Chapter 534: Appendix 1

Appendix 1: "Yes, My Lord" — by Benchu Lin Dengwan

Appendix 1: "Yes, My Lord" — by Benchu Lin Dengwan

As the Grand Empress Dowager of Great Yan dried her tears, put back on the unique black-rimmed spectacles unmatched under heaven, and granted the ministers' perfectly reasonable request, His Majesty the second Emperor of Great Yan, after decades as Crown Prince, finally ascended the throne.

Though the Grand Empress Dowager had already passed ninety, she remained hale and hearty, her body healthy and strong. In every previous court session, the various lords and ministers would always cry out, "May Your Majesty live ten thousand years without end, and may the Empress Dowager..." Now it seemed the late departed Emperor could not live ten thousand years without end after all, but the Grand Empress Dowager truly appeared to be in eternal health. So much so that those restless rebels in Yingchuan even slandered the Grand Empress Dowager, spreading rumors that she used sorcery to steal others' lifespans — citing the late Imperial Father's untimely death, the late departed Emperor's early abandonment of the realm, and even Duke Lu of Fanyang, the former Han Emperor Ling, and other such absurdities...

However, His Majesty the current Emperor was, after all, raised personally by the Grand Empress Dowager, and thus received considerable favor, enabling him to promote many trusted individuals shortly after ascending the throne. Of course, the position of Prime Minister Zibo, whom the Empress Dowager had always trusted, and that of Right Chancellor Zhongda, personally cultivated by the late departed Emperor — these two men's standing could not be shaken by His Majesty under any circumstances.

Thus, Imperial Son-in-law Zhuge Liang, accepted by both the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty, was promoted to Left Chancellor; the imperial clansman Gongsun Xu was appointed Minister of the Imperial Clan Court; and Wang Can, who had followed His Majesty to Shu to open up farmland alongside the previous two, succeeded as Minister of the Printing Court. All of this fell within everyone's expectations, though the rapid promotion of imperial in-laws and clansmen slightly violated the promises the late Emperor had made to the various lords on the Bronze Sparrow Platform back then.

Yet for Wang Chao, who had served as Deputy Director of the Jing'an Bureau for many years, the choice of the new Director of the Jing'an Bureau truly caught him by surprise (for an old Jing'an hand, learning the life story of every minister was simply the easiest thing in the world).

The man promoted to Director of the Jing'an Bureau was none other than Liang Jia, of humble origins, taboo name Jia, alias Master of the Southern Seas. This gentleman was originally a cook presented by the Shi family of Jiaozhou when they surrendered to the late Emperor. Unexpectedly, when he met the Grand Empress Dowager, he revealed all the true conditions of Jiaozhou, thereby earning her favor and entering Ye University. After graduating from Ye University, Lord Liang squatted in the Censorate for decades — no one could have imagined that upon the new Emperor's accession, he would leap to become Director of the Jing'an Bureau, a grand minister of the cabinet. (Yet for someone promoted by the Grand Empress Dowager who had remained mediocre for so many years, to be suddenly elevated to high office by the new Emperor — it must be somewhat awkward.)

But this is fine too, Wang Chao thought to himself. After all, a Director who has never dealt with real practical affairs, especially Jing'an Bureau matters, and whose stance is ambiguous and awkward, is much easier to manipulate (and less likely to shake Deputy Director Wang's power).

Thinking this, Wang Chao readjusted his expression, replacing it with an elegant and charming smile — possessing the graceful bearing of a noble scion, the refined gentility of a Ye University scholar, and the shrewd competence of a capable official. Then, with light steps, he walked to the entrance of the Jing'an Bureau office and quietly awaited the arrival of the new chief.

The freshly minted Director of the Jing'an Bureau, the humble-born Grand Minister Liang, full of vigor and confidence, seated himself in the main chair of the Jing'an Bureau hall. Deputy Director Wang Chao stood respectfully in the hall, awaiting instructions.

Grand Minister Liang began: "Deputy Director Wang has long served in this bureau and is rich in experience. As I am newly arrived, I will need Deputy Director Wang's utmost assistance in all matters. Only thus can we live up to the trust placed in us by the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty."

"Yes, my lord! Chao's fundamental duty is precisely to assist my lord with all his strength, my lord."

"My lord, my lord?" Liang Jia was taken aback, then suddenly understood, and laughed: "Deputy Director Wang need not be so formal."

"Yes, my lord."

"..."

"Oh, right. When I was in the Censorate, I once investigated the personnel distribution of the Jing'an Bureau..."

"Ah, my lord, no matter where you serve, you are always diligent and devoted, sparing no effort — this is known to all. Even someone as ignorant and ill-informed as myself knows a little of it."

Liang Jia, interrupted, opened his mouth, thinking to himself: The Deputy Director of the Jing'an Bureau actually describes himself as ignorant and ill-informed? But Wang Chao did not stop, so he had no choice but to continue listening.

"If Chao has not remembered incorrectly, it was in the twentieth year of the late Emperor's reign that my lord submitted a memorial stating that the personnel of the Jing'an Bureau were overly concentrated in the capital and the interior."

"Deputy Director Wang actually remembers it so clearly?! But wasn't my memorial shelved at the time?"

"Reporting to my lord, the Jing'an Bureau has the authority to review all official documents, and naturally pays attention to anything that mentions this bureau's affairs."

"So that's how it is. Then I presume there is no need for me to elaborate further. Since I have received the trust of the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty, I must strictly implement reforms, streamline the organization, and eliminate the four harmful work styles that have accumulated in this bureau over the years!"

"Reforming corrupt practices is precisely the common goal of the entire Great Yan court and realm. All personnel of this bureau will certainly fully support the court and my lord's reform policies!" Wang Chao straightened his body, cupped his hands toward the north, and declared righteously, then asked, "But my lord, what does this matter have to do with your earlier memorial?"

"What? I don't understand what you mean..."

"What I mean by what I said... is exactly what I mean by what I said!"

"...Very well, I shall speak plainly! The Jing'an Bureau is tasked with intelligence gathering, yet its personnel are excessively concentrated in the capital, Ru-Ying, Nanyang, and Henei, with clearly bloated staffing and too many people with too little to do. This is corruption!"

"Ah! My lord, you actually know that the Jing'an Bureau's duty is intelligence gathering. This truly delights me beyond measure."

"Ha??"

"May I ask, my lord, do you know why your memorial was shelved?"

"Why? Was it not because of obstruction from people like you?" Minister Liang was growing somewhat angry.

"Aiya! That would be far too unjust to us humble petty officials of the court. You must understand that intelligence gathering is extremely dangerous work. Whether it was Lord Zhicai, Lord Fengxiao, or Marquis Xu, their experiences all prove this point. Therefore, all matters of this bureau are the highest secrets of the court. If your memorial had been openly issued, it would inevitably have allowed those with ulterior motives — I am not referring to you — to find isolated phrases that might endanger the bureau's work. Even without such phrases, it might still give rise to unfavorable associations regarding our bureau's personnel. But in any case, the security of our bureau's work cannot be entrusted to the negligence of others."

"So, what you mean is, these matters are classified, and therefore, to maintain secrecy, my memorial was shelved?"

"My lord sees clearly!"

"But! The Jing'an Bureau's staffing and budget — this can be found with a single check at the Ministry of Revenue! What kind of secret is this?! It's clearly known to everyone!" Grand Minister Liang's face began to redden, and his breathing grew heavy.

"Reporting to my lord! In truth, the requirement to protect court secrets is not to protect the secrets themselves, but to protect the court. As long as matters are not brought to the table, and no one discusses them, then it is as if no one knows. Thus, even if the court has problems, no one can point fingers!"

"Preposterous! This is outrageous!" Minister Liang slammed his palm heavily on the side table beside his seat, sprang to his feet, and roared, his beard bristling and eyes glaring. However, the force of the slap seemed rather strong, and he could not help but rub his palm.

Collecting himself, Liang Jia felt reason suppressing impulse, and only then spoke again: "Do not think I know nothing. To put it bluntly, no one is willing to go to the Western Regions, Xianbei, the Southern Frontier — these remote and harsh places. How wonderful it is to stay in the interior! The capital offers opportunities for promotion, Hebei is convenient for one's children's education, Ru-Ying and Nanyang are rich and prosperous — who wouldn't want to go there? But isn't intelligence gathering precisely something that requires going to the frontiers, even deep into enemy territory? Who are you spying on while staying in the interior?"

Wang Chao began to feel somewhat uneasy, as if his disguise had been pierced, but he quickly reverted to his previous courteous, smiling, and friendly demeanor, saying: "My lord has just assumed office and is not yet familiar with the bureau's general affairs, hence this question. The personnel distribution of the Jing'an Bureau is precisely matched to the importance of the intelligence being gathered! In this bureau's affairs, the interior naturally takes priority, and the frontiers are secondary."

"What kind of twisted logic is this!"

"This subordinate dares to ask my lord: Xianbei, the Southern Frontier, the various states of the Western Regions — how do they compare to our Great Yan?"

"Our Great Yan possesses riches across the four seas, and the White Horse cavalry are invincible wherever they go — naturally we far surpass all other states."

"And the important ministers and great generals of Great Yan — how do they compare to those of other states?"

"Our Great Yan has Ye University for civil affairs and the Military Academy for martial affairs, nurturing countless capable ministers and strong generals. Even the heights of Qin and Han could not match this, let alone barbarian tribes."

"Precisely so. Therefore, in the court's view, the greatest threat comes not from foreign states, but precisely from within the borders of Great Yan! Now, after many years of peace, strictly guarding against internal strife and maintaining the realm's tranquility — this is the lifelong wish of all of us colleagues in the Jing'an Bureau!" Wang Chao declared righteously.

"This..." Minister Liang instinctively felt this sophistry and nonsense was utterly unreasonable, yet on the surface it was flawless, leaving him completely unable to find grounds for rebuttal.

The awkward silence did not last long. Grand Minister Liang, having served as a censor for many years, immediately seized upon a new direction of attack.

"Ahem! Deputy Director Wang, I am indeed not very familiar with the Jing'an Bureau's affairs. However, the Censorate, in coordination with the Finance Bureau and the Ministry of Revenue, previously conducted an investigation and conservatively estimates that the Jing'an Bureau has...?"

"Since both Supreme Majesties are so concerned, then this must certainly be the common goal of all officials in this bureau. We will surely exert our utmost, cooperate with my lord, and accomplish this arduous task!" Wang Chao remained righteous and solemn, as if he had not detected Liang Jia's reproach at all.

"Then immediately draft a comprehensive document to purge redundant personnel! I expect this document to be placed before the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty before the next grand court session!"

"Yes! My lord!"

Seven days passed quickly. Liang the Humble-born clutched his head and slumped dejectedly over the official desk in the Jing'an Bureau office. Wang Chao, still graceful and poised, walked into the hall.

"Does my lord have important matters in summoning this subordinate?" Wang Chao's face still bore an elegant smile.

"Alas! This morning, I received a joint communiqué from the Finance Bureau and the Ministry of Revenue, questioning why unplanned budget expenditures had suddenly increased. Then the Privy Council and the Ministry of War sent some Commandant over to question why their communication channels were being cut, and he even smashed my brush washer on the spot. The grand court session is in two days — am I, having just entered the cabinet, to be made a target for the attacks of all the ministers?"

"Then, my lord, why not reply to them and explain that we are strictly implementing the reform plan to streamline the organization, as advocated by the two Supreme Majesties? The unplanned expenditures are severance payments for the redundant personnel being dismissed. This is a precedent set by the late Emperor and cannot be casually altered. Cutting communication channels is actually us optimizing communication routes and reducing branch lines of little significance — the military's temporary discomfort is merely the growing pains and necessary path of reform." Wang Chao offered this suggestion with apparent nonchalance.

Just then, a White Horse messenger suddenly burst into the office, shouting: "By decree of the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty, Director of the Jing'an Bureau Liang Jia and Deputy Director Wang Chao are to enter the Southern Study for an audience immediately!"

The uneasy Liang Jia and the still graceful Wang Chao followed the White Horse messenger to the palace. They were then stopped by the White Horse Volunteers on duty and made to wait outside the Southern Study. At that moment, Right Chancellor Sima Yi strolled out of the hall, saw Liang Jia, patted him on the shoulder, shook his head, and walked away.

As if seeing a savior, Liang Jia hurriedly chased after him and asked: "May I ask the Right Chancellor, why have the Supreme Majesties summoned this humble official?"

"Alas! Chancellor Liang, you have just assumed a vital post and should prioritize caution, yet you... alas, to be frank, in your redundancy reduction plan, the one thing you absolutely should not have touched were those lines jointly operated by your bureau and the Anli Trading Company. Now the imperial countenance is thunderous with rage, and the Grand Empress Dowager's expression is none too pleasant either. Chancellor Liang, I fear you are about to become the shortest-lived cabinet minister in this dynasty's history." Sima Yi patted Liang Jia again in consolation, then ignored him entirely.

"My lord, should you consider drafting a letter of resignation? At least you could preserve some dignity and face." Wang Chao leaned in and asked callously, completely disregarding the fact that Liang Jia's face had already turned ashen.

"Vice Commissioner Wang, Vice Commissioner Wang, is there truly no way to smooth this over? If there is even a sliver of hope, please do not begrudge me your guidance, Vice Commissioner Wang! I am begging you!" Liang Jia was now grasping at any straw in desperation. Yet it seemed Wang Chao had long been waiting for this very moment.

"In truth, it is not entirely beyond remedy…"

"Is that so? Truly?" Hope rekindled in Liang Hanmen's heart, and a gleam of light flashed once more in his eyes.

"I was just thinking, this memorial on reducing redundant personnel at the Jing'an Terrace was submitted directly into the hands of the Two Supremes through the Jing'an Terrace's special memorial channel, bypassing the Three Departments entirely. The various ministries and other terraces must have learned of this memorial through unofficial channels. Therefore, nominally, none of them are yet aware of it. Hence, you need only explain to the Two Supremes that this memorial was merely an immature proposal submitted to them for guidance. As for the other terraces and ministries, you may respond that this was an internal communication between the Jing'an Terrace and the Southern Secretariat, which has now been decided against adoption. In accordance with the Jing'an Terrace's repeatedly reaffirmed requirement to safeguard court secrets, further discussion of this memorial is prohibited. In this way, the matter can be treated as though it never happened. Your Excellency will naturally have nothing to worry about." Wang Chao spoke with the confidence of one who had already planned everything out.

Liang Jia let out a long breath and bowed in thanks. "Vice Commissioner Wang, it is fortunate you are here; only thus could this cabinet member avoid such a great calamity! The most urgent task now is to request that Vice Commissioner Wang promptly send letters to all the terraces and ministries to bury this memorial!"

"As you command, Your Excellency!"

【End】

Author — Benchu Lin Dengwan

A brief note: this is an outstanding entry from a reader completion event, a personal derivative work. I have uploaded and displayed it with the reader's consent.

That is all.

(End of Chapter)