The Reincarnation of a Powerful Minister Chapter 60

Excuse some of the political translations part; it was VERY CONFUSING; note I foresee this difficulty moving forward for all political or technical terms and talk; so just a heads up

Su Yan slept for six full hours. When he woke up, it was already early afternoon, and the rain outside continued to fall steadily, the skies overcast and gray.

His entire body ached, every muscle sore, and his lower back still throbbed with a burning, swollen sensation. Memories of the wild night came flooding back, and he turned over, too embarrassed to face reality. He buried his face in the pillow and pounded the bed frame a few times in frustration.

Shen Qi, lying beside him, pulled him into his arms and said, “Regret it? Too late.”

Su Yan was annoyed and felt he had fallen into a trap set by this “eunuch.” It made him question whether all the palace dramas he’d watched in his past life had been for nothing. As for regret… Well, if Shen Qi hadn’t mentioned it, the thought wouldn’t have crossed his mind.

“You’re already mine. There’s no escaping it in this lifetime,” Shen Qi said, kissing him lightly with a teasing smile. “Just accept your fate.”

Su Yan ignored him, dismissing his words as nonsense, and pounded the bed frame again. “I’ve missed my shift today!”

“I already had someone go to the Dali Temple and report that you’re on sick leave. Take a good rest. What would you like to eat? I’ll have the servants prepare it.”

Su Yan thought for a moment and craved Chaozhou-style clay pot porridge. He described the preparation method, and Shen Qi instructed the kitchen to mix fragrant rice and glutinous rice with peanut oil, cooking it in a purple clay pot until it thickened into a creamy porridge. They then added fresh river shrimp and chicken wings, simmering it for a while longer, and seasoned it with ginger shreds, pickled vegetables, salt, and pepper. A final sprinkle of scallions and cilantro completed the dish. The aroma was rich and inviting, the taste fresh and nourishing. The two of them each finished a pot.

Still savoring the meal, Shen Qi remarked, “You certainly know how to enjoy life. Where did you get this recipe?”

Su Yan smiled. “When the weather cools, let’s have a nine-grid hotpot made by an iron smith. I’ll treat you to authentic Chongqing-style spicy hotpot.”

“With such a refined palate, how come you never gain any weight?” Shen Qi joked as he picked Su Yan up, intending to gauge his weight. However, his face suddenly turned pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Su Yan nearly fell to the ground but managed to steady himself and support Shen Qi. “What’s wrong with you?”

“My back… It hurts. I can’t move,” Shen Qi gritted out.

“….I told you to take it easy, but you just had to overdo it!” Su Yan half-supported, half-dragged him back to the bed and laid him down. “I’ll call for the steward to summon Doctor Ying Xu.”

***

After examining Shen Qi’s pulse and checking his injury, Doctor Chen Shiyu sighed, “Lord Qianshi, did you disregard my advice and engage in strenuous activities in the bedroom?”

Shen Qi coughed awkwardly.

“This injury not only involves necrosis and muscle damage but has also depleted your vital energy, harming the foundation of your health. It requires meticulous care to heal properly. For an average person, recovery would take at least one to two years. Fortunately, you’re in excellent physical condition and have been using effective external remedies. Your progress has been faster, but it will still take at least six months of careful recuperation.”

Doctor Chen adjusted his tone sternly. “Yet you’ve ignored my warnings, and now your injury has relapsed. You’ll have to start your recovery over again. Young people and their impetuous nature… Abstinence for three months, at least!”

Shen Qi’s expression turned grim. “Three more months?!”

“At the very least, two months. If you don’t follow my advice, you can find another doctor,” Doctor Chen said, leaving behind a prescription and taking his fee before departing.

As soon as the door closed, Su Yan emerged from behind the curtain, trying to stifle his laughter. Unable to hold it in, he burst out laughing.

Shen Qi’s face alternated between pale and livid as his pride took a heavy blow. He turned his face to the wall, sulking.

Su Yan walked over, affectionately patting his head. “Be good and rest, Qilang. Remember, no indulgences.”

Shen Qi grabbed his wrist and pulled it to his mouth, biting down hard in retaliation.

“Dog!” Su Yan yelped, yanking his hand back and slapping Shen Qi’s thigh.

“Dog who’s had his day,” Shen Qi muttered darkly.

Su Yan’s face flushed bright red, and he stormed off in a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

***

When dusk fell, Su Yan returned home. He knocked for a while before Wu Ming opened the door.

Su Yan paused in surprise. “Aren’t you supposed to be in the second courtyard?”

Wu Ming said, “I was, but I heard the knocking and thought it must be you returning, my lord. As a fourth-rank official, how is it that your residence doesn’t even have a proper gatekeeper?”

Su Yan nodded. “You’re right. We should hire one soon. Otherwise, when I come home late, Xiaobei and Xiaojing end up taking turns guarding the door.”

He shook out his rain-soaked oil-paper umbrella and stepped inside the gate. Wu Ming observed his unsteady steps and furrowed his brow slightly. “My lord, are you unwell? Should I call for a doctor?”

Su Yan forced a laugh. “It’s nothing serious, just fatigue. You’ve all had dinner, I hope? I’ve already eaten, so there’s no need to trouble the kitchen.”

As Su Yan brushed past, Wu Ming caught a faint whiff of an unusual scent on his outer robe.

Wu Ming’s senses had always been sharper than most, and his training as an assassin had honed them further. His hearing, sight, and composure were exceptional, and his sense of smell was particularly acute. That faint scent, tinged with a musky undertone, lingered in his nostrils—it was unmistakably the smell of male essence.

Lord Su… Wu Ming couldn’t help but speculate. Su Yan had gone to the palace yesterday morning and only just returned now. Such an occurrence wouldn’t likely happen in the palace, so perhaps it occurred afterward? But Su Yan was upright and principled, never one to frequent brothels. His reputation was spotless, apart from…

A flash of memory surfaced in Wu Ming’s mind—when he had broken into the small southern courtyard and seen Su Yan, utterly exposed, pinned beneath another man.

That dog Shen Qi! Even injured, Shen Qi was still so brazen, continuing to disgrace Lord Su! Wu Ming’s face turned icy as his molars clenched audibly. One day, I’ll sever his dog head and avenge my lord! I only hope that Lord Su will no longer protect this wretch and will gather his strength to break free from his grasp.

Wu Ming watched Su Yan’s retreating figure and suddenly called out, “Lord Su!”

Su Yan stopped and turned, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Yes?”

For a moment, Wu Ming couldn’t find his words. Every question in his mind felt like an affront to this young official, and he could only stand there, dumbfounded.

Su Yan, suppressing the soreness in his limbs, walked closer. “If there’s something on your mind, just say it. I’m listening.”

After a moment of hesitation, Wu Ming finally muttered, “…I left a newly purchased gourd of wine by your door.”

The mere mention of “wine” made Su Yan’s head throb, but he couldn’t bear to dampen Wu Ming’s good intentions. He smiled, “Thank you. I’ll save it for later.”

He continued toward the inner courtyard, while Wu Ming lowered his gaze, silent for a long moment. Finally, his frost-edged blade emerged from its sheath, slicing through the rain like a flash of lightning.

***

Meanwhile, the crown prince, still waiting in the Eastern Palace, had once again been stood up by Su Yan. When the palace gates were locked for the night, he learned that Su Yan had already left the palace hours ago. Furious, the crown prince paced back and forth, his face red with anger.

“Does the Eastern Palace’s authority mean nothing to him? He’s growing arrogant, thinking he’s above me!” he shouted at Fu Bao. “I’m going to punish him severely this time, teach him a proper lesson!”

Fu Bao, understanding that the crown prince was venting his anger, hesitated. He feared that if the punishment were too harsh, the crown prince would later regret it and blame him for fueling the fire. After some thought, Fu Bao kept silent.

The crown prince kicked him in frustration. “Are you ignoring me now? Speak! How should I punish him?”

Fu Bao stammered, “Perhaps… make him stand outside the hall for half an hour? Or dock a month’s salary?”

The crown prince let out a cold laugh, his anger turning to incredulity. “Why not just have him drink three cups as punishment?”

I was only trying to make it easier for you to reconcile later, Fu Bao thought, so both sides could save face.

But the crown prince was unrelenting. “This time, he won’t get away with it. Just wait and see!”

***

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Jinglong listened as Yu Wang recounted how Su Yan had used his new medicine to save lives. He promptly summoned Chen Shiyu to the palace for a detailed discussion. Upon hearing of the miraculous properties of this “penicillin,” the emperor was deeply moved.

Before ascending to the throne, the emperor had accompanied the previous emperor in military campaigns and had witnessed the devastating effects of infected wounds. During wartime, enemy forces would sometimes coat their weapons in toxic substances, turning even minor injuries into deadly afflictions.

The combat strength of an army relied heavily on skilled generals and battle-hardened soldiers. Yet inexperienced recruits, who had neither faced bloodshed nor sustained injuries, often amounted to little more than a ragtag militia. Tragically, many wounded veterans succumbed to festering wounds before they could fully develop as soldiers.

If penicillin truly held such remarkable healing powers, it could strengthen the empire far more than an army of ten thousand.

“The Book of Rites states, ‘To investigate things is to extend knowledge. When things are understood, knowledge is complete.’ Yet what I hear of this ‘study of things’ seems different from the principles described in the classics. Can you explain further?” the emperor asked.

Chen Shiyu humbly replied, “This humble subject has only a superficial understanding. For a more detailed explanation, we must consult Lord Su.”

The emperor, intrigued but growing tired, was about to summon Su Yan when he hesitated. “Never mind, we’ll discuss it tomorrow.”

Yu Wang, smiling faintly, remarked, “Didn’t Lord Su just leave the palace? A messenger could catch up to him in no time.”

The emperor gave him a sidelong glance. “I’ll summon him tomorrow. For now, you’re dismissed.”

Chen Shiyu bowed and left, followed closely by Yu Wang. 

Once they were alone, Yu Wang turned to Chen Shiyu. “Did you notice the faint scent of wine in the hall, along with another peculiar fragrance?”

Chen Shiyu hesitated, then nodded. Once they reached a quiet spot, he said softly, “I noticed it too. If my sense of smell hasn’t failed me, it’s the scent of ‘Tianshui incense.'”

Yu Wang, a man well-versed in such matters, immediately grasped the implications. His expression darkened momentarily before resuming its calm facade. A cold glint flickered in his eyes as he murmured, “Good royal brother.”

Chen Shiyu stroked his beard. “Prolonged exposure to aphrodisiacs can harm the dragon’s health. I urge Your Highness to caution His Majesty to use them sparingly.”

Yu Wang sneered. “It’s not my place as a subject to meddle in my royal brother’s bedroom affairs.” He added silently, But it’s certainly my place to interfere in other ways.

The next day, Emperor Jinglong summoned Su Yan. Upon learning that he was unwell, the emperor delayed the meeting another day. Finally, in the imperial study, they met again.

“Are you feeling better?” the emperor asked from behind his desk.

Su Yan looked contrite. “It wasn’t an illness, Your Majesty, but a hangover. On my birthday, I overindulged. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness for my improper behavior.”

The emperor recalled that day—when he had personally offered Su Yan a cup of wine—and his thoughts drifted to the lingering fragrance in the bedchamber, the red-robed youth reclining intoxicated on the bed, the scattered garments strewn across the floor. Even now, it seemed the sensation of that delicate figure brushing against his imperial robes clung faintly to him. A rush of warmth spread through his chest, almost impossible to restrain.

Closing his eyes, he grasped the cold, firm surface of the gilt bronze paperweight shaped like a mythical beast. He squeezed it tightly before opening his eyes again, masking his inner turmoil with a calm expression. “This is human nature—no need to apologize. Today, I summoned you to ask about this so-called ‘study of natural principles’. What is it?”

When Su Yan had casually introduced the concept of “natural principles,” a term from ancient texts, he had harbored the ambition to promote the development of natural sciences in this era.

Looking at history, the word “wisdom” in the nation was often associated with strategists and tacticians. By contrast, in the West, it was frequently attributed to inventors and scientists. While figures like Shen Kuo and Song Yingxing had indeed emerged in China, the overall recognition of the significance of scientific progress remained insufficiently developed.

After the Ming dynasty, in later eras, the nation’s isolationist policies and cultural stagnation effectively eroded centuries of progress in scientific and technological advancement.

In comparison, the Ming dynasty could be considered an era of relative openness and inclusiveness.

There were treasure ships over 100 meters long, with nine masts and twelve sails, displacing over ten thousand tons, cutting through the waves of the Western and Southern Oceans with unmatched dominance. The Ming military possessed firearms ahead of their time, such as the “Thunderbolt Gun,” “Five-Thunder Divine Machine,” muskets, cannons, flame-throwers, and land and sea mines. These weapons formed the foundation of the “Divine Machine Battalion,” marking the golden age of firearms development.

Among civilians, optical experts were crafting magnifying glasses and microscopes. Some physicists proposed a concept of time and space interdependence. Meteorologists charted climate variation maps. Mathematicians calculated square and cubic roots using the abacus. Even the first astronomical telescope in Chinese history was being assembled.

Such a flourishing dynasty lacked neither talent nor ingenuity but rather an official framework for identifying such talent and conducting systematic, extensive, and in-depth research into science and technology.

Su Yan passionately conveyed his vision to the emperor, emphasizing his understanding that “technology is the primary driver of productivity.” He extolled the myriad benefits of applying technological innovations to agriculture, water management, and warfare. He concluded with a bold proposal:

“To hypothesize that the countless phenomena in the material world are real, then to classify and investigate their underlying principles—this is the core of natural principles. It is not merely about delving into the essence of things but also a process of accumulating knowledge through personal experimentation. Therefore, I propose the establishment of a ‘Heavenly Works Academy’ to incorporate the study of natural principles into the imperial examination system. This will attract talent from across the empire, foster collaboration and innovation, and propel our great Ming dynasty to new heights.”

The emperor fell silent, lost in thought. After a while, he finally spoke: “This is a matter of national importance. I must discuss it with the cabinet ministers before making a decision.”

Su Yan understood that convincing the emperor to commit to such an unprecedented initiative based on his words alone was nearly impossible. Yet the emperor’s willingness to listen and ponder deeply already demonstrated a remarkable degree of openness and foresight. All Su Yan wished for was to plant the seed of scientific curiosity in this era—a seed that might one day take root, grow, and blossom into something extraordinary.

With genuine reverence, Su Yan knelt and performed a grand ceremonial bow. “Your Majesty is wise beyond compare.”

The emperor motioned for him to rise, his gaze lingering on the spirited and delighted expression on Su Yan’s face. He suddenly felt a profound sense of relief that he had exercised restraint that night in the bedchamber, halting himself at the brink of transgression. Yet this relief was mingled with deep frustration—could he truly not have both the brilliance of a statesman and the beauty of a cherished companion? As the sovereign burdened with the weight of the empire, he could possess everything and yet lose so much more.

He exhaled silently and beckoned Su Yan closer.

Su Yan hesitated, recalling Lan Xi’s teasing comment, “The emperor has taken a liking to you,” as well as the unmistakable heat that pressed against his leg when the emperor had helped him dress the other day.

At first, when he entered the palace, he feared the emperor’s wrath, worried about losing his head or being flogged in court. But now, that fear had dissipated. He only wished not to disappoint the emperor—in any way. He didn’t want to see that trace of desolation in his ruler’s eyes.

The emperor’s expression darkened at Su Yan’s hesitation. But as he watched Su Yan gradually approach and kneel at his side, resting lightly against his knee, the youth’s demeanor remained as composed and unchanging as ever.

It was as if the drunken haze and delicate fragrance of that night in the bedchamber were nothing more than a fleeting illusion of flowers in the mirror and moon in the water, and the near-transgression of propriety had never occurred.

The emperor pressed his lips together in a thin line, then suddenly softened into a faint smile. Gently, he cupped Su Yan’s face and murmured, “…Qinghe.”

Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get 5 or more chapters of The Reincarnation of a Powerful Minister right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)