Nirvana In Fire

If there is something that passes fastest through the capital, it’s gossip. When court reopened on the 16th day of the first lunar month, most court officials had more or less heard some news, and tensions were high as they waited to see what would happen, so they did not expect the day to pass by as calmly as it did. No imperial decree was issued, and only some necessary ritualistic ceremonies were carried out. The Emperor’s facial expression also remained no different from usual. But after a few days had passed, when everyone thought the news was inaccurate, or that the situation had changed, everything that was expected happened all of a sudden.

On the 20th, the Emperor issued an imperial decree to suspend all powers of the Xuanjing Bureau, and all its officials were suspended from duty. At the same time, Zhu Yue was removed from his position in the Imperial Court of Justice and detained by the Ministry of Justice.

On the 23rd, the Inner Court issued an imperial edict to downgrade Prince Yu Xiao Jinghuan from a Seven Pearled Prince to Double Pearls on the grounds of disobedience, and he was ordered to retreat to his mansion for three months. Seven senior officials in the Yu Household were transferred out for not properly fulfilling their government duties.

On the 27th, Concubine Jing was promoted to Imperial Consort Jing and she was bestowed a gold seal.

Although none of the imperial edicts directly involved Prince Jing, anyone with eyes could tell that Xiao Jingyan was now the highest ranking prince. When he walked past the assembled officials on some occasions, supporting the arm of the increasingly old and stooping Liang Emperor, the future appeared very clear.

However, what most of the officials who were tired of all the faction fights were most glad with was that although Prince Jing was closer to the throne of the Eastern Palace and progressed rapidly through government, he had no major changes in his temperament. He was still as upright, tough, and steadfast as before. To Prince Yu and his supporters, Prince Jing’s attitude seemed cold and arrogant to the point of being disdainful, but the more he was like this, the more at ease these officials felt. There was no need for them to speculate. One only needed to observe his respect and recognition of ministers like Liu Cheng, Shen Zhui, Cai Quan and others of similar rank to understand what type of ministers he liked. As a result, the atmosphere in court began to change unconsciously.

“Xiao Shu, Prince Jing spoke of you before His Majesty today.” Meng Zhi said this seriously as he sat in the small library outside Mei Changsu’s bedroom. “Although the situation is very good now, shouldn’t he avoid rousing suspicion?”

“Did he initiate it?”

“Not really. At the time, His Majesty had just read Xia Jiang’s account. It said that you were Prince Qi’s supporter, so His Majesty asked if Prince Jing believed that. How do you think Prince Jing responded?”

Mei Changsu shook his head.

“He responded too boldly,” Meng Zhi lamented, “He said, ‘If Mister Su was Prince Qi’s supporter, how could I not have recognized him?’ Hearing this really made me break out in cold sweat. But it turned out alright. Although he acknowledged his intimate relationship with King Qi in this manner, His Majesty surprisingly did not get angry. Instead he laughed out loud and said that Xia Jiang must have been really desperate to be biting at straws. ‘Mei Changsu and Prince Qi, how is it possible for them to be related?’”

Mei Changsu slowly nodded and said: “In fact, Prince Jing was right to answer this way. His Majesty is already aware of the brotherly affection between him and Prince Qi. If he didn’t admit it, would that mean he was trying to hide something? His circumstances with regards to Prince Qi are now completely different from before. His Majesty’s heart is now stable and unsuspicious. Concealing anything from him would only indicate a guilty conscience.”

“That’s true,” Meng Zhi agreed. “Prince Jing then continued to talk about you, saying that you were connected to court only because you had used the three boys to defeat Baili Qi, and because of this, you were involved though innocent of any wrongdoing. His Majesty felt truly apologetic, which is why he sent me to deliver this scepter to you to appease you.”

Mei Changsu looked nonchalantly at the green jade scepter laid on the table and smiled faintly.

“You don’t think it’s anything do you,” Meng Zhi discerned his meaning and moved closer, “However, their conversation did not end there.”

“Oh? What else did Prince Jing say?”

“His Majesty brought it up first. His Majesty said to him, ‘I heard that Mei Changsu was Prince Yu’s advisor. Did you know that?’” Meng Zhi repeated this word for word, “Prince Jing replied, ‘I don’t know how Prince Yu thinks, but I think Mister Su had no such intention. I have had in-depth conversations with him. This person has deep knowledge in statecraft, earning him great admiration. If one treats him merely as an advisor, I’m afraid that wouldn’t be doing him justice.’”

Hearing this, Mei Changsu’s expression became increasingly serious and he frowned slightly.

“His Majesty then smiled and said, ‘Mei Changsu is indeed a talent. I intend for you to get closer to him, and feared that you would reject him for having once served Prince Yu. Since you also bear him respect, this is an opportune moment to visit him to assess the situation. This person is very knowledgeable, and has a good grasp of current affairs. You have been away from the court for more than ten years. I would like to find a way for you to make faster progress.’” At this point, Meng Zhi raised his eyebrows, “Regarding His Majesty’s instructions, all Prince Jing needed to do was oblige him, but his reply really took me by surprise.”

“Did he turn it down?” Mei Changsu also looked surprise.

“That’s not the reason,” Meng Zhi massaged his cheeks with his hands, and when he was relaxed he said. “Besides me, there were two other people. Who do you think they were?”

“Who?”

“Minister of Revenue, Shen Zhui and Minister of Justice, Cai Quan. They were there to conclude the case of the illegal fireworks factory.”

“Did Prince Jing’s reply have anything to do with them?”

Meng Zhi slapped his thigh and said, “Indeed! At that moment, Prince Jing looked back at Shen Zhui and Cai Quan and said ‘It is beneficial to have more association with scholars in order to progress, not just for me, but for court officials too so that they do not become set in their ways. Since I’m going to visit, Minister Shen and Minister Cai should join me. They are young and talented, so it would do them some good.’ His Majesty laughed when he heard this. He said ‘You silly boy, don’t you understand that I’m telling you to ask Mei Changsu for guidance? Bringing the both of them along, isn’t that just an intellectual discussion? Anyway, I leave it to you.”

Mei Changsu got up slowly, and paced thoughtfully around the room, his expression changing indeterminately. Meng Zhi felt uneasy and hurriedly asked, “Is there anything wrong with what Prince Jing has done?”

“No…..it’s nothing…..I understand Jingyan’s good intentions,” Mei Chang Su sighed deeply, “but he actually needn’t go through all this trouble…..”

“Good intentions?”

“Shen Zhui and Cai Quan will be the pillars of Prince Jing’s administration. He’s bringing them here to meet me just to pave a way for my future,” Mei Changsu gazed around. In a soft voice, he said, “No trace will be left of what has happened here. Like the secret chamber, once it is no longer needed, it will disappear without a trace. Even if in the future, Prince Jing succeeded in his great undertaking, I wouldn’t be able to take credit for it. Jingyan is a sentimental person. He doesn’t want me to be forsaken in future, which is why he so eagerly seized this opportunity to let his important ministers get to know me. In future, besides Shen and Cai, he will think of ways to bring more people along…..”

“Good, good!” Meng Zhi slapped the table happily, “That’s Prince Jing for you! He won’t let your support of him be in vain.”

Mei Changsu’s gaze intensified and he slowly shook his head, “I’m exhausted, not only from serving Prince Jing. We have a common goal. He doesn’t need to feel that he owes me something.”

“You can’t say that. You have done so many things for Prince Jing, it is only right that he doesn’t forsake you. You wouldn’t want him to be so cold as to completely ignore you, right?”

Mei Changsu couldn’t help smiling. He returned to his seat and nodded as he said, “That’s true. The greater one’s hopes and expectations, the greater the contradiction. It’s natural for Jingyan to have this intention. But times are uncertain. I need to find an opportunity to advise him not to be impatient. Finding a place for me is a minor matter and can wait. “

Meng Zhi looked meaningfully at him. Some thoughts came to mind, but he held himself back. In his confusion, the intelligent and quick-witted Mei Changsu wasn’t the least bit conscious of what he had just said. The way he spoke just now was completely unlike an advisor, at least, not like a typical advisor whose goal was to gain fame and fortune. But he thought it better not to remind Mei Changsu of this.

About two days later, Prince Jing brought Shen Zhui and Cai Quan to pay him an official visit. Mei Changsu had more or less recovered. Wrapped in thick white fur, he welcomed his guests into the front hall. There were heating stoves all round the room, and the guests soon felt warm enough to remove their warm outer clothing.

Before they came, Shen Chai and Cai Quan still harboured dislike and resistance in their hearts towards this Qilin prodigy who had chosen to recuperate in the capital city. When they met him, however, they were shocked to realize that he was actually truly ill. And after Prince Jing opened the conversation and their discussions gradually deepened, their prejudice began to unconsciously fade away.

In fact, most of the talents that Prince Jing was now relying on were recommended by Mei Changsu. So Mei Changsu understood Shen Zhui and Cai Quan very well and held them in high esteem. Where they shared the same philosophy, the more they differed in minor viewpoints, the more satisfying the discussion became. Cai Quan, in particular, went as far as to revise specific clauses of the criminal law after all these discussions, completely forgetting that the other party was a civilian with no official position.

They conversed in this manner from morning till noon. When Li Gang brought out wine and food, the guests did not decline, and after eating, they continued their conversation. When the sky began to turn dark, Prince Jing couldn’t help but remind them, “Mr. Su is not in good health and this may be too tiring for him. He won’t be leaving as he lives here, so you can consult him another day.”

The two ministers raised their heads in a daze, only then realizing that the sun was setting, and quickly got up to apologize. Mei Changsu smiled and said, “It is rare for Su mou to have the opportunity to get close to such young and talented da ren*. Having enjoyed such an open and uninhibited discussion today, there is no need for such formalities.”

*literally, “big people” – term for nobility / superiors

Cai Quan had a more straightforward nature. Now that he had acknowledged Mei Changsu’s talents and knowledge, he became more direct when making some points. “Mister Su has the talents equivalent to our country’s scholars, which I deeply admire. But talent and virtue must match, which is the way of the sagely. At the present moment, the world longs for order. I hope Mister Su will place value on good virtues and not go astray.”

Mei Changsu understood what he meant, and glanced at Prince Jing, smiling without speaking. Seeing that Prince Jing was standing on the sidelines, not taking the opportunity to issue a declaration to canvass this important talent, Shen Zhui felt more anxious than him* and hurriedly interjected to say, “Mister Su is such a wise man, so of course, you would naturally have a unique point of view. These days, who can revitalize the decline of the imperial dynasty? Who is able to strive for the interests of the common people? Presumably Mister Su already knows the answer to these questions?”

*this line literally translates to “the Emperor’s not in a hurry, but the eunuch is”

“Yes,” Mei Changsu couldn’t help but smile. “Su mou has been in the capital for more than a year and I have seen it all very clearly, so the both of you, please rest assured.”

Everyone there was intelligent, and up till that point, both the host and his guests had very much enjoyed their conversations. Shen Zhui and Cai Quan were thoroughly satisfied when they took their leave, and just as they were out the door, they caught hold of Prince Jing, suggesting that he secure Mei Changsu’s immense talents (for his own use). This was the outcome Xiao Jingyan had originally desired, so he didn’t need to put on an act but readily agreed.