Chapter 216: with translation of chapter title

The lingering echo of the court-dismissal bell was long, yet it could not dispel the gloom hanging over many officials' hearts.

News of today's meeting in Chongzheng Hall concerning power distribution had already spread like wings, flying to every corner of Bian Liang's officialdom.

The new emperor acted swiftly and decisively, within a day establishing the new dynasty's core leadership.

His decisive measures and far-reaching intent left all onlookers feeling an unprecedented pressure.

After the court dispersed.

Several senior officials of the former dynasty, not included in the core agenda, spontaneously gathered at the residence of the Censor-in-Chief Li Su.

Inside the study, doors and windows shut tight, the atmosphere oppressive as the sultry heat before a storm.

After the maid served tea and was dismissed, only a few elderly officials in ordinary robes remained, staring at each other, their faces heavy with unresolved gloom.

"You've all heard, right?"

First to speak was Minister of Rites Zhou Wang, his beard and hair white, his voice trembling slightly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop.

"Lord Zhongwu, Lord Jing'an... Duke Xing, Duke Wei... what a grand gesture, what lavish ennoblement!"

His tone was full of bitterness and dissatisfaction.

"Shi Dun, Qian Gui and their ilk are mere warriors and lackeys, yet they have been made marquises and entrusted with pivotal authority;"

"Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, of humble origin, now stand among the premier ministers and command the Censorate!"

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became.

"And Han Tong, Zhang Yongde, as former Zhou senior officials, in the blink of an eye received ducal titles and enjoy honor and glory—doesn't that make one's teeth chill!"

He had originally wanted to say "the late emperor."

But as the words reached his lips, he suddenly realized Chai Rong had not truly ascended the throne, so he forced a correction, which only made him feel more stifled.

"Brother Zhou, please calm yourself."

Responding was Vice Minister of Rites Zheng Yuan, younger in years but with furrowed brows, showing he bore heavy thoughts.

"In a dynastic change, rewarding merit is only natural."

"But..."

He paused, lowering his voice.

"Such an arrangement overly favors his own faction of former followers."

"Are we, these old officials of the former dynasty, destined merely to sit on cold benches, watching power slip away?"

His gaze swept over the few people present.

"Especially you, Lord Li, as Censor-in-Chief, leader of the pure stream, venerable and esteemed, now... alas!"

Everyone's eyes turned to Li Su, seated in the chief place, who had remained silent.

Li Su is about fifty, his visage gaunt.

At this moment he closed his eyes to nurture his spirit, fingers slowly turning a string of prayer beads, as if the world's turmoil had nothing to do with him.

Only when Zheng Yuan called his name did he slowly open his eyes, which showed little disturbance, only deep fatigue and caution.

"Authority?"

Li Su's voice was flat, yet carried the calm of a long-serving official.

"What is authority?

Military power, financial power, supervisory power—now all hinge on the emperor's will, delegated to those he trusts.

This is imperial statecraft, a move to consolidate foundations—what is strange about it?"

He turned his gaze to Zhou Wang.

"Brother Zhou, do you think Shi Dun and Qian Gui are mere warriors and lackeys, unfit for great responsibility?

Yet it is precisely these warriors and lackeys who guarded him from Jiao Tu Zhen all the way to this Huangcheng of Bian Liang.

The emperor rose from the ranks, naturally placing more trust in those who can grip a sword hilt."

He then turned to Zheng Yuan.

"Brother Zheng, do you think we have been left out in the cold?

To sit here peacefully sipping tea and discussing the Dao, rather than rotting in a prison cell,

or like Zhao Kuangyin being stripped of office and placed under surveillance—this is already the emperor's exceptional leniency, a sign of his forbearance."

His words were like a bucket of cold water, cooling the heated heads of Zhou Wang and Zheng Yuan considerably, though their faces still showed unwillingness.

"What Lord Li said is certainly reasonable."

Another official who had remained silent, the acting prefect of Kaifeng Liu Yu, spoke up.

He oversaw Bian Liang's civil administration, a pivotal post, his expression now the gravest.

"Nevertheless, the new emperor's accession requires employing people to govern.

If we merely rely on his old faction and exclude us, the affairs of the realm's prefectures, counties, and various bureaus—

could they really run smoothly relying only on those few marquises and premiers?"

"The emperor seems to overvalue martial prowess and old ties, lacking in the art of statecraft needed to govern and pacify the realm."

His words voiced the deepest worry of many present.

—They feared being marginalized, feared the new emperor was a man who only knew how to wage war on horseback and understood nothing of civil governance, a crude figure.

More so, they feared that a lifetime of studying the classics, literary composition, and the art of officialdom would become worthless in the new dynasty.

"Lacking?"

Li Su let out a soft hum, setting down his prayer beads.

"Have you forgotten how Sun Jian raised objections over grain supplies at the court assembly before the enthronement ceremony?"

His gaze swept over the crowd.

"How did the emperor respond?"

Adjusting the grain of external prefectures to relieve immediate shortage, dredging the transport foundations to plan for the long term, strictly controlling the grain market to settle the people's minds, and firmly rejecting the proposal of additional taxes to win popular support.

After this set of combined punches, Sun Jian lost the position of Commissioner of the Three Departments, while His Majesty earned praise from court and populace.

Could this move be the act of someone who is lacking in the art of governing and pacifying the state?

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled; after careful reflection, they realized it was indeed so.

That day, Chen Wen's seasoned decisiveness in handling affairs far surpassed that of these veteran officials who had long been immersed in the bureaucracy.

What's more...

Li Su's voice dropped a little lower, carrying a hint of deep meaning.

His Majesty does not refuse to use old officials.

Han Tong and Zhang Yongde are examples.

Mr. Wang Pu is even more relied upon as a right and left arm.

The key lies in 'how to use' and 'whether we are willing to be used'.

He paused, looking at the several people.

It is to cling to the old dreams of the previous dynasty, proclaim oneself lofty, and ultimately be swept into the dustbin of history;

Or to see the situation clearly, go with the flow, and in this new dynasty find a place to exert oneself for the Dao in our hearts and for the people of the world?

Everyone, you ought to think this over carefully.

One misstep, and it's an abyss of ten thousand zhang.

The study fell into silence again, only the heavy breathing of several people could be heard.

Li Su's words were like a hammer, striking their entrenched notions and wavering hearts.

At the same time, in another more concealed dark room of the residence, the atmosphere was even more sinister and mysterious.

Here gathered only a few people, three or five, all wearing dark cloaks that concealed their faces.

The candlelight flickered, casting their shadows distortedly upon the walls.

That old fox Li Su seems to have harbored intentions of submission.

A hoarse voice sounded, carrying a bone‑chilling coldness.

He sees the situation clearly, alas, his backbone is too soft.

Hmph, 'the wise who know the times are the heroes'?

Another shrill voice sneered.

He is greedy for life, afraid of death, clinging to power and position!

Before Lord Chai's corpse is even cold, he rushes to fawn upon the new lord, truly sweeping away all civility!

What's the use of saying these things now?

The third voice, steadier, interrupted their complaints.

The new emperor's methods are ruthless; he has already seized core power in his hands.

Han Tong and Zhang Yongde also appear to have been stabilized.

Some of the old military personnel we previously contacted now also mostly have ambiguous attitudes.

The situation… is very unfavorable to us.

Are we just going to let it go like this?

The owner of the hoarse voice seems extremely unwilling.

This realm ought to be… alas!

He slammed his fist heavily on the table, emitting a dull thud.

Of course it won't just be left like that.

The steady voice said.

Although the new dynasty has just been established and appears monolithic, undercurrents actually surge.

The military governors of various regions, the Khitan and Northern Han to the north—who would truly submit willingly?

As long as we wait patiently, we will surely find an opportunity.

He shifted the tone of his speech.

Moreover… the people from 'over there' have contacted us again.

Upon these words, the dark chamber fell into utter silence, even breathing grew much fainter.

The Iron Crow Army?

The shrill voice carried a hint of fear not easily noticed.

Not bad.

The steady voice confirmed.

They promised to provide us with necessary support, including… some information that would make the new emperor frantic, and even some 'unconventional' forces.

But they require us to embed ourselves more deeply, and at the critical moment deliver a lethal blow from within.

The dark chamber remained silent for a long time.

Cooperating with the Iron Crow Army is no different than scheming with a tiger for its skin; they fully know the danger.

But in the current dire straits, this seems to have become again the sole possible chance to overturn the board.

Specifically, what should we do?

The hoarse voice finally asked, carrying a resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats.

As the night deepened, lights flickered in Bianliangcheng.

Some were already contemplating how to serve the new lord, while others still secretly conspired, plotting treason.

Loyalty and betrayal, hope and despair, intertwined and collided in this ancient capital.

And all of this could not escape the eyes of certain hidden observers in the dark.

On the attic of an ordinary civilian house not far from Li Su's residence, an Inspection Bureau covert agent.

Using the faint light from the window crack, they quickly recorded on a slip of paper the names and times of the officials who had just entered the Li mansion.

And in the shadow of another street, a ghost-like figure.

Watching those cloaked figures disappear into the secret chamber's entrance, a cold smile curled their lips; they then melted into the darkness, stealing toward Huangcheng.

The first night of the new dynasty was destined not to be peaceful.

The thoughts of the old officials were like tides in the dark night: calm on the surface, but surging underneath, crashing against the newborn dikes.