Chapter 10: Factional Strife

“Master’s teaching is correct; this student was rash.”

“But now is truly an opportunity—if we submit a memorial urging His Majesty to recall…”

Before Chu Heng could finish, Yue Shufeng immediately cut in:

“Silence!”

“To pressure His Majesty is not the conduct of a subject!”

“Toppling the eunuch faction is inevitable, but the methods must never be so crude.”

“The defeat in Liaodong must be investigated; right now, the court is busy handling the aftermath and has no capacity for anything else.”

“Once the aftermath is mostly settled, that’s when we launch the reckoning.”

“Embezzling rations and siphoning soldier’s pay are commonplace in the military.”

“Follow this thread, and there’s no shortage of gains to be had!”

“The young officials are fired up, but the older ones know this teacher and student are putting on a show.”

“On the surface, they’re targeting the eunuchs; in truth, they want control of the investigation, using it to expand the Censorate’s authority.”

“As for pressuring the Emperor to recall the leading Pure Stream figures—that’s pure farce.”

“We’ve gathered here mainly because of shared interests.”

"Court positions are like one radish per hole—if we bring them back, where do we put them?"

“Especially for those in power: they’ve finally gotten their turn to run things—why invite a bunch of ancestors back to make their lives miserable?”

“Director Yue, don’t rush. It’s not bad for the young to be passionate.”

“But this matter requires careful deliberation.”

“The military’s deep-rooted problems didn’t arise overnight; too many people are entangled. Acting rashly will only make things worse.”

“Opposing this, Minister of Revenue Lü Wenjian said:”

“Investigating empty rations is a double-edged sword—it strikes the enemy but can also turn on ourselves.”

“Most senior officers of the Divine Engine and Three Thousand Camps died on the battlefield; even those who survived dare not show their faces.”

“According to Da Yu’s official norms, unless the crime is unforgivable, death ends the matter.”

“Without these men to take the blame, the fire will easily burn back to our own doors.”

“Fire losses, embezzlement—these unwritten rules are harmless if unexposed, but once brought to light, they kill off a whole crowd.”

“Whether it’s the Ministry of Revenue managing finances, the Ministry of War overseeing troops, or the Ministry of Works supervising weapons, no department escapes.”

“Dig deeper, and even the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice can be dragged in.”

“The Pure Stream faction’s reputation for purity is merely superior manipulation—it doesn’t mean they’re truly clean.”

“Hardly any official in Da Yu can withstand scrutiny. If we launch a major anti-corruption case, half the officials here might be wiped out.”

“Minister Lü, it’s not us who want to investigate—it’s His Majesty who demands it.”

“Someone must bear responsibility for the Liaodong defeat.”

“Duan Wenhong bears the greatest blame, but he’s already died for the state—the court cannot let a loyal martyr carry the disgrace.”

Yue Shufeng’s words cast a heavy silence over the room.

“Aside from the deceased Liaodong Viceroy, the second most responsible is Emperor Tianyuan, who launched the war.”

“The current Emperor is no rubber stamp—blaming him directly is suicide.”

“Even the fragmented civil bureaucracy lacks the courage to do such a thing.”

“The Emperor cannot take the blame—so we must find someone who can, to satisfy court and public alike.”

“Rather than sit idle as the situation spirals unpredictably, we must strike first and seize control of this case.”

“The eunuch faction is too powerful—we alone are insufficient. We must ally with the Chu Party, Hui Party, Min Party, and Xiang Party to have any chance of victory.”

“Master, what’s your decision?”

As the question was thrown at him, Pang Hengsheng frowned.

“To split the Pure Stream, Emperor Tianyuan has done extensive work.”

“Each of us, including myself, rose to power by striking secret deals with the Emperor at critical moments, betraying the Pure Stream faction.”

“The current parity among the Zhe, Chu, Hui, Min, and Xiang Parties is largely intentional on our part.”

“The Pure Stream group is too powerful, holding nearly forty percent of court positions.”

“Such a behemoth, if united, would keep the Emperor from sleeping.”

“Group interests matter, but personal interests matter more.”

“Perhaps Emperor Tianyuan cannot crush the Pure Stream group, but he can easily eliminate a few leaders.”

“The earlier Pure Stream elders were too confident—that’s why Emperor Tianyuan seized the chance and sent them home to farm.”

“Back then, the Emperor had just ascended and needed to maintain court balance, so they escaped unscathed.”

“Now the situation is different: Emperor Tianyuan, firmly seated, holds more cards than before, and no single faction dominates the court.”

“If we overplay our hand and catch the Emperor’s eye, escaping unharmed will be impossible.”

“After all, anyone who reaches the rank of Grand Secretary in Da Yu’s bureaucracy has dirt under their seat.”

“But doing nothing is equally impossible—so many juniors are waiting to rise; without clearing some positions, how can anyone advance?”

“The outcry against the eunuchs is fueled by righteous indignation, but personal advancement is equally a driving force.”

“Gentlemen, calm down. Toppling the eunuchs is inevitable—now is the best opportunity.”

“But the more critical the moment, the more cautious we must be.”

“Especially in allying with the Chu, Hui, Min, and Xiang Parties—it must be done in secret, so the eunuch faction remains unaware.”

“For safety’s sake, we must first create a disturbance to draw the enemy’s attention.”

“Reporting rumors and investigating officials is the Censorate’s duty—this fire must be lit from within the Censorate.”

“This matter is too grave. Director Yue, select an official with little stake to submit the memorial. Once public opinion flares, we’ll follow up opportunistically.”

Deputy Grand Secretary Pang Hengsheng’s decision clearly failed to satisfy everyone.

“To the younger generation, this plan is far too conservative.”

“Similar maneuvers have happened countless times before—always thunder without rain.”

“Before the Pure Stream faction could unify its stance, the storm had already passed.”

“The only advantage is that we can hide behind the scenes: if things go well, we ride the wind; if they turn sour, we withdraw immediately.”

“Grand Secretary…”

Chu Heng was about to speak when his mentor pulled him back.

“The rule of political struggle is: juniors charge ahead, elders maneuver from behind. When the elders step forward, the outcome is settled.”

…

“Eunuch Lord, we’ve just received word—the Pure Stream faction is holding secret meetings, plotting against us!”

Hearing the report, Zuo Guang’en nodded slightly.

“After such a massive defeat, it would be strange if the Pure Stream group did nothing.”

“The Liaodong defeat will spread quickly; court and public will erupt, demanding accountability.”

“Those hypocrites in the Pure Stream faction clearly intend to pin this blame on us.”

“Though we’ve carried many black bags for the court, this one we refuse to carry—and I doubt you want it either.”

“His Majesty ordered us to investigate the causes and consequences of the Liaodong defeat. Our secret police have just been dispatched; results won’t come quickly.”

“Let’s discuss together—how should we respond next?”

(End of Chapter)