Chapter 122: Old Wang

Liu Die had watched Wang Yan go from the Duke Who Pacifies the Han's eldest daughter, step by step, to Empress, then to Empress Dowager, then to Empress Dowager Ding'an, and finally be enfeoffed as the Huanghuang Royal Mistress.

Back when Emperor Ping of Han established his empress, commoners, scholars, and officials of the rank of court gentleman and above came daily to the Canglong Watchtower to stand guard and submit petitions — over a thousand of them. Ministers and grandees either went to the court or prostrated themselves at the gates of the ministries. It was as if all under heaven wished for Wang Mang's daughter to become empress. This was not without the Duke Who Pacifies the Han's henchmen pulling strings behind the scenes, but it truly reflected the popular will.

The divination for the betrothal gifts was performed by his father Liu Xin. After obtaining the Huanghuang Royal Mistress's name, "Wang Yan," the omen met the phase of Metal and Water prospering the sovereign, and the hexagram met the parents attaining their positions — what is called a portent of vigor and strength, a sign of encountering good fortune.

For the bride-fetching ceremony that followed, Liu Xin served as the ritual officer, and he personally arranged the entire wedding ceremony, striving to achieve what Wang Mang demanded: simplicity without losing elegance.

Liu Xin spared no effort in this marriage that bound the Liu and Wang families ever closer, hoping to set Wang Mang's mind at ease and achieve a harmonious state of "Wang and Liu, together rule all under heaven." It was a pity that this balance was not maintained for many years before it was shattered.

After the Xin replaced the Han, the Huanghuang Royal Mistress's status became awkward. On one hand, she was the new Emperor's eldest princess, yet on the other, she was the former dynasty's Empress Dowager. She had always been gentle and principled. She moved to the Ding'an Residence opposite Xuanming Ward and became a recluse, often claiming illness and not attending court assemblies. She habitually wore plain clothes, as if in mourning for the Great Han.

Liu Die knew that the Zhen family, founding meritorious officials who had once ranked alongside his own among the ministers, had coveted the Huanghuang Royal Mistress's status and beauty and fabricated auspicious omens in an attempt to seek her hand in marriage. Although that affair fell through, Wang Mang, perhaps out of shame or other considerations, also wished for her to remarry. But the Huanghuang Royal Mistress was furious and resolutely refused, nearly starving herself to death. The Emperor therefore could not force her.

But today, why had she suddenly entered the palace?

Liu Die knew the truth, but given his family's current awkward situation, he dared not say much and only told Diwu Lun ambiguously.

"The Huanghuang Royal Mistress has been in the palace for some time, attending to the Empress. She is in the Pepper Chamber Hall."

Diwu Lun suddenly understood. Wang Mang's empress was also surnamed Wang, a descendant of the Marquis of Yichun, who had been Chancellor during the reigns of Emperors Zhao and Xuan. Being Wang Mang's wife was truly miserable. Old Wang was extremely harsh toward his children and grandchildren and had already ordered two sons and one grandson to commit suicide. It was said that the Empress had cried herself blind over this and was frail and sickly.

That newly enfeoffed Prince Wang An was a fool. The duty of caring for the Empress had originally belonged to the Crown Prince Wang Lin, but after the Crown Prince was deposed, he moved to an outer residence and could not enter the palace without an imperial decree. This burden, of course, could only be shouldered by the eldest daughter.

One only wondered what matter brought her here today.

The Emperor, in personal affections, was clearly rather heartless. The Huanghuang Royal Mistress's audience, which had jumped the queue, did not last long, and she soon emerged. Diwu Lun was still waiting in the painting chamber, though his steps had deliberately shifted a little outward. When performing his salute, he secretly stole a glance and this time finally saw the Huanghuang Royal Mistress's true face clearly.

She appeared to be a woman in her twenties — in any case, much older than Diwu Lun — and was almost taller than him. Her hair was done up in the style of a married woman. Though her features bore no powder or rouge, she was very beautiful, with a touch of crimson on her lips. Only her eyes were red, as if she had been crying inside.

When the Huanghuang Royal Mistress came out and saw Liu Die — this clansman of the Liu family whom she had met when Liu Xin went to fetch the bride as she married into the palace — she even bowed to him.

Liu Die hastily bowed deeply with clasped hands but dared not engage in any conversation. Only after the Huanghuang Royal Mistress once again boarded her small horse-drawn carriage and departed did he sigh quietly and then lead Diwu Lun inside.

Upon entering the interior of the palace chambers, there was none of the imagined opulence and luxury. Everywhere the eye looked was plainness. The clever ornaments and decorations from the Han period had all been stripped away. The palace maids' clothing and appearance were far inferior even to those of the Qiongcheng Marquis's mansion — all old and haggard palace servants from the former dynasty. It was said that in summer and autumn, when the weather was hot, their skirts did not cover their knees, in order to save a bit of cloth for the palace.

Along the way, they encountered junior eunuchs carrying out dining vessels — earthenware pots and wooden utensils, every one of them. According to Liu Die, the Emperor had persisted in simplicity for over a decade, using no lacquerware, no gold or silver, in order to set an example for all under heaven. After all, Confucian scholars had always held that the House of Han declined because of moral decay and excessive luxury.

After passing through several palace courtyards, they reached the hall where the Emperor was. The doors opened one after another.

The rules for an audience with the Emperor were many. Outside, the ritual officers had given Diwu Lun strict instructions: when meeting the sovereign, he must "hasten," his feet moving briskly; his expression must not be grinning or glancing around but must be solemn, his countenance stern; his hands also had to move — when performing the salute with clasped hands, he must first spread his arms so that his wide robes resembled a bird's wings, and when bowing, he must remain upright and composed. Though his clothes would flutter back and forth, they must be neat and not disheveled.

It was truly too difficult. Whether he was disheveled or not, Diwu Lun did not know. He only bowed after the salute and then prostrated himself again: "Your subject Diwu Lun pays respects to Your Majesty!"

His knees hurt a little. This Wang Mang was indeed too stingy — not even a fur rug was laid down, and no charcoal was burned. It was just the season when warmth was returning but the cold still lingered, and the entire palace chamber was as cold as an icehouse. It truly did not seem like a place for the living.

Wang Mang's tone, however, was very warm: "Minister Diwu, you may dispense with the formalities."

After raising his head, Diwu Lun was this time permitted to advance to about ten paces from Wang Mang, with no mica screen obstructing the view, and could clearly see his clothing and features.

Wang Mang wore ordinary clothes. Because the low table before him blocked the view, Diwu Lun did not see the legendary patches. This truly was a "people-elected emperor." Though the throne had not been chosen by the voters ballot by ballot, it was close enough — after all, a total of 487,572 people, from beginning to end, had submitted petitions requesting Wang Mang to take a step further, to cease being a Han subject and become the new Emperor.

As for his appearance, in the brief interval of Diwu Lun's quick glance, he only saw that Wang Mang was not as ugly as some outside rumored. His mouth was a bit large, his chin a bit protruding — an honest-looking face. Even sitting, he appeared tall and large of stature. His complexion, however, was not the usual yellow but a strange orange-yellow. Whether it was from the cold or from applied powder, one could not tell. His hair was covered by his cap, so it was unclear how much was black and how much white.

"Minister, you campaigned beyond the northern frontier, toiled in the hardships of war, and have now returned to court from New Qinzhong. The journey has been arduous. Grant him a seat."

Wang Mang's voice was slightly hoarse, but his words were unexpectedly amiable. Smiling at the Chief Eunuch Wang Ye standing to the side, he said: "In the past, when Diwu Lun submitted a memorial volunteering for service and wishing to enlist in the northern expedition, some said he was too young to be entrusted with heavy responsibility. I alone disagreed. Diwu Lun indeed did not disappoint me."

Diwu Lun responded haltingly with assent. Even the rush mat was so hard, yet he could only sit upright and formal. This audience with the Emperor was truly not easy.

He also saw that beside Wang Mang's low table were piles of memorials like mountains. Several chief eunuchs and junior eunuchs attended nearby, assisting him in handling state affairs. It was said that the Xin Emperor was famously diligent in governance, rising at the cock's crow and not sleeping until late at night, so that no matter how he tried to conceal it, he could not hide the weariness on his face and the bloodshot veins in his eyes.

Wang Mang first asked Diwu Lun about what he had seen and heard on the frontier. Sensing the gazes of the chief eunuchs, Diwu Lun only chose the good things to speak of. Wang Mang surely had channels to learn of the chaos outside, but whether he believed it was another matter.

And when mentioning his great merit in dealing a heavy blow to the Xiongnu in New Qinzhong, Diwu Lun was also extremely modest, pushing all the credit onto another person.

"Your Majesty, your subject is young and weak and merely copied the tiger from a cat. That I could repel the barbarian invaders was largely thanks to the strength of General Dou!"

Diwu Lun was deathly afraid that Wang Mang would make him the main force to fight to the death against the rebel armies in Qing, Xu, Jing, and Yang, so he pushed Dou Rong forward with all his might, puffing him up as a famous general of the age. After all, Dou Rong had returned later than he had. Let him first leave an impression on Wang Mang; then when the time came, Dou Rong could gnaw on the hard bones, while Diwu Lun would exercise his traditional skill — following behind, preserving his strength, immovable as a mountain. How fine that would be.

Although his words and actions as a secret traitor were disguised to resemble a loyal minister, Diwu Lun was, after all, young and not the Emperor's trusted confidant. Naturally, Wang Mang would not consult him on grand state plans. After praising Diwu Lun as a youthful talent, he only asked about the matter that concerned him most.

"The matter of General Han Wei, the Swallower of Barbarians, surrendering to the barbarians — how does the minister view it?"

From the chief eunuchs nearby to Diwu Lun, everyone involuntarily tensed up. After Han Wei lost his army, from Zhangye and Wuwei in Hexi to Grand Preceptor Wang Kuang and General of Renewal Lian Dan, all without prior agreement shifted the blame onto Han Wei. Rumors even spread that he had been defeated and surrendered, following the old precedent of Li Ling.

Diwu Lun only lowered his head and said: "At the time, your subject was merely a lowly Major, not a trusted confidant of the Swallower of Barbarians General. On the march, I was often with the rear guard. When the General went beyond the frontier to campaign, I remained behind to guard the rear. As for the General's life or death, I too only heard it passed on by word of mouth. Some say he died, some say he fled, some say he surrendered — the accounts are inconsistent…"

At this point, Diwu Lun felt a pang of reluctance in his heart. Although Han Wei was a mediocre general, he had, after all, perished on the battlefield against the barbarians, which was still somewhat different from a civil war. He only said cautiously: "This is the result of insufficient information. Your subject believes it would be better to wait for a period. When the silt in the water has all settled, its clarity and murkiness will be known."

"Minister Diwu's words are most excellent." Unexpectedly, these words hit exactly what Wang Mang desired. He sighed with emotion: "Emperor Wu of Han treated his generals and ministers like captive slaves. For minor offenses or defeats, he would frequently execute them, so that generals trembled in fear, too cowardly to advance. Even the Bowang Marquis Zhang Qian and others suffered humiliation at the hands of prison officials."

"But I am not like that. If Li Xin had been killed immediately after losing his army in Chu, how could there later have been the merit of destroying Qi?"

Diwu Lun had imagined that, based on what he thought was Wang Mang's style, he might fly into a rage out of humiliation and exterminate Han Wei's entire clan. Unexpectedly, Wang Mang held that although Han Wei had suffered defeat, he had also once fought the barbarians valiantly. Merit and fault offset each other. Now that his life or death was unknown, his family should be properly settled and provided for, so as not to chill the hearts of the officers and soldiers. Even if Han Wei had truly surrendered, Wang Mang still stubbornly believed that he might have some other scheme, intending to repay the Xin's grace.

At what hour is it now, and he still hopes for an internal-external collusion to destroy the Xiongnu?

Diwu Lun now somewhat understood why that fellow Lian Dan fought so disgracefully against the Gouding yet Wang Mang still trusted him as before. Being too harsh on generals was not good, but being too lenient was also a big problem, was it not? Was this benevolence misdirected?

But Diwu Lun remained silent and only effusively praised the Emperor's benevolence and virtue.

Although Wang Mang still harbored unresolved resentment toward the Xiongnu, the overall situation — that the court's grand policy was turning inward — was already settled. Diwu Lun was also curious: how would Wang Mang, who had always cared deeply about face and never bowed his head to the barbarians, find a pretext to cease hostilities? After all, although the court loudly proclaimed that Dou Rong and Diwu Lun had greatly defeated the Xiongnu, attempting to cover up Han Wei's defeat, the fact that several thousand men had gone beyond the frontier and lost their army could not be concealed.

"I ought to once again dispatch an army to strike the barbarians. However, the Gongnu Shan-yu, Xubu Dang, whom I personally established, has died."

Wang Mang's face showed regret. It took Diwu Lun a moment of stunned silence before he reacted.

This war had been launched by Wang Mang under the pretext of supporting Xubu Dang, the son-in-law of Wang Zhaojun. Now that Xubu Dang was dead, the pretext for war was gone!

The mighty imperial army could not march without a just cause. Forget it, forget it — let the barbarian scoundrels leap about a while longer.

This made Diwu Lun deeply suspect: had Xubu Dang died so conveniently because he truly could not acclimate to the climate and fell ill? How was it that when he saw him last year atop the Hongmen High Platform, this Gongnu Shan-yu had still been hale and hearty?

A chief eunuch coughed lightly, reminding the Emperor that the audience time was up and that there were important matters afterward.

Only then did Wang Mang issue Diwu Lun's reward: "Now the barbarian invaders are not yet exterminated, the Man and Bo are not yet utterly burned out, the rivers, lakes, and marshes seethe like boiling hemp, and the bandits and thieves are not yet completely smashed — it is truly a time that calls for employing men. The Kebonu Earl Diwu Lun has long been known for his filial piety and righteousness and has also achieved great merit on the frontier. I am greatly comforted. He is hereby granted the additional office of Grand Palace Grandee, with a rank equivalent to one thousand dan, and conferred the title of Cavalier Attendant, to await edicts at the Golden Horse Gate and enter the palace at any time upon summons."

Grand Palace Grandee was merely an idle post. What was more important was that "Cavalier Attendant," which meant whether Diwu Lun could frequently enter and leave the palace. After Diwu Lun expressed his gratitude for the imperial grace and received his seal, he exited the Proclamation Hall.

"It seems I won't have to rush back to the army for now and can hurry to finish arranging my marriage." Diwu Lun was quite satisfied with this temporary appointment.

Liu Die once again guided Diwu Lun, taking him to the Golden Horse Gate to report to the Director of the Retinue (Superintendent of the Imperial Household). After all the tasks were finished, it was already afternoon. Before they could leave the palace, they heard waves of wailing coming from somewhere within the palace, seemingly from the direction of the Pepper Chamber Hall.

The sound of weeping seemed contagious. Gradually, the Lateral Courts and the Eternal Alley also began to cry. Although the palace servants mostly lay prostrate on the ground, howling dryly, Liu Die's face instantly turned pale, and he could no longer attend to Diwu Lun.

It was only when Diwu Lun, his heart filled with apprehension, reached the gate of the Canglong Watchtower that he learned what had happened.

"The Empress has passed away!"

……

PS: So cold, I nearly got sealed in bed and couldn't get up — my fingers are stiff and I'm a bit slow.

(Chapter 2 at 13:00.)