SWDnovel Chapter 72 Chen Tuan
Chapter 72 Chen Tuan
Outside Kaifeng, on the official road not far from the Imperial Guard camp, weeping willows sway gently.
Golden rays of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the blue robe of a Taoist priest.
The Taoist priest rode on a gray donkey. He had white hair and a youthful face. His full head of silver hair cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall, but his complexion was as rosy as a baby's. No one would guess that this seemingly vigorous old man was already ninety years old.
"The young dragon that once lurked in the abyss has finally soared into the sky."
The Taoist priest reined in his donkey and stopped outside the city walls. Gazing at the bustling capital of Kaifeng, a distant look flashed in his aged eyes, and he murmured a soft sigh.
"Master Chen Tuan, His Majesty has prepared a banquet at his residence and has been waiting for you for some time."
At the city gate, Shi Zaixi's eyes lit up slightly when he saw the Taoist priest. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I can guide you, Taoist priest."
"No need, I will go to the palace to pay my respects now."
Chen Tuan glanced at Shi Zaixi lightly, his tone indifferent, showing neither disgust nor affection: "As long as your king doesn't forget our agreement."
"Rest assured, Daoist!" Shi Zaixi was overjoyed and quickly bowed, replying, "Your Majesty is a man of your word. Once you have made a promise, you will not break it."
Chen Tuan waved his hand slightly and gently squeezed the donkey's belly with his legs. The gray donkey trotted along, carrying him straight past Shi Zaixi.
Look at that path, it leads straight to the palace.
Inside the Chui Gong Hall of the Imperial Palace, Zhao Kuangyin was frowning as he looked at a secret report.
They were still talking about Yangzhou.
Lu Duoxun's secret letter stated that Li Chongjin had secretly contacted Li Jing, the self-proclaimed ruler of the Tang Dynasty, and requested Li Jing's assistance in attacking the Song Dynasty in exchange for ceding Huainan.
Yangzhou is home to 40,000 elite troops. If we also consider the puppet Tang dynasty, the two, if they were to join forces, would indeed be a formidable enemy to the Song dynasty!
"It seems that in this battle, I will have to personally don the armor again..."
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head slightly, and before his long sigh could even land, a palace attendant's urgent report came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty! A Daoist named Chen Tuan from Mount Hua has come to pay his respects, claiming to have a past relationship with Your Majesty!"
Fuyaozi? He actually came out of seclusion!
Zhao Kuangyin was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly ordered, "Quickly, invite them in!"
He then instructed Zhang Dejun, "Go and fetch the pre-rain Longjing tea treasured in the palace; I wish to entertain distinguished guests!"
"Here you go!" Zhang Dejun didn't dare to delay and quickly turned and left.
The entire Chuigong Hall became bustling with activity because of Chen Tuan's arrival. Many eunuchs had never seen the emperor so solemn for a single person's audience, and they couldn't help but feel puzzled, but dared not ask any questions.
Zhao Kuangyin could not hide his excitement, so he stepped out of the palace gate and stood on the steps, frequently looking towards the end of the palace road, waiting for his old friend to arrive.
Before long, a figure with an air of otherworldly grace slowly approached, guided by the eunuch.
With his green robe fluttering and his steps unhurried, he was none other than Chen Tuan, who had come from Mount Hua.
"It's been a long time! You still look as dashing as ever, Daoist Master!"
From afar, Zhao Kuangyin took the initiative to greet him, and holding Chen Tuan's hands, he couldn't help but sigh, "More than ten years have passed since we parted at Mount Hua, it truly feels like a lifetime ago!"
He then took Chen Tuan's hand and led him into the hall, not forgetting to tease him as he spoke:
"Back then, in that battle atop the mountain, I lost the entire Mount Hua. I've always remembered that. Now that you've finally emerged from the mountain, you must fight me again!"
Mentioning the past, Chen Tuan stroked his beard and laughed, "That was His Majesty being modest in deferring to the old Taoist."
Although he spoke modestly, there was an undisguised smugness in his eyes.
This is a secret known to very few people in the world.
On his way to Huashan to live in seclusion, he once saw an old man carrying baskets on his shoulders, each containing a young boy. As the old man passed by, the man, skilled in physiognomy, immediately exclaimed in surprise:
"The world is now at peace!"
The old man was Zhao Hongyin, and the two boys were naturally Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi.
He could tell at a glance that Zhao Kuangyin possessed the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, and was no ordinary person; he was just a dragon in the abyss, waiting to rise with the wind.
The other boy, judging from his appearance, also possessed the potential to become a dragon among men.
From then on, he would tell everyone he met that the old man carried two dragons on his shoulders!
Later, Chen Tuan learned that Zhao Kuangyin was coming to Mount Hua to seek refuge that day, so he disguised himself as an old man selling peaches, carrying a peach basket, and blocked the entrance to Mount Hua.
Zhao Kuangyin, who was fleeing from disaster, was already starving. When he saw the peaches, his mouth watered, and he couldn't resist grabbing one and eating it, but he didn't have the money to pay for it.
Chen Tuan then set up a game, inviting him to play chess atop Mount Hua, with the stakes being peach coins and the entire Mount Hua.
At that time, Zhao Kuangyin had no idea that he would become emperor in the future, and having no money, he had no choice but to agree.
As a result, Zhao Kuangyin naturally lost.
Zhao Kuangyin knew he had met a wise man from the world, so he asked Chen Tuan for guidance so he could realize his ambitions.
Chen Tuan then said, "Guo Rong is currently recruiting soldiers and horses and gathering good generals at Tongguan. Why not go and join him?"
Zhao Kuangyin followed the advice and went down the mountain to serve under Guo Rong. From then on, he was like a dragon entering the sea, and his rise was unstoppable.
Therefore, after Zhao Kuangyin became emperor, Mount Hua and its surrounding areas formed a special case of "not paying taxes", which gave rise to the folk saying "even the emperor can't control you".
Even today, the stone carving of that chess game in the chess pavilion at the foot of the East Peak of Mount Hua is still preserved.
Because of this inextricable bond, Zhao Kuangyin valued Chen Tuan so much that he even personally welcomed him.
The two walked hand in hand into the Chuigong Hall.
The eunuchs had already set up a chessboard in the hall, and the palace maids served piping hot tea, while the fragrance of sandalwood wafted around the beams and pillars.
The two sat facing each other, each holding two pieces, one black and one white. With each move of their fingertips, the small chessboard was already ablaze with battle.
After a few moves, Zhao Kuangyin had gained the upper hand. As he placed his piece, he seemingly casually probed:
"Why does the Taoist priest have the leisure to come down from the mountain?"
Chen Tuan smiled and said, "I have been sitting in seclusion on Mount Hua for thirty years. Recently, I have been feeling restless and have learned that a true dragon has arrived in the world. Therefore, I have come down the mountain to visit my old friend."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily, yet also said with admiration, "To live in the mountains, to cleanse one's heart from worldly affairs, to cultivate one's primordial spirit, to possess profound wisdom and long-term strategies, and to not seek patronage from kings and nobles—you are truly a recluse!"
With that, he placed another piece and humbly inquired, "I wonder if you have any lessons for me during your recent descent from the mountain?"
"Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a recluse in the mountains; how dare I speak so presumptuously?"
Chen Tuan replied, "Your Majesty possesses an extraordinary and celestial appearance, is learned in both ancient and modern times, and has a profound understanding of governance and chaos. You are truly a benevolent and wise ruler!"
"Now that the ruler and his ministers are of one mind and the people are of one mind, it is the perfect time to reform and govern the country in order to meet the wishes of all the people and bring peace and prosperity to the whole world."
After hearing Chen Tuan's words, Zhao Kuangyin's eyes lit up slightly. He even forgot about the game of chess and immediately asked:
"Since you speak of reform and governance, may I ask you, Daoist Master, what are the ills plaguing the world today?"
"Since Your Majesty has asked, this old Taoist priest will humbly offer a few words."
Seeing that Zhao Kuangyin had successfully taken the bait, Chen Tuan smiled slightly and immediately revealed all his thoughts:
"The ills of the world lie not in war, but in the fact that rulers are not rulers and ministers are not ministers."
As soon as Chen Tuan opened his mouth, Zhao Kuangyin immediately became interested, listening intently as Chen Tuan continued:
Then Chen Tuan recounted the events of Zhu Wen of Liang assassinating Emperor Ai of Tang, Li Siyuan of Tang seizing the throne in a military coup, Shi Jingtang of Jin ceding Yan and Yun and declaring himself emperor, and Zhou Guowei's Yellow Banner Mutiny, pointing out incisively:
"If the ruler loses control, he will possess a strong army and covet the throne; if the minister forgets his duty, he will rely on military power to depose and install emperors at his own discretion."
"When the ruler and his ministers lost their virtue, five different families and thirteen rulers came and went in fifty-three years, just like a temporary lodging."
These words actually carried a hint of disrespect, but Zhao Kuangyin seemed oblivious to it, even nodding in agreement.
This is because, having lived through the Five Dynasties period, he naturally knew that everything Chen Tuan said was the truth.
Therefore, after Chen Tuan finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin could no longer contain his anxiety and hurriedly asked:
"In your opinion, Master, how should I bring peace to the realm?"
Chen Tuan stroked his white beard, a faint smile playing on his lips, and uttered eight words:
"Governing a country through culture is the only way to ensure its long-term stability."