Chapter 106: Enlightenment

Before dawn.

Beneath the Immortal Mist Ridge, merchants, scholars, and officials from Fujian set out in a steady stream to ascend the mountain. At first, the path was crowded, but as they traveled farther, the pace naturally varied, creating a sense of order, and the crowd gradually thinned.

There is a poem that goes:

Heavy snow blurs the vast field, yet the traveler presses onward.

The heavens and earth blend into one hue, day and night suddenly bright.

All things turn white, dust vanishes, and clarity dawns.

Watching the flowing water brings joy, even amid chaotic hills laid flat.

Chasing drifting cotton-like flakes, casting petals lightly upon the grass.

...

A gentle breeze melts the spring’s chill, new sunlight breaks the dawn.

Ascending the boundary ridge, gazing south evokes countless feelings.

Such was the scene experienced by Cai Xiang, the transport commissioner of Fujian, who penned these lines after an overnight stop at Yuliang Post and crossing Immortal Mist Ridge the next day.

Now, Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi, among others, reached the ridge’s summit, sharing similar sentiments as they rested by the roadside.

Zhang Yue carried considerable luggage on this northern journey—Ma Wu helped carry some, Zhang Yue bore some himself, and they even hired a porter at the last moment before the ascent.

As for Huang Haoyi, he had the most luggage but refused to hire a porter, instead having his book attendants shoulder the heavy burdens. He himself carried nothing yet was the first to complain of exhaustion, which made Zhang Yue feel somewhat ashamed—truly the embodiment of idleness.

Among them, the most carefree was Tang Jiu. He carried a whistle baton and a bundle, tied a wine gourd to his side, and walked while drinking, his steps light and unwearied.

The previous night, lodging at a temple, Zhang Yue had denied him wine, so today he made up for it. After all, twelve bowls of wine a day had been agreed upon, and Zhang Shi repeatedly reminded him not to shortchange Tang Jiu. Zhang Yue agreed thoroughly—though they were safely traveling with Wu Dalang, a promise made must be kept.

Zhang Yue estimated each bowl held about two hundred milliliters, with an alcohol content around six or seven degrees for ordinary wine. Twelve bowls equated roughly to ten bottles of three-degree beer, costing thirty to fifty qian a day if buying average wine. The bodyguard was certainly not cheap.

Yet Zhang Shi insisted the money should not be spared, forbidding the purchase of inferior wine and urging the best hospitality possible on the road. Zhang Yue followed these instructions to the letter.

After a day of travel, they finally reached the foot of the ridge and stopped at a rest station.

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The rest stop was enclosed by curtains, guarded by household retainers, with only the old housekeeper and female attendants permitted inside. Outside, several square tables were set up, all occupied. At one table sat Wu Anshi alone.

“Third brother, fourth brother, I’ve been brewing tea waiting for you,” Wu Anshi laughed heartily.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi thanked him and sat down beside Wu, sipping tea while exchanging words.

Wu family servants handed them dry towels to wipe their sweat.

As scions of a high official, Huang Haoyi sought some acquaintance but maintained a dignified bearing. In Song times, many commoners befriended prime ministers without sycophancy—like Zhang Youzhi and Zhang Wangzhi, though these were no ordinary commoners.

The three chatted and laughed, somehow turning to discussions of politics.

Inside the rest stop, several female attendants were helping Lady Fan and Shiqi change clothes.

Mountain paths were difficult; riding donkeys or horses was jarring, and sedan chairs were hardly smoother. Sometimes Lady Fan and Shiqi would dismount to walk a stretch.

Finally at the rest station, the attendants came forward to assist with dressing.

“Miss, bear with it; once we pass the path beneath Immortal Mist Ridge, the road will be easier.”

“Shiqi has suffered much. Away from home, things are less perfect; endure for now.”

Shiqi smiled, “Sister-in-law, do you mean I cannot even walk the road?”

Lady Fan laughed, “I almost forgot, two years ago by Jinming Pond, you played polo well.”

The female attendants chuckled softly.

Soon, someone came to comb the hair of Shiqi and Lady Fan, the attendants chatting and laughing.

At that moment, the voices of Wu Anshi and the others rose nearby, and Shiqi showed an attentive expression. Seeing this, the female attendants quieted instantly.

One voice said, “Not just in Fujian, wherever we go, there are disciples and former officials of our Wu family. With a letter of introduction, the road is smooth, local officials come to receive us. But father repeatedly warns against using post stations; otherwise, the journey would be even easier.”

Clearly, this was Wu Anshi speaking.

Another remarked, “Today the world enjoys peace and prosperity. Though some bandits remain, it is far better than during the Five Dynasties. The current emperor is benevolent and modest, opens channels for remonstrance, fosters harmony and recovery among the people. Since the Three Dynasties, only Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of Han compare, with Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Taizong falling short.”

Wu Anshi responded, “The emperor is indeed a kind ruler, yet the Khitan increase coinage, and the Xia also raise tributes, maintaining armies on two borders at a cost of millions. This leniency allows it. In my view, this peace is bought each year with millions paid to Liao and Xia. But Liao and Xia harbor ambitions like a snake swallowing an elephant; mere annual payments will never satisfy them. Sooner or later, a great calamity will arise to feed these bandits.”

“The emperor’s repeated leniency leads the court to crave calm, unaware that lacking discipline and entrenched corrupt customs weaken governance. The root of our troubles lies in laxity.”

Lady Fan scolded, “Shiqi, look at your brother speaking nonsense again.”

“Your brother truly forgets his past wounds. It was his wild talk in the capital that got him sent back home by our eldest uncle and father. Now he repeats the same.”

Shiqi smiled, “Sister-in-law, brothers only speak privately.”

Lady Fan, unable to calm herself, cleared her throat deliberately.

Outside, Wu Anshi realized his misstep when he saw Huang Haoyi and Zhang Yue remain silent.

Huang Haoyi said, “Young master’s words hit the mark—well learned. Third brother, what is your view?”

Zhang Yue, hearing Wu Dalang’s words, nodded inwardly. There was truth in them. Though a second generation, Wu Dalang was well informed. And the current emperor truly was benevolent and open to remonstrance.

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Historically, Su Zhe criticized Emperor Renzong of Song in his examination essays, claiming the emperor indulged in countless beauties and daily drunken revelry, lost in luxury and excess. Su Zhe eventually spoke bluntly, nearly insulting the emperor directly.

Yet much of Su Zhe’s accusation was hearsay; when asked, he said it was what he heard on the road.

The examiners wanted to punish Su Zhe, but Emperor Renzong refused, saying the system was designed to encourage honest advice, not to bar those who spoke truth from office.

Huang Haoyi looked at Zhang Yue, clearly hoping he would respond.

Wu Anshi also said, “Yes, third brother, what is your insight?”

Zhang Yue thought briefly before replying, “In my humble opinion, the greatest peril to the realm today is the illusion of peace and order, while hidden dangers remain.”

Wu Anshi pondered this, then struck his thigh in approval, “Third brother, that is most apt!”

Inside the rest stop, Lady Fan also considered the words carefully. As the daughter of Fan Zhen, she had sharp insight and said, “A fine phrase: ‘Illusion of peace hides unforeseen dangers.’ Who is this third brother? I’ve never heard of such a friend of yours, officer.”

Wu Shiqi blushed slightly and said, “He is the third young master of the Zhang family, the one who borrowed books from the library.”

Lady Fan was surprised, “Is that so?”

At the tea pavilion, Huang Haoyi asked, “Third brother, how do you explain it?”

Wu Anshi asked, “What shall we do about it?”

Zhang Yue replied, “I just heard the second young master mention Emperors Wen and Jing of Han. If Emperor Jing had ignored Chao Cuo’s words, the realm would seem peaceful, yet the feudal lords would grow strong. Should change come, the consequences would be dire. But if he had heeded Chao Cuo, it would have sparked the Rebellion of the Seven States, and Chao Cuo alone would bear the blame.”

“Like us watching events unfold without action, the burden grows too heavy to reverse, and rescue comes too late. Yet if we rise to enforce order, the realm, accustomed to peace, will distrust our intentions. That is Chao Cuo’s dilemma and an eternal challenge.”

Wu Anshi laughed heartily, “Well said, third brother!”

Huang Haoyi, assuming Zhang Yue was merely a scholar, had never compared himself to him. Hearing this speech, though inwardly reluctant, he smiled and said, “Third brother speaks well. Then, if peace is disturbed by one man’s reforms, causing great calamity and blame, what then?”

Zhang Yue answered, “I say the fault lies not in reforming the feudal lords, but in failing to stand firm oneself. Chao Cuo urged Emperor Jing to lead the campaign personally, yet he stayed in the capital, making the emperor a target while securing his own safety. This invited disaster.”

“If Chao Cuo had led the campaign against Wu and Chu himself, even without success, Emperor Jing could not have blamed him. Is it not said that a true gentleman seeking extraordinary merit abandons all thoughts of self-preservation?”

Huang Haoyi was left speechless, “Third brother’s words are indeed right.”

Wu Anshi slapped his thigh, “Bring wine! These words deserve a grand toast!”

Zhang Yue said, “Just some reckless talk; forgive me, gentlemen.”

Wu Anshi replied, “Nonsense, third brother, you are truly a kindred spirit. I have long held these thoughts, and today you have spoken them for me.”

Zhang Yue said, “Young master’s praise humbles me.”

At the rest stop, Lady Fan mused aloud, “‘A true gentleman seeking extraordinary merit abandons all thoughts of self-preservation.’ Such insight is rare. This could well be a magnificent essay worthy of the top scholar at the imperial court.”

“Shiqi, what do you think?”

Lady Fan saw Shiqi’s expression was somewhat distant. After a moment, she smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, these words are indeed very well spoken.”