Chapter 1975: The Speculator

"Father, do you mean that His Majesty will bow to the demands of the assembled ministers and offer up Wang Ji'en and the Palace City Office to quell the public outrage?" As Zhao Kuangyi's eldest son and the one he valued most, Zhao Dechong could not help but seek instruction upon hearing his father's sigh.

Zhao Dechong had returned to the capital from Hunan in the winter of last year. Reporting for duty and awaiting promotion was one matter, but paying respects to Zhao Kuangyi and catching up on family ties was the main purpose. Yet he never expected that with the new year barely begun and spring barely in the air, he would get to witness such a juicy scandal in Luoyang. For Zhao Dechong, it was truly an eye-opener, and being able to learn of many circumstances that ordinary people could hardly know made it all the more fascinating.

Perhaps out of fondness, Zhao Kuangyi showed remarkable patience toward his eldest son's shallow and even mediocre observations. Though he shook his head, his tone was exceptionally calm: "What sort of man is the current Son of Heaven? His talents overshadow the age, and he has never been burdened by reputation. On ordinary days, that is one thing, but at such a critical moment, with such weighty matters at hand, how could he be driven by the clamor of the crowd?

You must understand—a Son of Heaven in his prime cannot be contended with, and in his old age cannot be bullied! The greater the pressure, the stronger the resistance."

Zhao Dechong nodded thoughtfully and continued with another question: "If that is so, then His Majesty ought to protect Wang Ji'en. How could Wang Ji'en possibly be toppled?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi looked at Zhao Dechong and asked softly: "Do you know why Lü Mengzheng and those others dared to openly list his crimes and attack Wang Ji'en this time?"

Zhao Dechong thought for a moment, then said with some hesitation: "Perhaps because Wang Ji'en's tyranny had grown too severe and his harm too great, until the court officials could no longer tolerate him, and so they rose against him?"

"Is that truly what you think?" Zhao Kuangyi, being who he was, noticed the flicker of deliberation in Zhao Dechong's eyes and asked leisurely: "Wang Ji'en has been running roughshod over the court for quite some time, and has been despised by court officials for over thirty years. In those thirty years, how many founding heroes and high ministers could do nothing against him? Why would small fry like Lü and Zhang dare to attack him, and why choose this particular moment?"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyi put it this way, Zhao Dechong pondered for a while, then said with some surprise: "Could the rumors be true—that Wang Ji'en has truly fallen out of favor with His Majesty?"

Zhao Kuangyi did not answer this question directly. Instead, he walked to the window, and through the lattice, gazed up at the sparse moonlight under the night sky, and sighed: "Everything that happens must have a cause. Regardless of the twists and turns this affair has taken, we need only know this: Wang Ji'en has monopolized power at court for forty years, always as steady as Mount Tai, because of His Majesty's profound grace and trust. Now that storms are rising and a thousand fingers point at him, that precisely shows that the foundation he relied upon is no longer stable."

"But—" Zhao Dechong mulled it over for a while, then asked curiously: "Such news concerns the Emperor's own mind—how secret a matter! How did it leak out, and how could it convince Governor Lü and the others?"

"On this matter, His Majesty is probably wondering the same thing!" Zhao Kuangyi could not help but smile, murmuring: "After all, it can only have come from those closest to him!"

Hearing this, Zhao Dechong offered a view of his own: "Given His Majesty's attitude of sitting back and watching the situation unfold, could it be that His Majesty deliberately released the news himself, in order to rid himself of Wang Ji'en?"

At this, Zhao Kuangyi smiled and raised a finger: "That would be underestimating His Majesty! With His Majesty's might, killing Wang Ji'en would be like slaughtering a chicken or a dog—why go to such trouble, stirring up such a citywide uproar and throwing the court into turmoil?

Besides, the way this affair has developed to its present state is itself a blow to His Majesty's dignity. Wang Ji'en may be arrogant and overbearing, committing all sorts of evil, bullying officials and harming the people, but in the end he is a servant who has attended His Majesty for decades. That bond between master and servant is a fact—not something we ministers can compare to.

If you want to kill a dog, you must consider the master's feelings! Now the whole court is in an uproar, crying out for Wang Ji'en's head. With His Majesty's suspicious nature, how will he view this?

Will he not wonder whether the ministers who speak up are trying to force his hand? Many people can see that impeaching Zhang Jinjie was aimed at Wang Ji'en behind him. But now, attacking Wang Ji'en—what deeper target lies behind that?"

Hearing this, Zhao Dechong was thoroughly shocked and could not help saying: "If His Majesty thinks along those lines, then aren't Governor Lü and Minister Zhang in danger? Even if they topple Wang Ji'en, what good would it do them?"

"Some things cannot be judged by profit and loss alone. Moreover, what counts as gain and what counts as loss is by no means fixed! At the very least, for Lü Mengzheng, this act alone is enough to earn him a place in history!" Zhao Kuangyi shook his head again and said with deep feeling:

"Lü Mengzheng is no ordinary man—he has quite the air of 'three years of silence, then one cry that startles the world.' Indeed, to rise from a humble family, outcompete so many sons of nobles and men of talent and worth, become Governor of the capital at forty, and hold that seat steadily for years—how could such a man be ordinary?"

Hearing this sigh, Zhao Dechong's attention also turned to Lü Mengzheng: "By your reckoning, Father, is Governor Lü doing this to court fame?"

Zhao Kuangyi shook his head again: "Not necessarily! Tall trees catch the wind. The Palace City Office has held power for thirty years—who knows how many people it has offended, and there are far too many reasons for it to be resented. What I did not anticipate was that the attack would come so early."

"Because of His Majesty?" Zhao Dechong, quick on the uptake now, picked up the thread. Then, with a puzzled look, he said: "If His Majesty, stirred by the public clamor, instead goes out of his way to protect Wang Ji'en, then where does his danger lie?"

Returning to the original question, Zhao Kuangyi wore a faint, inscrutable smile and said meaningfully: "Have you ever wondered why so many people have recently begun advocating for the greater good and the stability of the court? Why have some people changed their tune and spoken up for Wang Ji'en? Why have those officials suddenly emerged to impeach one another, and where did the detailed information in their hands come from?"

The implication behind this string of questions was plain enough, and Zhao Dechong caught on: "All of this is being manipulated by Wang Ji'en behind the scenes! How dare he?"

"Even a cornered dog will jump the wall—let alone Wang Ji'en?"

"If that is so, then is his fate not already sealed?" Zhao Dechong said.

"Unless His Majesty intervenes, no one can save him! But from my understanding of His Majesty, toward the Wang Ji'en of today, even if he feels reluctant in his heart, there can be no room for leniency!" Zhao Kuangyi said with certainty.

After hearing Zhao Kuangyi's analysis, Zhao Dechong pondered for a long while before fully digesting it. Gazing at his father's dignified, upright back, he could not help but bow deeply: "Father sees through the court situation like a blazing fire—your son is full of admiration!"

Waving his hand dismissively, Zhao Kuangyi looked out at the cool, watery night and sighed with some melancholy: "What a pity—a breast full of ambition and a belly full of learning, yet all I can use them for is studying such schemes."

From Zhao Kuangyi's tone, one could hear a hint of disappointment and unwillingness. Zhao Dechong felt it and said: "Even if Father used but a tenth of his talent, he could assist the court and bring peace to the realm!"

Perhaps because they were father and son, such flattery did not come across as overly greasy. Zhao Kuangyi listened, and his mood improved somewhat.

Over the past few years, after enduring sustained probing and suppression, Zhao Kuangyi had thoroughly awakened. This man was deep and unfathomable, with a streak of tenacity in his nature, and he knew how to bide his time and hide his light.

In these years, aside from handling the affairs within his official remit, Zhao Kuangyi had devoted most of his energy and thought to studying human hearts. And Emperor Liu was, without question, his primary subject of study. By now, "mind-reading" had become Zhao Kuangyi's daily required practice.

Observing Emperor Liu's words and deeds, fathoming his psychology, and from this summarizing patterns, grasping the shifts in measure and degree, so as to judge the changes in court personnel and the direction of politics—it must be said that through devoted study, Zhao Kuangyi had indeed gained many insights, to the point where he could now see things "as clearly as fire." The affairs of the court seemed transparent to him, often laid bare at a single glance.

And in this process, Zhao Kuangyi gradually discovered that he had also slowly lost his former reverence and fear of Emperor Liu. In Zhao Kuangyi's view, the Son of Heaven's authority existed only because he sat in that position. Strip all that away, and he was merely an old man nearing his end.

Once that veil of mystery was lifted, the emperor high above also had many unseemly aspects—selfish, fragile, sensitive, suspicious, ungrateful, shameless—scarcely better than a common man on the street.

Of course, these treasonous observations and insights, Zhao Kuangyi dared not reveal to anyone, not even a hint to Zhao Dechong, who was being groomed as his successor.

"Such words must not be spoken to outsiders, or where would that leave all the worthies of the court?" Looking at Zhao Dechong, Zhao Kuangyi said with no small measure of mockery: "If others were to hear them, one could hardly avoid being called arrogant and having no one in one's eyes."

"Yes! Your son understands!" Zhao Dechong nodded in response, then after a moment's thought, said with feeling: "I wonder how this storm will ultimately be settled."

"This matter is for us father and son to discuss and nothing more. Do not speak of it to others, and certainly do not discuss it outside!" Zhao Kuangyi, however, put on a stern face and instructed Zhao Dechong gravely: "The affairs of the court are not yours to worry about. What you need to do now is to train diligently in the localities, accumulate experience and reputation, and put into practice the arts of governance and ruling the people. Do not involve yourself in anything else unrelated to that, nor even discuss it!"

Seeing his father speak so severely, Zhao Dechong naturally dared not take it lightly, and replied obediently: "Yes!"

"But—" Following the thread of conversation, Zhao Dechong asked with a furrowed brow: "Your son has been back in the capital for over two months now, and my next post is still undecided."

"What, anxious to leave?" Zhao Kuangyi said with a light laugh.

Zhao Dechong responded with a somewhat sheepish smile: "Your son's desire to render meritorious service grows more urgent by the day. If my post were settled early, it would ease my worries about gain and loss, and I could serve Father and Mother at home in peace..."

Sensing the urgency in his words, Zhao Kuangyi's expression stiffened, and he admonished him with some severity: "You must restrain this impatience of yours. You must understand that you are not like those scholars from humble families—there is no need whatsoever to rush ahead; you need only proceed step by step. With your qualifications, the dignity of a chancellor may be hard to say, but a chief of a ministry or a grand official of a circuit is certainly within reach. All you need to do is proceed methodically and avoid any misstep!"

Zhao Kuangyi's words were full of care and earnest counsel, and Zhao Dechong was deeply moved. Thinking again of Zhao Kuangyi's affirmative assessment of his future, a surge of warmth welled up in his heart, as if a hot, restless force were coursing through his body—most pleasant indeed.

Letting out a heavy breath, Zhao Dechong bowed respectfully: "Your son will surely keep Father's teachings in his heart and never dare to forget them!"

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyi nodded slightly and revealed a gentle smile: "Your post is essentially settled. You are going to Longyou, to serve as Magistrate of Huangshui County!"

"Huangshui County..." Zhao Dechong murmured to himself. Upon receiving the definite news, however, his young face showed not a trace of joy, but rather considerable gravity.

Huangshui County was the seat of Huangzhou, far off in Longxi, bordering Shan Prefecture. It was a strategic point for the court's control of Qiangtang, and likewise, it was the hardest-hit area in Wang Yucheng's report on the malpractices of the He-Long region.

And regarding the storm over He-Long, Zhao Dechong naturally could not have been unaware. Seeing the doubt on his face, Zhao Kuangyi said earnestly: "He-Long is not a good place; it is full of strife. This time Wang Yucheng has exposed the malpractices of the Western Expedition and laid bare the underside of the He-Long officialdom. A storm is unavoidable.

However, if you can successfully fight your way out of there, it will mean you have been tempered and can become great timber. Thirty years of storms in the northwest, splendid and eventful, far surpassing the other circuits and prefectures of the Great Han. A land of tigers and wolves—it is precisely where figures of destiny emerge!

The two circuits of He and Long are about to undergo a great rectification. Amid the great upheaval of the officialdom, that is precisely your opportunity to make achievements. How to govern, pacify the people, and stabilize hearts—that will test your methods.

At the same time, His Majesty already intends to end the Western Expedition. Without the heavy burden of the Western Expedition, the various policies for governing He-Long will need to change accordingly. In this regard, you must put considerable thought into it.

From now on, you will formally become a lord of a hundred li, governing the lives of a region's people. The authority is by no means comparable to that of a mere county vice-magistrate. You will need to experience and understand this well once you take office."

Zhao Kuangyi's instruction and exhortation were truly earnest and heartfelt, moving Zhao Dechong deeply.

The night grew deeper, and the wind slipping through the window frame into the room turned colder. The father and son stood for a long while. Struck by the cold wind, Zhao Dechong could not help but shiver. Looking at Zhao Kuangyi, who still stood as straight as a pine, Zhao Dechong felt some admiration for his father's stamina. After hesitating a moment, he still asked softly: "Father, are you still pondering this political struggle at court?"

Zhao Kuangyi neither admitted nor denied it. He simply walked slowly to one side, picked up a pair of scissors, and silently trimmed the candle flame that had burned somewhat dim. Under his manipulation, the flame grew vigorous once more, and the room brightened a little.

The bright firelight was almost reflected in Zhao Kuangyi's eyes, and only then did he speak softly: "I wonder where this will end? I wonder just how big an appetite Lü Mengzheng and those people have, and whether they know when to stop."

Unlike many court officials, Zhao Kuangyi was not interested in whether Wang Ji'en could be toppled. There was no conflict between the two of them, and in fact their relationship was even fairly cordial on ordinary days.

However, Zhao Kuangyi was happy to see the attacks launched by Lü Mengzheng and others, always maintaining an attitude of watching the fire from across the river. For Zhao Kuangyi, he did not wish the court's situation to remain stagnant; he wanted to see change, which was more advantageous to him. There are always those who fear the world is too peaceful, and Zhao Kuangyi now had such a tendency.

In his estimation, this incident would most likely ultimately stop at Wang Ji'en, but those ministers whose passions were boiling over might not be able to remain calm, and when the time came, it would be hard to guarantee that some unexpected developments would not arise.