Chapter 153 Part 1

 

It was just past the fifth watch and there was still some time before dawn, but for a reason known to everyone, hundreds of ministers had already ridden horses from all directions of the city with lanterns and rushed to the waiting courtyard in the palace, waiting for the latest news that might come out today.

Although there were many people, there was no sound in the hall. Only those with lower status would occasionally peek at the ministers sitting in front of them. They were either waiting quietly with their eyes closed, or had serious expressions, as if they were pondering about something. Seeing this, the others naturally refused to speak.

Han Kerang entered the palace early as usual, preparing to head to the Jinwu Guard Office to arrange the day’s duties. Walking along the palace path with his head slightly lowered, he looked preoccupied. Suddenly, he heard someone calling him from behind—he turned to see Lu Jinghu, the husband of the grand princess and a palace attendant, approaching.

Lu Jinghu came up close and said quietly that he had something to discuss. Glancing toward the direction of the Ziyun Palace, he added, “Don’t worry. Just a few words—it won’t delay the General’s duty.”

Both of them had once followed the emperor to conquer the world. In order to avoid suspicion, they didn’t have much contact in private, but they have always been good friends. Han Kerang thought for a moment, and seeing that it was early, he nodded and followed him to Lu Jinghu’s office in the Southern Court. As soon as he entered, he was startled.

The Imperial Guards General Lu Jingchen was already in the room, and it seemed as if he had been waiting for him.

Although Han Kerang and Lu Jingchen had served together for many years and were both regarded as pillars of support at the emperor’s side, their actual relationship was far from close. In recent years, power struggles between their respective factions had sharpened tensions, to the point that subordinates from both sides had once even clashed openly in the street—an unmistakable sign of the rift. Not only that, more than a year ago, Lu Jingchen’s subordinate Jiang Zhao had attempted to arrest Gu Twelve in the West Market, but was stopped by Han Kerang. Though Lu Jingchen had later laughed it off, saying it was of no consequence, the animosity between them had only deepened—there was no doubt about that.

Han Kerang stopped at the door and turned to look at Lu Jinghu. Lu Jinghu looked ashamed and bowed to him repeatedly to apologize, then left and closed the door.

Across from him, Lu Jingchen had already strode forward and invited him in to talk. Han Kerang had no choice but to suppress his displeasure and asked what was going on.

“Why don’t you just say it directly if you have something to say? Why being so secretive?”

Lu Jingchen exchanged a few pleasantries and then said with a smile, “Brother Han is a straightforward person. In that case, I won’t beat around the bush. The latest situation of that one…”

He pointed to the sky above the tiled roof and lowered his voice, “Brother Han, do you have any definite news?”

The person he was talking about was of course the emperor. Han Kerang did not answer. Lu Jingchen said, “It’s not just us. It seems you, Brother Han, have also been turned away and wasn’t able to see His Majesty. You must have seen how Pei Er holding the sword that day, the arrogance written all over his face. Brother Han, don’t you worry about the future at all?”

“What do you mean?”

Lu Jingchen’s eyes flickered. “Must I spell it out? Back then, in the matter of Beiyuan, I was the one who advocated action, but you were the one who gave the final word. While His Majesty remains, we’re both safe. But the moment His Majesty is gone—if Pei Er seizes power through the Princess, others might be spared, but you and I? We won’t escape. A blood feud has already been forged—how could it simply fade away? From then on, our fate would hang on his whims. Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about this.”

Han Kerang’s face changed slightly as it seemed that he was struck by his words.

“His Majesty has not woken up since he vomited blood and fainted beside the pond that day. He is now completely at the mercy of the Princess’s will. What’s more, we’ve received word that the Princess has issued urgent sealed orders—an eight-hundred-li express dispatch—calling for Xue Mian, Yu Wenzhi, and the others, whose troops weren’t expected until next month, to march ahead of schedule and enter the capital. They’ll be here within days. What is her intention? Ever since His Majesty lost both sons, she’s held the reins of power. Look around the court—everywhere are newcomers like Lan Tai rising through the ranks. A new monarch brings new ministers. As for us old relics? Of course we’re expected to step aside. At this point, there is only one way to protect ourselves.”

Han Kerang looked over.

Lu Jingchen leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

Han Kerang’s expression changed on the spot. “How dare you! That idea—how is it any different from outright treason? His Majesty surely made his own arrangements. I will follow His Majesty’s will—blessings or calamity, that is Heaven’s to decide! If you say another word, don’t blame me for forgetting old ties!”

He turned around, waved his sleeves and was about to leave.

Lu Jingchen’s expression changed instantly, and he looked at him coldly: “Han Kerang, since I invited you here, do you think you can still get away?”

“How dare you—”

Furious, Han Kerang was about to draw his sword, when a hidden crossbow suddenly flew in from the window. The black crossbow head hit him in the back.

The crossbow head was obviously poisoned. Han Kerang was caught off guard and fell to the ground. He struggled for a moment before stopped moving.

Lu Jinghu entered, searched Han Kerang’s body and found his token, then handed it to Lu Jingchen, who took it and quickly disappeared out of the porch.

The clock struck two quarters past the fifth watch, and all the ministers in the waiting courtyard stood up, filed into the palace, and arrived at Xuanzheng Hall.

The grand hall was brightly lit. At the elevated rear of the hall, behind the emperor’s empty throne, ceremonial feathered fans and golden curtains stood in their proper place, while the ministers below took their positions according to rank. After holding their breath and waiting for a moment, a steward from the Ziyun Palace walked out from behind the golden curtain—just as he had in the past two days—stepping to the front side of the empty throne. Facing the court, he declared in a flat and steady tone, “There will be no audience today. Ministers, disperse and return to your duties.”

But silence met his words. Not one among the officials moved to leave. The steward, seeing this, raised his voice to repeat the same message, yet still, no one budged. Then murmurs began to stir. At first, men only spoke quietly with those beside them, but gradually, voices rose. Worry, suspicion, and discontent—these emotions showed plainly on every face in the hall.

The Grand Censor, Zheng Song, called the steward back and asked after His Majesty’s health, and why the Princess had not appeared either. The steward’s expression turned troubled. But since Zheng Song headed the Censorate, held the high rank of third-grade minister, and was respected for his age and virtue, the steward bowed in reply, saying he was only conveying the emperor’s direct instructions. With that, he hurriedly departed, leaving Zheng Song with a worried look on his face.

The ministers’ pent-up emotions boiled over like a pot of water on fire. The discussion among the crowd became louder and louder. No one noticed that Lu Jingchen, dressed in armor, quietly walked into the hall, his hand slightly pressed on the hilt of the sword, and stood beside the hall door.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhe, the palace attendant, stepped out of the line. His face was flushed with emotion as he turned to address the others: “Fellow ministers, hear me! As servants of the court, we live on the emperor’s grace; it is our duty to share in his burdens. Now that His Majesty is in danger and unable to act of his own will—if we, even now, remain silent for fear of our own safety, how can we call ourselves worthy of the robes and fish talisman bestowed upon us?”

“What do you mean?” people around asked.

“After the palace coup two years ago, when Crown Prince Huihuai tragically lost his life, His Majesty’s health has steadily declined. Everyone present here knows this, so there is no need for me to elaborate. The Princess, relying on her favor, has taken advantage of His Majesty’s illness to manipulate the court, deceiving superiors and eliminating dissenters. She colludes with outside ministers and secretly gathers power. Every so-called ‘imperial decree’ we hear is nothing but her own fabrication! Just days ago, the late Empress Zhaode’s remains were brought to light. His Majesty and the Empress shared deep affection—his grief at her death can only be imagined. We ministers earnestly wish to see His Majesty, purely out of loyal concern. And how did the Princess respond? That day, when Pei Er barred us from remaining outside Ziyun Palace, I asked but a single question—and how did he treat me? You all saw it for yourselves—arrogant, imperious, utterly lawless! If they didn’t have anything to hide, why would they act in such a way?”

As he told his heart-wrenching story, the noisy hall fell silent.

Before this, there had been speculation in the court about whether the emperor would make the princess the crown princess, but due to the emperor’s long-standing prestige and the pressure of the war, no one dared to discuss the matter publicly. It was not until the last few months, with the news of victory, that the ministers breathed a sigh of relief and gradually began to pay attention to the matter again.

But no one expected that Zhang Zhe would openly criticize the princess and her husband at this moment, which was an open gesture of opposition. After a short silence, a fierce quarrel broke out in the hall. One side agreed with Zhang Zhe, and those who stood up were all ministers with a handful of beard and gray hair with some seniority. The other side argued that the princess’s assistance in government was the emperor’s intention, and that the princess had always been fair in governing the country, which was obvious to all. They accused Zhang Zhe of spreading rumors and misleading the people, and of having ulterior motives. Most of those who supported the princess were young officials.

There were also some people who keep their mouths shut, just stand aside and watch silently, not daring to participate.

“I dare make such a claim because I have evidence!” Zhang Zhe shouted again as both sides argued furiously, faces red and spittle flying.

“His Majesty has long since lost his sight—he can no longer see!”

At once, the entire hall fell silent again. Every face showed astonishment.

An imperial physician walked in with his back bent, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as he softly testified to those around him: “What Palace Attendant Zhang said is true. As early as when Crown Prince Huihuai was killed, His majesty suffered from eye disease. It has yet to heal, and His Majesty has been unable to manage his daily affairs without constant assistance. These past few days, ever since the affair regarding the late Empress Zhaode, His Majesty has remained unconscious…”

“Tell me—if His Majesty can no longer see, how could he possibly govern the central court? The Princess has deliberately concealed this truth, forbidding us from approaching His Majesty. Is this not proof enough that His Majesty has long been deceived and controlled by the Princess and Pei Er? We are the ministers of the Holy Dynasty, subjects of His Majesty—not of the Princess, and certainly not of Pei Xianyuan! Has His Majesty ever issued an edict to the world granting the Princess the title and authority of Regent? No! Has His Majesty ever issued an edict declaring Pei Gu and the Shehu Army innocent of their past crimes? No! If that is the case, then why do we, the full court of honored officials, submit to these two? Why do we treat their false words as law, bow and scrape before them, and not rise to rescue His Majesty from danger?”

Amid the uproar of the ministers, Zhang Zhe spoke passionately with his face flushed.

The hall fell silent again. After a moment, one of them asked, “If this is indeed true, what should we, the ministers, do?”

Zhang Zhe’s expression turned solemn. He turned to a figure wearing a purple robe and a golden belt and said respectfully, “Grand Chancellor Wang is here. In terms of high morals and prestige, there is probably no one in the court who can compare with the old grand chancellor. You may as well listen to his words on this matter.”

Everyone looked over. Wang Zhang, who had been standing still with his eyes closed like an old monk in meditation, slowly opened his eyes and said, “As ministers, we must fulfill our duty to the throne. Since my colleagues place their trust in me, I shall say a few words. Ever since His Majesty fell under restraint, I have been anxious day and night. Now, the matter has come to affect the very foundation of the Holy Dynasty, and I can no longer remain silent. In a realm and a dynasty, what holds the greatest weight?”

“Replying to the Grand Chancellor, the integrity of the state is the most important thing,” Zhang Zhe replied.

Wang Zhang nodded: “Since the death of Crown Prince Huihuai, the integrity of our dynasty has been lost, its foundation unsettled—thus giving ill-intentioned figures their opening. As things stand, we must immediately nominate a new Crown Prince. Then, we shall proceed together to Ziyun Palace to rescue His Majesty and restore a sky of clarity to our sacred court. When that is done, all the demons and specters will naturally disperse, and chaos will no longer have any room to take root.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole hall fell silent. After a moment, another person asked tentatively: “In your opinion, who should be made the crown prince?”

“Since ancient times, officials are appointed to serve their office—not offices established to exalt the official. In the same way, a crown prince is chosen for the benefit of the world, not the world conjured for the sake of a crown prince. I have a person in my mind. From youth, he has shown exceptional intellect and a deep understanding of worldly affairs. He has studied under many great scholars and was greatly favored by the late Emperor Ming. If he were named Crown Prince, what need would we have to fear for the instability of today or the continuity of the Holy Dynasty tomorrow?”

“Pray, Chancellor Wang, enlighten us,” those around him urged.

“This person is none other than the legitimate great-grandson of the Grand Empress Dowager, and the direct grandson of Emperor Ming. When he left Chang’an, he was but sixteen. Now in the prime of his strength and vigor, I believe none could be more fitting to become Crown Prince than he.”

“Li Yan?” A counselor named Zhao Jin lost control and exclaimed.

“How could His Majesty allow him to come back and inherit the throne? Ridiculous!”

He was also the one who supported the princess and quarrel with Zhang Zhe just now. Following his surprised question, a round of discussions broke out in the hall, and many people nodded with disapproval on their faces.

Wang Zhang once again gently closed his eyes, as if all that was unfolding before him had never entered his sight or hearing. Beside him, Zhang Zhe turned his head to look toward the great hall doors.

Accompanied by heavy footsteps and the sound of armor and swords colliding, two rows of fully armed imperial guards suddenly appeared outside the hall, radiating a murderous air. Lu Jingchen, who had stood just behind the assembly of officials moments ago, now stepped forward with his hand resting on his sword hilt, his eyes fixed coldly on Zhao Jin as he advanced step by step: “Counsellor Zhao, what did you say just now? I didn’t hear it clearly, please say it again!”

Zhao Jin was startled. As he hesitated, uncertain whether to speak, one of his usual allies behind him quickly grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back, bowing with a wide, placating smile, “He was merely rambling nonsense. Naturally, we all follow the Grand Chancellor Wang’s lead.”

Zhao Jin lowered his head and said nothing more. Only then did Lu Jingchen stop in his tracks. Narrowing his eyes, he swept a cold gaze across the hall at the crowd who had just spoken out with him, and said coldly: “Han Kerang has been executed, and the palace is under my control. Anyone who disagrees with Grand Chancellor Wang, step forward and speak plainly!”

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