Fang Yun often smiled as he read his messages. Four people sent him messages most frequently.
His "son," Zhang Jing'an; the new ruler of the Chu Kingdom; Zhu Fengqiong, prime minister of the Qin Kingdom in Sage Kong's Literary World; and Lei Tingzhen, a Great Scholar of the Lei Family.
Zhang Jing'an unfailingly sent a message every five days. Their contents were much the same: accounts of his experiences and insights from his studies, followed by questions for Fang Yun about various matters or the proper way to study.
The new ruler of the Chu Kingdom sent one message every day, regular as clockwork, reporting everything that had happened in the kingdom that day, down to the smallest detail. The new King of Chu remained humble in his messages, without the slightest change even during the days when the Lei Family had accused Fang Yun.
As for Zhu Fengqiong, the distinguished prime minister and Grand Academician had nearly been driven mad with anger. They had clearly agreed to join forces with the Zong and Lei Families against Fang Yun, yet his messages vanished like clay oxen sinking into the sea, never receiving a reply. His recent messages had consisted entirely of furious abuse.
His latest message, however, was relatively polite. He lowered himself and expressed his hope that "Zhang Longxiang" would attend this Mid-Autumn Literary Gathering. Still, he demanded that "Zhang Longxiang" set conditions: since Fang Yun had decided the time and place, Zhang Longxiang should decide the format of the literary contest. Victory had to be determined through poems and lyrics about military life and the frontier.
Lei Tingzhen proved himself worthy of being a Great Scholar. Even after Lei Zhongmo's death, and even though Fang Yun had never replied, he had not lost his composure. There was merely