Chapter 129: Studying Abroad

In the night of Luoyang, the distant, aged voice of the watchman echoed: “Heaven cold, earth frozen, be careful, the road is slippery.”

It was Yin time, exactly the time to get up.

If they were in the capital, the court's important ministers would already be gathered at the entrance of Wen Yuan Pavilion inside Dong Hua Gate, exhaling white mist, waiting outside the door for orders from the cabinet elders.

Chen Ji lifted the curtain, looking at the hazy sky and thin fog outside the carriage window, and thought to himself that he must quickly rush back to Anxi Street, otherwise he would be late for school again today.

He gently lowered the carriage curtain. Inside the shaking carriage, Golden Pig was slowly recalling: “That year, the assassination case of the Minister of Revenue caused quite a sensation. His Majesty gave Dali Temple seven days to arrest the real culprit. If they didn't solve it, officials from the fifth rank and above in Dali Temple would all be demoted three levels, and officials below the fifth rank would all be dismissed from their positions forever.

“At that time, the capital was like being soaked in an ice river. Everyone walking on the street didn't even dare to breathe, afraid that if they opened their mouths, cold air would pour into their bodies. Unfortunately, the case was still not solved in the end. It wasn't until the news of Lu Jin's promotion and title in the Jing Dynasty spread back that everyone knew what had actually happened. It was truly a difficult winter.”

Speaking, he looked towards Yuan Shopkeeper, his eyes deep: “That year, so many Dali Temple Vice Ministers, Si Zhi, and Patrol City Censors couldn't find any clues. Now, after many years, what we want to investigate is as difficult as ascending to heaven.”

Yuan Shopkeeper said: “Golden Pig adult, if I am lucky enough to become a Secret Agent Division Hai Dongqing, I will definitely investigate Lu Jin’s sister's identity. I believe she certainly didn't return to the Jing Dynasty, otherwise, with Lu Jin’s status and position, she fundamentally wouldn't need to hide.”

Golden Pig laughed happily: “Then why do you think she didn't return to the Jing Dynasty? Perhaps she's dead!”

Yuan Shopkeeper said: “If she's dead, with Lu Jin's methods, he could naturally find her corpse. If she's not dead, then there are only two things that can keep a woman: one is emotion, and one is a child.”

Golden Pig clapped with interest: “Makes sense. But having said that, you still don't have any clues or leads now?”

Yuan Shopkeeper nodded: “Yes.”

Chen Ji slightly relaxed his breath and opened his mouth to say: “Adult, if this matter is not important…”

Before he could finish, Golden Pig changed the subject and asked Yuan Shopkeeper: “Let's not mention Lu Jin’s sister's matter for now. Let's talk about tonight. I feel Yuan Shopkeeper still has reservations?”

Yuan Shopkeeper's expression froze: “What do you mean, adult? I’ve already said everything I should have said.”

Golden Pig smiled with narrowed eyes: “It’s true that you sold out your colleagues in Luoyang, but the officials you confessed about, the highest position is only a small county official. In the accounts of Luoyang’s Bailu Pavilion, there are still eighteen thousand taels of unknown whereabouts. May I ask, where did this silver go?”

Yuan Shopkeeper sighed: “Golden Pig adult is formidable. You’ve cleared up the Bailu Pavilion's accounts so quickly.”

Golden Pig waved his hand: “It's not me who is formidable, but our Si Li Jian has the most formidable accounts masters in all of Ning Dynasty.”

Yuan Shopkeeper thought for a moment: “Adult, change the route and go to Tongji Street.”

Golden Pig patted the carriage wall: “Xi Feng, go to Tongji Street.”

Then he heard Yuan Shopkeeper say: “Adult, the Military Affairs Division's inner accounts are my trump card for joining the Secret Agent Division later. Among them are all the evidence and accounts of bribes given by Bailu Pavilion, Hongxiu Zhao, and Mingquan Yuan to officials in various places in Yuzhou. There is even no lack of high officials in Luoyang. Now that I have handed them all over to the adult, I still hope the adult can help me get promoted later.”

Golden Pig laughed: “Easy to say, easy to say. Right, Chen Ji, what were you just about to say?”

Chen Ji, who had originally planned to take his leave, sat steadily back inside the carriage. He shook his head: “Nothing…”

High officials in Luoyang? The people who could be considered high officials in Luoyang didn't exceed one hand: Zhang Zhuo, Chen Liqin, Liu Xianxian.

He couldn't leave at this time.

The carriage quietly drove into Tongji Street, where wealthy merchants gathered. Even at this time, close to dawn, some merchant homes still faintly echoed with duck laughter and seductive songs.

Golden Pig gave a cold laugh: “We fight to the death, precisely to protect such a group of things.”

The carriage arrived in front of an elegant residence.

Yuan Shopkeeper said: “This is the place. The accounts are hidden inside.”

Golden Pig silently looked at him, then simply reached out and casually pushed, breaking the bolt on the inner door.

However, he didn't walk in through the main door, but went to the side, lightly leaped up, and steadily squatted on the wall eave to observe inside.

There was no ambush, no trap, the residence inside was completely empty.

Yuan Shopkeeper laughed: “Golden Pig adult, I have already resolved to abandon darkness and turn to light, so I will not do useless things.”

Golden Pig said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes: “Sailing carefully for ten thousand years. I don't suspect you, it's just habit.”

“Understood!”

Golden Pig pressed Yuan Shopkeeper to enter the courtyard. The courtyard was not very big, but it had artificial hills and a fish pond. Inside the fish pond, there were still more than ten red carp swimming.

Yuan Shopkeeper hobbled to find an iron pickaxe and fiercely smashed it towards an artificial hill.

With a clang, the artificial hill shattered, revealing a hidden box inside. The box was half a person high. Xi Feng opened it and looked inside, and it was indeed filled with account books, one by one.

Yuan Shopkeeper said at the side: “Luoyang Prefect Zhang Zhuo, four thousand taels of silver; Luoyang Assistant Magistrate Liu Xianxian, two thousand taels of silver; Luoyang Associate Magistrate Chen Liqin, two thousand taels of silver before the establishment. In addition to that, there is also the Kaifeng Prefect, and the Magistrate of Zheng County.”

Golden Pig subconsciously glanced at Chen Ji, then frowned towards Yuan Shopkeeper and said: “Luoyang Associate Magistrate Chen Liqin is an upright and incorruptible person. How could he accept bribes from you and others? Aren't you falsely accusing people?”

Yuan Shopkeeper chuckled: “Adult is joking. The world’s crows are all black. Look at Ning Dynasty and Jing Dynasty, which officials haven't accepted bribes? But this Chen adult always doesn't show his face, and always lets a young servant from his family come out to receive. On these accounts, when, where, and who bribed is all clearly marked. There is also a sign on the box.”

Golden Pig gave Xi Feng a look, and Xi Feng immediately lit a basin of fire in the courtyard.

Just when Yuan Shopkeeper didn't understand, Golden Pig tore off the page belonging to Chen Liqin, casually threw it towards the fire basin, and said calmly: “Chen Liqin is an upright and clean person. He never accepted bribes from you and others. Understood?”

Yuan Shopkeeper was startled, then laughed: “Understood, understood.”

But before the yellowish page could fall into the fire basin, a thin hand steadily caught it, folded it, and tucked it into his chest.

Chen Ji looked towards Golden Pig: “Adult, this page, I will keep it.”

Golden Pig thought for a moment, showed a smile and said: “Okay, you are indeed more ruthless than I thought. Others are fathers holding sons, you, as a son, instead want to hold your father in reverse.”

Chen Ji looked again at the account book in Golden Pig’s hand: “Adult, the page for Zhang Zhuo.”

Golden Pig laughed loudly: “Earlier in Yingxian Tower, when I heard about you and Zhang Second Miss, I truly thought it was a rumor. But later, I sent agents to inquire, and then I discovered that Adult Zhang Zhuo is only using a delaying tactic. With this kind of relationship, of course I want to do you a favor. Help cover up one or two.”

Speaking, he actually tore off the page belonging to Zhang Zhuo.

Chen Ji didn't explain anything, and was about to reach out to take it, but Golden Pig suddenly withdrew his hand and solemnly instructed: “Now we are all brothers. I can naturally cover up some matters for you, but I only have one request.”

“Adult, please speak.”

“Cultivate well.”

Golden Pig said seriously: “Only when you become a walking official early can you do more things for me early.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands: “Adult, rest assured, I will definitely cultivate diligently when I go back.”

Golden Pig coughed: “First rest well, then cultivate well.”

Chen Ji nodded: “Understood.”

Golden Pig patted that page into Chen Ji's hand. Chen Ji then calmly threw the page towards the fire basin.

The firelight on his cheek reflected a touch of warmth.

He thought of Zhang Zhuo saying in the city gate cave, “I have great ambition, can you assist me?”

This also counted as assisting.

At this time, the sound of a watchman’s gong came from outside the courtyard: “Morning chicken reports dawn, sleep early and rise early.”

It was Mao time, and the sun was rising.

In the distance, just a touch of white appeared on the horizon, and the layered clouds all scattered.

Chen Ji asked: “Adult, do you still need me for anything today?”

Golden Pig smiled with narrowed eyes: “None, none. Go back and sleep well. When you wake up, find a way to step into the threshold of cultivation. If there are no big matters in the next few days, I will not come to find you.”

“This subordinate takes his leave.”

Chen Ji walked towards the outside. After leaving the courtyard, he suddenly ran wildly.

An ox cart was stopped in front of the gate of Zhi Xing Academy on Anxi Street. A cart driver wearing a straw hat was bowing his head, grasping a handful of grass to feed the old yellow ox.

Some luggage was placed on the long board cart, as if they were about to travel far.

Beside the ox cart, Bai Li was standing on tiptoe, looking towards the end of the long street, searching for a familiar figure.

Shi Zi leaned on the door frame and said lazily: “This Anxi Street, you can see to the end with one glance. Even on tiptoe, you can't see farther.”

Bai Li said angrily: “Liu Qu Xing said Chen Ji went out yesterday afternoon and still hasn't returned. Aren't you worried he met with an accident?”

Shi Zi yawned: “This boy is late and mysterious all day. I'm already used to it. With his skill, even some secret agents can't do anything to him. What accident can he meet? Rest assured, he'll definitely catch up in a while.”

Bai Li said: “The key is that he hasn't received the news that Mister Wang wants to take us to Lu Hun Mountain Villa to study, and his luggage hasn't been prepared yet.”

As the two spoke, Zhang Xia walked out of the academy and asked curiously: “Chen Ji is late again?”

Bai Li rolled her eyes at her: “He definitely has matters that delayed him.”

Chen Wen Xiao also walked out of the door: “He had matters yesterday, and again today. He's a medical hall apprentice. Where do important matters come from that keep him late all day? As friends, you should also advise him well. Since you have the opportunity to follow Mister Wang to learn, you should cherish it.”

Mister Wang, wearing a blue Confucian robe, slowly walked out of the door and calmly asked: “Chen Ji still hasn't arrived?”

Bai Li said with some difficulty: “Replying to Mister, Chen Ji definitely has matters that delayed him. He absolutely didn't deliberately come late.”

Chen Wen Xiao cupped his hands and bowed: “Mister, if not, shall we not wait for him? With the speed of the ox cart, if we delay for a long time, perhaps we won't make it to Yichuan County city to rest before sunset. Furthermore, this child is stubborn and unteachable. Mister doesn't need to waste time on him.”

Chen Wen Zong frowned: “Shut your mouth.”

Mister Wang's expression remained unchanged. He only said flatly: “As a teacher, I teach tirelessly. How can I give up on a disciple because he was naughty once? Let's wait a little longer.”

Speaking, he put his hands behind his back and quietly waited there.

The sound of running came from a distance. The crowd looked and saw Chen Ji appearing at the end of the long street, running wildly all the way.

When Chen Ji arrived in front of the academy gate, he bent over, his hands supporting his knees, panting violently: “Mister, I'm sorry, I'm late.”

Mister Wang didn't immediately question him, but said to Bai Li: “Go, fetch him a cup of water.”

Bai Li ran into the backyard like the wind. When she ran out again, holding a wooden cup, she raised it to Chen Ji: “Quickly drink some water.”

Mister Wang said casually: “Just ran so urgently, don't drink it down directly. Rinse your mouth, that's good. In the early years, when I was suppressing rebellions in Jiangzhou, there were soldiers under my command who died from drinking water while hurrying on a march.”

Chen Ji stood up straight and rinsed his mouth.

Mister Wang didn't ask anything this time, only instructed: “The others will sit in the cart. You will walk behind and follow.”

Speaking, he got onto the ox cart without looking back.

Chen Ji looked towards Bai Li and asked in surprise: “Where is this going?”

Bai Li explained: “Song County’s Lu Hun Mountain Villa is holding a literary meeting. At that time, the high monks of Tuo Luo Si Temple, the Taoists of Lao Jun Mountain Dao Court, and some literati from the South will all attend. Mister Wang wants to take us to experience it.”

She took out a small cloth bundle from her luggage and handed it to Chen Ji: “You haven't eaten breakfast yet? Inside are the snacks I brought. Quickly fill your stomach. We have to walk more than forty li to Yichuan County city to rest today. It's not good to go hungry.”

Chen Ji thought for a moment and said: “I must tell Mister Wang something. I might not be able to follow him to learn.”

Bai Li was a little startled: “That's fine too. If you truly don't like learning classics, it's okay not to learn.”

Chen Ji walked towards the ox cart, but saw the cart driver suddenly step forward quickly and pull him to the side: “Boy, persist a little longer. The Household Department's silver will be approved soon. Wait until the border army has cotton gloves, then it won't be too late for you to withdraw from school.”

Chen Ji and Bai Li then saw the appearance under the cart driver's straw hat and said in surprise: “Dad.”

“Wang Ye?”