Part 4

Lord Li Zhou left his desk and rushed to where the boy was. He looked at where the boy was looking and gasped in shock. The ceiling looked different from where he stood now then when he was at his desk. He saw the boy was busy looking for something. The boy went to the four corners of the library. He had four bookshelves with him. He inserted the first shelf into a wall behind the eighth bookcase on the north-west of the library. He raced to the next destination which was the south-east.

He inserted the second shelf into the empty slot on the floor next to an eighth bookcase. He kept his pace fast and consistent as he approached the next place which was the north-east. He looked at the last two and mumbled something to himself as he chose the third shelf. He inserted it into the wall behind the eighth bookcase. He ran to the last pit stop which was the south-west. He inserted the last shelf into the empty slot on the floor next to an eighth bookcase.

Then there was a loud creak and creaking noise as if something huge was moving. The rest of the people involved in the examination were startled and rushed at where Lord Li Zhou stood. The middle of the floor groaned as it opened in a flower pattern. Something slowly surfaced. They gaped at the item that emerged. There was nothing on the pedestal. The item on it was missing! What the heck? They turned to Reishiin. He just smiled at them as he walked towards the pedestal he motioned them to follow.

"There wasn't anything here to begin with," Reishiin told them, "Because the real item was taken out ages ago. What remained was its base," He peered at the dark hole, "And the base was the important item of this examination." He threw three lanterns into the hole.

"Are you crazy?" Lord Liu Hung cried, "It'll burn the place down."

"I dare guarantee that this place won't catch fire," Reishiin said with a bored tone, "If you look at the base properly, the base is made from solid marble, and," taking a whiff, "its wooden walls are a little damp. It's a miracle that the wooden walls aren't rotten."

He gestured them to peer into the hole. The lanterns lighted up the darkness within. They saw the marble foundation.

"Wen Tao wasn't into tenets. He was a man of science. He based everything with real hard facts. Seeing, touching and tangibility, these were his traits and quality as a professional and human being. Those four bookshelves were markers and keys to reveal Wen Tao's secret. Each marker had a sentence or just words,"

He explained everything he had deduced about the markers to them. "The main thing about love, knowledge and circle can be revealed with the discovery of the marble foundation. The foundation was Wen Tao's final resting place. It was never revealed or made known of his resting place but we are indeed above his tomb."

"That's ridiculous," Lord Li Zhou said, "How could a mere builder be buried here? This place stands on imperial land. This land belongs to the royal family of Shi. He wasn't a Shi, he was a Shu."

They looked at each other. Didn't that mean that the real quarrel between the emperor's grandfather and granduncle was because Wen Tao was a Shi? And the marble foundation looked like a tomb for high classed and prestigious member of the royal family. Whose son was Wen Tao? Even if he was an illegitimate son born of a lowly woman, by law he should have his name in the royal family register having the blood of a Shi. Why was he out of it? And why was he buried here?

"Sir Wen Tao's," Reishiin said, "very words were of love, knowledge and circle." He looked at them, "Love for anyone or anything, knowledge for life and circle, well, the third one's rather tricky. But I can safely surmise that circle meant the good and bad things in life will come to a full circle and from there those who did good or bad things will be judged accordingly by fate. His, for example was this, the birth right to be laid in the family land was a royal acknowledgment of him being a member of the royal family."

"Also," Reishiin raised a forefinger, "The hidden monumental item was the marble foundation, which was the tomb of Wen Tao. The base was his final marker. The foundation was huge and it was as wide as the whole of this place. But the foundation was circular. It was supposed to be a circular edifice built for the imperial governmental civil engineering and architectural department which Wen Tao had envisioned and had expressed to the emperor's grandfather who was the emperor than. Therefore, it couldn't have been his tomb but his legacy for future generation."

"How do you know that?" Lord Li Zhou shrieked, "You can't just assume these things!"

"I believe," Minister Liu Hung intervened, "He had examined the entire site and beyond to determine the extent of the base."

The headmaster nodded in agreement, "The foundation just looked like a tomb but in actuality it was a legacy left for future generations to take on his challenge. No one knew Wen Tao was a Shi until Scholar Kou pointed it out. Wen Tao, as he had pointed out created the foundation made from marble to build a circular building for the architectural and engineering department, but for some unknown reason he wasn't able to build it, that was what I had come to understand from your explanation. Am I right, Scholar Kou?"

Reishiin smiled slightly as he inclined his head indicating that the headmaster's deduction was correct.

"May I add another fact," Reishiin said, "The main element to building his circular edifice was marble. He had wanted to build from the ground up made of marble. That was why the foundation was marble. Perhaps it was too grand for a government building that the emperor began to doubt Wen Tao's sanity or perhaps motives to being a leftist. But, Wen Tao's dream was to create beautiful buildings that weren't just the royal palace, inner palace, celestial palace, summer palace. He wanted other important buildings like the imperial governmental buildings to be beautiful as well. This was to show the country's strength and pride etched into magnificently crafted buildings. That was his dream."

"This is definitely an excellent assessment for this second exam," said a voice from behind them.

They turned, the emperor smiled widely at them. They bowed at the emperor.

"Your Majesty," Lord Li Zhou looked frantic, "Prince Hang Sher will not like it,"

"Is there a day in his life that he is free from that burden of not liking this or that?" the emperor sighed.

"But, Your Majesty…" Lord Li Zhou's words hung in mid air.

The emperor raised a hand to silence Lord Liu Hung from saying more. "Shh," he said to Lord Liu Hung, than he turned to Reishiin, "Now, Scholar Kou, you're to derive a conclusion to the said item that you had just revealed to us that would benefit the country."

"I was about to get to that, Your Majesty," Reishiin said with a smile.

Reishiin glanced at the hole, "Wen Tao's reason for preparing the circular marble foundation wasn't to claim that he was royalty. But it was his intention of preserving his legacy and to pass on the torch to a successor with the same love for architecture, equal knowledge of nature's laws and high level skills for engineering if he was to take on his task of creating a grand building using Wen Tao's foundation, and thus would later make greater buildings than that of Wen Tao's."

"There wasn't an urn with his ashes buried in the so-called tomb which was the circular marble foundation. His urn was removed from the pedestal ages ago but none knew anything about what was hidden beneath the pedestal from whence it emerged. The urn was kept in the low ranking royal family mausoleum. In my opinion, the best way to grant his wish is to change this lone forbidden building into the nation's architectural and engineering school. His dream for a better tomorrow would live on, realized and would materialize through the dedication, hard work and creativity of future generation of architects and civil engineers."

Reishiin continued, "Currently, there are eight masters from each province. Each master has at least two apprentices. Out of the eight, Master Yun Guanlo of the Green province is considered a visionary and talented builder. The eight masters would be the best to helm the nation's architectural and engineering school and to produce excellent architects and engineers."

The headmaster from the Confucius school was pleased with Reishiin's performance. He had the makings of a very good investigative officer. Although, he didn't appreciate philosophy, and poetry but he had been critical in his investigation to excel in his hated subject. He looked the playful type but he was actually quite a serious fellow when it came to solving problems. He made an exceptional trouble shooter. The headmaster thought about Reishiin's conclusion to be a sound one.

The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly. This boy had a sharp mind and keener sense of perception. He had come so far as to even suggest of appointing the genius yet difficult to reach master builder of the green province. He would make an excellent royal councilor. He could also do well as an interrogative or investigative officer at the Ministry of Law Enforcement. He was a Kou from the Red province. The Kou clan was a strong military clan.

The boy could easily be absorbed into the Ministry of War, Security and Defense as a military officer. But he hated these things and they were clearly stated in his career application form. Instead he wanted to work for the imperial administration and civil works department. What an insane choice! A bright person like him wasting his talents in a boringly mundane department. He would not have such an active person to waste away in that department. Lord Li Zhou blinked in disbelieve.

Did he hear the boy correctly? This boy solved an ancient problem in such a short time. It took the boy only three and a half hours to complete his task. The boy despised fighting physically, not that he couldn't. Anyone who saw his actions would know that his combative skills were superb. His movements were fast yet graceful. But he wasn't the type to physically trounce people. The boy had a glib yet acrid tongue. He'd make many friends and foes in the imperial government.

This was neither good nor bad. Still he hadn't a doubt the boy would be manipulative, firm and wary of his foes and to be able to bend them to his will. The boy was careful and consistent in his task. Those traits were important for officers bearing high level and confidential assignments. Lord Li Zhou remembered the boy being cynical and elusive at the same time making him lose his momentum. Only someone of caliber would be able to broach that kind of reaction from him. He would bet three gold ingots that the boy would raise fast to become a prolific yet maddening minister.

"Prince Hang Sher will dispute Sir Wen Tao's claim. Is there proof?" Minister Liu Hung looked worried.

"It's in plain sight," Reishiin nodded, while pointing at the roof, the door and the bookcases. "The roof looked odd, the placing of the bookcases were odd. At a certain angle the oddness would change into something else. This oddness indicated that the outer part was rectangular but the inner part was circular. The outer part was just a cover-up to hide the crux of the inner part. "

Minister Liu Hung stepped out of the group. He went to the door. He looked at the hinges and peaked behind the door. He saw the oddly shaped wooden pegs. He made a quick inspection of the bookcases, the eight paths leading to eight sections and in one of the sections. He stopped to observe a few bookcases. They were arranged diagonally just as Reishiin had informed them. If you gathered everything, the bookcases formed a circle.

Then Minister Liu Hung walked to the middle of the library. As he walked, he gazed the roof. His mouth opened in awe. It was just as Reishiin had described. He stopped in the middle of the library. He blinked as he slowly looked down and was looking at Reishiin. The boy was amazing. He would never guess that the hidden edifice could be this elaborate. The boy able to see through to its finer details was a fine attribute very few possessed. The boy would make an exceptional commissioner.

"Time for a meeting," declared the emperor to the judges, "that includes you too Lord Liu Hung." He glanced at an education officer, "Bring Scholar Kou to the waiting room." He shifted his gaze to Reishiin, "The result will be announced to you an hour from now."

Reishiin looked at the emperor and bowed. He and the officer left the forbidden library.

It was late afternoon as Sir Jian Fu walked and stopped at the doorway of the waiting room. He saw the two boys were eating noodles in soup. He cleared his throat to announce to them of his presence. The boys stopped eating and Yushuun looked at him. But Houjo did not. Houjo looked at his noodle bowl. His hair covered part of his face cutting Jian Fu's view of his face.

"Oh," he said, "you're eating." He entered into the room, "Please continue eating and just listen to what I've to say while you're at it."

The boys didn't eat. They waited for his announcement.

Sir Jian Fu sighed, "Alright then, if you're ready," He glanced at Houjo, "Scholar Ko Houjo, you're next."

Houjo's body jerked slightly. Yushuun glanced at him with some concern. None had the appetite to eat. Houjo stood as did Yushuun. His hair still covered part of his face. Houjo raised a hand at Yushuun and waved him to sit down.

"It's alright, Yu," Houjo said, "finish your food,"

"I will if you finish yours," Yushuun said insistently. "You need energy, you know."

Houjo stared at Yushuun then he smiled slightly. He nodded and without glancing at Sir Jian Fu, "Please join us, sir, there're plenty for two more persons," He sat back down.

"No food, but," Sir Jian Fu said, "I'll have some tea, thanks."

Yushuun put a small porcelain cup in front of Jian Fu as he sat with them. He poured tea into Jian Fu's cup which Jian Fu accepted in gratitude. Houjo ate his noodles in silence. Yushuun put the porcelain teapot on the table and he too continued eating. Jian Fu peered at the boys and noticed that even though the air was tensed but they were taking it by their stride. He noted that Yushuun was comforting Houjo silently by saying nothing. Instead he poured tea into Houjo's empty cup.

He didn't pour tea for himself. Houjo nodded his thanks. Jian Fu tried to look at Houjo's face but he kept averting his face at an angle only Yushuun could see him. The door slid open, Reishiin entered with a big smile on his flawless face.

"Reishiin," Yushuun stood in excitement upon seeing Reishiin. "You passed!"

"Don't know yet," Reishiin shrugged, "They'll announce it to me here in about twenty minutes."

"You came in all cheery," Yushuun said glumly, "I thought you passed,"

"We'll know about it soon," Houjo said without looking at Reishiin, "Shin, there's food."

"Food," Reishiin rushed to the table. "I'm famished!" His eyed at the food on the table hungrily while smacking his lips. "All the running and thinking made me hungry."

He picked up Houjo's half filled tea cup and gulped the warm liquid. "Ahhhh, so good,"

Then he set the cup on the table and sat opposite of Sir Jian Fu. He lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment of the senior officer. Yushuun poured a cup of tea for Reishiin while Reishiin scooped the soup in the bowl into his mouth.

"How was the exam?" Yushuun asked.

"Amazing and amusing,"

"How so?" asked Jian Fu.

"Amazing was the outcome of the discovery and amusing was the opponent," Reishiin smiled slyly.

"Confident of passing are you?" queried Jian Fu.

"I can't say, that's fate's decision," Reishiin glanced heavenward then he said suddenly, "The heavens aren't always clear,"

Houjo's head jerked slightly. Yushuun's face showed his understanding. Jian Fu eyed the three of them curiously. What was that? It seemed like a secret communiqué. It was subtle yet had its impact on the receiver. He knew they were communicating something that had to do with the examination. It was too abstract and ambiguous for him to decipher. It was like trying to grasp air. But to these three, its meaning was solid.

The door slid open, and they were graced by the presence of the emperor. They immediately stood. Behind the emperor were Senior Minister Li Zhou, Minister Liu Hung and four elite royal bodyguards.

The emperor gazed at Reishiin, "It was a most intriguing and satisfying outcome. It became clear that it wasn't a scandal causing disgrace but more of hope for a better tomorrow. I'll thoroughly consider your solution with reverence to Wen Tao's last will."

"Scholar Kou Reishiin," The emperor nodded in approval, "you've shown us the true meaning of a relentless get-up-and-go in your quest to uncover the truth about Wen Tao's hidden edifice." The emperor smiled, "It's only fitting that you receive this," He held out the gift at Reishiin, "gift of vivacity."

Reishiin was amazed by the gift bestowed upon him. He accepted it with both hands in gratitude. "Thank you for gracing me with this gift, Your Majesty,"

"This gift suits you," the emperor nodded again, "hmmm, yes it does indeed. Enjoy your reward."

The emperor turned to leave the room. They bowed at him as he was leaving with Minister Liu Hung and his elite royal bodyguards.

Reishiin stared at the gift. It was a fan. The frame was made from the tree of fortitude. The frame was polished in dark lacquer. The soft material for the fan was from the finest and strongest silk from the yellow province. The color of the soft material for the fan was a soft peach. What a girly color, he thought, elegant yet it was also manly. It was going to be a tool to hide his smirks, embarrassment, irritation, and most of all to bring out the devil in him.

"You never doubted once did you?" a frowning Lord Li Zhou asked.

Reishiin glanced at him. He placed the tip of the fan on his chin, "Did I not tell you that by the end of my trial, you'll like the whole of me?"

This boy… Lord Li Zhou's lips thinned then it stretched into a sly smile. "I'm not like General Yang Zhi who plunged into the opponent role. He's after all a soldier."

"I guessed it as much. I did wonder why a royal advisor acted lame. But time was against me so I didn't think of it too much."

Lord Li Zhou raised an eyebrow in amazement. "Hmm, you saw through that. You're indeed a talented young man." His eyes darted at the fan in Reishiin's hand, "It's a special tool, use it wisely."

Yushuun stared at Reishiin's gift. His was a walking stick and Reishiin's was a fan. Both gifts had the royal seal of the emperor. He gazed at Reishiin who had tucked the fan into his waistband. It fitted Reishiin like it was made for him. It made him look distinguished. Reishiin was happy with his gift. He frowned slightly, but what was the significance of giving them these exclusive gifts? What was so special about them?

"Ah," the emperor said, he turned back and stood with his hands on his waist, "since I'm here let me be the one to tell the last scholar of his quest and examination site." His eyes darted at Houjo who was behind Reishiin. "Minister Liu Hung, you can go back to your department. You guards," He looked at the royal bodyguards, "wait for me outside this room."

"Don't worry, I've sent them away," the emperor said, "Scholar Ko Houjo, you may step out and face me,"

"My profound apologies for my rudeness, Your Majesty," Houjo said apologetically, "I thank you for your kind consideration for me and the others,"

Houjo stepped out from behind Yushuun. The emperor was startled to see him. Houjo wore a lilac sash with two holes for eyes. The sash actually cut the glare of his gorgeousness by quarter yet it was replaced by another quarter of mysteriousness which only increased his appeal. Sir Jian Fu took a double take when he saw Houjo. He swallowed the saliva that was watering in his mouth. Reishiin's mouth twitched looking at the dazed look Jian Fu had on his face.

Houjo's lips thinned in annoyance. The look on Jian Fu's face confirmed that the sash Reishiin gave didn't help him one bit. He quickly relaxed his facial muscles as he faced the emperor. The emperor smiled at him.

"Well, Scholar Kou, you're to find three empty Tian San jars that you can find in this ministry and fill each with three types of liquid of varying texture, taste, color, and aroma that isn't harmful to the body. With these three filled jars, you are to trade these jars off to Deputy Trade Minister Xuan XuRu, and you're to choose something worthless from him but would be important in saving the treasury from grievous and unnecessary expenditure."

The emperor gazed intently at him, "This exam has no opponents. But two invigilators will accompany you to record your progress. The two invigilators are Sir Jian Fu and the headmaster from Tsu Zhu. The remaining judges will be me, the two headmasters, Deputy Minister Xuan XuRu and Master Ri YuMin, the palace food taster. You have five hours to complete this task. If you pass, I shall award you with the gift of revivification."

Houjo stood stock still. Yushuun and Reishiin looked at him then at each other. They were worried for Houjo. He hated trading and numbers more than anything in the whole wide world. His father was the emperor's resources administrator. He wanted nothing to do with his father, his father's family or his work. He gritted his teeth as if to beat the negativity in him. This was an exam and the emperor had chosen things that they didn't fancy as their examination subjects.

"Kijin…" Yushuun said. His voice reeked of worry.

Reishiin moved to his side, he said nothing. It was pointless to say anything. He knew how Houjo felt. But Houjo wasn't like him. He took everything by stride. Houjo took everything seriously even though he didn't show it. At this point he didn't know what Houjo was thinking. He looked at Houjo. His eyes held a wealth of concern for Houjo. Compared to their exams, Houjo's exam was more demanding, utilizing minute decision and precision as he moved along in completing his upcoming task.

"Don't worry," Houjo said then he slightly tilted his head at Reishiin, "Congratulations on passing, Shin."

Houjo and Sir Jian Fu bowed at the emperor and Houjo followed Jian Fu out of the room to fulfill his task. Then the remaining people in the bowed at emperor as he departed. Master Nan Huan followed him but not before glancing thoughtfully at the two boys with worried faces in the room.

TO BE CONTINUED…