Are the wretched of this world only Jiang Wuliang?
Chong Xuan Sheng said: "Xu Fang was better off dead for eighteen years, and I became an orphan at two!"
"Perhaps Grandfather is growing too old, but looking back on the past in recent years, I find that all things in this world are impermanent and can be forgiven."
Chong Xuan Yunbo's expression softened somewhat, and he spoke gently: "What happened back then cannot be blamed entirely on Jiang Wuliang. After all, when your father died, he was already imprisoned in the Greenstone Palace. It was Mingtu himself... who sought virtue and obtained it."
Chong Xuan Futsu was the name he had later given himself; his original name had been Chong Xuan Mingtu.
This mention of "Mingtu" by the old marquis clearly touched Chong Xuan Sheng.
But this fat young man stiffened his expression, refusing to soften.
"Back then..." Chong Xuan Sheng tried to appear calm: "In the Battle of Qi-Xia, he refused to lead the army. The Emperor was furious and imprisoned him, asking if he had sympathy for Xia. Everyone knew — when the Emperor openly asked if he sympathized with Xia, in his heart he truly believed that he stood on Jiang Wuliang's side, supporting the peace faction, trusting in his own talent, and using that to force the Emperor's hand!"
"A man that clever — would he really do something so foolish? Was this not done at Jiang Wuliang's behest? Is Jiang Wuliang innocent? Pitiable?"
The "he" in Chong Xuan Sheng's mouth was, of course, Chong Xuan Futsu.
"To make up for this 'mistake' and regain the Emperor's trust, you — who had already laid down your armor for years — had to take up arms once more, leading three sons and one nephew to the front lines of Qi-Xia in person. In that battle, more than half the Chong Xuan family's direct lineage was killed or wounded. My Third Uncle died in battle! And because of this, you hated him deeply, never speaking another word to him for the rest of your life."
"Why have I been so despised and bullied everywhere in the Chong Xuan family? If not for Uncle Chuliang's protection, I would have been beaten to death by someone's 'accident' long ago!"
"And with Uncle Chuliang's meritorious service in breaking Xia, simply because he pleaded on his behalf, he was denied a marquisate. He was only granted a countship, and even given the admonition 'be cautious in your heart.'"
Chong Xuan Sheng looked at Chong Xuan Yunbo: "Grandfather, now you want me... to stop hating Jiang Wuliang?"
Chong Xuan Yunbo was silent for a long while before saying: "Back then, Mingtu had destroyed two kingdoms and was known throughout the realm. If His Majesty did not trust him, he would not have appointed him to command the army against Xia. Furthermore, when Mingtu went to the Withering and Flourishing Court to suppress his killing intent, he met Jiang Wuliang and they hit it off instantly. After that, they became the closest of friends, pushing each other forward. Now that you too have a close friend, perhaps you can understand his choice..."
Everyone has their own reasons — so can all things in this world be forgiven?
But... the cold stares, the hatred, the bullying of his childhood — why did those people not forgive him, not "forgive" me?
Chong Xuan Sheng's face was expressionless: "Perhaps all things can be forgiven. But Grandfather, I am too young! Since the Jumbo Trade Association has betrayed me, I will cut them down to the last."
*I am too young, so I cannot do it!*
He spoke of the Jumbo Trade Association, but it was not only the Jumbo Trade Association.
Chong Xuan Yunbo sighed.
He was not asking Chong Xuan Sheng to stop hating Jiang Wuliang — he hoped Chong Xuan Sheng would stop hating the Emperor, stop hating his own birth father, Chong Xuan Futsu.
Because hating the Emperor was the path to death, and hating one's own father was the root of a lifetime of pain.
This was what Chong Xuan Yunbo, as a grandfather, could not bear to see.
But he also realized that Chong Xuan Sheng's current thoughts and decisions could no longer be changed by a few words from him.
The more brilliant the person, the stronger their convictions.
Back then it was so for Chong Xuan Futsu, and now it was so for Chong Xuan Zun and Chong Xuan Sheng.
Chong Xuan Mingguang, now in his sixties, was still obedient and submissive to him, agreeing to everything he said. But he knew well in his heart that his eldest son was nothing but a good-for-nothing.
"Let us leave it at this for today." The old man sat in his chair and raised his hand wearily: "I am tired."
Chong Xuan Sheng bowed properly: "Your grandson takes his leave."
Jiang Chen rose and departed, with Shisi following along.
When Chong Xuan Sheng reached the door, the old man's voice sounded once more.
"Before Mingtu set out, he came to see me. I did not acknowledge him. Until his death, I never spoke another word to him... It is the regret of my life."
There was a faint, visible tremor in the old man's voice. This was an emotion exceedingly rare to see in this old man.
"If he could hear that, he would be very gratified, Grandfather." Chong Xuan Sheng said.
But in his heart he thought at the same time: *What a pity he can no longer hear it.*
So whether he would be gratified or not — who cared?
...
After Chong Xuan Sheng and the other two had left, a slightly portly figure emerged from the inner room.
Chong Xuan Yunbo sighed: "Chuliang, these years have been hard on you."
The newly enfeoffed Marquis Chong Xuan Chuliang spoke in a deep voice: "My cultivation was introduced to me by Second Brother. My entire military strategy was personally taught by Second Brother. If not for him, I would have died I don't know how many times in my early years. Anything I do is only what is right. But these years I have failed in my charge — I did not take good care of Sheng'er."
Of Chong Xuan Yunbo's four sons, Chong Xuan Futsu was the second. Chong Xuan Chuliang was younger than the third, Chong Xuan Mingshan, but older than the fourth, Chong Xuan Minghe. Thus he also called Chong Xuan Futsu "Second Brother."
Chong Xuan Yunbo's expression was sorrowful. In truth, at this time and place, perhaps only before Chong Xuan Chuliang could he reveal such genuine and delicate emotions: "That Sheng'er has turned out as he has... if Mingtu's spirit rests in heaven, he should be able to rest in peace."
Chong Xuan Chuliang said: "Back then, when Second Sister-in-law first showed signs of pregnancy, Second Brother named the child 'Sheng' — whether a boy or a girl, the name would be the same. He told me that because he had failed his whole life, he did not want the child to follow in his footsteps. Hearing those words, my heart bled. Second Brother was such a proud man — yet he acknowledged his own life as a failure."
"Back then, Jiang Wuliang had already been deposed. The Chong Xuan family was implicated, the situation was dire, and hardships continued year after year."
"When Sheng'er was born, Second Sister-in-law died in difficult labor. Second Brother's spirit was crushed. It was in that same year that he changed his name to Futsu, to show his devotion to the Buddha."
"Two years later. A censor reported that the deposed Crown Prince had spoken words of resentment. The Emperor was furious. He had him confined in the Greenstone Palace, ordering him to live out his days and die there. The entire court was silent. Only Second Brother left his meditation chamber and went before the Emperor to plead."
"The Emperor, in a rage, even asked him: 'Why does the Chong Xuan family's Futsu only know the Crown Prince and not his sovereign and father?' — implying that the Chong Xuan family harbored intentions of rebellion."
"To prove his innocence, and to avoid implicating the family, Second Brother ventured alone into the sea and fought to the death in a bloody battle."
"Because of the ferocity of that battle, the Chong Xuan family was able to navigate the crisis smoothly. That year, Sheng'er was two years old."
"Many in the Chong Xuan family resented and hated him, and transferred that hatred to Sheng'er. But they have forgotten how much glory Second Brother brought to the Chong Xuan family. They only remember the bad, never the good."
There was no small measure of complaint in Chong Xuan Chuliang's words.
Chong Xuan Yunbo could naturally hear it, and so his voice was equally heavy: "Even now, Sheng'er does not know where Mingtu died. He only knows that his father was surrounded on the battlefield, exhausted, and died in battle."
"If this child were unworthy, that would be one thing. But since he can seize the opportunity, I will support him to become the head of the Chong Xuan family." Chong Xuan Chuliang said. "After all, that position was originally Second Brother's."
"Mingtu was the head of the family. He did not care for it himself, and so it passed. Sheng'er and Zun'er are the back of my hand and the palm. In my eyes, I cannot distinguish between closeness and distance. If they wish to compete, I will give them the chance. Let them compete on their own. I will only hold the scale, ensuring no one's life is at risk." Chong Xuan Yunbo said.
"Presumably they know their limits." Chong Xuan Chuliang only said.
In truth, after being enfeoffed as a marquis, he increasingly understood some of Chong Xuan Yunbo's decisions. To manage such a great family, expending both heart and effort — many matters could not be considered simply, nor could they be done as one pleased.
Chong Xuan Yunbo let out a long sigh: "I judge others by myself. Mingtu has been gone for so many years, and though I hated him deeply, I also loved him deeply. As a parent myself, I believe His Majesty must feel the same. Sheng'er's use of the deposed Crown Prince in his schemes this time — I fear he may invite disaster."
Chong Xuan Chuliang said: "This matter was handled very cleanly. There will be no leads... Seven Fingers has already killed himself."
"Seven Fingers — was he one of Mingtu's old subordinates?"
"Yes. Sheng'er has always thought those old soldiers who helped him were my people. If he knew they were Second Brother's former men, I fear he would not have used them."
Chong Xuan Yunbo seemed to think of something. He stared blankly for a long while before saying: "He must be given a burial of the highest honor."