Chapter 821: Silenced Like a Scared Bird (10)

After the morning court adjourned today, the Emperor, unlike his usual practice of holding a smaller court meeting to discuss state affairs, only had Song Tanglu, the Head Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, call out Chen Wang, the Left Sanqi Changshi (Imperial Grandee). Chen Wang had just been about to descend the white jade steps with Huan Wen, the head official of the Secretariat-General, and thus had to stop in place.

Because the Left Sanqi Changshi was a high-ranking official in the central government, holding a prominent position in what the common people called the Golden Imperial Hall, every time court adjourned, the civil and military officials outside had usually dispersed like a receding tide by the time Chen Wang stepped out of the great hall.

However, this morning's court had seen an influx of so many unfamiliar faces, including Gao Shi, the Duke of Yan, and Song Daoning, the Marquis of Huaiyang. A large group of meritorious ministers and noble families had gathered, making the previously spacious hall seem crowded. Therefore, when Chen Wang stopped, people continued to brush past this undisputed "Foremost Minister of Xiangfu," and even Song Daoning, who was known in the capital's official circles for his detachment from worldly affairs, initiated a few words of greeting.

Several elderly officials who had once served alongside Sun Xiji, the former Grand Tutor of Western Chu and previous Left Prime Minister of Liyang, were even more cordial, treating him like their own son-in-law. If not for the subtle glance from Song Tanglu, the Head Eunuch, these elderly officials, who needed careful assistance even for daily activities at home, seemed capable of standing there and chatting with Minister Chen for half an hour.

Chen Wang stood with Song Tanglu, who was clad in a crimson python robe. Gradually, the great hall and its surroundings became completely empty. Chen Wang, not presuming upon his deep bond with the current emperor, a bond far exceeding that of other officials, did not ask Song Tanglu, the head of Liyang's eunuchs, for the reason, remaining silent throughout. It was Song Tanglu, after a long silence, who softly said, "Minister Chen, I must trouble you to wait a little longer."

Chen Wang hummed in acknowledgment.

Faced with Minister Chen's indifferent response, the python-robed eunuch, whom all civil and military officials feared like a tiger, felt no dissatisfaction. After Song Tanglu took over the Directorate of Ceremonial from Han Shengxuan, the "Human Cat," he oversaw the transition from one emperor's reign to another, a period of new and old officials. He rarely felt respect for any official; such instances were few and far between. In Song Tanglu's heart, Chen Wang, Chen Shaobao's (Grand Tutor) ranking was only after Qi Yanglong, Gu Jiantang, and Huan Wen, and before Zhao Youling and Yin Maochun. Chen Wang, who came from humble scholarly origins, was truly too similar to a certain elder; whether in personal integrity or career trajectory, they were identical, so much so that it hardly provoked envy or jealousy in others.

Chen Wang's thoughts had wandered far, so much so that he only startled back to reality when someone patted his shoulder. He turned, gave a wry smile, and bowed slightly.

The young Emperor was not wearing his dragon robe, but had changed into informal clothes, which were not in line with court etiquette. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Chen Wang at the top of the steps. Song Tanglu had already bent low and walked backward, his small steps silent, making way for this monarch and minister of Xiangfu, who were destined to be recorded in history.

Chen Wang saw several eunuchs in the distance working together to carry a long ladder. He could not help but ask curiously, "What is His Majesty planning to do?"

The Emperor smiled and said, "First, stay with me and wait for someone."

When Chen Wang saw the ladder being carefully set up against the eaves of the Golden Imperial Hall, Chen Shaobao, who now understood somewhat, immediately found himself between laughter and tears, and hesitated to speak. The young Emperor pointed at two figures in the distance for Chen Wang: one in a scarlet python robe, clearly a high-ranking eunuch whose status was not much inferior to Song Tanglu's, and another dressed in the attire of an primary scholar. As they drew closer, Chen Wang finally saw their appearance clearly. It was the Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, an extremely old and seasoned eunuch, who was walking slightly ahead of the young man beside him, his back slightly bowed, one hand extended forward, the other holding his sleeve, as if guiding the way for the other person. The latter had his eyes closed and took small steps.

When the Supervising Eunuch took the first step onto the stairs, Chen Wang faintly heard the old eunuch say, "Mr. Lu, mind your step, we are about to ascend."

The Emperor turned and smiled, "Can you guess who it is?"

Chen Wang nodded, "Mr. Lu Xu from Qingzhou. Those with keen insight in the capital city knew full well that the 'Two Memorials and Thirteen Policies' presented by Prince Jing'an at the end of the Yonghui era actually came from the hands of this Mr. Lu, who works behind the scenes."

The Emperor suddenly looked somewhat melancholic. While they were still some distance away, he lowered his voice and said, "Lu Xu's chess skill is extremely profound. I estimate that if the two of us were to play together, we'd be easily sliced and diced, utterly defeated."

Chen Wang could not help but laugh, and lightly quipped, "How about we bring in Grand Chess Master Fan Changhou, the ten-dan player? If that's not enough, doesn't Your Majesty also have the young Supervising Censor of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to back us up? If the four of us go at him together, are we still afraid of not beating one Lu Xu? If that still doesn't work, there's Wu Congxian, who claims to have only lost to National Chess Master Fan. If it's still not enough, we can use a relay match, each deliberately taking a long time to think, to see how long Lu Xu can last; he's bound to make a mistake."

The young Emperor gently elbowed Chen Wang in the waist and chuckled, "Bullying Mr. Lu because his eyes aren't good, and even getting Fan Changhou to be our 'dog-headed strategist' is one thing, but using a relay match too? Can we at least have some dignity?"

Chen Wang cheekily replied, "My humble servant's dignity isn't worth much anyway."

The Emperor raised his elbow again, as if to strike. Chen Wang quickly moved a few steps away.

The Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial led Lu Xu closer to the Emperor and Minister Chen. When they were about ten steps away, His Majesty quickly descended the steps, took Lu Xu's hand, and smiled, "Mr. Lu, I apologize for hastily inviting you to the palace this time."

Lu Xu showed no trace of deference or apprehension, and calmly said, "It's a pity that I, Lu Xu, am blind and cannot behold the magnificent sight of the imperial palace."

After witnessing this scene, the Supervising Eunuch, who had been bowing with lowered gaze, felt his eyelids twitch.

After the young Emperor and Lu Xu, who was still a commoner, ascended to the top of the steps, Chen Wang smiled and greeted Lu Xu, "Chen Wang of the Secretariat-General, it is my honor to meet you, Mr. Lu."

Lu Xu bowed and said, "Lu Xu pays respects to Minister Chen."

Chen Wang accepted the bow calmly.

That bow was Lu Xu's first and last formal greeting to a Liyang official after arriving in the capital, and for the rest of his life.

Many years later, Lu Xu quietly passed away from illness, and Chief Grand Secretary Chen Wang stood in the desolate funeral hall, where only a white-haired old woman was present, repaying the bow he received that day.

The Emperor said in a deep voice to Song Tanglu and the Supervising Eunuch, "I will ascend the ladder with the two sirs. One of you will dismiss everyone nearby, and the other will guard the ladder. Remember! Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, from the rooftop, I want to see no one in the palace!"

The elderly Supervising Eunuch quickly departed. He naturally dared not contend with Song Tanglu for the position of guarding the ladder.

At the Emperor's undeniable instruction, Chen Wang had no choice but to ascend the ladder first, with Lu Xu following closely. The young Emperor and Song Tanglu supported the ladder for the two, one on each side.

Song Tanglu did not look up, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the young Emperor, who was looking up.

An emperor with an excellent reputation among both court and commoners was holding the ladder for a young minister and a common scholar in white. Above the Emperor's head, there were two pairs of boots.

Song Tanglu's eyes suddenly reddened.

Once all three had ascended to the roof of the majestic hall and the Head Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial could no longer see any figures above his head, Song Tanglu did not dare release the ladder with his hands, but he subtly raised his sleeve to wipe his eyes.

Chen Wang helped Lu Xu walk to a spot near the ridge of the roof and sit down, leaving the central seat for the young Emperor.

After Zhao Zhuan sat down, he asked with a smile, "Is this your first time seeing the capital's scenery from here? Haha, it's mine too."

He had, consciously or unconsciously, stopped using the imperial "Zhen" (I).

Zhao Zhuan sat upright, hands on his knees, gazing at the north-south Imperial Street, and slowly said, "When I was still the Fourth Prince, I heard in the capital that there were two tallest towers in the world, surpassing even the Tongtian Platform of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in Taian City. One was the Missing Moon Tower on Mount Hui's Grand Snow Plain, and the other was the Listening Tide Pavilion in Beiliang. I've been to the Grand Snow Plain, and it is indeed very high. That Xuanyuan Qingfeng woman is extraordinary; she flat out refused to let me enter the tower. You, Chen Wang, were right beside me then; we were both turned away together, so confessing my own shortcomings like this makes me feel much better. In this world, no matter what the matter, it's always much easier with two people bearing the burden."

Chen Wang smiled.

Zhao Zhuan stretched and rotated his neck. "It's a pity I haven't been to Listening Tide Pavilion. I actually really wish I could visit that tower someday. After all, my wife is from Beiliang. Women, no matter who they marry, as long as the marriage is decent, they always think about going back to their maiden home. This is similar to us men thinking that returning home in splendor is like parading in embroidered robes at night if you don't return to your hometown. Although my wife doesn't say it, I can't help but dwell on this matter. But now, the court and Beiliang are at a stalemate; not to mention my father-in-law being verbally abused by his Beiliang scholarly peers in private letters, even my brother-in-law, who is good friends with Xu Fengnian, went to Qingliang Mountain and the Beiliang Prince's Mansion last time but couldn't meet Xu Fengnian. This time, Xu Fengnian's arrival in the capital is also to avoid suspicion, and my brother-in-law didn't go to Xiamawei Post Station. Honestly, if we met, I wouldn't mind at all. How could I mind? I feel guilty towards their Yan family."

Zhao Zhuan rested his elbows on his legs, cupping his chin with his hands, gazing at the Imperial Road that stretched south, seemingly all the way to the southern sea. "The way of a minister is to follow the rules and traditions. The way of a son is to prioritize filial piety. But in my view, whether as a minister or a son, one cannot escape the fundamental principles of being human: remembering the old, cherishing the good, and acknowledging kindness. In Taian City, especially in this so-called Golden Imperial Hall under our very seats, what is most abundant? Officials! Many officials are very capable at their jobs, always ingratiating themselves and leaving no loopholes. But their ability to be proper human beings? I doubt it. However, often, even knowing the ulterior motives of those inside and outside the hall, generally, as long as it doesn't harm the nation, those of us who sit on the dragon throne, like me and the previous emperor, would turn a blind eye; 'clear waters yield no fish,' after all. Sometimes, we even have to personally assist them in their schemes. But this doesn't mean we don't grow tired of it. Day after day, year after year, listening to shouts of 'Long live the Emperor, live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years,' and hearing praise and glorification, it's truly a very boring time."

Zhao Zhuan suddenly burst out laughing, and said helplessly, "I'm not afraid of you two laughing at me for this, but several times when I've talked in my sleep, it's been those four words: 'Rise, my ministers.' My wife teases me about it all the time."

The blind Lu Xu tilted his head back. The sun was not yet high, and a gentle breeze caressed his face, feeling very pleasant.

Chen Wang suddenly said, "Facing mountains of memorials and petitions every day is exhausting."

Zhao Zhuan sighed with emotion. "If you want to be a good emperor, you can't rest for a single day; that's the most mentally exhausting part. When I was little, I often complained to my mother that I couldn't see my father. Is it really strange that a man who is emperor can only see his son a few times a year? Back then, I vowed to my mother that when I grew up, I wouldn't be emperor. I would spend all day playing with my children, watching them grow up little by little, and then getting married..."

Chen Wang sighed.

Zhao Zhuan smiled brightly, pointing south. "I know there's a martial arts world beyond the imperial court, and it's been particularly vibrant over the past hundred years. Earlier, there was Li Chungang, who wielded his sword on Qing Shan, and also the Thirteen Grandmasters of the Spring and Autumn Period. Later, Wang Xianzhi claimed to be invincible in Wudi City, and after Huang Longshi scattered the remaining fortunes of the Eight States of Spring and Autumn into the martial arts world, top masters emerged like bamboo shoots after rain. In recent years, I occasionally wondered if I weren't a prince but a young man from a martial arts sect, would I have a chance to rank on the martial arts list? Even if I couldn't be a first-rank master, it wouldn't be hard to become a minor grandmaster who could make waves within a prefecture or county, right? Leaving aside other things, just with my remarkable composure, not even frowning when reviewing memorials daily, I should be able to make a name for myself, shouldn't I?"

Lu Xu smiled faintly, "For ordinary experts, gaining a great reputation in the martial arts world is no easier or simpler than scrambling for power in officialdom."

Zhao Zhuan nodded, "So, if I were just Zhao Zhuan, then I would actually envy Xu Fengnian."

The young Emperor paused for a long time. "I also admire Xu Fengnian."

Lu Xu said softly, "In a small place in Qingzhou called Yongzi Alley, I gambled on chess with the Prince of Beiliang and won quite a bit of money from him. So I generally know that it's very difficult to catch the Prince of Beiliang's eye; among all the civil and military officials, only a handful have. But at the same time, it's also very simple: perhaps a mere peddler or commoner might click with him and be treated as a friend."

Chen Wang smiled, "If it weren't for the silver the Prince of Beiliang paid for my poetry and prose, which allowed me to gather enough for my journey to the capital for the imperial examination, I would most likely be a private tutor in Beiliang Dao now."

Zhao Zhuan said calmly, "So, if it weren't for Xu Fengnian, the three of us wouldn't be sitting here today. Perhaps it would take me five, ten, or even twenty or thirty more years to sit here and chat with other people. I want to thank Xu Fengnian, and I want to thank you both."

Lu Xu said indifferently, "If someone else were emperor, I, Lu Xu, and Minister Chen would never be able to sit here in our lifetime. So you don't need to thank us."

The blind scholar's unspoken meaning was self-evident.

Zhao Zhuan was not annoyed, and said softly, "The Xu family's eight hundred cavalry rode straight from Beiliang Dao into the imperial capital region. I had someone carry an imperial decree to respectfully escort him into the capital, and ordered the Minister of Rites to guard the city gate, because this is the treatment deserved by the 300,000 Beiliang Iron Cavalry who guard the nation's gate for the Central Plains. Xu Fengnian wreaked havoc at Xiamawei Post Station, attracting countless grandmasters in succession for a series of peak battles, a true martial arts legend. I didn't interfere, because this is the treatment Xu Fengnian deserves as a grandmaster of Liyang martial arts. Before coming here, I heard he went to the Ministry of Rites wearing his princely python robe, not only beating Vice Minister Jin Lanting but even pulling out our 'Third Master Jin's' beard. I still didn't get angry, because he is one of Liyang's foremost powerful princes. I, Zhao Zhuan, can take another step back for him; even if he deals with old Minister Sima Puhua as well, I can still tolerate it. To what extent the late Emperor tolerated Xu Xiao, I can tolerate Xu Fengnian, and even more if necessary. Because I sit on the dragon throne, and he guards the empire for me."

Zhao Zhuan clenched his fists, resting them on his knees, and narrowed his eyes, saying, "But he wants to go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the ancestral land of my Liyang Zhao imperial family, to destroy the fruits of countless people's painstaking efforts. I cannot tolerate that! I would rather he come to the palace and, when no one is around, point at my nose, Zhao Zhuan's, and curse me out."

Zhao Zhuan stood up, turned to look towards the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and said in a deep voice, "My Liyang's grain transport system brings over eight million *dan* of grain to the capital annually. Excluding the indispensable amount for the capital, I originally intended to unseal one million *dan* annually for Beiliang Dao! Under this premise, for every 150,000 Northern Barbarians Beiliang kills, or for every 50,000 border troops that die in battle, I will grant him an additional 500,000 *dan* respectively! Since Gu Jiantang in Liangliao cannot kill people, as long as you, Beiliang, within my Liyang territory, can kill, then I will provide you with military pay and provisions!"

Next, Zhao Zhuan said expressionlessly, "At the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, previously Li Shouguo and Li Chang'an's forces included 1,400 armored soldiers, 100 experts from the Ministry of Justice, 300 Imperial Forest Guards, plus 1,200 cavalry troops already dispatched to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau—that's a total of 3,000 people. As previously stated, with the annual one million *dan*, plus merit for killing enemies and death benefits for fallen soldiers, his Beiliang now has over three million *dan* of grain and fodder from the canal transport. When Xu Fengnian leaves the capital, it will be continuously sent into Beiliang Dao along the Guangling River. However, today at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, for every person of my Taian City he kills, I will withhold one thousand *dan* of grain transport for Liyang and the court!"

The grain of the Central Plains buys the heads of Northern Barbarians and also the lives of Beiliang's soldiers.

Lu Xu remained unmoved.

Chen Wang hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

That young man currently on his way to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau—is he Xu Xiao's son, or Wu Su's son? They seem the same, but are vastly different.

Is he the Prince of Beiliang, shared lord of 300,000 iron cavalry, or is he Xu Fengnian, the martial arts grandmaster who has achieved great mastery in the jianghu? They seem the same, but are still vastly different.

The only one standing, the young Emperor, calmly said, "So, Xu Fengnian, if you have the ability to kill all three thousand, then kill."