Chapter 3: Audience with the Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, Son of Heaven

In the end, Old Zhang refrained from hitting him. After all, he was a Celestial Master, and his words had to be honored. He had already made up his mind: when he returned from the capital, he would certainly teach this rebellious son a lesson. Yet, watching Zhang Yi—clearly still a child—gaze toward Mount Longhu, Zhang Zhengchang couldn't help but feel that Zhang Yi was not a boy, but a grown man.

Reluctance, lingering attachment, and even a trace of homesickness seemed to flicker in his eyes. For a child of seven or eight to reveal so much in his gaze was something Zhang Zhengchang, who had never truly looked at his son, found surprising.

Old Zhang snorted coldly, saying nothing more, and followed Zhang Yi in looking back at Mount Longhu.

Mount Longhu belonged to the Zhang family; in fact, the fields at the foot of the mountain were theirs as well. Since the Mongols entered the capital in the previous dynasty, and the Zhang family was first officially acknowledged as Celestial Masters, in less than a century, the Celestial Master's Mansion had reached the pinnacle of power and prestige.

Zhang Yi claimed that the Zhang family now rivaled the glory of the founding ancestors, Zhang Daoling and Zhang Lu, but Zhang Zhengchang privately believed that the present Zhang family was, in truth, the finest in its history.

For the ancestors, and for the enduring honor of the Zhang family, he was determined to persevere. Yet Zhang Yi's words, "prosperity begets decline," lingered in Zhang Zhengchang's mind, unable to be shaken off. That was why, when Zhang Yi touched upon his secret fears, he became so angry.

But recalling his past friendship with Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhang Zhengchang regained his confidence. Back then, old Zhu had praised the Celestial Master's Mansion to the skies, and the Mansion had served him well; surely, he would remember old loyalties?

"Stop staring—it's not as though you won't return," he said. If you are so attached to Mount Longhu, you might as well behave yourself in the future, devote yourself to cultivation, and rid yourself of that baleful aura! The Zhang family's legacy was built through generations of Celestial Masters' hard work; as a member of the Mansion, you ought to consider how you can contribute.

The words "baleful star" made Zhang Yi purse his lips, but he chose not to argue further and kept silent.

"Master, it's getting late. We should set out soon," reminded one of the disciples accompanying them.

Zhang Zhengchang turned and boarded the carriage, followed by Zhang Yi.

"Mm."

"What's wrong?"

"This carriage is rather bumpy; it could use some improvements."

"Then get down and walk!"

"Father, I'm a baleful star, not a fool."

"Hmph!"

Whenever they met, father and son couldn't help but bicker, but because of their wager, Old Zhang managed to restrain his urge to beat this troublesome child.

"You really dreamed of Ancestor Zhang Daoling?"

"As real as it gets."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe it or not, I do," Zhang Yi retorted.

Their banter kept the journey lively, and before they knew it, the group had traveled from Jiangxi into Southern Direct Administration; Nanjing was just ahead.

"So this is Nanjing?"

Zhang Yi poked his small head out of the carriage, gazing at the distant city walls with awe. He had visited modern-day Nanjing in his previous life, but seeing the ancient city walls now, he felt as if he were traveling through time. The tall walls bore the marks of age and warfare, yet blended harmoniously with the scenery of Jiangnan.

The capital bustled with carriages and crowds; lines of people stretched long at the city gates, and even those from the Celestial Master's Mansion had to queue. When they finally entered the city, Zhang Yi looked at the distant pavilions and houses lined up like scales, and could not help but exclaim—not because he, as a transmigrator, was unaccustomed to grandeur, but because, since crossing over, he had not seen so many people in one place. It was here, in this city, that he felt the true pulse of urban life. He longed to remain.

In the late Yuan and early Ming, the land had suffered years of war, resulting in a sparse population. Even though the Zhang family held sway over Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, and other places, and their territory was considered prosperous locally, it was still no match for the capital.

Zhang Yi's excitement struck Old Zhang as mere childishness. He snorted,

"Impatience like that disgraces the Celestial Master's Mansion. Sit down at once!"

"We'll find a place to rest first. You and your senior brothers stay in the temple and don't wander off. I will enter the palace to see His Majesty," he instructed.

The first thing the Zhang family did upon arrival was to seek an audience with the emperor. Zhang Zhengchang, upon entering the city, did not dare delay for a moment.

Their lodging had already been arranged by the disciples. The Zhang family had controlled the Daoist faith for years, and most temples in the capital were their property.

Once Zhang Yi and the others were settled, Old Zhang hurried off. Entering the palace was not a simple matter; he had to find the proper channels to request an audience. Fortunately, the outcome was positive.

The Hongwu Emperor, upon learning that Zhang Zhengchang sought an audience, readily agreed. News soon came from the palace, summoning Old Zhang to meet the emperor the next day.

Such swift approval relieved Zhang Zhengchang—His Majesty had not forgotten their past friendship.

Overjoyed, Old Zhang looked at Zhang Yi beside him with renewed annoyance. This little baleful star, with his talk of "prosperity begets decline," had nearly led him to misjudge the situation.

"Master will surely be rewarded by His Majesty this time; the lineage of Mount Longhu will be blessed for generations!"

The night before entering the palace, Old Zhang was showered with flattery by his disciples, their praise soothing the negative feelings Zhang Yi had left him.

"Watch your junior brother carefully. Don't let him wander or speak carelessly..."

"Yes, Master!"

"Zhongxiu, you've done well. I will remember you in the future."

"Thank you, Master!"

...

The next day, after the emperor had finished the morning court, Zhang Zhengchang entered the palace early.

Walking through the palace, he felt anxious, but the moment he saw the emperor, the burden in his heart eased.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Zhengchang of the Celestial Master's Mansion lineage, successor to the Han Celestial Master, pays his respects!"

The emperor's brows furrowed slightly at the words "Celestial Master," but he gave permission for him to enter.

Following the eunuch, Zhang Zhengchang saw old Zhu bent over his memorials, and quickly lowered his head, afraid of being caught peeking at the emperor. Only after the eunuch announced him did the emperor look up.

The Son of Heaven, Zhu Yuanzhang, had elegant brows and piercing eyes, straight lips and a face like the full moon, his beard less than a foot long, unchanged from years past.

Zhang Zhengchang knelt, about to speak, when the emperor stood and laughed heartily.

"Zhang, my dear subject, I've been waiting for you!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, rising to help Zhang Zhengchang up.

The emperor's warmth left Zhang Zhengchang overwhelmed and deeply pleased.

"Your Majesty remembers... it is this humble Daoist's honor!"

"How could I forget? The four words you wrote for me—'Where Heaven's Mandate Lies'—I still keep them!"

"When you traveled tirelessly to combat the plague in my realm, I remember. That well, Taiyi Spring, was named by me personally!"

"If you hadn't come to find me, I would have sent someone to seek you soon enough!"

Hearing this, Zhang Zhengchang was moved to tears. Ah, how good it was to have a Han emperor!

The Mongols had granted the Zhang family wealth and honors, but never had they treated him like this, as if he were kin, patting his shoulder.

At that moment, Old Zhang cast aside the last shred of doubt in his heart, and knelt with a thud.

"I, from the Celestial Master's Mansion lineage of Mount Longhu, pledge to serve Your Majesty with all my heart!"

"The Celestial Master's Mansion?" The Hongwu Emperor's expression turned playful, then quickly shifted the topic.

"Summon the attendants! Prepare a banquet! I wish to reminisce with Zhang, my dear subject!"