The Child Emperor

The many eunuchs and young nobles hung around outside the Soaring Clouds Pavilion with nothing to do. Some sat, while some stood. Some gathered in small groups and spoke to one another quietly. Even the decorum official  who was responsible for maintaining order slackened off and looked around casually, admiring the beautiful scenery of the gardens. Suddenly, he saw a few young nobles walking towards him from afar. He creased his eyebrows — these young nobles were too unruly. Entering the palace was a duty for them, not a vacation. The Emperor was having his lesson yet these young nobles were wandering around the place.

The decorum official squinted his eyes to look closer, wishing to take a closer look at the identities of those young nobles before deciding how to handle the matter. But lo and behold, he saw a young noble who looked different from the rest. He did not wear the usual purple of these young noble attendants, but the Emperor’s yellow. He was in great shock, and after looking closer, his great shock turned into great fear and great confusion.

It was not just the decorum official who found out that something unusual was going on. Soon, everyone saw the Emperor walking from afar.

Nobody could understand what happened. The Emperor was in the Soaring Clouds Pavilion, why was another Emperor walking around outside?

Until everyone saw the eunuch Zuo Ji walking by the Emperor’s side, did they realize that that was truly the Emperor. They quickly fell on their knees as the decorum official said sonorously, “Your subjects greet Your Majesty. Your Majesty…” Even he did not know what to say under such circumstances. He only felt dizzy, like the sky and the ground were being flipped around.

Han Ruzi kept his gaze straight, and quickly walked past the entourage. He entered the Soaring Clouds Pavilion alone, leaving the explanation to be done by Zuo Ji.

Unlike the shock and confusion of those outside the pavilion, the two eunuchs in the pavilion were in a full-blown panic. They had looked everywhere for the Emperor, including atop the roof beams and under the tables, but they still did not find the Emperor. Nor did they dare go outside to ask for help. The old eunuch kept hitting the young eunuch while looking, muttering, “We are dead. We are dead for sure.”

Han Ruzi walked past the two of them and said, “The scenery of the garden is not bad. You two should go take a look some time.”

The Emperor quickly walked up the pavilion, leaving the two eunuchs speechless. The young eunuch fell on his bottom and grabbed the legs of the old eunuch, “Oh heavens…”

Prince Donghai was sleeping on the desk, while the old teacher was still droning on about the five pitches in music. It was like he was completely unaware that the Emperor and left and returned.

Han Ruzi sat down to listen. He was not sleepy — instead, there were many questions in his mind.

When he escorted the Emperor to the Hall of Diligent Administration, Zuo Ji was clearly more respectful than before. At times, he appeared to wish to say something. Han Ruzi believed that Zuo Ji would seek him out that night to speak in private.

In the Hall of Diligent Administration, the officials sent their congratulations to the Emperor.

Prince Qi had been captured. He had ran to the sea with a few trusted retainers and family members, and had intended to escape the realm via the sea. But it appeared that when push came to shove, Prince Qi’s ability to choose the right people had left much to be desired. Three of his sons and two of his concubines had leaked his plans to the Imperial government, leading Imperial soldiers to Prince Qi’s location. Prince Qi wished to commit suicide, but he was captured by his own guards and handed over to the Imperial soldiers.

With the main rebel captured, the rebellion of Qi had been resolved. Grand Tutor Cui would soon return to the Capital, victorious. The local government officials would continue to capture accomplices and participants of the rebellion.

Han Ruzi was more concerned about Yang Feng’s location. Nobody mentioned him. How to deal with Prince Qi was what the senior officials were most concerned about, and this required a decision by Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager had probably deliberately waited for the Emperor to arrive, so that her edict would be unassailable. She sent a female attendant to announce her decision: Prince Qi, who had arrogantly sought to defy the Heavens, and had committed an unpardonable crime, was ordered to commit suicide. He would be buried with the ceremony of a commoner, his noble titles stripped. The Heir of Qi had followed his father into rebellion without remorse, and shall be punished according to precedent. The other sons of Prince Qi would be demoted to commoners. As for the people and officials of the Princedom of Qi — those who were under compulsion were innocent; those who had intentionally followed Prince Qi would have to atone for their crimes; and those who had incited or encouraged Prince Qi would be executed, along with their Three Clans — the clans of their father, mother, and wife.

To Han Ruzi, this was yet another lesson. The main rebel, Prince Qi, did not receive a very heavy punishment — a few of his sons were even spared. Ordinary officials and commoners were also spared. Only “incitors” were heavily punished and regarded as unforgiveable.

The senior officials essentially had no objections, but believed that Prince Qi’s punishment was too light. They exchanged a few rounds of argument with the Empress Dowager.

Han Ruzi remained seated, and was sent back to the inner palace before hearing the result. Because he had martial lessons in the afternoon, he usually did not return to Tai-an Palace, but had lunch in a room in the Imperial Horsemaster’s quarters. There were few rules and few attendants here.

Lunch was rather casual, and Prince Donghai was one of the attendants. Actually, he sat with the Emperor at the same table and shared the meal with Emperor.

Prince Donghai had already heard of Prince Qi’s capture. He looked smug and said, “My uncle’s great, isn’t he? Hmph, when my uncle made a careless error and suffered defeat at the hands of the Qi army, there were those who called for the entire Cui clan to be exterminated. Surely they would be rendered speechless now. I wonder what new titles the Empress Dowager will bestow on my uncle.”

It was not yet the time to discuss rewards and merits. Han Ruzi told Prince Donghai about the Empress Dowager’s edict, and then said, “This is what is meant by the saying, ‘The meshes of the net of the law are vast and far apart, but nothing escapes.” Those incitors are truly contemptible.”

Prince Donghai laughed and shook his head. He swallowed the food in his mouth and said “You are too inexperienced. You think that this is being merciful?”

“Is it not? Those officials and commoners who were compelled are innocent, only the followers and incitors receive heavy punishments.”

Prince Donghai shook his head repeatedly. “It’s the Imperial Court — it must surely put forth a merciful and benevolent image before the people of the realm. When the time comes to take action, which ordinary government agent would dare be merciful? To be merciful would be to be disloyal to the Emperor.”

Han Ruzi was very shocked. “Would the senior officials dare to disobey an imperial edict?”

“Of course not.” Prince Donghai ate a few more mouthfuls before putting down his bowl and chopsticks. “Who is a follower? Who is an incitor? Prince Qi says he wishes to rebel, and you did not publicly oppose him — would you be a follower? Prince Qi won a victory in battle, and you followed everyone else around you and sent him a congratulatory message — would you be an incitor? And the most important line — implication of the Three Clans. You might be innocent, but some relative whom you have not spoken to in years was part of the rebel army — you would be implicated as well. There are precedents for such matters — if he does not execute more than ten thousand people, then the relevant official in charge would be guilty of dereliction of duty and be punished by the Imperial Court.”

“More than ten thousand people!” Han Ruzi was thoroughly shocked.

“Heh. However many people die would have nothing to do with you.” Prince Donghai rose and stretched lazily. “Have a good noontime nap. That way you would have energy later in the afternoon.”

Han Ruzi did not have much contact with the outside world, hence he was not that concerned about the number of people who would ultimately be executed. What he was shocked about was the difference between an imperial edict and its actual implementation. The Empress Dowager was evidently well-informed about the “precedents”, and hence she had drafted an adequate edict. While some of the objections raised by the officials were actually their attempts at figuring out the Empress Dowager’s true intentions, so that they would know what to do when it came to the actual implmentation.

Han Ruzi could not help but think that if he were truly the one in power, he would not be an adequate Emperor. He needed a frank teacher like Yang Feng, not a bunch of old fogies who were only good for memorizing books. Even Luo Huan-zhang, whose lessons were more interesting, would not be of much use.

Could he really rule after defeating the Empress Dowager? Han Ruzi’s heart palpitated with excitement. After all, he had already taken the first step. Just that the Grand Consort’s one lie had left him unsettled.

In the afternoon, the martial lesson was cancelled. No reason was given. The Emperor was sent back to Tai-an Palace, with Zuo Ji escorted. Once he entered the room, he chased everyone out, and walked in front of the Emperor with a stern expression. “Who directed Your Majesty?”

Zuo Ji realized that the Emperor could not have discovered his secret by himself. He must have received help.

Han Ruzi knew the meaning of bravado, of putting on a show of strength. He smiled and said, “Who could direct the Emperor? Lord Zuo need not worry; We did not say that We would tell the Empress Dowager of this matter. With the war in Qi just recently ended, the Empress Dowager has many matters to address. We do not wish to add more to her plate.”

Zuo Ji went soft immediately, both at heart and in his legs. He dropped to his knees and cried, “Your Majesty, just tell me what you want! This servant would no longer force Your Majesty to practice husband-wife relations. Unless… unless…”

“Unless the Empress Dowager orders it.”

Zuo Ji nodded helplessly.

“Relax. We just wish to have a chat with you.” Han Ruzi sat on the couch, gazing at the eunuch kneeling on the ground from a high vantage point.

“Chat about what?” Zuo Ji knew what, and he truly regretted divulging the Empress Dowager’s secret at the Heavenly Music Pavilion. He must have been too panicked and failed to watch his mouth.

“The injury on the Empress Dowager’s wrist?”

“I have already said…”

“We wish to hear of the details. What was the situation like then? Did you see it with your own eyes, or was it just hearsay?”

Zuo Ji bit his lips and remained silent for a while. Han Ruzi was in no hurry, so he sat in place while watching silently.

“What does Your Majesty wish to do?” Zuo Ji finally said.

Han Ruzi was mildly stunned. He did not expect Zuo Ji to ask such a question. He calmly replied, “We’re just short of a little evidence.”

This was a vague answer, which Zuo Ji interpreted by himself. He steeled himself and said, “Back when the officials surrounded the Ancestral Temple, I already knew that the Empress Dowager would not last long. The Shang-guan clan is too weak; even after controlling the Southern Army, it is unable to overawe the Imperial officials. Since Your Majesty wishes it, I am willing to pledge myself to Your Majesty’s service.”

Han Ruzi’s plan was to slowly get the truth out of Zuo Ji and to cause Zuo Ji to fear him. In the end, this eunuch’s reaction was totally out of his expectations. One moment he was putting on a show of strength, and the next he was already pledging his service.

Just like Prince Qi, the Empress Dowager had trusted the wrong person.

“We have never been worried about the officials outside the palace.” Han Ruzi continued to keep things vague. He did not even know which officials stood with him.

“Your Majesty once subjugated the Heir of Qi in the Hall of Diligent Administration, and garnered the support of many officials at the same time. News had travelled across the Capital — everyone says that Your Majesty is clever and gallant, and would surely be a sagely Emperor of the times.”

Zuo Ji began his flattery.

Han Ruzi listened in silence. “Tell Us the truth.”

“Yes.” Zuo Ji knocked his head on the ground, before continuing, “It was February of this year, on or around the 23rd. The Thoughtful Emperor and the Empress Dowager had a huge argument. Nobody else was present, and I only heard a few words. After the Thoughtful Emperor left, I entered the room and saw the Empress Dowager’s hand bleeding. Hence, I helped bandage the Empress Dowager’s wound. The Empress Dowager was in tears, saying that the Thoughtful Emperor was unfilial. A few days later, the Thoughtful Emperor fell ill, and by the month’s end, he had passed away.”

“In that case, you did not actually see the Thoughtful Emperor in action?”

“It must have been the Thoughtful Emperor. I entered the room right after he had left, and the Empress Dowager’s hand had already been bleeding for some time. Surely she could not have hurt herself.”

“You do not lie?”

“How would I dare? I just beg Your Majesty spares my life on account of my meager contributions.”

“As long as you are not the primary wrongdoer, We will spare you.” Han Ruzi had also learn to leave himself some wriggle room in his words.

Zuo Ji could not tell, and quickly said, “I am not the primary wrongdoer! I am not even an accomplice! The Thoughtful Emperor’s death had nothing to do with me!”

“Why would the Empress Dowager act against her own son?”

“I really do not know. But the Empress Dowager and the Thoughtful Emperor were never close. They never seemed like mother and son. There are rumors that the Grand Consort was the true birth mother of the Thoughtful Emperor, and back then, he was given away to the Empress Dowager so that she could get the title of Princess Consort.”

Han Ruzi nodded his head and did not mention to the Grand Consort. He asked, “The Empress Dowager could not have acted alone. Who do you think it was?”

“Yang Feng, it must have been Yang Feng!” Zuo Ji blurted out. “The Thoughtful Emperor was ill for three days, only Yang Feng attended to him in his bedchambers. The imperial doctors, eunuchs, and servant girls, would not be allowed by the Emperor’s side for long. I have long suspected Yang Feng, but I could never get any direct evidence.”

Han Ruzi did not believe Zuo Ji’s accusation, but there was indeed something that was difficult to explain: Yang Feng was loyal to the Thoughtful Emperor, but when the Thoughtful Emperor died, he managed to gain the Empress Dowager’s trust.

Seeing that the Emperor had gone silent, Zuo Ji thought that he had not said enough. He quickly added, “There was a servant-girl as well. The Thoughtful Emperor’s medicinal soups were delivered by her. Even if she was not an accomplice, she might know something.”