Chapter 91: Descending The Mountain
“First, put Gao Guangning on the grill. Once he becomes the target of public criticism, Xiahou Ba won’t be able to cover the sky with one hand.” The Initial Emperor instructed in a soft voice: “As for evidence, as long as we want to find it, we can always find some. If we can’t find any, we can… fabricate it.”
“This old servant understands.” Zuo Yanqing nodded. In fact, he had long anticipated that the Initial Emperor would have such thoughts, but this old eunuch was seasoned and adept at playing dumb. He had deliberately suggested a foolish idea first to induce the Initial Emperor to voice it.
“Go on.” The Initial Emperor watched Zuo Yanqing walk away, then sighed leisurely: “The carefree days are numbered…”
.
In the following days, Lu Yun still went to Yingfeng Pavilion every afternoon to accompany the Initial Emperor in playing chess. He still lost more than he drew, occasionally winning a game against the Emperor. But the Initial Emperor won most of the time and wouldn’t get upset over the occasional slip-up. Instead, it made him even more immersed in the games against Lu Yun.
Lu Yun’s goal was also achieved. He had deeply realized that the Initial Emperor was most skilled at sacrificing to gain and yielding to stretch in chess, with a strong emphasis on the overall situation. He didn’t care much about the gain or loss of a single castle or pool, but focused more on the big picture, coordinating and arranging his own position. This was pretty much the Initial Emperor’s style of conduct…
Both sides got what they needed and enjoyed themselves, resulting in great joy for all.
That evening, after the Initial Emperor won the chess game, Lu Yun was about to take his leave as usual, but the Emperor stopped him: “Don’t be in a hurry to go. Chat a bit more.”
Lu Yun hurriedly struck a pose of listening attentively.
“I had you accompany me this time not originally for playing chess.” The Initial Emperor smiled at Lu Yun. Though he said so, if it weren’t for meeting a worthy opponent and battling for so long, he would never use such a familiar tone to speak with a minister.
Lu Yun nodded, listening as the Initial Emperor continued: “The work-relief program method you proposed has now been promoted, with good results. It has solved a great trouble for the Imperial Court.” As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Yun and said in a deep voice: “Tell me, what reward do you want? Gold, silver, treasure, or shall I grant you an official position?”
“This humble servant is young and has no need for money.” Lu Yun replied softly: “As for an official position, this humble servant does wish to serve Your Majesty like a loyal dog or horse, but I always feel it should be earned through my own abilities to live up to rising and working diligently upon hearing the cock’s crow and studying bitterly by the cold window for over ten years.”
“Naive.” Seeing he didn’t appreciate it, the Initial Emperor smiled at Du Hui beside him: “This kid has quite the lofty ambition. He doesn’t care for taking the shortcut through the Zhongnan route.”
“Young people are all like that…” Du Hui smiled along: “They have to suffer a bit before realizing they missed a heaven-sent opportunity.”
“This humble servant has always harbored lofty ambition. If I can’t stand out even in the Grand Competition, it can only mean my ambitions exceed my talents,” Lu Yun said loudly instead: “Even if granted a high position, it would be holding a position without doing any work. Better to go home and farm!”
Hearing Lu Yun’s vigorous words full of youthful spirit, the Initial Emperor nodded approvingly and said: “Then I shall wait and see if you can stand out in the Grand Competition!”
Lu Yun deflated, muttering softly: “Whether this humble servant can even participate in the Grand Competition is still up in the air…”
“Uh…” The Initial Emperor and Du Hui were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter holding their bellies.
“Hahaha!” The Initial Emperor laughed until he bent over, pointing at Lu Yun: “So that’s the scheme you had in mind, you brat!”
“This humble servant has heard that the Son of Heaven does not go back on his word; words become law, and what is spoken is constitutional.” Lu Yun hurriedly climbed up the pole: “With Your Majesty backing this humble servant, surely no one will dare to snatch my quota anymore.”
The Initial Emperor laughed heartily. After laughing, he said seriously: “The reward you want is a quota for the Grand Competition?”
“Yes.” Lu Yun also nodded seriously.
“I understand.” The Initial Emperor nodded: “You may go. No need to come accompany me in chess tomorrow.”
Lu Yun was stunned for a moment, then bowed and took his leave.
After Lu Yun left, Du Hui said softly to the Initial Emperor: “Your Majesty, the thirty-two high rank quotas each time are decided through joint consultation and cannot be easily changed.” The Nine Rank Official System was a fundamental national policy. The Emperor could bypass the official system to grant mid- or low-level official positions to ministers, but he could not directly alter the regulations of the official system.
“Mm…” The Initial Emperor felt a surge of frustration. He, a majestic Emperor, found it so difficult to add even one high rank quota—it was utterly stifling. He glanced at Du Hui and said indifferently: “Then let the Lu Clan handle it internally. Surely they won’t refuse to give even this bit of face?”
“That shouldn’t be the case…” Du Hui said softly: “Not to mention the Lu Clan—even the Xiahou Clan wouldn’t anger Your Majesty over such a small matter.”
“After returning to the Capital City, go there personally and talk to Lu Shang about this.” The Initial Emperor instructed in a deep voice. How the high rank quotas were decided was actually the Lu Clan’s own affair. Even if the Emperor wanted to pull strings, he had to give the Lu Clan full face.
“This old slave obeys.” Du Hui acknowledged softly, then asked: “Your Majesty seems to have never asked Lu Yun whether he really taught the First Prince those words.”
“No need to ask. It’s him, no doubt.” The Initial Emperor said confidently. Lu Yun could discern the Initial Emperor’s temperament from playing chess—how could the Initial Emperor lack the same ability? “From these days of playing against him, I already understand this kid’s scheming style very well. Those words must have come from him!”
“Then has Your Majesty really decided to let this young man assist His Highness?” Du Hui asked softly.
“It’s too early to say that now.” The Initial Emperor slowly shook his head: “Let’s see their performance first.” As he spoke, anger faintly appeared on his face: “That disobedient eldest son always thinks I’m out to harm him! When will he ever understand my painstaking efforts?!”
“From His Highness’s performance these past few days, he seems to have improved quite a bit.” Du Hui said.
“I don’t see it.” The Initial Emperor shook his head expressionlessly and said in a deep voice: “Never mind that disobedient son for now. Prepare to return to the Capital City and have a showdown with that old thing!”
“Yes.” Du Hui acknowledged softly.
.
Lu Yun had been wondering if his request had offended the Initial Emperor. But early the next morning, a palace servant informed him that an order had come from above: they were returning to the Capital City today.
Only then did he realize he had been worrying needlessly. However, the Initial Emperor had originally planned to stay at the Summer Palace for a month—why were they heading back after just over ten days?
‘Something must have happened in the Capital City.’ Lu Yun thought. Calculating the days, Uncle Bao should have made his move by now. Could it be that the disaster victims had started causing trouble, prompting the Initial Emperor to hurry back?
‘Whatever, no point guessing blindly. I’ll know when I get back.’ Lu Yun had been confined in the Imperial Palace with no news from outside. No matter how clever he was, he couldn’t guess the truth.
After about an hour, the palace servants had packed everything. Just like when they arrived, everyone waited at the foot of the mountain for the Emperor’s family to emerge.
But Lu Yun’s treatment this time was worlds apart from when they came. On the way down, Eunuch Chen personally came to see him off. Over this period, the two had become quite familiar. Lu Yun had intentionally befriended this powerful figure close to the Emperor, and Eunuch Chen valued Lu Yun’s potential. Before long, they became good brothers…
Eunuch Chen carried Lu Yun’s luggage, walking down the mountain while smiling: “Virtuous younger brother, don’t forget me after you go back.”
“I’d forget anyone before forgetting Older Brother Chen.” Lu Yun laughed: “I’ve relied on Older Brother Chen’s help these days. When I get back, I’ll treat Older Brother Chen to drinks—you must come.”
“Alas, duty doesn’t allow freedom.” Eunuch Chen gave a bitter smile: “But your drinks, I definitely will have.” Looking at Lu Yun, he said: “Really no need for me to arrange a carriage for you?”
“Thank you for Older Brother Chen’s kind offer, but there are a few friends who came with me. This is a good chance to see them.” Lu Yun politely declined.
“Alright then, I’ll see you off here.” Eunuch Chen handed Lu Yun’s luggage back to him and bid farewell: “I still have duties to attend to.” Shaking his head with a hint of showing off, he sighed: “The chief eunuch is getting old and can’t do without me for now.”
“Others would envy that.” Lu Yun smiled, cupped his hands in farewell, went down the mountain, and walked to the carriage team, looking for the carriage he had used on the way here.
“Young Master Lu, over here! Over here!” As soon as Eunuch Ma saw Lu Yun, he trotted over, eagerly took his luggage with a beaming smile: “Let me, let me. You’ve worked too hard these days—hurry and get in the carriage to rest.”
“I’m not tired.” Lu Yun appeared calm and breezy, but saying he wasn’t tired was false. It wasn’t because of chess, but because he had to face his father’s killer every day while pretending to be obedient and ingratiating—it was truly exhausting to endure…
Lu Yun truly worried that if he continued accompanying Huangfu Yu in chess for another month, he might suffer a mental breakdown and collapse…
