Chapter 72: Resignation (II)

Inside Taihe Hall, it was vast and imposing.

The new emperor, Li Heng, sat high on the dragon throne, his expressionless gaze fixed on the kneeling figure below.

His eyes were deep and sharp, as if he were examining an object, trying to see through its entire structure.

On both sides of the hall were the few senior officials who had just left court but were detained—Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi, and the newly appointed chancellor, among others—all silent, making the atmosphere especially solemn.

Everyone wondered what Wang Hui, the remonstrant officer who usually kept a low profile verging on invisibility, was up to, suddenly kneeling outside the hall to petition—what medicine was he selling in his gourd?

"Wang Qing," Li Heng finally spoke, his voice flat, revealing no joy or anger, "What do you have to report? Why not say it at court, instead waiting until after the audience ended?"

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) knocked his head hard on the ground, his voice carrying just the right amount of weariness and hoarseness.

"Your Majesty, the matter I wish to report is private; I dare not disturb Your Majesty and my fellow officials at court. Today I have come to Your Majesty… to resign."

Resign!

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

The faces of Guo Ziyi and the others all showed surprise; they looked at Wang Hui, never expecting him to do this.

Wang Hui is now just over forty, holding a rank of fourth grade, his eldest son a newly minted jinshi, his second son a rising star in the military, and the Wang family is at its zenite—why would he choose to resign at this moment?

Li Heng's eyes narrowed suddenly. He stared at Wang Hui, the scrutinizing intent in his gaze intensifying.

Resign? Is it a genuine desire to step down, or… a probe of advancing by retreating? Do you feel I have wronged you and are using this to express dissatisfaction?

"Resign?" Li Heng's tone grew colder. "Wang Qing, you're in your prime—why suddenly resign? Is there something I've done that makes you feel wronged?"

This question weighed heavily; the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

Wang Hui's (Wang Xiu's) body trembled slightly before everyone, as if shaken by the emperor's majesty.

He knocked his head again, his voice full of trepidation and "sincerity".

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty has mistaken me! I dare not even entertain such a thought!"

"The reason I dare to request resignation is… it is… my body can no longer hold up."

He lifted his head, and everyone finally saw that his complexion was indeed much paler than usual, his eye sockets sunken, revealing a deep weariness.

This is the result of Wang Xiu carefully "feigning" these symptoms over the past few months.

"Think back, when the rebels rose in chaos and the nation faced crisis. I followed the Retired Emperor into Shu, enduring constant displacement, worry and fear, which already injured the foundation of my body."

"After the restoration, I received Your Majesty's grace and was promoted to remonstrant officer. I ought to have served you loyally unto death, but in handling daily affairs I constantly feel dizzy and weak, often waking at night in a cold sweat."

"I know that, given my condition, to remain in a high position would be nothing but drawing a salary without doing work, betraying Your Majesty's heavy trust and the court's great hopes."

"If this continues, not only will I fail to relieve Your Majesty's worries, but through my negligence I might delay state affairs. I… I feel guilty!"

As he spoke, he actually squeezed out a few tears, a picture of loyal devotion yet helpless anguish.

"Furthermore," he shifted his tone to mention his son: "My son Wang You, thanks to Your Majesty's grace, passed the jinshi exam and entered the Hanlin Academy. My second son Wang Ce also serves in the military for the nation. Looking at them, I feel both pride and shame."

"I ask myself, my abilities are inferior to theirs, yet I stand above them. If father and two sons all served in the court, criticism would be inevitable—people would say the Wang family is too powerful, which would bring no benefit to the futures of my sons You and Ce."

"Therefore, I earnestly beg Your Majesty to graciously allow me to resign my office and retire to my hometown. First, I can properly tend to this frail body, lingering a few more years. Second, it would also make way for my two good-for-nothing sons. I only wish to be an idle rustic in the countryside, watching the Tang Dynasty under Your Majesty's rule return to its glorious prosperity, then die without regret."

Having spoken, he raised the resignation letter he had prepared high above his head.

The entire memorial was sincere and heartfelt, with ample justification.

He cited his poor health, then claimed it was to make way for his sons, and even threw in a compliment to the emperor—each reason was upright and beyond reproach.

Li Heng listened silently, the coldness on his face gradually melting. He was no fool; he could naturally see that Wang Hui's words contained an element of performance. Yet the reasons Wang Hui gave left him unable to refuse, indeed… giving him a hint of satisfaction.

An "old official" who understands the times, thinks ahead for his descendants, and willingly gives up power is far more endearing than one who clings to office and constantly schemes with the previous dynasty.

Wang Hui's "retreat" perfectly complemented Li Heng's "advance". He needed to dispel Li Longji's influence, make him abandon those unrealistic fantasies, yet avoid the reputation of being stingy and ungrateful. Now Wang Hui's voluntary resignation offered him just the chance to display his "benevolence".

He glanced at Guo Ziyi beside him; Guo Ziyi gave him a barely perceptible nod.

Li Heng's mind settled. He descended from the dragon throne, stepped forward personally, and helped Wang Hui to his feet.

"Wang Qing, why put yourself through this again?" His voice brimmed with "moved" and "regret". "You have made meritorious contributions to the Tang Dynasty and to my Li family. How could I be that stingy, ungrateful ruler? If you're unwell, I can grant you leave to rest and have the imperial physicians treat you. Why must you resign and return home?"

"Your Majesty…" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) tears of gratitude streaming down, yet he persisted: "My resolve is firm; I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish."

After the ruler and minister exchanged a round of "sincere" push-and-pull, Li Heng finally sighed helplessly.

"Never mind, never mind. Since your resolve is set, if I were to force you to stay, it would seem inhumane."

He paused, then proclaimed in a loud voice: "Wang Hui, receive the edict!"

"I am here!"

"Remonstrant Officer Wang Hui, loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the state, skilled in raising his children. Now, suffering from a grave illness, he has submitted a petition to resign; I am loath to refuse. Yet considering his great labors and achievements, I specially approve his request. I grant him the title of Loyalty and Diligence Earl to honor his merit. May he rest and recuperate, enjoying his years."

"I thank Your Majesty for your great favor!" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) felt ecstatic, knocking his head hard. He knew he had won the gamble!

However, Li Heng's edict was not yet finished.

"His son Wang Ce, a youthful talent who has repeatedly earned military merits, brings me great comfort. I now specially promote Wang Ce to Left Dragon Martial Army General, commanding the Imperial Guards to protect the palace city! May he inherit his father's ambition and achieve new feats for the Tang Dynasty!"

What?!

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) jerked his head up, his eyes filled with shock.

Left Dragon Martial Army General? Commanding the Imperial Guards?

This is the emperor's personal guard force, the true confidant of the Son of Heaven! Li Heng actually entrusted such an important post to Wang Ce?

He instantly understood Li Heng's intention.

He let go of this old official of his, yet sought to firmly bind this military genius, Wang Ce, to his war chariot.

He used Wang Ce to placate Guo Ziyi and the other senior generals, and also used Wang Ce to check the Wang family.

What a fine move of imperial statecraft!

Wang Hui's (Wang Xiu's) heart was a mix of myriad feelings. He did not know whether this was fortune or disaster for Wang Ce and the Wang family.

But he knew he had no other choice.

"I, on behalf of my son Wang Ce, thank Your Majesty's heavenly grace!" He could only kowtow again, accepting this weighty "favor".

The edict was issued, and the entire court was shaken.

Everyone saw it clearly. The Wang Family did not lose influence because of the Head of Family's 'retirement'; on the contrary, they gained even greater favor through a perfect transfer of power.

Wang Hui had retired, but his sons—one in the Hanlin Academy, one in the Imperial Guards. The foundation of the Wang Family was now more stable than before.

When Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) walked out of Taiji Hall, he felt the sunshine become especially bright; he glanced back at the imposing palace, and only one thought filled his mind.

"Farewell, Chang'an."

He knew that the era of the second generation of the Wang Family had ended, and the era of his sons had only just begun.

(PS: I'd like to know what age group my dear readers belong to, just to satisfy this weak, pitiful, humble, trembling newbie author—let me see the audience of this book.)