The scene was bizarre and almost comical. Every guest invited to the Emperor’s Banquet of Benevolence, including Fan Li, was ushered into a bathing chamber for a ritual cleansing and change of clothes. But the garments provided by the palace were, without exception, Daoist robes.
Once the guests took their seats at the banquet, held in the open-air plaza outside the Golden Luan Palace, the sight that greeted them was even more peculiar.
Every man present, regardless of age, height, or build, was dressed as a Daoist priest. It was a sea of blue robes and black hats, a spectacle that resembled a gathering of immortals rather than a banquet for mortals.
Fan Li’s seat was surprisingly close to the Emperor’s throne. In fact, it was only surpassed by the seats reserved for Yan Shifan and Xu Fan.
He had observed during the charity auction that those two young masters indeed possessed the most formidable backgrounds. But what puzzled him was that several other young nobles from prestigious families, whose status should have placed them above Fan Li, were seated further away.
“Those two… they seem accustomed to this?”
Fan Li watched as Yan Shifan and Xu Fan took their seats without a hint of surprise. They seemed perfectly comfortable in their Daoist robes, even more so than the other guests, who shifted awkwardly in their unfamiliar attire.
Officials dressed as Daoists, scholars masquerading as priests, merchants in the garb of immortals – it was a strange sight indeed.
Fan Li was silently mocking the absurd scene when a shrill voice pierced the air.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Following the court etiquette they had been hastily taught, the guests rose in unison and bowed deeply in the direction of the Emperor’s throne.
A figure emerged with a steady gait. His robes billowed like ethereal wings and he had a sharp gaze.
Emperor Jiajing of the Great Ming, dressed in a Daoist robe adorned with scriptures, and a crown of fragrant herbs adorning his head, stood before them, radiating imperial authority.
"My wardrobe consists of no more than eight sets of robes. Whether dry or wet, I rotate them diligently, sharing my garments with princes, envoys, officials, and soldiers. Every expenditure is carefully considered, every coin saved. Thus, the treasury's funds can be used to alleviate the nation's burdens and address the people's hardships. Never for a moment do I forget the difficulties facing our nation and the suffering endured by our citizens."
"It is commendable that you have all understood the will of Heaven, emulating my love for the people, alleviating their worries, and contributing to their well-being. Excellent, most excellent!"
Emperor Jiajing's voice, resonant and profound, yet laced with a hint of amusement, resonated through the plaza.
"Your Majesty's teachings, shared with us through both words and actions, have enlightened and benefited all under Heaven."
"May Heaven bless Your Majesty, may your reign be long and prosperous, may you achieve immortality."
"Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!"
Fan Li recited the praise he had rehearsed beforehand, silently mocking the absurdity of the scene.
Emperor Jiajing was truly extraordinary! With just a few words, he had taken all the credit for the charity auction? Emulate him? He seemed to have forgotten that the so-called charity auction was nothing more than a game played by wealthy and idle nobles on the pleasure barge, a spectacle for their amusement, a chance to curry favor with a beautiful courtesan.
They might not have truly cared for the welfare of the fallen soldiers’ widows, but they certainly cared deeply about who Xue Susu had spent the night with.
Eunuchs began serving the imperial meal, placing dishes upon the guests' tables. Fan Li, glancing around, was astonished to discover a completely vegetarian feast, every dish served cold.
This… This was it? Perhaps just the appetizers?
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Quickly, he realized that he had been foolishly optimistic.
As the final cold, vegetarian dish arrived, Fan Li’s small table was filled. At a glance, the variety of dishes was impressive, a colorful display of culinary artistry. But upon closer inspection, he saw nothing but simple vegetables – radishes, greens, tofu, daylily buds, and lettuce.
Then he remembered the Emperor’s words: "Every expenditure is carefully considered, every coin saved… to address the people's hardships."
He was truly frugal.
Fortunately, Fan Li had reached the Golden Core realm and no longer needed food. He could fast indefinitely.
"You may begin," Emperor Jiajing’s eyes swept across the faces of his guests.
"I am a vegetarian. I apologize for the simplicity of this meal."
Yan Shifan rose to his feet. He had shed his arrogant and overbearing demeanor from the previous night, replacing it with a solemn and respectful air.
"A gentleman cultivates himself through tranquility and nourishes his virtue through simplicity. Your Majesty has guided us through both words and actions, a model of conduct for us all to emulate. We will benefit from your teachings throughout our lives."
What masterful flattery!
Fan Li clearly saw a flicker of pleasure cross Emperor Jiajing’s face. The Junior Grand Secretary was no fool.
He suddenly realized that Xue Susu was missing. Hadn’t she also been invited to the banquet?
"Yan Shifan," the Emperor spoke.
"Your subject is here," Yan Shifan replied, bowing deeply.
"I heard that you raised seven hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver for charity with just a single character written by your father?"
"It was the character ‘Loyalty,’ Your Majesty."
Yan Shifan lowered his head.
"My father and I understand deeply that only by serving Your Majesty with utmost loyalty are we worthy of wearing the official robes of the Great Ming."
Even Fan Li had to nod in approval. Throughout history, emperors had favored loyal officials above all else, followed by virtuous officials and capable officials.
These three qualities might seem similar, but they were, in fact, vastly different.
Take Fan Li himself. He undoubtedly possessed the capabilities of a highly competent official. He might even be considered virtuous by the citizens of the Great Chu.
But loyalty? That was something he would never achieve in this lifetime.
"Excellent! You shall be rewarded."
Emperor Jiajing uttered just these words.
An old eunuch, holding a purple-gold gourd, approached Yan Shifan.
Yan Shifan, accustomed to such gestures, skillfully extended his cupped hands with his palms facing upward. A pill dropped from the gourd into his hands.
"I thank Your Majesty for your heavenly grace!"
Without hesitation, Yan Shifan swallowed the pill. He didn’t even bother to ask what it was.
Emperor Jiajing chuckled. "I am never stingy with my blessings. This is the ‘Nine Transformations Golden Elixir,’ personally refined for me by the Celestial Master. You have all rendered meritorious service to the nation. I am willing to share this elixir with you."
Hearing his words, delight bloomed on the faces of the guests. The ‘Nine Transformations Golden Elixir’ was renowned throughout the Great Ming Dynasty.
It was a name personally chosen by Emperor Jiajing, who had also dictated the specific methods for its refinement.
The ‘Nine Transformations’ signified nine cycles of distillation, an arduous process of purifying and condensing the elixir’s essence.
Nine represented the ultimate limit, a perfect number symbolizing completeness and perfection.
As for its effects… well, Emperor Jiajing had consumed the elixir for his entire life. Although he hadn’t achieved immortality, his unrivaled power, his status as the world's strongest, was undeniable proof of its efficacy.
“Xu Fan,” the Emperor called out, praising him and bestowing another Golden Elixir upon him.
Then, Emperor Jiajing, bypassing Fan Li entirely, continued praising the other young nobles from the capital, those who had successfully purchased items at the charity auction, rewarding each of them with a Golden Elixir.
Just as Fan Li was beginning to think he would be completely ignored, he heard his name called out.
“Your name is Fan Zhe?”
He hastily rose to his feet.
“This commoner is here.”
At some point, Emperor Jiajing had acquired a book. He opened the first page and began to read.
"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name…"
Fan Li was taken aback. Yan Shifan worked efficiently! The “Tao Te Ching” he had purchased last night was already in the Emperor’s hands?
Emperor Jiajing paused after reading the final line: “Mystery within mystery. The gateway to all wonders…”
“Is this ‘Tao Te Ching’ truly the work of Fan Li?”
Fan Li lowered his head, fearing his disguise might falter under the Emperor’s scrutiny.
“Yes.”
“Alas…”
Emperor Jiajing let out a sigh of regret.
“Fan Zhe, I command you to write a letter to Fan Li. If he is willing to pledge allegiance to the Great Ming, all past transgressions will be forgiven. I shall bestow upon him the position of Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Cabinet, outranking even Zhang Juzheng.
Furthermore, I shall grant him the title of Duke, a hereditary title passed down through generations.”
The guests were stunned! Even Yan Shifan and Xu Fan couldn’t conceal their astonishment.
Throughout the Great Ming Dynasty, it was common knowledge that Zhang Juzheng, having saved Crown Prince Wanli’s life at Mount Yunmeng, sacrificing a century of his own lifespan, had achieved unparalleled merit.
With this heroic act, his position within the Grand Secretariat had soared from the bottom to third place, outranked only by Grand Secretary Yan Song and Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie.
Now, with just a single “Tao Te Ching,” Fan Li from the Chu Kingdom was going to surpass Zhang Juzheng?
Was Emperor Jiajing truly this callous and ungrateful or had Crown Prince Wanli fallen out of favor?
Fan Li realized that the Emperor’s reward stopped there. So, where was his ‘Nine Transformations Golden Elixir’?
Rewarding Fan Li from afar, across mountains and rivers, did Fan Zhe not deserve such an honor?