Chapter 24: Training the Body into the Form of a Crane

The palanquin ride was smooth.

For a seventh-rank county magistrate to be carried by four men was, strictly speaking, an act of overstepping his bounds. But since there were already too many such transgressions in the world, people had long since grown accustomed to it.

An Xin lifted the green curtains and looked out at the crowds. As they passed a stall with a sign reading "Sweet Tofu Pudding," he ordered the palanquin to stop. "Go, buy a bowl of sweet tofu pudding," he commanded.

A runner following the palanquin hurried off, returning shortly after with a bowl held high in his hands, his posture respectful. An Xin took the pudding, which was topped with jasmine honey and a layer of red bean paste. He stirred it with a spoon and took a bite; it was cool and refreshing, carrying the sweet fragrance of nectar. It was a local specialty, and the taste was quite excellent.

Finished, he reached out and set the bowl outside the window, where someone was waiting to take it.

"Satisfying!"

Learning to do good is hard, but falling into vice is as easy as sliding down a slope. In just one day, An Xin had fallen deeply in love with the feeling of "being an official." This feeling was simply magnificent. In his past life as a public servant, how could he have ever enjoyed this sense of a feudal official riding on the necks of the common people?

The autumn wind sighs again today; the world has changed.

The county office was not far from the Bright Moon Pavilion. By the time they arrived, An Xin shook out his sleeves and checked his watch; it had taken less than half an hour. The setting sun cast its lingering glow across the sky, painting the clouds in shades of gold.

"My lord, we have arrived," the runner outside whispered.

"Mm," An Xin replied.

The front curtain was lifted. An Xin adjusted his official robes and stepped out.

"Magistrate!"
"Greetings, Honorable Magistrate!"

Seeing An Xin emerge, the local gentry of Wuren County, who had been craning their necks in anticipation, swarmed forward with smiles, full of respect and enthusiasm.

Inside the Bright Moon Pavilion, the sound of strings and bamboo flutes greeted them. Surrounded by the crowd, An Xin walked to a private room on the second floor. Once everyone had entered, the serving girl gently closed the door. An Xin took the seat of honor, and the others took their places according to their status and rank.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, Lu Xun and Qian Ruming introduced the various gentry members to An Xin. An Xin paid particular attention to those from the Huang and Su families. Although the Huang family had only sent their eldest legitimate grandson, a man in his twenties who held the title of scholar, he sat right next to Lu Xun, and no other family dared to object—a clear indication of the Huang family’s transcendent status in Wuren County.

The head of the Su family wore Taoist robes. He was lean with a three-inch beard and a square jaw, giving him an air of dignity and a scholarly, ethereal charm that made him seem detached from the mundane world. Yet, when compared to the concrete testimony obtained by Hu Changshan during the interrogation of the bandits, the contrast with this "old thief" Su was striking.

"Refining the form to resemble a crane, under a thousand pines lie two scrolls of scripture. I come to seek the Way with no other words, like clouds in the blue sky and water in a vase."

When a large carp was served, An Xin didn't touch the head first; instead, he recited this poem to set the tone.

"A wonderful poem!"
"The Magistrate’s talent is immense!"
"This poem is concise yet profound, stirring the Zen within us. It truly captures the Taoist spirit of pines, cranes, clouds, and vases—a few sparse words, yet the lingering resonance is boundless."

An Xin didn't care much for their flattery. Instead, he looked at Su Daoran, the head of the Su family, and asked, "Does the Su family head practice the Way?"

Surprised by the question, Su Daoran was inwardly overjoyed but remained composed on the surface. "I often visit the Qingyun Temple. Taoist Jingxu there has profound cultivation. Whenever I have doubts in my heart, I receive answers. I go heavy with sorrow and return with a clear mind."

"It seems there is a true practitioner there," An Xin nodded.

Su Daoran sighed wistfully, "Taoist Jingxu once placed his hand upon my head, and in an instant, all the noise and delusions of the world vanished, leaving only a blank void, devoid of thought, as if the universe itself had ceased to exist. Alas, this state vanished soon after he withdrew his hand. It seems my six senses are not yet purified, and I am still tethered to the red dust, unable to truly enter the Way."

"Such methods belong to a true master. I must ask you to introduce me to him in the future, Master Su."

An Xin made no effort to hide his passion for Taoist cultivation. He even pulled the ancient scroll *Inner Landscape Scripture of the Yellow Court of the Supreme Clarity* from his sleeve to discuss it with Su Daoran, effectively ignoring everyone else. This left the other gentry at the table green with envy. Sometimes, having a good image really does open doors!

As for An Xin writing a piece of *qingci* (Taoist prayer poetry) and openly discussing cultivation, no one found it strange. The current Emperor Jingshun had built a Taoist temple within the palace, and the high-ranking officials in the capital took pride in befriending famous Taoists. Even the current Chief Minister had risen to power largely because his skill with *qingci* had won the Emperor's favor.

With the superiors setting the example, no one was surprised by An Xin’s actions. Instead, everyone began pondering how they might find ancient books on immortality to curry favor with this new magistrate.

And this was precisely An Xin's goal. By spreading the word, people would rack their brains to collect ancient texts for him. He wouldn't need to waste effort searching; he only needed to sift through them to find the "True Method."

The banquet drew to a close amid an atmosphere of mutual probing between An Xin and the local gentry. The mood remained relatively harmonious.

"Before arriving at my post, I was filled with apprehension. But after meeting you wise and virtuous gentlemen today, all my worries have vanished. With such cooperation, we will surely ensure Wuren County’s culture flourishes, its people recover, its economy develops, and the populace lives in peace and prosperity with a stable and orderly society."

An Xin’s words pushed the atmosphere to its peak.

"The Magistrate is enlightened! We will certainly support you with all our might," the men replied, their faces flushed with wine and excitement.

"Today has been a delight. On the fifteenth of this month, I shall invite you all to the county office to discuss matters. I trust you will all make time to attend."

An Xin stood up. The serving girl opened the door, and he walked out.

The main hall of the Bright Moon Pavilion, which should have been bustling, was quiet today. Only a few young female musicians, hired from the Pavilion of Spring Breeze, played their instruments and sang light ballads, creating an elegant atmosphere. Once the crowd escorting An Xin had departed, the place quieted down rapidly; those finishing up left, and a hush descended.

As the lanterns were lit, the streets became a sea of light. Situated along the Luo River, Wuren County was a hub of trade. After dark, lanterns hung outside every shop, and numerous street food stalls glowed, illuminating the entire street. With local residents and visiting merchants bustling about, it was even livelier than during the day.

However, such scenes would not last long. Wuren County was neither north nor south; in another month and a half, winter would arrive.

An Xin boarded his palanquin and, escorted by a few runners, returned to the county office.

Not far away, in front of a carriage in a corner, a plump figure peered out, took a few steps forward, then shrank back.

"Why does he look so familiar?" Wu Damao wondered, puzzled.

However, the hour was late, and An Xin was surrounded by attendants, dressed in his blue official robes, his spirit entirely different from the disheveled man fleeing for his life that day. Wu Damao failed to recognize him.

Only after the palanquin had disappeared did he trot toward the gentry members who were dispersing in small groups. "Ah, Brother Su!" he called out, catching up to Su Daoran, whom he knew well.

"Zigan, you’re a bit late. The Magistrate has already left," Su Daoran said, standing with his hands behind his back as he waited for Wu Damao to catch up.

"The Magistrate has just arrived at his post; he likely wouldn't want to see a merchant like me. If I had been thick-skinned enough to force a meeting, I fear I wouldn't have left a good impression," Wu Damao replied with a ingratiating smile.

Most officials from the traditional path did not hold merchants like them in high regard.

"Come, walk with me," Su Daoran invited. The two walked along the winding creek, stepped onto the Golden Water Bridge, and gazed out at the moon-shaped lake, shimmering under the soft glow of the lanterns.