Chapter 097: Young Friend, You Bear the Mark of an Early Death

After having hands-on experience with instruments like the Simplified Armillary Sphere and the Celestial Globe, Xue Rui felt somewhat reluctant to leave. He understood the principles behind these devices and had roughly mastered their operation, but unfortunately, it was daytime. To observe the stars, one needed a clear night sky, which left him with a sense of regret.

However, compared to the instruments designed and modified by foreign missionaries during the Qing dynasty, these Ming dynasty astronomical tools fell short in precision and utility. Fortunately, in his previous life, Xue Rui had thoroughly studied such instruments and had a solid grasp of their structure and principles. Coupled with his knowledge of modern astronomy, he might even be able to replicate more accurate astronomical measuring devices.

Of course, this was not his immediate concern. Once his father attained an official position, he would have the opportunity to develop such instruments. This would not only aid the progress of Ming astronomy but also help his father’s career advancement.

Having finished the observatory tour, Xue Rui bid farewell to Bu Ci, Xu Feng, and the others, then led them toward the Watchtower.

The Watchtower was the ancient place used to announce the time.

In prefectures and counties, the Watchtower was generally managed by the local yin-yang official. Besides overseeing timekeeping, they were responsible for managing shrines and local rituals to appease spirits.

The Watchtower staff included officials known as the Chief Yin-Yang Officer and the Deputy Yin-Yang Officer, as well as a varying number of yin-yang practitioners. These practitioners were not eunuchs but folk sorcerers skilled in yin-yang arts.

At the dawn of the Ming dynasty, the court attempted to monopolize folk yin-yang practices, astronomy, and calendar science. Yet these arts were deeply rooted among the populace and not easily controlled by the government. Thus, the court could only try to bring folk yin-yang practitioners under official oversight.

Ming officials in prefectures and counties included positions such as Chief Yin-Yang Officer, Deputy Officer, and Instructor. These were low-ranking posts, with the highest being the Chief Officer at ninth rank, which was an unpaid position. The others were unofficial and not considered formal government officials.

In the capital, the Watchtower—also called the Drum Tower—did not fall under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture but was directly overseen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. It was managed by a Doctor of the Bureau responsible for water clocks, assisted by five officials who were in charge of the morning drum signals. Within, over forty yin-yang practitioners were directly affiliated with the bureau.

The Watchtower stood about thirty feet tall, its length and width exceeding a hundred feet each. It consisted of two floors: the lower floor resembled a city gate, while the upper floor housed three grand halls—center, east, and west—exuding a majestic and imposing aura.

When Xue Rui and his group arrived, Doctor Jiao Heng, in charge of the water clocks, was absent, having taken leave that day. Only Yuan Wei, one of the morning officials, was present.

Yuan Wei, aware that Xue Rui was favored by Xu Dun, and having heard that Xue Yuanhao was to succeed as the head of the five-guard patrol, was eager to curry favor and volunteered to lead them on a tour.

After Xue Rui expressed his thanks, the group gradually ascended the Watchtower.

According to Yuan Wei’s explanation, the tower housed one main drum and twenty-four smaller drums, corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms. Additionally, there was one cloud board, a single bell for striking the hours, four tooth staves, a copper water clock stand, and twenty-four three-eyed painted horns.

The yin-yang practitioners within the tower bustled about in a hurry. When Xue Rui’s group arrived, they barely glanced over them before hastily continuing their work.

Curious, Xue Rui asked, “Lord Yuan, are the yin-yang practitioners usually this busy?”

“Not usually,” Yuan Wei replied. “But after the disastrous defeat at Tumu Fortress some days ago, many civil and military officials in the capital were killed or wounded. The families of the deceased have been busy consulting feng shui masters, selecting auspicious burial sites, and building tombs. This has led to a shortage of yin-yang practitioners in the city. So, the court requested the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to assist. A few days ago, Prince Cheng issued an order requiring our Watchtower’s yin-yang practitioners to handle the funeral arrangements for these officials’ families. That’s why things have been so hectic recently.”

“I see,” Xue Rui said, suddenly understanding. The Watchtower’s yin-yang practitioners were usually directly under the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and served mainly the royal family and nobility. Ordinary officials wouldn’t dare seek their help under normal circumstances. The recent surge in demand was a special situation following the Tumu disaster, where the court had to show its support, explaining the current bustle.

After touring the East Hall, as they passed through the arched gate of the Central Hall, an old man suddenly staggered out and collided straight into Xue Rui, who was walking at the front.

Delicate and slender, Xue Rui was immediately knocked off his feet. The old man was bounced backward and landed hard on the ground.

“Master Xue, are you all right?” Yuan Wei exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward to help him up.

“I’m fine,” Xue Rui said, standing and brushing dust off his clothes as he looked at the man who had bumped into him.

The man sitting on the ground was elderly, perhaps in his seventies, with white, wiry hair and a weathered face suggesting he might be a man of great insight.

However, his eyes seemed unable to see, as he was groping about for a bamboo cane that had fallen nearby. It appeared he was blind.

Seeing this, Yuan Wei hastened to assist the old man to his feet. After confirming he was unharmed, he said, “Old Chen, your sightless condition means you should walk more carefully. Running into someone is a small matter, but you’d be in trouble if you hurt yourself.”

“I am ashamed,” the blind man named Chen bowed respectfully. “I accidentally kicked the door threshold and stumbled out. I’m not sure whom I knocked over just now; please forgive me.”

“Yuan Sir, who is this elder?” Xue Rui asked with some curiosity. Among the yin-yang practitioners, there were many older men, as age conferred greater prestige in this line of work. Generally, yin-yang practitioners were older than the astronomical students, but someone as elderly as Old Chen was rare.

Yuan Wei eagerly introduced him: “Old Chen is a master of feng shui, especially skilled in bone reading and fortune telling. He recently came to the capital and quickly earned a great reputation, being treated as an honored guest by many wealthy families. In April this year, due to a shortage of instructors at the tower, Doctor Jiao consulted the bureau chief and invited Old Chen to serve as a guest instructor here, helping to teach the yin-yang students and easing our temporary shortage.”

“So it’s Old Chen. I am Xue Rui, a student. It’s an honor,” Xue Rui said politely, cupping his hands in greeting.

Old Chen chuckled softly. “I am but a blind man. My carelessness caused me to bump into you, young friend. Please do not hold it against me.”

“I’m unharmed, but you should be more careful moving about,” Xue Rui kindly advised.

“Is this your first time at the Watchtower, young friend? Since fate has brought us together, allow me to read your fortune as a token of apology,” Old Chen offered, sensing Xue Rui was easy to approach.

“That would be wonderful! Old Chen’s bone reading and fortune telling are remarkable. Before, he charged three to five taels for a reading, sometimes dozens. Many sought him out, but he was hard to find,” Yuan Wei praised, hoping to ease the awkwardness of the collision.

Having never had his fortune read in either life, Xue Rui was eager to learn the fortune teller’s craft of persuasion and nodded. “I would be grateful if you could read my fortunes.”

“Please follow me,” Old Chen said, leaning on his bamboo cane as he led Xue Rui to a room in the west wing.

“Yuan Sir, please watch the students and ensure they don’t cause any trouble. I’ll be back shortly,” Xue Rui instructed before entering the room with Old Chen.

“Please, have a seat,” Old Chen said, washing his hands in a basin before groping toward a table and sitting down.

Once Xue Rui was seated, Old Chen reached out and began to feel his face.

After a thorough examination of the facial bones, Old Chen did not stop but began anew, his expression puzzled. “Strange, your bone structure is quite unique. Though I have traveled far and wide for decades, I have never seen one like yours.”

“My appearance is ordinary, isn’t it? I don’t see anything strange,” Xue Rui said, slightly displeased. While not particularly handsome, he certainly didn’t consider himself odd-looking.

“It’s not your appearance per se,” Old Chen said gravely after several more passes. “Young friend, by my observation, you bear the signs of an untimely death. According to my calculations, you won’t live beyond this year.”

“Sir, surely you must have erred?” Xue Rui’s face darkened immediately upon hearing such a curse. In less than two months, the ninth lunar month would arrive; was he really to live only three more months?

“Don’t be so anxious,” Old Chen said with a hint of confusion. “Though your face shows this fate, I sense you have recently encountered some extraordinary circumstance that spared you from death, extending your life—a truly rare phenomenon.”

“I don’t quite understand,” Xue Rui admitted, inwardly surprised. Could this ‘extraordinary circumstance’ be his soul transmigration and revival? If so, Old Chen was truly remarkable!

Of course, fortune tellers often thrived on mystery; perhaps he had overheard the story of Xue Rui’s prior beating and was just using that to scare him.

With a growing suspicion, Xue Rui probed further, “Sir, since I have escaped death, can you tell me if I will face any great disasters in the future?”

“No, once you get through this year, you will live a life free of illness or calamity. However, your career path will be somewhat troubled. Without guidance from a wise mentor, you may live a life of mediocrity,” Old Chen stroked his beard, adopting the manner of one awaiting supplicants.

Xue Rui was momentarily stunned. This was surprisingly accurate, as he was indeed waiting for his father to become an official so he could relax and enjoy life. To hear that he would live a mediocre life matched his current aspirations perfectly.

Of course, he kept this to himself and wanted to see how far Old Chen would spin his tale. “Please, sir, I wish to become an important official. I cannot live an ordinary life.”

“Hmm. With your appearance, it is not impossible to become a high-ranking court official. Unfortunately, your fate lies not within the capital but elsewhere. If you follow my advice, it is not impossible that you will one day be ennobled as a marquis or rise to prime minister,” Old Chen boasted boldly.

Marquis and prime minister? Xue Rui nearly laughed aloud. He knew his own limitations well. The founding emperor forbade any clerk from transferring to other posts; as an astronomical student, he was even less likely to hold other offices. How could he be made a marquis or prime minister?

“Then, sir, what should I do to become a great official?” Xue Rui asked earnestly.

Old Chen stood, pacing the room with his bamboo cane. After a moment, he said, “Young friend, your current environment is a prison. No matter your talents, you are trapped like a lion stuck in mud or a dragon stranded in shallow water. Only by breaking free from this shackling can you soar freely like fish in the sea or birds in the sky.”

“How do you suggest I escape this quagmire?” Xue Rui frowned.

Old Chen nodded confidently. “Normally, I wouldn’t reveal such secrets. But you are courteous, so I will share a hint.”

“Please, I’m eager to hear,” Xue Rui said.

“In the near future, the capital will face war and turmoil, with heavy casualties. For you, this will be an opportunity to break free. If you flee the city in time, you can escape your predicament and even save your family’s lives. If you heed my words, prepare to leave the capital soon. Beyond the city lies your true fate—that is the opportunity I spoke of.”

Xue Rui had expected Old Chen to spin a tale to extort money, but to his surprise, the old man straightforwardly revealed a solution without mentioning payment. Earlier, Xue Rui had thought the collision was intentional to trick him, but Old Chen was playing by no conventional rules.

Still, Xue Rui was curious about Old Chen’s prediction of war in the capital. Since the failed Tumu campaign, when General Liu An fled with his troops beyond the pass, the court and people had rejoiced, believing the capital would not be attacked again soon. The city’s order was gradually restored, and the populace was at ease.

“How come you say the capital will still face war after the Oirat retreat?” Xue Rui asked, puzzled.

“Heh, the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. That is all I can say. Believe it or not, young friend, we part here,” Old Chen said, taking a bundle from a cabinet and leaning on his cane as he exited.

Xue Rui, bewildered, hurried to the door. “Sir, where are you going?”

Old Chen did not answer and quickly vanished from sight.

“What a strange man,” Xue Rui muttered.

Watching Old Chen leave the Watchtower, Xue Rui remained curious. The fortune teller had said so much without asking for money and then left abruptly. What could be his purpose?

Pondering this, Xue Rui went to the West Hall.

Inside, Yuan Wei was demonstrating how to tell time with the water clock to the students.

Seeing Xue Rui, Yuan Wei set down his pointer and smiled. “So, did Old Chen’s reading prove accurate?”

“Accurate, yes. But after finishing, Old Chen suddenly took his bundle and left. I don’t know what that was about,” Xue Rui replied, puzzled.

“Left?” Yuan Wei was startled, peering over the battlement to see if Old Chen was below, but found no trace.

After a long look, Yuan Wei sighed and said, “Old Chen bid farewell to Doctor Jiao yesterday, saying he wanted to return to his hometown to live out his remaining days. We thought he would see Doctor Jiao one last time, but he left so suddenly, I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

“Yesterday?” Xue Rui was surprised. Considering Old Chen’s warning, was it possible he foresaw the coming war and left the capital to seek safety in his hometown?