Today, the Yangshen Hall in Tai’an City witnessed the largest minor court assembly since its inauguration.
Familiar faces among the capital’s high-ranking officials filled the room: the Grand Secretariat’s Chief Minister Qi Yanglong, Vice Minister Zhao Youling, Left Deputy of the Chancellery Huan Wen, Left Imperial Attendant Chen Wang, Minister of Personnel Yin Maochun, Minister of War and concurrently General of the Southern Expedition Wu Zhongxuan, Grand Scholar of the Wuying Hall Wen Shouren, Grand Scholar of the Dongyuan Pavilion Yan Jiexi, Prince of Changshan Zhao Yang, Duke of Yan Gao Shizhi, Marquis of Huaiyang Song Daoning, Vice Minister of War Tang Tieshuang, and Vice Minister of Rites Jin Lanting, among others.
Newcomers to the capital, such as the former Qingzhou General Hong Lingshu, now bearing the title of General of the Southern Pacification, the current Military Commissioner of the Lianghuai Circuit Cai Nan, the Strategic Commissioner Han Lin, and the duo responsible for northern border defense in Jizhou—Lu Shengxiang and Xu Gong—stood out as relatively unfamiliar figures.
The gathering was illustrious, a dazzling assembly of civil and military elites.
The young Liyang Emperor, Zhao Zhuan, had changed into casual attire after the court session. The garment, crafted by the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau, was exquisitely made with intricate techniques, exuding the unique charm of the south, though lacking the imposing grandeur of court robes.
Chaos reigned in the Central Plains. The Prince of Yanchi, Zhao Bing, had risen in rebellion, leading tens of thousands of elite troops from the southern frontier. They swept through four provinces with unstoppable momentum, crossing the Guangling River almost unopposed and establishing a standoff with the Liyang court at the former Western Chu capital. The upheaval at the Chunxue Tower had dashed the court’s meticulous plans for Guangling Circuit, leaving its nominal civil and military leaders imprisoned and a host of Liyang meritorious generals and surrendered Western Chu officials under rebel control. As a result, Zhao Bing effortlessly took over Guangling Circuit, rendering the hard-won victories of Wu Zhongxuan, Lu Shengxiang, and Yan Zhenchun meaningless. Overnight, the Prince of Yanchi seemed to hold half the empire.
Yet, whether during the morning court at Wuying Hall or this minor assembly at Yangshen Hall, the young emperor displayed none of the expected fury. Instead, he appeared composed, even eager beneath his restrained demeanor—proof that beneath his scholarly exterior, the blood of Liyang’s martial ancestors still flowed in his veins.
Holding a proclamation from the rebels, which listed ten grave crimes against his rule—favoritism, unjust rewards and punishments, reliance on sycophants, and oppression of the Zhao clan—the emperor set it aside with a faint smile. “I hear this was penned by the eldest grandson of the Song family?”
The Song family of the south, renowned for their literary talent, was represented by Song Yushu, whose brilliance was well-known even in Tai’an’s court.
The outspoken elder Tan Tanweng glanced at the hall’s plaque reading “Impartial and Harmonious” before chuckling. “That boy, fallen into the hands of a brute like Zhao Bing, can only write such venomous drivel. A pity for such a gem. Had he served in our Liyang Hanlin Academy or one of the newly established pavilions, he might have penned works to immortalize his name—benefiting the state and securing his place in literary history. Instead, he’s reduced to a mere scribe.”
The emperor nodded. “A shame indeed. I recently promised Yan Shizhi to introduce him to this southern talent. It seems that must wait.”
The “Yan Shizhi” the emperor referred to was none other than Yan Chiji, the rising star of the Hanlin Academy. Though lacking an official title, his leadership of the six newly established offices hinted at a bright future, surpassing even the top three scholars of the imperial examinations—Li Jifu, Gao Tingshu, and Wu Congxian. The emperor’s casual remark carried weight, suggesting that despite the Song family’s rebellion, their fate was not sealed—thanks to Song Yushu’s favor in the emperor’s eyes.
Turning to Vice Minister of War Tang Tieshuang, the emperor asked mildly, “Tang Tieshuang, has the Ministry of War received word on when the Grand Pillar of the State will depart Liaodong for the capital?”
Tang Tieshuang replied cautiously, “Your Majesty, the Grand Pillar only informed us that the northern border is unstable, with the Eastern Route Commander of the Northern Mang, Wang Sui, stirring unrest. He must secure the frontier before setting out.”
The emperor nodded. “Draft a decree through Gao Tingshu, instructing the Grand Pillar not to rush south. The northern border remains our foremost priority.”
Tang Tieshuang accepted the order, his unease deepening. The emperor’s amiability only heightened his apprehension as a known ally of the Gu faction.
Rumors circulated in Tai’an that “after Gu Jianjia, the Ministry of War lost its fortune”—a reference to the misfortunes of those who succeeded him. Minister Lu Baijie was captured by the Prince of Yanchi, Vice Minister Xu Gong was “exiled” to Liaodong, and Lu Shengxiang’s southern campaign yielded little glory. Even Chen Zhibao, once enfeoffed as Prince of Western Shu, had inexplicably joined Zhao Bing’s rebellion.
Life in the capital was hard, and holding office even harder.
Tang Tieshuang glanced at Cai Nan, standing slightly ahead, with mixed feelings. The last time Gu’s former subordinates visited the capital, the meeting ended poorly. This time, Cai Nan hadn’t even bothered to call on him, staying secluded in the Lianghuai Circuit’s residence.
The emperor turned to Minister of Rites Sima Puhua. With the Ministry of Rites elevated to equal status with Personnel and War, Sima Puhua reaped the benefits of his predecessors’ legacies. The emperor’s favor toward civil officials was evident in the Hanlin Academy’s relocation and the Ministry of Rites’ rise.
“Next spring’s metropolitan examinations are crucial,” the emperor said earnestly. “Has the Ministry finalized the chief and vice examiners? Given the unprecedented number of candidates, I expect a detailed plan—not just for my review, but also for Tan Tanweng and Minister Yin, veterans of past examinations.”
Sima Puhua, perhaps the least esteemed Minister of Rites in Liyang history, replied nervously, “Your Majesty, the examinations concern our dynasty’s scholarly legacy. Though I’ve long served in the Ministry, I lack experience overseeing them. In knowledge, I pale before the Grand Secretariat and Grand Scholar Wen; in ability, I cannot match young talents like Vice Minister Chen or Yan Shizhi. The wealth of candidates is overwhelming—like a dazzling pearl curtain at a humble door. I humbly beg Your Majesty to personally appoint the examiners!”
Tan Tanweng, listening, turned and gave Sima Puhua a thumbs-up—a masterful flattery that praised many at once.
Sima Puhua responded with a guileless smile, his sincerity impeccable.
The emperor chuckled. “I won’t interfere with the examiners’ selection. Consult the Grand Secretariat and Tan Tanweng if needed. However, while the chief examiner should be venerable, the assessors need not follow seniority. The Ministry, Hanlin Academy, and Imperial Academy may each nominate young talents.”
Sima Puhua bowed deeply. “Your Majesty is wise!”
The emperor’s gaze shifted to Hong Lingshu, the newly arrived General of the Southern Pacification, who stood out awkwardly. As a leader of the Qing faction, Hong’s rise had stirred envy, given the limited paths for military advancement in the capital.
“General Hong, is your residence in Tai’an satisfactory?” the emperor asked kindly.
Hong Lingshu, surprised by the attention, replied gratefully, “Your Majesty, the Ministry of War and Revenue arranged everything perfectly. My family is deeply moved by Your Majesty’s grace!”
The emperor smiled. “Vice Minister Tang deserves your thanks for that.”
Hong Lingshu clasped his hands toward Tang Tieshuang, who returned the gesture silently.
Hong pondered the implications. His promotion, though irregular, was politically expedient—a move to stabilize the Central Plains amid scholars defecting to the north. Yet Tang Tieshuang’s future seemed bleak, shackled by his ties to the Gu faction.
The emperor picked up the rebel proclamation again, his expression darkening. “Zhao Bing, a prince of our blood, has turned traitor. I can tolerate rebellion in Guangling, even those who sided with the Western Chu remnants—but never Zhao Bing and his son!”
He paused. “Wu Zhongxuan!”
The towering Minister of War stepped forward. “Your servant is here!”
“Brief the court on Guangling’s situation.”
Wu Zhongxuan spoke methodically. “Zhao Bing’s forces now number 110,000 north of the Guangling River. Within six months, 40,000 southern barbarians will join them. Chen Zhibao, with his 20,000 Shu troops, will bring another 30,000. Combined with defectors from the former Southern and Jizhou armies, rebel numbers will reach 260,000 by next spring. Our forces in Guangling stand at 120,000.”
The stark numbers sent a chill through the hall. Zhao Bing’s military prowess, honed alongside the infamous “Crippled Butcher,” and the presence of the “White-Clad War Saint” Chen Zhibao, made the threat dire.
Grand Secretariat Chief Qi Yanglong interjected softly, “Grand General Gu’s March South to Quell the Rebellion is inevitable, but need not be immediate. The army’s morale may waver, but the people’s hearts remain with the court. Twenty years ago, Xu Xiao chose not to divide the realm. Today, Zhao Bing and Chen Zhibao merely resume that unfinished game—so long as…”
He trailed off.
Tan Tanweng finished, “So long as the Northern Liang cavalry holds the Northern Mang at bay, allowing Gu Jianjia to suppress the rebellion, Zhao and Chen’s ambitions will wither like Ephemeral bloom.”
The unspoken “if” hung heavy in the air—what if the Northern Liang abandoned the northwest to ally with Zhao Bing?
The thought that Liyang’s fate once again rested on a Xu was a bitter pill for many.
Grand Scholar Wen Shouren paled. Imperial relative Yan Jiexi scowled. Jin Lanting’s face turned ashen. Cai Nan lowered his head, his expression unreadable.
Breaking the tension, the emperor smiled. “The Xu family has guarded our northwest for two generations. In recognition of their sacrifices—including generals like Liu Jinu and Wang Lingbao who fell in battle—I intend to posthumously honor all Northern Liang officers and confer upon the Prince of Northern Liang, Xu Fengnian, the title of Grand Pillar of the State.”
The hall erupted in stunned silence.
The emperor’s gaze swept over the assembly, his eyes glinting with unspoken resolve.
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