[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364286,4623,"Chapter 17: Chief Eunuch of the Office of Imperial Secretariat","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>A storm swept through the entire city, leaving all the major figures who received the news utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell did this?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter involved too much, and even the usually etiquette-conscious Left Censor-in-Chief Shi Rongxuan couldn’t help cursing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the vanguard of the Qingliu faction’s offensive against the eunuchs, the Censorate had finally stepped onto the front stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to plan, using the great defeat in Liaodong as a weapon, they had already gained the upper hand in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps completely crushing the eunuchs was difficult, but tearing off a piece of flesh was not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Politics, after all, is inherently the result of compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they loudly shouted for the eunuchs’ downfall, deep down these senior figures didn’t take it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the eunuchs, another political group would simply take their place as opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court would not allow any single faction to dominate—that was the Emperor’s bottom line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to keep fighting the familiar eunuchs than to swap in a new adversary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least the eunuchs’ reputation was already rotten enough; no matter what happened, a single accusation of “eunuchs framing others” could cover it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Daxu’s public opinion climate, standing against the eunuchs instantly boosted one’s prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it turned into infighting within the civil official bloc, everyone knew each other too well—any misstep could lead to total ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Dengwen Drum case first broke, Shi Rongxuan hadn’t taken it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For eunuchs to go into the Qingliu’s stronghold and collect taxes—unless something exploded, that would be the real problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privately, they had offered victims minor conveniences to help them bring the matter to the Emperor’s attention, thereby severely damaging the eunuchs’ morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one point, Shi Rongxuan had even devised a plan to stoke the flames, aiming to muddy the waters and strike a decisive blow against the eunuchs in preparation for his own entry into the Grand Secretariat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But plans changed faster than expected—the Mineral Tax Inspector case exploded across the city, throwing the situation completely out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with eyes could see someone was behind this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stirring up trouble against the eunuchs was fine; but doing so behind his back as a Qingliu elder? That was life-threatening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Qingliu faction now truly held the upper hand, with the entire court and populace calling for the eunuchs’ destruction—the dawn of victory was within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the opposite was true: this rule-breaking chaos was precisely what the monarch despised most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Emperor had intended to chastise the eunuchs, after this incident, he would change his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Affected by this turmoil, the neutral faction in court might also shift their political stance toward the eunuchs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, we still have no news, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot have arrested many people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there are any traces left, they’ll be dug up soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Shiyeh’s reply made Shi Rongxuan even more anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person behind this dared to scheme against both us and the eunuchs—they must have prepared thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You overestimate the capabilities of the Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they were truly that powerful, every official in court would be under their thumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, evidence isn’t even needed—we can roughly guess who’s behind this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a handful of factions in the capital have the power to stir up such a commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuchs wouldn’t sabotage themselves—that’s far too risky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor has no motive to act; our conflict with the eunuchs doesn’t require further provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meritorious nobles and imperial in-laws have the power, but lack the motive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless something unexpected happens, the mastermind is most likely from within the Qingliu faction itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the eunuchs’ abuses have become too severe, and the scholar-gentry of the southeast can’t take it anymore—or perhaps someone can’t wait to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing the truth won’t help—he’s now been thrust to the center of the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banner of opposing the eunuchs is indeed useful; raising it wins you countless supporters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But raising the banner is easy; putting it down is hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless Qingliu members are watching—there’s no room for retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, perhaps the matter isn’t this serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You didn’t plan this—just leak the information privately and let the eunuchs go after the real mastermind!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Shiyeh forced himself to offer reassurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew better than anyone how dangerous his master’s position was—he had opposed the anti-eunuch campaign from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But an advisor is still an advisor; no matter how trusted, he has no authority to make decisions for his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope so!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take men and search the estate—remove every forbidden item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any servant who has committed evil or disgraceful acts—deal with them immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draft a letter to our ancestral home, instructing our clan to act with extreme caution in the coming days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep your eyes open for any other weaknesses—plug the leaks quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Rongxuan spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After calming down, he was no longer panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Censorate holds a unique position; impeaching lawbreakers is within their official authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how angry the eunuchs are, they cannot punish the Left Censor-in-Chief merely for submitting an impeachment memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bring him down, they must find concrete evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time Shi Rongxuan reacted, the other court officials who realized the scale of the incident rushed to handle their own problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the palace, Emperor Tianyuan let out a cold laugh as he read the intelligence report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Dengwen Drum case first broke, he had hesitated—but now someone had made the decision for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you, rise!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nanzhili is far away; someone deliberately concealed the truth, so your failure to receive the news in time is understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such incidents will be permitted only once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Liu Dabo’s death, the position of Chief Eunuch of the Office of Imperial Secretariat has remained vacant. I now appoint Guang’en to this post.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the previously terrified eunuchs instantly glowed with burning desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Office of Imperial Secretariat is also known outside as the Inner Court—its power rivals that of the civil official-led Grand Secretariat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Eunuch stands equal to the Grand Secretary, a position of immense authority in Daxu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, besides the Chief Eunuch post, Zuo Guang’en now also commands the Eastern Depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combined authority of these two posts has never before been held by any eunuch in Daxu’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this boundless grace!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Guang’en knelt and bowed, his expression filled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s level of support far exceeded his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Get out now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do your duty well—that’s all that matters!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Emperor Tianyuan kicked Zuo Guang’en in the leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant is leaving at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zuo Guang’en rolled right there on the floor—his antics were absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the other eunuchs didn’t feel shame—they all wore expressions of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be personally kicked by the Emperor? Only a true insider gets such treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhenyuan Marquis’s Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning home, Li Mu immediately reported to his uncle, including the joint effort among officials to cover up the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You handled it well. Only your contact with the Eastern Depot was a bit crude—nothing major.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think this far ahead, you’re among the top of your generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad you didn’t come through the imperial examinations—if you had, in thirty years you’d surely hold a seat in one of the Six Ministries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu paid no mind to his uncle’s sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to enter office through the examinations too—but he simply couldn’t do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classical Chinese was hard enough to read—he couldn’t even imagine…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1270,"2026-06-21T08:09:02.410Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","f8ddd4f6f86d613f4503418f67881c754b4e650b8a918217507790471a95d094","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-18","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-16",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]