Chapter 108 The Prince of Jin's Residence, Secret Talk in a Dark Room
The Prince of Jin's residence, located in the northeast corner of Chang'an, far from the hustle and bustle of the imperial city center, boasts an elegant layout and lush greenery, exuding a tranquil atmosphere. This place, which should have been a haven for the young prince to study and cultivate his character, has now become the edge of a whirlpool where several undercurrents quietly converge.
In the stillness of the night, the lights in the Prince's study remained bright. Li Zhi put down a volume of the Book of Documents and rubbed his slightly sore eyes. On his desk, besides the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections, were several "notes" secretly sent by his uncle, Changsun Wuji, earlier that day. These were not confidential documents, but rather Changsun Wuji's "personal insights" and "historical reflections" on recent court affairs. The wording was subtle, but between the lines, they all pointed to his concerns about certain policies of the current Crown Prince and his admiration for a "benevolent" and "prudent" approach to governance.
Li Zhi was not a dull person. At first, he took it as his uncle's careful teaching, but after seeing more and combining it with some subtle rumors in the court recently, as well as his elder brother Li Chengqian's increasingly obvious, yet somewhat scrutinizing "concern" for him, he gradually began to taste a different flavor.
Is the uncle implying that his elder brother has gone astray? Is he too ambitious, which undermines his "benevolence"? And are the uncle's shadow also behind those discussions gathered under the banner of "maintaining the status quo" and "generosity"?
He felt an unprecedented pressure and bewilderment. On the one hand, he respected and admired his elder brother's talent and courage, knowing that the Tang Dynasty had grown stronger under his brother's assistance, and many long-standing problems had been eliminated. On the other hand, the benevolent governance described by his uncle—"simple government and clear laws," and "ruling by doing nothing"—perfectly aligned with the Confucian ideals he had been taught since childhood, sounding so beautiful and desirable.
More importantly, the deep concern his uncle revealed about the future of the Changsun family, and even about his own future, was something Li Zhi could not ignore. If... if it was truly as his uncle vaguely implied, that his elder brother would treat the Changsun family, and even his younger brothers who might "threaten" his position... Li Zhi dared not think any further.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door, and a deep voice said, "Your Highness, a 'chess friend' has been sent from the Duke of Changsun's residence. He says he has an incomplete game score and would like Your Highness to appraise it."
Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat. This was one of the secret codes he had agreed upon with his uncle. "Chess friend" meant that there was an important matter that needed to be conveyed in person. He composed himself and called out, "Please come in."
The door opened, and the person who entered was not a chess player, but a middle-aged man dressed in an ordinary scholar's blue robe, with a refined face and unusually bright eyes. Li Zhi had met this man twice before. He was a highly trusted advisor in his uncle's household, surnamed Du, named Hui, courtesy name Mingyuan. He was known for his extensive knowledge, excellent memory, and skill in planning, but his name was rarely known to outsiders.
"Mr. Du," Li Zhi stood up to greet him politely.
Du Hui bowed and quickly scanned the study to make sure there were no other people around before lowering his voice and saying, "Your Highness, Lord Changsun has ordered me to come here. He has important matters to report and some things that need to be said to Your Highness in person."
Li Zhi gestured for him to sit down, personally closed the door, and then said, "Please speak, sir."
Du Hui did not speak immediately, but instead took out a flat brocade box from his sleeve. When he opened it, what he found inside was not a chess manual, but several copied fragments of memorials and records of court discussions. He gently pushed it in front of Li Zhi.
"Your Highness, please take a look," Du Hui's voice was steady and clear, yet carried a seductive power, "These are the specific items and preliminary results of the 'land survey' and 'investigation of hidden households' conducted in recent months on several families, including the Li family of Zhao County, the Wang family of Taiyuan, and the Zheng family of Xingyang, at His Highness's behest or with his tacit approval. Your Highness can see the breadth of scope, the depth of intensity, and the... swift and decisive nature of the operation."
Li Zhi looked down at the detailed and chilling records, listing the acreage that had been investigated, the number of hidden households forced to reveal their identities, and the names of aristocratic officials who were punished or transferred as a result. It was shocking.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is determined to reform and rectify long-standing problems, and his intentions are commendable." Du Hui then changed the subject, "However, acting too hastily and using too harsh methods may not be a long-term solution. These powerful families have been passed down for hundreds of years and have deep roots in the prefectures and villages. A sudden and large-scale uprising may achieve temporary results, but it is very easy to provoke a backlash and sow the seeds of instability. This is the first point."
He paused, observing Li Zhi's expression, and continued, "Secondly, Your Highness, please look at these documents." He pulled out several more sheets of paper. "This is a list of officials from humble backgrounds promoted by the Crown Prince in the past two years, along with their current official positions. Your Highness may notice that more than half of them were either officials under the Eastern Palace or personally vetted and recommended by the Crown Prince. At the same time, many scions of noble families with a long-standing reputation and familiarity with regulations, and even some... mature and prudent ministers who share similar ideals with Lord Changsun, have gradually been marginalized, either transferred to sinecure positions or simply retired."
Li Zhi's gaze swept across the list, silently counting the names in his mind, growing increasingly alarmed with each reading. His elder brother's preference for certain personnel was indeed becoming more and more apparent.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince wishes to create a court that is completely subservient to you. This is the way of an emperor, and there is nothing wrong with it.” Du Hui lowered his voice even further, almost to the level of a whisper. “However, if you use this as a pretext to exclude dissidents, block channels of communication, or even… harbor resentment towards senior officials and meritorious ministers who may hold different political views or who may be seen as ‘obstacles’ simply because of their background or kinship, and even… want to get rid of them as soon as possible, then it will not be a blessing for the country, nor will it be the ‘harmonious relationship between ruler and minister’ that Your Majesty desires.”
The words "eliminate him as soon as possible" pierced Li Zhi's heart like an ice pick. He abruptly looked up at Du Hui: "What do you mean by that, sir? My brother... would he... do something to my uncle...?"
Du Hui did not answer directly, but looked at Li Zhi meaningfully: "Lord Changsun is the Empress's brother-in-law, loyal to Your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty, and also the Crown Prince's maternal uncle, having provided much support in his early years. However, in recent years, Lord Changsun has repeatedly been subtly advised and neglected by the Crown Prince simply because he advocates for leniency and opposes certain overly radical measures. Even in the princess's marriage, the Crown Prince strongly obstructed the Changsun family's participation... Your Highness, some things are not about right or wrong, but about power and the path one takes. The path the Crown Prince has chosen is different from Lord Changsun's. When paths diverge, then..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Li Zhi understood the unspoken meaning—those who walk different paths cannot work together, and may even become obstacles that need to be removed.
The study was deathly silent, broken only by the occasional crackling of the lamp wick. Li Zhi's face was slightly pale, and his fingers unconsciously curled up. He had never faced so directly the possibility of such a naked power struggle and the tearing apart of family ties.
"Uncle... what does he want me to do?" After a long silence, Li Zhi asked hoarsely, his voice dry.
A glint of light flashed in Du Hui's eyes; he knew the most crucial moment had arrived. He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming incredibly earnest: "Lord Changsun has no other wish than for the Tang Dynasty to be forever secure, and for the prosperous Zhenguan era created by His Majesty to be smoothly passed down. His Highness the Crown Prince is a man of great talent and ambition, but his rigidity makes him prone to breaking, and his attitude towards powerful families and veteran officials is perhaps not the way to govern the country in the long run. Lord Changsun hopes that Your Highness, as His Majesty's youngest son, will be benevolent, filial, and intelligent, and will learn more about the ways of the sages, clearly discern the principles of governance, and, before His Majesty, at the appropriate time, speak words of 'benevolence' and 'prudence,' and that you will offer some leniency to those officials who remain loyal to His Majesty and the Tang Dynasty, but may be ostracized because of their political differences with the Crown Prince."
He looked at Li Zhi's young and hesitant face and emphasized, "This is not about competing with His Highness the Crown Prince, but about maintaining balance, ensuring that there are different voices in the court, and preventing any one path from going to extremes. Your Highness, you are not only the Prince of Jin, but also His Majesty's son, a prince of the Tang Dynasty. You have the responsibility and the ability to contribute a gentle and steady force to this country, different from that of the Crown Prince. This is also... to protect yourself, and to protect those who care about you and are loyal to you."
Protect yourself… Li Zhi was deeply shaken. Du Hui’s words were like a key, unlocking the deepest fear in his heart—if his elder brother was really as his uncle worried, unable to tolerate dissenting voices in the future, or even his younger brother who might pose a potential threat to him, then how should he face himself?
"What...what can I do?" Li Zhi's voice trembled slightly, no longer a question, but a kind of inquiry born of confusion.
Du Hui knew the seeds had been sown. He softened his tone and began to offer specific guidance: "Your Highness's primary task at present is to cultivate yourself and pursue further studies, especially to delve into the classics and history, and deeply understand the essence of 'benevolent governance' and 'rule by virtue.' In recent years, His Majesty has been quite fond of Your Highness's gentleness, kindness, and filial piety. Your Highness can visit the palace more often to pay your respects and discuss classical principles with His Majesty. As for current affairs, you should listen more and speak less. If you have any insights, they should be based on the perspectives of 'loving the people,' 'caring for the people,' and 'maintaining prosperity and stability.' As for specific matters of state, Your Highness should not get involved too early, but you can observe carefully. If you find anything too harsh or hasty, you may note it down and discuss it with His Majesty privately in the future..."
This private conversation lasted for nearly an hour. Du Hui subtly and clearly conveyed Changsun Wuji's intentions, his analysis of the current situation, and his "expectations" and "plans" for Li Zhi's future to the young prince. He did not ask Li Zhi to do anything immediately, but rather constantly reinforced his sense of crisis and responsibility, as well as that vague imagination of another possibility.
When Du Hui quietly left and the study returned to silence, Li Zhi sat alone under the lamp, gazing at the leaping flames, his mind in turmoil. The image of his elder brother, his uncle's instructions, his father's expectant gaze, and those heavy words about power, the path, and safety—all intertwined and clashed repeatedly in his mind.
He felt as if he were standing before an invisible threshold, beyond which lay a misty, unknown, and dangerous path. Retreating might preserve the present peace, but the terrifying future his uncle had described loomed over him like a shadow; advancing, on the other hand, meant actively plunging into the deep waters of politics he had never wanted to wade into, and potentially leading to conflict with his respected elder brother.
That night, the lights in the study of Prince Jin's residence burned very late. In a secluded room, the young Prince Li Zhi experienced his first true political awakening and a difficult choice. This secret conversation within Prince Jin's residence, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, would eventually create ripples that would influence the future power structure of the entire Tang Dynasty.
On a spring night in Chang'an, the breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, but also the silent smoke of battle.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com