The Child Emperor

The Founding Emperor of the Great Chu Empire was named Han Fu. He came from humble beginnings in Donghai Prefecture, and finally became the founder of a new state. Legendary tales of him abound — even though Han Ruzi had lived a secluded life, he had heard many such tales.

In these legends, the Founding Emperor’s life was full of miracles. When he was born, red clouds covered the sky while thunders clashed to announce his birth. When he grew up into a man, he had even more fantastical encounters: slaying a berserk dragon in a forest, passing judgment on a ghostly soldier, meeting an immortal on the peak of a mountain, finding treasure at the bottom of the sea… When he fought to conquer the world, he encountered danger numerous times, stuck in hopeless situations. But he always encountered someone who could, as though by divine grace, assist him and turn the situation around.

However, Yang Feng spoke of a different type of story. The type which Han Ruzi had never heard before.

When the Founding Emperor was merely Han Fu, he was not an ordinary peasant. His family had some wealth, but he did not do productive work, nor did he wish to be an official. Money was donated to get him a position as a minor clerk, but he was not diligent, for every three days of work, he would rest for two days. Instead, he enjoyed socializing with pugilists, merchants, landowners, and other heroes from all walks of life. His home often hosted guests, with parties held late into the night, causing disruption in the neighborhood. However, nobody dared to lodge a complaint — the Han clan hosted some reckless fellows who were willing to kill if provoked.

The Han family’s minor wealth could not sustain such wanton spending. In three to five years, all the money was spent, and Han Fu’s father was so angry that he died. His older brother took his wife and their mother and severed the household. His wife cried every day. But even then, Han Fu refused to change for the better. If he ran out of money, he would borrow. If he could not borrow, he would steal. If he could not steal he would rob.

In the autumn of his 25th year, his crimes were reported, and Han Fu turned from a district clerk to an outlaw. To avoid capture, he abandoned his wife and children and went on the run. His several years of socializing paid off — as he moved from east to west, he went to nearly every prefecture in the world. Everywhere he went, someone would host him, treating him to good food and wine. Local pugilists and heroes would hear his name and look for him, willing to befriend him.

It did not seem like he was on the run, but more like he was on a tour.

But such a life did not last more than five years. As Han Fu’s reputation grew, the government’s chase grew stricter and stricter. Soon, nobody could offer him shelter, and Han Fu had no choice but to escape to the wilds and gang up with bandits, not daring to openly appear in public eye.

A bandit’s life was not as carefree as one might expect. He often grew hungry, and was often worried about capture by the authorities. Different bandit gangs often fought for territory, and internal strife was rampant. In the wild, Han Fu’s contact with his old friends grew less frequent; his name might be mentioned by them occasionally over drinks but that was all.

Fortunately, Han Fu’s becoming a bandit coincided with a time of great chaos in the realm. He was not the first to rise in rebellion, but he had two big advantages: One, he had a bunch of reckless fellows under him. In the initial stages of building his faction, they were extremely important, so much so that one of them eventually betrayed Han Fu, though that would happen later. Two, he had extensive contacts and was extremely familiar with the prefectures and districts of the realm. Wherever he led his men, he would be able to find old friends and quickly gain the trust of the locals.

Yang Feng’s story stopped at this point. Till this point, there was no obvious miracle in the story. He left the Emperor with a question. “You have heard many stories of the Founding Emperor. They are not false and contain some truth, but you would have to dig attentively. I shall give you three days to consider a problem: there were many men who were adept at socializing and gathering allies. But why was it the Founding Emperor who succeeded in conquering the realm?”

“I know. Because the Founding Emperor had the help of gods.” Han Ruzi blurted out.

“Yang Feng looked at the Emperor for a moment and shook his head. “No, you don’t know. Think about it carefully.”

Han Ruzi could not fall asleep. Yang Feng’s story had mesmerized him, but it had too little content. It was also different from the image painted of the Founding Emperor by his mother and his servants. Yang Feng wanted him to pull the two types of narratives together and deduce why the Founding Emperor conquered the realm. This was too difficult. Han Ruzi tossed and turned the entire night, and his eyes were red and swollen in the morning. Yet he had not figured anything out.

In the following two days, Han Ruzi was often distracted during the lectures of the day. In any case, nobody cared, so he could immerse himself in stories of the Founding Emperor. Yang Feng’s story, Mother’s legendary tales, the murals in the quiet chamber depicting wars. These elements crisscrossed through his mind, but they could not come together. They seemed like three different people from three different times.

In the morning of the third day, he could not control himself. Lecturer Guo Cong had just sat down and was about to speak when the Emperor said, “Teacher Guo, you have read many books, have you not?”

The old teacher was stunned. This was the first time he heard the Emperor speak. He could not pretend that he did not hear, so he spoke equivocally, “This old subject has dedicated his life to study and has read unceasingly. But I would not say many books, just some.”

“Then speak of something other than the Classic of Poetry today.”

“Ermmm… That… We have just started on the Classic of Poetry. We have not even finished the first chapter, Guan Ju. Poetry contains worthy aspirations. It may move one’s emotions, glorify virtue, and halt evil. The great meaning within poetry moves the heaven and earth, it impresses ghosts and deities. From the mighty sovereign, to the common folk, all should learn poetry…”

Guo Cong wished to continue rambling on like this, so as to avoid answering the Emperor’s request. But Han Ruzi would have to answer Yang Feng’s question that night, so he could not pay attention to any poetry. He stretched his hand and knocked on the desk. “There is no hurry to learn poetry. We would like to listen to something more useful today.”

The color on Guo Cong’s face changed drastically. “Your Majesty, the Classic of Poetry is extremely useful. It contains worthy aspirations, it may move one’s emotions…”

Han Ruzi continued knocking on the desk. “The Founding Emperor never learned poetry. We would like to hear stories about the Founding Emperor. Teacher Guo, you have read many books, choose some of such stories for Us to listen to.”

Guo Cong’s face was deep purple by now. All he could do was to look to the two eunuchs guarding the door. The eunuchs were panicked as well, and did not dare give any direction. Prince Donghai, sitting opposite, stared at the Emperor. He was both shocked and confused.

“The Founding Emperor… The Founding Emperor’s stories are recorded in the national histories. Erm… If Your Majesty would like to listen to them, this old subject may recommend some scholars who specialize in history. They…”

“It would be too troublesome to look for someone else. We are not looking to learn everything about the Founding Emperor. Teacher Guo, you may just select a few stories that bear lessons to future generations.”

One of the eunuchs by the door quickly left. Guo Cong was now forced into a corner, and could only say, “The Founding Emperor’s merits were unparalleled, unprecedented and unmatched to this day. There are too many stories that bear lessons for future generations. Erm… Let this old subject think for a moment…”

Guo Cong dully thought for a moment as his face flashed from green to red. His breath grew heavier and heavier until his head drooped and he fell onto the ground. He had fainted!

A eunuch hurried forward to assist, while Han Ruzi was completely shocked. He did not think that his simple request would cause such a severe reaction.

Prince Donghai laughed. “Hah! I guess this counts as dying in the line of duty. He should feel honored for being able to die in front of the Emperor.”

“Don’t speak nonsense.” Han Ruzi rose up to take a look. He did not want his casual words to cause anyone’s death. “How is he?”

“Lord Guo… is still alive,” the eunuch said.  At this point, the other eunuch had returned and the two of the lifted Guo Cong out.

And thus the morning’s lesson ended.

“Why are you suddenly interested in the Founding Emperor?” When the two were left in the room, Prince Donghai asked curiously.

“I thought of the murals in the quiet chamber, as well as some stories that Mother had told. So I wished to hear how the senior officials would describe the Founding Emperor. I didn’t think that… things would turn out this way. Are stories of the Founding Emperor taboo?”

“It is not the Founding Emperor that is taboo. It is… you-know-who… someone does not wish for you to study history, afraid that your ambitions might be roused.” Prince Donghai quickly kept quiet.

Zuo Ji entered the door and took a look, saying nothing.

That night, Han Ruzi told Yang Feng what had happened during the day. Yang Feng said, “Your Majesty, now is not the time to be studying history. My stories are sufficient. Along with the legends you have heard, you should be able to come to a conclusion. Think further, Your Majesty, and when you understand we can continue the discussion.”

Hence, Yang Feng only taught the Emperor his characters. When the time for the lesson was nearly up, Han Ruzi asked, “Lord Yang, what did you do before this?”

“I was a eunuch who served the previous Emperor for more than ten years. I watched him grow up with my own eyes.”

“What about before that? I don’t think… you were a eunuch since you were a child?”

Yang Feng shook his head. “Of course not. In the past, I was a scholar… If Your Majesty is truly interested in my past, perhaps I will talk about it when we move on from discussing the Founding Emperor and start talking about the Martial Emperor. But Your Majesty should not harbor high hopes. My experiences were very simple. I could cover them in less than ten sentences.”

Han Ruzi believed that Yang Feng’s past was definitely not simple.

Guo Cong never appeared again. The teachers who taught him the classics were even more cautious than ever. Other than the contents in the books, they never spoke a single word more. Han Ruzi was also not interested in forcing them to teach him history. Hence, he daydreamed every day, thinking about the stories of the Founding Emperor in his memories.

In the middle of April, news came from Guan-dong. Prince Qi refused to accept interrogation by the Imperial Court, and openly rose in rebellion. Unfortunately, his opportunity had faded. The various lords and officials who had been in secret contact all sided with the Imperial Court. Grand Tutor Cui Hong, now appointed Grand General of Eastern Pacification, won a few battles in a row, and made a beeline towards Prince Qi’s center of administration. The rebellion’s days were numbered.

Prince Donghai was both pleased and anxious. He was pleased because his uncle had accomplished great merits, solidifying the Cui clan’s position. But he was anxious because once his uncle achieved victory and returned to the Capital, his cousin would be appointed Empress.

The other young nobles in the entourage were only excited. They would discuss the war extensively, expressing regret that they were not on the battlefield, being heroic and earning honor and merits. Sometimes, their voices could be heard from the Soaring Clouds Pavilion. It was through their voice that Han Ruzi found out about how the war in the east was progressing. As for Yang Feng, it was as though he was not concerned about the war. He never mentioned a word, and focused on teaching the Emperor his characters and pressing the Emperor to continue thinking.

The war in Qi ultimately did affect the Emperor’s quiet life. The lecture in the afternoon was cancelled and was changed to learning horseback riding and archery. This was in preparation for the parade that would be held when the army returned victorious.

Han Ruzi had never ridden a horse. Thankfully, the palace reared many gentle horses. He was quickly able to trot steadily atop a horse, though he could not gallop.

Archery was more difficult. Over two days, Han Ruzi could barely fire the arrow near the target board.

Learning in the afternoon had one benefit. Han Ruzi now had more contact with the young nobles in his entourage. He even learnt a few of their names, and had the chance to observe their talents.

Yang Feng’s predicted “first contact” had not yet appeared. The young nobles were all cautious, often communicating with each other through furtive glances, very seldom would they look at the Emperor.

On the third day of learning riding and archery, the Emperor and Prince Donghai had a new class to attend — unarmed combat and sword wielding. The Empress Dowager was still concerned about assassination, and hence hoped that the Emperor would have some ability to defend himself.

Their teachers were the Meng siblings who had not appeared for a time. Meng E’s brother had reassumed his actual, male appearance, and even revealed his name: Meng Che.

It was from the Meng siblings that Han Ruzi found a clue, and could finally answer the question that Yang Feng had left behind: Of all the men who were adept at socializing and gathering allies, why was it the Founding Emperor who succeeded in conquering the realm?