Chapter 1478 - 800: Ascension (Two-in-One)

Chen Yi found Iron Abacus by the archway of the Spring Bright Gate.

Spring Bright Gate is the middle gate among the three eastern gates of Chang'an, constantly bustling with carriages and pedestrians. The massive archway resembles the mouth of a giant beast, swallowing and spitting out streams of people and goods.

On both sides inside the archway, at the base of the wall, is a gathering place for those resting temporarily, waiting for work, or doing small businesses. There are sellers of large bowls of tea, shoe repairers, and letter writers. More often, there are groups of three or five carriage drivers or porters squatting or leaning against the wall.

The sounds of shouting, bargaining, crude jokes among acquaintances, the dull rattle of wheels on cobblestones, and the impatient snorts of mules and horses echo off the arched walls, buzzing noisily. It's a corner of Chang'an, not much different from any larger county town.

It didn't take Chen Yi long to find the man, a fellow in a short tunic with a headscarf, who at first glance looked no different from the other laboring carriage drivers around.

But upon closer inspection, differences could be discerned. His eyes were much more lively and shrewd compared to others discussing "how many trips they made today," "the slim waist of the tofu beauty at East Market Widow Wang's house," or "saving enough to marry a wife in the countryside." His eyes darted about, moving frequently from one person to another.

The carriage drivers were all talking about earning money to marry, but he alone kept chiming in, throwing in bawdy jokes; it was clear he wasn't an honest man living day by day.

At this time, as he raised his whip to urge on the horse, Chen Yi noticed his hands. Those broad palms with thick knuckles were covered in thick calluses, but the distribution of these calluses was different from the typical carriage driver, whose calluses were formed from gripping reins or lifting heavy objects. The calluses in specific spots like the palms, the crotch of the thumb, and phalanges were particularly solid and tough, more like the marks left by years of practicing with weapons or external martial arts.

His martial arts aren't of a high level, no need to calculate precisely how skilled.

"Han King, eh? The Fourth Prince, his name isn't known to the average person. Such characters' names are kept hidden, which I'm sure you understand."

Iron Abacus lazily drove the cart, speaking to himself as if to no one, but his voice carried strangely well, just audible behind a gray curtain.

"I understand. Let me ask something small: what year is it now? I can't quite remember after last year just passed."

"The Sixteenth Year of Jianji."

Chen Yi had heard the era name Jianji from Miss Donggong, but he still needed to inquire about the specific year.

The era name Jianji signifies "establishing the zenith of the world, setting the standard of laws, with one person at the center, unifying all directions under one," reflecting the ambitious spirit of the current Western Jin Emperor. Compared with the Yellow Dragon of Great Yu, it conveys more of the grandeur to clear the imperial domain. Moreover, with the young Emperor of Great Yu and the Empress Dowager presiding over the court, the contrast becomes more apparent.

The packhorse pulling the cart walked steadily along the wide streets. Chang'an, the capital for thirteen dynasties, had vast land, encompassing eighty-one wards. There were many such carriages in the city, and along the way, Chen Yi saw quite a few, some large, some small, some carrying goods, some transporting people.

"Small matters asked, I want to inquire more." Chen Yi leaned against the carriage, separated by a layer of gray curtain, "Any fresh matters in the city lately?"

Iron Abacus nodded,

"There are a few, though talking of freshness might not apply. It's just novel to outsiders like you. The Emperor is returning to the capital, planning to offer auspicious signs again."

"Auspicious signs?"

"Yes indeed, the Emperor only tours the various capitals once every few years. On his return, both inside and outside the palace, the entire court becomes busy. When the Emperor is absent, aren't we like a dragon without its head? That Zhou Yi spoke of great fortune, so offerings of auspicious signs must follow. Although the Emperor's absence should bring disorder, yet Chang'an remains orderly, indicating the great flourishing of our state's power."

Iron Abacus then talked about the various high officials presenting different auspicious signs. Vice Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue accidentally discovered a stalk of double-headed grain at the Imperial Manor, one stem with two ears, truly an omen of a bountiful year from Heaven; Doctor Li from the Ministry of Industry found a chipped small bronze cauldron in some waterway, recognizing the ancient characters "Fortune and Longevity" inscribed upon it; and Assistant Minister Pei from the Ministry of Rites found a dragon scale engraved stone at Wannian County, a place the royal entourage passes through whenever leaving the capital...

"Though our Jin Emperor is a northerner, we've long settled it. With rites we're civilized, without rites we're barbarians. Our dynasty draws on the old systems of the Han and Tang, whereas East Yu is the barbaric Wu and Yue."

"You sure have a silver tongue."

"It's not just my skill in talking; things are just so. As an outsider, you might not know, but on the road, you could casually ask a scholar aiming for the exams; who would say otherwise?"

Chen Yi remained indifferent, not much in agreement. Perhaps due to preconceived notions, he always felt more belonging to Great Yu.

Ahead a child was crossing the street with a kite, forcing Iron Abacus to halt the cart, cursing, "You motherless brat with no butt cheeks, watch the carts!"

The child ran while shouting back, "Your mother's horse is blind, watch where you're going!"

"Next time I'll run you over, I'll hit you, hit your mother afterward!"

"My mother starved to death ages ago!"

The child raced away swiftly as Iron Abacus muttered, "Heh, that little bastard runs fast... hey, young master, anything else you want to ask?"

"Besides auspicious signs, anything else?"

"Other things... there are, though. You've probably heard of Liuyun Palace, right? A True Man's about to ascend." Iron Abacus resumed driving the horse cart, continuing, "That's one of the noteworthy Cave Heaven Blessed Lands of the Taoist realm in Central Pass, located within Zhongnan Mountain. This generation's Sect Leader of Liuyun Palace, Master Yunzhou, is said to be about to ascend!"

The words Liuyun Palace seemed vaguely familiar... Chen Yi asked, "Ascension?"