Chapter 506: Rumors

“And General Chen?” Song You held his teacup, his expression unreadable.

Even though this outcome had long been anticipated, and preparations had certainly been made, he still couldn’t help but feel a sense of sorrow and lamentation.

“Yesterday, the Imperial Guardian Duke submitted a memorial[1] to the palace, expressing his gratitude to His Majesty,” Prime Minister Yu Jianbai spoke in an even tone, answering as if simply stating facts.

“He declared that his injuries were beyond saving and that he would likely not live to enjoy the Emperor’s grace. He only wished for His Majesty to look after his descendants after his passing.”

“General Chen’s achievements are unparalleled, and if he were to die as the Imperial Guardian Duke, his family would be protected for generations. However, there is one issue...”

Prime Minister Yu paused. He pressed his lips together, as if considering how best to phrase his next words.

The two men beside him reacted differently—

One lowered his head, staring into his cup of tea, as if the floating tea leaves held some great mystery.

The other turned his gaze outward, as though inspecting the law and order of Changjing’s bustling streets.

“In his memorial, the Imperial Guardian Duke requested that his cousins, Chen Yi and Chen Bukui, succeed him as the commander of the three northern garrisons.”

Yu Jianbai hesitated for a moment before continuing, “There’s nothing inherently wrong with this request. Since General Chen returned to the capital, the military authority over the three northern garrisons has already been in Chen Yi’s hands. Furthermore, after him, the most respected and highest-ranking officer in the northern army is Chen Bukui.

“The two are related to him by blood. If the Imperial Guardian Duke were to succumb to his injuries, it would be a reasonable and justifiable request for Chen Bukui to inherit command. However, the Imperial Guardian Duke does not yet know one thing...”

“What is it?”

Yu Jianbai glanced around, as if wary of prying ears.

Just then, he noticed a small girl in tricolor robes carrying a bowl, walking toward them. Seeing her approaching, he quickly spoke before she could get too close.

“There are strange rumors circulating in the palace! They claim that Great Yan is declining... and that the Chen family is destined to replace it.”

“These rumors...”

“I have no idea where they came from.” Yu Jianbai had his suspicions—he believed they were somehow linked to Miaohuazi, the Daoist advising the Emperor.

However, with no proof, he refrained from making accusations. Otherwise, it would seem like a baseless attack.

“It seems these whispers have caught the Emperor’s attention.”

“Most likely.” Yu Jianbai let out a deep sigh. The new Emperor had only recently ascended the throne, and yet he was already caught in these political storms.

“Who knows how many more trials lie ahead in the coming years...”

Song You sat in silence.

For a fleeting moment, the future felt like rain in the wind, slipping through the silk curtains and wooden windows, uncertain, hazy, and unclear.

And yet, within that blurred uncertainty, he could see the shadows of unfolding history, a mere glimpse into the stormy political tides of the present era.

It was the epic tale that future generations would speculate upon and explore for centuries to come.

Just then, the young girl returned, carrying a large earthen bowl, and with a

thud

, she set it down on the table.

Inside was a steaming bowl of

tangyuan

, floating in a soup of fermented rice wine and egg strips.

Without saying a word, she quickly ran off again, soon returning with four small bowls and spoons. Carefully and precisely, she divided the

tangyuan

among the four bowls, placing one in front of each person.

Her serious and meticulous expression made her look like a proper little Daoist attendant—or perhaps, a small but responsible adult.

“Eat up.” After delivering this simple command, Lady Calico picked up the large bowl and walked away.

There was still plenty of broth left in it.

She carried a small wooden stool to the doorway, sat down alone, and began drinking the soup.

From behind, she was just a small, delicate figure, holding a bowl bigger than her own head, occasionally taking a sip and letting out a satisfied sigh, as if she were drinking wine. Other times, she would smack her lips in enjoyment, as though savoring a rich soup.

She would also turn her head left and right, as if observing something outside, though it was unclear what exactly she was looking at.

All that was certain was—she appeared far more carefree and content than the four men inside.

Song You picked up his spoon and said to the three men, “It's the Shangyuan Festival[2]—we should have some

tangyuan

[3].”

“Think of it as dessert. No need to be polite.”

Hearing this, the three men also picked up their spoons and began eating.

Changjing's street food was famous. Even nobles in the imperial palace would occasionally send servants to buy specific dishes from certain stalls. Sometimes, they would even wake attendants in the middle of the night to fetch them a late-night snack from a particular vendor.

This stall’s fermented rice wine

tangyuan

was indeed quite good.

For someone like Prime Minister Yu, who was already getting on in years, soft and sweet glutinous treats were particularly enjoyable. He ate three in a row before finally pausing.

However, he did not forget the important matters at hand and resumed the conversation.

“The resettlement plan to repopulate the north was first proposed several years ago, after the northern frontier was pacified. At the time, the warfare in the north had just settled down, yet there were still frequent reports of supernatural disturbances—monsters and demons causing trouble in the north. Furthermore, the State Preceptor had already been absent from court for years, and His Majesty showed no interest in governing, so the plan was shelved.

“Now, with the new Emperor on the throne, the plan has been revived. Yet, since last year, strange occurrences have been happening all over the country—plagues spreading like wildfire. With such a large-scale migration to the north, I wonder if it’ll proceed smoothly. I fear that trouble may arise again.”

“The northern frontier? The plan mainly focuses on Yuezhou, correct?”

“Yes, Yuezhou is the primary region.”

“A few years ago, I traveled through the northern territories,” Song You recalled, speaking truthfully. “By that time, most of the major supernatural threats had already been subdued. Great demons were rarely seen anymore.”

He added, “However, the northern prefectures still have a significantly higher number of lesser demons and spirits compared to the south. Where there are fewer humans, supernatural entities flourish. And now that the world is experiencing an increase in strange phenomena, it is likely that such creatures have become even more numerous.”

“What should we do then?”

“No need to worry, Prime Minister. Most of these are just minor demons and spirits. They may trouble people for a time, but they cannot trouble them forever. They may pose a threat to an individual or a single household, but they cannot stand against a community.

“As long as the people recognize that these creatures are not invincible, and as long as they have the courage and determination to fight back, then these demons will not be able to stir up any great storms.”

Song You spoke calmly, as though he had seen it all before.

As he spoke, Song You suddenly turned to Constable Luo and said, “Constable Luo, you must understand this better than anyone.”

“Exactly!”

Constable Luo had not expected to be suddenly addressed, nor did he think he would have the opportunity to speak in a conversation involving the Prime Minister and a divine immortal.

Caught off guard, he felt a bit flustered, but he still answered firmly, “That is absolutely true. After all my years as a constable, the greatest lesson I've learned is that these demons and ghosts are not as terrifying as people believe them to be. The real problem is that people think they are terrifying.

“But as long as one has courage, a firm heart, and refuses to fear or be deceived by them, they’ll realize that many of these so-called monsters are no more dangerous than wild dogs in the mountains. A sturdy club can still beat them down, and a sharp blade can still cut them down.”

“That is reassuring... That is reassuring...”

Yu Jianbai, being a scholar, had rarely heard such perspectives before. But hearing Constable Luo’s bold and confident words, he found himself inspired, feeling a newfound confidence about the situation.

“In the past, thanks to Mr. Song You’s guidance, I have since learned to carefully study a demon’s weaknesses whenever I encounter one that's difficult to deal with. Over the years, I have gathered many insights.”

Constable Luo turned to Prime Minister Yu, cupped his hands, and said, “If Prime Minister Yu wishes, I can compile my findings into a booklet to help the migrating people defend themselves against the supernatural threats of the north.”

“That would be excellent!” Yu Jianbai was delighted at first, but then hesitated, furrowing his brows. “But Constable Luo, your duties already keep you so busy. Would compiling such a document be too burdensome?”

“If you wish to spare me some effort, then simply assign a scholar to stay at my quarters in the

yamen

. I will dictate, and they will transcribe. Not only will this be more efficient, but the writing will also be far more presentable than my own chicken-scratch.”

“Then I shall trouble you with this task, Constable!”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

“Having a master constable like you while I’m stationed in Yizhou is truly one of my greatest fortunes.”

“I dare not accept such high praise...”

Song You, who had been listening, finally spoke, “If you could compile your lifetime's methods of dealing with evil spirits and ghosts into a book, it should be widely disseminated throughout the world—and perhaps, by doing so, your name might even be preserved in history.”

“I am merely a warrior. Being recorded in history is not something I dare to think about. I only hope that this can help ensure the northern repopulation proceeds more smoothly.”

“In that case, there shouldn’t be too many concerns left.” Song You stirred his soup with his spoon, speaking calmly.

But then, after a brief pause, his eyes narrowed slightly. “However, if we’re speaking of great demons... there is indeed one still lingering in the north.”

“Oh?” The three men at the table froze in place.

Whether it was Yu Jianbai, now a powerful Prime Minister; or Magistrate Liu, steadily rising in rank; or even Constable Luo, a man accustomed to dealing with all manner of people...

At this moment, everyone could clearly see from the Daoist's expression that he was extremely wary of that great demon.

“Might I ask...”

“Hah, it’s nothing.” Suddenly, Song You smiled, waving his hand as if brushing the matter aside. “I will be leaving the capital soon. I intend to travel north with the migrating citizens, taking the opportunity to visit Yuezhou again. Last time, there were certain figures I had yet to meet—this time, I shall see them. Last time, there were landscapes I had yet to witness—this time, I shall behold them.”

“When will you be leaving, sir?”

“In a few days. There’s no fixed time.” Song You cupped his hands in a polite gesture as he spoke. “This time, there’s no need for you to see me off. You are all capable officials with the people’s well-being at heart. The world needs you more than ever right now. With affairs of the state at their busiest, there’s no need to concern yourselves with a mere wandering Daoist from the mountains.”

The group conversed for a while longer, treating the small bowl of fermented rice wine

tangyuan

as a casual dessert. It truly felt like a gathering of old friends, though their discussion mostly revolved around weighty matters of the world.

By the time the sun had risen higher in the sky, the three men finally bid farewell to Song You.

At that moment, the young girl was still sitting by the doorway on her small wooden stool, hugging her oversized bowl.

Each time she tilted her head down to drink the soup, her entire face nearly disappeared into the bowl. When she saw the three men emerging, escorted by Song You, she didn’t say a word, nor did she stand up.

Instead, she simply turned her head and stared at them unblinkingly—a cat’s silent, unique way of saying farewell.

When the three men had walked far enough down the street, she suddenly lifted the large bowl, tilted her head back, and with two loud gulps, finished it all in one go.

Then, she stood up and went inside to clean up the table.

“Huh? The dumplings are all gone!”

“They’re gone.”

“Who ate them?”

“Constable Luo did.”

“Did you eat any?”

“I had

tangyuan

—that was enough.”

“Hmm...” The young girl tilted her head, swaying from side to side—clearly not pleased.

Meanwhile, the Daoist simply sat down and drifted into deep thought.

“The tides of the world... Heh...”

For generations, the ancestors of Hidden Dragon Temple had each held their own perspectives and attitudes toward the flow of fate, geomancy, and the tides of the world—shaped by the eras they lived in and the experiences they witnessed.

Song You was no different.

He had never believed that fate was so powerful that it could not be defied—nor that it was so tyrannical that it refused to allow defiance.

Rather, he saw the tides of the world and human will as interwoven forces—neither one inherently dominant over the other. It was simply a matter of who was stronger.

If humans were weak, they were swept by the heavens. If humans were strong, they could conquer fate itself.

The relationship between the two was far more complicated than simple submission or rebellion.

Many claimed “Great Yan’s fortune is fading,” “The tides of the world have already been decided,” “The Lin dynasty will decline, and the Chen family will rise”...

In Song You’s view, none of these were absolute truths. But the Emperor would naturally dislike hearing such things.

Regardless of whether a ruler was a brilliant strategist or simply a passive leader, none would sit idly by and allow fate to dictate their downfall.

However, if a ruler possessed a strong and composed heart, with a confidence that allowed him to disregard such trivialities, then upon hearing such rumors, he could instead devote himself wholeheartedly to improving governance and safeguarding the welfare of his people. In doing so, he could effortlessly triumph—even without any intention of defying fate.

But if, on the contrary, the ruler became restless and anxious due to mere rumors, growing suspicious and paranoid, living each day in fear, and even harming loyal and virtuous subjects or killing innocent people indiscriminately, then no matter how desperately he struggled, he would inevitably succumb to the tides of destiny.

1. Shàng biǎo (上表) is a Chinese term meaning "to submit a memorial (petition or report) to the emperor." It originates from

Dong Guan Han Ji – Biography of Wu Liang

(《东观汉记·吴良传》). ☜

2. Shangyuan Festival is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. Usually falling in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar, it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. ☜

3. Note: Author uses yuanxiao here. Yuanxiao (元宵) are glutinous rice balls traditionally eaten during the Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo Jié), which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. They are similar to tangyuan but not exactly the same.

"湯圓" (Tangyuan) and "元宵" (Yuanxiao) are both traditional Chinese foods made from glutinous rice flour and typically filled with sweet ingredients, but they differ in their preparation, texture, and cultural significance.

Tangyuan (湯圓)

Preparation: Tangyuan is made by mixing glutinous rice flour with water to form a dough, which is then shaped into balls and filled with various sweet fillings (such as black sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut butter). The balls are then boiled in water, often served in a sweet syrup or broth.

Texture: Tangyuan has a smooth, chewy texture and is generally larger than Yuanxiao.

Yuanxiao (元宵)

Preparation: Yuanxiao is made using a different method called the "rolling method." The filling is first formed into small balls, and then glutinous rice flour is rolled around the filling repeatedly until it forms a larger ball. This process is often done in a container with a bit of flour to help the layers stick together.

Texture: Yuanxiao tends to have a rougher texture compared to Tangyuan and is usually smaller in size.

The author uses the term yuanxiao and tangyuan interchangeably in the later chapters so I have tweaked them to just tangyuan so as not to confuse the readers. ☜