Kapitel 81: Chapter 81: The character 'Ming'(Tea) is linked to 'Ming'.
A countryside manor in Wudu.
In the courtyard, a few chickens pecked incessantly at scattered grains of rice. A dog wandered around lazily, lifting its leg to urinate at the edge of the vegetable garden whenever the urge struck.
"Old Zhang, your moves these days are getting humbler and humbler. This place doesn't match your status at all," said a voice, half-joking.
An elderly man sat across from a young man, playing a game of chess.
The elder was none other than Zhang Lu, one of the most esteemed figures in the Wu Kingdom.
The younger man, however, was the controversial "favored minister," Xiao Mo Chi, currently under siege from all sides by the imperial court.
The chessboard was carved directly onto the stone table by Zhang Lu himself.
The chess pieces were handmade by Xiao Mo Chi in his idle moments.
"What status?" Zhang Lu chuckled as he placed a white piece on the board. "Just an old commoner with a bit of cultivation to his name. Besides, at my age, what use is a grand estate? I'd get lost wandering through the halls."
He then glanced up and asked, "I hear the Emperor's been scheming to make you Prime Minister lately?"
Xiao Mo Chi shook his head. "Minister Fang isn't too keen on the idea."
Zhang Lu laughed. "And why do you think that is?"
"I wouldn't know," Xiao Mo Chi replied. "But it's not about power, that much I'm sure."
"Hah!" Zhang Lu pointed at him and scolded with a laugh, "So, you want to be Prime Minister for the power?"
Xiao Mo Chi simply smiled without responding.
"Your current role as Grand Secretariat doesn't give you enough authority?" Zhang Lu asked, raising a brow.
"Not enough," Xiao Mo Chi replied, placing another piece on the board. "Far from it. Even with the Emperor's support, it's still a struggle. I used to think it was an exaggeration, but it's true—an official one rank higher can make all the difference in the world."
"Or maybe you just want to crush others beneath you," Zhang Lu retorted with a sidelong glance.
Xiao Mo Chi smiled again, offering no rebuttal.
"Well, unless you agree to Minister Fang's condition, he won't step down for you," Zhang Lu mused, stroking his beard.
Xiao Mo Chi shook his head. "I respect Minister Fang, and I share his vision. But the task he has in mind—it's far more difficult than my reforms. Practically impossible."
"Then you'll just have to endure," Zhang Lu remarked, taking a sip of tea. "At least Fang Ling hasn't actively come after you yet. That alone should make you grateful."
After a pause, Zhang Lu changed the subject. "I heard the Emperor has brought that lad Xu Ming closer into his inner circle?"
"Mm," Xiao Mo Chi nodded for the first time.
"Xu Ming—talented in both literature and martial arts, with extraordinary natural gifts, yet only a concubine's son and still so young. The Emperor has only one daughter. Everyone knows what His Majesty has in mind."
"And how are the officials reacting?" Zhang Lu asked.
"Most are supportive," Xiao Mo Chi replied.
"Not surprising. Xu Ming gained fame with his poem Butterfly Love: A Gift to Zhu Ci Ci, winning the admiration of literary officials.
He then joined the Blood Asura Battalion, achieving the Heroic Soul Realm at thirteen—a rarity in the world. The military officials adore him.
The Emperor may be in his prime, but he can no longer father children. If Xu Ming were to marry the Princess and have children, they'd immediately become potential heirs, securing the dynasty's future."
"If only it were that straightforward," Xiao Mo Chi sighed. "The question is whether Xu Ming would even accept such a marriage if decreed."
"And if he does," Zhang Lu added, "both the Xu and Qin family clans won't have an easy time."
"Indeed," Xiao Mo Chi agreed.
"With their ancestral legacies and flourishing talents, the Xu and Qin clans already hold considerable influence in the court. If Xu Ming becomes the Emperor's son-in-law, and his children are poised to inherit the throne, the clans' power would become unmatched.
The Emperor is surely aware of this. He'll find a way to weaken the Xu and Qin clans or sever Xu Ming's ties with them entirely. After all, Xu Ming is only a concubine's son, and his bond with the Xu family isn't particularly deep to begin with."
Zhang Laoshi took a sip of tea. "Let's set that aside for now. The Rootless Secret Realm—isn't it about to open soon?"
"There's been an unexpected issue with the Rootless Secret Realm. Its opening has been postponed by two and a half years," Xiao Mo Chi replied. "And according to predictions from Tianji City, this might very well be the last time it opens."
"When a secret realm collapses, it often brings the greatest opportunities," Zhang Laoshi said with a smile. "I imagine many dynasties and sects are already eager to take part."
"They are," Xiao Mo Chi said, adjusting his sleeves, "but this time, they'll need to think carefully.
"The Rootless Secret Realm is reaching the end of its life, and the laws within it are sure to be in chaos. In the past, protective talismans could be crafted according to the realm's rules. If someone faced a fatal blow, the talisman would eject them from the realm. But next time will be different. It'll be real combat—if you die, you die. There won't be a second chance."
"The greater the danger, the greater the chaos, and the greater the opportunities," Zhang Laoshi(Old) remarked with a sigh. "We're already on the cusp of a great era. The world is about to undergo a massive reshuffling. If you don't fight for your place, there's only extinction."
After a moment of silence, Zhang Laoshi asked, "By the way, who's hosting the next imperial examination? Still the Minister of Rites, that young lad Wang?"
"Minister Wang will unfortunately fall ill in seven months," Xiao Mo Chi replied with a knowing smile. "The Emperor has instructed me to take charge."
"Hahaha! The Emperor's really pulling out all the stops for you," Zhang Laoshi chuckled. "The next imperial examination will be quite the event. It's a harvest year since the lifting of restrictions on the imperial exams—bound to produce a wealth of talent. And as the host, you'll be their mentor."
"So, Zhang Laoshi, of all the promising candidates making a name for themselves, which ones do you think are worth paying attention to?"
"The ones worth noting? You already know them—a pair of brothers," Zhang Laoshi said with a glance at Xiao Mo Chi.
Xiao Mo Chi paused, then smiled. "True."
Zhang Laoshi's eyes gleamed with rare anticipation.
"To be honest, the brothers Xu Ming and Xu Pangda—one is like a dragon who'll stir the Wu Kingdom and even the entire world into chaos. The other is diligent, like an old ox. Once he becomes an official, he'll patch up all the messes left behind by people like you."
Xiao Mo Chi mused aloud, "Becoming a mender is no easy task."
"Indeed, it's difficult, but that little chubby one can handle it," Zhang Laoshi said, stroking his beard. "By the way, have you heard about this?"
"Hmm?"
"Zhu Ci Ci has gone to White Deer Academy. She recently came of age, and the monarchs of Liang and Wei have both proposed marriage to her family, offering her the title of crown princess."
"And then?" Xiao Mo Chi, intrigued by such a tale, leaned forward slightly.
"That young lady laid out a path of fine tea leaves at her doorstep, then placed jasmine stamens on top of the tea leaves," Zhang Laoshi said, stroking his beard.
"'Tea' (ming) sounds the same as 'Ming,'" he added with a knowing smile.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein