Chapter 1664: Stuck Between Advance and Retreat

As Zhao Pu's son, raised from childhood with elite cultivation, and as his father's position gradually rose, he had absorbed much through constant exposure, and having spent years navigating officialdom, Zhao Chengzong was naturally no fool.

Whether from the rumors he heard or from Zhao Pu's behavior and arrangements for him, he sensed something unusual. Zhao Pu's having him keep his distance naturally carried protective intent, but as Zhao Pu's eldest son, some things could not be avoided, nor could he help but be concerned.

Meeting his eldest son's concerned gaze, Zhao Pu pondered for a moment, and ultimately decided some frank disclosure was necessary—otherwise, with his son carrying worries in his heart, it might not be a good thing; if he made a misstep, he could become a target for others' attacks.

After a moment of deliberation, Zhao Pu sighed softly: "The Emperor's displeasure with me grows ever more apparent. In His Majesty's eyes, I, this chancellor, have become increasingly an eyesore. I fear I won't last much longer!"

Hearing Zhao Pu bare his heart, even having suspected as much, Zhao Chengzong was shaken to the core, instinctively rising to his feet, and exclaimed in astonishment: "How could that be? Since Lu Duoxun has been taken down, he should rely on you all the more—otherwise, how could this court remain stable?"

Zhao Pu shook his head and smiled bitterly: "You overestimate me. I may have some merit and accumulated some prestige over the years, but I am far from indispensable. As long as His Majesty is on the throne, how could the Great Han court fall into chaos, and who would dare to stir up trouble?

Never mind that these past six months or more, the court has been beset by endless disturbances, swaying in the wind and rain, with even Lu Duoxun dying in prison—that was merely His Majesty's deliberate housecleaning. We ministers and high officials, no matter how terrified and uneasy, must still do our utmost to maintain stability and keep a low profile. Whoever uses this to stir up trouble will surely be struck down by His Majesty!"

*The Tale of the Immortal Tree*

Hearing Zhao Pu say this, Zhao Chengzong frowned and pointed out: "In the past, there were also rumors of you being dismissed, but in the end they were just gossip. Why is it so serious this time?"

Zhao Pu shook his head and said: "His Majesty's thoughts are not something you can fathom. In fact, I could tell that in those past storms, His Majesty may well have entertained the idea of replacing the chancellor, but in the end he still stood by me.

But this time, the situation is different. From the moment Lu Duoxun's case broke, I had a premonition, and when he met his end, that premonition grew even stronger. By now, I am basically certain—whether I am dismissed or not awaits only a single edict from His Majesty!"

"From entering the capital in the second year of Kaibao, starting as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, to now, I have served as chancellor for eighteen years!" Zhao Pu's eyes held a trace of reminiscence as he sighed deeply: "Since the founding of the dynasty, have you seen anyone serve as chancellor for so long? How could His Majesty tolerate a twenty-year chancellor? Perhaps as early as eight years ago, my position was already unstable.

You only see that with Lu Duoxun's fall, I lost a major rival—but in His Majesty's eyes, has he not lost one more piece to check me with?

His Majesty has governed for over thirty years, administering the state, waging war, and commanding the people. He is often hasty and impetuous, but that is only the surface, moving with the times. In truth, His Majesty values steadiness and stability, and seeks balance.

From the rough and crude governance at the founding to the complete codification of laws and regulations today, restraining the realm with strict penalties and harsh laws, one can glimpse this. With Lu Duoxun gone, I, this chancellor, have become conspicuous, and the balance of power at court has been broken.

In such a situation, His Majesty might, as he once supported Lu Duoxun, raise up another person—but judging by the current state of affairs, His Majesty has no such intention. Then he can only work on me.

His Majesty was able to use me for eighteen years because I still had my uses. But now, in His Majesty's eyes, I may be increasingly useless.

His Majesty advocates bureaucratic reform; in the past, I handled this matter. Now, perhaps I have become an obstacle to that reform..."

Zhao Pu's words filled Zhao Chengzong with alarm; he could sense a hint of danger in his old father's tone. One Chancellor Lu had already died at court—was Chancellor Zhao now necessarily safe? Though the possibility was small, who could say for certain? After all, that was Emperor Liu!

"Since you have seen through everything, why not retreat while ahead, to protect yourself?" Zhao Chengzong thought for a moment and advised: "With your toils and great merits, His Majesty should surely remember old ties and grant you a peaceful old age! I can even decline the post at Chuzhou!"

Seeing Zhao Chengzong so tense that he no longer even wanted to be Prefectural Administrator of Chuzhou, Zhao Pu felt gratified and also smiled: "Have I not already begged His Majesty? It's just that His Majesty will not permit it!"

Hearing this, Zhao Chengzong's expression immediately twisted with conflict. Zhao Pu then explained: "If I desperately seek to retire now, I fear I would not only fail to extricate myself but would instead arouse His Majesty's suspicion. This, I have already sensed!

From the year I was recommended by Lord Liu to enter the palace, I have served His Majesty for nearly thirty years. Thirty years is enough time to see some things clearly.

His Majesty is a wise sovereign rarely seen in a century, but he cannot escape the flaws of heroic rulers—cold by nature, suspicious and jealous. And our His Majesty is even more so; throughout history, he alone abandons his ministers, and never permits a minister to abandon him of his own accord.

His Majesty is also slowly aging, and this jealousy and suspicion grows ever heavier, enough to make one's heart tremble with fear!

The day before yesterday, His Majesty summoned me for a talk and mentioned a matter—Shi Hu of the Later Zhao, who in his youth swept across the Nine Provinces, feared by all under heaven, yet in his old age, gravely ill, was taken advantage of by treacherous ministers and an evil empress, cut off from the outside world, dying in misery; after his death, his sons fought over the state and the realm fell apart.

He also mentioned Zhu Wen—a hero of his age, yet with a miserable end, murdered by his own rebellious son...

His Majesty is such a wise sovereign, and those two were such tyrants—yet he compares himself to Shi and Zhu. One can imagine how heavy His Majesty's suspicion has become.

Think about it—when I heard these words, what could I feel, and what could I possibly answer?"

When Zhao Pu finished, though full of emotion, his expression remained fairly calm. Zhao Chengzong, however, could hardly bear it—a thin sheen of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he exclaimed in alarm: "If that is so, is Father not in great danger?"

Zhao Pu sighed: "I am now at a point where I can neither advance nor retreat!"

Seeing Zhao Pu describe the situation so gravely, Zhao Chengzong was infected by it, feeling as if he were sitting on a stove being roasted, unable to keep from pacing. Yet when he looked up and saw Zhao Pu's unshakable bearing, he felt somewhat reassured and asked nervously: "Father must have a way to break this deadlock!"

Zhao Pu did not answer directly, but changed the subject, saying: "Today, I fear I have displeased His Majesty again!"

Without waiting for his son to ask, Zhao Pu continued on his own: "His Majesty has already issued an order, appointing the Prince of Wei as commander-in-chief, to lead the combined armies of Hexi and Anxi on a western campaign against the Kara-Khanids! His resolve is firm. Though I did not directly oppose it, my remonstrance did carry a note of dissuasion!"

This left Zhao Chengzong utterly bewildered, quite unable to understand.

Noticing his confusion, Zhao Pu explained calmly: "Over the years, with the increasing traffic between officialdom, the common folk, and the Western Regions, we have gained some research and understanding of this Kara-Khanid state that occupies the western part of the Western Regions.

Though this state is small, it still has a population of a million, with fierce and barbaric customs—the entire nation delights in war, seeking military merit and nobility. Moreover, their weapons are finely made, and they maintain a standing elite army, and their 【redacted】 can conscript a large number of fearless infidels from the distant western regions.

This is not an easy enemy to deal with. Though compared to the Great Han it is merely a small state, the Great Han, though vast, campaigning thousands of li away in the Western Regions may not achieve total victory. If the full might of the nation were mustered, I fear the result would be nothing but military overreach."

"You do not hold high hopes for this western campaign?" Zhao Chengzong asked.

Zhao Pu shook his head and said: "Matters of war are hard to predict in victory or defeat; I am merely conservative in my view!"

Zhao Chengzong furrowed his brow and thought for a while: "What does this have to do with your current predicament?"

Zhao Pu sighed slowly: "His Majesty, in employing people, certainly values their talent, but more importantly, whether they align with his will. Since His Majesty is unwilling to directly permit my resignation, I can only gradually make His Majesty understand that I no longer fit the role of chancellor.

If the western campaign succeeds, then my contrary words today will naturally give others ammunition against me. If the western campaign suffers setbacks, then as chancellor, bearing primary responsibility is only proper!"

Having said this, Zhao Pu looked at Zhao Chengzong and said lightly: "You need not worry too much. I have been chancellor for eighteen years; even if I am cast aside by His Majesty, my name will be recorded in history, and this life is sufficient. Though His Majesty's suspicion is heavy, I am still confident in preserving myself. You may take up the post of Prefectural Administrator of Chuzhou with peace of mind.

After all, I am not Lu Duoxun—I am not so consumed by lust for power that I would dare do anything..."

Though Zhao Pu offered such reassurance, Zhao Chengzong's heart still felt as if a great boulder hung over it. Seeing Zhao Pu wave him away, he could only clasp his hands and withdraw.

After Zhao Chengzong withdrew, Zhao Pu, alone, sank back into deep thought. The words he used to comfort Zhao Chengzong were, after all, also words to comfort himself.

On the other hand, though he sensed danger and had the intention to retire, he could not help but retain a sliver of hope in his heart—if some turn of events occurred, he might yet complete a full twenty years as chancellor.

This throne of Chief Chancellor is truly hard to let go of...