Late at night, a carriage rumbled over the stone road and stopped at the gates of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Two lanterns on the outer wall of the carriage illuminated the face of the young driver.
“Who goes there? This is the Imperial Ancestral Temple, not a place to stop at will, move along, move along!” The guards at the gate jolted awake from their drowsiness and stepped forward with weapons to drive them off.
Su Xiaojing sat on the shaft of the carriage and shouted, “What are you yelling for? Open your dog eyes and see clearly whose carriage this is!” As he spoke, he tossed over a waist token.
One guard caught it and examined it by lantern light, exclaiming in surprise, “Su… Su… Grand Secretary Su?”
Another guard clasped his fists toward the carriage. “Welcome, Prime Minister Su. May we ask what instructions bring you here so late at night?”
Su Xiaojing said, “My lord has come to retrieve an item temporarily stored in the Ancestral Temple, to present it personally before His Majesty at tomorrow’s morning court.”
“May we ask what item it is?”
“…Insolence! Is that something you should be asking?” Su Xiaojing scolded. “Move aside, don’t delay my lord’s attendance at court!”
With a flick of the reins, the carriage drove through the gates of the Ancestral Temple. The guards hesitated, not daring to stop it, and followed behind. The carriage passed the Yudai Bridge and the Halberd Gate, only stopping upon reaching the square before the main hall.
The palace attendants in the Ancestral Temple stirred at the news, hurrying out from the Office of Sacrificial Services and lining up in two rows below the hall steps.
When the current emperor had still been crown prince, he had once been punished in the Ancestral Temple, and Su Yan had come and gone here several times because of it. The chief eunuch in charge recognized him from back then and now stepped forward with a smiling face to lift the curtain, only to be brusquely pushed aside by Su Xiaojing.
“My lord does not like to be attended by outsiders. Stand back.”
The attendants stepped back a few paces. The carriage curtain was lifted, and the dim lantern light illuminated the figure sitting upright inside. The chief eunuch saw that the person wore a gray silk cloak with the hood covering his head, a portion of his face faintly visible beneath it, it was indeed Su Yan. He immediately nodded and bowed. “If Prime Minister Su wishes to retrieve something, just give this servant an order. I will fetch it at once.”
The person in the carriage gave a slight nod, then flicked his fingers toward Su Xiaojing, indicating for him to handle it.
Su Xiaojing lowered the curtain and said to the chief eunuch, “No need to trouble you, sir. Just tell me where it’s kept, I’ll fetch it myself.”
“What item does Prime Minister Su wish to retrieve…?” the chief eunuch asked.
Su Xiaojing said, “The imperial genealogy.”
–
Su Yan stayed at the Northern Surveillance Bureau the entire night. Not until the fourth watch did he casually eat some pastries and soup, then put on the official robes Jinghong Zhui had brought from home and head straight to the Meridian Gate to prepare for morning court.
As Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shen Qi was supposed to stand in attendance at the west side of the imperial throne during court. But because Zhu Helin could not obtain the one he desired, he grew increasingly displeased with this rival in love, and no longer required his attendance at court, instead having the guard captain Wei Liangzi take his place.
Shen Qi didn’t care whether he attended court or not, after all, very little that happened in court escaped his notice. Not having to attend closely upon the young emperor suited him just fine.
However, today was different. Someone in court intended to scheme against Su Yan, though the exact moment of attack was unknown. He wanted to strengthen precautions and accompany Su Yan to court.
Just as he was about to leave, Gao Shuo appeared from nowhere and whispered a few words into Shen Qi’s ear.
Shen Qi lowered his gaze in silence, his expression dark and solemn. His fingers tightened and loosened repeatedly around the hilt of his embroidered spring blade before he finally let out a slow breath and said, “No need to stop it. Keep watching. I’ll head over now.”
He explained to Su Yan that there was an urgent case. Su Yan nodded indifferently. “No matter. Go handle your business, I’ll come find you after court.”
At the fifth watch, the imperial procession arrived at Fengtian Gate, and court began.
Su Yan quietly swept his gaze across the ranks of civil officials. He saw that Cui Jinping had already arrived. It was unclear whether his family had forced him to drink sobering soup, but his mind was clear, though his eyes were red, his lips pale, and his complexion not looking well.
Those three memorials from Yu Chezhi, who had Cui Jinping handed them to? Su Yan’s gaze moved across rows of officials before pausing for the briefest moment on Xie Shiyan, the Vice Chancellor, then withdrawing.
He could sense the cold, damp air of an approaching storm… Since it couldn’t be avoided, then let the storm come even more violently.
Officials from each ministry presented their reports in order. Seated high behind the imperial desk, Zhu Helin split his attention, listening to state affairs while watching that person. He felt that Su Yan was a bit different today, as though he were waiting for something.
This waiting was calm and composed, yet beneath that composure there faintly lingered a trace of concern and expectation.
He was not the only one waiting, many officials in court were also waiting. Zhu Helin could almost sense, within the crowd below, a brewing and restless tension.
Very soon, Zhu Helin learned what Su Yan was waiting for.
“Report, urgent dispatch from Daming Prefecture, delivered at three hundred li by fast horse! Commander-in-chief of Military Affairs Yu Chezhi submits it for presentation before His Majesty!”
A courier officer holding a memorial rushed across the square toward the imperial steps, his voice ringing out like thunder.
Zhu Helin’s heart tightened as he cast a glance at Fubao standing behind him.
Understanding immediately, Fubao quickly descended the steps to receive the dispatch. But unexpectedly, the courier raised the memorial above his head and loudly announced to all: “Grand Secretary Yu urgently reports to Your Majesty: Qi Jingtang ignored orders and insisted on leading troops deep behind enemy lines to raid Madman Liao. The entire force has now lost contact, its fate is likely dire!”
A collective hiss of sharp inhalations rose among the officials.
Zhu Helin slammed the imperial desk, who allowed him to announce it directly?! With all eyes watching and all ears hearing, there was no room left to conceal or mitigate it!
Fubao shouted sternly, “Insolence! Military secrets must be presented for the Emperor’s personal review, how dare you disclose them publicly!”
The courier froze, then kowtowed repeatedly. “This humble official acted under orders to read it aloud publicly, please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Orders? What orders! Zhu Helin clenched his fists, about to erupt, when a censor stepped forward and said: “What Grand Secretary Yu has submitted concerns military intelligence, not classified secrets. Only when court officials are informed can matters be deliberated. This courier has committed no grave fault, Your Majesty, please do not be angered.”
Several other censors voiced agreement. Grand Secretary Jiang Chunian cast a sidelong glance at the courier, the corners of his lips slightly curling upward.
“Qi Zhenfu has gone missing?”
“Even a wild goose leaves a trace of its passage. He led the Left Army of the Five Military Camps, twenty thousand men in total. Even deep behind enemy lines, how could there not be a single trace?”
“Disobeying the commanding general’s orders and deploying troops without authorization is a major taboo in warfare! He must be dealt with according to military law!”
“This Qi Jingtang…”
The officials murmured among themselves.
The capital army led by Yu Chezhi had gone to pacify bandits in Beizhili. From holding the upper hand at the start, it had now fallen into a stalemate. Both the emperor and the officials had been waiting for a victory report to break the deadlock, yet instead, they received such disastrous news of internal disorder. Zhu Helin frowned, but then saw Grand Secretary Yang Ting step forward and bow.
“Your Majesty, it may be that the front-line situation is unclear and temporarily out of contact with the rear. Such a large force cannot simply vanish without a trace. Your Majesty may wish to wait until the situation becomes clearer before making a decision.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than another urgent report split through the air above the square.
“Report, four hundred li urgent dispatch from Daming Prefecture! Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs Yu Chezhi submits it for presentation before His Majesty!”
“The elite cavalry sent to search and provide support discovered signs of battle along the way. Questioning local residents, some say the government troops were defeated and fled in disarray; others say the commanding general surrendered to the bandits after defeat. The Left Army is suspected to have been defeated due to rash advance and underestimating the enemy. Its commanding general, Qi Jingtang, has yet to return to camp to report; it is unknown whether he has been killed in battle, captured, or fled.”
The second courier, running at full speed, shouted the military report as he ran.
The officials erupted into an uproar once again, and Zhu Helin’s face turned ashen.
If what Yu Chezhi said was true, that the Left Army had suffered a crushing defeat and its commander had defected, then it would not only be a severe military failure, but also a great humiliation for the court. Qi Jingtang himself, along with his entire family, would be punished, and those who had recommended and promoted him would also be implicated.
Zhu Helin couldn’t help but look toward Su Yan.
Su Yan’s expression remained steady, showing no sign of panic or urgency. He even had the composure to observe the reactions of the officials around him. Zhu Helin calmed as well and said in a deep voice: “What Grand Secretary Yang says is reasonable. The situation at the front is unclear, everything is still conjecture, with no concrete evidence. I will immediately dispatch the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the front lines to investigate and verify the situation before making a decision. As for these two couriers…”
Before his words had even fallen, a third urgent report came crashing in like successive waves, slamming into this turbulent court assembly.
“Report, six hundred li urgent dispatch from Daming Prefecture! Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs Yu Chezhi submits it for presentation before His Majesty!”
“After interrogating captured bandits, it has been confirmed that the Left Army led by Qi Jingtang engaged the rebel forces several times and was defeated in every encounter. The remnants fled in disarray all the way. Madman Liao personally led a large force in pursuit. The final outcome of the battle remains unknown.”
Like raging waves striking the shore, the officials in the court erupted into an uproar, the noise reaching a level of impropriety before the throne.
“This is a crushing defeat!”
“Qi Jingtang was so eager for quick success, advancing alone into enemy territory, of course he was bound to lose!”
“An obscure nobody, how could he be fit for the post of Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs? Why did Su Gelao insist on recommending him back then!”
The flames quickly spread to Su Yan. The first to step forward and name him for impeachment was not Xie Shiyan, Jiang Chunian, or their faction, but Su Yan’s own friend, the newly appointed Right Tongzheng of the Office of Transmission, Cui Jinping.
Cui Jinping’s face was pale as he said coldly, “All of you know that Lord Su is my friend. But as a subject who receives the ruler’s salary, I cannot neglect public duty for private ties. In this defeat, Commander Qi must bear the primary responsibility and be punished according to military law, and as for Su Gelao… Su…”
He suddenly faltered. It was because he saw the expression Su Yan cast toward him through the gaps in the crowd, there was no shock, no anger, not even disappointment. Only a grave look, his lips moving silently, forming a series of words.
In scholarly circles, it was said that Top Scholar Cui was well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, capable of writing brilliant prose, and gifted in music, calligraphy, and painting. In truth, there was more, since childhood he had been a prodigy, possessing extraordinary learning ability. Without a teacher, he had mastered Sanskrit, the Northern Steppe language, and Goryeo language, and could also read lips, though few knew this.
Su Yan knew. And Cui Jinping knew that these silent words crossing the noisy crowd were meant for him alone.
Cui Jinping stared at Su Yan’s moving lips.
Su Yan said to him: Don’t be the first to speak, the bird that sticks its head out gets shot. Pingshan, whether I remain in court or not, no matter who controls the Grand Secretariat in the future, you must leave yourself a way out.
Cui Jinping froze completely.
What exactly did Su Yan know? How much did he know? Why, in the face of betrayal, was he not angry or resentful, but instead reminding him?
A buzzing filled Cui Jinping’s head. The splitting pain of his hangover and his tangled thoughts twisted together like a mess of threads. He recalled collapsing drunk at his doorstep, being forced awake by his family so he wouldn’t miss court; yet he vaguely felt that before collapsing, he had met someone, grabbed that person’s clothes, and said quite a lot…
“Don’t come into my dreams… go out, go out!”
“Brother Pingshan, this isn’t a dream. This is Taibai Tower.”
“Taibai Tower… Brother Qinghe speaks frankly and directly, perfectly matching my temperament. To gain such a friend, how joyful… how joyful…”
“You are unkind, I am unjust…”
Cui Jinping suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, staggering back several steps.
He saw the dissatisfied and urging look from Xie Shiyan beyond the crowd, yet it was as if he didn’t see it. He could only stare uncontrollably at Su Yan, unable to move his gaze away.
Su Yan said to him: You are unkind, but I cannot be unjust. Pingshan, you are drunk, you still haven’t sobered up.
Cui Jinping felt dazed, as if he were still deeply intoxicated. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly raised his voice to continue:
“And Su… Su Qinghe is disloyal, a b*stard… hic… a b*stard… he ran off without paying the bill and left this official detained at the tavern…”
Amid the baffled expressions of the surrounding officials, Cui Jinping collapsed backward with a thud, closing his eyes and not moving.
A censor stepped forward to check his breathing, caught the lingering smell of alcohol, and shouted, “Cui Tongzheng is drunk! To be so drunk before court, babbling nonsense before the throne, according to the law, he should receive twenty strokes of the rod and be imprisoned for twenty days.”
Zhu Helin’s face darkened as he glanced at Fubao. Understanding immediately, Fubao proclaimed the decree: “Men, take Cui Jinping outside, twenty strokes of the rod. Let that sober him up.”
Two Embroidered Uniform Guards stepped forward and dragged the unconscious Cui Jinping away.
Su Yan closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. His expression remained calm, but seemed stripped of some human warmth, leaving only a frost-sharp readiness to meet whatever came.
Cui Jinping’s drunken collapse at court was an unexpected interlude that made Xie Shiyan’s eyes twitch slightly with suppressed irritation.
At once, another stepped forward to take his place and said, “As an official tasked with oversight, it is my duty to investigate the faults of all officials. Left Shilang Ministry of Personnel Su Qinghe has shown poor judgment in recognizing talent, misused appointments, accepted bribes, and recommended mediocrity, leading to this disastrous defeat in the court’s campaign against the rebels. With such discernment and character, how can he be fit to serve as Vice Chancellor?”
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