## The Dragon, the Porcelain Doll, and the Eunuch Realm

The Yu Dynasty, in the era they dared to name the Divine Dragon, found itself the focus of celestial scrutiny.

After parting ways with the enigmatic Cui Dongshan, the Dragon Lord Wang Zhu traveled with only the maidens Gong Yan and Wang Qiongju. The three aquarian retainers – the ghost immortal Huang Man, the palm-tempering Li Ba, and the earth-dragon descendant Xi Man – found themselves conscripted by the Qingping Sword Sect. Tasked with surveying the course of a great river and the surrounding mountains, they sought not to be robbed of their due recompense. Wang Zhu and her companions, however, took a more leisurely path, their pace dictated only by the whims of the Eastern Sea Lord. Thus, the party split, agreeing to reconvene at the Jade Verdant Monastery in Luoyang on a date hence.

Within the heart of Luoyang, nestled between the palace and the imperial city, lay White Rice Lane. Here stood the Jade Verdant Monastery, presided over by the Protector of the Realm, the Realized One Lu Biqiong.

The monastery was built of verdant glazed tiles, fired in the imperial kilns. Towering pines and ancient cypresses stood sentinel, their boughs eternally lush, giving the monastery its name, a bastion of jade greenery.

Huang Man and his companions arrived in Luoyang before the carefree trio, awaiting them at a tea stall outside the city gates. As fate would have it, under the high noon sun, a humble carriage appeared on the road. The driver, the youth Wang Qiongju with his scarlet gourd, was plainly a cultivator; no mere scholar would carry such an ostentatious vessel on his travels.

From the carriage stepped Wang Zhu, clad in robes of purest white, followed closely by the sumptuously attired Gong Yan. They paused to water the horses and settle at a table for tea.

Only the youth was denied a seat, forced to squat by the roadside with his humble teacup.

Gong Yan spoke, her voice laced with unease. “My Lord, must we truly entangle ourselves with this Yu Dynasty?”

She held the Yu Dynasty in low esteem. Their officials, she found, dealt in empty words and boastful pronouncements, crafting grandiose policies with little substance.

A decree issued from Luoyang’s Six Ministries would lose its potency as it trickled down, leaving the common folk with a mere sliver of its intended benefit. Yet, clever officials could weave tales of far greater impact.

The Yu Dynasty, ranked fifth among the Great Dynasties of the Continent, behind the ascendant Grand Spring and the formidable Grand Sublime, seemed consumed with securing their position, dreaming of even higher glory.

Li Ba interjected, “The Grand Spring is deeply entrenched, difficult to control. If the power of the Grand Spring’s Yao clan is a ten, and the Yu Dynasty’s a five, then the Grand Spring will only offer us two or three, while the Yu Dynasty would give us all five. Thus, it is far more advantageous to bolster the Yu Dynasty. The only risk is that they prove unworthy, dragging us down with them.”

Huang Man chuckled. “In short, Yao Jinzhi is unyielding, too stubborn to be managed. It is this very spirit that protects the Grand Spring. The barbarian tribes offered her a rare deal for the Mirage City, unlike the Yu Emperor, who languishes on his sickbed, desperate to please us. The question is, what of his heir, Prince Yu Linyou? Li Ba, you were once a royal advisor; you must carefully observe him.”

Gong Yan bristled. “Speak with respect, and cease calling her a ‘woman’!”

Huang Man smiled ruefully. “Ah, A’wu, already siding with Yao Jinzhi?”

Wang Zhu scoffed. “Bolster? The Yu Dynasty merely renders its tithes to my watery domain.”

Gong Yan glanced at Luoyang’s outer walls, their defensive array a mere illusion, capable of warding off a Gold Core cultivator at best. Was this the treasury’s stinginess or an overreliance on the Protector of the Realm’s mystical protection?

Wang Qiongju quickly settled the bill with a pouch full of silver and copper.

The party then invoked the art of shrinking distances, arriving before the monastery gates. The once-bustling White Rice Lane was now heavily guarded by imperial soldiers. Rumor held that the Royal Preceptor was in seclusion, igniting speculation throughout Luoyang, particularly among those familiar with the paths of cultivation. Could the Yu Dynasty be on the verge of birthing a Jade Bloom Immortal?

A fair maiden, seemingly in her thirties, descended from the Viewing Platform, the monastery’s highest point. Adorned with a jade tiara and lotus slippers, she clutched a snow-white whisk.

Two kinds of jade tiled the ground, forming a Tai Chi diagram with the Yin-Yang fish coalescing into a full moon.

She was Lu Biqiong, the current abbess of the Jade Verdant Monastery, the Protector of the Realm, known by the Daoist name “Full Moon.”

Recalling her gaze from the city gates, Lu Biqiong moved with impossible speed, commanding the gatekeeper to open the monastery doors.

“Lu Biqiong of the Jade Verdant Monastery greets the Eastern Sea Lord.”

She descended the steps, clad in the ‘Phoenix Mire’ robes, displaying composure despite facing the highest-ranking deity of the mortal realm. With a flick of her whisk, she spoke through the heart-voice, “I received my master’s message and knew of your impending arrival. I have long awaited you, having requested that His Majesty dispatch the Palace Guard to secure White Rice Lane, lest the sounds of the city disturb our sanctuary.”

Huang Man, the most experienced of the retainers, sensed an oddity about the royal preceptor, a subtle lack of humanity.

Wang Zhu’s eyes narrowed.

A porcelain doll.

Wang Zhu stepped onto the dais, declaring, “Summon Yu Linyou and Huang Shanshou to me at once.”

Lu Biqiong bowed her head, allowing Wang Zhu to take the lead. “The Sea Lord has but to wait a moment, and I shall send for them.”

From her sleeve, she produced a paper crane, whispering a message: *The Eastern Sea Lord graces the Jade Verdant Monastery. Requesting the presence of His Highness, the Crown Prince, and General Huang Shanshou.*

She released the crane into the air, where it burst into shimmering light, soaring towards the palace.

Leading the party to an elegant chamber, Lu Biqiong produced a set of imperial tea implements. She knelt, beginning the ritual of brewing tea.

Wang Zhu sat cross-legged, resting her chin on her hand, indifferent to the porcelain doll who had taken her seat. She simply gazed out into the courtyard.

Gong Yan chuckled inwardly. “It is said that Huang Shanshou is a Distant Wanderer, barely forty, with no true master. His martial skill has been forged in the fires of war. He has surpassed three realms in a mere decade.”

Li Ba replied, “A rare talent in the court, the Yu Dynasty’s only pillar. He embodies benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. His ambition is as vast as a palace hall.”

Huang Shanshou came from humble beginnings, enlisting as a soldier at a young age. During a continent-wide war, he did not flee with the Yu Emperor into the sanctuary of the Azure Script Sect. Instead, he raised an elite force and harassed the enemy from within. A Jade Bloom demon was dispatched to kill him, setting traps. Huang Shanshou, however, possessed a preternatural awareness of the battlefield, never taking the bait.

Thus, Wen Yu, the Vice-Chancellor of Heavenly Eye Academy, declared that the general was a jewel in a latrine.

Wen Yu made no attempt to disguise his loathing for the Yu Dynasty, reserving his praise for Huang Shanshou.

Huang Man twirled a strand of hair. “He is but forty, and already beyond reward. This is nothing short of a threat to the throne.”

Gong Yan sneered. “Were it not for Wen Yu’s words, the paranoid Yu Emperor would have forced him into retirement long ago.”

But Huang Shanshou did not come.

Only the Crown Prince Yu Linyou arrived.

Yu Linyou sat beside Lu Biqiong, apologizing that General Huang, overseeing both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice, was bound to an urgent meeting.

Lu Biqiong smiled faintly, offering the Prince a cup of tea.

Yu Linyou found the reason, aiding Huang Shanshou.

Wang Zhu continued to stare out at the courtyard, unconcerned. “If Huang Shanshou is too important to attend, bestow upon him more honors, such as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, so that he may retire. The war is over, and there is no need for a general. Let him return home, cultivate his arts, and perhaps in twenty years, he can become a martial sage to protect the Yu Dynasty.”

Yu Linyou’s face paled, gripping his teacup tightly.

Wang Zhu straightened. “Do you not understand my words?”

Yu Linyou trembled. “General Huang is the cornerstone of our realm…”

Wang Zhu waved dismissively. “Then I shall speak plainly. Choose between the throne and Huang Shanshou. When your father passes, only one of you can stand at the head of the court. Either you, Yu Linyou, on the Dragon Throne, or Huang Shanshou in command of the armies. I called you here for this simple matter. If Huang Shanshou had come instead, I would have inquired if he wished to change the dynasty’s name or retire from the court.”

Yu Linyou looked at the ground, a battle raging within him.

Wang Zhu mocked. “Do not the dragons of the imperial family possess an imperial heart? Is this a difficult choice?”

Huang Man chuckled inwardly. “I thought Yu Linyou would refuse, choosing the throne with Huang Shanshou!”

Li Ba said, “Yu Linyou will tell the Heavenly Eye Academy and the Confucius Temple.”

Gong Yan laughed. “He will anger us. Will he succeed?”

Lu Biqiong led Yu Linyou out.

Gong Yan asked, “This?”

Wang Zhu said, “Bored.”

Huang Man laid down, asking, “My Water Lord! Confucianism and the Wen Family will cause problems.”

Wang Zhu said, “I invited the Prince and made a private request. I did nothing more. He can reject it.”

Huang Man was not convinced.

To “teach” her?

Wang Zhu was a true dragon!

The Green Bell, Lady Dan Dan, controlled the land’s water.

This dragon was flattered by Wang Zhu and did as she said.

Huang Man and the retainers wondered if Dan Dan’s family had offended Wang Zhu. After all, the dragons controlled the flow of the land. The water-using cultivators honored the clouds and water.

No one asked Wang Zhu.

Dragons were sensitive.

Wang Zhu looked at the porcelain doll. “Where is the real Lu Biqiong?”

“Lu Biqiong” said, “She is drinking tea at the Heavenly Eye Academy.”

Huang Man sat up, asking, “The Three Mountains Sect? Is Han Jiangshu the sect leader? I heard that he is a fighter and master of talismans.”

Wang Zhu did not care, even though it was a hill snake on the Continent.

She was destined to be the best. She needed a title to do it.

Her only enemy:

Chen Qingliu.

During the dragon fight, Chen Qingliu stole the water from her.

Dan Dan was forced to let him.

But Wang Zhu was a dragon.

Dan Dan was different from Li Yehou and Liu Roushi. She was of the demon race and was suppressed by the dragon.

But it was fine. Aside from Wang Zhu and the divine ones, Dan Dan still had some power.

However, one thing kept her quiet.

Daozu planted the gourd and created seven “sword gourds.”

The fire boy, who had “Dou Liang,” was at the East Sea Observatory.

The old man did something that changed the land’s flow. He had the boy capture all of the sea dragons and carry them inside the gourd. It had even tilted the sea.

Wang Zhu believed that he had taken one-tenth of the water.

But the Confucius Temple did nothing.

Qingming was dry, unlike Haoran. If the old man had emptied his gourd there, it would have had three-tenths more.

Dan Dan wondered why she had to do this.

But on a boat, Wang Zhu asked why.

Dan Dan nearly collapsed. How could she stop a fourteen-realm figure?

Wang Zhu stood and looked at the sky.

It was time for the Three Teachings.

The five mountains and four water rulers of Haoran were eligible to listen.

The three teachings would sit and debate.

The Confucius Temple, Western Buddhist Country, and Qingming’s White Jade City would send debaters.

The Confucius Temple had the young Chancellor, Yuan Fang.

Qingming had Shan Qing.

Three to nine people could debate.

More people was not important.

Sending only one person had happened three times.

The last two times were:

Lu Chen, from Qingming, later a city lord.

The temple sent a simple scholar, Xun, who became a literary sage.

Thus, the high officials wondered if Xun’s disciple would debate.

—

A mountain lord and a scholar stared at each other.

The scholar was shorter, carrying two cattails.

“Is this right?”

“Yes.”

“If you give me another, it won’t be.” The scholar said, “Don’t be polite. There are plenty.”

Ning Yuan asked, “Are you serious? I am not Zhou You.”

The scholar left and a minister said that the Sage had taken two of the cattails and said that Ning Yuan gave them.

The scholar told Ning Yuan, “Why did I write for you?”

Ning Yuan called the student better than him.

The scholar said, “If you praise me, I’ll be happy. You have to be genuine when you praise my student!”

Ning Yuan said, “I will get you another plant.”

The mountain ruler said, “Be serious! It’s my relationship!”

Last time, the mountain ruler gave a cattail for the Sage’s status. This was the norm. If he gave a better gift, it would shame him.

The woman ruler did not care and gifted a valuable item.

“You’re too stingy! What about my reputation?!”

The scholar asked about Chen Ping An, the student, who had not been allowed to climb. “What truth?”

“Don’t ask.”

The scholar yelled, “Are you serious?!”

“Confucius sent me! Don’t be naive!”

“Then bring him!”

A voice told the scholar, “Tell me.”

It was Confucius.

“He wouldn’t let me!”

Ning Yuan bowed.

Confucius said, “Should he join?”

The scholar looked embarrassed, “No.”

Confucius said, “You know best.”

Confucius would not recommend Chen Ping An.

The scholar said, “He’s busy! It’s too annoying!”

He offered two plants to the mountain ruler.

The scholar offered to fight.

Ning Yuan was confused. Saints could not participate.

The scholar said, “I’ll give up my status!”

Ning Yuan was upset.

Confucius did not reply.

The scholar sighed, “I spoke with a monk and he was great. He is good.”

Confucius said, “If Li Xisheng debates?”

The scholar said, “He’s a little worse.”

Confucius smiled, “Accompany me to Shaozhou.”

The scholar stopped him. “No!”

Confucius hit his hand.

The scholar did not move.

The sage was irritated, “Don’t make me yell.”

The scholar let go and said, “Scholars don’t need idols!”

Confucius smiled, “The new comes before the old.”

The scholar nodded, “Too much praise. Don’t tell the other Sages!”

Then, Confucius yelled three words.

—

Chen Ping An was visiting Chuzhou.

Baozhou and Pingnan were together.

This was the work of the Zhao family. It was regulated but had freedom.

Chen Ping An came to meet Jing Kuan, the new Baozhou leader.

Friends could not be made through friends, but Chen Ping An was honored.

The Chuzhou courts were open. One story was about how Yuan Zhangding ran his district. Another was about Cao Gengxin. He said it was fine so long as they didn’t dry their wheat there. However, it was fine to bring alcohol! A kid’s kite fell and he returned it. Some said it was because the kid had an attractive older sister and Cao Gengxin wanted to court her.

Officials like Cao Gengxin did not make the records, but the townspeople had a good view of them. They saw it as law. The governor agreed.

One could enter the courts, but not the offices.

It was said that Lord Chen of Falling Mountain had come to visit, and Jing Kuan was told.

Jing Kuan put down his documents and left, greeting Chen Ping An. He clasped hands and gave a short smile.

Chen Ping An said, “I did not bring anything! I will drink three cups!”

Jing Kuan said, “It’s fine to visit Falling Mountain! Tea is fine! You gave me enough the last time we drank at Cattail River.”

Chen Ping An said, “I will not bother your work.”

Jing Kuan said, “A governor can visit at any time. You’re a visitor, so it’s fine.”

Chen Ping An smiled, “Tour me around? Is two hours enough?”

Jing Kuan was surprised.

Chen Ping An was still a Confucian.

Jing Kuan was firm.

Jing Kuan showed Chen Ping An the courts. Chen Ping An asked about schools, temples, and post offices. Jing Kuan was able to answer well. In two hours, Chen Ping An left, inviting him to Falling Mountain. He then asked about Fu Hu, the new governor from the Ministry of War. Jing Kuan said that he was the brother of the new leader. However, he did not know if he was good or not.

Chen Ping An left the court. The previous governor, Fu Yu, had left to become a junior administrator.

He did not have the same qualifications.

Pingnan had a river running through it. There were boatmen and bamboo shoots.

Fu Hu was sitting and fishing.

Fu Yu was twelve years older. The older brother was his father. Fu Yu was doing well and was going up, so Fu Hu feared him.

The Ministry of War was low. Fu Hu had been transferred as a peace.

The order confused Fu Hu and he believed that his father or his brother were involved.

However, Fu Yu said that they had not interfered.

Thus, Fu Hu came to Pingnan.

Fu Hu saw a jade-crowned man with a fish basket walking and fishing. Fu Hu did not care. They were friends. The angler would not put stones in the river. The angler put bait but caught nothing.

The angler came over and looked at the basket. They both nodded and agreed to share.

The angler would not get yelled at. He could just blame the river!

The angler spoke, “Your fishing line is complicated. Are you expecting a fish in the fifty-pound range?”

Fu Hu smiled, “Want to learn?”

The angler nodded, “I’ll learn if you teach.”

Fu Hu taught him how to knot the rope.

Fu Hu threw the line in the water.

The angler said, “Fishing has three levels. Liking fishing and failing to catch a fish, catching a fish, and fishing is fishing. There’s another level that can’t be achieved through talent.”

Fu Hu said, “Another level? Go on.”

The angler said, “I like to watch others fish.”

Fu Hu laughed, “You’re boasting!”

The nobles had their own ways.

“I think Chuzhou is good for advancement.”

Fu Hu frowned, “It’s not true.”

Chen Ping An said, “Which is it?”

Fu Hu waved, “I’m just a businessman! Why would I do that?”

Chen Ping An said, “Do you believe that the Chuzhou officials know how to do it? They do more work and are better. Is it because they have a big sense of office? Is that good for advancement?”

Fu Hu was surprised. He said, “You’re just a man from the streets. How do you know this?”

The family could not give him a bodyguard.

“It is only because we are so close and talking is so nice.”

Fu Hu said, “I can say that I am clean.”

But the man made him shudder.

The man calmly looked at the river and said, “It could be better. Wei Li failed to educate. As the master of the continent, Wei Li managed justice, records, and thieves well. However, the law has to educate and change people. This cannot be qualified. What if there are more scholars in the continent? Governors act close to people, but they are not. Governors can’t see many people. From top to bottom, officers worked in their office. If not, the higher ups will hide and cover up errors. They will know and work to hide the error. It will affect all levels. If the government becomes a bigger office, what will happen? Because of this, Wei Li created chaos for Wu Yuan.”

Fu Hu was speechless.

He was shocked.

The angler would say whatever he wanted and called out the officers.

In the capital, officials privately cursed. Even his small office did it.

His point was true.

He suddenly understood what was wrong.

An official had asked all of the school officers to the estate. The governor would set aside the time. It was said that you could talk openly and mention everything, but that it was a big opportunity and to be concise.

Fu Hu did not doubt the official. However, his sense of office disturbed him, who was used to the royal people.

He had finally snapped out of it.

Fu Hu said, “Don’t say that! Keep it between us! Make it like it never happened!”

The “citizen” could say whatever he wanted. He Fu Hu was the county leader. He would be targeted.

The man smiled and Fu Hu panicked. He might be a mountain cultivator. The hills were full of them!

Fu Hu said, “If you became an official, you would have to start as a governor!”

Chen Ping An smiled, “Your skill is good!”

Fu Hu was relaxed.

Then, the man squatted, put his hands in his sleeves, and said, “Is this bad? What do you think?”

Fu Hu said, “Really!”

The man said, “Busy with my own stuff and worried about officials.”

Fu Hu clapped and smiled, “You know!”

“Have you heard of Mr. Nanfeng?”

Fu Hu shook his head.

“I recommend his works. *The Disaster Records of Yuezhou Zhao* and *The Yihuang County Learning Records* I think they are good but that’s just me.”

Fu Hu said, “Okay, okay. I’ll look at them.”

Why were you so serious?

Then, the man stole the fish!

It was a failed poor scholar!

He had been so worried.

Fu Hu asked, “Mayor Wei is a big official! What about Wu? Will you say it to their face?”

The coat man moved to his spot.

“It is only because we are so close that it is fun to talk.

“If Wei Li and Wu Yuan sat, I would have to stand.”

Fu Hu gave a thumbs up.

The words were better.

“Come to my house in Falling Mountain. The yellow lake has bigger fish.”

The man waved and smiled. “By the way, I am Chen Ping An.”