Chapter 694: 296. The second Fundamental Daoist Magical Treasure, Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat (Chapter combining two into one)_2

He said to one of the young men with a smile, "Today, after discussing several political affairs with your honored father, I’ve gained much insight indeed."

With a gentle smile, the young man replied, "Your Highness is too kind. My father has always said that having you to share His Majesty’s concerns is truly a fortune for the Great Tang."

The man’s name was Chu Pu. He was the eldest legitimate son of Chu Xiuyuan, the patriarch of the Suzhou Chu Clan, and stood out among the third generation of the clan. His father was Chu Xiuyuan’s eldest son, currently the Prefect of the Central Secretariat of the Great Tang, Chu Lin.

Because of the Empress’s decree, many affairs of the Imperial Court were now concentrated in the Council Hall of the Ministry; therefore, the authority of the Prefect of the Central Secretariat and the Left and Right Imperial Secretaries had been eroded. Although Chu Lin had also been appointed as a councilor involved in state affairs, his authority was not what it once had been. Yet, he did not show any signs of this outwardly and continued as before.

It was only Chu Lin’s son, Chu Pu, who had come from Suzhou to take up the position of Eastern Palace Supervisor.

Another young Confucian Scholar surnamed Ye, sitting with Chu Pu in the side hall waiting for Crown Prince Zhang Hui, was indeed Zhang Hui’s cousin, Ye Song from the Qingzhou Ye Clan.

"Being part of the imperial family, I am merely contributing a modest effort." Crown Prince Zhang Hui invited the two men to take a seat and asked, "How are Elder Chu and my maternal grandfather doing in the east?"

Chu Pu answered, "There’s no major turmoil at the moment."

Zhang Hui nodded. "It’s hard on Elder Chu and my maternal grandfather, traveling all over."

Ye Song added, "To the south, Jiuli is likewise quiet for the time being. What follows mainly depends on the Northwest, and then, the situation with Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion and the Mortal Tao Country in the south."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hui lamented, "I was just discussing Dragon Tiger Mountain with my cousin. The place truly has profound Tao Containment and is a den of crouching tigers and hidden dragons."

Neither Ye Song nor Chu Pu objected.

The outcome of the battle between the Celestial Master Mansion and the Mortal Tao Country had defied most people’s expectations.

Xu Yuanzhen was absent. Yet, Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion still severely damaged the Mortal Tao Country!

Despite the arrival of reinforcements such as Xiao Xueting, Zhang Dongyuan, Zhang Junhai, and the unexpectedly reemerging Monk Faqing, the achievements of the Celestial Master Mansion were still astoundingly significant. Previously, outsiders merely expected the Celestial Master Mansion to hold its ground at the Dragon Tiger Mountain Ancestral Court, forcing the Mortal Tao Country to retreat without any success.

Instead, Huang Xuanpu revealed his identity and personally joined the battle, not only failing to take Dragon Tiger Mountain but also almost causing the collapse of the Mortal Tao Country.

"I wonder when the Celestial Master Seal will return to Dragon Tiger Mountain," Chu Pu mused, shaking his head.

Ye Song speculated, "It likely won’t be until after the battle in Jinzhou. Perhaps the subsequent continuous upheavals in Mount Shu and the Southern Wilderness triggered changes in the earth veins."

"Setting aside those outside the Celestial Master Mansion, within it, Celestial Master Tang, Elder Yuan, and the Celestial Master’s Sword are unquestionably powerful and well-known."

Zhang Hui remarked, "The uncertainty mainly lies with one seal and one person. As for the Celestial Master Seal, there’s no need to say more, but that Elder Lei..."

He turned to Ye Song with a wistful smile. "Do you remember our past conversation?"

Ye Song replied, "Your Highness has divine foresight. Lei Jun, just like his Master Yuan Mobai, has indeed made a stunning impact."

Zhang Hui shook his head with a smile. "Cousin, you’re giving me too much credit. Although I had my suspicions, I still underestimated Master Lei. He isn’t just focused solely on arduous cultivation. In Actual Combat Spellcasting, he’s also truly a remarkable talent of his generation."

Ye Song was silent for a moment and then expressed his admiration, "He’s kept his true capabilities hidden. If the Mortal Tao Country hadn’t launched a major assault on the mountain, his true prowess would not have been revealed. Now that we know his strength, it is indeed beyond expectations."

Chu Pu commented, "The strife between the Celestial Master Mansion and the Mortal Tao Country is naturally beneficial, and the decline of the Mortal Tao Country is even more cause for celebration."

Ye Song agreed, "The major defeat of the Mortal Tao Country is indeed a good thing. It’s a pity, though, that while the Celestial Master Mansion’s gates have been damaged, they haven’t lost many people. In the future..."

Zhang Hui smiled subtly. "Nowadays, the Great Tang has more troubles on its borders. Having such capable people to support the nation is a good thing."

Upon hearing this, both Chu Pu and Ye Song exchanged smiles.

Xu Yuanzhen was still in Heavenly Principle. It would be best if the Celestial Master Mansion were to engage in another battle with the Great Ming Dynasty next. And then, the Solitary Eagle Khanate. The Xumi Vajra Sect. The Southern Wilderness Jiuli. The able are always busy, aren’t they? It’s just a question of whether the Taoists, even if made of iron, can strike that many nails.

"By the way, that Meng Shaojie, Meng Qingyan, where is he at the moment?" Chu Pu suddenly remembered something.

Zhang Hui thought for a moment. "He is still in Luoyang, focusing on his studies at the Scholarly Mansion. It’s been quite some time since I last saw him."

Chu Pu spoke, "His Majesty had high hopes for him too, but it’s a pity..."

Zhang Hui smiled. "You can’t force learning. Let’s hope that one day he’ll have an epiphany and be able to achieve great things after long preparation."

Ye Song added, "There are others to enhance Your Highness’s court, so there’s no need to keep him around."

The Meng Shaojie they were discussing was indeed engrossed in his studies within the Luoyang Academic Palace at that moment.

After Xiao Chunhui had handed over his role as Academy Libationer to focus primarily on the affairs of the Council Hall, he would occasionally return to the Scholarly Mansion to inspect Meng Shaojie’s progress.

With Fang Yue heading south to Jianye to establish the third Scholarly Mansion, Xiao Chunhui was visiting the Luoyang Academic Palace more frequently these days.

Coincidentally, Meng Shaojie had been gaining more and more from his studies and had many questions to ask Xiao Chunhui.

After answering all the questions, Xiao Chunhui commended him, "Qingyan, you are beginning to show signs of distinguished scholarship, and there are several areas where you almost had me stumped. Currently, there are urgent troubles in the Northwest, and His Majesty is busy handling them. After the border troubles are settled, Qingyan, you might prepare yourself to go to Chang’an and receive direct instruction from His Majesty."

Meng Shaojie hurriedly responded, "You flatter me, Teacher. I still have many shortcomings and will need your continued guidance."

As Meng Shaojie gradually got on the right track with his studies and advanced swiftly through the Confucian Sect’s capacity for accumulation and breakthrough, his horizons and insights widened progressively.