chen Xiaobu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and pricked up his ears to listen to the talk outside. “Brother, they’re saying we’re now favorites in front of the crown prince. Does that mean we can walk sideways like crabs in Shangjing from now on?”
Chen Bai smiled. He wanted to as well.
But it was true that he did not need to be as cautious as before anymore. Even if he now did something slightly out of line and someone wanted to slander him, they would first have to think about Qi Zheng’s attitude.
Chen Bai was heading precisely to the Crown Prince’s Residence. He had originally planned to accept an invitation from the young masters of Shangjing, but someone from the Crown Prince’s Residence had summoned him over early that morning.
Madam Ronghua was especially unwilling to be careless. She had people search through many newly made clothes and paired him with several jade ornaments before finally letting Chen Bai go out. “Now things are different from before. Since the crown prince has invited you to his residence, you should go openly and grandly. This is something others cannot envy even if they want to.”
So Chen Bai left wearing fine brocade clothes. His hair was arranged meticulously, and at his waist hung an exquisite jade pendant as well as the famous sword, Fishgut. He truly had the bearing of a noble young master of Shangjing.
As for Chen Xiaobu, he had simply been unable to stay in the residence and had come along to join the fun.
When they arrived at the Crown Prince’s Residence, Qi Zheng froze for a moment at the sight of Chen Bai. Compared with his usual casual appearance, he now looked quite like a handsome young gentleman, graceful as jade and upright as a tree.
Qi Zheng was somewhat dazed. It was as if only now did he suddenly realize that Chen Zixiu was actually still a youth who had only just come of age, quite a bit younger than himself.
His previous maturity and steadiness had made Qi Zheng overlook his age. Now that he was dressed like this, a trace of youthful immaturity that had yet to fade could still be seen on his face, the greenness unique to a young man.
To have such ability at this age was indeed rare in the world.
In the past, Qi Zheng had mostly treated Chen Zixiu like someone of the same generation. Only now did he realize that the other party was still at an age when he ought to be cared for. It was quite strange.
Chen Bai reminded him, “Your Highness?”
Qi Zheng glanced at Chen Bai’s fair face before saying, “I called you here because there is something I want to entrust to you. Although the construction of the small town in my fief has been handed entirely to the Mohists, the specific plans and requirements still have to come from us. You seemed to have some other ideas back then, so I want to hand this matter over to you completely…”
Chen Bai nodded. It was indeed so. Compared with scheming against a group of old foxes in court, he preferred doing something a little simpler.
“But there is no rush.” Qi Zheng glanced at the sword at Chen Bai’s waist. “Since you are here, practice swordsmanship with me for a while.”
Chen Bai: “…”
In truth, although this sword was a famous blade, in Chen Bai’s hands, it was merely an ornament.
Still, the Court of Judicial Review was a military-merit household after all. Since the crown prince had made such a request, it would not be good for him to refuse. Before leaving home, Madam Ronghua had also given him quite a few reminders. Qi Zheng’s status was now different from before. He could not act as casually as he had in the past, without regard for rank and hierarchy. If others saw it, would they not submit a memorial against him?
Chen Bai accompanied Qi Zheng in sword practice for the entire morning. He discovered that Qi Zheng was also practicing Empress Dowager Zhaosheng’s Eight-Directional Sword Style, and he was extremely familiar with it. He must have practiced it over many years.
In other words, Qi Zheng had probably already been practicing it while he was in Zhao. This actually revealed many hidden things.
But all those matters were already in the past. Qi Zheng was now the crown prince. Even the king, who had been the most unwilling to acknowledge him, had acknowledged him. Many things no longer needed Chen Bai to dig into the possible truths hidden behind them. What exactly Qi Zheng had done behind the scenes to make the king give up supporting his own biological sons—none of that mattered anymore. He only needed to accept the current result. There was no need to go looking for trouble.
Chen Bai swung one strike east and one strike west, making Qi Zheng’s forehead darken as he watched.
There was no helping it. Although the Court of Judicial Review was a military-merit household, it was not the household of a general who led troops into battle. Minister Chen was busy with official duties all day long. Where would he have the time to supervise Chen Bai’s sword practice? So Chen Bai’s swordsmanship was indeed somewhat unpresentable.
Qi Zheng frowned slightly. “You do not even have a means of protecting yourself. From now on, practice the Eight-Directional Sword Style with me.”
Chen Bai froze. He barely ever left Shangjing. Why would he need a means of self-protection?
Besides…
As far as he knew, the Eight-Directional Sword Style was something all swordsmen under heaven dreamed of obtaining. Right now, aside from Qi Zheng, only Eldest Princess Lexun had received the true teachings. Was it really appropriate to pass it on to him just like this?
Qi Zheng seemed to see Chen Bai’s concern and said, “No matter. I will naturally inform the empress dowager.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Did this mean he could now count as half a disciple of Empress Dowager Zhaosheng too?
Perhaps he was exceptionally gifted and might even become a famous swordsman known throughout the world.
However, after practicing swordsmanship with Qi Zheng for a while, he completely dismissed that thought.
For those swordsmen who practiced day after day, he was now utterly full of admiration. It was way too damn exhausting.
After they finished practicing, washed up, and talked for a while, Chen Bai quickly left with Chen Xiaobu. This was simply too much suffering.
Qi Zheng looked at Chen Bai as he left and muttered, “I suddenly realize Chen Zixiu is actually quite pleasing to the eye. Why did I not feel that before…”
After muttering, he raised his voice and said, “Remember to come practice swordsmanship every day from now on.”
Chen Bai walked even faster. Should he count that as having heard it or not heard it? His entire body was sore enough that he wanted to collapse onto a bed and sleep.
As he walked through the corridors of the residence, every servant of the Crown Prince’s Residence bowed respectfully. They were all perceptive people. In the past, they had never seen their lord pay this much attention to anyone. Grand Scholar Zhaoxue had clearly seemed a little resistant just now, yet their lord had still kept dragging him into sword practice. Perhaps even His Highness himself did not know how different his attitude was.
In their eyes, their lord always treated everyone with an attitude of “do not come near me.” But every time Grand Scholar Zhaoxue came, their lord would draw close of his own accord without realizing it.
By contrast, that Grand Scholar Zhaoxue seemed gentle on the surface, but in truth hid a sense of keeping others thousands of miles away. He treated their lord like an outsider.
After Chen Bai left, Qi Zheng said to the steward beside him, “Chen Zixiu should understand now who his true friend is, right?”
Where would one find a crown prince like him, personally teaching someone swordsmanship hand by hand? Even though Chen Zixiu did not have much talent for swordsmanship, had he not still been so patient? Surely Chen Zixiu must already be moved to tears inside.
The steward opened his mouth. “…”
He felt their Highness was probably thinking too much. But if he said it aloud, His Highness would probably go drink alone again and be secretly unhappy for a long time.
“Your Highness, actually, you could express yourself a little more clearly.”
Qi Zheng froze.
The steward gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness, if you want to be friends with Grand Scholar Zhaoxue, you need to tell him directly.”
Instead of hinting from the side like this. If the other party could understand the deeper meaning, that would be seeing a ghost. Their Highness was the worst at expressing himself.
As a result, Qi Zheng’s face darkened. “Who said I want to be friends with Chen Zixiu?”
The steward: “…”
Fine, keep being stubborn. Who was the one just now happily calling for him to continue practicing swordsmanship tomorrow? So attentive.
At this moment, Chen Bai was already heading toward Cloudtop Academy.
The moment he arrived at the academy, Chen Bai was stunned.
For the past two days, he had been busy attending the Great Qian crown prince appointment sacrifices and Qi Zheng’s banquet, so he had not paid much attention to the situation at Cloudtop Academy.
But when he arrived now, the area around the academy was packed with people, more crowded and grand than ever before.
Judging from these people’s clothing, they were all scholars.
Chen Bai even suspected that all the scholars in Shangjing might be gathered here.
Chen Bai spent enormous effort before finally squeezing into the academy. He let out a breath of relief and happened to run into Meng Huanchao coming downstairs. He could not help asking, “What is going on outside? Are they here to cause trouble?”
Logically speaking, he was currently at the height of his momentum. No one should dare come cause trouble. Not to mention, this was Qi Zheng’s territory.
Meng Huanchao was stunned as well. “They came to listen to the sage disciples lecture. Fortunately, Great Qian has few scholars, otherwise the scene would be even grander. But once word spreads, more and more people should gather.”
More and more people?
Chen Bai thought of the crowd he had just squeezed through and could not help shuddering.
In the past, because Qi Zheng’s fief was remote, even with the spring outing visitors, it had still seemed somewhat desolate. But now, from the looks of it, this was a completely different situation.
He had seen just now that the little paths here were almost being trampled into wide roads.
He muttered, “These sage disciples really are crazy.”
It was also because of this that Chen Bai became firm in his decision to change his original idea of building a distinctive salt town into building an academic holy land.
With more and more people coming, Chen Bai also had to hurry and think of a way to develop the fief.
In the past, most of the visitors had come to buy grapes or rabbits. But for a place to develop, it had to attract talent.
Just like in the modern world, many preferential policies would be used to attract talent from other places to settle down, so as to develop the local area.
And the current situation was precisely a golden opportunity that came once in a blue moon.
If they waited until all these sage disciples scattered, where would they still attract so many scholars and famous men?
Chen Bai closed the door and began drawing his plan for the holy land, while also thinking about ways to keep talented people here.
This planning took several days.
When Qi Zheng saw Chen Bai again, it was already a few days later.
Chen Bai was playing with mud together with a group of students.
There was a pile of mud as fine as sand, with water pooled in the middle.
Several students were laughing so hard their faces were almost splitting as they mixed the mud and water with shovels.
When Chen Bai saw Qi Zheng, he immediately stepped forward and pulled Qi Zheng over. “Come quickly and see what good thing I’ve made.”
Along with Qi Zheng came Lan Ruoyun and Yan’s “former” crown prince Ruohong.
Qi Zheng was dragged away, while Ruohong quietly said to Lan Ruoyun, “I did not expect Great Qian’s chief spy to actually be the legitimate heir of the School of Names. How surprising. Tell me, what would happen if this news were to spread?”
Sage disciples were respected by all the nations, whereas a spy—heh. Yet Lan Ruoyun happened to possess both identities.
Lan Ruoyun did not care. “I trust Crown Prince Ruohong is not someone with a loose tongue. Compared with the exposure of my identity, if people were to learn that Yan’s former and current crown princes are actually the same person, Yan would once again face the same situation as back then, when all the nations were its enemies.”
The two exchanged a glance, both understanding without saying more.
Lan Ruoyun’s expression turned thoughtful. “I wonder why Crown Prince Ruohong has ignored Yan and lingered in Great Qian for so long.”
He really could not understand it. Ruohong had been in Great Qian for so long, yet he seemed to have done absolutely nothing. This was not the character of the person in his mind.
Ruohong smiled. “You will know very soon.”
For some reason, Lan Ruoyun’s heart actually tightened. Every time this person made a move, it would inevitably stir up a massive storm.
The reason they had come with Qi Zheng this time was merely to take a look at the grand occasion of the sage disciples’ lectures, no different from ordinary scholars.
When they had approached Qi Zheng, they had originally thought that Qi Zheng, newly appointed as crown prince, would have too many matters to handle and would not come with them. Unexpectedly, Qi Zheng had agreed immediately.
At this moment, Chen Bai was pulling Qi Zheng over and enthusiastically introducing him to a pile of mud. “If one wants to do good work, one must first sharpen one’s tools. The main material for building our small town is right here.”
Qi Zheng: “…”
He had thought Chen Bai had been busy with something important. Instead of coming to learn swordsmanship from him, he had actually been playing with mud.
Fine, he would see what was different about this mud.
Chen Bai was a little excited, because this “mud” was a divine tool.
