Chapter 14
"Your Highness, Your Highness?" Liu Heng called softly.
The murmured sound rang in Wei Luo's ears, and he shook off the strange feeling surging in his heart and came back to his senses.
"What happened to Miss Chen?"
"So things have changed?" Wei Luo interjected. "I'm also curious, what exactly is she planning to do?"
"This servant believes that Miss Shen does not seem to have any ill intentions."
“Heh,” Wei Luo scoffed, “What good can someone full of bad intentions do? Ignore her.”
Wei Luo looked up at Liu Heng and asked, "What's going on at Qixiang Palace?"
Qixiang Palace was one of the six western palaces of the inner court. After a fire broke out in Qianqing Palace in the twenty-fourth year of the Yongzhen reign, the emperor moved to Qixiang Palace to live.
"This morning, His Majesty threw a huge tantrum. With seditious books rampant and two Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet resigning, His Majesty is currently very troubled by this!"
"Resign?" Wei Luo shook his head and scoffed.
"Why would those two old foxes in the cabinet abandon their official positions and go home? They're just afraid that the seditious book will implicate them. They're ostensibly resigning, but in reality, they're using the emperor as a puppet."
The cabinet was the channel through which the emperor communicated with his court officials. Emperor Yongzhen did not hold court for several years because the cabinet was able to effectively maintain the operation of the empire's government affairs.
If the regents were to leave at this time, the emperor would have to face the massive civil service alone, which would be unacceptable for the physically weak and mentally exhausted Yongzhen Emperor.
Therefore, the emperor would absolutely not approve the resignation of his ministers. Grand Secretary Liu Zhengxin understood this, which is why he, along with Wei Yi, submitted their resignations to demonstrate that they had been framed and to test the emperor's attitude...
Regarding the Crown Prince's attitude, and the attitude of Liu Shen, the Second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.
*
Inside Qixiang Palace, two memorials delivered by the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs were slammed to the ground.
Emperor Yongzhen was furious. He slammed his fist on the imperial desk and cursed, "You eat the emperor's food, so you should be loyal to the emperor. The Hanlin Academician and Grand Secretary whom I personally appointed do not think of sharing the emperor's burdens when faced with problems, but instead want to run away first! Loyal to the emperor, truly loyal to the emperor!"
The emperor trembled with rage, and his eunuchs gradually knelt on the ground, lying motionless. Serving a ruler was like serving a tiger; at that moment, these men wished they could disappear into a crack in the ground to minimize their presence.
"emperor."
Chen Zhen, the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot and the Directorate of Ceremonial, came out. He picked up the memorials one by one, smoothed them out, and placed them on the imperial desk. He advised, "Extreme anger is harmful to your health. The imperial physician advised you not to get angry. No matter how big the matter is, your health is the most important thing."
The emperor snorted coldly, his voice growing increasingly sinister, "They can't wait for me to die so they can kneel and welcome their new master. The new generation surpasses the old; I'm getting old, and I'm afraid I'll be blocking their way!"
Chen Zhen shuddered.
The emperor is suspicious of Liu Shen and the crown prince!
"Tell me your thoughts, who created this demonic book?"
The emperor asked Chen Zhen.
"This servant..." Chen Zhen suddenly knelt down, "This matter is of great importance, this servant dares not speak without permission."
Although Chen Zhen had his head buried in the ground, he could still catch a glimpse of the emperor's face out of the corner of his eye. His face looked as old and tired as that of an elderly person in their twilight years.
The emperor closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and sighed, "Speak if I tell you to. I forgive you."
Knowing he couldn't escape, Chen Zhen steeled himself and said, "The person who wrote this seditious book harbors ulterior motives. He deliberately fabricated facts, stirred up trouble, caused discord between the emperor and his ministers, and suspicion between father and son, with the intention of overthrowing the dynasty. I believe this was done by someone who is dissatisfied with the court."
"Oh?" The emperor suddenly opened his eyes. "The seditious book openly accuses Liu Zhengxin and Wei Yi. They are dissatisfied with me!"
"I have already established the foundation of the state as they wished, yet they are still not satisfied, constantly bringing up the Imperial Concubine and Prince Xi. Do they want me to abdicate now and grant them credit for their service in supporting the emperor?"
The emperor roared loudly, his anger raging. Chen Zhen, kneeling on the ground, didn't dare to lift his head. "But what if it's a frame-up!"
The emperor's gaze sharpened, and Chen Zhen bowed even lower. "The seditious book deliberately omitted Liu Shen to arouse suspicion. Your Majesty is wise and insightful; you will immediately realize that the author of the book harbors malicious intentions and is truly trying to sow discord between Your Majesty and your ministers."
The atmosphere inside the hall fell into a somber mood once again.
A cold wind blew in through the window, stirring up the seditious books and memorials on the imperial desk, making them inseparable.
The emperor was also slightly taken aback.
He ascended the throne at a young age and immediately became a student of the most renowned Confucian scholars of the time, learning strategies for governing the country. During his more than thirty years on the dragon throne, he had already mastered the art of politics to a high degree.
However, the devil is always one step ahead of the saint. The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the civil officials who are keen on impeachment are all formidable figures. Open and covert struggles and deceitful dealings are constantly playing out in the palace.
The meaningless debates and arguments in the court, the endless impeachments and attacks, have long since worn away the lofty ideals of youth. The ambitious young man who once mocked "following the rules of Xiao He" has long since become "Cao Can" (a figure from a Chinese novel known for his mediocre work).
The emperor wanted political stability, but the pot of power was only so big, and everyone wanted a piece of it. So everyone was scheming and plotting, attacking me today and impeaching me tomorrow.
One person's strength is too insignificant, so group operations came into being, and over time, this led to the formation of factions.
The emperor tapped his fingers incessantly on the table. At this moment, a fierce political struggle gradually surfaced in his mind: Was the seditious book a frame-up of Liu Zhengxin by Liu Shen, or was Liu Zhengxin crying wolf to harm Liu Shen?
"Chen Zhen, you are now in charge of the Imperial Guard and the Five City Patrol Offices to conduct a city-wide search and arrest the person who wrote the book. Then go and inform the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wang Zhen, and ask him to assist in the investigation."
After speaking, the emperor looked at a scribe and instructed, "Report back to the cabinet and tell them that I have ordered the Eastern Depot and the Five City Garrison to conduct a thorough investigation and will surely find the person who wrote the book. Tell them to understand my favor and to go to court immediately to handle affairs."
"Leaving the court to manage affairs" means that the emperor did not allow the two to resign and demanded that they return to work in the cabinet.
"Your servant obeys the decree."
Just as Chen Zhen was heading to the Eastern Depot, the Emperor's reply, consisting of imperial edicts from two Grand Secretaries, was swiftly delivered to the Grand Secretariat. Since both Grand Secretaries were on leave, only Liu Shen was on duty that day.
"I hope Mr. Liu will pass this on." After handing the imperial eunuch the imperial edict to the cabinet, the young eunuch turned and left.
Looking at the imperial edict in his hand, the elderly and gray-haired Liu Shen felt extremely complicated. Emperors were inherently suspicious, let alone when the seditious book involved the crown prince, the imperial concubine, and a group of important court officials.
He didn't know how the emperor would view him or the crown prince. But he knew that his political rival, Liu Zhengxin, would be the first to suspect him, and a political storm was inevitable.
He has worn the official hat on his head for most of his life, and he has reached the rare age of seventy. His prime has passed, and his body is getting old. At the end of his life's journey, it seems that there is nothing left to pursue.
Only him!
Liu Shen shifted his gaze to the northeast. The upturned eaves of Ciqing Palace looked even more desolate in the north wind, but the auspicious beasts on the eaves had been silently guarding the lower realm for years, fearless of wind and rain, steadfast and unwavering.
Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, there will always be someone willing to go first for you!
*
Half an hour later, at the residence of Grand Secretary Liu Zhengxin.
"read."
[I have followed ancestral rules in establishing the Crown Prince, and have issued a clear edict to all under heaven. The hearts of the people, both within and outside the court, have long been devoted to him. Yet, some unruly individuals dare to spread slanderous rumors against the court, which is extremely rebellious. I have ordered the Imperial Guard and the Five Cities Police Department to conduct a thorough investigation and arrest them, and to ensure their capture.]
As your trusted advisor and chief minister, your relationship is of vital importance to the nation's fate. Having already devoted yourself wholeheartedly to assisting in this grand ceremony, you are especially obliged to remain calm and composed in presiding over state affairs. Why then do you presume to resign and fall into the trap of treacherous individuals? I hope you will understand my favor and immediately return to court to attend to matters of state.
After the page read the Emperor's reply to Liu Zhengxin, he silently withdrew from the main hall. At this moment, besides Grand Secretary Liu Zhengxin, the newly arrived Grand Secretary Wei Yi was also present in the hall.
“This must have been done by Liu Shen,” Liu Zhengxin broke the silence. “He’s the only one who hates us to the core.”
Wei Yi glanced at his friend with an ambiguous expression, but made no comment.
Working together in the cabinet, he knew that the two had been at odds for a long time. However, the book was quite bizarre, and only an expert could write such an article. Therefore, it was normal for Liu Zhengxin, who was a political enemy of Liu Shen, to suspect him.
Wei Yi sighed softly and said, "The Emperor forbids us from resigning. The imperial edict has already been issued. What do you plan to do?"
Liu Zhengxin couldn't sit still any longer. He went to Wei Yi's side and saw that he looked sad and tired. He suddenly felt uneasy.
At this point, the two are in the same boat. Is Wei Yi afraid?
“Since His Majesty forbids me to resign, I will remain the Grand Secretary and do whatever the duties of the Grand Secretary are.”
"No!"
Wei Yi hurriedly tried to dissuade them, "You saw it too, the demonic book was clearly prepared. We don't even know who the enemy is, so how can we investigate?"
"Who is the enemy?" Liu Zhengxin glared at Wei Yi. "You don't know who the enemy is?"
Wei Yi choked, "But there's still no evidence."
“Evidence will always come.” Liu Zhengxin said with a serious expression.
"Where?" Wei Yi asked.
Liu Zhengxin laughed and said, "Aren't they everywhere? The dead can't speak, but there are plenty of living people. Tomorrow, I will lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard to search their homes in the name of the Grand Secretary."
Wei Yi smiled, then shook his head. "It's rare for a person to live to seventy. The horse has run its whole life and is already old and frail. It can no longer afford to graze on the pastures of Tianshan."
“Even an old horse is still a horse. Since we are in the Tianshan Mountains, it’s a pipe dream to think we can safely descend the mountain.” Liu Zhengxin decisively shattered his friend’s idea of retiring.
"To mind one's own business"—what a beautiful phrase! But in political struggles, every instance is a zero-sum game; the gains of one side inevitably lead to the losses of the other.
For those at the pinnacle of power, failure is fatal! This is why Grand Secretary Liu Zhengxin insisted on continuing the struggle, just as Consort Shen had said:
"Moving forward may offer a glimmer of hope, while retreating is tantamount to self-destruction."
Inside Yikun Palace, Xu Xuan requested the Imperial Concubine to transfer him to the Ministry of Justice. The Imperial Concubine did not have the authority to transfer officials, but she had a good relationship with the Grand Secretary. With this connection, Xu Xuan only needed to present the Imperial Concubine's letter to the Grand Secretary, and the rest would naturally fall into place.
Inside the Liu residence, the two spies quickly turned into a three-person secret meeting.
"This student greets the teacher and the Grand Secretary." Xu Xuan's attitude was extremely respectful.
Wei Yi was Xu Xuan's teacher, which is the relationship between a mentor and a student. In the imperial examinations, the chief examiner was called the mentor, and the candidates referred to themselves as students. According to custom, successful candidates had to pay a visit to their mentor to express their gratitude, and the evils of factionalism accumulated from this.
After reading the imperial concubine's handwritten letter, Wei Yi sighed deeply. He never imagined that his most prized student would one day be drawn into the vortex of factional strife in such a way.
It shouldn't have been like this. Xu Xuan should have been upright and honest!
"Do you really want to join the Ministry of Justice?" Wei Yi asked sadly.
Xu Xuan straightened his back and said with unusual firmness, "I want to enter the Ministry of Justice. With the case of the seditious book exposed, the people of the capital are in a state of panic. I do not want to sit in the Hanlin Academy. I only want to do my best for my teacher, for the Grand Secretary, and for the Imperial Concubine to repay the kindness of your patronage."
The two men in the hall exchanged surprised glances. Xu Xuan's words showed that he was determined to get involved in the turbulent political situation.
As people who are almost in the same camp, each additional person means more help, so they have no objection to it.
He's just still young...
Grand Secretary Liu Zhengxin then said, “A roc spreading its wings has the ambition to travel a thousand miles. I am very pleased that you have such a grateful heart. However, politics is not a trivial matter, but a life-and-death struggle. You are only twenty years old and your experience is still limited. You should stay in the Hanlin Academy for a few more years before taking up an official position.”
Xu Xuan looked up, somewhat surprised, but still insisted on his opinion, "I lack experience, but I consider myself a learned person. As long as Your Excellency is willing to teach me, I am willing to follow you."
Liu Zhengxin narrowed his eyes and asked, "Have you thought it through?" His voice became gentle.
"I've thought it through."
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