Chapter 14: The Edict of Confession
February 3rd, noon.
The two of them led the donkey through the main street of Xinmen Waziqian, looking out at the many restaurants and hotels along the street. Many of the restaurants had signs in front of their doors advertising the sale of donkeys for meat. However, Shen Kuo did not want to break his promise, so he just led the donkey and walked, earning a lot of cold stares from Xiao Ping.
When they reached Chongming Gate, the inner city gate was finally opened and they followed the crowd into the city. They heard that the emperor had read the edict of repentance and returned to the palace.
The two walked slowly in the crowd, and finally arrived at the Fanlou in Anzhou Lane after a while. Shen Kuo only looked up at the huge Huanmen on the street and the magnificent four-story building behind it, and was secretly surprised. This restaurant in Tokyo is much taller than the imperial palace.
Xiao Ping used a branch to hit the donkey and went around to the small alleys behind. She was obviously familiar with the way. Many of the tile houses in the alleys were blocked with white cloth. It was obvious that the one-month mourning had not yet passed and entertainment was not allowed. They came all the way from Songzhou. The bans in other places had long been meaningless. Even the outer city of Bianliang City was already prosperous. However, Anzhou Lane was right opposite the imperial city and was still subject to some restrictions.
I went straight around to the back of the Baifan Building and followed the sneaky pedestrians all the way inside. As expected, there was a path leading in. There was actually a water pavilion here. The water surface was quite large, and there was a stage on the water pavilion. Someone was performing a water puppet show, and hundreds of spectators in the stands were cheering and applauding. The guys hurriedly walked past the stands holding a sign that said "No Noise", which was considered a reminder to the spectators not to shout or yell, and to give the Imperial City Bureau some face.
"I grew up here since I was a child." Xiao Ping said proudly.
"Your uncle, aunt and cousins..."
"They bring the girls here to perform and entertain, and they also take a share of the wine bill from the main store, so they can make some profit from the wine tax of the Song Dynasty."
"So selling alcohol is such a good business?"
"Sir, you are showing off your clumsiness again. Have you ever heard the saying in the market: If you want to get rich, go to the streets and sell wine and vinegar?"
"With so many advantages, why did you marry someone from another place?"
"Even though I'm tired of the noise here, I can't stand the loneliness when I get to the farm in the country."
Xiaoping suddenly sounded a little resentful.
There was a crowd of people in front, so Xiaoping got off the donkey and led it for a walk, while Shen Kuo remained sitting on it.
When I reached the door, I saw Jin'er coming down from the stands, holding a plate of fruit in her hand and humming a tune happily.
"You're such a traitor, you short-lived bastard." Xiao Ping let go of the reins, put her hands on her hips and shouted.
When Jin'er turned around, she seemed surprised to see Shen Kuo on the donkey, but then she was overjoyed when she saw Xiaoping.
"Buddha bless you, girl, are you back?"
"Will you be content if I don't come back? It's only been a few days, if I really died, it wouldn't even be seven days since my death, and yet you're sitting here watching the show with a clear conscience?"
"I thought that since you are such a hard-working person who killed your husband, it would be difficult for you to die... so there is no need to worry. By the way, why is this young master..."
Xiao Ping snatched the dishes from Jin Er's hands: "My aunt is here."
"Yes, I was arguing with Pan Lou and Ma Boliu in the front street this morning, and I gave her a slap in the face. Now I am feeling proud and taking a nap ."
"I slept soundly."
"But it smells sweet, and he snores a little."
"She is so heartless that she can sleep even though her niece is missing. Go wake her up and tell her that her beloved baby is back."
"well!"
Jin'er ran upstairs quickly, and Xiaoping handed a plate of fruit to Shen Kuo. Shen Kuo quickly straightened his clothes and prepared to come downstairs to greet her.
"You don't have to get off your donkey, benefactor. Just eat your food."
Shen Kuo was also hungry, and swallowed the fruit in no time.
I only heard the sound of people running down the stairs.
"My beloved ancestor has returned?"
A gorgeously dressed woman led seven or eight young and beautiful women downstairs.
She rushed over, grabbed Xiao Ping's hand, and looked her up and down, as if she didn't recognize her for a moment: "Girl, you came back from begging, how come you are so shabby? I told you a thousand times not to go to the countryside with those poor people, but you looked down on us as a prostitute and wanted to quit your status and become the mistress of a farm. As expected, you suffered this hardship, and you deserved it..."
The woman had just seen Shen Kuo on the donkey. She looked him up and down for a long time and probably wondered: Who is this poor guy again?
"Aunt, this is Mr. Shen who saved me from a disaster on the road. He is not from the capital, but a student from Jiangnan. His legs and feet are injured, and he can't get off the donkey."
Shen Kuo hurriedly saluted on his donkey. The aunt stepped back a few steps, and together with several women behind her, they all bowed in unison in the bustling street. Not only Shen Kuo jumped, but the passers-by around him also looked at him sideways.
"Your Excellency, we are respectful and will accept your greetings again."
Shen Kuo hurried down and limped forward to support his aunt who was about to kneel down. The passers-by around him did not expect so many beautiful women to bow down to a dirty man.
The young women chatted with Xiao Ping. They called each other sisters and seemed very warm. Xiao Ping did not forget Shen Kuo and invited him to rest in the restaurant. But Shen Kuo refused to stay. He had already delayed his trip and was in a hurry to go to Yang Wei De's house. The two stood in front of the crowd to say goodbye.
"Why don't you want to drink a glass of wine and insist on leaving?"
"I am relieved to be able to send you there, elder sister. I am on my way to the home of Yang Chunguan now. You know the important matter I have to attend to. This donkey was exchanged for a hairpin by elder sister. I cannot keep it. Besides, my leg is healed now."
Xiao Ping burst into tears: "What use do I have for this stupid donkey? It would be better if I keep it. I can use it as a snack when we meet next time."
The old donkey was also so moved that he cried out to the sky.
"Can we meet next time?"
Xiao Ping walked over and handed the reins to Shen Kuo, holding his hand and said, "You ride this donkey to find your teacher first, and it will be considered as a loan from you. Return it to me after you have settled down. This way, we can meet again, and I will repay you."
Shen Kuo stepped in and bowed, then sighed and tried to get on the donkey again. Unfortunately, his right foot was still sore and he couldn't get on for a while. Xiao Ping rushed over and lifted him up.
"Look, my niece has been to the countryside, so she is very strong." The aunt praised.
"Sir, do you know the way there?"
"As I remember, we arrived by following the Bian River out of the West Water Gate and then out of the Wanshen Gate. Yang Shaoqing's house is a large mansion next to the Qionglin Garden. In his backyard there is an earthen platform for stargazing and a furnace for refining elixirs. The chimney is very tall and can be seen from a mile away." Shen Kuo described the environment of Yang Wei De's house in great detail, as if he was afraid that others would not be able to find it.
"Take care, benefactor, but remember to come and see me."
"I will return the donkey after I have settled it."
Xiaoping took the handkerchief from her aunt and wiped her tears.
Shen Kuo bowed again, turned the donkey around and headed west. Xiao Ping led a group of prostitutes and stood behind him until Shen Kuo turned around the alley and could no longer see him.
Shen Kuo rode his donkey, heading westwards. He had completed his mission of escorting Xiao Ping home, but he felt a little disappointed. When he arrived in front of Xiangguo Temple, he looked down and saw a camellia stuck in the donkey's bristles. It was clearly the one Xiao Ping had picked from the tree and stuck on her hair. She didn't know when it was left there. He picked it up, sniffed it, and hid it in his clothes.
Along the way, passers-by were running around telling each other the news, and everyone looked nervous but excited. I guess this was the fulfillment of the prophecy about the solar eclipse?
He went along the river to Qionglin Garden and found that someone was already living in the mansion opposite. He remembered that it was closed when he came last time, and he climbed over the wall to get in. It was empty inside, with weeds and dead branches everywhere, and the houses were locked. Later, Yang Weide said that since Meng Chang of the Later Shu died there inexplicably, it has been unclean ever since. I wonder who lives here now?
When he arrived at Yang Wei De's house, he saw a tall horse parked at the door. He knew that Old Yang could not ride a horse, so it seemed that there was a visitor.
After knocking on the door, the servant went in to report. After a while, Yang Wei De, supported by his wife, came out to greet them, looking sick.
The two had not met for fourteen years, but they had never stopped exchanging letters and had always addressed each other as teacher and student.
Shen Kuo hurriedly greeted his teacher and his wife. Seeing that Yang Wei De actually needed his wife's support to walk, he hurriedly asked the reason.
"Is the teacher alright?"
"Cunzhong, you don't know how I got here these days. I finally got you here. This is not the place to talk. Come in quickly. I'll introduce someone to you."
Yang Wei De sent his wife and servants to prepare meals and take the donkey to the barn to add water and feed, then he took Shen Kuo's hand and walked inside. Shen Kuo quickly supported Old Yang.
"There's a big disaster going on in the capital, you probably don't know about it yet."
"The letter says that it might be related to the Maitreya sect spreading nursery rhymes and performing sorcery? When I came here, I saw that the pedestrians on the road were all different colors."
"I haven't been out for two days. What do people outside look like?"
"It's a bit weird, as if there's a bit of excitement in the midst of fear, like..."
"Like what?"
"Like watching a fire on the other side of the river?"
"Cun Zhong, you are a meticulous person. It is a good thing that the people can wait and see. The emperor's edict of guilt is finally useful. Now it can still maintain the people's weak morale. If the people are only afraid, they will believe in prophecies."
The two approached the hall and saw someone already there, a tall and handsome officer.
"This is Xu Chong, the military leader from Luzhou, Shanxi. He is also there to investigate the case together." Yang Weide turned to Shen Kuo and said, "This is Shen Kuo, my friend who predicted the solar eclipse. He is finally here today."
After the two of them exchanged greetings, Yang Wei De walked to the Eight Immortals Table, where a piece of paper was already spread out.
"This is the edict of apology that Xu Chong copied."
Shen Kuo looked down and saw the words:
The solar eclipse occurred on the first day of the second month of spring. It is said that the loss of the sun has been a taboo since ancient times. I am a person of little knowledge, and I have guarded this success. I remember the difficulty of being a king, and I feel deeply that I have a heavy responsibility. I dare not neglect it, and I want to bring peace to the country. Now I find that disasters and anomalies are happening. They are caused by politics and education. I will always think about the blame. I am the only one. Virtue cannot be pacified, reason is not clear, rewards and punishments are out of order, listening and accepting are not clear, the government is not in harmony, and the people are wronged. It is against the nature of all things. These are all obvious mistakes. I am warned to reflect and correct myself. I am afraid of the power of heaven. If I am really afraid, I will fall into the deep valley. I will be vigilant at dawn. I hope to summon the spirit of Taihe and turn back the drought of billions of people. I am afraid that I have not seen it yet. It is appropriate to change the sixth year of Huangyou to the first year of Zhihe and start on April 1st. I will take the blame of the world as a joke and suppress my fear before it happens. I hope to be diligent and respectful, or I will be relieved. I ask all of you to understand my fear.
"Teacher, it's just a solar eclipse as the nursery rhyme suggests. It's nothing more than someone who knows the signs of the sky secretly interfering. Why has the emperor gone to such lengths? He even blames himself and changes the reign title? Especially since the change is too hasty. If it is changed, it should start at the beginning of next year, on April 1st, which is rarely followed. Why is the emperor so panic-stricken and hasty?" Shen Kuo didn't understand why the emperor was so humble and fearful.
"That's because you haven't seen the ten nursery rhymes yet." Yang Wei De sighed and took out the nursery rhymes.
After the three of them sat down, the lady brought in a bowl of noodles. While eating, Shen Kuo listened to Yang Wei De's explanation of the various things that had happened since the White Bone Taoist and the nursery rhyme appeared on the eighth day of the first lunar month. In less than a month, six out of ten nursery rhymes had come true. Shen Kuo was dumbfounded, as he had not expected such a mysterious and bizarre thing to happen. In this way, the passers-by were not surprised, and the government was panicked, issued an edict of self-blame, and was anxious to change the reign title, probably to wake up from the nightmare as soon as possible.
When Shen Kuo finished his third bowl of noodles, Yang Weide finished his story. Yang Weide also secretly realized that Shen Kuo seemed to have not eaten recently.
Shen Kuo burped and wiped his mouth: "Teacher asked me to come here to participate in the investigation of this mystery?"
"That's right. Now only you and Xu Chong can relieve the emperor's worries."
"The teacher's letter said that the Minister of Literature and Bao Xueshi of Longtu Pavilion were also among those selected."
"Minister Wen doesn't often inquire into cases. Bao Zheng is well-intentioned but also arrogant," Yang Weide sneered, "but he doesn't seem to understand this case. After running around for almost a month and hitting a wall everywhere, he still couldn't stop the prophecy from coming true."
"So, are there any clues to the case?"
"Lord Shen, just ask me and I'll know," Xu Chong stood up and clasped his fists. "I have been following this case from the beginning. In addition to going to the scene, I also collected files and questioned witnesses. I know all the details by heart."
"Thank you, Xu Jieji."
"Cun Zhong, why did you arrive two days late?" Yang Wei De asked.
"The students were delayed on the way."
"Fortunately you are here , well done." Yang Wei De patted Shen Kuo on the shoulder.
"Teacher, I got some unexpected gains on the way here."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"I have consulted with my teacher in a letter about the two things: the roundness of the earth from the waxing and waning of the moon, and the fact that the magnetic needle does not point to the true north. This time I came to Beijing, and I took advantage of the north-south direction of the first section of the Grand Canal to measure the earth's outline. Guess what, the further north the ship goes, the higher the stars in the north sky are. I also measured the declination of the magnetic needle from the east-west direction of the Bianhe River, and it is indeed always slightly east, not completely south."
"Hey, are you still paying attention to these things and writing them down in your book? Oh, by the way, what's it called?"
"Dream Stream Essays."
"Okay. Young people should have great ambitions."
"Teacher, there is another thing I have asked in a letter, that is, the North Pole in the middle of the sky is biased and does not match the astronomical history of the Eastern Han Dynasty. I wonder if it is due to the precession of the equinoxes in the past thousand years? If so, I wonder if the sun, moon, Taibai, Sui, Chen, Huo, Zhen and other revolving stars have differences, and even the Ziwei in the middle of the sky has a slight difference?"
"Cunzhong, now that the fire has reached your buttocks, let's not worry about these things for now, okay? Once the top priority in the capital is settled, I will go to the imperial court and ask for your permission to go to the Sitianjian Observatory and the Hanlin Academy of Astronomy, and do whatever you want."
"Please forgive me, Master. I failed to understand the importance of urgency. So, what should I do now?"
"It's already 3 p.m. today, take a break first. I'll have a banquet to welcome you tonight. Tomorrow, go to the Military Headquarters to meet Bao Longtu. The Military Headquarters is where the investigation is taking place. It all depends on what Bao Longtu will do. I think he's in a mess right now, so he'll probably send you to investigate the scene again."
"Teacher, it's still early. Shall I go to the place where the Skeleton Monster and the Hat Monster first appeared?"
In fact, Yang Wei De was eager for Shen Kuo to investigate the case quickly, so he turned to Xu Chong, who immediately understood.
"Master Yang, I will take Master Shen to have a look. Besides, I was there the first time the nursery rhyme came out, so I know many details."
"Okay, then you guys go check it out first. I'll prepare a welcoming banquet here. Xu Jieji can come along as well."
"Yes, sir."
Xu Chong led Shen Kuo outside, and a servant brought Shen Kuo's old donkey. Xu Chong got on his big black horse, and the two went to Yulin Lane together.
