novelraw Chapter 484 - 253. In the mortal world, holding power is like a game of chance_2.
Chapter 484 - 253. In the mortal world, holding power is like a game of chance_2.
Empress Dowager Li glanced at the Three Princes of the Royal Family and the officials, then slowly revealed this secret.
As her words fell, the reactions of the officials and princes varied. Some remained composed, their self-control evident, while others looked furious and displeased. Disturbing an ancestral tomb, regardless of the reason, was an almost unforgivable sin in Fengxi Country, which highly valued Loyalty and Filial Piety. This was especially true considering the tomb in question belonged to Empress Xiao Zhang, Ancestor Emperor’s Wife.
"Does the Empress Dowager believe the Xu Family is without capable members?" The Three Princes of the Royal Family exchanged glances, slapped the low tables beside them, and rose to their feet in anger, demanding, "If Empress Dowager Li succeeded in disturbing the ancestral tomb of their Xu Royal Family, wouldn’t it broadcast to the world that the Xu Royal Family had submitted to her tyranny? They could not ignore the impact such an act would have on the hearts of the People."
The Minister of the Imperial Clan, who knew the inside story, witnessed this scene. His eyes flickered, but he remained silent, not speaking up to support Empress Dowager Li. Compared to the fate of the nation, the foundation of the Xu Royal Family was more important to him. Besides, this might also be an opportunity to make a move against Empress Dowager Li. If handled well, the Imperial family could seize this chance to regain power.
Witnessing this, Empress Dowager Li frowned slightly. She looked towards the Civil Officials seated on the right side of the hall and coughed lightly, signaling them to speak.
"Princes, the importance of ancestral tombs is understood by all under Heaven. However, you are nobles of imperial lineage, recipients of generational state grace and the sustenance of the Common People. How can you, for selfish reasons, ignore the well-being of the People? If the Imperial Court falls, how will the People survive? If the Emperor, the father of the nation, perishes, the entire country will mourn. This would cause immense suffering and financial burden, with grievances rising from the populace... Would that not be a greater tragedy than what befalls the Xu Family alone?"
Ministry of Rites Minister Meng Du, seated at the lowest-ranking position, noticed Prime Minister Huan Shideng lightly tapping the armrest of his chair with his right hand—two fingers held together. Meng Du then rose, bowed with hands clasped towards the imperial kinsmen on the left side of the hall, and was the first to counter the three princes’ earlier statements. His reasoning was well-founded and difficult to dispute. The Xu Family’s ancestral tomb was indeed important, but the Xu Family were not ordinary Common People; they were the Imperial family. They could not, out of selfishness, ignore the Common People. "The People are primary, the state is secondary, and the ruler is least important."
"Minister Meng speaks correctly," Yongan Duke interjected with a faint smile, cutting Meng Du off. "However, I recall hearing that Minister Meng’s ancestral roots are in Qingyuan County. Was it not during the Guangwen Third Year that he expanded his ancestral tomb by encroaching upon the lands of the Common People, causing considerable turmoil at the time?"
For a Civil Official to rise from commoner status to a high-ranking position at Court, and to remain uncorrupted, especially in the declining years of a Dynasty, was a rare feat. Moreover, expanding one’s ancestral tomb and Ancestral Home were ways to display prominence in one’s hometown. To refrain from such acts was like wearing brocade at Night—a hidden glory that left an itch in the heart. Although Ministry of Rites Minister Meng Du occupied the lowest seat here, in the Imperial Court, he was a chief of one of the Six Ministries, ranking just below the Prime Minister and Vice Prime Minister. As a staunch royalist, Yongan Duke knew the misdeeds of Huan Shideng’s faction as if counting his family treasures.
"This..." Hearing this, Ministry of Rites Minister Meng Du broke out in a cold sweat, his words catching in his throat. No matter how eloquent his arguments, he could not refute such ironclad evidence. To argue further would be pointless if the Imperial family forced him to excavate his own family’s ancestral tomb, or worse, dismissed him from office.
Seeing Meng Du sit down dejectedly, a slight smile touched Huan Shideng’s lips. He stroked the three strands of his fine beard and said, "Minister Meng was merely prioritizing public duty for the state over personal sentiment. If Yongan Duke finds this objectionable, then perhaps the Meng Family’s ancestral tomb could indeed be disturbed... After all, since earth is to be moved at Fengling, and Meng Du is a meritorious minister, it would be highly fitting for the Meng Family to be interred there as well, accompanying the Grand Ancestor. This is my view." Having spoken, his gaze, sharp and predatory, fixed on Yongan Duke.
Nobles were distinguished by rank: a Commandery Prince (Junwang, like Yongan Duke) was First Rank, while an Imperial Prince (Qinwang) was Super Rank. Yongan Duke, as a leader among the nobility, held a particularly revered status. In the Imperial Court, the main obstacles to his consolidation of power, aside from the Xu Family’s Feudal kings, were Yongan Duke and the Duke of Kun Country from the ranks of the nobility.
"To be buried in Fengling would be an honor for my Meng Family! I, Meng Du, second this proposal..." Upon hearing Prime Minister Huan Shideng’s trenchant words, Meng Du’s face flushed with excitement, and he declared with a broad smile. Being buried in Fengling, the Mausoleum of the Grand Ancestor, was no punishment; it was a tremendous honor. For such a reason, absolutely no one in the Meng Family would object to disturbing their ancestral tomb.
"Absurd!" The Minister of the Imperial Clan struck his cane hard against the ground several times, his face tight with suppressed fury. "Fengling is the Mausoleum of the Grand Ancestor! It is not some plaything for you to trifle with!" Powerful ministers meddling in state affairs, while perhaps beneficial for the state by maintaining stability in the Imperial Court and filling power vacuums, is certainly not a good thing for us, the Xu Royal Family... After all, the ultimate ambition of such powerful ministers is to usurp power and don the imperial yellow robe. A powerful minister is no loyal minister!
"Huan Xiang’s flippancy is truly a loss of decorum..." Scarcely had the Minister of the Imperial Clan finished speaking when, amidst a fit of coughing, an unexpected person spoke up, directly aiming his criticism at Prime Minister Huan Shideng.
All eyes turned upwards to see the pale-faced young Emperor Xiaochang lowering a Silk Handkerchief from his lips. He looked directly at Huan Shideng, his expression clearly showing displeasure. Those permitted burial in Fengling were, without exception, founding ministers of great merit, such as the founding Grand Chancellor Gongyang Yi and First-Rank Prince Chang Kun. While Meng Du’s status as Ministry of Rites Minister was not low, he was hardly qualified for burial in Fengling, let alone the ancestors of the Meng Family. To jest about Fengling burial spots in such a manner—this is Huan Shideng’s contempt for the Imperial family!
"I, Huan Shideng, have misspoken," Huan Shideng said, his face calm, betraying no emotion. He lifted his gaze slightly, paused for a breath, then continued slowly, "I hope Your Majesty will not take offense. Upon returning to my residence... I shall write another memorial to offer my apologies to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty’s anger has not subsided, I am also approaching my final years. I would be willing to beg leave to return my bones to my hometown..."
His partisans, disciples, and former subordinates are spread throughout the Imperial Court’s Central Axis and the local commanderies and counties. This Court cannot function without me, its Prime Minister! The realm cannot do without me, Huan Shideng! Emperor Guangwen used to tremble before me, scarcely daring to breathe. Since Emperor Xiaochang ascended the throne these past few years, he too has regarded me as cautiously as one would a tiger. Today, emboldened by the presence of the Xu Royal Family, Emperor Xiaochang dares to call me ’flippant.’ If I do not handle this appropriately, how will the Civil and Military Officers view me tomorrow? Afraid of the Imperial family? Afraid of the young Emperor? That word, ’flippant,’ is the young Emperor’s declaration of war on my position as Prime Minister!
"My son, why do you not quickly apologize to Huan Xiang?" Empress Dowager Li’s expression changed subtly. She repeatedly gestured to Emperor Xiaochang with her eyes as she hastily interjected, "What Huan Xiang said was all mature counsel for the good of the nation! How could it be considered flippant? My son, the nation and the family must come first! You cannot act on impulse!"
When Emperor Xiaochang still refused to apologize, Empress Dowager Li’s gaze turned cold, and her tone grew heavier. It is only with the support of the Civil Officials, led by Huan Shideng, that I, as Empress Dowager, can hold Court from behind the screen and control the affairs of state. If Huan Shideng were to simply leave... How... how would I maintain my power?
Witnessing this, Xu Xing shook his head; his estimation of Empress Dowager Li had diminished somewhat. I initially thought that while Empress Dowager Li was consumed by her desire for power, unwilling to let Emperor Xiaochang govern in his own right, she was at least clear-headed in other matters, possessing some commendable qualities. But now, it seems that might not be true. At least in her handling of Court affairs, Empress Dowager Li’s methods are sorely lacking. Her current reprimand of Emperor Xiaochang is ill-advised. In the Court, Empress Dowager Li and Huan Shideng, by combining their power, have managed to suppress the Imperial family and other factions among the Civil Officials. With Emperor Xiaochang, however, due to the struggle for imperial authority, they are effectively enemies... But this is merely the surface appearance. The true source of Empress Dowager Li’s power stems from Emperor Xiaochang. To belittle Emperor Xiaochang is, in fact, to undermine the legitimacy of her own authority... If I hadn’t intervened, perhaps in another ten or twenty years, without the threat from Yongan Duke and the Feudal kings, this Imperial Court would have changed its surname to Huan...
Xu Xing’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. Even the shrewdest individuals become as foolish as swine when faced with the allure of power. In my view, Empress Dowager Li is no exception.
"Heh heh, your discussions have truly been an eye-opener for this humble Daoist, much like watching a play... The struggles for power in the Mortal World are indeed fascinating."
Xu Xing glanced again at Emperor Xiaochang. Seeing the young Emperor’s obstinate refusal to apologize, Xu Xing nodded inwardly with approval. I’ll keep this Xu Family descendant in mind. However, with Huan Shideng and Empress Dowager Li currently exerting such pressure, and the atmosphere so strained, it was unrealistic to expect Emperor Xiaochang to hold out on his own. After a moment’s reflection, Xu Xing hesitated no longer. He instantly employed a Daoist art, letting out a hearty laugh that broke the tense stalemate, offering Emperor Xiaochang a reprieve as he spoke these words.