Chapter 29: Chapter 29

The Capital, the Duty Room of the Grand Secretariat.

The Grand Secretariat system had first been established during Emperor Taizong’s reign. Originally, several veteran ministers had merely been promoted to Grand Secretaries so they could assist the Crown Prince in governing the realm while Emperor Taizong campaigned in the north.

At the time, there had been no so-called Duty Room. A side hall beside Xuanhe Hall had simply been set aside so the Crown Prince could consult the ministers whenever necessary.

After successive reforms under Emperors Renzong and Dezong, the Grand Secretariat gradually became a formally established institution, and its Duty Room was eventually placed in Wenyuan Pavilion.

Inside the Duty Room of Wenyuan Pavilion, the brazier burned fiercely.

Four officials in red robes sat at separate desks. All four remained silent, their expressions exceptionally grave. The tea on their desks had already been replaced several times, yet none of them had any desire to drink it.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside.

Yang Ming, the Chief Grand Secretary and Minister of Rites, sat in the central position. He was the first to rise.

As the footsteps approached, Li Shou, the Minister of Revenue and the final member of the Grand Secretariat, strode into the room.

Before Li Shou could even catch his breath, a thin official seated to the left, with hawklike eyes and a pale face, could no longer restrain himself.

“Lord Li, how did it go?”

Li Shou ignored the question. He picked up the tea from his desk and took a large gulp before finally speaking.

“Grand Secretary Yang, Lord Jiang, there is nothing to report. Forget Eunuch Feng—the Directorate of Ceremonial did not even have a single attendant eunuch present.”

The four men exchanged glances, seeing the same confusion in one another’s eyes.

Yang Ming looked at Li Shou. Li Shou nodded and sighed helplessly.

He knew the Chief Grand Secretary did not believe him, but there genuinely had not been a single person in the Directorate of Ceremonial. He could hardly conjure several eunuchs out of thin air.

Without another word, he walked over to an empty desk, sat down, and drank his tea.

The journey from the Duty Room of the Grand Secretariat to the Duty Room of the Directorate of Ceremonial had nearly worn his legs off!

“Since no one is there, we can only wait.” Yang Ming sounded helpless. There was nothing he could do if they could not find anyone. “I suspect the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial are attending His Majesty. We should wait a little longer before submitting our Draft Rescripts.”

The other three had no better solution. They remained silent, their expressions solemn as they cupped their hands for warmth.

Only Xia Shang, the oldest member of the Grand Secretariat, relaxed after learning that no one was present at the Directorate of Ceremonial. He leisurely drank his tea and read his book as though the matter had nothing to do with him.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study.

Eunuch Feng knelt on the floor.

The reigning Emperor, Yuan Zhuo, had just finished washing and dressing. The moment he entered the Imperial Study and saw Eunuch Feng kneeling there, he hurried forward and helped him to his feet.

“Grand Companion, what is the meaning of this? Why are you kneeling here? Has someone dared make things difficult for you?”

“Your Majesty shoulders countless affairs every day. This old servant… This old servant failed in his duty and betrayed Your Majesty’s grace. I truly deserve death.”

Eunuch Feng wiped away his tears, his voice choked with emotion. After speaking, he tried to kneel again.

“What could have distressed you so deeply? Tell me. I grant you immunity from punishment.”

It was often said that people became increasingly sentimental as they aged, and Yuan Zhuo was no exception.

He was already fifty-seven years old and had been accompanied by Eunuch Feng for nearly sixty years. Their bond was naturally profound. Seeing Eunuch Feng on the verge of tears, Yuan Zhuo could not bear to be harsh with him.

“Your Majesty is merciful! Chen Jing… Chen Jing failed to stop the one from the Liu Family.”

Eunuch Feng looked at the solemn and imposing Emperor seated behind the desk. He did not dare conceal anything and explained the course and outcome of the matter in a few concise sentences.

Although Yuan Zhuo was already past fifty, his imperial majesty had not diminished in the slightest. His bright yellow Dragon Robe made him appear incomparably noble, while his eyes carried the overwhelming authority of a supreme ruler.

After hearing Eunuch Feng’s report, his expression did not change in the slightest. He slowly stroked his beard before speaking.

“What family does not have a few disappointing children? This has not been easy for you either. Chen Jing failed in his task, but he did serve with sincerity. His will was greater than his ability. I will not punish him this time, but once you return to the Directorate of Ceremonial, you must still give him a stern warning.”

Eunuch Feng hurriedly knelt and kowtowed with perfect formality.

“Your Majesty’s benevolence is as vast as Heaven. Even if Your Majesty does not punish him, this old servant must do so. Chen Jing has betrayed Your Majesty’s grace!”

“Mm. Grand Companion, you have always understood propriety. You must also pay closer attention to the other matters.” Yuan Zhuo smiled. “Enough. Go to the Duty Room and summon Yang Ming and Xu Zhizhou to see me.”

“This old servant will attend to it immediately.”

Inside the Duty Room, the five men had nearly exhausted their patience when a voice finally sounded outside.

“Eunuch Feng—”

“There is no need to announce it to me. I have only come to convey Imperial Summons.”

The five men immediately brightened. They hurried to their feet and went out to welcome him.

Eunuch Feng was a powerful expert, after all. Before the five officials could even reach the entrance, he had already entered the Duty Room.

Seeing that all five were present, Eunuch Feng hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

“You must have grown impatient waiting, Grand Secretaries. Heh heh. Several servants in the Wine, Vinegar, and Flour Bureau failed to observe the rules, so I was delayed while dealing with them. I have kept you gentlemen waiting.”

Yang Ming hurriedly smiled.

“You have been occupied with important duties, Eunuch Feng. We merely drank a few additional cups of tea.”

“Grand Secretary Yang, Grand Secretary Xu, His Majesty has issued an Imperial Summons. You are both to enter the palace and attend to him.”

Yang Ming and Xu Zhizhou followed Eunuch Feng toward the Imperial Study. Although they questioned him along the way, Eunuch Feng did not answer and merely said, “Everything will become clear once you meet His Majesty.”

Both Grand Secretaries were already past sixty and had never practiced the Martial Dao. They walked unsteadily for a full quarter of an hour before finally reaching the Imperial Study.

“Grand Secretaries, please enter.”

Eunuch Feng opened the doors of the Imperial Study and gestured to the two men.

“Grand Companion, bring chairs for the two Grand Secretaries,” Yuan Zhuo said as he set down his teacup. “Grand Secretary Yang is the Chief Grand Secretary, while Grand Secretary Xu is the Second Grand Secretary. Both are pillars of the state. From now on, whenever Grand Secretary Xu comes to see me, he is also granted a seat.”

“Yes.”

Xu Zhizhou was already sixty-two years old. Although he had served in the Grand Secretariat for eight years, he did not appear elderly. His figure was well proportioned, his steps were steady, and he remained full of energy. Even his hair was only half gray.

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, he hurriedly knelt.

“Your Majesty, this subject is merely the Second Grand Secretary. I would not dare overstep my station.”

“You are both pillars of the state. There is no need to distinguish between first and second. Sit, Grand Secretary Xu,” Yuan Zhuo said calmly.

After the two men sat down, Eunuch Feng withdrew to the side.

Only then did Yuan Zhuo continue.

“Have you uncovered any clues regarding the Imperial Envoy’s murder in Jiangnan?”

Yuan Zhuo seemed not even to notice the two Grand Secretaries. Instead, he first directed the question to Eunuch Feng.

The hearts of both Grand Secretaries sank.

They had served in the Grand Secretariat for many years. How could they fail to understand the Emperor’s meaning?

There was probably no longer any room to reverse what was about to happen in Jiangnan.

“Your Majesty is perceptive. We have indeed uncovered several clues. Officials in Bianzhou, Changzhou, Yunzhou, and Lin’an colluded with merchants. Fearing that Lord Jiang would discover their crimes, they bribed an Assassin to murder him in Changzhou!”

Yuan Zhuo set down his teacup.

Clink.

The sharp sound made his anger evident.

“Continue investigating. Pull up the radish and bring out all the mud with it. These vermin must be investigated thoroughly and eradicated completely!”

“This old servant understands!” Eunuch Feng replied.

“Grand Secretary Yang, Cui Han traveled south last month to conduct a Salt-Trade Inspection. Why has there still been no news?”

Yuan Zhuo’s expression became inscrutable as he narrowed his eyes at Yang Ming.

“I have heard that Cui Han is also your student, Grand Secretary Yang. Why does he handle his duties so carelessly?”

“Your Majesty, forgive me. This subject will immediately send Cui Han an Express Dispatch and order him to report without delay.”

Yang Ming rose from his Warming Stool and knelt where he stood.

Yuan Zhuo calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip. He neither spoke nor told Yang Ming to rise.

Only after a long silence did he finally say in a cold voice, “Enough. Rise. I am not blaming you. However, the military provisions for Ningzhou leave me no choice but to be anxious. The military affairs of the state are weightier than Mount Tai!”

“Xu Zhizhou, you oversee the Ministry of War. You must also pay closer attention to matters like this. I hear that you have a student in Jiangnan as well. You should send him a letter and ask about the situation.”

Before the Emperor had even finished speaking, Xu Zhizhou had already knelt.

The two Grand Secretaries exchanged a glance, cold sweat soaking their backs.

Cui Han was Yang Ming’s student, and Yang Ming was the Chief Grand Secretary. A letter from Yang Ming to Cui Han could still be presented as the will of the Grand Secretariat.

But in what capacity could Xu Zhizhou write to his own student?

He could hardly say that the Emperor had ordered him to do so.

The meaning was already perfectly clear.

The Emperor did not merely want their money. He wanted their lives as well!

The two men understood one another from a single glance.

Under such circumstances, how could the Grand Secretariat possibly dare submit its Draft Rescripts?

The people in Jiangnan might not fear death, but they certainly did!

Sunlight streamed through the windows and fell across the floor.

Yuan Zhuo rose and stepped into the light. Folding his hands behind his back, he spoke indifferently.

“The winter sunlight is pleasant. At least the common people beneath Heaven can enjoy a few warmer days. Sit.”

“I heard from the Grand Companion that the two of you submitted Draft Rescripts, but the Directorate of Ceremonial refused to grant them Vermilion Approval?”

Yang Ming and Xu Zhizhou did not dare sit properly. Only half of each man rested on his Warming Stool.

Yang Ming replied with fear and trepidation.

“Your Majesty, this subject did prepare a Draft Rescript. It has already been discussed among the members of the Grand Secretariat. It concerns the bandit unrest in Shu…”

“The Hexi Army is already responsible for the bandits in Shu. What remains improper?”

“Your Majesty, this subject believes that part of the Dazhou garrison could be transferred into Shu to suppress the bandits. By attacking from within and without, the fierce bandits could be destroyed.”

“Heh. Bingzhou is in dire danger, Annan is unstable, and the corruption case in Jiangnan remains unresolved. Could it be that Grand Secretary Yang believes the Ministry of War possesses too much silver?”

Yuan Zhuo turned slightly and smiled. His expression revealed neither sorrow nor joy.

“This subject would not dare.”

Both Grand Secretaries knelt once more.

“You have already dared!”

Eunuch Feng immediately stepped forward.

His expression remained calm, but his True Qi had already begun circulating. In an instant, the oppressive pressure in the room multiplied.

Several members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard entered from outside, their hands resting on the hilts of their Embroidered Spring Sabers.

Yuan Zhuo remained relaxed, a smile still resting on his face. He waved his hand.

“Enough. Withdraw. That was not what I meant.”

“Grand Secretary Yang and Grand Secretary Xu, your willingness to act boldly is commendable. You simply lack sufficient maturity.”

“Your positions are difficult. Mine is also difficult. The common people have it even harder still!”

“One must fulfill the responsibilities of one’s office and consider the welfare of all the people beneath Heaven. This time, I will assume that the two Grand Secretaries acted solely for the sake of state affairs.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“However, this matter is too important to leave unpunished!”

“Convey my decree. Yang Ming is demoted to Second Grand Secretary. Xu Zhizhou is already a Second Grand Secretary, so his position will remain unchanged.”

“Appoint Jiang Fengji as Chief Grand Secretary and grant him actual authority over the affairs of the Grand Secretariat.”

“Grand Secretary Jiang is mature, prudent, and experienced. He has served in the Grand Secretariat for many years and handles state affairs with ease. The two of you should learn more from Grand Secretary Jiang.”

Yuan Zhuo lowered his eyes and stood with his hands behind his back, bathed in the brilliant winter sunlight.

His imperial majesty seemed boundless.

“Grand Companion, there is no need for you to convey the decree. I am in a fine mood today. Accompany me on a walk through the Imperial Garden.”

“Grand Secretary Xu will convey the decree instead.”

“That will be all. Withdraw. In the future, you should discuss affairs of state more thoroughly with the other members of the Grand Secretariat.”

“We thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace. This subject takes his leave!”