Chapter 49: Nine Titans
All the officials turned around in unison to respectfully welcome the arrival of the true great figures.
On the leading carriage was embedded a black clan emblem with the seal script characters ‘Xiahou’, preceded by ceremonial axes and followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was a burly old man dressed in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing an eight-beam advancing scholar’s crown, his face full of bristling beard and exuding majestic authority—he was precisely the Grand Tutor of the dynasty, Chancellor, Xiahou Clan Leader, Duke of Zhenguo Xiahou Ba!
On the second carriage was embedded a fiery red clan emblem with the seal script character ‘Pei’, likewise preceded by ceremonial axes and followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was a black-faced old man in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing a seven-beam advancing scholar’s crown, nine feet tall with an overwhelming momentum—he was the Grand Commandant of the dynasty, Grand Marshal, Pei Clan Leader, Duke of Dingguo Pei Qiu!
On the third carriage was embedded a green clan emblem with the seal script character ‘Cui’, likewise preceded by ceremonial axes and followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was a pale-faced old man in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing a seven-beam advancing scholar’s crown, slender in build with a clear and sharp face—he was the Grand Tutor of the dynasty, Minister of Personnel, Cui Clan Leader, Duke of Rongguo Cui Yan!
On the fourth carriage was embedded a white clan emblem with the seal script character ‘Xie’, likewise preceded by ceremonial axes and followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was a short and sturdy old man in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing a seven-beam advancing scholar’s crown, with graying hair and a grim expression—he was the Grand Guardian of the dynasty, Left Vice Minister, Xie Clan Leader, Duke of Fuguo Xie Xun!
On the fifth carriage was embedded a silver-gray clan emblem with the seal script character ‘Lu’, likewise preceded by ceremonial axes and followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was an old man in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing a seven-beam advancing scholar’s crown, tall in stature, solemn-faced, unable to conceal his haggard look—he was the Minister of Works of the dynasty, Palace Attendant, Lu Clan Leader, Duke of An Lu Shang!
On the sixth carriage was embedded a blue clan emblem with the seal script character ‘Wei’, likewise preceded by ceremonial axes and followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was a short and fat old man in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing a seven-beam advancing scholar’s crown, with a beaming smile—he was the Minister of Justice of the dynasty, Palace Attendant, Wei Clan Leader, Duke of Weiguo Wei Kang!
On the seventh carriage was embedded a verdant clan emblem with the seal script character ‘Mei’, preceded by ceremonial banners but without yellow axes, followed by the emperor-granted duke banners. Stepping down from the carriage was actually an old woman in purple robes with a jade belt, wearing a nine-tail four-phoenix crown, holding a phoenix-headed cane! She was the only woman among the seven dukes, the Minister of Works of the dynasty, Censor-in-Chief, Mei Clan Leader, Duchess of Ningguo Mei Yi.
The eighth carriage was entirely black, without any emblem, without ceremonial axes leading, and without duke banners. Stepping down was a white-haired old eunuch, naturally the one who had served three emperors and founded the Investigative Bureau, former Zuo Yanqing!
The Mei Clan originated from Guanzhong, originally from the Qiang tribe, and though Sinicized for a century, they still maintained the custom of women in charge. Back then, old matriarch Mei Yi led the Mei Family women’s army to join the Founding Emperor’s righteous army, attacking cities and seizing strongholds for him, establishing illustrious military merits! After the founding of the country, she was enfeoffed as one of the seven great dukes, and everyone had no objection.
As for Zuo Yanqing, as a Heavenly Rank Grandmaster back then, he had established countless merits for the Founding Emperor. He had even greater merit in supporting the Initial Emperor to the throne, so the Initial Emperor granted him all honors equivalent to a duke, making it entirely reasonable for him to arrive in a carriage alongside the seven clan leaders.
In the Qianming Dynasty, Zuo Yanqing did not yet have this honor, but at that time, the eight who could enter the palace by carriage were likewise these. Besides the seven great dukes, there was also Prince Ping Your Highness, who commanded the imperial clan on behalf of the emperor. Now that Prince Ping had usurped the throne to become emperor, fearing imitation by the imperial clan, he still concurrently held the position of sect master of the Huangfu imperial clan, so no other imperial clansmen could stand alongside the seven dukes.
These eight before them were, aside from the emperor, the true eight titans of Great Xuan who truly grasped the power under heaven! Once they had all alighted from their carriages, all the officials bowed in unison and respectfully said: “Welcome to the lords duke, welcome to Old Eunuch Zuo!”
The eight merely nodded slightly, then continued talking among themselves, passing by the officials to walk to the front ranks of the court assembly.
As the undisputed leader of the number one noble clan, Xiahou Ba was naturally surrounded by the other clan leaders like stars cupping the moon, and the Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince also came forward at this time to pay respects, calling out with faces full of filial longing: “Outer Grandfather!”
A kindly smile bloomed on Xiahou Ba’s stern face as he nodded in greeting to the three Highnesses.
Only the First Prince stood motionless in place, and Xiahou Ba ignored him too, so in the eyes of the officials, this Highness appeared isolated and forlorn.
Lu Clan Leader Lu Shang was also one of the focal points. The old master had been ill for several months and finally appeared today, so everyone naturally offered him greetings. But Lu Shang clearly felt that the gazes everyone directed at him were somewhat strange, and he couldn’t help asking in surprise: “What’s wrong, is there something?”
The several clan leaders laughed it off and avoided the topic. Wei Clan Leader Wei Kang, who was on good terms with him, couldn’t bear to watch and pondered his words, wanting to hint to him about the congee kitchen matter. But this matter was really hard to bring up, and before Wei Kang could figure out how to say it, the sinister old eunuch Zuo interjected, saying to Lu Shang: “Minister of Works Lord, may I have a word in private.”
Lu Shang nodded and fell back with Zuo Yanqing. “I wonder what instructions Old Eunuch has?”
Zuo Yanqing glanced at him and gave a skin-deep smile as he cupped his hands: “Congratulations, Minister of Works Lord, the Lu Clan has produced another Earth Rank Grandmaster.”
“Oh?” Lu Shang was stunned for a moment before saying: “Who is it? How come I didn’t know?”
“It’s that one.” Zuo Yanqing’s gaze fell on Lu Xin not far behind them.
“Lu Xin?” Lu Shang looked at Lu Xin in surprise, but he wasn’t too shocked. After all, Lu Xin was accomplished in both civil and martial arts, already a Black Rank Expert ten years ago, so advancing to Earth Rank after ten years wasn’t surprising. What puzzled him was how Zuo Yanqing knew. “How did Old Eunuch find out?”
“Heh…” Zuo Yanqing smiled without answering. He naturally knew from the Investigative Bureau. A few days ago, Lin Chao had ordered men to investigate which Lu Clan Grandmaster had left the city during that time. The result was that all eight great Lu Clan Grandmasters were staying north of the Luo River at the time, only Lu Xin and his son had left the city.
Lu Xin’s son was only sixteen years old; even if he had practiced martial arts from the womb, it was impossible for him to reach Earth Rank. Therefore, the Lu Clan Grandmaster who killed in Funiu Mountain was naturally pinned on Lu Xin by the Investigative Bureau.
However, Old Eunuch Zuo had no intention of telling him every detail, as that did not conform to the Investigative Bureau’s purpose. And what kind of person was Lu Shang? A mere hint from him, and he could investigate it thoroughly himself. So he glanced at Xiahou Ba ahead and answered irrelevantly: “What the Minister of Works should be concerned about is not letting the Xiahou Clan snatch away your own child.”
“Heh…” Lu Shang knew this old dog had no good intentions at all. He thus smiled breezily: “Thank you for your concern, Old Eunuch. He carries the Lu Clan’s blood in his veins; no one can take him away.”
“Then I spoke out of turn.” The old eunuch smiled apologetically.
“Not at all, thank you for your concern, Old Eunuch.” Lu Shang shook his head dismissively.
At this time, majestic and solemn bell and drum sounds rang out from Ying Tian Gate, the tightly shut palace gates were slowly pushed open by the gatekeepers, and two teams of golden-armored Imperial Guards filed out from within the palace, arraying themselves imposingly on either side of the palace gates!
The several titans no longer spoke, walking to stand at the front of the court ranks. After the officials had checked their own appearances, an official from the Court of Diplomatic Relations sang out loudly: “Advance!”
The officials then slightly bowed and advanced in neat, orderly ranks with quick steps, entering Ziwei Palace through Ying Tian Gate. Although Xiahou Ba had been specially granted by the emperor exemption from advancing on foot into court, he did not act uniquely at this time and did not exercise his privilege. Instead, he advanced together with the officials, crossing the Golden Water Bridge, entering Jian Yuan Gate, and taking their positions in the plaza before Jian Yuan Hall.
Jian Yuan Hall was the foremost of the three great front halls of Ziwei Palace, originally named Qian Yuan Hall, the place for holding the Grand Court. After the Initial Emperor ascended the throne, to avoid the reign era of the Qianming Emperor, he renamed it Jian Yuan Hall.
At this time, before Jian Yuan Hall were arrayed chariot cavalry guards as well as banners and ceremonial objects of all kinds; on either side of the dragon-patterned imperial path were laid two long carpets, and the officials stood upon the carpets.
Beneath the solemn and grand Jian Yuan Hall, upon layer after layer of vermilion steps, hundreds of eunuchs holding ceremonial umbrellas, square fans, and banners of all colors stood neatly, guarding the three-foot golden platform at the center. Behind the golden platform was a yellow imperial canopy—this was the emperor’s throne.
At this time, the music troupe played ceremonial music, and amid a chorus of bell, drum, and ritual sounds, the Initial Emperor arrived at court in a palanquin escorted by inner servants. The herald then drew out his voice: “Welcome!”
From the dukes downward, all the officials prostrated themselves on the carpets, performing the grand kowtow to the emperor. “Welcome to our sovereign, may he live ten thousand years without bound!”
Amid the welcoming voices of the officials, the emperor ascended the seat under the golden platform’s imperial canopy. The Initial Emperor knelt sat on the golden cushions but did not immediately bid them to rise; instead, his gaze slowly swept over the officials prostrated on the ground, finally settling on the backs of the seven great dukes. Only at times like this could he feel the dignity of being emperor, so at every Grand Court, the Initial Emperor would greedily savor the sight for a while before slowly saying: “Rise.”
“Thanks to our sovereign.” Only then did the officials straighten up, kneeling sat in sequence on the carpets. The ruler and ministers sat to discuss the Way—this was the Zhou rites. But in the past, the emperor and ministers sat on equal footing. It was not until the Qian Dynasty that the emperor, to highlight his own dignity, would sit on a low couch to show he was a cut above. By this dynasty, it had intensified further, with the emperor simply sitting atop the vermilion steps, overlooking the assembled ministers.
