Chapter 513: Retreat Route

Because the imperial court had established a Crown Prince and enfeoffed various princes, the Emperor personally decreed a general amnesty throughout the land and changed the reign title to Xiangfu. In the early years of Xiangfu, amidst the celebratory firecrackers ushering in the New Year, high-ranking officials were still on duty within the Forbidden Palace. A sixty-year-old man, swaying slightly, carried a wine pot and a cloth bag as he made his way towards Zhang Lu. Along the way, he occasionally met others, whether they were imperial attendants like the Chamberlain for the Imperial Wardrobe or eunuchs of high rank who could wear vibrant red dragon robes. Without exception, upon seeing the old man, they all voluntarily stopped, cast aside palace regulations, and exchanged a few pleasantries with smiling faces. Normally, if ordinary people were caught doing this, the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Han Diaosi, would surely take note, and they would eventually suffer the consequences. However, the Directorate of Ceremonial now had a new chief eunuch, and with the joyous celebration of the early spring, and the person in question being the "Candid Elder" (Tantan Weng), who was popular with everyone in court and within the palace, there was no fear of such actions being used against him. Even if someone with ill intent reported it to the Emperor, His Majesty would only reprimand them for gossiping.

Huan Wen, who had replaced Sun Xiji as the new head of the Palace Gate Department, greeted well-wishers along the way as he arrived at Zhang Lu. From a distance, he spotted Wang Xionggui, the Minister of Revenue, standing under the eaves, rubbing his hands and exhaling mist. This scholar from a humble family in Jiangnan was considered remarkably young and vigorous in a court largely composed of white-haired elders. Along with many other pillars of the current court, he had passed the imperial examinations during the Yonghui reign, likened to a carp leaping over the dragon gate. Furthermore, in that year's metropolitan examination, among those who earned the Jinshi degree, Wang Xionggui, who placed third in the first class, was the youngest. The chief examiner for the national examination was none other than Grand Secretary Zhang Julu, and his sub-examiner for grading papers happened to be Huan Wen, who was then the Left Libationer of the Imperial Academy. With his exceptional talent for governing the state and aiding the populace, Wang Xionggui had steadily risen through the ranks to become the Minister of Revenue, undoubtedly belonging to Zhang Julu's faction. Even after becoming a minister, he had always treated Zhang Julu and Huan Wen with the respect due to a disciple. At this moment, before Huan Wen even drew near Zhang Lu, Wang Xionggui hurried down the steps to relieve him of the wine pot and cloth bag. Huan Wen quipped, "Fuding, did that blue-eyed fellow turn you away again? That old man is truly something. He turned you away yesterday when you went to pay your New Year's respects, and now again today. Clearly, he cares a great deal about you, his favored disciple, but just can't bring himself to show it. No matter, no matter. Later, I'll say this pot of wine and the salted peanuts are from you. I refuse to believe that blue-eyed fellow won't be tempted. If he can resist his cravings and just watch us enjoy ourselves, I'll consider it helping you get your revenge, won't I?"

Minister Wang, whose given name was Xionggui and courtesy name Fuding, offered a bitter smile. "How could this junior dare to be angry with the Grand Secretary, Master Huan? Please don't tease Fuding anymore. Besides, this junior's poor discipline allowed my good-for-nothing son to cause trouble. The entire capital is making a mockery of it. This junior is truly ashamed and has failed the expectations of the Grand Secretary and Master Huan."

Huan Wen smiled. Unlike other pillars of the court, whose deep scheming often made them seem gloomy, the Candid Elder was different. When the old man smiled, it was never a forced smile, nor did it suggest hidden malice; rather, it genuinely made people feel that Lord Huan had indeed encountered something joyful. Over the years, many struggling cabinet ministers and high officials liked to visit Huan Wen to reminisce, bringing a few pots of good wine. Whether the old man at Huan's residence could actually help was another matter; what mattered was that he could make people feel that even the most difficult problems seemed to have some room for maneuver after he discussed them. Huan, the Left Vice-Director, had two principles: he would not add flowers to brocade, nor would he kick someone when they were down. With Huan Wen leading the way into Zhang Lu, Wang Xionggui finally found the courage to enter.

Huan Wen stopped at the doorway. Wang Xionggui, who had already stepped inside with one foot, obediently withdrew it as he heard the old man softly say, "Your youngest son is Yuanran, isn't he? Even an old man like me, who rarely leaves home, has heard his name. He hasn't committed a whole basketful of wrongdoings, but half a basket is certainly true. Last autumn, he got into a dispute with the Northern Liang Prince at the Jiujiu Pavilion, and his hangers-on blew it out of proportion, making him out to be the leader of the capital's young ruffians, claiming he was the only one who dared to defy the Prince. Originally, this was nothing. Both I and that blue-eyed fellow were incredibly impetuous in our youth; who doesn't have a bit of vanity? It's just that your son is now far too audacious. He actually went and bullied the daughter of Zhao Youran from the Ministry of Personnel, and this girl is even betrothed to Yin Maochun's only son! What's more, when Han Lin's son from the Ministry of Punishments stepped forward to speak some sense, your son beat him up and even cursed his father, calling him nothing more than a servile Vice-Minister of Punishments. Fuding, just count on your fingers: in the fourth year of Yonghui, it was truly just a few of you who rose to prominence together, and your relationships were generally good. After this commotion he caused, how will you face Yin, Zhao, and Han, who are your colleagues? You and I both know that next year's imperial examinations will be presided over by Yin Maochun. We are well aware of Yin Maochun's political prowess; he isn't called the 'foremost among the future Grand Secretaries' for nothing. This year, once the capital examinations are over, the crucial assessment of local officials will begin, and Zhao Youran will certainly be in charge. How can your esteemed mentor not be furious with you? If I were in that blue-eyed fellow's position, I would be equally incensed."

Wang Xionggui stamped his foot, sighed, and murmured, "Master Huan, you do not know the full story. My son, Wang Yuanran, was framed; otherwise, he would not have acted so imprudently..."

Huan Wen, renowned for his good temper, surprisingly showed a face full of anger, cursing in a suppressed voice, "Idiot! Flies don't land on a seamless egg! If your son were a decent person, would he have the chance to be framed? The greatest misfortune of a family is when its descendants don't cherish their blessings! He's already caused an enormous disaster, and you, as his father, are still thinking about how to clean up Wang Yuanran's mess instead of mending the fence after the sheep have escaped! What else can you be but a fool, Wang Xionggui?!"

Wang Xionggui stammered, completely unable to refute. Outsiders indeed found it hard to imagine a Minister of the second rank being reprimanded so severely. Still unappeased, Huan Wen snatched the wine pot and cloth bag, then bluntly delivered a harsh lecture: "I thought you had finally understood before coming, but I see you're still a scoundrel like this! If you can't even control one son, how can you manage the Ministry of Revenue?! I, old Huan Wen, have always held you in high regard. Fine, then you might as well stop being the Minister of Revenue! Come work under me in the Palace Gate Department—it's still a second-rank official position, how about that?! That way, your son won't be able to rely on you as his father, sticking his tail up to the sky and exposing his utterly unsightly backside!"

Wang Xionggui's face turned pale with fright. It was widely known in court and beyond that Zhang Julu's faction, though now operating under the banner of "Zhang," was actually a continuation of a lineage that could be traced back to the teacher of Zhang Julu and Huan Wen, who was also the teacher of the old Grand Secretary. As for who would succeed Zhang Julu, Wang Xionggui was undoubtedly the most favored candidate, both within and outside Zhang's faction. To put it plainly, even if the Emperor were displeased with Minister Wang Xionggui and demoted him, stripped him of his rank, or even exiled him to a remote area, as long as Zhang and Huan, the two elders, remained influential—whether in court or out of it—Wang Xionggui would have no fear of lacking an opportunity to return to the central government. However, if Zhang and Huan were to deem Wang Xionggui unfit for such a crucial role, and incapable of upholding their lineage, then his political career would be utterly finished for good.

Huan Wen let out a cold snort.

Wang Xionggui remained silent, looking downcast. After careful deliberation, he said bitterly, "Master Huan, this junior knows his mistake. I will not enter the room to trouble the Grand Secretary. While there is still snow on the ground, I will return now and make Wang Yuanran kneel outside Zhao Youran's mansion. I will also personally visit Zhao Youran to apologize."

Huan Wen nodded and laughed, "Fuding, you wily old fox! What nonsense about snow on the ground? Zhao Youran's doorstep is crowded with people and perfectly clean. Could you even find a handful of snow for me? Alright, alright, it's enough that you know your mistake. This incident is actually good; it'll teach your son a harsh lesson. I know you're probably heartbroken. Wang Yuanran isn't stupid; even if you, as his father, put on a stern face, he can likely still see the indulgence in your eyes. Moreover, your wife is soft-hearted and can't bear your youngest son crying and pleading afterward. Even though he's lost face this time, she'll secretly give him more compensation sooner or later. I'm not at ease about this. You pass a message to Wang Yuanran for me: if he dares to cause trouble again, I'll have a word with Yao Baifeng and have him locked up in the Imperial Academy for three to five years."

The Minister of Revenue, whose family matters had been personally intervened in by the Candid Elder, had moist eyes and trembling lips as he said, "Master Huan's kindness, this junior has no way to repay."

Huan Wen shook his head and sighed, "My small favors to you are nothing. The one inside, *he* truly values you. Fuding, you must not disappoint him."

Wang Xionggui nodded heavily. Huan Wen handed the wine pot and cloth bag back to him. "My trip to the palace this time was specifically for you, to see it through to the end. Come, let's go in together to see our Grand Secretary."

Inside Zhang Lu, Zhang Julu, with his purple beard and blue eyes, still showed no particular expression towards the Minister of Revenue, though he reluctantly accepted the wine and peanuts. The civil officials in Zhang Lu, who had been engrossed in their work at their desks, quietly raised their heads and offered the Minister a knowing smile. Wang Xionggui did not stay long and quickly took his leave. Zhang Julu and Huan Wen went to the room specifically used for receiving guests. Huan Wen, being intimately familiar with Zhang Lu, leisurely brought over utensils and began to boil wine, muttering to himself, "The court always says that you and I play the roles of the 'red face' and the 'white face,' working together seamlessly. I never felt it before, but now I have to reluctantly admit it. Tell me, how can an official like Fuding, who is ambitious, capable, and intelligent, and has risen to the high position of Minister, managing the Ministry of Revenue with such clarity and order, somehow fail to manage his own household?"

Zhang Julu replied calmly, "What's strange about that? Most people become officials precisely to secure benefits for their descendants. Furthermore, don't be fooled by Wang Yuanran suddenly becoming an outcast in the capital. At home, in front of his elders, he is actually quite obedient and clever. Most children of officials are like this: not foolish, but too intelligent. The ways of flattering superiors and oppressing subordinates in officialdom are things they've absorbed and mastered from a young age. I'm sure this is the first time Wang Xionggui has realized how foolish his youngest son is. That's also why every year many officials don't fall at the hands of political enemies, but rather at the hands of their own descendants. It's not uncommon for fathers and sons to serve in court together. What's truly difficult is for three generations to serve concurrently. Even if their official positions are minor and their ranks not high, whether they are good officials or bad, they are at least truly clever ones."

Huan Wen, whose nose was red from the cold like a rosacea nose, inhaled the aroma of the wine and chuckled, asking, "Then tell me, how many generations do you think Northern Liang will last?"

Zhang Julu calmly replied, "For that question, you'll have to ask the enigmatic Huang Sanjia. I don't know, and I'm too lazy to find out. What matters most is dealing with current affairs. As for how far one can see into the future, it ultimately depends on how far you can go."

Huan Wen burst into laughter.

Zhang Julu extended his hand.

Huan Wen exclaimed in surprise, "Asking for wine? Blue-eyed fellow, are you taking a concubine? Congratulations, congratulations!"

Zhang Julu cast an irritated glance, then poured himself a bowl of warm wine. He took a sip and smiled, saying, "I've come to my senses."

Huan Wen nodded and said, "Me too. As soon as those two letters were sent, I felt a bit of regret. Heh, it seems both you and I have fallen into his trap. That young man is truly formidable. He's using our hands to begin rectifying Northern Liang. But now I'm curious: was Li Xifeng, from the Golden Brocade Weaving Bureau, also deceived, or has he already colluded with Northern Liang?"

Zhang Julu countered, "Is there a difference?"

Among all the civil and military officials, only the Candid Elder could keep pace with Grand Secretary Zhang's thoughts. He nodded and said, "You're right. After all, Li Xifeng has made great contributions, and he's also put Yan Jiexie in his immense debt. We still need to ensure he returns to the capital with dignity. However, if you were to act with the fierce temperament you displayed twenty years ago when you dealt with the Han family of Jizhou, Li Xifeng wouldn't be so fortunate."

Zhang Julu chuckled, "Only after giving my grandson his New Year's money this year did I remember that I'm already in my fifties. It's about time I developed this kind of mindset."

Huan Wen let out an 'Oh,' and teased, "What, finally thinking about securing a retreat?"

Zhang Julu shook his head, his gaze firm, and slowly uttered two words: "No retreat."

Huan Wen softly said, "Don't worry, I won't let you, blue-eyed fellow, die without an heir."

Zhang Julu swayed his wine bowl, self-deprecatingly saying, "It's difficult."

Huan Wen suddenly spoke with a serious expression, "Don't you still have an unmarried daughter? In the future, Northern Liang will need a consort. What do you think of that idea?"

Zhang Julu laughed in exasperation, "Get lost!"

From a distance, the various high-ranking officials in Zhang Lu clearly heard the Grand Secretary's expletive and exchanged bewildered glances.