Chapter 275: Ding Yiyuan's Audience
The imperial court was in an uproar.
"This is a warning from Heaven!"
"The Qis mentioned must refer to the Grand Astrologer! Since the Grand Astrologer can communicate with the divine, has Heaven punished the entire Great Jin Dynasty because of his improper speech?"
"What... what does this actually mean?"
In that moment, everyone's gaze fell upon the Grand Astrologer.
Although the Grand Astrologer attended court daily, he typically only discussed weather matters—such as when temperatures would drop or when snow might fall—rarely involving himself in state affairs.
"Utter nonsense!" State Preceptor Qi flicked his sleeve. "It's merely a large stone. Just because it bears inscriptions, it becomes a divine warning? How ridiculous!"
The Minister of Revenue also found it somewhat frivolous: "Perhaps these were random carvings by commoners a thousand years ago, coincidentally discovered by Prince Pingxi."
"How could it be such a coincidence?" another minister interjected. "It specifically mentions the Great Jin Dynasty and the Qis. Since these two match, might the rest be accurate as well?"
"Indeed, indeed. What if this truly is Heaven's warning to Great Jin? If we disregard divine counsel, I fear..."
"Your Majesty, it's better to believe in its existence than dismiss it entirely."
Seeing so many officials advocating belief in the stone's message, State Preceptor Qi nearly went mad.
He knelt directly on the ground: "Your Majesty, during all my years in service, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to the nation and its people. Your Majesty has witnessed all this firsthand. How could my lifetime of contributions be negated by a mere stone tablet..."
"In that case..." Marquis Pingjin couldn't resist speaking up, "Your Majesty, what about consulting Master Ding for a divination?"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes: "Which Master Ding?"
"Your Majesty, Master Ding's divinations are truly miraculous," Marquis Pingjin elaborated eagerly. "This subject has consulted him multiple times, and every prediction proved accurate. He truly deserves the title of divine fortune-teller."
Hearing this, State Preceptor Qi laughed derisively.
He had heard of this Master Ding—just another common fortune-teller from the streets, no different from countless others. He hadn't taken him seriously at all.
"For Marquis Pingjin to mention a street charlatan in the Hall of Golden Chimes shows utter contempt for court proceedings," State Preceptor Qi declared. "Entrusting state affairs to a common fortune-teller is far too frivolous."
Marquis Pingjin attempted to explain: "Master Ding is different from other fortune-tellers, he truly..."
Among the civil and military officials, about a dozen had consulted Ding Yiyuan for divinations, but the rest scoffed at the idea.
"State affairs of Great Jin are no place for a fortune-telling fraud to meddle."
"These are all deceptive tricks. Only a gullible noble like Marquis Pingjin would believe such nonsense."
The Crown Prince, standing at the forefront, finally could restrain himself no longer: "Father, this son also once consulted Master Ding. Before the Crown Princess gave birth, I asked the Grand Astrologer whether the child would be male or female. After casting the divination, the Grand Astrologer claimed it was a celestial secret not to be revealed. This son failed to understand—how could determining gender involve divine secrets? Yet when the Grand Astrologer performs divinations for Father, he reveals the outcomes. Therefore, this son sought out Master Ding. With a brief calculation, Master Ding informed me the child would be male. Sure enough, the Crown Princess bore me a legitimate eldest son."
State Preceptor Qi was incredulous.As the Crown Prince and heir apparent of the nation, he actually sought out a charlatan to divine the gender of his child—it was utterly ridiculous. What was worse, the Crown Prince actually had the audacity to speak of it openly.
The Emperor’s brows furrowed deeply.
For others to consult fortune-tellers was one thing, but for someone of the Crown Prince’s status to engage in such practices was truly disgraceful.
With the Crown Prince taking the lead, others who had sought divinations from Ding Yiyuan stepped forward one after another, offering personal testimonies.
Many people’s curiosity was piqued—could this Master Ding truly be so accurate?
“Your subject believes we could summon Master Ding to the court for a test,” Chu Yi said, cupping his hands respectfully. “If he can provide a coherent explanation and prove his abilities, then so be it. But if he spouts nonsense, he should be executed, thus eliminating a charlatan who deceives the masses.”
Upon hearing this, Marquis Pingjin shrank back nervously.
He had acted impulsively by mentioning Master Ding in the throne room. What if Master Ding failed to divine matters of state? Wouldn’t he be responsible for the man’s death?
“Summon Ding Yiyuan to the court!”
At the Emperor’s command, Gao Gonggong immediately relayed the order. It was passed down through the ranks, and in less than half an hour, Ding Yiyuan was brought into the grand hall.
Ding Yiyuan wore dark yellow robes, with a long beard that gave him the air of a reclusive master.
“This commoner pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
He did not kneel but bowed slightly, carrying himself with an aloof dignity. Yet there was no contempt in his eyes—only respect for the person seated upon the dragon throne.
The Emperor knew that those who dwelled beyond worldly conventions often did not adhere to its rituals and did not press the matter. Calmly, he asked, “Are you Master Ding?”
“Indeed, I am.”
“Do you see the large stone in this hall? We have summoned you to divine a reading for this stone.”
Ding Yiyuan circled the stone once, then produced three copper coins from his sleeve. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he closed his eyes and began murmuring incantations.
Witnessing this, State Preceptor Qi’s face twisted into a mask of derision. “To divine matters of state, one must erect an altar, invoke the celestial masters, and employ ritual banners and sacred instruments… How can three mere copper coins connect with the spiritual energies of heaven and earth or reveal the future? He is nothing but a charlatan—utterly laughable.”
Many ministers shook their heads in disapproval.
“It seems he truly is nothing more than a fraudulent fortune-teller.”
“To dare deceive others in the imperial court—his end must be near.”
“At least he has the fortune of beholding the Son of Heaven before he dies.”
“May he live honestly in his next life.”
Ding Yiyuan blocked out all these murmurs.
He understood deeply: in any profession, one must commit wholeheartedly. Since he had chosen this path, he could not afford to be a half-hearted fraud.
He had deliberately studied at numerous Taoist temples, but the more he learned, the more he realized the emptiness of this trade—there was no substance to it at all.
Left with no choice, he focused on mastering the art of bluffing.
Ding Yiyuan casually placed the three copper coins on the ground, his gaze fixed intently upon them as if engaging in some form of communion.
Then, his fingers lightly shifted the coins, arranging them into peculiar patterns. As the formations changed, his expression grew increasingly grave.
Suddenly, as if struck by a revelation, his fingers trembled, and his entire body shook. Struggling to steady himself, he picked up the three coins, turned toward the throne, and bowed. “Your Majesty, the divinatory symbols indicate that the inscription on this stone is indeed a warning from heaven.”"Nonsense! Baseless accusations! Spreading fallacies to deceive the masses!" Grand Astrologer Qi said coldly, "If three copper coins could truly determine one's fortune, the entire world would be thrown into chaos."
"Indeed, chaos is imminent," Ding Yiyuan declared, enunciating each word clearly. "Because you, Grand Astrologer, have glimpsed the secrets of heaven but tampered with destiny, you have invoked divine retribution. The earthquake in the south three days from now will serve as proof."
Upon hearing this, the entire assembly erupted in an uproar.
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