Screens cast shifting shadows; candle flames shimmered.
By candlelight, Yu Qianlou and Yu Yuling each held one end of an enormous silk map, slowly unfolding it until it occupied more than half the room.
Wang Yang had studied geography extensively. A brief glance at the relative positions of the rivers and lakes was enough for him to praise it. "An excellent map!"
Not only was this Wang Yang's first time seeing it, but the two Yu brothers had never seen it before either.
"During the previous dynasty, the emperor of Song ordered the Imperial Library to draw this 'Map of the Empire's Commanderies and Counties' based on Pei Xiu's 'Regional Map of the Tribute of Yu.' Apart from the terrain north of the Huai River and south of Guangzhou, which was drawn rather roughly, all of Jiangnan, including Ba-Shu, was carefully verified. More than twenty years have passed since then, but aside from changes to a handful of provinces and commanderies, everything remains as depicted here..."
Questions welled up in Yu Yuling's mind, but he dared not interrupt his father. He glanced at his elder brother and saw equally complicated emotions brewing in his eyes.
"Zhi Yan, look. Our dynasty's grain transport chiefly involves four routes across the Eighteen Provinces, from Ba Commandery to Dan-"
Yu Yi abruptly stopped and told his two sons, "This concerns confidential matters. You two should leave."
Yu Qianlou cupped his hands and assented.
Though reluctant, Yu Yuling could only obey and leave the room.
The moon shone through a veil of haze.
Yu Qianlou dismissed the servants and carried the lantern himself as he escorted his younger brother back to his room.
"Brother, why do you think Father has a map from the previous dynasty's Imperial Library?" After a long silence, Yu Yuling could