Aoyama

Chapter 428 Ennoblement
In the twenty-fourth year of the Jia Ning era, the old monk "Chan Zhao" from the Kujue Temple in the north traveled to the capital of the Ning Dynasty and was summoned by Emperor Ning in the Huangji Hall.

During this time, something unknown happened, and the palace summoned Hu Junyan, the director of the Imperial Observatory, Xu Shu, the deputy director of the Imperial Observatory, and Zhang Li, the chief disciple of the Huangshan Taoist Temple, to the palace overnight.

Zhang Li lived in seclusion at the City God Temple in Chongnanfang for many years, while Hu Junyan usually practiced asceticism at the Imperial Observatory, but he went to the palace early in the morning.

But Xu Shu had disappeared without a trace, and the search was fruitless.

In the end, the Secret Service found the completely drunk Xu Shu in Baishun Hutong, carried him into the Forbidden City, and didn't carry him out again until midnight...

Therefore, Chen Ji was not the first person to dare to enter the palace and meet the emperor while drunk.

But Chen Ji was the first person to enter the palace drunk and then dare to sleep soundly outside Renshou Palace.

The cabinet ministers and ministers in Renshou Palace turned and watched this scene silently, and for a moment no one spoke.

The Chen family of Fuyou Street passed down their family tradition of poetry and books. Their ancestral hall has a record of merits and demerits. The top of the record reads the three virtues of being a person: "reading, understanding principles, and practicing what one preaches." The bottom of the record reads the three treasures of the family: "collecting books, cultivating land, and maintaining a good reputation." The left side of the record reads the three things to fear as a person: "fear the mandate of heaven, fear the laws of the country, and fear what others say." The right side of the record reads the three things to avoid as an official: "do not curry favor with powerful eunuchs, do not form private cliques, and do not covet the interests of the people."

The Chen family, known for its strict family discipline, has produced an arrogant and unruly individual.
Some people turned to look at the throne, but the gauze curtain in front of the throne obscured the Emperor Ning's expression, making it impossible to see his emotions.

Wu Xiu waved to the eunuch beside her: "Go, wake him up."

Emperor Ning said calmly, "No need."

The officials were taken aback, while Wu Xiu's expression was inscrutable.

Emperor Ning looked at Shan Niu: "Where is Meng Ji?"

Shan Niu, standing outside the threshold, replied, "Your Majesty, a message has arrived by carrier pigeon from the post station. Meng Ji has departed from Kaifeng and will arrive in the capital in seven days. As for the trial of Liao Zhong, we will have to wait a little longer."

"I won't wait any longer," Emperor Ning said, looking at Liao Zhong. "Liao Zhong, I remember you were the second-place scholar in the imperial examination in the thirty-first year of the Zhengde reign of the late Emperor. Later, you were punished for your father's reckless remarks about state affairs, but were pardoned in the sixteenth year of the Jianing reign?"

Shan Niu placed the mud-like Liao Zhong on the ground and leaned him against the high threshold of Renshou Palace. Liao Zhong was unable to move and did not rush to answer Emperor Ning's question.

He barely managed to lift his head, gazing intently at the Renshou Palace: the beams above were adorned with Five Thunder Talismans consecrated by the Daoist temple, and above that, a magnificent coffered ceiling painted with the Twenty-Eight Mansions; the floor was covered with gleaming Suzhou imperial kiln lapis lazuli bricks, with the Big Dipper subtly engraved on them.

Liao Zhong sighed hoarsely, “It’s so beautiful. I’ve always dreamed of coming to Renshou Palace to see the place where the Grand Secretaries and ministers stood, to see how the court officials met with His Majesty, and to see how the grand plans for the country were made here… Unfortunately, I was stripped of my official rank and honors because of my crimes, so I could only dream about it. And that dream has lasted for thirty-seven years.”

A minister in the hall said in a deep voice, "How dare you! Answer His Majesty's questions."

Liao Zhong ignored him and continued to lament, "This sinful subject thought that after assisting the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, I would be able to stand here openly and proudly, wearing red official robes like these people, offering good strategies for governing the country, and bringing glory to my Liao family. But I never expected that on my first visit to Renshou Palace, I would be carried in by someone. How embarrassing and ashamed I am."

Grand Secretary Chen said slowly, "The year you passed the imperial examination, I was the educational commissioner. I knew you had real talent and learning, but it's a pity that you were implicated by your family and harbored resentment in your heart."

Liao Zhong smiled and said, "Yes, I hate it. In the morning I was a peasant, and in the evening I was in the emperor's court. I had a heart full of patriotism, but in the blink of an eye I was exiled to Lingnan. I have no way to serve, and all my efforts have come to an end. How can I not hate it? But looking at this Renshou Palace today, there's nothing special about it. The Five Thunder Tablet, the Twenty-Eight Constellations... Even the emperors of the mortal world have to seek the protection of those immortals who don't care about worldly affairs. Then who will protect the people of my Ning Dynasty? Who will protect my Great Ning Dynasty!"

Wu Xiu flew into a rage: "How dare you! Guards, seize him..."

"I am already a dying man, there is no need to threaten me with death," Liao Zhong glanced at Wu Xiu. "What do you want to ask me? Yes, it was I who abducted the Crown Prince from Plum Valley and caused him to break his principles, and it was I who went to search for Chen Ju to silence him. It has nothing to do with His Highness the Crown Prince. I have served the Crown Prince for sixteen years, and this Renshou Palace should have its curtains torn down and the Crown Prince placed on that throne!"

The cabinet ministers in the hall kept their eyes lowered and remained silent.

The officials remained silent, their eyes downcast. They hadn't expected that, instead of Meng Ji showing up, Liao Zhong would take all the blame himself. Nor had they expected that Liao Zhong would utter such outrageous remarks in Renshou Palace before his death.

These words were utterly treasonous and destined him to be subjected to the death by a thousand cuts.

The phrase "replace the crown prince on that throne" reveals a deep-seated desire for the crown prince's death...

Emperor Ning, sitting on his throne, remained calm and slowly said, "Put Liao Zhong in the imperial prison to await his fate. The Crown Prince has failed in his duties; imprison him in Zhongcui Palace for six months, where he will copy Taoist scriptures and reflect on himself three times a day."

The ministers couldn't help but exchange glances. Liao Zhong's rebellious words had only resulted in him being imprisoned? Fortunately, the crown prince was ultimately spared.

Shan Niu picked up Liao Zhong and turned to leave the palace gate.

As Liao Zhong passed by the Crown Prince, he and the Crown Prince locked eyes. The Crown Prince's eyes were so deep that they seemed to drip black poison. Liao Zhong laughed loudly, and his laughter faded into the distance.

But Emperor Ning said again: "The Jiefan Guard issued a warrant for arrest without investigating the truth. Wu Xiu will be fined three years' salary, and Wu Xuange will be dismissed from his post and never be employed again."

Wu Xiu bowed and said respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will also copy the Daoist scriptures every day and examine myself three times a day."

Just when everyone thought the dust had settled for the day, Emperor Ning suddenly looked outside the palace: "Chen Ji has behaved improperly before the Emperor. He shall be given twenty strokes of the cane and dismissed from his post."

After saying this, Emperor Ning got up and walked behind the imperial screen: "Those who know me say that I am worried; those who do not know me ask what I seek. The Great Ning Dynasty has lasted for 960 years, with 48 illustrious emperors. It is time for something to change for me. All of you, step down and rest."

……

……

The Grand Secretary and the ministers walked out, with two rows of eunuchs carrying palace lanterns leading the way, passing by Chen Ji and the Crown Prince. Only Zhang Zhuo was not in a hurry to leave.

He stood outside the threshold of Renshou Palace, quietly watching as the Jiefan Guard pressed Chen Ji down next to the Filial Piety Stele and swung the court cane, striking Chen Ji's back again and again.

He was given twenty strokes of the cane, and two canes were broken.

To prevent anyone from falsifying their sentence, the palace stipulated that a 20-beating cane meant breaking two canes, a 30-beating cane meant breaking three canes, and a 50-beating cane meant immediate death. If the person was still alive after the caning stopped, the executioner would be imprisoned in the imperial prison on charges of deceiving the emperor.

Chen Ji was completely drunk and didn't utter a sound of pain.

Just as Jie Fanwei was about to drag him out of the palace, Zhang Zhuo suddenly said, "Let me do it."

He bent down and lifted Chen Ji's arm onto his shoulder, but Chen Ji looked thin but was heavy, and he couldn't lift him up at all.

Zhang Zhuo looked around and, seeing no one else, could only instruct Jie Fanwei beside him, "Give me a hand, I'll carry him out of the palace."

Jie Fanwei exchanged a glance: "Lord Zhang, let us do it."

Zhang Zhuo said with unwavering certainty, "I'll do it."

Helpless, Jie Fanwei carried Chen Ji onto Zhang Zhuo's back.

Zhang Zhuo, dressed in a red official robe, carried Chen Ji on his back and slowly walked out, passing through red walls and golden tiles, and through magnificent palaces. If viewed from the night sky, the two appeared exceptionally small in the wide palace corridor, like a lone boat at sea.

Chen Ji didn't open his eyes, but his lips moved: "Lord Zhang, you're just a weak scholar, don't strain your back." Zhang Zhu smiled: "If it weren't for this opportunity, the new policies and my entry into the cabinet would probably have to wait another five years. You helped me get into the cabinet, and I carried you out of the palace. I'm not at a loss, it's just that you were wronged, being chased for days and nights without being able to take revenge."

“It’s alright, the Crown Prince isn’t having a good time either. Besides, my real enemy isn’t in the palace, but the second branch of the Chen family,” Chen Ji said casually. “Why don’t you tell me about what happened tonight, Lord Zhang? There are some things that I just don’t understand.”

“Then let me tell you,” Zhang Zhuo said, carrying Chen Ji through the hanging flower gate next to the Hall of Supreme Harmony: “Tonight, Grand Secretary Xu took leave due to illness and did not come to Renshou Palace. Grand Secretary Qi and Grand Secretary Chen have been coveting the position of Grand Secretary for many days and cannot stand me reviewing drafts in Xu’s residence, so they have been making many moves recently.”

"Now that the Crown Prince has suddenly run into trouble, they have no choice but to temporarily give up the position of Grand Secretary in order to prevent the Crown Prince from being deposed. Grand Secretary Chen was the Crown Prince's mentor. If Prince Fu is allowed to succeed to the throne, the Chen family will inevitably decline. Perhaps the Crown Prince has lost power now, but as long as the Crown Prince is protected, there is still a future... You should understand that His Majesty cannot really live forever."

Zhang Zhuo carried Chen Ji slowly, and Chen Ji patiently listened to his story.

"Bringing Liao Zhong back is like putting a knife to Grand Secretary Chen's throat. After much deliberation, Grand Secretary Chen decided to give Luzhou to the court to remeasure the land and implement new policies. But this can be reversed. His Majesty was worried that Luzhou would be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, so he asked Shan Niu where Meng Ji was. In fact, he was reminding Grand Secretary Chen that he could make Liao Zhong tell the truth, or he could make Liao Zhong lie. The reason why Liao Zhong was detained instead of executed was to keep this as a backup plan, so that he could recant his testimony at any time."

"But His Majesty is concerned not only with Grand Secretary Chen, but also with Grand Secretary Hu. Whether Prince Fu can regain favor after the Crown Prince loses power depends on what Grand Secretary Hu is willing to give up. Therefore, this game can only be considered alive when Grand Secretary Hu is willing to give up Shanzhou and Shanzhou."

At this point, the Chen family, the Hu family, and the Xu family behind Zhang Zhuo all became supporters of the new policy.

It seemed that, just as the Crown Prince had said, Renshou Palace was no different from the Six Livestock Farm. The only difference was that the Six Livestock Farm sold slaves with clearly marked prices, and the slaves would wear wooden tags around their necks, telling you how many taels of silver they were worth.

But the prices at Renshou Palace are something you have to guess.

Zhang Zhuo carried Chen Ji across the Fengxian Hall and continued, "The Crown Prince was spared and only confined for half a year, which relieved Grand Secretary Chen. As for Grand Secretary Hu, His Majesty had never assigned any tasks to Prince Fu in previous years, only allowing him to be a wealthy idler. Now, however, he has been given the task of investigating salt taxes. Regardless of whether it is easy or difficult to investigate, or even if it is possible to investigate, it is a declaration to the world that what the Crown Prince can fight for, Prince Fu can also fight for from now on... This is what Grand Secretary Hu obtained in exchange for two prefectures."

Chen Ji sighed softly, "His Majesty's things are really expensive."

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily: "People only think that I, Zhang Zhuo, sell official positions for high prices, but they don't know that what His Majesty sells is the most expensive. The two words 'title' are as heavy as Mount Tai."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ji finally understood: "His Majesty granted Prince Fu the task of inspecting salt, and to do so, he had to force the Hu and Xu families to fight. His Majesty also bestowed a marriage upon the Qi family, to see if the Qi family was willing to switch allegiance and break up the alliance between the Qi and Chen families. The Qi family indeed agreed and followed the trend."

“That’s right, but the Qi family has always been opportunistic, and they won’t sever ties with the Chen family.” Zhang Zhuo also sighed, “Overnight, His Majesty has thrown a grand scheme into disarray, turning the court into a tangled mess, but it’s all to buy time for the new policies and reduce my constraints. The only somewhat unexpected thing is…”

Chen Ji said, "Liao Zhong?"

Zhang Zhuo nodded: "This Liao Zhong served the Crown Prince diligently and conscientiously for twelve years, but was treated as a pawn. He probably hates the Crown Prince to the extreme. His words at Renshou Palace will likely keep the Crown Prince from rising again for ten years."

Zhang Zhuo suddenly said, "Traces of the past."

Chen Ji: "Hmm?"

Zhang Zhuo smiled and said, "You went through all that trouble to bring Liao Zhong back, but in the end no one is willing to give you an explanation. Don't you feel resentful?"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "No."

Zhang Zhuo stopped and looked back at the magnificent Huangji Hall behind him: "Chen Ji, it is certainly enjoyable to be a young knight-errant, and the martial world is certainly exciting, but if there is something you want to do... you should become a powerful minister."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "I've got it."

Zhang Zhuo then continued walking forward, carrying Chen Ji on his back, and slowly walked out of the Meridian Gate.

Outside the Meridian Gate, Xiaoman paced anxiously back and forth, holding her little black cat, while a young monk silently recited the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra not far from her.

The young monk whispered, "Miss Xiaoman, please stop pacing back and forth."

Xiaoman turned around and glared at him: "Keep chanting your scriptures! You're always slacking off in your spiritual practice, when will it ever be of any use?"

The young monk closed his eyes and said, "Amitabha, this humble monk will not hold it against you. With compassion and good deeds, I vow to save all sentient beings; with the golden staff in my hand, I will open the gates of hell..."

At this moment, Xiaoman saw Zhang Zhuo carrying Chen Ji out and hurriedly came forward: "Lord Zhang, what happened to my young master?"

Zhang Zhuo said with a smile, "It's nothing, I only got a beating."

Xiaoman's eyes widened: "You got a beating and you say it's nothing?"

Zhang Zhuo saw the little black cat in her arms and said with slight surprise, "This black cat..."

He lowered his voice: "Shouldn't it be in the Qianqing Palace? No, not that one."

Chen Ji also opened his eyes: "Wasn't this sent to me by Lord Zhang through Miss Zhang?"

Zhang Zhuo raised an eyebrow: "No."

Chen Ji fell into deep thought.

Xiaoman didn't think too much about it and urged, "Lord Zhang, let the little monk carry my young master on his back. The two of us should hurry and take him home to apply the medicine."

Zhang Zhuo shook his head: "No rush."

Xiaoman was taken aback: "Why aren't you in a hurry?"

"Wait a little longer." Zhang Zhuo turned around and looked at the Meridian Gate with Chen Ji on his back. "So many people benefited from Chen Ji's help today and got what they wanted, but Chen Ji hasn't. Let's wait a little longer; he deserves some compensation."

Xiaoman's little head was full of questions: "Is Lord Zhang so certain?"

Zhang Zhuo said nonchalantly, "If they're not even willing to give me this much compensation, then we won't risk our lives for them."

The next moment, inside the Meridian Gate, a young eunuch holding an ochre-yellow imperial edict announced loudly, "Chen Ji, receive this decree. Seeing that you are injured, you are exempt from formalities!"

Chen Ji dismounted from Zhang Zhuo's back and bowed deeply: "This humble subject, Chen Ji, receives the imperial decree."

The young eunuch unfurled the imperial edict and proclaimed in a loud voice: "I, the Emperor, believe that ancient emperors conducted hunting and military exercises to demonstrate their martial prowess and encourage talent and courage. Now, there is Chen Ji, whose archery skills surpass all others. His arrows never miss their mark, and his horse never stops in pursuit of beasts. In wrestling tigers and leopards, he displays the bravery of Ben Yu, and in piercing leather armor, he demonstrates the skill of Yang Youji. In the end, he achieved the greatest harvest, surpassing all others and winning the top prize."

"Your loyalty and bravery have been demonstrated on the hunting grounds. How could I begrudge you the reward for your merits? I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Baron of Wuxiang County,' with a stipend of three hundred shi of grain, which shall be hereditary and perpetual. Respectfully yours!"

This was the compensation Emperor Ning gave him.

Chen Ji was granted a noble title.

(End of this chapter)