Chapter 692: Waiting and Missing (Part 1)

Emperor Zhao Dun’s visit to the border led to Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan assuming the regency. The Li Yang imperial court remained stable and did not experience any upheaval. On the contrary, under the Crown Prince’s coordination and the strong support of high-ranking officials from the Eternal Peace Spring era, including Grand Academician Yin Maochun, the court even appeared more vibrant than before. Zhao Zhuan displayed the same diligence as the current emperor: he never missed a court session, worked through the night on documents, and frequently summoned ministers. His kingly demeanor, which lived up to expectations, subtly helped to alleviate the heavy gloom that had enveloped Tai’an City at the close of the first year of Xiangfu.

Under Zhao Zhuan’s leadership, the central government initiated a series of sweeping and profound power shifts. Qi Yanglong, living up to expectations, took charge of the Imperial Chancellery, a position that had long been vacant, and became an exceptionally rare Chancellor in Li Yang history, revered by the capital’s populace as "Chief Grand Secretary" alongside Zhang Julu, the head of the Department of State Affairs. Wang Xiong gui, who had steadily risen through the ranks in the capital to become Minister of Revenue, was transferred horizontally to an external post as Military Commissioner of Guangling Dao. Concurrently, Zhao Youling, also from the Eternal Peace era, resigned as Minister of Civil Appointments, was promoted by half a rank, and joined the Imperial Chancellery to assist the aged Chancellor Qi Yanglong. Yin Maochun, long hailed by both court and public as the "Crown Prince’s Grand Secretary" but whose official rank was merely third grade as Dean of the Hanlin Academy, finally made a substantial move. He was not only appointed the second-ranked Grand Academician of the Hall of Harmony among the six Grand Academicians but also took over as Minister of Civil Appointments. With the capital performance review and provincial evaluations paving the way, this transfer came as no surprise to the Li Yang court. Bai Guo, the Minister of Rites, filled the vacancy left by Wang Xiong gui, moving from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Revenue. Although the rank was the same, one was the Ministry of Rites, considered a less influential department, while the other was the Ministry of Revenue, which managed the empire’s land and taxes. Discerning observers recognized that Bai Guo had also climbed a rung, not falling far behind Zhao Youling and Yin Maochun. As for Jin Lanteng, the Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Academy, whose conflict with the Neo-Confucian master Yao Baifeng was public, he became the fastest-rising official in the Li Yang dynasty in the past five years. After the former Left Vice Minister of Rites was promoted to Minister as expected, Jin Sanlang, who had been at the center of attention in Tai’an City for years, again delivered a huge surprise to everyone: he was promoted to the second-grade Left Vice Minister of Rites. Yao Baifeng, the Left Deputy Director who was logically expected to take charge of the Ministry of Rites, became the unexpected outcome. Lu Shengxiang, the frontline commander whose military tactics had led to a stumbling suppression of the rebellion, was unexpectedly promoted rather than demoted. Although he resigned from his position as Left Vice Minister of War, he received a solid second-grade title of General of Valiant Cavalry. Meanwhile, Xu Gong, the General of Valiant Dragon, who was previously considered likely to lead the southern expedition, not only failed to replace the widely regarded "ineffective" Lu Shengxiang, but this pillar of the Gumu Xu clan was instead "sidelined" as Left Vice Minister of War and, after his appointment, was reportedly about to be "expelled" from Tai’an City to inspect the northern border.

It was hard to imagine that such monumental changes had nothing to do with the purple-bearded, green-eyed man.

Last year, Zhao Youling and Yin Maochun submitted reports on promotions and reprimands for over 1,800 officials in the capital to His Majesty. This year was for the provincial evaluations. After Yin Maochun returned to the capital recently, the emperor went on a border tour. By imperial decree from Liaoxi, detailed information on the provincial evaluations was sent to the Crown Prince, who was given full responsibility for the matter. After the morning court today, the Crown Prince had Song Tanglu, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, summon all Grand Academicians, senior officials from the Imperial Chancellery and Chancellery of the Grand Secretariat, ministers and vice-ministers of the Six Ministries, and several royal family members to an impromptu afternoon court, a common occurrence in the Li Yang court. In the deliberation room, three officials—the Directors of the Bureaus of Merits, Seals, and Performance Review within the Ministry of Civil Appointments—reported on the specific details. The Crown Prince and the two dozen most powerful figures in the Li Yang dynasty reviewed the documents. Several eunuchs, including scribes and attendants from the Directorate of Ceremonial, also observed. These eunuchs, in their vibrant red python robes, mainly replenished charcoal and refreshments.

Chief Grand Secretary Zhang Julu was invited but did not attend.

Inside the warm, spring-like room, there were few new faces, but many familiar ones wore newly appointed official robes, already signaling a new atmosphere for the coming year. Former Minister of Civil Appointments Zhao Youling, now one of the few first-grade officials, sat next to Chancellor Qi Yanglong. He intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Yin Maochun, also a protégé of Zhang Julu, and then subtly curved his lips into a smile as he leisurely sipped his tea. For over a decade, a certain person had been called the "Crown Prince’s Grand Secretary," yet even now, he only held the position of Minister of Civil Appointments in the outer court, not merely benefiting from his leftovers. It seemed things were settled, and he still couldn’t shed the "Crown Prince’s" prefix. When would he finally become a true "Grand Secretary"? Among the Eternal Peace Spring officials, Bai Guo was considered the most talented, but Yin Maochun was deemed to have the most potential for a chancellorship. Yet, Zhao Youling had taken a step ahead. He believed Yin Maochun’s title of Grand Academician of the Hall of Harmony was merely compensation from the emperor for not becoming the Minister of Personnel.

In fact, for the first half of the month, Zhao Youling had some hidden concerns. He wasn’t afraid of Yin Maochun, who had lain dormant for years, making a spectacular debut in this promotion feast. He was afraid that Yin Maochun would continue to be confined to the Hanlin Academy, as that would mean Yin Maochun would inevitably be the biggest beneficiary once a certain person finally fell from power. Now that Yin Maochun had been given both the Ministry of Civil Appointments and a Grand Academician position, Zhao Youling, who understood the emperor’s mind well, could finally relax.

Clearing his throat slightly, a pleased Zhao Youling twirled the teacup lid, casting a casual glance from the corner of his eye at Bai Guo, the new Minister of Revenue. He had never considered this unpromising fellow an opponent. While Bai Guo had an excellent reputation in court, once one reached their level, only four words mattered: "held the emperor’s favor." Indeed, Bai Guo had neither entered the Chancellery of the Grand Secretariat under Tantan Weng (Huan Wen) nor secured the highly coveted position of the first among the Six Ministries, which he had previously hoped for. Ultimately, within the room, the most disappointed was Yin Maochun, and the second most disappointed person was our Minister of Revenue. However, in Zhao Youling’s view, Bai Guo, with no significant backing, should be content with securing the position of Minister of Revenue.

Zhao Youling raised his eyelids, his gaze meeting that of the young, bearded Jin Sanlang, who also subtly looked his way. Zhao Youling remained expressionless. Jin Lanteng, the Left Vice Minister of Rites, who had rapidly risen through the ranks, quickly smiled in deference. Zhao Youling completely ignored him, turned to set down his teacup, and inwardly sneered. A "lucky one" who had only managed to force his way into the core of the dynasty by taking shortcuts—did he truly believe he could thrive indefinitely? In court, noble disputes are not feared, nor are factional struggles. However, the most taboo thing is to create enemies everywhere due to personal grudges. From an obscure local gentry family in Beiliang, in just a few years, he had angered both Huan Wen and Yao Baifeng. Even if he managed to bring down a certain person by sheer force of circumstance, how could a mere Jin Lanteng manage the aftermath?

Besides Jin Lanteng, who was attending this highest-level afternoon court for the first time, there was another official even more unfamiliar to Tai’an City: Xu Gong of the Gumu clan, a prominent family from Jiangnan Dao. As Vice Minister of War, Xu Gong, a General of Valiant Dragon who, despite missing the Spring and Autumn Wars, still enjoyed the reputation of a renowned general, sat upright and rigid beside his superior, Lu Baijie, maintaining a focused, self-contained, and stern demeanor. Compared to Minister Lu, the Sword Immortal of Tangxi’s, elegant and refined demeanor, Xu Gong appeared to be a traditional battlefield general: with a burly physique and rugged appearance. His recent appointment was the most puzzling among all the officials whose positions had changed. Logically, Xu Gong had neither achieved significant border merits, nor was he a direct subordinate of Gu Jiantang, nor did he have powerful backing in court. He should not have been brought into the capital court. Yet, he suddenly appeared out of nowhere, only to be quickly sent away from the capital, making Xu Gong seem like a complete joke.

The court session concluded in the evening. The Minister of Works and the Vice Minister of Justice, both in their sixties, could barely hide their fatigue.

Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan instructed a scribe from the Directorate of Ceremonial to have the Imperial Kitchen send food. During this time, all ministers could take a break or step out for fresh air.

Huan Wen, a veteran minister with ample experience, reputation, and accomplishments, naturally did not feel constrained like some of the Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries. He was the first to leave the room.

Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan soon rose, walked out, and called out to Tantan Weng with a smile, and they walked together.

This scene, to those with keen eyes, was certainly thought-provoking.

Jin Lanteng remained seated, not moving, nor did he proactively exchange pleasantries with any seniors in the room, appearing particularly isolated.

In the corridor outside, Huan Wen smiled and asked, "What can I do for Your Highness?"

With no one else around, the Crown Prince blinked and subtly made a gesture of raising a cup to drink.

Huan Wen also laughed heartily, saying, "That would be excellent."

The two walked to a distant side room, followed only by Song Tanglu, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

The Crown Prince hesitated, then said, "The position of Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Academy is currently vacant, and Master Yao has not recommended anyone. Does Tantan Weng have any suggestions?"

Huan Wen was momentarily stunned.

Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan smiled without speaking.

Huan Wen also smiled, then said straightforwardly, "I have no candidate for the Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Academy. However, my Chancellery of the Grand Secretariat needs a suitable assistant. As it happens, I’d like to take this opportunity to ask Your Highness for someone."

Zhao Zhuan frowned slightly and asked softly, "Could it be...?"

Although the Crown Prince did not say the name, Tantan Weng nodded.

Both understood each other implicitly.

It was Chen Wang, Chen Shaobao, from the Diligent Quarters.

From a humble background, he passed the imperial examination, though not among the top three finalists. Still, he was qualified enough to enter the Hanlin Academy as a prestigious Huangmen Lang.

He then served as a low-ranking Imperial Diarist and later briefly as a Lecturer to the Crown Prince and a Director of the Bureau of Performance Review. While prestigious, his official positions were not high.

"Shaobao" was merely an honorary title bestowed by the imperial family.

However, if Chen Wang could go to the Chancellery of the Grand Secretariat and become Huan Wen’s right-hand man, then it would be unacceptable for him not to hold a high position of at least third grade.

Even a second-grade position was not impossible.

In that case, the currently influential Jin Lanteng in Tai’an City would pale in comparison.

Huan Wen suddenly slapped his head and said, "As for the Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Academy, I actually thought of a very unsuitable candidate."

The Crown Prince could not help but laugh, a little helplessly, "Tantan Weng, your way of putting it..."

Huan Wen burst into laughter and said no more.

But again, both understood implicitly. Two official positions were thus decided even before they had a drink.

One was Chen Wang, to the Chancellery of the Grand Secretariat.

The other was Sun Yin, to the Imperial Academy.

Both seemingly hailed from Beiliang.