Notes on Longevity

Chapter 65: First Encounter with Minister He Upon Taking Office, Meeting Bai Yuan on Horseback After Leaving Office

"Master became an official just like that?" The autumn sun shone brightly, and a cool breeze rustled the leaves on the edge of the mountain.

Shimizu smiled and said, "Yes, that's how I became a high-ranking official, all by accident and without any explanation."

"At the time, I asked him, 'Even if you become the top scholar in the imperial examination, you still have to start from other official positions. How did he become the Minister of Rites so quickly?' He told me that he learned the reason from the Vice Minister of Rites not long after he became an official."

"The former Minister of Rites is dead?"

"How did you die?"

"Killed by someone"

"Your Majesty." Zhang Jinggong arrived at Emperor Shangyuan's palace under the cover of night. He looked at the middle-aged man in front of him with great incomprehension. Although his words were gentle, they could not hide his question: "Why didn't you investigate when the previous Minister of Rites was murdered?"

"Minister Zhang, this is a matter for the Ministry of Justice. What are you, the Minister of Rites, doing getting involved?" Emperor Shangyuan was holding a book of etiquette and looking at it.

"But Your Majesty, a high-ranking official has been murdered. Are you not going to do anything about it?" Zhang Jinggong continued to press.

But the emperor's reply chilled him to the bone: "Throughout the past thousand years, how many ministers have died at the hands of others? As long as they don't cause any trouble, that's fine!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Jinggong frowned, staring at the emperor. How could he do this? A subject died at the hands of another, and not only did he not care, but he also treated it as commonplace. This infuriated Zhang Jinggong.

"Alright, Zhang Qing, just keep doing your job. I won't ignore you if anything happens to you." The emperor's tone was impatient. He stared at the book in his hand, then waved to Zhang Jinggong, signaling him to move aside.

Helpless, Zhang Jinggong shook his head and could only leave. But as soon as he stepped out of the palace, Eunuch Li came running over: "Lord Zhang."

"Eunuch Li, what is it?" Zhang Jinggong bowed to Eunuch Li and asked.

"This old servant will convey a message for His Majesty." Eunuch Li looked around with a somber expression and cautiously said, "The cause of death of the former Minister of Rites is extremely complex. His Majesty is not indifferent, but rather helpless."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Jinggong asked, puzzled.

With a sigh, Eunuch Li recounted the whole story: "The previous Minister of Rites placed great emphasis on the system of rites. However, the Great Yan Dynasty stood undefeated for a thousand years, and there was only the saying that we attacked others, not that others attacked us. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and the officials had no worries about food and clothing, so they gradually relaxed their adherence to the system of rites, and the emperors of each dynasty tacitly accepted this practice."

"Since the world is at peace, a little less formality is no big deal. But that official did not think so. Even so, the proper etiquette could not be lacking. As a result, he offended many ministers and officials, and over time he brought this disaster upon himself."

Upon hearing this, Shimizu also found it absurd. Standing in the clearing of Mangosteen, watching the sun rise and the mist dissipate, he said, "This ceremony can be considered finished now!"

“Yes.” A flicker of emotion finally appeared in Qing Xuanzi’s calm eyes: “The Minister of Rites died because of the law, so the position is essentially non-existent.”

"My lord, my lord, what are you doing?" After hearing what Eunuch Li said, Zhang Jinggong turned around and rushed into the emperor's bedchamber. He knelt before the emperor, bowing his head and prostrating himself.

"Zhang Qing, what are you doing now?" The emperor looked at Zhang Jinggong in confusion. Hadn't he just had Eunuch Li speak to him, telling him not to dwell on this matter? Why had he come back again?
"Your Majesty! When the Great Way prevailed, it was with the brilliance of the first three dynasties. I, Gong, could not reach that level, but I had aspirations. When the Great Way prevailed, the world was for all. The virtuous and capable were chosen, and trust and harmony were valued. But now the Great Way has been obscured, and ministers are each acting for their own benefit. Thus, schemes and plots are made, and wars arise from this."

Zhang Jinggong looked up at the emperor, weeping bitterly. His words were full of indignation and advice. "Now, someone is murdering a minister for personal gain, and the emperor is turning a blind eye. If this continues, and resentment grows deep, it won't be as simple as the death of a single minister."

He had witnessed it all in court these past few days: officials forming cliques and resisting others, yet the emperor remained indifferent. Furthermore, military generals were involved; if this were to erupt, the thousand-year-old foundation of the Yan Dynasty would be destroyed. But how could the emperor not understand the meaning behind his words? "If you want to do it, then do it."

"My lord, take the order!"

In the second month of winter in the fortieth year of the Shangyuan era, Zhang Jinggong, after serving for two and a half years, was demoted to Beishan Prefecture, Qingshan County.

On his way to Qingshan County, he encountered the new Minister of Rites who was on his way to the capital to take up his new post.

"My name is Zhang Jinggong, and I am going to Qingshan County to take up my post as county magistrate." Zhang Jinggong looked haggard and bowed to the much older senior in front of him.

"I've heard about your situation. Young people are indeed impetuous. It's just a pity that Emperor Shangyuan values ​​the relationship between the emperor and his subjects more than etiquette. You're just wasting your energy."

Zhang Jinggong looked at him, a haggard smile on his face: "Lord Wan is right. I was rash and forgot that the Yan Dynasty has a thousand-year foundation, and some things are deeply rooted."

This man was named Wan Baiyuan. He was once the Minister of Rites, but like Zhang Jinggong, he was later ostracized and demoted for trying to change the political situation.

"I am already seventy-five years old this year, and I have no desire to go to the court anymore. But seeing how you have turned the tide and reversed the situation, I have agreed to go back."

Zhang Jinggong smiled and said, "Not at all. I hope you will take good care of yourself on your journey. Although the court etiquette has changed, it is still difficult to say what will happen."

Wan Bai laughed loudly, "When I was an official, some of these people were still unknown."

"But I'm also curious. What exactly did you do in the end to bring down so many officials?" he asked.

"It's embarrassing to admit, it's embarrassing to admit," Zhang Jinggong said, shaking his head helplessly.

Seeing this, Wan Baiyuan stopped asking questions and patted Zhang Jinggong on the shoulder, seemingly understanding Zhang Jinggong's shame, "For an official in a high position, it is inevitable, inevitable."

"It's good that you understand, sir. I really can't bring myself to say it." Zhang Jinggong looked embarrassed and lowered his head to Wan Baiyuan.

"Alright. Go take up your post now. I should go back and visit too. Youzhi, let's go." After saying this to Zhang Jinggong, Wan Baiyuan turned around and called out to the children playing in an open space beside the carriage.

Upon hearing the sound, the child immediately ran over, hugged Wan Baiyuan's waist, and said, "Sir, are we really going to the capital?"

"You don't have to go, but if your mother punishes you, I won't be able to help you." He smiled indulgently at the ten-year-old boy.

"And so, I bid farewell to Lord Wan between the two carriages, and we each rode our horses in opposite directions." Seeing the sun rise, Qing Xuanzi turned and walked towards the thatched hut, while Qing Shui followed behind him, looking puzzled. He didn't understand the meaning behind Zhang Jinggong's final words of "shame" to Wan Baiyuan.

But since he hadn't told Wan Baiyuan, he didn't want to ask, so he followed him back to the thatched hut. When he sat down next to Zhang Jinggong, he asked, "Now that you've come to the county town to become a county magistrate, why don't you continue doing it? Why are you seeking something so ethereal and unrealistic?"

He said, "If the mind does not die, the Way will not be born."

(End of this chapter)