11 – Chapter 1

High autumn with descending frost, bright moon with cold wind.

The two guards waiting in the corridor watched as Meng Jianqing walked through Hechi toward them. One stepped forward to greet him, while the other retreated to open the door and made a low announcement.

Meng Jianqing stood before the door until he heard Shen Guangli’s indifferent response from within: “Come in.” Only then did he enter.

The guard closed the door behind him and returned to his previous position.

Meng Jianqing stood before Shen Guangli’s desk and reported on all matters from his mission one by one.

This time, he had been ordered to investigate the case of the charcoal burners in Fujian worshipping Old Master Chen. The investigation had lasted three months and was now complete. He had determined that those who initially worshipped Old Master Chen were indeed remnants of Chen Youding’s former forces who had fled into the mountains. They secretly worshipped Chen Youding under the false name “Old Master Chen.” To avoid detection, they claimed this “Old Master Chen” was a charcoal burner surnamed Chen who had died and become a deity with spiritual power to protect his companions. However, the result of this deception was that through spreading rumors, most charcoal burners had no idea of Old Master Chen’s true identity and genuinely worshipped him as some deceased companion who had become a deity, hoping to receive divine protection.

Meng Jianqing assessed that the worship of Old Master Chen among Fujian’s charcoal burners had already gained momentum. Hasty suppression would cause great upheaval, and deploying troops in Fujian’s deep mountains would be highly inconvenient. Moreover, most charcoal burners were not relatives of Chen Youding’s former forces and should not be treated uniformly. He believed that blocking was inferior to channeling – it would be better to go with the flow. Anyone who dared claim that Old Master Chen was the incarnation of Chen Youding or any other person would be intentionally stirring up trouble and deceiving the court into suppression. Therefore, among Fujian’s charcoal burners, such villains should be subject to execution by anyone. Implementing this for ten to twenty years would gradually transform the situation, making all charcoal burners in Fujian know and believe only in this official explanation of Old Master Chen’s identity.

Shen Guangli played with the ink stone paperweight on his desk, contemplating for a long while before nodding slightly: “This could indeed be considered removing the fuel from under the cauldron. Very well, let it be so. However, if any incidents occur, report immediately.”

Meng Jianqing continued, saying that those stubborn remnants of Chen Youding’s forces had all been demoted to lowly status, condemned for generations to be entertainers, actors, and boat people. But from what he knew, some of them remained quite active in Fujian, single-mindedly seeking to cause trouble. The major clans in Fujian had formed intricate marriage relationships with them over several generations that were difficult to sever, so local officials in Fujian always had their hands tied when dealing with these matters. How to thoroughly resolve these sources of trouble was indeed a major problem.

Shen Guangli looked at him and suddenly smiled slightly: “Then what are your thoughts on this matter?”

Meng Jianqing replied: “Your subordinate has observed that these die-hard elements treat disciples of the Overseas Immortal Mountain very differently from how they treat your subordinate, which suggests a possible solution. Your subordinate believes that rather than keeping these troublemakers on Ming territory, it would be better to exile them. However, how to conduct this exile to ensure these people can no longer harm the Ming requires careful consideration. Though the Overseas Immortal Mountain has considerable influence over them, it still cannot handle the entire situation.”

Shen Guangli contemplated for a long while, then shook his head: “This matter involves too much. Set it aside for now. If you raise it again next time, it would be best to have a more detailed feasible plan first.”

Meng Jianqing bowed and agreed.

Having reported all matters, Meng Jianqing quietly awaited Shen Guangli’s next instruction.

Shen Guangli looked at Meng Jianqing and smiled meaningfully: “I hear that during your investigation, you happened to encounter Yun Yanjiao entering the mountains to search for Master Chen and his collection of Chen family ship diagrams through the generations, and you helped her somewhat. Yun Yanran specifically came to thank me for this, which reminded me – you should start a family. For you, Yun Yanjiao would make an excellent wife.”

Meng Jianqing hesitated for a moment before replying: “Many talented gentlemen seek to marry into the Yun family. Perhaps you have too high expectations of Jianqing.”

The smile on Shen Guangli’s face slowly deepened: “However, those who can earn the special regard of the Yun family siblings seem very few. Besides, with me as your matchmaker, the Yun family should give some face, shouldn’t they?”

With Shen Guangli serving as the grand matchmaker, the Yun family could not help but consider – was this marriage Shen Guangli’s idea, or the Hongwu Emperor’s? Since they had to choose from candidates selected by the Hongwu Emperor, then Meng Jianqing, who could earn the Yun family’s special regard, might be a relatively good choice. Had Yun Yanran’s special visit to express thanks been a case of having ulterior motives?

As these thoughts flashed through Meng Jianqing’s mind, he felt Shen Guangli’s gaze and immediately steadied his composure, raising his head: “Such care from you, Jianqing dares not accept unworthily.”

For him, Yun Yanjiao might indeed be the best choice.

Not only because she was a disciple of the Overseas Immortal Mountain, but because she was a woman he could trust, someone to whom he could safely entrust his back when facing enemies.

But the moment he saw the small brocade box that Shen Guangli brought out from under his desk, Meng Jianqing suddenly held his breath.

Shen Guangli placed the brocade box on the desk and slowly pushed it over: “This is a small congratulatory gift. Open it and see.”

Meng Jianqing stepped forward and opened the brocade box.

Inside the box lay twelve crystal-clear pearls, their gentle luster flowing and shimmering under the lamplight.

Shen Guangli continued: “Such bright pearls as betrothal gifts are worthy of our dignity and worthy of the Yun family’s daughter.”

Meng Jianqing put away the brocade box. Seeing that Shen Guangli had no further instructions, he bowed slightly and slowly withdrew.

As soon as he stepped outside, the night wind struck his face with a blast of icy cold.

An icy chill also suddenly rushed into Meng Jianqing’s heart.

Was Shen Guangli warning him that nothing could escape his eyes?

No mountain is higher than the sun.

He had never trusted that exquisitely perceptive woman, yet he had never forgotten that exquisitely perceptive woman either.

He just didn’t know that someone else had also not forgotten.

The marriage between Meng Jianqing and Yun Yanjiao caused quite a sensation in Yingtian Prefecture. The groom’s grand matchmaker was Imperial Guard Commander Shen Guangli, the bride’s grand matchmaker was Zhang Dasheng, Former Army Vice Commander of Yingtian Prefecture, and Yun Yanran’s brother-in-law. The Crown Prince personally attended the celebration, and Meng Jianqing was promoted to Centurion.

Shen Guangli gave him three months’ leave. When he returned to report after the leave expired, Shen Guangli stared at him for a while and smiled slightly: “Recently, the navy cleared out two groups of pirates in the East Sea, making the Southeast Asian shipping routes much safer than before. Last month, seventeen ships returned from Southeast Asia, carrying not only goods but also seven wealthy Southeast Asian sons requesting to study at the Imperial Academy. I hear even more Southeast Asian students want to return to study. Their safety will be your responsibility.”

It sounded like quite a relaxed assignment.

But just a few days ago, Yun Yanjiao had told him that the younger generation disciples of the Overseas Immortal Mountain would gradually be returning to cultivate.

These people were probably Shen Guangli’s real target.

Meng Jianqing was indeed the best choice for this assignment, though perhaps Shen Guangli had long ago chosen him for this task and had deliberately arranged his marriage to Yun Yanjiao with this in mind.

As Meng Jianqing was taking his leave, he encountered Gao Qianhu, who had been escorting the Crown Prince on an inspection of the northwestern frontier, coming to report. Gao Qianhu bowed and offered congratulations. As he was leaving, he suddenly turned back with a sly smile: “I hear your younger sister’s name is on the Crown Prince’s concubine selection list. With the Crown Prince regarding Centurion Meng so highly, your sister will surely rise to great heights. I offer my congratulations in advance.”

Meng Jianqing was stunned.

Gao Qianhu had always been at odds with him. Why was he specifically mentioning this matter now?