Chapter 174: Double Joys Arrive
News that Lu Jian had failed and fled while Lu Xin took his place quickly spread throughout the Capital City, even alarming the Xiahou Clan. Early the next morning, Xiahou Ba sent someone over to invite Lu Xin to the Chancellery.
With an order from the Grand Tutor, Lu Xin dared not delay. He quickly changed into his official robes and followed that official to the Chancellery. In order to prevent any minister from monopolizing power, Great Xuan imitated the Previous Dynasty by adopting the three-province system, establishing the Chancellery, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Personnel, responsible respectively for decision-making, review, and execution of Imperial Court edicts.
At the initial establishment of the three-province system, it indeed played a positive role in preventing individual autocracy. But after the Baoen Temple Incident ten years ago, Chancellery Chancellor Xiahou Ba’s power swelled endlessly. He made unilateral decisions on Imperial Court affairs, the Ministry of Personnel thoroughly became the Chancellery’s executive organ, and the Ministry of Personnel responsible for review was even more of an empty shell. Thus, the Imperial Court’s authority now all belonged to Grand Tutor Xiahou Ba, and the Chancellery was regarded as the de facto prime minister’s office.
In fact, even the prime ministers of the Qin and Han dynasties did not have as much authority as Xiahou Ba.
Lu Xin followed that Chancellery official through the Xuanhui Gate and arrived at a grand palace courtyard inside Ziwei City, to the east side of Jian Yuan Hall—this was where the Chancellery was located. On the west side of Jian Yuan Hall, across the plaza facing the Chancellery from afar, was the Ministry of Personnel, while the largest Ministry of Personnel was located outside Ziwei City and not within the Imperial Palace.
From this, the special status of the Chancellery and Ministry of Personnel in the Great Xuan Imperial Court was evident. However, after Mei Clan Clan Leader Mei Yi resigned ten years ago, the Ministry of Personnel had remained without a leader and was now completely silent, leaving the Chancellery to dominate alone.
In front of the Chancellery’s tall vermilion-lacquered gates stood fully armed guards in strict formation, and at the doorway was a steward responsible for announcing visitors. Although these people received salaries from the Imperial Court, they actually all came from the Xiahou Clan and knew only the Grand Tutor, not the Emperor.
That Chancellery official said something to the steward at the door and showed an order. Only then did the steward allow them to pass. After leading the two inside, the steward had Lu Xin searched in the gatehouse, then registered his name, official position, purpose, and time of entry—it was even more tedious than going to Changle Hall to pay respects to the Emperor.
“Lord Lu, please don’t take offense. All matters under the Chancellery are confidential state affairs, so we have to be extra careful.” That Chancellery official smiled and explained to Lu Xin.
“Understood.” Lu Xin nodded, his expression very calm. In fact, eleven or twelve years ago, he had frequently come and gone from the Chancellery, and there were no such rules then. The current Chancellor was still the same one from back then, but obviously everything was different now…
After completing a set of tedious procedures, the steward handed Lu Xin a temporary entry-exit waist token and instructed him: “Wear the waist token properly inside, and no one will question you. Hand it back to me when you come out.”
Lu Xin took the waist token and hung it on, then followed that official into the courtyard. He saw that in the vast Chancellery, two or three hundred officials were busy working, yet the courtyard heard not the slightest noise—quiet and solemn in a way that was utterly oppressive.
That official no longer spoke and led him straight to the main hall, asking him to wait in front of the hall while he went in to announce. Lu Xin stood respectfully there, surveying this courtyard he had long been away from. The ground was still spotless, there was not a single flower or tree in the courtyard, only that stone stele engraved with ‘Prohibit Leaks, Prohibit Delays, Prohibit Violations, Prohibit Errors’ still stood in the most conspicuous place, but the Qianming Emperor’s signature on it was no longer visible.
Lu Xin couldn’t help but be a little lost in thought until that official came out and invited him in. He quickly collected himself, straightened his robes, and stepped into the main hall.
In the main hall, the current Grand Tutor and Chancellery Chancellor Xiahou Ba sat upright in front of a large red coral screen with a purple sandalwood base. A faint smile appeared on his usually stern face. After Lu Xin respectfully saluted, he smiled faintly: “Lord Lu, long time no see?”
Lu Xin was stunned by this opening remark, then realized that Xiahou Ba was referring to his last visit here being eleven years ago. He gave a ashamed bitter smile: “Grand Tutor, your demeanor remains as impressive as ever, while this official has been drifting for many years.”
“The late Emperor wronged you for ten years.” Xiahou Ba sighed and gestured for Lu Xin to sit. “Back then, you spoke righteously on behalf of various clans, resulting in your dismissal. Later, the Phoenix Temple incident happened, and I thought you had lost heart and would not return to serve the Imperial Court.”
“Back then, this official was denounced by thousands, truly lacking the courage to return to the Capital City.” Lu Xin said somberly.
“Alas, a true man should not care about slander and should advance with sharpness to not waste this life!” Xiahou Ba shook his head with a smile: “As for the scolding I’ve endured, it’s ten or a hundred times yours, yet I persisted all the same. Ten years later, look around—who under Heaven dares say half a word against me now?”
“Old Grand Tutor is no ordinary man; this official cannot compare.” Lu Xin gave a bitter smile.
“Enough, no more talk of the past. It’s good that you’ve returned.” Xiahou Ba stroked his beard with a smile: “My worthless second brother went to Jiangnan and botched the matter completely, but he managed to bring you back to the Capital City, so that’s at least one achievement.”
“Grand Tutor overpraises.” Lu Xin hurriedly said: “The Marquis instructed this official earnestly and gave him a wake-up call, allowing this official to suddenly awaken. He has always been deeply grateful to the Marquis from the bottom of his heart, yet half a year in the Capital City and he has never thanked him—truly unfilial.”
“Heh, no need to speak for him in circles. Botching an assignment means punishment. Once he’s served enough time in confinement, he’ll naturally be released.” Xiahou Ba waved his hand, cutting off the topic. A meaningful smile appeared on his face as he said: “I hear you’ve been promoted to Finance Steward of the Lu Clan?”
“Merely acting as interim.” Lu Xin gave a bitter smile.
“No difference—who in the Lu Clan could replace you?” Xiahou Ba shook his head with a smile and slowly said: “But Lord Lu, don’t forget, you are still a heavy minister of the Imperial Court. I hear you’ve requested leave for one or two months—isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
“This official’s fault.” Lu Xin hurriedly lowered his head. In fact, among the yamen, scion of aristocratic families always held clean and important positions, while concrete assignments were handled by officials from commoner backgrounds, the so-called dirty officials. Aristocratic officials had nothing to do and requesting leave for months without going to the yamen was commonplace.
But since Xiahou Ba pointed it out, Lu Xin had to obediently admit fault; any explanation would only make it worse.
“It seems to you that this Grand Court’s Right Censor position is too idle,” Xiahou Ba suddenly changed tack, looking at Lu Xin with a smile: “I can’t let a talented scholar like you slack off anymore. My Chancellery Vice Minister has been transferred to the Ministry of Personnel to oversee the Ministry of Works. How about you take his place?”
“This…” Lu Xin couldn’t help but be startled. Chancellery Vice Minister was a Rank 4 purple-robed high official, moreover in the central authority, participating in state affairs—truly a position of great power. “This official is honored by Grand Tutor’s mistaken favor, rising three levels from sixth-rank Commandery Lieutenant to Grand Court’s Right Censor, and now less than half a year in the position with no achievements—how could he usurp such a high post?”
“I say you’re suitable, so you are.” Xiahou Ba said domineeringly, then smiled: “Half a year ago you were still a Commandery Lieutenant, true, but eleven years ago you were already a Rank 5 Secretary Official participating in state affairs. Taking so many years to rise to fourth rank is already as slow as it gets.”
“This official is ashamed…” Lu Xin wanted to say more, but Xiahou Ba had already decided: “It’s settled then. Go back, hand over your duties, and come to the Chancellery to take up your post tomorrow!”
“Yes…” With Xiahou Ba’s word as law, how could Lu Xin refuse? He could only gratefully thank him in fear and trepidation: “Old Grand Tutor’s second act of grace—this official has nothing with which to repay, only to go through fire and water, to die without regret!”
“Hahaha!” Xiahou Ba laughed heartily: “I listen to words but observe actions more. Lord Lu certainly won’t disappoint me!”
“Yes.” Lu Xin hurriedly nodded.
“You may go.” Xiahou Ba waved his hand. Lu Xin saluted again and withdrew from the main hall.
After Lu Xin left, the pale-faced Xiahou Bupo emerged from the side chamber, coughed twice, and said: “Uncle, this move of yours is truly bold.”
