Chapter 8: Retreating in Order to Advance

Zhu Xu looked at Zhang Wenda, paused, and said: "Sir is too modest. As the saying goes, worldly wisdom is itself literature; among all these court officials, I truly cannot find one who can match you. Moreover, since you intend to retire, you will have plenty of free time."

Zhang Wenda could not guess the intentions of Zhu Xu or those behind him, and resolved to remain unmoved by any change, keeping the same attitude throughout: "Your Highness flatters me. Your servant's mind is made up to leave; I hope Your Highness will grant this wish."

The corners of Zhu Xu's mouth curled up slightly, wearing a harmless, childlike smile.

Beside him, Cao Wenzhao's expression shifted, suddenly turning grave. He knew that this expression on Zhu Xu meant he was about to unleash his big move.

"Sir, my Prince Hui residence is still lacking a Chief Administrator. Would you be willing to condescend to take the post?" Zhu Xu said slowly, beaming.

How could Zhang Wenda fail to see that Zhu Xu had finally revealed his dagger? But he had weathered storms of every kind—how could he be threatened by a child? He sneered inwardly.

But before he could speak, Zhu Xu continued: "If Sir requires an imperial edict from His Majesty, that can also be arranged—I can bring it back as soon as I return."

Zhang Wenda's eyes narrowed at once, as if a cold gleam flashed through them.

He had already submitted his resignation. According to custom, the ritual would play out: the Emperor would urge him to stay, he would submit again, the Emperor would refuse again, he would submit a third time, and the Emperor would reluctantly agree—the "three refusals and three rejections" drama. But if at this moment the Prince Hui's enlightenment were used as the pretext, and the Emperor directly issued an edict ordering him to remain in the capital as the Prince Hui's tutor and Chief Administrator of the Prince Hui residence, then he would have no excuse whatsoever to decline.

But Zhang Wenda had long since made up his mind and was utterly unmoved. He looked at Zhu Xu and said thoughtfully: "Would Your Highness permit your servant some time to consider?"

Seeing Zhang Wenda finally soften, Zhu Xu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a radiant smile, pressing his advantage: "Sir, please take all the time you need. By the way, there is something I wished to consult you about..."

Zhang Wenda stood up before Zhu Xu could finish, saying: "Your Highness, your servant still has duties to attend at the office. If there is business, perhaps we can discuss it another day."

Faced with Zhang Wenda's blatant dismissal, Zhu Xu had no recourse but to stand up and obediently take his leave. Minister Zhang only saw him off to the outer hall, not a single step further.

"Master, what is the Prince Hui's intention?" A man dressed as a steward emerged from behind him, standing respectfully at his back, asking in puzzlement.

Zhang Wenda narrowed his eyes, twisting the thumb ring on his thumb, and said thoughtfully: "At first I thought it was the Emperor, but then I realized it wasn't. I thought it was Wei the eunuch, but it isn't him either. As for the Donglin Faction, the Zhejiang faction, or the Suzhou faction—even less so."

The steward also knitted his brows, saying with a worried expression: "Master, Wei the eunuch's arrogance grows by the day; the state of the court is deeply concerning."

Zhang Wenda let out a long sigh: "Do I not know this? It's just that those Donglin men show not the slightest restraint, acting recklessly with no one to check them. The Emperor intends to use Wei the eunuch to balance them. If I don't resign now, later I won't even be able to resign at all."

The steward nodded in understanding. As for the Prince Hui who had just left, neither of them gave him a second thought.

Zhu Xu walked out the main gate, in excellent spirits, and waved toward the carriage in the distance: "Big Cao, let's walk."

"Yes." Cao Wenzhao followed behind Zhu Xu, alert to their surroundings, and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, it seems Minister Zhang didn't take your words very seriously?"

Zhu Xu shook his head with a smile: "Of course not. Minister Zhang is, after all, an elder statesman who has served three reigns. If he were frightened by a young whelp like me, that would truly be laughable."

Cao Wenzhao was taken aback: "Then doesn't Your Highness want to win Minister Zhang over to our residence?"

Zhu Xu said: "My residence needs at least ten years to mature. Who would wait that long? It's nothing more than an excuse to make him stay."

Cao Wenzhao was confused: "Then, Your Highness, why must you keep him in the capital?"

Zhu Xu watched the crowds coming and going on the street, not answering Cao Wenzhao's question. Inwardly he thought: 'To stop Wei Zhongxian from gaining power, it's not enough to control the violent organs he commands—the court itself must not fall under his control. These upright ministers are resigning one after another on their own, and the vacant posts will inevitably fall into Wei Zhongxian's hands. If I can keep as many of these men here as possible, they will surely become a powerful force to restrain Wei Zhongxian.'

"Dang, dang, dang..."

Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums rose from the middle of the crowd ahead, followed by a baritone voice: "Today we father and daughter have come to the capital, setting foot for the first time on this precious ground. You good people are all our hosts—a single coin in your pocket can't buy flour or rice, but it can fill our bellies. Gentlemen young and old, from south and north, dig through your pockets and see whether our performance is worth your pleasure!"

"Acrobatics? Let's go take a look!" Zhu Xu's interest was piqued—he had never seen what acrobatics looked like in this era.

Zhu Xu was small of stature after all, and squeezed his way to the front in no time.

There, inside a circle drawn with white lime, a middle-aged man was beating a gong and shouting loudly. In the center stood two young girls of sixteen or seventeen, pretty and fresh, clearly sisters at first glance. Both wore tight-fitting martial arts robes, each holding a long sword, standing straight and tall—quite the picture of heroic grace.

"Everyone, open your eyes wide—if you feel danger, step back! The performance begins now!"

The middle-aged man bellowed. A single gong stroke rang out, and the two sisters shouted in unison. One leaped up and landed on the other's shoulders—whether elder or younger sister, it was hard to tell. Then the two began performing swordplay simultaneously, their movements in completely opposite directions: the one below raised her left leg while the one above raised her right. Their forms flowed smoothly front and back, left and right, blades whistling through the air. Combined with the two pretty, charming young girls, it was a splendid sight.

"Bravo!" Zhu Xu joined in the applause. This took real skill—a technical feat worth rewarding. He tossed over a small silver piece of about two taels.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man quickly raised his hand: "Thank you, young master."

The people around also cheered—this was no easy feat, something ordinary performers couldn't manage—and they tossed reward money one after another.

Several more acts followed, all relying on the sisters' tacit cooperation. Not exactly spectacular, but they gave the capital's entertainment-starved populace a genuine thrill.

Watching, Zhu Xu's heart suddenly stirred. He said to Cao Wenzhao beside him: "Go find out everything about these three people for me."

Cao Wenzhao promptly replied: "Yes."

Zhu Xu watched for a while longer, then continued his leisurely stroll.

"Make way, make way! The Embroidered Uniform Guard is on official business!"

A squad of the Embroidered Uniform Guard came rushing from the end of the street. The leader wore a brocade saber and a fish-dragon robe, exuding authority and imposing presence.

The crowds on both sides scattered like birds and beasts. Zhu Xu also stepped aside, stroking his chin and muttering to himself: "Are the Embroidered Uniform Guard always this arrogant?"

Zhu Xu had once had Cao Wenzhao do his homework on the people around Wei Zhongxian, and recognized the man at a glance. He said in a low voice: "Your Highness, that's Yang Huan, the punishment official of the Eastern Depot—Tian Ergeng's lackey."

Zhu Xu nodded and said: "Pass word to Luo Yangxing to have these people cleaned up, and cut off Wei Zhongxian's claws and fangs completely."