Chief Minister Chang was so busy that smoke practically rose from the top of his head. There were simply too many matters demanding his attention. With Emperor Jianzhang having collapsed, and the Grand Imperial Grandson not yet formally serving as regent, all matters of state hung in the balance of the Cabinet. He and the other elders wished they could learn the art of splitting themselves in two, so that one person could do the work of two.
News from Zijing Pass had been delivered again. The Garrison Vice Censor-in-Chief had died in battle, and Yuan Hong, the Regional Commander who had originally been stationed at Zijing Pass, had also died even before the Vice Censor-in-Chief. Now only a few Chiliarchs and Centurions remained at Zijing Pass to maintain appearances. The situation was truly precarious, yet the reinforcements from Hebei West Circuit were still on the road. It was truly maddening.
Fu Youde and Chen Dezhong waited for half the day, waiting until dusk had fallen before Chief Minister Chang finally emerged. They couldn’t help but exchange glances and breathe sighs of relief, hurriedly stepping forward to greet him hesitantly: “Chief Minister, sir.”
Chief Minister Chang glanced at them, his brow carrying undisguisable fatigue. After all, he was already over seventy years old. No matter how good his energy was, it had its limits. But seeing these two men, he still grunted in acknowledgment, allowing them to follow him out, following him all the way to his residence before asking them: “What matter is so urgent that you must find me?”
Affairs concerning the Eastern Palace—no one would dare neglect them now, for no one knew whether Emperor Jianzhang would ever wake again. Fu Youde didn’t think there was anything wrong with Chief Minister Chang’s attitude. He bowed down, completed his salute, then told Chief Minister Chang about the rumors flying everywhere in the capital: “Things cannot continue this way. I suspect something isn’t quite right.”
As for what exactly wasn’t right, Chen Dezhong spelled it out: “Teahouses and restaurants are always filled with people listening to these baseless tales. Among the common folk, people have now even composed children’s songs praising Prince Gong while disparaging the Crown Prince and the Grand Imperial Grandson, and even insinuating that His Majesty’s illness resulted from the Grand Imperial Grandson’s scheming. There are already quite a few rumors and gossip going around, and the censors are all restless too. Old sir, please think of a solution quickly. We cannot let this continue. If this goes on, won’t His Highness be portrayed as a heinous criminal? Even the fortress commanders at the passes will become anxious and unsettled, not to mention that Chief Commander Cui is still far away in the northwest resisting the enemy, his fate unknown.”
If the court were to fall into chaos now, the Great Zhou would truly be finished.
Thinking of this, both men couldn’t help but feel a chill in their hearts. For the sake of that position, Prince Gong had truly employed every shameless tactic. Not only had he lured the Tartar people through the pass, he even fantasized about stirring up the capital until it was turned upside down. If the capital fell into chaos, wouldn’t the realm become even more chaotic? His intentions were truly detestable.
Chief Minister Chang leaned back in his chair, alleviating the pain in his lower back, then raised his eyes to look at them: “What else have you heard? Say it all, don’t hide anything. Speak.”
If it were merely rumors among the common folk, these two wouldn’t be this panicked. There must be other matters. He tapped on the table, drawing both their gazes: “Speak plainly. What is there that cannot be said at this point?”
Indeed, having reached this stage, what couldn’t be said? Both men came to their senses. Chen Dezhong glanced at Fu Youde before speaking: “We received word that Censor Shi is preparing to submit a memorial.”
The famously impartial and incorruptible Censor Shi—the very Censor Shi who had once brought down Elder Chen with a single stroke. Anyone whom his memorials condemned would end up either dead or crippled. Chief Minister Chang raised his eyebrows.
Seeing Chief Minister Chang raise his eyebrows, Chen Dezhong became even more anxious: “Others aside, Censor Shi is no ordinary person. If he submits a memorial, then people throughout the realm will truly believe that His Highness is the heartless and ungrateful person described in Prince Gong’s proclamation.”
Fu Youde nodded beside him, adding: “Censor Shi and the others also plan to have the Cabinet, while deciding on political affairs, issue an order for the Three Judicial Offices to jointly investigate the matter of His Majesty’s coma.”
Clearly they were taking the rumors as truth, believing that Zhou Weizhao had truly harmed Emperor Jianzhang in order to ascend to power. He found it somewhat incomprehensible how these people could be so foolish. Obviously, having Emperor Jianzhang alive was most advantageous for the Grand Imperial Grandson. The Grand Imperial Grandson would have to be mad to harm Emperor Jianzhang, especially at a time when he hadn’t even been formally invested as Grand Imperial Grandson or received the golden册 and seal of the Grand Imperial Grandson. But there was no helping it—everyone was saying this now, claiming that the Grand Imperial Grandson was so impatient because he feared Prince Gong would march into the capital and explain his grievances to His Majesty. Even worse, some directly said that His Majesty had already believed Prince Gong was wronged and wanted to thoroughly investigate the matter, which was why Zhou Weizhao had become desperate. In any case, they said whatever sounded worst. It was truly infuriating and unsettling.
After the two finished speaking, they looked expectantly at Chief Minister Chang, asking in unison for him to think of a solution.
At this point, even if they had thoughts of looking out for themselves, truthfully speaking, they were genuinely worried that the court would truly fall to Han Zhengqing and the Tartars’ coordinated attack from within and without.
Yet Chief Minister Chang’s face showed not the slightest trace of alarm; he even smiled.
This smile left both Chen Dezhong and Fu Youde stunned. Chief Minister Chang… at this critical moment of life and death, how could he still find Censor Shi’s memorial submission something worthy of happiness? This seemed altogether too absurd!
Fu Youde gathered his courage and called out with a worried,苦-faced expression: “Chief Minister, sir!” Seeing Chief Minister Chang turn his head and wipe the smile from his face, only then did he look at him: “Sir, this is no trifling matter. Right now rumors are rampant. Weren’t you the one advocating for His Highness to serve as regent? If this continues, it will surely lead to great disorder. Isn’t the urgent priority now to find someone to act on behalf of the Son of Heaven? If the Grand Imperial Grandson suffers such defamation, and if Prince Lu and Prince Su also respectively stir up trouble… if that truly happens, then things will really be disastrous.”
This was also one of the reasons why Fu Youde and Chen Dezhong were so anxious. After all, if Zhou Weizhao were not irreplaceable—though he was the Crown Prince’s son, he had not yet been formally invested. Prince Lu and Prince Su, on the other hand, had both been enfeoffed princes for many years, holding high positions with great authority. There was also Consort Song’s young prince. If Zhou Weizhao’s reputation truly became notorious beyond redemption, the court might very well push these people forward.
“I understand your meaning,” he said. “But Censor Shi hasn’t submitted his memorial yet, has he? So let’s wait until after he submits it to discuss further.”
He smiled: “Don’t be anxious. This is only the beginning.”
After saying this, he looked at the two again: “You shouldn’t involve yourselves in these matters anymore. With the recent turbulence, the boat might capsize at any moment.”
When important people spoke, they never explained things thoroughly. Even Fu Youde, the Crown Prince’s Chamberlain for Ceremonials, couldn’t understand what Chief Minister Chang meant by these puzzling words. He couldn’t help but interject: “But…”
“There are no buts.” Chief Minister Chang interrupted them. “Nothing has happened yet, so how can we make a decision? We must wait for matters to erupt first. Blocking is not as good as channeling. If it erupts, that would actually be a good thing.”