Early the next morning, Fang Yizhi continued on his way with He An and Fan Dazhi. Fang Yizhi said that Yique County Town was still sixty or seventy li from Capital Luoyang. Once they crossed Dragon Gate Mountain, they could arrive by evening. He imagined that Capital Luoyang must already be a sea of people: the Knowledge and Practice Institute's entrance tests were about to begin, and talented youths from across the realm were sure to gather there.
Fang Yizhi hired another mule cart and took the two boys up the mountain road toward Dragon Gate Mountain. Located in the Southern Suburbs of Capital Luoyang, Dragon Gate Mountain was a natural gateway guarding the imperial city. Fragrant Mountain to the east faced Dragon Gate Mountain across the Yi River, which cut through the valley between them, leaving sheer cliffs on both banks that resembled a natural gate.
The slopes were not particularly steep, and years of travelers had left the mountain road broad enough for carts. Fang Yizhi sat by the shafts with the whip in hand, while He An and Fan Dazhi sat behind him. The boys gazed at the lush forests of green cypresses covering the two mountains of Dragon Gate, the Yi River so clear they could count its fish, and the green willows lining its banks. Countless springs emerged from crevices in the rocks below the mountains, taking a thousand shapes and ten thousand forms-a magnificent spectacle. The mountains and rivers were truly majestic, the scenery unsurpassed.
A great poet of the previous dynasty had once said, "Among the splendid mountains and waters outside Luoyang, Dragon Gate stands foremost!" The beauty of the world's mountains came in many forms and styles, and Dragon Gate Mountain's exquisite scenery resembled a landscape painting, rippling with emerald waves, alive with sound and color.
As the verse went, "The Yi River shakes its mirrored light; slender fish seem separated by nothing. A thousand ancient niches line the road; one white bird rests upon the sand!" The sight left He An and Fan Dazhi refreshed in heart and spirit. They had never expected to find such beauty along the road before even reaching the imperial capital!
By the time the three descended Dragon Gate Mountain, the sun had already shifted westward. Gazing into the distance, they could faintly make out the immense city walls below.
Fang Yizhi drove the mule cart onto the main road, gradually joining the streams of travelers coming and going. As the sun sank westward, the three crossed Dingding Bridge and finally reached Luoyang City.
He An and Fan Dazhi had grown up in a village. Only yesterday, they had seen the bustle of Yique County Town for the first time; today, the sight of Dingding Gate in Capital Luoyang left them even more awestruck.
The towering city gate soared into the clouds. Its gate tower, flanking towers, watchtowers, and connecting covered corridors formed an enormous complex shaped like the character for "gate," grand in scale and magnificent in presence.
Two ranks of armored soldiers bearing halberds stood beneath the gate. Several more checked those entering and leaving, inspecting travel permits, passage documents, and the like.
Inside the city, the streets were broad, shops lined the roads, and pedestrians thronged everywhere. There were Persians leading camels, blond-haired, blue-eyed Puluo people, heavily bearded Guizi people selling sesame flatbreads, Arab people wrapped in robes and headscarves, and burly, formidable Uyghur people. All sorts of people mingled naturally and harmoniously, making one marvel at what a great city this truly was. This was a powerful nation enjoying a golden age of peace and prosperity-the Great Chen Empire, drawing visitors from every direction to pay their respects.
Hemmed in by the crowds, the mule cart crept forward a step at a time. Fang Yizhi calmly told He An and Fan Dazhi that this hardly counted as crowded; the Knowledge and Practice Institute was where things truly grew lively. At this time every year, students dreaming of studying there came from all across the country. The crowds often packed the institute so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through. Now that was a magnificent sight.
The mule cart struggled free of the crowds, passed along Vermilion Bird Avenue, and finally arrived at the Knowledge and Practice Institute.
Fang Yizhi jumped down from the cart and looked around in puzzlement. Only a dozen or so people stood scattered outside the Knowledge and Practice Institute's entrance. There were more instructors handling registration than students taking the entrance tests.
In previous years, whenever the Knowledge and Practice Institute recruited disciples, the nearby inns were packed every day, and several instructors were needed to maintain order among the crowds outside its gates. Even the residents of nearby Chongwen Ward had put their entire families to work, enclosing a couple of zhang of secluded ground with curtains and placing a chamber pot in the middle to solve the candidates' difficulty finding a privy. Each visit cost one copper coin, whether for a large or small need. Some households were said to have earned pots and bowls overflowing with money, making it a popular joke among the common people.
Yet this year, sparrows could have nested at the deserted gates. Had something gone wrong?
Fang Yizhi asked the instructor handling reception to help He An and Fan Dazhi register and arrange their lodgings, then hurried off to find his teacher, Wei Zhilin, Head of the Literary Institute.
Within the Knowledge and Practice Institute stood a quaint courtyard with an air of antiquity. A few forlorn autumn bamboos grew beneath the southern wall, two lush green pines stood beside the western wall, and a dozen pots of autumn chrysanthemums waited to bloom beneath the northern eaves. In the courtyard's center, a tree laden with red jujubes stood ready for harvest.
Wei Zhilin sat beneath a pine. He was around forty or fifty, with a Carefree Headwrap on his head, silkworm-shaped brows, phoenix eyes, and three long strands of beard. His appearance was distinguished, and his loose scholar's robes lent an air of ease and dignity to his every movement.
Tea had already been brewed on the stone table, and Wei Zhilin gestured for Fang Yizhi to help himself. He studied his disciple. Fang Yizhi had talent, though it could not be called exceptional, but the young man was steady of purpose, unflustered by danger, unwilling to curry favor with the powerful, and gentle toward others. He possessed the bearing of a gentleman, which was why Wei Zhilin had chosen him as a disciple from among thousands.
Over tea, Wei Zhilin explained the situation to Fang Yizhi. Just over a month earlier, the Cui Family's Old Patriarch in Fanyang Commandery had proposed establishing Dragon Gate Academy, with all its expenses borne by the Cui Family itself. The emperor had granted his approval and personally inscribed its name.
The Cui Old Patriarch had also gathered eight hundred thousand dan of grain and provisions and donated all of it to the court. Greatly pleased, the emperor had issued an edict commending the Cui Clan of Fanyang Commandery. He had further declared that any Dragon Gate Academy disciples who later entered official service or joined the army would receive the same treatment as disciples of the Knowledge and Practice Institute.
The Cui Family had already gathered many outstanding youths from its own clan and sent proclamations throughout the realm, attracting large numbers of talented young people to apply to Dragon Gate Academy. Thus, the Knowledge and Practice Institute was no longer as bustling as in previous years.
Fang Yizhi was perceptive indeed. After hearing his teacher out, he took a sip of tea and said, "This series of moves by the Cui Family of Fanyang Commandery was clearly planned long ago. For a wealthy local magnate to interfere in affairs of state, someone must be supporting him behind the scenes. Is His Majesty... preparing to move against our Knowledge and Practice Institute?"
Wei Zhilin nodded. "Ten years ago, the late emperor suddenly passed away, Western Liang invaded, Eastern Yang established its own state, and the Eldest Prince was tragically assassinated. Beset by troubles within and without, the director supported the Second Prince's accession to the throne. Though the director did not involve himself in court affairs, the Second Prince was young, after all, and needed to consult him on many matters. Ten years have passed... and the Second Prince is, in the end, the emperor. Half the leading officials at court are honored veterans who followed the late emperor in his great undertaking, while others are disciples of the Knowledge and Practice Institute. All hold our director in high esteem. His Majesty intends to bring the Cui Family of Fanyang Commandery to his side and cultivate his own power."
He paused, then continued earnestly, "Yi Zhi, remember this: no matter how the winds and rains at court shift, our Knowledge and Practice Institute must remain true to its heart. The director once said that a gentleman's learning seeks only what is true. Those words, 'seek the truth,' bear much pondering. Those who plant trees must nourish their roots; those who cultivate virtue must nurture their hearts!"
Sobered, Fang Yizhi bowed his head and cupped his hands. "Your disciple will remember your teachings!"
After bidding his teacher farewell, Fang Yizhi went to the inn where the Knowledge and Practice Institute housed its candidates. He told He An and Fan Dazhi to stay there without worry. The entrance tests would begin soon, so they should diligently review their lessons every day. Once they formally became disciples of the Knowledge and Practice Institute, they would see another world.
Like Fan Dazhi, He An did not quite understand what Fang Yizhi meant by another world. Still, after Fang Yizhi left, he took out several volumes and buried himself in his studies.
Fan Dazhi sat on the couch, now still as an old monk in meditation, now turning a somersault, now raising his voice to imitate a cat's meows. Seeing that He An remained entirely unmoved, he drawled, "Xiao An, stop reading. You've gone through those at least ten times, haven't you? Don't you know it all already? This imperial capital, this dazzling world... well... these lovely flowers and this full moon-haven't you thought... we could go together and... do something?"
He An rolled his eyes at him and said mildly, "Before my uncle left, he added some more annotations to Correct Meaning of the Five Classics, A Balanced Discussion of the Spring and Autumn Annals, and New Evidences for the Discourses of the States. I want to think them over again! Stop bothering me!"
Fan Dazhi quieted down for a while and picked up a book himself. After reading for only a moment, however, he put it down again. "Xiao An, are you hungry?"
When He An ignored him, he stretched in utter boredom and rolled back and forth on the couch. "When Heaven is about to place a great burden upon a man, it first torments his resolve, toils his sinews and bones, starves his flesh... hmm? Xiao An, listen-what's that sound?"
Hearing his solemn tone, He An could not help tilting his head to listen. A long, teasing note rang out: the fellow had let loose a resounding fart that stirred the soul and twisted the guts.
"Get out!" He An laughed and scolded, covering his nose.
Fan Dazhi sidled over with a cheeky grin and tugged at He An. Swaying his head, he imitated Fang Yizhi's tone. "Now taut, now slack-such is the way of civil and martial arts. Come on... come on... let's go for a stroll! Hurry, my stomach's already growling." Helpless, He An could only go out with him.
The Great Chen Empire had established its capital in Luoyang over ten years earlier. Throughout that decade, there had been no foreign wars, court officials had remained honest, and wind and rain had arrived in season. Its prosperity was unprecedented.
He An and Fan Dazhi followed Vermilion Bird Avenue until they reached Dingding Avenue. Towers, terraces, and pavilions filled their view, lights glittered brilliantly, pedestrians bustled through the streets, and carved carriages drawn by fine horses passed in an endless stream. The imperial capital was prosperous indeed, its wealth unrivaled beneath Heaven.
The two stopped before a red-building establishment. Huge red lanterns hung high on either side of its gateway, illuminating the bracketed eaves in golden splendor. Looking up, they saw a great plaque with pure-gold lettering on a blue-green background. Three enormous characters proclaimed: "Lotus Pavilion."
Many richly dressed people came and went. Drawing closer, the boys saw that the place was immense, with covered corridors running along both sides and a passage hall in the center. A large standing screen in a rosewood frame stood on the floor. Beyond it rose a three-story building.
Carved beams, painted pillars, and winding covered walkways were everywhere. Enticing light glowed from the side rooms, and parrots, thrushes, and other birds of various colors hung beneath the corridors. Many pretty women dressed in reds and greens sat upon the raised terrace.
Trees, artificial hills, and flowing water filled the courtyard, arranged in exquisite shapes of breathtaking beauty. Upstairs, they could faintly see more women dressed like blooming flowers greeting and seeing off guests, while delicate fragrance wafted toward them.
He An and Fan Dazhi silently clicked their tongues in wonder. They had never imagined that restaurants in the imperial capital could be so lavish.
Having walked this far, both boys were beginning to feel hungry. Fan Dazhi secretly pinched the silver in his pouch and told He An smugly, "Xiao An, this is your first time in such a fancy place, isn't it? Don't look timid. This young master has plenty of money. Today, I'll treat you to a proper meal-I brought a full two taels of silver!"
He An laughed. "You make it sound as though you come here all the time. This place is certainly beautiful, but the food must be expensive too. We don't have much silver. Though the Knowledge and Practice Institute doesn't charge for lessons or lodging, meals and everyday odds and ends will still cost us plenty. Spend carefully, and buy something for your father when we go home. Come on, let's find somewhere else."
Fan Dazhi chuckled. "What my father worries about is whether I'm eating my fill while I'm away..." Before he finished, a slender, pale hand settled on his shoulder. He turned to find a woman in green, her temples carefully painted, her brows drawn on, and her face thick with powder. She slipped an intimate arm around him and asked, "Young mashter, come fer shome food?"
Her tongue curled around her words, and her pronunciation was far from clear. He An frowned at the sound, while Fan Dazhi grew flustered by her closeness.
The woman asked Fan Dazhi again, "Young mashter, want shome fan?"
Taken aback, Fan Dazhi whispered to He An, "How does she know my surname is Fan?"
He An did not know whether to laugh or cry. Just as he was about to answer, another woman approached, this one dressed in red. Seeing Fan Dazhi's headcloth and long gown, she guessed that he must be a student from out of town who had come to the Capital for the tests.
She came up warmly and, after looking him over from head to toe, said, "You two young masters must have just arrived in the Capital. My, my, my, one glance tells me this young master is well versed in poetry and books, a man of... great ambition-dazhi!"
"Yes!" Fan Dazhi answered automatically, then whispered to He An in confusion, "She even knows my name? How does she know I'm called Dazhi?"
The woman in red continued enthusiastically, "Have you young masters come to drink or listen to songs? We sisters can keep you company in a private room on the first floor. If you would like to go up to the second floor..."
Fan Dazhi looked at the layers of powder on her face, beneath which the freckles on her cheekbones were still visible. As her thick lips moved, a heavy scent of perfume drifted toward him, sending a chill of revulsion through his heart.
He An watched the two women's languid movements and seductive glances. The place resembled a restaurant, yet something about it was strange, though he could not say exactly what. He immediately grabbed Fan Dazhi, broke free of the women, and fled through the doors with him.
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