Peace Order

Chapter 1699 - 55: The Past Is Like the Moon, Unreachable

The young man was dazed, recalling when Prince Qin left Jiangzhou City, this elder was extremely indignant, writing memorials to impeach Left Minister Xue Daoyong. And when Prince Qin arrived in Jiangnan, he said the young man was a calamity descending from heaven, meant to stir up disaster.

When Prince Qin was fully enthroned, he mentioned how it was also a time of heroism.

When Yue Pengwu’s five armies set out, he claimed it was a rare talent arriving in the Central Plains.

This elder appeared simple and straightforward, yet capable of such changes in speech.

They all quietened down, filled with fear and anxiety about how Prince Qin might deal with them. Li Guanyi indeed had a bit of a headache, for if all these people were deserving of death, it would be excessive. In this vast nation’s capital, there are quite a few capable people among the officials.

But the issue of character is different.

The atmosphere throughout the Chen Country’s court, the disposition of the younger generation of officials, had been entirely corrupted by Tantai Xianming, leading them astray. Picking capable individuals from among them was like finding gold amidst refuse.

Thinking instead might be how to unearth some hidden matters from them.

But this was something Li Guanyi was not skilled at.

Fortunately, there was someone adept at this way.

After waiting several days, the officials were summoned, entering the palace in fear and trepidation. They did not see Prince Qin, but rather a young man, about thirty years old, with a simple appearance, a gentle demeanor, and sincerity without harm.

"Everyone, don’t panic."

"Prince Qin holds you all in high regard, and your affairs will be handled by me."

The officials breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts.

Yet they were apprehensive, wondering if it were that Yan Daiqing from the Western Regions or Southwest Wen Qingyu who had come, what should they do? Both were poison warriors under Prince Qin, fierce strategists in the contemporary era!

"May I ask how to address you, sir?"

The gentle and simple young man said:

"I am—"

"Wen He."

Not Wen Qingyu, not Yan Daiqing.

Everyone internally breathed another sigh of relief, exchanging glances, feeling secure, believing the young man before them to be innocent and harmless, without any significant skills, this time, they were safe!

The more they looked, the more they felt this young man was sincere and harmless.

Wen He smiled slightly as he spoke with them, chatting and laughing, yet Yue Qianfeng and Duan Qingyu felt a subtle and persistent unease in their hearts.

Mr. Wen He’s demeanor was no different from usual.

But this time—

He used his real name.

One official, feeling safe, began to relax and curiously asked, "May I know where His Majesty is?"

Wen He smiled slightly, saying, "His Majesty..."

His gaze drifted to the window, watching the trees sway in the wind, the sound of leaves rustling, and said, "His Majesty has gone to visit old friends."

...

The sound of horse hooves was clear, proceeding along the cobblestone road, as the wind in Jiangzhou was as usual. The young king donned ordinary attire, a blue robe with a jade belt, his hair bound with a jade pin, riding a common horse alone, traversing through the street.

He passed the tavern where he drank with Ye Buyi.

Passed the place where he fought with Yan Daiqing, and the ancient road where Li Zhaowen pulled him by the hand and ran, the ancient bridge as it was, moments of illusion hint at the sight of a large ship slowly moving across the water from seven years ago, with a lame elder standing on the deck like a wealthy merchant.

In his ears, he seemed to hear that hearty laughter again.

Li Guanyi pulled to a stop, watching the river flow, unceasing, then urged his mount forward, arriving at the city’s Taoist Temple, dismounting at the temple gate, and tying his horse aside.

The city of Jiangzhou had undergone significant change, though not chaotic due to Prince Qin’s reputation and prestige, a brief disturbance and those seeking to exploit the chaos for advantage had been dealt with by Yue Qianfeng.

Yue Qianfeng was not even a competent mountain bandit in those days.

Yet he journeyed along this path.

Order, people’s livelihood, laws.

A vast city couldn’t be thoroughly controlled in a short time, nowadays the streets couldn’t compare to past prosperity, and even this city Taoist Temple was dreary, with few visitors.

A young Taoist appeared to greet him respectfully, saying, "Might I ask if the layman has any old acquaintances?"

Li Guanyi presented a Taoist permit, saying, "I am a Pharmacist, my master used to stay here, so I wanted to come in for another look."

That young Taoist was surprised and said, "So you are a fellow Taoist, please do come in."

He stepped aside, letting the young man enter, and Li Guanyi strolled through the Taoist Temple, memories of the past seemed visible, it was here in this temple that he met Elder Zu and learned the Qilin Palace’s Great Formation.

It was also here that Elder Zu executed that world-shaking stratagem.

The contemporary first in mathematics, in this moment, altered fate, helping them complete their plan and then leave successfully, this time Chen Wenmian, Yue Qianfeng, Yue Pengwu, Qilin, Li Guanyi, all retreated safely.

Only the old Taoist remained with the past.

Quietly watching these young sparks throw themselves toward the heavens and four corners.

The young Taoist led Li Guanyi forward, with smiles on his face, lively proclaiming, this Taoist Temple was indeed famous, originally a monk’s temple, then when the Regent King abolished Buddhism, all the monks fled, and the Taoists rebuilt this one.