Chapter 153: Liu Family of Jingzhou

Chapter 153: The Liu Family of Jingzhou

Amid Ge Lao San’s laughter and scolding, Liu Si Er and the others said nothing to dispute his sending Chen Yi to Guiyun Academy.

Chen Yi, of course, would not go out of his way to explain who should serve as his cart driver, leaving Ge Lao San to prepare in the stables.

In the waiting interval, Chen Yi and Liu Si Er chatted idly.

“Oh? The recent tension in the capital was because that young man from the Liu family in Jingzhou died in Shuzhou?”

“The entire Wan family was killed? How could that be?”

“Master, you may not be acquainted with Shuzhou’s affairs. That Wan family, too, is a major clan in Shuzhou and has long been engaged in the pharmacy business.”

“Earlier, when our household opened a pharmacy, the old master of the Wan family even personally sought an audience with the Duke, so it was likely then that the seeds of discord were sown.”

Upon hearing Liu Si Er’s explanation, Chen Yi smiled and asked, “You mean the Wan family deliberately killed someone to sow discord between the Xia and Liu families?”

“It’s hard to say. However, the current magistrate’s office and the judicial bureau have already sentenced the killers, and when the Liu family’s kin arrive, they will face extreme punishment. It seems they wish to avoid further provocation.”

The armored scholar beside them, upon hearing the two converse, could not help but interject, “In my opinion, it was orchestrated by the Wan family, but the plot was exposed.”

“I too think so.”

“If it was truly a scheme by the Wan family, though it may not have torn the Liu family of Jingzhou and ourselves into open conflict, it is still a lingering concern.”

“They say the Governor of Affairs in the province initially believed it was the doing of our household.”

“Ah, thank goodness the misunderstanding was cleared up.”

As they spoke, Chen Yi gained a general understanding of the investigation’s progress, yet a strange unease settled in his heart.

Though he did not know the fate of the so-called “killer,” nor the schemes the patriarch had orchestrated, this matter stemmed from his actions.

After all, it was a single life.

And it had dragged the Wan family into the affair.

As he pondered these things, Chen Yi let out a quiet sigh, unsure of what he needed to do.

The Liu family, the Liu family, the Liu family.

Just then, Ge Lao San, holding the reins of the sedan chair, approached, “Master, climb in.”

“The rain won’t cease for a while. Let’s leave soon, lest we encounter misfortune on the way.”

Chen Yi came to his senses, nodded to the armored scholars on guard, and climbed into the sedan chair, departing the duchy.

He looked out the window at the road beneath the torrential rain, where passersby hurried along with hurried steps.

A few scholars and young ladies, fond of rainy days, strolled leisurely, treating it as a matter of leisure.

After watching for a time, Chen Yi asked, “Old San, I heard your fourth brother mentioned that the killer who murdered Liu Jing would be executed soon?”

Ge Lao San, who was carefully holding the reins to control the horse’s pace, turned his head with a smile upon hearing this, “Master, the fact that such a criminal has not been dismembered into five pieces is already the Governor’s mercy.”

“If it were not for him, the Liu family would surely have clashed with us. The three prefectures’ grain tax is but one of their grievances, and merely a minor tactic of the provincial governor.”

“If the Liu family of Jingzhou refuses to relent, the consequences would be dire.”

Chen Yi nodded, “In that case, the Liu family of Jingzhou must be quite powerful.”

“Not at all.”

“Don’t their eldest house lack officials? Yet their second and third houses, along with collateral branches, are full of capable individuals.”

“For instance, the third brother, Liu Hong, is our Shuzhou deputy governor, overseeing the province’s finances, civil affairs, and taxation. The late magistrate Liu Shi was also related to the Liu family of Jingzhou.”

“Take the second brother, Liu Zhen, who serves as the supervisor of the judicial bureau in Jingzhou. He’s a formidable figure, rumored to have executed several major clans there.”

“And there’s another—Liu Xiangneng, now the Emperor’s favored consort. She, too, has connections to the Liu family of Jingzhou…”

As Ge Lao San spoke at length, enumerating his family’s treasures, Chen Yi gained a clear understanding of the Liu family’s influence.

Though not as strong as the Xia family, their networks were vast, with many backing them.

If they were to truly clash with the Xia family, it might result in mutual destruction, but it would certainly draw the Emperor’s attention.

Given the Xia family’s current standing, the Emperor might not even manage to lift a single cup of water.

No wonder Liu Jing’s death caused such turmoil in the Xia family.

As he mused on these matters, Chen Yi smiled, “Old San, you must know quite a bit about these things, right?”

Ge Lao San chuckled, “I heard about it from the capital a few days ago.”

“Is that so? I thought you’d only been preoccupied with domestic matters since your recent marriage.”

“Master, spare me the trouble. Don’t let this reach the ears of the other elders and ladies.”

“Hah, it won’t be spoken of…”

In the course of their idle talk, Ge Lao San steered the conversation toward Chen Yi, praising him, “Master, your reputation is spreading far and wide.”

“A few days ago, I heard you took a teaching post at the academy. I thought you’d gone there to relax, but instead, you taught a student of great talent in just one session.”

“You don’t know, lately the city has been abuzz. It’s said that all the major clans in Shuzhou have already taken note.”

Chen Yi, nonchalantly, asked, “Which ones?”

Ge Lao San’s words just confirmed his suspicion—that he had indeed intended to leverage his time at Guiyun Academy to raise his profile.

“There are many, in fact. Just the ones I’ve heard of recently number over ten, and even some long-famous calligraphers have come to Shuzhou…”

As Ge Lao San spoke, Chen Yi realized he had underestimated the influence of skilled scholars.

In just a few days, not only the capital but the entire Shuzhou would likely be aware of this.

Even Jingzhou and Youzhou, nearby, were probably informed by well-meaning individuals.

The direct impact, aside from the numerous major clans who had recently visited the duchy, was that Guiyun Academy was now being sought after by these families.

Scholars like Master Yue Ming had probably already spread the word far and wide.

As for which calligraphy masters, they were often more renowned for their fame than their actual achievements.

Like Master Yue, who was a true master of calligraphy, yet his teachings had never even stabilized a small following.

It could be anticipated that for a long time to come, more and more people would come seeking his guidance.

Not long after, the sedan chair stopped before Guiyun Academy.

Chen Yi sent Ge Lao San back to the capital, then ventured alone into the academy, umbrella in hand.

As he approached, the guard students there bowed respectfully from a distance.

“Student pays respects to Master Qingzhou.”

“Good.”

Chen Yi merely nodded in passing, then entered the academy.

This was not in keeping with proprieties, nor did it resemble the ways of scholars, naturally causing those students to be surprised.

In the past, he would surely have been branded as “disrespectful of rites.”

But now, what are those scholars saying?

"Master Qingzhou, he truly deserves to be a teacher who can guide students to success in the Way of Books. Such unbridled freedom!"

"Indeed, from Master Qingzhou's characters one can already discern his essence—elegant and unrestrained, with a extraordinary and refined quality that permeates every line and page."

"Surely this is the teaching of Master Qingzhou, the saying that unites books and people?"

Chen Yi, hearing the murmurs behind him, paid them no heed and walked directly toward the study hall.

In that moment, however, Ma Guan ran up to him.

"Student has met the master."

Chen Yi nodded and continued on his way.

But he had not taken two steps before Ma Guan broke into a jog and stopped him.

"So, you've achieved mastery in the Way of Books, and now you're starting to ignore me?"

To Chen Yi's surprise, this jest of his startled Ma Guan so much that a bead of sweat sprang up on his forehead, and he quickly bowed deeply.

"Master, please forgive me—students dare not!"

Chen Yi paused, recalling his own upright nature, and realized his words had gone too far.

"Never mind, it was just a jest—did I frighten you?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Guan glanced up at Chen Yi's face, saw no anger there, and sighed in relief.

"Student is grateful, Master."

"Then speak—what brings you?"

"Student wishes to inform the master that today's book lesson has been moved to another location—the dean has sent me to guide you there."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Another place?"

Ma Guan wiped the sweat from his brow and stammered, "Perhaps it would be better for you to go see for yourself yourself, student—I dare not speak further."

At this, Chen Yi, who had not yet noticed the disturbance at the academy, guessed it must be something serious.

Chen Yi thought it over and shook his head. "Very well, let's go."

Not long after, the two passed a pavilion and arrived at a study hall situated near Master Yue Ming's residence.

Chen Yi paused, taken aback by the sight of this grand study hall—the largest at the Cloud Peak Academy—"Is this the place?"

Ma Guan gave a bitter smile and nodded: "Yes, Master—it is here."

Chen Yi confirmed the location, and his footsteps halted.

Leaning close to listen, he soon bit his lip and muttered under his breath:

"The dean must have taken some bribe to move us here..."

"How have so many people appeared?"

Inside the study hall, there were exactly one hundred students, each with a faint, steady breathing.

Ma Guan pulled his neck back, too frightened to say a word.

Among those at the academy, only Chen Yi dared to scold Master Yue Ming like this—perhaps none other.

Chen Yi paid no mind to what Ma Guan thought, turned on his heel, and walked away from the academy.

"Yue Ming, I need you to inform the dean that I've suddenly remembered clothes left at home—I must return."

"It's raining heavily today—we can't let him get soaked."

"Huh?"

(End of Chapter)