Chapter 473: Only Power Cannot Be Shared

Chen Chen Guanlou watched Zhao Mingqiao leave with a complicated and melancholy heart.

He opened the drawer; inside, sure enough, lay a sum of money and a sealed letter addressed to him.

He laughed at himself, yet did not take the money or the letter. Both items remained in the drawer.

People die easily, yet not so easily either.

He stayed at the Heaven Prison, waiting for prisoners to be brought in, or for corpses to be carried out.

The mad scholars inside the prison, learning that Zhao Mingqiao had entered the palace, were so thrilled they howled and yelped, as if they themselves were heading to the front lines of war.

Chen Chen Guanlou asked them, "Each of you claims to be loyal to the Emperor and patriotic—why have I never seen you concern yourselves with Your Majesty's safety?"

"Your Majesty's safety is not for the likes of us to worry about."

"We care more about the realm as a whole, about the Jiangshan of Da Qian."

"Meaning, you don't care who sits on the dragon throne."

"Jail Warden Chen, your words are mistaken. How could we possibly not care who sits on the dragon throne? It's a joke, and not a funny one at all. For someone like Your Majesty—so stubborn and self-willed, refusing to listen to advice—to sit on the dragon throne is certainly unsuitable."

"Only someone good at accepting counsel should sit on the dragon throne; only then can the realm be set right."

"Well said."

"Only His Highness Zhongwangdian is most adept at accepting counsel."

Chen Chen Guanlou listened to all this and asked, somewhat helplessly, "Have any of you actually met His Highness Zhongwangdian? On what grounds do you claim he is most adept at accepting counsel?"

"We have never met His Highness Zhongwangdian. But we have heard many seniors speak of him—all praising his learning, his fine character, his humble acceptance of advice. Our seniors would certainly not lie to us."

"People change, understand?"

"Jail Warden Chen, your words are mistaken. Jiang Shanyigai, benxing nanyi. We firmly believe that even if His Highness Zhongwangdian's conduct changes somewhat, his true nature certainly will not."

"Exactly! If Jail Warden Chen doesn't understand, then he shouldn't speak nonsense."

"His Highness Zhongwangdian's character, among so many princes and imperial princes, is already a rare gentleness. Could Jail Warden Chen perhaps find someone better than him?"

Chen Chen Guanlou secretly rolled his eyes. These mad scholars were indeed naive enough. "I don't know whether Zhongwangdian is truly as good as you say. The only thing I can be sure of is: if a man does not look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him; only women and power cannot be shared. Tell me, gentlemen—when one day you hold power, will you share the authority in your hands with others?"

The mad scholars flew into a rage.

"Utter nonsense!"

"Stop slandering His Highness Zhongwangdian."

"A jailer who doesn't read books—what right does your shallow insight give you to judge His Highness Zhongwangdian?"

"Look at you all, getting worked up." Chen Chen Guanlou continued to provoke the mad scholars. "Worked up, worked up. You can't even do it yourselves, so what makes you assume Zhongwangdian is a saint? Don't forget—he's the old Emperor's own son. He's bound to resemble the old Emperor more than anyone, from looks to temper. The old Emperor's seed will surely inherit a few of the old Emperor's traits, right?"

"Your Majesty was once wise and mighty. It is only that age and frailty have addled his mind, turning him into what he is today."

"When Your Majesty was young, he was universally acknowledged as a wise ruler."

"Jail Warden Chen, you are too young, and you haven't read much. It is understandable that you don't know the events of decades past. Please, no more wild talk. Otherwise, in the future I will certainly impeach you."

"An honor." Chen Chen Guanlou grinned, not in the least bothered by the mad scholars' attitude. "Being impeached would absolutely be my honor."

A mere jailer—He Deheneng to be impeached? That is a glory reserved for officials.

"Jail Warden Chen, say no more on those distasteful topics. In any case, Zhongwangdian is certainly the best candidate among so many princes and imperial princes."

"Zhongwangdian received the education of the court's great Confucian scholars from childhood; his learning is solid and outstanding. And you think you can deny him?"

"Gentlemen, you misunderstand. I am not trying to deny anyone. I am reminding you not to get carried away, not to place your hopes in another person. If one day you stand in the court and hold the power to decide the fates of all under heaven, please occasionally lower your heads and glance below—do not fix your eyes solely on that seat and that person." Chen Chen Guanlou's advice was sincere.

People are accustomed to looking upward, and so they forget what lies below, saying or doing things that leave others stunned. This conduct is called: institutional evil!

Institutional evil—its terrifying destructive power far exceeds that of individual evil.

Chen Chen Guanlou was unwilling to witness that scene. Snake

Whether the heavens would change today, he could not decide.

He only hoped that when the heavens did change, the casualties and losses at the bottom would be a little less.

"Jail Warden Chen, say no more. You don't understand the affairs of the court, so do not presume to comment."

"I can't even discuss it, or voice my own view?" Chen Chen Guanlou said with a half-smile. "I, at least, eat the public's rice; I am no commoner on the street. If even I have no right, then tell me—who does?"

"Naturally, the scholars of the realm!"

Tch!

Chen Chen Guanlou's face was full of disdain. "You people are far too lofty, not grounded in reality. You speak and act without thinking things through. Is this how Zhao Mingqiao taught you?"

"Do not insult Mr. Zhao."

"You are unworthy of mentioning Mr. Zhao!"

"Mr. Zhao is the model for our generation—and what are you, anyway?"

Chen Chen Guanlou: ……

He is a person! He is not a "thing"!

He was so angered by these mad scholars that he laughed.

At this moment, he sincerely admired Zhao Mingqiao—to have been able to unite these single-minded fellows and make them obediently listen was truly remarkable.

He asked himself: he had neither the patience nor such ability.

If it were him, the moment words failed, he would simply start fighting.

When a child at home is disobedient and rebellious, it's mostly because they need a beating.

He waved his hand to signal a ceasefire, unwilling to waste his energy arguing with these mad scholars.

"Seems no one's hungry—one meal a day hasn't quieted you down. Looks like we can starve you a bit more."

"Jail Warden Chen, what you're doing is clearly retaliation."

"We paid our money; you cannot mistreat us."

"Who says we're not hungry! We are only spiritually rich, but our stomachs are very hungry."

"Good that you know you're hungry. All of you, talk less."

Chen Chen Guanlou barked a rebuke, using his authority to pressure them, and at last heard no more grating remarks. He ordered the jailers to teach these mad scholars a small lesson, to make their days less comfortable.

The jailers accepted the order and went to carry it out.

Look! That's exactly how petty he is—narrow-minded, settling scores before the night is out.

Having wasted too much breath, he returned to his office and gulped down two big cups of tea in a row.

Lu Lu Da Tou had nothing to do, so he ran over here to slack off and slacken, dragging him into a hand of cards—not for money.

Chen Chen Guanlou saw through it at a glance. "Out of money?"

"Ugh! Every last coin was scraped clean by that wretched woman. I'm flat broke now."

"Your sister-in-law is out there, worried and frightened every single day—taking a little money is hardly a crime. You're a grown man, shouldn't you be the one providing for the family?"

"I should, I should, I should! I never said I shouldn't. Chen-ge, it's just that I've always listened to you."

"If you really listened to me, you'd quit gambling."

"Anything but quitting gambling—everything else, I'll listen to you."

Lu Lu Da Tou gave a vivid demonstration of what selective listening meant.