The wind rises

Huo Ying, standing at the head of the assembled officials, had a livid face.

The Huo family had hoped to use this opportunity to advance their careers, but now, seeing the emperor so casually trampling on the rules, they were filled with shock and anger.

This is practically a blatant slap in the face to all the aristocratic families!

"His Majesty!"

Huo Ying couldn't help but speak up, his voice filled with suppressed anger, "This matter concerns the foundation of the nation, how can it be treated so lightly! Selecting virtuous ladies to enter the palace is for the continuation of the imperial line and the consolidation of the dynasty's foundation. How can Your Majesty, based on personal likes and dislikes, rashly arrange marriages and chill the hearts of your subjects?!"

Wei Jin's gaze suddenly swept over him, the previous lazy and playful look gone, replaced by a cold scrutiny and a hint of amusement.

"Is Minister Huo trying to teach me how to do things?"

He asked slowly, his fingertip lightly tapping the armrest of the dragon throne, "Speaking of 'the heart of a subject,' I am reminded of something." He turned his gaze toward the Ministry of Revenue's ranks. Although Huo Mingguang was absent today due to leave, his voice still clearly echoed throughout the hall.

"I remember that Huo Heng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is Huo Aiqing's nephew, isn't he? A few years ago, he was a seventh-rank county magistrate in a place called... Kaoshan Village in Linshan County, Qingzhou?"

Huo Ying's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition instantly gripped him.

Wei Jin seemed to be recalling something, his tone calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: "It's only been a few years? I've looked through the records of the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluations, and Physician Huo has risen through the ranks, from a seventh-rank county magistrate all the way up to now a powerful fourth-rank Physician in the Ministry of Revenue. Such a speed of promotion is rare in our dynasty."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze pressing down on Huo Ying as if it were a physical presence.

"Minister Huo, as an elder and a fellow official in the court, you must be well aware of your nephew's outstanding achievements. Why not tell me about them here in the court? Let everyone see what a capable and competent official of our Great Yin Dynasty looks like, hmm?"

--boom!

These words were like a thunderclap, suddenly exploding in Huo Ying's ears, even overshadowing the anger brought on by the earlier talent show controversy!

Huo Heng! That good-for-nothing! Others might not know how he got promoted, but Wei Jin certainly did! Back in Linshan County, Huo Heng had a feud with the Emperor and Empress, even indirectly causing the tragedy of the artisans. While the Huo family certainly played a role in his later promotion, it was largely due to benefiting from Ling Zhan's policies of promoting high-yield crops, cultivating high-yield cotton, and stabilizing grain production!

Those "achievements" were merely a matter of being in the right place at the right time, riding the wave of opportunity!

When Wei Jin brings up the old story again, is he really asking about political achievements?

This is a subtle way of exposing the Huo family's dirty secrets and reminding Huo Ying: Your Huo family isn't clean either! I know perfectly well how the people you recommended got selected! If you dare to make any more noise about the talent show, I won't hesitate to dig up old grievances and settle accounts properly!

Huo Ying fell silent instantly.

He remembered the fate of the Jiang family.

At the beginning of his reign, the emperor seemed to do nothing, yet with minimal effort, he caused the deeply entrenched Jiang family to quickly lose power, even sending Consort Jiang to a royal nunnery to "live out her days in peace." Now, Consort Huo (the Empress Dowager) is in charge, and the Huo family seems to be enjoying unparalleled glory. However, if the emperor truly wants to harm the Huo family, he will undoubtedly employ a variety of methods!

He doesn't dare to do it openly now, but doing it covertly might not be a bad idea.

The fact that the emperor did not delve into the details of Huo Heng's promotion at this moment was already a huge favor to the Huo family!

If we continue to dwell on the talent show...

Huo Ying lowered his head abruptly, his voice dry and tight: "Your Majesty... what Your Majesty says is very true. Huo Heng... my nephew does indeed need experience. This old minister... this old minister has been negligent. As for the selection of concubines, Your Majesty has made the decision alone, and this old minister... has no objection."

He practically gritted his teeth as he spoke these words, each one carrying the weight of humiliation.

Seeing his instantly deflated aura, Wei Jin's cold smile deepened, before he lazily withdrew his gaze, as if he had only casually mentioned a trivial matter.

"Court adjourned." He didn't bother to look at them again, stood up, made the announcement himself, and left in a huff.

The courtiers, left behind, displayed a variety of expressions of surprise and uncertainty.

The emperor's few words not only silenced the Huo family but also served as a wake-up call to all the aristocratic families.

Where did this young emperor, who rose from humble beginnings and had no power base, get his confidence from?!

The eldest grandson of the valiant Emperor! It must be in his very bones!

News from the previous dynasty spread like wildfire into the inner palace.

Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager paused, her hand holding the Buddhist prayer beads still, her face revealing neither joy nor anger.

Ling Zhan was sitting at the lower end of the table, looking through the promotional documents for the new grain varieties in the imperial estates on the outskirts of Beijing.

The air inside the hall was filled with the fragrance of incense, but it couldn't dispel the invisible tension.

"The Emperor acted quite willfully in court today."

The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, her gaze falling on Ling Zhan, "The selection of imperial concubines is a matter of ancestral law, concerning the continuation of the imperial line. How can it be treated so lightly? Empress, are you aware of this?"

Ling Zhan put down his teacup, raised his head, his gaze calm and unwavering, but his tone clear and firm: "Your Majesty, I believe that the original intention of the imperial concubine selection was to choose a suitable person for Your Majesty to continue the imperial line. If the selection is unsuitable and Your Majesty becomes disgusted with the wrong person, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"

The Empress Dowager's eyes sharpened: "Oh? In the Empress's opinion, what should be done?"

"In my humble opinion," Ling Zhan lowered his eyes slightly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable power, "the one who should truly make the selection is not the Ministry of Rites, nor me, and certainly not the Empress Dowager or Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."

She raised her eyes and looked directly at the Empress Dowager: "His Majesty should choose for himself. Whom His Majesty likes and favors is the most important thing. Otherwise, even if the harem is filled, it will only add more resentful couples. What benefit will it bring to the country and the family? The root of today's farce may lie in this."

The Empress Dowager gazed at her for a long time, the prayer beads slowly turning between her fingers. In the end, she simply said, "The Empress is... quite open-minded."

Ling Zhan rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I only hope that you can feel more at ease. The Grand Minister of Agriculture has some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

She left the Cining Palace with her back straight.

She knew these words would offend the Empress Dowager, but she had to speak. Little Stone's words had awakened her; she could no longer silently watch him be used as a tool for sowing seeds, surrounded by countless schemes.

News travels fastest within the inner palace.

After court, Huo Ying's face was so gloomy it could drip water, and he paced back and forth in his duty room.

A young eunuch entered silently and whispered a few words of report.

Huo Ying suddenly stopped in her tracks: "She really said that?"

"Yes, that's what Lady Su said... She said, 'Please calm down, Your Majesty... isn't targeting the Huo family, it's just...'" The eunuch's voice lowered, "...it's just that his old habits are hard to change, he's used to being willful. She also mentioned... mentioned that back in Qingzhou, if His Majesty was incompetent and caused trouble, the Empress would punish him without hesitation, and their relationship... wasn't affected at all, it seemed to have become even closer..."

The anger in Huo Ying's eyes was gradually replaced by suspicion and calculation.

They just started fighting without warning? And their relationship wasn't affected?

Su Wan's words, seemingly comforting, were actually telling him that this wasn't the first time the emperor had acted capriciously, and that the empress had her own methods to "discipline" him, and that the more she disciplined him, the better their relationship would become? Was she implying that the emperor's antics shouldn't be taken seriously, and might even be a kind of...playful banter between the emperor and empress? And that they, as outsiders, were becoming unnecessary worries?

Or is there... a deeper meaning?

Huo Ying narrowed his eyes; he found Su Wan increasingly unfathomable.

She seemed to be trying to appease the Huo family, but there was always a subtle, ambiguous chill in her words.

Inside the study of the Qianqing Palace, the smell of medicine was somewhat masked by the faint scent of ink and sandalwood.

The turmoil of the past few days seems to have subsided temporarily, leaving behind a brief tranquility after exhaustion.

Wei Jin, wearing an outer robe, sat on a soft couch by the window, while Ling Zhan stood in front of a huge, unfolded map, his fingertip pointing to a certain place in the northwest.

When Shen Yu walked in, this was the scene that greeted her. Her parents were still a few steps apart, but the air no longer held the same cold and sharp confrontation as it had a few days ago. Instead, there was a tacit understanding that had been built up over the past, a tacit understanding that required no words, even though deep-seated differences and pain still lingered beneath the surface.

"Father, Mother," Shen Yu bowed respectfully.

Wei Jin raised his hand, gesturing for him to come closer.

Ling Zhan also looked up from the map, his gaze falling gently on him.

"Have you packed your bags?" Ling Zhan spoke first, his tone as calm as ever, but with a hint of barely perceptible concern.

"Reporting to Mother, everything is prepared. We will travel light, with only two guards and a page," Shen Yu replied clearly.

Wei Jin sized up his thin yet upright figure, frowning slightly. "The outside world is not like the palace, much less the Hanlin Academy. The martial world is treacherous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. When trouble arises..."

"When faced with a situation, one should be patient when necessary and decisive when necessary, prioritizing self-preservation." Shen Yu took over his father's words, his eyes clear and firm. "Your subject understands."

Wei Jin snorted and said nothing more, which was taken as acquiescence to his preparations.

After a brief silence, Shen Yu took a deep breath, his gaze shifting between his parents before finally settling on Ling Zhan. He knew that some things needed to be clarified before he left. This was not just a study tour, but a long journey carrying heavy questions.

“Mother,” he began, his voice clear and steady, “I have come here to see for myself whether the new grain variety ‘Shan Hai Su’ that is being promoted can truly reach the mouths of the people in every prefecture and county, or whether it is left with only chaff after layers of exploitation.”

Ling Zhan's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at him intently.

"Your subject is even more eager to see," Shen Yu continued, his tone growing increasingly somber, "how ordinary farmers make a living in those places where powerful clans and noble families are deeply entrenched? How are the laws and edicts of the imperial court implemented in the countryside, or... how are they distorted?"

He clenched his hand slightly in his sleeve: "Your son has read history books and knows about the rise and fall of dynasties, but he does not know how deep the chronic problems at the grassroots level really are. I want to find out, Mother, whether there is a way, without causing violent upheaval, to gradually curb land annexation like spring rain nourishing the earth, so that the tillers have their land and the eaters will eventually have enough to eat."

Ling Zhan listened quietly, a complex mix of comfort and heartache flashing in his eyes.

She never spoke of these grand challenges to him, but he discerned them from her daily toil and occasional furrowed brows, and took them as his responsibility. She nodded, her voice softer than usual: "Good. Look, listen, and remember. Data and cases are important, but don't forget to consider the 'human factors' behind them. The answers you seek will ultimately come down to 'people.' If you encounter difficulties, seek out the managers of the various 'Shan Hai Su' branches; they are mostly locals and familiar with the situation."

She paused, then added, "Write regularly and have the snowbirds send it back to let you know you're safe, and also share your observations and thoughts."

"Your subject obeys," Shen Yu solemnly replied.

Then, he turned to Wei Jin.

The father's gaze deepened, carrying a scrutinizing quality and a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

“Father,” Shen Yu’s voice was equally steady, but he adjusted his tone, “Your actions in court recently temporarily halted the selection controversy. However, the troubles of aristocratic families are rooted in land, population, and local opinions, and are deeply intertwined and not something that happened overnight.”

Wei Jin raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

"Your Majesty, I wish to take this opportunity to delve into the local areas and carefully observe how they operate and the depths of their influence. Perhaps..." Shen Yu's gaze sharpened, like a thin blade attempting to pierce through the fog, "perhaps we can find some forces among the people that they haven't fully controlled, or some methods to restrain them. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. That's what Father taught me."

Wei Jin gazed at his son, whose face still bore the innocence of youth, yet whose eyes possessed a wisdom and composure beyond his years. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him—a mixture of relief, bitterness, and a strange hope that seemed to see his younger self combined with Ling Zhan's traits. The despondency and violence within him seemed to be slightly dispelled by this clear and resolute gaze.

He was silent for a moment, then finally spoke, his voice low and deep: “Go see. Go listen. Go think. Don’t rush to conclusions, and certainly don’t take unnecessary risks. But be sure to remember everything you see, remember the expressions on those people’s faces. Your mother suggested starting with unclaimed wasteland; go and see how feasible that is.”

He stood up, walked to his desk, and took out a cold-to-the-touch black iron token from a hidden compartment. It was engraved with intricate cloud patterns, and in the center was a small character "烬" (Jin). He handed the token to Shen Yu.

"In case of emergency or major discovery, you may take this order to any government office or post station and show it to them. They will then deliver the message to me as quickly as possible. But remember," he said sternly, "it should not be used unless absolutely necessary. You should understand its weight."

Shen Yu took a deep breath and accepted the heavy token with both hands.

He knew that this was not just a token, but also a heavy trust and entrustment from his father.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Outside the window, dusk was falling, and the twilight outlined the imperial city in a deep silhouette.

Inside the study, the family of three stood under the lamp, exchanging few words, yet something intangible flowed between them. It was a shared worry, unspoken concern, and a heavy, distant expectation for the future of the world.

Shen Yu, this "stone" meticulously sculpted by Ling Zhan and secretly acknowledged by Wei Jin, is finally about to be thrown into the vast lake and sea to question reality and search for the perhaps faint, but one that must be sought by someone.

His journey concerns his family, but even more so his country.

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