Chapter 843: Starting Anew (Part 1)

Qiqi said: "I have discussed this with His Majesty, and we plan to vindicate and clear the Hu family's name, restoring your father's position as Minister of Revenue."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed and hastily said: "Thank you, Princess, thank you, Your Majesty; the imperial grace is vast, and I am moved to tears."

Qiqi said: "Although His Majesty intends this, the matter must not be rushed."

Hu Xiaotian had thought the matter was settled, but he never expected Qiqi to pour cold water on it; apparently this affair cannot be implemented for the time being, merely an offhand remark, which left him joyful in vain.

Qiqi said: "Over the past two years, the Dakang court has been in constant flux, with frequent reshuffles of civil and military officials. Although His Majesty, after ascending the throne again, wishes to reappoint those former loyal ministers and capable generals, if personnel changes are made too hastily, it will surely arouse dissatisfaction among many officials and could even trigger uncontrollable consequences."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Qiqi's words were quite reasonable, certainly not an excuse made to placate him.

Qiqi said: "Therefore, matters must proceed step by step; we must first stabilize the current situation, then we can redress the grievances of those formerly wronged officials one by one. Rest assured, Sir Hu may continue serving in the Ministry of Revenue, and I am also preparing to bestow an official post upon you."

Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced: "I wonder what office the Princess intends to grant me?"

Qiqi said: "Mr. Hong rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, and His Majesty specially appointed him Colonel of the Sili, commanding the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau, responsible for supervising the capital's officials and investigating the seven provinces of the Three Fu, with authority to investigate officials below the rank of Three Dukes, to arrest and execute grave criminals of the court upon imperial decree, to detain high ministers, and even powerful relatives of the imperial clan fall within his jurisdiction."

Upon hearing Qiqi mention Hong Beimo, Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed, "The victor becomes king, the vanquished becomes bandit; Ji Feihua has fallen, and Hong Beimo has risen. Judging by the authority the late emperor has granted him now, given time he may well become another Ji Feihua. The old emperor still has not learned from Ji Feihua's example; those who attain power must understand the art of balancing power, rather than concentrating all authority in a single person. Trusting one person may be possible, but one cannot place complete trust in him; one must find another to check him. I wonder what Qiqi means by suddenly bringing up Hong Beimo? Could she already be aware of this?"

Qiqi said: "The first thing Mr. Hong did upon his return was to persuade His Majesty to abolish the Divine Strategy Directorate."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That Divine Strategy Directorate was not built jointly by Eunuch Quan and the Grand Tutor Wen; the Third Prince himself had also poured much effort into it."

Qiqi said: "Originally I intended for Mu Rongzhan to take charge of the Divine Strategy Directorate, but Mu Rongzhan firmly refused; later His Majesty proposed abolishing the Directorate, and I could only agree."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Was your original intention for the Divine Strategy Directorate and the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau to exist independently, mutually supervising and checking each other?"

Qiqi nodded and said: "Exactly so; although I do not doubt Mr. Hong's loyalty, the authority His Majesty has bestowed upon him is simply too great."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely; His Majesty's intention is good—he wanted Hong Beimo to lead the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau to supervise others. But has he considered who would supervise Hong Beimo?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Qiqi's lips; speaking with Hu Xiaotian saved her much effort, and he should have fully grasped her meaning by now.

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists and said: "I am lacking in talent, but I am willing to bear this responsibility for the Princess!"

Qiqi said: "You are not undertaking this for me, but for Dakang. I do not know what plans you have."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, at present Dakang has many undertakings awaiting initiation; what is lacking is not money, grain, or even land, but……" He paused, then added emphasis: "talent!"

Qiqi smiled and nodded: "You have finally hit upon my thinking; from now on, the responsibility of recruiting talent for Dakang will rest on your shoulders."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, since I have declared that I would go through fire and water for you without hesitation, I will not regret it; however, simply walking out like this now seems to carry no persuasive weight at all."

Qiqi naturally understood his meaning; this fellow was seeking an office from her. She said: "Although your mission this time did not turn out as hoped, you have nonetheless fulfilled the late emperor's commission entrusted to you. I will first appoint you Deputy Director of the Imperial Guard and bestow upon you a Five-Colored Coiled Dragon Gold Plaque; with this plaque in hand, it is as if I were present—should you encounter trouble, simply display this plaque."

Hu Xiaotian extended both hands.

Seeing his eager expression, Qiqi could not help wanting to laugh, but she suppressed it, took out the Five-Colored Coiled Dragon Gold Plaque she had prepared earlier, and handed it to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian had previously received an imperial bestowed Coiled Dragon Gold Plaque, but compared to this Five-Colored Coiled Dragon Gold Plaque it seemed inferior by a notch; he had never seen such a plaque before, nor even heard of it. Turning it over in his hand several times, he clicked his tongue in praise: "Fine thing; at a glance it's clearly worth a considerable sum."

Qiqi said: "I can only give you this one plaque; you must treasure it well and absolutely not lose it."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Even if I lose my life, I cannot lose this plaque." He then fastened the plaque to his waist, thereby revealing the jade pixiu also hanging there.

Qiqi's beautiful eyes brightened: "What is that?"

Hu Xiaotian removed the jade pixiu and handed it to her for inspection, smiling: "It is a farewell gift from Prince Yan of Da Yong."

Qiqi turned it over in her hand, her eyes gleaming; Hu Xiaotian saw that she liked it and said: "It would be impolite to receive without giving in return; you gave me a gold plaque, so I give this jade pixiu to you."

"Really!" Qiqi exclaimed delightedly, at last revealing her childlike nature.

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed; after all, she is still just a child.

Qiqi seemed to realize her impropriety, immediately composing her expression and saying: "A gentleman does not take what another loves; I will not accept it after all."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You are no gentleman."

Qiqi's face turned cold, as if she were about to flare up.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You are a girl! A pure and kind girl." Uttering these words made even him want to vomit; if Qiqi were truly pure and kind, then all girls in the world would be as innocent as newborn babes. He then told her that the jade pixiu could forecast weather; the more she listened, the more she liked it, and so she put the pixiu away, saying: "Since you sincerely wish to give it to me, I will accept it."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself: "I knew you wanted it; purely in terms of material value, the jade pixiu is far more precious than this five-colored gold plaque, yet if one considers its symbolic significance, the five-colored plaque cannot be bought for any amount of money."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, does this gold plaque have another function as well?"

Qiqi did not understand what he meant and blinked her eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Can it exempt one from death?"

Qiqi laughed: "How so? Are you now preparing against a rainy day, fearing that I might kill you someday?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I am someone whose words and deeds are usually improper; you ought to know that if I ever offend you somewhere and you lose your temper and snap me—what then? Actually, even if you snapped me I wouldn't fear it, but I worry that after you snap me you might later regret it, and by then a person dead cannot be revived, and you would not even have time to cry."

Qiqi spat: "I could never possibly weep for you in this lifetime!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why not promise me one thing, so that in serving you I may feel more at ease in my heart?"

"What matter?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Why not promise that at any time I may be exempt from the death penalty?"

Qiqi said coldly: "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, if I agreed to that, would you not then do as you pleased? In that case, I will promise you one thing: no matter what mistake you make, I will spare you from death once."

Hu Xiaotian bargained: "Three times!"

"Once!"

"Five times!"

"Twice!"

"Seven times!"

Qiqi's phoenix eyes widened as she said: "No more discussion—just twice, otherwise not even once!"

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself: "Two times means two times; two exemptions from death—heehee, proving that I, old man, will have two chances to commit grave mistakes later. Qiqi, Qiqi, after all you are still just a child; how could you compare to my deep-laid schemes?"

Qiqi said: "Go directly to the Imperial Gardens Bureau; tomorrow hand over your current duties, and thereafter your position will be Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and you will also be responsible for helping me recruit talent."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Who is the Commander of the Imperial Guard?"

"Mu Rongzhan!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "That would mean he is my direct superior, then?"

Qiqi laughed: "It's merely a nominal post; as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard you will find it easier to enter and leave the palace, and you need not manage the internal guard affairs—Mu Rongzhan certainly cannot control you either."

Hu Xiaotian felt relieved hearing her say that; he didn't want to spend all day facing Mu Rongzhan's lifeless, pale face.

Qiqi said: "I will announce your matter at the court assembly before the officials; your father's reinstatement is only a matter of time. For now, have him reorganize the Ministry of Revenue. Dakang's future finances will still rely on his efforts. By the way, the emperor has also promised to return your Hu family's residence; you can go claim the items previously seized by the Ministry of Justice when you have time. Little Whiskers, I have been utterly benevolent and righteous toward you."

Hu Xiaotian, tears of gratitude streaming down his face, said: "A drop of kindness deserves a spring's repayment; for the princess's great kindness, I can only offer my seven-foot body to Your Highness. Even if I die for Your Highness, I will not frown."

Qiqi said: "Don't say such unlucky things. In short, just work diligently for me; you will certainly reap benefits, and so will the Hu family. Moreover, do not think that because I am your backer you can act recklessly in the capital."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've noted it down!"

Qiqi said: "Go on, get some rest; starting tomorrow you'll assume office posthaste!"

"Yes!" Hu Xiaotian replied with vigor.

This fellow turned, opened the door and left, but Qiqi called him back, saying: "Where are you going from?"

Hu Xiaotian, full of spirit, said: "I can finally hold my head high and walk as a person; of course I must exit through the main gate."

Qiqi glared at him and said: "You didn't come in through the main gate—are you trying to make the secret passage known to all? Go back the way you came!"

"Yes!" (To be continued~^~)