During the Dragon Boat Festival, the scent of wine permeated Yingtian City everywhere. Dragon boats raced on Xuanwu Lake with drums and gongs creating a tremendous din.
Only outside the Imperial Guard headquarters remained silent and still.
A carriage stopped outside the gate, and a young novice monk emerged, handing a calling card to the gatekeeper. Soon after, Meng Jianqing hurried out to receive the visitor. This greatly surprised the guards. Though Meng Jianqing’s position wasn’t high, he was Shen Guangli’s most capable assistant—whoever could make him come out to greet them must be someone of great importance.
The person who emerged from the carriage was a middle-aged monk in gray robes and a cloth hat. Though his clothing was plain, his bearing was extremely dignified. Standing outside the gate of the Imperial Guard headquarters that struck fear into civil and military officials, he calmly looked around in all directions and smiled at Meng Jianqing: “This was arranged by Shen Guangli, wasn’t it? I heard he seized this piece of prime real estate from the Censorate—is that true?”
Meng Jianqing lowered his head and said: “Commander Shen has always been indifferent to worldly things—how could he compete with the Censorate over building sites? This land was personally granted to the Imperial Guard headquarters by His Majesty. Master, please come this way.”
They entered the headquarters through a side door.
In the gatehouse, a young guard whispered to his older companion: “This monk has quite an air about him! What’s his background?”
The companion thought for a moment before saying: “I remember now—this is Master Daoyan who attends Prince Yan.”
He was also one of the several eminent monks whom the Hongwu Emperor treated with courtesy. Years ago, when the Hongwu Emperor sent the princes to their fiefs and selected eminent monks to attend them, Prince Yan had chosen Daoyan. This time, Daoyan had originally accompanied Prince Yan back to Yingtian to pay New Year respects, but for some reason, Prince Yan had already returned to Beiping while he remained behind.
Meng Jianqing accompanied Daoyan inside, saying: “Commander Shen is currently attending His Majesty and cannot personally receive you. What brings Master here today?”
Daoyan didn’t answer his question but looked up at the courtyard walls, saying: “There’s fresh blood scent on the walls.”
Though Meng Jianqing was inwardly surprised, his expression remained unchanged: “Recently, people have been constantly attempting to break in at night. Just last night, we dealt with two more. Master’s keen perception—you knew at a glance.”
Daoyan smiled slightly: “Someone dares to cause trouble at Imperial Guard headquarters? How truly rare. Does Captain Meng know why those people came?”
Meng Jianqing hesitated briefly and said: “Please enlighten me, Master.”
Daoyan smiled without speaking, then said: “This poor monk has already obtained His Majesty’s permission to see Li Keji.”
Meng Jianqing should have led Daoyan toward the imperial prison at the corner gate, but he stopped and looked at Daoyan inquiringly.
Daoyan looked at him and said, “His Majesty gave me an oral instruction, not a written decree.”
Meng Jianqing cupped his hands and said: “Please forgive me, Master, but without a written decree, prisoners cannot be visited—these are the rules.”
Daoyan laughed: “Rules are made by people. This case is under Captain Meng’s responsibility—some rules are up to you to decide, aren’t they?”
Meng Jianqing’s heart tightened as he thought of Wen Ruhai. Though he could justify allowing Wen Ruhai to see Li Keji as being for investigative purposes, if truly scrutinized, it would still be troublesome.
Daoyan, residing at Linggu Temple, seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere.
After just a moment’s thought, Meng Jianqing knew what he should do and smiled: “If it were someone else, naturally, there would be no reason to see a prisoner without a written decree. But Master, you are a person of such stature—how could you be treated the same as others? Please.”
Daoyan smiled again, indicating for the young novice to wait outside the corner gate. Meng Jianqing also ordered his accompanying guards to wait outside, and the two of them entered the long, silent, narrow corridor.
Meng Jianqing said in a low voice: “Can Master now inform me of your purpose here?”
Daoyan said slowly: “Captain Meng naturally knows the purpose of those night intruders trying to break into the Imperial Guard.”
Meng Jianqing replied: “Yes. They came to assassinate Li Keji.”
After the initial attempt to abduct Li Keji failed, people from various factions changed their plans.
If Li Keji died in the imperial prison, Iron Flute Autumn would inevitably blame the current court. Given Iron Flute Autumn’s temperament and methods, what wouldn’t he do?
Meng Jianqing continued: “Precisely because of this concern, I tried to hint that Li Keji should write to Master Tie to resolve this matter quickly. His Majesty only wants Master Tie to personally come and plead, letting the world know he has submitted—he doesn’t want to kill Li Keji. Resolving this matter quickly would be good for everyone.”
Daoyan turned to look at him: “Oh?”
Meng Jianqing calmly met his scrutiny: “I did this for myself as well. If I can resolve this case for His Majesty and the Immortal Mountains of the Sea, I’ll truly establish my footing in the Imperial Guard, and those who resent Commander Shen’s exceptional promotion of me will finally accept it. Moreover, the Immortal Mountains of the Sea once saved my life—both publicly and privately, I should act this way.”
Daoyan laughed: “You’re quite honest.” After pondering a moment, he added: “You and Li Keji are somewhat similar—you both know how to speak truths that benefit yourselves. The difference is that Li Keji relies on intuition, while you rely on intellect.”
A strange expression crossed Meng Jianqing’s face, as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Daoyan spoke for him: “Captain Meng naturally wants to say that you and Li Keji are two incomparable people, right?”
Meng Jianqing began to feel somewhat overwhelmed by this great monk’s seemingly mind-reading conversation style. He steadied himself and said: “Indeed so. Li Keji is Master Tie’s disciple and has already passed the metropolitan examination—he’ll soon enter the Hanlin Academy. If nothing happens this time, his future is truly limitless. As for me, I’m just an unknown soldier—how could I be compared to him?”
Daoyan scrutinized him and continued asking: “Do you feel resentful? I heard Master Shi praised you highly. Unfortunately, you come from a military rather than a civil background. In these peaceful times, aside from frontier posts, there are no wars, so your prospects, however good, are quite limited. As for military positions, you don’t serve in the army, so you probably can’t benefit from the various advantages of Jiangwu Hall. Your teacher is from Tiantai Temple, right? Its reputation is far inferior to Iron Flute Autumn’s. Despite your talents and abilities being no less than Li Keji’s, you can only remain a minor captain, and this is entirely due to Shen Guangli’s exceptional promotion.”
Meng Jianqing couldn’t help but fall silent. Each of his steps had been extremely difficult, requiring much more effort than others. Even with Shen Guangli entrusting him with important tasks, he could only advance so far.
Daoyan smiled as he waited for his reaction.
Each time he struck at someone’s most vulnerable point, Daoyan felt a pleasure in looking down upon all beings.
This captain who appeared extremely strong and experienced had likewise failed to withstand his direct hit to the vital point.
He knew he could now control Meng Jianqing from a position of superiority.
At least for the moment.
After a while, Meng Jianqing said, “This is fate.”
Daoyan sighed softly: “But Captain Meng is not someone who would submit to fate—you’re working hard to change your destiny, aren’t you? With your abilities and ambition, as long as someone gives you support, sooner or later, you’ll achieve success and fame. When you have time, you can visit Linggu Temple more often. This poor monk feels very much in harmony with Captain Meng and would like to talk with you more.”
They looked at each other, and Meng Jianqing cupped his hands: “Thank you for your praise, Master. I will certainly visit often to seek your guidance.”
After a moment of silence, Daoyan said, “Like Captain Meng, this poor monk also wants to resolve this case quickly to avoid complications and further troubles. In a moment, I need to speak privately with Li Keji.”
Meng Jianqing understood: “Yes.”
They entered Li Keji’s cell. After the jailer opened the door, Meng Jianqing withdrew with him and closed the door behind them.