The tree at the National Teacher's Manor had not merely blossomed with six new peach flowers.
Two nearly rotten branches had also undergone a transformation, turning decay into wonder. Like dead wood meeting spring, each had sprouted a string of fresh buds.
But none of this was the most mysterious sight. The peach tree had actually grown an entirely new branch.
Amid his delighted surprise, Song Yunjian also felt some regret. Great swathes of flowers on the tree were gradually losing their color, trembling as though about to wither and fall.
Lin Shouyi came over and stood silently for a moment before saying, "Bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new is the natural order of heaven and earth."
Song Yunjian nodded. "Of course I understand the principle. I just can't help feeling for them."
The newly opened flowers represented Guan Ran, Jian Feng, and the other vigorous young officials about to spread their wings in different offices.
The two withered peach branches restored to vitality naturally represented the Fufeng Qiu Clan, a High Pillar State surname, and the Censorate.
As for the new branch, that was harder to say.
Song Yunjian's Dao power was insufficient, and he was not skilled at divination, so he could not yet be certain.
Lin Shouyi crouched down and pinched up some soil. "Fellow Daoist Yingning, you mustn't stare only at the branches and peach blossoms. The soil is what matters most." Song Yunjian smiled. "Thank you for the lesson."
The Great Li Iron Cavalry, sword boats, a White Jade Capital imitation, relay stations as numerous as hairs on an ox... all these were strengths visible to the naked eye.
The "soil" Lin Shouyi had mentioned meant the vast territory of mountains and rivers, the enormous population, and the unity of the people's