Though the tree desires stillness, the wind refuses to cease. Those censorial officials who had received no response from Yun Ye, who had been ignored, whose questions had gone unanswered—they finally erupted during the Lantern Festival, because this was the only festival when they could encounter the reclusive Yun Ye who never left his home.

This was an extremely taboo matter. Under normal circumstances, no one would cause unpleasantness for others during the New Year festivities. Even censorial officials would wait until after the New Year concluded before finding fault. This time, however, they could no longer restrain themselves. They had heard that after the New Year, Yun Ye planned to go live in Yuezhou for a period of time. By the time he returned from Yuezhou, many matters would already be water under the bridge, and seeking trouble with Yun Ye then would have little effect. How could they possibly allow Yun Ye to escape scot-free after committing so many errors?

“Marquis Yun, I heard that some young fellows plan to make an example of you today. Do you have any strategy for dealing with them?” Wei Zheng had returned and was seated in the place of honor above Yun Ye. The old fellow had recently been attacked mercilessly by his own subordinates, yet he still had the mood to joke about Yun Ye’s situation.

“Didn’t you, venerable sir, already weather such storms? What couldn’t I endure? When I flip the table in a moment, please lean back to avoid having soup and water splash onto your new clothes.”

“You plan to fly into a rage, flip the table, and leave the palace. According to protocol, you’ll have at least three years of salary deducted and be demoted one rank, and then…”

“Then I’ll board a fast boat and rush to Yuezhou, where I’ll specifically enjoy a life of leisure in my own residence and never come out again. Look, they’ve already arrived. As long as he dares stand before me and say half a critical word, I’ll throw the entire banquet table at him.”

Wei Zheng nodded and very naturally drew his body back a bit, even taking a large cloth to guard against the unexpected. This tactic of Yun Ye’s was called acting like a scoundrel, frequently employed in the court. Once this move was deployed, the opponent’s impeachment charges would immediately become “improper conduct before the sovereign,” and the impeaching censor would become a laughingstock.

Fang Xuanling scratched his head and watched the censors whispering below, saying to Du Ruhui: “It looks like you won’t escape impeachment either. Look, quite a few people are pointing at you. Yun Ye plans to flip the table—what do you intend to do?”

“Follow his lead and flip the table. This method is quite good. If Yun Ye can use it, why can’t this old man? Today is the auspicious Lantern Festival. If they want to make me uncomfortable, why should I let them be comfortable? In any case, my retirement petition has already been submitted to His Majesty. After enduring for a lifetime, why should this old man continue to endure now? If flipping the table can’t make them quiet, then next we’ll fight to the death. These little flies—this old man could crush them with one hand.”

Hearing Du Ruhui’s words, Fang Xuanling was greatly shocked. Was this still the refined and cultured Du Ruhui? Upon further reflection, he felt relieved. Having been an official for a lifetime was actually having suffered grievances for a lifetime. If he didn’t vent now, there would be no opportunity later.

Zhangsun Wuji, seated at the same table as Old Du, raised his hand and removed a plate of preserved meat, placing it beside himself. He also moved the charcoal burner for warming wine onto the table and said with a smile to Du Ruhui: “If Minister Du is going to show his might, Wuji naturally offers full support. However, the preserved meat in the palace is truly well-made—it would be a shame to throw it away. I’ll keep it and eat it slowly. This little charcoal burner for warming wine placed on the table should surely add considerable force.”

Du Ruhui cupped his hands in thanks, eyeing the censorial officials in the Eastern and Western Galleries sideways, with a small measure of anticipation in his heart.

Zhang Xingcheng considered himself upright throughout his life. Now, having reached the crucial moment of advancing toward the third-rank official limit, he naturally needed to make progress. In truth, once one’s official position grew large, the last thing one should have was ambition—this was experience summarized by countless noble families. But Zhang Xingcheng lacked such family background, so naturally no one warned him. He believed that with his passionate loyalty and honest heart alone, he could gain the Emperor’s recognition.

Hao Chujun, Du Maojiang, and Ren Yaxiang were ordinarily men of firm character, but today they lacked their usual decisiveness. The great traitor of the state sat upright in proper attire upon the brilliant court hall, yet they worried about disrupting the Lantern Festival and hesitated to speak out. Such timid fellows were unworthy of consultation. The nation faced difficulties—why should there be so many concerns?

Yun Ye squinted his eyes, trying hard to recall the scene after emerging from the ancestral temple and receiving congratulations from the Emperor and assembled officials. He couldn’t clearly remember what others had said, only that there were many people who spoke many words. The Emperor had also read a long edict that seemed to begin from ancient times. Now he couldn’t remember what it said—he only remembered smiling faces everywhere, praise everywhere. Beautiful palace maids continuously served fine wine, attentive eunuchs continuously replaced dish after dish of delicacies. He had become drunk and was carried about on a palanquin by palace maids, laughing everywhere. His honor and favor had reached their peak.

Walking to such heights brought troubles in abundance. A sense of vexation arose without reason from Yun Ye’s heart, arriving so swiftly and so violently. Though everyone in the great hall wore smiles, they seemed so false. Though the full table of dishes was exquisite, not one was truly edible. Even looking at Wei Zheng’s worried, bitter expression beside him, he found it hateful.

Seeing Zhang Xingcheng approach with vigorous strides, Yun Ye rose and memorialized to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, this humble subject cannot hold his wine and fears impropriety before Your Majesty’s presence. I hereby request permission to withdraw.”

Li Er looked at Yun Ye with interest, then at Zhang Xingcheng. Thinking Yun Ye unwilling to create conflict, he nodded: “Since this is so, permission granted to withdraw.” Yun Ye had just performed the ceremonial bow and was preparing to leave when he heard Zhang Xingcheng shout: “Marquis Lantian, do not leave! Today this old man must debate the Western Regions matter with you clearly and thoroughly!”

Yun Ye helplessly stood still, turned back to Zhang Xingcheng and said: “What I just said was true—I truly worry about making a fool of myself. That you want to step on me to advance your position is nothing unusual. Regarding Western Regions affairs, I am answerable to everyone except unless you are a spy for the Arabs, or you’ve received benefits from them. If it’s neither of these two, then you’re anxious to step into the ranks of third-rank officials. Ordinarily I could still endure, because these are the rules of official circles—everyone steps on each other as rungs on a ladder.”

“Today I’ve drunk too much and lost patience. Originally I planned to smash the wine table onto you, but just now I suddenly recalled some matters, and my heart became unbearably vexed, so you escaped disaster.”

“Regarding Western Regions affairs, I only need to account to His Majesty. You’re not qualified to question me. Now I’m leaving. If you dare chase after me spouting nonsensical drivel, beware lest I kick you to death.”

These words not only turned Zhang Xingcheng’s face bright red, but even Li Er set down his chopsticks in astonishment. Yun Ye wasn’t giving Zhang Xingcheng even a shred of face, speaking entirely in marketplace slang. Speaking these words, he was the living image of a marketplace ruffian.

After performing another ceremonial bow to the Emperor, taking advantage of their shock before they recovered, he quickly exited the Wanmin Palace, leaving Zhang Xingcheng alone standing in the center of the great hall with nowhere to hide his shame.

Everyone could hear from Yun Ye’s words the full measure of his fury—this was genuine rage, not his usual pretense or purposeful anger, but pure dissatisfaction arising from his heart.

Unable to resheathe his drawn blade, Zhang Xingcheng helplessly attempted to reestablish his target. Du Ruhui stood up, cupped his hands toward the Emperor and said: “Your Majesty, this old minister is already drunk. My petition for retirement has reached Your Majesty’s desk. This old minister now only wishes to lose himself in pursuits of metal and stone. I implore Your Majesty to grant early approval.”

Li Er remained silent for a long while before saying to Du Ruhui: “Though my beloved minister is advanced in years, your body remains quite robust. Why not exert yourself once more for the realm and state?”

Du Ruhui answered sorrowfully: “Since following the dragon, this old minister has now served for twenty-seven years, exhausting heart and mind in service before Your Majesty, crying out and rushing about through chaotic times. I have witnessed the world pacified, the four seas unified. I have witnessed Your Majesty’s enthronement and the people’s peaceful lives. I have witnessed our Great Tang’s Zhenguan prosperity emerge—all of this contains a trace of this old minister’s shadow. It is enough! This life is sufficient!”

“This humble minister is now sixty years old with graying temples. Whether in energy or physical strength, I am far less than before. I beg Your Majesty to allow this minister to retire to springs and forests, to properly enjoy my remaining years. Your minister is moved to tears of gratitude.”

The joyous atmosphere in the great hall, already disrupted by Yun Ye, was completely destroyed by Du Ruhui speaking such sorrowful words. The joyous mood vanished entirely. Just moments ago there had been whispered conversations; now everyone fell silent. The great hall was so quiet that even a dropped needle could be heard.

Zhang Xingcheng’s perspiration had already soaked through his garments. He had never imagined he could force important ministers like Yun Ye and Du Ruhui into retirement. Even in his most absurd dreams, he had never thought such a thing. Only when Du Ruhui retired did he understand that he had become the tallest rafter. No wonder Hao Chujun and the others chose to remain silent. At the most inappropriate time and most inappropriate place, he himself had ignited the court’s accumulated frustration from many days.

“Minister Du, as Western Gallery Censor, this official merely wants to ask what exactly happened in the Western Regions. Is this not proper?” Zhang Xingcheng, drenched in sweat, mustered his final courage to question Du Ruhui.

“Naturally it should be proper. However, haven’t you read the campaign logs and documents of the Western Expedition Army? Aren’t the records there detailed enough? As for matters you don’t know, those are things you shouldn’t know. Marquis Yun is unbearably vexed, and this old man is now also unbearably vexed. After His Majesty approves this old man’s retirement, you may ask then—it won’t be too late. This old man will remain in the capital for the time being, awaiting your interrogation.”

The golden bell rang. The Lantern Festival banquet of the nineteenth year of Zhenguan came to an abrupt halt. The Emperor departed with a flourish of his sleeves. The assembled officials looked at each other in dismay. No one had anticipated such an outcome. The impatience Yun Ye expressed was shocking, and Du Ruhui’s determination to retire was solid as stone. He no longer planned to serve as an official, or rather, he was no longer willing to serve as an official.

Du Ruhui’s retirement was merely a prelude. Immediately afterward, countless people would petition the Emperor requesting retirement to return home. Fang Xuanling would do so, Wei Zheng would do so, Dai Zhou would do so. Xiao Yu and Li Jing both had such intentions. Originally, if done one by one, the replacement of important ministers could be completed slowly, minimizing impact on court governance. But not like this—not becoming a storm as it had now.