Chapter 8: Flying Bear Interprets Dreams

Han Kuang naturally had no idea what his sovereign was thinking at this moment. When he heard the Emperor's question, a flicker of hesitation crossed his face, and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, when the late Emperor was still alive, Censor Gu submitted a memorial stating that Xiong Tingbi had been beyond the passes for over a year without any plans for affairs; when Pu River was lost, he concealed the news and did not report it; soldiers bearing weapons were not used for battle but only for digging ditches; the imperial sword in his hand was not used to benefit the state but only to indulge his own arrogance; Censor Feng submitted a memorial saying that if Xiong Tingbi were not dismissed, the Liao lands could never be held; and Censor Zhang once said that Xiong Tingbi had ruined Liaoyang. I do not understand why Your Majesty wishes to reinstate Xiong Tingbi."

Looking at Han Kuang, Zhu Youxiao said nothing, and even the expression on his face did not change.

Han Kuang thought for a moment, a slight cold sweat already forming on his back, and continued, "Bureau Secretary Yao also reported that the troops and horses there are not drilled, the generals have not been deployed, the people's hearts are not attached, punishments sometimes have no effect, and the labor of the soldiers and civilians has no end."

"Yao Zongwen?" Zhu Youxiao interrupted Han Kuang's words, inquiring about the Bureau Secretary Yao he had mentioned. If Han Kuang hadn't brought him up, he truly would have forgotten this man.

Yao Zongwen had been sent by Fang Congzhe to Liaodong to inspect the troops and horses. Knowing nothing of military affairs and only seeking bribes, he was at odds with Xiong Tingbi, and moreover slandered Xiong Tingbi at court—he was the chief culprit behind Xiong Tingbi's resignation. During the Tianqi era he attached himself to Wei Zhongxian, was promoted to Censor-in-Chief, and rose to the post of Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. He colluded in villainy with Vice Minister Yuan Baoqi.

To put it plainly, Yao Zongwen was a typical petty profiteer and opportunist. Having such a man remain at court was simply a calamity.

Feng Sanyuan and Yao Zongwen's involvement in this matter was probably because they bore grudges against Xiong Tingbi and wanted to kick a man when he was down.

After a moment of silent deliberation, Zhu Youxiao looked at Han Kuang and said expressionlessly, "Because last night I had a dream. I dreamed I was riding a horse across the wilds of Liaodong, when I encountered a wild boar and was nearly killed. Just then, a flying bear soared through the air and saved me from danger."

The warm chamber instantly fell silent—so silent that the drop of a needle could be heard.

"This morning I had someone interpret the dream. This matter points to Liaodong, foretelling that a great disaster shall befall Liaodong. This flying bear corresponds to Xiong Tingbi."

Zhu Youxiao spoke these words with extraordinary seriousness, but they left Han Kuang utterly bewildered. He raised his head several times as if to speak, but in the end closed his mouth.

In truth, he desperately wanted to ask: Your Majesty, are you serious? But he dared not say it, and his heart was deeply conflicted.

How had such a bizarre business come about? No, this won't do! He had to think of a way out, but how was he to think of one?

Glancing at Han Kuang, Zhu Youxiao had no intention of giving him a chance to speak, and directly waved his hand and said, "My mind is made up on this matter. My dear minister need not concern yourself—withdraw now!"

Han Kuang's heart sank, his body trembling slightly, and he wanted to argue. But he saw that Zhu Youxiao had already closed his eyes with the look of a man about to sleep.

Han Kuang's expression shifted slightly, and he could only bow and say, "Your Majesty, rest early. Your servant takes his leave." Having said this, he withdrew respectfully.

After Han Kuang had gone, Zhu Youxiao seemed to think of something and quietly fell into contemplation. Then he turned his head to look at Chen Hong nearby and gave an order: "Go, summon Wei Zhongxian for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Chen Hong acknowledged, then hurriedly turned to find Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian had been riding high these days—as brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, he had been ordered by imperial decree to serve as Director of the Eastern Depot, ranking second among eunuchs, just below the seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Wang An.

But in his heart, Wei Zhongxian was far less pleased than he appeared, having been startled awake from nightmares several nights in a row.

He always dreamed of Madam Ke, standing in a hazy glow of light, saying nothing, just gazing at him softly with a gentle smile.

Wei Zhongxian knew full well how he had come by his position, but he did not know why—even occupying a high post could not suppress the fear in his heart.

Every time he woke from a dream, his heart was seized with terror. Madam Ke's death had been a tremendous blow to him—not because he had been so fond of her, but because he had lost a powerful ally in the palace.

Wei Zhongxian was deeply worried, terrified that His Majesty might find some excuse to do away with him as well. These past days he had been utterly anxious.

But upon hearing that His Majesty had summoned him, Wei Zhongxian dared not be negligent. He hastily splashed a handful of clear water on his face to rouse himself and hurried off to the Qianqing Palace.

Along the way, his heart was filled with dread, wondering what His Majesty's summons this time could mean.

Watching Wei Zhongxian bow as he entered and, after only a few steps, prostrate himself on the ground in full obeisance, Zhu Youxiao smiled, then waved his hand to bid Wei Zhongxian rise, and said, "I have a matter for you to handle. Mind you do not let a word of it leak out."

Upon hearing the words "let a word leak out," Wei Zhongxian, prostrate on the ground, gave a violent shudder—yet his expression did not change in the slightest, and he said deferentially, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty. This servant will do his utmost to carry them out!"

Though the words were flattering, they were spoken with great caution. His heart was filled with trepidation, fearing this would be another difficult task. But even if it were difficult, what could he do? When the Emperor commands you to do something, no matter how hard, it must be done!

Looking at the somewhat dejected Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Youxiao smiled lightly. It seemed this great eunuch had been thoroughly worn down by his handling.

"Go out into the streets and find me any fortune-telling Daoist priest. An ugly face will do—no need for someone of great virtue and prestige."

Wei Zhongxian was momentarily stunned. What was the purpose of finding such a person? Was he not going to be killed?

But he dared not disobey His Majesty's words, and hastily bowed, saying, "This servant will see to it at once!" Even as he spoke, he remained somewhat fearful.

"What's past is past. I will not hold you accountable! Put your heart at ease!" Zhu Youxiao felt he had better offer Wei Zhongxian some reassurance, or the man would frighten himself to death.

Wei Zhongxian's heart immediately settled. Since His Majesty had said this, it meant he bore no further grudge. With civil and military officials, His Majesty might tell lies, but with eunuchs he never did—after all, they were his household slaves, kept much like one keeps a dog.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! This servant will serve unto death!" Wei Zhongxian hurriedly knelt on the ground and declared loudly.

"Rise."

Watching Wei Zhongxian's retreating figure, Zhu Youxiao smiled.

This was an excuse he had devised for himself. In the future he would surely do many things like this, and explaining them to people was truly troublesome—and full of holes besides, inviting all sorts of wild speculation.

But if he dragged matters of gods and spirits into it, things became much easier to explain. He had a dream, so he found a Daoist to interpret it, and whatever was interpreted was what he intended to do.

"The Emperor is bewitched by wicked Daoists"—that was the persona Zhu Youxiao had set for himself.

And where did such wicked Daoists come from? Naturally, they were presented by Wei Zhongxian. Surely they couldn't have been sought out by me myself?

Wicked Daoists paired with a powerful eunuch—a match made in heaven. When golden wind meets jade dew, it surpasses countless moments among mortals!

As for his own reputation, Zhu Youxiao did not trouble himself over it.

Looking across the ages since the Song dynasty, any emperor who wished to accomplish something found it difficult to escape being vilified to the bone.

Not to mention the Great Ming—even in the Qing dynasty, with its most severe literary inquisition and strictest controls, that most accomplished emperor Yongzheng was vilified from start to finish.

Usurping the throne, his son being a Han Chinese, his head being cut off after death—the tyrant's persona, a pile of scandals.

On the other hand, his son Qianlong, who sold off his father's estate without a pang of regret, secured himself the titles of Sage Emperor and Old Man of Ten Completeness, and was praised to the skies, his standing exalted indeed.

By comparison, if I wanted a good reputation with eunuch faction figures like Wei Zhongxian around—no chance! I might as well charge headlong down the road toward being a fatuous ruler!