Chapter 206 – Asking the Sage

The weather was clear, with the sea breeze blowing gently. Xu Chun, along with Sheng Changtian and Fang Zixing, yelled and played with kites all the way. Xie Yi merely sipped tea on the side, watching them play, exuding an aura of noble grace, yet enjoying the rare leisurely pleasure of a half-day respite from the world.

Back at the palace in Jinhaiwei, he spent the afternoon questioning ministers about their investigations into the lives of the people, granting exemptions for several taxes due this year. In the evening, he kept Xu Chun in the palace. There was no drunkenness that night; instead, he picked out some appealing images from his sketchbook and tried them out on Xu Chun. With his weakness in Brother Nine’s hands, Xu Chun didn’t dare defend himself against the exaggerations in those images. After all, he felt guilty. Most of them were based on suggestive poetry and erotic pictures he had seen elsewhere, which he had carelessly sketched. If he confessed, he would likely hand Brother Nine’s another lever of control, so he could only let Xie Yi have his way, thoroughly testing each one.

The next day, the emperor toured the farmlands and military fields, then asked local officials about criminal cases and rainfall. This concluded the visit to Jinhaiwei satisfactorily, and the imperial entourage returned to the capital.

This inspection caused a stir in the court. Everyone assumed that Lord Linhai would surely receive rewards, but upon returning to the capital, there was no sign of such honors.

The Emperor first issued a casual edict, appointing Grand Secretary Shen Mengzhen to oversee the reform of the Imperial Academy’s curriculum, and promoted Fan Mukun to Vice Minister of Rites, responsible for constructing the Jiuchou Academy (governing the world).

Upon hearing this name, the courtiers all seemed thoughtful. The emperor’s ambition was evident in the name of the academy. Yet it was rumored that this institution would follow the model of the new-style school in Jinhaiwei under Lord Linhai, with significant changes to the educational system and subjects. The literati already disdained the new-style schools, considering them not the proper path for officialdom, and now they couldn’t help but voice their objections.

Fan Mukun had just returned from an external appointment and was immediately given a prominent position. Everyone knew that the emperor had previously deliberately suppressed the in-laws. However, Fan Mukun had been the emperor’s childhood companion, and their relationship was extraordinary. Although cold, the emperor valued practical achievements, and the Fan family, being a scholarly lineage, was still willing to serve the emperor. Naturally, the emperor had every reason to employ him.

All eyes were on this development, and inevitably, someone from the Hanlin Academy approached Zhuang Zhizhan again, speaking acidly to incite him to take action.

Zhuang Zhizhan knew these people harbored ill intentions, but it was also his own wish. Thinking back to the previous joint petition, he spent several days crafting an elaborate memorial, meticulously refining it until he felt it was brimming with righteous indignation, citing classics to support his arguments. If presented, it would certainly shock the court. The emperor, a wise and sage ruler, would eventually realize that moral principles were the foundation of the state, despite his temporary infatuation with modern weapons.

However, before he could find co-signers the next day, the court issued another edict, establishing the Military Affairs Office. It appointed Prince Jiegue, Xie He, Duke Wuying, Fang Zijing, Lord Linhai, Xu Chun, Prime Minister Ouyang Shen, Minister of War Lei Ming, Minister of Revenue Luo Hengrui, and Minister of Works Du Zhengqing as military ministers, overseeing all military affairs related to the land and naval forces, as well as military academies and the production of new weapons such as firearms, cannons, and steamships.

The appointments to the Military Affairs Office were not subject to established ranks, without fixed offices, and not following precedent. In other words, if someone already held a post, they would continue serving in their original department. The edict additionally named several capable ministers, including He Zhiqiu, Sheng Changyun, Fan Mukun, and Zhao Yu, as attendants of the Military Affairs Office, taking turns on duty within the Forbidden City.

Upon hearing this decree, discussions erupted everywhere.

“Is the emperor trying to take control away from the cabinet?”

“On paper, Prince Jiegue Xie He holds the highest status, but who doesn’t know that Xie He is a distant relative, usually silent and reserved, barely uttering a word.”

“It’s naturally Duke Wuying who leads. No wonder the emperor recalled him to the capital without appointing a new governor-general for Zhejiang and Fujian. Some thought the emperor was finally weakening the Fang family, but little did they know that this was the emperor’s true intention. Indeed, the emperor’s wisdom shines through—a brilliant move from beyond the stars.”

“Is this a reform of the military system?”

“I think it might be tailored for Lord Linhai. Didn’t they say that during the visit to Jinhaiwei, the emperor highly praised Lord Linhai? It’s rumored that he even gave him a commendation of ‘determined and capable, with broad economic vision, and deeply worthy of reliance.'”

“No way. Who here isn’t more powerful and influential than him? How long has he been of age? I think it’s simply his economic expertise they value, wanting to use him to raise military funds.”

“Minister of Revenue Luo Hengrui is already elderly and hasn’t been involved in administration much. Many suspected that the post of Minister of Revenue would go to Lord Linhai, but unexpectedly, the emperor chose to start anew, setting up a separate Military Affairs Office, consolidating the production of firearms, cannons, and steamships. With Lord Linhai’s abilities, why would he need silver from the Ministry of Revenue? Just having this authority in his hands, who knows how much more silver he could generate? Tsk, truly wielding great power. Now that we’re not at war, he’s already making significant moves just relying on Jinhaiwei. Putting the military factories under his control, it’s conceivable that he might become another kind of power player in the empire, possibly even pushing Duke Wuying to step aside.”

“The Fang family has Guangzhou; they wouldn’t dare seize more power. Unlike Lord Linhai, who has the emperor’s favor, he can act as he pleases.”

Hearing these rumors, Zhuang Zhizhan suddenly saw everything clearly. Not only had he realized this, but many discerning individuals had also come to the same conclusion—the Military Affairs Office was clearly set up for Lord Linhai! Duke Wuying Fang Zijing, appearing authoritative and decisive, but in reality, the Fang family had reached its limit; advancing or retreating would lead to perilous situations. How could Fang Zijing dare to undertake any reforms?

Even these cabinet ministers, the heads of the six ministries, who were already part of the inner circle, could be directly instructed by the emperor for military discussions. Why, then, was there a need to establish a separate Military Affairs Office? This office was undoubtedly created for Lord Linhai, who had established military merit in the provinces but hadn’t yet gained a foothold in the capital, lacking sufficient prestige.

To plan so meticulously for a single minister—was this because this minister was willing to walk the path of reform and military expansion for the emperor?

Throughout the empire, no one was willing to do this for the emperor. After all, this would shake the foundations of the state and challenge the laws established by the ancestors. What was the emperor thinking?

His heart alternated between heat and cold as he revised the memorial once more, weighing his options. Ultimately, he didn’t submit it, hesitating over whether to take this step or not. Taking this step might pour cold water on the emperor’s enthusiasm, potentially leading to the emperor’s dislike…

Before he could present his memorial, however, his mentor Cui Shu summoned him and bluntly asked, “Why did you incur the emperor’s displeasure during the imperial tour? I had only heard vague rumors before, but today, the Personnel Department submitted the performance evaluations for the officials. Originally, your evaluation was excellent, with a proposal to retain you in one of the six central departments. After the Personnel Department submitted it, the emperor personally circled it as ‘average to poor,’ intending to send you on an external assignment!”

Zhuang Zhizhan felt as if icy water had been poured over him from head to toe, chilling him to the bone. His face turned pale, and his lips trembled as he was unable to speak.

Seeing his expression, Cui Shu inwardly groaned. He had assumed that his top scholar disciple, coming from a prestigious family and indeed gifted in poetry and literature—even praised by the emperor a few times—was usually intelligent and savvy, adept at navigating the complexities of the world. How could he have incurred the emperor’s displeasure after being given the valuable opportunity to accompany the imperial entourage? What a waste of his remarkable literary skills!

Cui Shu could only patiently counsel him, “You should understand that an average to poor evaluation is not a big deal, nor should you fear an external assignment. As long as I’m around, I can always get you transferred back. But when the emperor personally marks you as average to poor and sends you out of the capital, you won’t be able to return! Even if I submit a request, as long as the emperor remembers, it will certainly be rejected. Perhaps it will even be denied by the Personnel Department before reaching the emperor. Do you understand? I’ve already spoken to the Personnel Department to delay issuing the order for a few days. Within these few days, see if you have a chance to appeal to the emperor.”

Zhuang Zhizhan quietly replied, “Disciple understands. Disciple is unworthy, causing my teacher to worry and toil on my behalf.”

Cui Shu sighed. “I don’t have any means to turn the situation around for you. We still don’t know exactly what made the emperor dislike you. Everything was fine before leaving for Jinhai, wasn’t it? I heard that he even instructed you to write an ode for Helan’s younger sister. Your writing wasn’t bad either?”

Zhuang Zhizhan bowed deeply. “Student will try to find a solution. Thank you for mediating on my behalf, Teacher.”

Cui Shu could only sigh repeatedly. “Your uncle has written me several letters urging me to look after you. I naturally cannot sit idly by and watch you suffer like this. The Cui and Zhuang families share a common origin. I haven’t informed your clan about this matter yet. You should see if there are any other avenues you can explore. Ideally, you should seek out someone close to the emperor…like Duke Wuying or Eunuch Su.” After giving further instructions, he dismissed him.

Zhuang Zhizhan left in a daze, remembering the day Fan Mukun suggested he consider where to serve externally. It turned out…Fan Mukun truly understood the emperor’s heart…his prediction had come true, and the emperor made no attempt to hide it, nor did he provide an excuse. He directly demoted him during the triennial evaluation in the capital, doing so openly and honestly, leaving him speechless.

He gritted his teeth and ordered someone to deliver a note to the Fan residence.

Fan Mukun didn’t put on airs and actually met with him. Hearing his story, he seemed somewhat helpless. “I told you my place is a cold hearth, but you didn’t believe me. If you had listened to me earlier and apologized to Lord Linhai in Jinhaiwei, would this have happened?”

Zhuang Zhizhan wore a look of deep regret, bowing repeatedly. “Minister Fan had good intentions, but I was foolish and failed to understand your advice.”

Fan Mukun glanced at him and sighed. “You aren’t genuinely convinced yet. Without letting you meet the emperor, you probably won’t be convinced. You might even blame Lord Linhai. Otherwise, if I were to ask you to apologize to Lord Linhai now and request his intervention, would you be willing?”

Zhuang Zhizhan froze, merely bowing. “Minister Fan, I only seek clarity.”

Fan Mukun sighed, thinking that this man wouldn’t turn back until he hit a wall, just like himself. But if he remained stubbornly fixated, he might waste his talent, still so young…He couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry. “Well, if you want an audience with the emperor, I can’t guarantee anything, but I can pass on a message for you. But let me make this clear—if the emperor sees you, it won’t be for my sake. Most likely, he’ll genuinely be giving you another chance. You must seize it.”

He looked at Zhuang Zhizhan meaningfully. “If the emperor gives you a choice, think carefully before answering.”

He personally wrote a note, sealed it, and sent it to Su Hai’s residence outside the palace, instructing Zhuang Zhizhan to wait quietly at home for news.

The response came swiftly. The day after court adjourned, someone from the palace summoned him for an audience with the emperor.

He changed into his official robes and cautiously entered the imperial study, performing the proper rites to greet the emperor.

Xie Yi observed that his voice was rather gentle. “Rise, I heard Dongye mention that you wanted to see me. Did you write another fine piece of literature? A few days ago, your ‘Sea Ode’ was grand in scale and lofty in imagery. I quite enjoyed it.”

Zhuang Zhizhan, however, remained kneeling. “Subject has doubts, thus boldly seeking an audience with Your Majesty. Subject believes myself to be loyal and devoted to the state. Why did the emperor downgrade my evaluation and send me out of the capital solely because I opposed the new-style schools and reforms? Even if subject is guilty, how can the emperor punish without teaching first?”