One Touched by Fortune

Guangling has abundant water and is located near the entrance to the East China Sea.

Finding the Dragon King is difficult, but finding the Water Palace is not impossible.

Gongsun Hong mentioned that the Dragon King toured many great rivers, including the Changhe River in the Guangling area.

The area the other party is touring must have a water palace, and a normally functioning water palace at that.

After the banquet in the Guangling Palace ended, Dong Zhongshu and Gongsun Hong had a serious talk.

"Zhongshu, forgive me for not understanding this matter. Why provoke a water palace and cause future trouble?" Gongsun Hong asked. "Dragons are the most perfect Demon Race in terms of transformation. If they set their sights on us, we will never have a peaceful day."

Gongsun Hong's question corresponds to the purpose of his actions.

He could be brought to Jiangdu, and he might also be brought to the Dragon Palace to be punished.

He'd be reluctant to get involved in something like this unless there was a significant benefit to it.

No matter what, he was a renowned scholar with experience as an official in the imperial court. The King of Jiangdu could be rude to him, but it would be difficult for him to kill him just because he couldn't get anything out of him.

If the risk of being disliked by the King of Jiangdu is less than the risk of offending the Dragon Clan, his choice is not difficult.

"Your words make sense, Ciqing," Dong Zhongshu nodded. "But with the Prince of Jiangdu at the forefront, we don't need to worry about retaliation!"

"What exactly does the King of Jiangdu want?" Gongsun Hong asked in a low voice. "What benefits can he offer us?"

"Anyone who finds the Water Mansion will be rewarded with 100,000 gold pieces," Dong Zhongshu said. "You can also choose whatever Jiangdu possesses; the King of Jiangdu can even offer his favorite concubine!"

"Zhongshu, you are neither greedy for money nor lustful," Gongsun Hong said in a low voice, shaking his head.

"My spiritual practice has been fraught with difficulties, and I wish to seek a connection with the King of Jiangdu," Dong Zhongshu said in a low voice. "Although he is rough, he is also generous, and I hope to use this opportunity to get closer to him!"

"Zhongshu's words are truly hard for me to accept!"

Gongsun Hong looked at Dong Zhongshu.

Dong Zhongshu was a generous and open-minded person who was not concerned with money. He was willing to share his knowledge and teach openly and honestly, making him a perfect role model.

Upon suddenly hearing that Dong Zhongshu, like everyone else, was thinking about currying favor with the powerful, Gongsun Hong felt somewhat uncomfortable, realizing that the other man was no different in character from himself.

"To realize one's dreams, one must always make some sacrifices," Dong Zhongshu sighed. "Even His Majesty the Emperor Gaozu could endure humiliation and hardship; what are ours compared to that!"

"Why doesn't Master Gongsun also seek his fortune with the King of Jiangdu?"

Dong Zhongshu and Gongsun Hong did not avoid Zhang Xuezhou during their secret discussions.

Without Zhang Xuezhou's initial introduction, Dong Zhongshu would not have been able to continue, and Gongsun Hong would not have been able to finish the work.

There is a beginning, middle, and end to the event, and each person plays a different role.

Moreover, Dong Zhongshu has recently been researching the two realm techniques of the Yin-Yang School, so Zhang Xuezhou by his side would be more convenient.

He pulled Zhang Xuezhou and also tried to win over Gongsun Hong.

When Zhang Xuezhou spoke, Dong Zhongshu realized that Gongsun Hong not only needed to avoid future troubles, but also needed sufficient benefits to help him.

Gongsun Hong was dismissed from his post by the court and was in dire straits. He had almost nowhere to go and little hope of cultivating himself and rising to a higher position. Moreover, he was over sixty years old and his future was even more uncertain than that of Dong Zhongshu.

However, Zhang Xuezhou's suggestion was inaccurate.

Dong Zhongshu needed the King of Jiangdu, but Gongsun Hong did not.

"Minister Ci, Shen Pei has been expelled from Chang'an City, and I may be summoned back," Dong Zhongshu said. "If you are willing to return to court, I will strongly recommend you and will stand by you in support."

"Oh?"

"This recommendation won't take long," Dong Zhongshu said. "Moreover, I know His Majesty's needs. As long as you answer according to His Majesty's requirements, you will surely have a bright future!"

"Alas, I am old and useless, and His Majesty is reluctant to give me important positions. My status among Confucian School is also not very high, so it is extremely difficult for me to have a future," Gongsun Hong lamented.

"No, your position is actually already very high," Dong Zhongshu shook his head and said, "Shen Pei from Lu is unable to return to Chang'an, Yuan Gu from Qi is old and nearing death, Han Taifu from Yan has already passed away, Fu Sheng from Jinan, Gao Tangsheng from Lu, Tian Sheng from Zichuan, and Hu Wusheng from Qi and Lu all have their own places to belong and cannot go to Chang'an, leaving only me!"

"That's right!" Gongsun Hong nodded in agreement.

"And as long as I don't enter Chang'an City, you, Ciqing, will be the most prestigious Confucian School scholar in Chang'an City," Dong Zhongshu said.

"How?"

"As long as you help me establish myself in Jiangdu, I will recommend you for a position. As long as you remain in Chang'an City, I will not return to Chang'an to develop my career," Dong Zhongshu said. "Heaven and earth can bear witness to this. You will surely rise to a high position in the future!"

"Zhongshu, you absolutely mustn't do this!"

Gongsun Hong was momentarily surprised, then overjoyed, and then filled with conflicting emotions that were hard to express.

Dong Zhongshu was right. With the removal of Shen Peigong and the Confucian School faction leader who was too old to go to Chang'an City to develop, coupled with Shen Peigong's early suppression, the Confucian School in Chang'an City was leaderless.

Once Dong Zhongshu went to Chang'an City, Dong Zhongshu would become the most prestigious Confucian School in the Chang'an City.

Dong Zhongshu's recommendation will have a very positive effect on Gongsun Hong. If Dong Zhongshu gives him a push and abandons his development in Chang'an City, it will be almost equivalent to helping Gongsun Hong secure his position as the head of the Confucian School faction.

With the support of a powerful faction behind him, Gongsun Hong was not a pawn that anyone could easily suppress, and even if he made a mistake, it would be difficult for him to be dismissed from his post.

Although he was saying he was trying to persuade Dong Zhongshu, the light in his eyes clearly showed that he was extremely tempted.

"It's rare for a master to make such a solemn vow!"

Zhang Xuezhou offered a quiet, supportive comment.

Dong Zhongshu was indeed more skilled than Gongsun Hong. This was not only a comparison of individual strength and reputation, but also a comparison of wisdom and ambition.

With just a few simple words, Dong Zhongshu offered a hollow promise, and Gongsun Hong was already tempted.

Moreover, Dong Zhongshu wanted to use the King of Jiangdu to advance his magic. Before the magic reached a certain level, it was almost impossible for the other party to return to Chang'an City to develop. The promised matter did not cost anything, and it would not be a big problem for Dong Zhongshu to return to Chang'an City after Gongsun Hong grew old and died.

But for Gongsun Hong, this was almost the best news in the world.

"Speaking of which, there might actually be a water palace around Jiangdu, but there are some confusing things there, making it quite difficult to find!"

After being moved, Gongsun Hong became much more efficient in his work.

After a few words of persuasion, Gongsun Hong began to mention a secret underwater palace in the Changshui River in Jiangdu.

Compared to the caves in the Huai River that have been closed for hundreds of years, the water palaces in the Changshui River are inhabited by aquatic creatures. This is the information that Gongsun Hong heard while listening to a talkative turtle demon chatting in the East Sea.

"As long as we have the direction, things won't be difficult," Dong Zhongshu said. "The confusion will eventually be cleared away!"

"It's good that Zhongshu had a method!"

Gongsun Hong was overjoyed.

With the King of Jiangdu leading the way and Dong Zhongshu clearing away the confusion, all he needed to do was act as a guide.

If the journey goes smoothly and Dong Zhongshu gains favor with the King of Jiangdu, Gongsun Hong can obtain Dong Zhongshu's promise.

This was a future that could almost be seen clearly. Gongsun Hong couldn't help but feel a little excited, thinking that his old age was finally starting to bring him good fortune.