Chapter 1802: Old Kou of the West's First Remonstrance

The Palace City Office worked with impressive efficiency—within half a day, they had returned to the palace to report.

As one grows older, sleep comes less easily; one wakes early and rises early. But on this day, Emperor Liu rare enjoyed a lie-in, not getting up to wash and dress until the sun was high in the sky.

By the time Wang Ji'en arrived at Chuigong Hall, Emperor Liu was again basking in the sun before the hall, drowsy and half-asleep. On the small table beside his reclining chair lay a token scattering of memorials—all of them remonstrance petitions. Routine administrative documents were still sent first to the Hall of State Affairs, lest Emperor Liu "cause delays."

"That's all?" After finishing Wang Ji'en's report, Emperor Liu glanced sideways at him and asked, a hint of regret in his tone.

Wang Ji'en's report recorded in detail the reactions of the high ministers and grand officials during Emperor Liu's drunken stupor the previous night. But if there was anything noteworthy in it, it was only the ministers' concern for Emperor Liu.

Those in high positions knew their bounds, and among ordinary folk, in the current atmosphere of the Great Han court, officials daring to be wanton and unruly were truly few indeed. From top to bottom, all were cautious in word and deed.

"I would not dare deceive His Majesty!" Facing Emperor Liu's questioning, Wang Ji'en hesitated briefly, then spoke in a low voice. On this matter, he remained prudent, not daring to embellish or exaggerate, lest it backfire.

"The Crown Prince and the princes are my imperial sons; the chancellors are my arms and legs. Their lingering to show concern is a display of loyalty. What of the others?" Emperor Liu muttered to himself.

Hearing this, Wang Ji'en thought to himself, the others are Your Majesty's subjects too.

But perhaps the bright sunshine brought Emperor Liu considerable warmth and light, dissipating much of the malice in his heart. In the end, he suppressed his thoughts and decided not to make an issue of the matter.

Handing the memorial in his hand to his side, he instructed Yan Tuo: "They care about me, so I cannot be remiss in response. The names recorded above—each one is to be rewarded, ten strings of cash per person, as a small token of my appreciation!"

"Yes!"

"You may withdraw!" Emperor Liu said flatly, glancing at Wang Ji'en.

"This humble one takes his leave!"

Wang Ji'en departed respectfully. Emperor Liu habitually watched his retreating figure, his gaze calm, even indifferent. Wang Ji'en was indeed quite useful, and had long been a sharp blade in Emperor Liu's hand.

However, in recent years, this man's selfishness had grown ever heavier, and his love of comfort ever greater. His past close dealings with Zhao Pu—though Emperor Liu had ultimately let the matter drop lightly—was something Emperor Liu had never forgotten.

Unlike the Wude Office, which had been reorganized several times, Emperor Liu had made some moves against the Palace City Office, planting a few grains of sand, but had never resorted to drastic measures. Now, with Emperor Liu's changing mindset, he clearly had new designs on the Palace City Office.

Abolishing it was out of the question, but reorganization was necessary—the Palace City Office would enjoy no special exemption. And for any real effect to be achieved, the first target was precisely the Commissioner of the Palace City, the man who had single-handedly built the office and held the post continuously for over twenty years.

Slowly emerging from his contemplation back to calm, Emperor Liu smiled faintly and casually picked up a memorial from the small table to browse. To his surprise, it was a remonstrance from Kou Zhun.

In the final ranking of the palace examination earlier, after comprehensive evaluation, Kou Zhun had been placed second—earning the title of bangyan—while the zhuangyuan position had been taken by the Bohai scholar Hu Dan.

The reasoning was quite practical: Hu Dan was older, more famous, had a richer résumé, and his scholarship was equally outstanding. In comparison, Kou Zhun was simply too young. Naming him bangyan was already an exceptional elevation. After all, this was the twenty-third year of Kaibao.

After the Qionglin Banquet, the newly admitted scholars of this examination session were quickly assigned their posts. Kou Zhun was assigned to the Censorate as a "probationary censor." This remonstrance had been submitted two days earlier, yet only today had Emperor Liu gotten around to reading it.

Emperor Liu had some impression of "Old Kou of the West," and so, with a measure of curiosity, he wanted to see what this Kou Zhun, newly entering the court, had to say in his first remonstrance to reach the imperial ear.

After browsing for a short while, Emperor Liu's relaxed expression vanished, and his brows even gradually knitted together, alarming Yan Tuo at his side. Yan Tuo cursed inwardly—which reckless remonstrance official had spoken some wild words to anger His Majesty?

"Go, summon that Kou Zhun for me!"

Kou Zhun? Yan Tuo was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered and hurriedly replied: "Yes!"

It was the rest period for the Jiaqing Festival. All the ministries and bureaus of the court, except for essential duty personnel remaining in their offices, were mostly on holiday. But someone like Kou Zhun, a newly admitted jinshi just entering officialdom, naturally had to show extra diligence—staying in the office to learn from senior colleagues. Holidays were a luxury for them.

Of course, when the palace eunuch dispatched by Yan Tuo arrived at the Censorate to summon Kou Zhun, finding him was easy. As for the imperial summons, Kou Zhun showed neither surprise nor alarm, his expression calm. He straightened his robes and cap, then followed into the palace. His colleagues who had entered the Censorate alongside him were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

For some ministers, meeting Emperor Liu was a terrifying thing. But for these young officials who had yet to be baptized in the great dye vat of the court, it was the supreme good fortune.

Emperor Liu was a master of the art of lounging. When Kou Zhun hurried to the imperial presence, he was still curled up in his reclining chair, though a ceremonial canopy had been raised overhead—however beautiful the spring light, one couldn't bear the wind blowing endlessly.

"This humble minister Kou Zhun pays respects to Your Majesty!" Stealing a careful glance at Emperor Liu, Kou Zhun bowed respectfully.

This was Kou Zhun's first audience with Emperor Liu. Neither at the palace examination nor the Qionglin Banquet had Emperor Liu appeared in person, and as for the Jiaqing birthday feast the previous night, Kou Zhun had not been qualified to enter the hall.

Emperor Liu seemed to rouse himself, sizing up Kou Zhun with bleary eyes. Perhaps influenced by his "historical fame," Emperor Liu felt that this Kou Zhun, though young, already exuded an air of resolute fortitude, as if his entire body were edged with angles.

"Rise!" After a long pause, Emperor Liu spoke.

Perhaps naturally strong of mind, Kou Zhun remained perfectly composed under Emperor Liu's scrutiny. But at the words "rise," Emperor Liu still detected a subtle relaxation in his body.

Casually picking up the memorial, Emperor Liu asked: "With your intelligence, you should know why I summoned you. This remonstrance—was it written in your own hand?"

Kou Zhun's face was utterly solemn as he clasped his hands and replied: "Yes!"

"Truly spirited! Just entering officialdom, and already busy offering counsel to the court!" Emperor Liu chuckled.

Kou Zhun responded: "I strive to advance precisely to serve the nation; I would never be content with mediocrity! Even if my words carry little weight, I must speak the truth with loyalty. I dare not eat the emperor's salary in idleness, and I dare not deceive Your Majesty!"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu laughed aloud and said: "This examination session admitted nearly two hundred men, but only you, Kou Zhun, dared to draft a memorial to me. Truly exceptional. I recall the last one was Wang Yucheng—are you modeling yourself after him?"

Hearing this, Kou Zhun fell silent for a moment, then replied solemnly: "Your Majesty, in scholarship and literary composition, I am far inferior to Censor Wang!"

Wang Yucheng's reputation in scholarly circles had grown quite illustrious over the years. When Emperor Liu had "exiled" him to his home to pursue scholarship, he had written countless essays reflecting social realities and concerning the hardships of the people, thereby sparking a poetry and prose reform movement. Over the years, it had achieved modest results.

And because of his upright temperament and daring to speak bluntly in remonstrance, he had offended many people. Though his excessive rigidity had once angered Emperor Liu, Emperor Liu insisted on using him nonetheless. He had even placed Wang Yucheng in the Censorate as a censor, with the fourth rank, senior grade.

Emperor Liu comparing Kou Zhun to Wang Yucheng, given their current circumstances, was already elevating Kou Zhun. Yet Kou Zhun's words carried a somewhat profound implication.

Emperor Liu naturally sensed it and said softly: "Your words seem to have only been half spoken. In scholarship and literary composition, you are inferior to Wang Yucheng—which suggests that in other abilities, you are brimming with confidence!"

"I dare not be arrogant; I only wish to fulfill my duties diligently!" Kou Zhun said.

It must be said, Kou Zhun did bring Emperor Liu a certain freshness. But that was all. After a few idle exchanges, Emperor Liu's expression turned serious, and he said: "In your memorial, you mentioned that the court's efforts to relocate people to the frontiers to strengthen the borders are facing difficulties, with someone secretly obstructing and resisting. But you spoke vaguely. I am somewhat curious—who exactly is pulling the court's leg!"