Chapter 9: Before the Storm

You handled yourself well today.

The Emperor and Prince Fu are deeply bonded, and he often shows him kindness, but as subjects, we must still observe proper boundaries.

If Prince Fu sends gifts later, simply accept them.

If he invites you to his mansion, make an excuse to decline.

Today’s events have brought you prematurely into the Emperor’s notice—it’s hard to say whether it’s good or bad.

To build a lasting career in officialdom, you cannot seek speed alone; stability is paramount.

The Emperor originally intended to assign you to the Five Armies Camp, but I declined on your behalf.

With that, Li Yuan smiled at Li Mu, as if searching for something.

“I am deeply humbled by your kindness, Uncle—I am unworthy!”

Without hesitation, Li Mu immediately bowed.

In a clan-based society, family interests come first; since my own uncle spoke up to turn it down, the Five Armies Camp must not be a good posting.

We’re family—no need for formalities.

I know you’re full of questions, so I’ll tell you outright—it won’t stay secret for long anyway.

The eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch this morning brought terrible news: the Divine Engine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp were annihilated; the Liaodong imperial forces suffered heavy losses.

The court’s most elite one hundred fifty thousand troops now lie forever on the Liaodong battlefield.

The four barbarian groups long suppressed by the court will surely seize this chance to stir trouble.

From now on, not just Liaodong, but the entire Nine Borders frontier will face trials.

The court is equally unstable; the perfect pretext has walked in, and the conservative faction opposing reform will surely strike.

The formerly neutral factions may also be swayed to join this political purge.

We nobles, aside from opposing military reform, have mostly remained neutral.

The reformers won’t sit idle—they were backed by the Emperor behind the scenes, and he doesn’t want them to fail, so he personally acted as a mediator.

The details are still beyond your rank to know—just wait and see!

Hearing Li Yuan’s words, Li Mu was startled.

In court politics, everyone has their role; the Emperor’s role is that of arbiter.

Though he didn’t fully step into the fray, personally intervening as a mediator for the reformers to win the nobles’ support was itself a clear stance.

From my uncle’s tone, I can judge that the reformers must have offered substantial concessions to gain either the nobles’ backing or at least their neutrality.

“Uncle, the front just suffered a crushing defeat, and external threats are about to erupt—surely they won’t ignite internal strife now?”

Li Mu asked uncertainly.

After ascending the throne, Emperor Tianyuan launched a fierce crackdown on the Qingliu faction, composed of southern gentry.

The Qingliu leaders were each driven home on pretexts, then politically dismantled, ending the faction’s monopoly on power.

Today’s Chu Party, Zhe Party, Min Party, Xiang Party, and Hui Party all split from the Qingliu faction.

Later, due to reform, two new factions gradually emerged: the reformers who supported it, and the conservatives who opposed it.

These two factions are hard to distinguish—supporters and opponents aren’t absolute; it depends on the specific issue.

For example: the imperial clan system reform—civil officials and nobles mostly supported it; the opposition came mainly from the imperial clan.

Another example: the “Mining Tax Decree”—supporters were mainly the eunuch faction; the opposition shifted to the civil officials, while nobles and the imperial clan remained neutral.

…

Overall, as long as the knife doesn’t fall on their own interest group, everyone remains pillars of the state.

“Those in the court won’t, but the ones outside the court—hard to say.”

If you observe closely, you’ll notice that since ascending the throne, the Emperor has especially favored promoting the young.

Because the young still have their fire, and still retain moral boundaries.

No matter which faction they belong to, they think in terms of solving problems.

The dismissed Qingliu leaders are different—they’re seasoned political foxes, obsessed solely with power and profit.

To them, everything is only about interest; they never consider right or wrong.

If these men get a chance to return to court, the intensity of factional strife will be ten times worse than now.

But as long as the Emperor remains, they’ll never have a chance to rise again!

Enough—these matters aren’t for you to worry about; thinking too much is useless.

The Ministry of War’s appointment letter will arrive tomorrow. Get yourself ready quickly; report to the Five Cities Military Command in five days.

The current situation is delicate; it’s hard to tell friend from foe.

When visiting friends and relatives, if the topic turns to court affairs, give no direct response.

It was clear my uncle had no regard for the Qingliu leaders.

But one thing must be admitted: those Qingliu leaders were masters of performance; each enjoyed immense prestige both in court and among the people.

Without knowing the truth, one could easily be fooled.

By spelling this out now, he was clearly telling me: our family is not aligned with the Qingliu.

“Uncle, rest assured—I know what to do!”

Li Mu immediately declared.

Following your leader’s steps has always been the surest path to advancement.

My greatest political asset is the Zhenyuan Marquis; politically, I must stay in step with my uncle.

All other connections can only serve as secondary aids—this hierarchy must never be reversed.

“Good. That’s enough for today.

Go home and carefully reflect on what was said.

In the Da Yu court, caution is the only rule—always caution.

Always keep a few extra thoughts in mind—never wrong!”

…

Back at his small courtyard, Li Mu’s head still buzzed.

The conversation with the Zhenyuan Marquis had been brief, yet packed with immense information.

A major defeat on the frontier has brought the rising Tianyuan reign to a crossroads.

He reviewed it again and again, and finally, sadly, realized he could do nothing right now.

…

Deep into the night, the residence of Grand Secretary Yue remained brightly lit.

“Grand Secretary, the Liaodong disaster was caused by the eunuch faction’s reckless actions—I cannot allow these wicked men to corrupt the court!”

A young official spoke with fiery indignation.

The reformers had existed for only a few years, yet managed to stir such upheaval—mainly because of the Emperor’s support.

This was evident in the full backing of the reformers by the Directorate of Ceremonial, controlled by the eunuch faction, which even used extreme measures to clear obstacles from the reform path.

To the conservatives, the reformers and the eunuch faction were one and the same.

Through generations of scholarly propaganda, the eunuchs’ infamy had been endlessly magnified; to be branded “eunuch faction” meant to be labeled a national traitor.

“Chu Heng, calm down!

Grand Secretary must consider the whole picture—don’t make decisions based on impulse.

Toppling the eunuch faction won’t be accomplished overnight.

The Liaodong defeat is an opportunity, but our strength alone is clearly insufficient—we must unite more people.”

Left Censor-in-Chief Yue Shufeng immediately rebuked his student.

(End of Chapter)