Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 46, the character "昭" (Zhao) cannot be visited! (5k)

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

More than thirty high-ranking officials of the third rank or above, including the chief officials of the Three Departments, the ministers of the Six Ministries, the left and right vice ministers, the chief officials of the Five Directorates, the chief ministers of the Nine Courts, the chief officials of the Censorate, and the Hanlin Academicians, stood solemnly.

Further ahead, both the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong bowed respectfully, expressing their loyalty.

at this time.

"Your Majesty, the six officials who are handling the case request an audience," reported the chief eunuch.

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong stopped expressing their loyalty, and the thirty-odd high-ranking officials in purple robes were all invigorated.

"Xuan!"

In the main seat, Zhao Zhen held an ancient book and waved his hand.

In less than ten breaths, the six people in charge of the trial—Ouyang Xiu, Feng Yuan, Jiang Zhao, Huang Sheng, Li Qi, and Rong Xian—entered the study one after another.

The dozens of people in the study were all masters of self-cultivation, and none of them showed any emotion.

"How did the interrogation go?" Zhao Zhen asked calmly, his voice revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Jiang Zhao took two steps forward, presented the case files and a congratulatory letter for Huang Jing's new book after his confession, and respectfully replied, "Huang Jing has confessed."

Zhao Zhen glanced at the congratulatory memorial a few times, then flipped through a few pages of the dossier, and asked, "Who instructed him?"

In fact, this question is just asking about the process.

The moment the case file was presented, the emperor was the first person, besides the six judges, to know the outcome.

This question was addressed less to the emperor and more to the officials in the study.

This incident is neither a major nor a minor matter.

On a smaller scale, it simply means that a loyal minister advised the monarch to establish an heir, considering the well-being of the country and its people.

Even Liu Hang, who schemed against the emperor, could still be attributed to loyalty.

The minister was anxious and devoted to the public good, and thus adopted an untimely method.

In the past, there have been many memorials advising against the establishment of an heir, but they were not as harsh in their words or as timely in their submission.

On a larger scale, this represents a gradual decline in Zhao Zhen's authority.

In the past, no minister had ever dared to do such a thing.

This means that the influence of the monarchy is weakening, and it is a very obvious weakening, which no emperor could tolerate.

The matter could be big or small, depending on the emperor's attitude.

Even today, the emperor's attitude is very clear.

Unacceptable!

An emperor who has no children in his old age is already very sensitive. How could he be so easily provoked by such a sudden shock?
This time, all the high-ranking officials of the third rank in purple robes were summoned by the Emperor and gathered in the Imperial Study, for no other reason than—

Kill the chicken and the monkey!
Furthermore, both the emperor and the officials knew that this was a warning to others, but no one dared to ignore it.

If you can kill the chicken, you can certainly kill the monkey!
"Huang Jing said that it was Liu Xianggong who instructed him," Jiang Zhao answered truthfully.

really!

Many people turned to look at Liu Hang.

The imperial study was unusually quiet, with only the soft sound of Zhao Zhen turning the pages of the documents.

After a long pause, Zhao Zhen asked in a deep voice, "Liu Hang, do you have any grievances to defend yourself?"

Liu Hang!

Not Lord Liu!
Even Liu Qing wasn't one of them!
Many people felt a chill run down their spines, already knowing the outcome.

Han Zhang, the Minister of Rites, closed his eyes slightly, his demeanor natural and composed, showing no intention of looking at his old rival.

"Your Majesty, I have been foolish!" Liu Hang stepped forward and knelt down, tears streaming down his face. He placed his official hat on the ground with both hands.

"But if you say that this old minister has disloyal intentions, this old minister would rather die than agree with it." Liu Hang kowtowed heavily, looked up and cried, "Your Majesty has no son, so the country and the state are in turmoil. The civil and military officials have been advising you for years, but Your Majesty has not been moved in the slightest."

He sighed and said, "This old minister is concerned about the country and has offended the king. This old minister is guilty!"

The implication of this statement is, of course, that good intentions led to bad results.

The initial intention was good!
After speaking, Liu Hang kowtowed deeply.

"Snapped!"

Zhao Zhen remained expressionless, tossing the dossier in his hand onto the desk.

These civil servants are really good at causing trouble!

In such a scenario, the charges are already clear. They were clearly plotting against the king, yet they managed to portray themselves as concerned for the country and appear loyal and righteous.

Zhao Zhen rubbed his temples, looking somewhat tired.

Difficult!

The common people have it tough, the officials have it tough, and he, the emperor, has it tough too!
"Liu Hang, were you acting under someone's orders?" Zhao Zhen asked, his face grim, as he stood up and walked over.

He had already read the case files, which contained very detailed records.

However, what is recorded here is only superficial. Apart from Huang Jing mentioning the Prince of Yong more than once, there is no other record of the two princes.

This is not surprising. In cases that may involve two kings, it is quite common for several officials to be unwilling to delve deeper into the investigation since a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet has already been identified.

Therefore, Zhao Zhen did not fully trust the records in the dossiers.

Of course, the case files also have some reference value.

According to the case file, Huang Jing mentioned Prince Yong more than once during his trial.

Even after being tried, daring to spout praises of "Yao, Shun, and Yu" will only result in a harsher punishment and serve no other purpose.

Judging from Huang Jing's words, he either genuinely supports the Prince of Yong, or the Prince of Yan bribed the person who framed the Prince of Yong.

But whatever the circumstances, it's certain that both kings were involved.

"No!" Liu Hang shook his head: "I am devoted to the public good. Besides Your Majesty, who else can instruct the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet?"

Zhao Zhen gave Liu Hang a deep look and shook his head.

He didn't expect to actually get anything out of Liu Hang.

These scholars, step by step, rose to the position of high-ranking officials; their level was exceptionally high!
"Qing, you've grown old!"

Zhao Zhen sighed and walked back to his desk.

In short, Liu Hang's fate is sealed!

Fortunately, no conviction was handed down, which at least preserved some dignity.

Sometimes, the emperor's power is not necessarily overwhelming.

But who doesn't have political enemies?
Once the emperor is determined to take sides and disrupt the balance among his ministers, he can achieve an effect of almost "crushing" power.

This is the meaning of the principle of balance.

"According to the records, Huang Jing believes that Prince Yong has many heirs, and that the virtuous ones are of advanced age. What does Prince Yong think?" Zhao Zhen looked at the two princes.

The Prince of Yong panicked and hurriedly stepped forward, crying, "Your Majesty, this is actually a scheme by the Prince of Yan to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers. Huang Jing's repeated memorials are actually an attempt to flatter me to my death!"

He initially thought it was just a simple scheme to frame him.

At that time, he could simply go to the palace and explain everything to the Emperor.

Unexpectedly, the scoundrel Huang Jing dared to submit a disobedient memorial on the occasion of the emperor's birthday, which has caused him great harm.

"Hmm." Zhao Zhen remained noncommittal.

"Your Majesty, isn't Prince Yong's statement also a scheme to sow discord between the ruler and his ministers?"

The Prince of Yan stepped forward and cried out, “Your Majesty must surely believe that I have devised a scheme to plot against the Prince of Yong. But the scheme is hardly effective! Not only is it disobedient and insubordinate, but it is also extremely crude.”

In my humble opinion, this is likely a ruse orchestrated by the Prince of Yong to gain Your Majesty's trust and sow discord between us!

After speaking, the Prince of Yan burst into tears.

Both kings had their own versions of events. You said I was using a scheme to flatter you to your death, while I said you were using a scheme within a scheme, a self-inflicted injury ruse.

For a time, it was impossible to tell who the real person behind the scenes was.

Zhao Zhen sighed deeply.

By now, some of the general plans behind this matter can be discerned.

At least, there was a struggle between Han Zhang and Liu Hang, as well as a struggle between the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong.

The two are not directly related; the connection is made through Liu Hang.

one stone two bird!
"What do you all think should be done about this?" Zhao Zhen asked, seemingly out of the blue.

Although he didn't say anything, everyone present was a smart man and naturally understood the meaning behind the question.

Ultimately, this matter involves not only factional strife among civil officials, but also a struggle between two princes.

Factional strife is nothing new; the outcome is already clear, and Liu Hang has confessed.

However, the struggle between the two kings was not easy to handle, and this was precisely Zhao Zhen's concern.

This question is directed at everyone.

However, targeting everyone is the same as targeting no one.

Thus, the Imperial Study fell silent once more.

After a long while, no one spoke.

Zhao Zhen looked at the group of people and shook his head repeatedly.

None of the seasoned veterans intended to say anything.

"Jiang Aiqing, what do you have to say?" Zhao Zhen called on him.

In the morning, Jiang Zhao's debate, which was no less impressive than that of a minister, left a deep impression on him.

Jiang Zhao secretly groaned upon being called out.

Why did you click on me?
I'm just a lowly sixth-rank official!

Jiang Zhao took two steps forward and hesitated for a moment.

This is a really difficult question to answer.

This matter certainly cannot be biased towards either the King of Yan or the King of Yong.

"I had my subordinates record Huang Jing's words in detail, and they have all been included in the dossier, word for word," Jiang Zhao replied.

He answered the question, but in reality, he threw the question back to Zhao Zhen.

He temporarily chose to give an irrelevant answer!
If all else fails, we'll offer other solutions.

Whether Huang Jing truly favors the Prince of Yong will determine whether the person behind the scenes is the Prince of Yan or the Prince of Yong.

If Huang Jing genuinely favors Prince Yong, then Prince Yong is the mastermind; if Huang Jing is feigning favoritism, then Prince Yan is the mastermind. Ultimately, it is up to Zhao Zhen to decide whose side he favors.

"Let's talk about the imperial clan." Zhao Zhen wasn't about to let Jiang Zhao off so easily.

Jiang Zhao's strategic proposals clearly demonstrate that he is a pragmatic person.

As a monarch, what he needed was a solution to the problem.

Jiang Zhao sighed and pondered, "I believe that all things in the world are mutually generating and restraining according to the Five Elements, mutually restraining and generating according to the Eight Trigrams, and mutually complementing each other in terms of emptiness and fullness. There must be a reason for this."

Different people speak in different ways. Jiang Zhao, a mere sixth-rank official, should speak in a more subtle and veiled manner.

However, to avoid the emperor missing the underlying meaning, Jiang Zhao did not speak in a particularly subtle way.

The meaning is very clear.

The Way of Balance!

This matter must have been orchestrated by either the Prince of Yan or the Prince of Yong, but what can be done about it?

Besides these two, who else is qualified to inherit the throne?
Now, the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong are roughly equal in strength, and they were locked in a fierce battle with no clear victor.

Once the emperor has a clear bias, one side will gain power and the outcome will be decided.

At that time, even if the emperor does not adopt a member of the imperial clan, the one with the most power can become the "crown prince who is not the crown prince".

One side is particularly powerful and involves the transition between two generations of monarchs. In order to avoid falling behind, the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet who have not yet stepped down will also have to step down.

Thus, it was only a matter of time before Zhao Zhen was sidelined.

Given enough time, either a "bestowal" or a palace coup will occur.

Balance was the outcome that Emperor Zhao Zhen, who had no children, needed.

Since a balance needs to be maintained, neither the King of Yan nor the King of Yong should be punished alone.

Either both should be punished, with both parties implicated; or neither should be punished, and they should be let off lightly.

Whether to punish or let off lightly depends on the emperor's decision.

In any case, even if the emperor punishes both of them, Jiang Zhao will not offend anyone.

Offending both is the same as not offending either!

In fact, if the emperor needed to maintain a balance, why didn't the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong also need to maintain a balance?

These two men both hoped that the emperor would show favoritism, and they also feared that the emperor would show favoritism.

With two equally matched options, how can you guarantee that the emperor will definitely favor you?
Therefore, for the two kings, if they cannot favor one side over the other, then not favoring either side is an acceptable outcome.

Zhao Zhen remained silent.

A childless emperor, how difficult!

Fortunately, Jiang Zhao provided a solution, and he finally had some ideas.

"With the birthday celebration approaching, let's not talk about the congratulatory message!" Zhao Zhen waved his hand, glancing at the two princes out of the corner of his eye, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

"I recently received a couplet that reads: 'Five things: speech, sight, hearing, and thought.'"

Upon hearing this, many high-ranking officials' expressions changed slightly, and they looked at the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong.

The so-called five things are appearance, speech, sight, hearing, and thought.

The official deliberately omitted the word "appearance" from the first line of the couplet.

The Book of Documents, in the chapter "Hong Fan", states: "A respectful demeanor is called 'respectful,' and respectfulness is called 'solemnity.'"

Su (肃) is the virtue of a ruler.

The omission of the word "appearance" is clearly a veiled criticism of the King of Yan and the King of Yong for lacking the virtues of a ruler.

It's not hard to see that Emperor Zhao Zhen didn't think much of these two.

This incident has made me even more disgusted.

"I have pondered for a long time but have not been able to come up with a matching line. You are all first-rate scholars, do you have any brilliant ideas?"

Zhao Zhen turned around and looked at the dozens of officials in purple robes.

Seeing that even the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong couldn't discern anything wrong with the first line of the couplet, he grew increasingly dissatisfied.

"Is there a solution?" After a dozen or so breaths, Zhao Zhen asked again.

The dozens of high-ranking officials in purple robes exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.

This first line of the couplet, which mocks the two kings, is not easy to respond to!

Grand Chancellor Fu Bi pondered for a moment before beginning: "Your Majesty, the five notes are Gong, Shang, Jiao, and Yu."

This kind of couplet emphasizes improvisation.

If the emperor is in a good mood, his ministers must not spoil it.

Even if it's meant to satirize the two kings, it still requires matching couplets.

Putting aside the sarcastic intent, the first line of this couplet is not particularly difficult.

If even such a simple first line cannot be matched, wouldn't it make all the disillusioned scholars in the world say that those in the imperial court are all mediocre?

There are also some stories about Fu Bi's relationship with his wife.

The so-called five tones are Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zhi, and Yu.

The character "徽" has been removed here.

"Your subject answers: The six lines are Qian, Kun, Zhen, and Li." Grand Secretary Wang Qinruo of the Inner Cabinet answered. This man was a favorite minister of the emperor and was quite extraordinary.

"Your subject answers: The Five Sacred Mountains are Tai, Heng, Heng, and Song." Following suit, Han Zhang also gave his own answer.

"Your subject responds: Eight sounds, metal and stone, poetry and bamboo!"

"Your subject replies: Six feathered banners and a row of shields!"

Following that, many high-ranking officials provided their answers.

In terms of difficulty alone, this couplet is actually quite easy.

"Jiang Aiqing, what do you have to say?"

After the previous debate and the questioning that offered a solution, Zhao Zhen had come to appreciate the talent of this newly appointed top scholar.

This is a talented young man!
Therefore, seeing that Jiang Zhao did not answer for a long time, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but ask a question.

"I have two pairs, but I don't know which to choose!"

Zhao Zhen smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Tell me about it."

"A pair: the Six Arts, rites, music, archery, and charioteering."

The so-called Six Arts are the six arts of a gentleman: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.

"Second pair: Nine ancestral temples and ancestors."

The Imperial Ancestral Temple, also known as the Nine Temples.

Initially, the emperor had seven ancestral temples, three named Zhao and three named Mu, which, together with the temple of the founding ancestor, made seven. From the founding ancestor downwards, the father was named Zhao and the son was named Mu, and so on.

The Nine Temples, after being modified by Wang Mang, gradually evolved into the current nine temples, consisting of the Temple of the First Ancestor, the Temple of the Great Ancestor, and the Temples of the Seven Relatives.

The worshippers, apart from the founding ancestor and the great ancestor, are all "ancestral figures".

The terms "founding ancestor" and "great-grandfather" can be used interchangeably.

The clan is further divided into Zhao and Mu.

Therefore, the original text should have been "Nine Temples, Ancestors, Clan, and Ancestors," but Jiang Zhao omitted one character.

昭！
Actually, this couplet isn't particularly clever, but that doesn't detract from its uniqueness.

Upon seeing this couplet, many high-ranking officials turned to look at it.

Jiang Zhao, with the character "Zhao" omitted?
How could we possibly give this up?

Anyone can give up the character "昭" (Zhao), so how can you, Jiang Zichuan, give up the character "昭"?

Zhao Zhen sighed as he looked at his desk.

He knew what Jiang Zhao was saying in his voice.

Everyone has grievances!
On these two occasions, he had indeed made things too difficult for Minister Jiang.

If a new top scorer is selected, the whole thing is doomed.

"Since you cannot make a decision, then I will make the decision for you!"

As Zhao Zhen spoke, he picked up a brush, pressed down the paper, and wrote seven characters:
The Nine Temples, Ancestors, and Relatives!

The ink dried, and the emperor lifted the paper, slowly reading aloud:

"The Nine Temples, Ancestors, and Ancestors!"

"I will present this calligraphy to you, my dear minister! You should know that the character '昭' (zhāo) signifies clarity and cannot be removed!"

The nine ancestral temples and their corresponding generations do not conform to the "removing characters" method of couplets, and even the number of characters does not match.

But it doesn't matter, because this is the second line added by the emperor.

A purple-robed eunuch presented a piece of calligraphy, and dozens of high-ranking officials in purple robes all looked at Jiang Zhao, each with a different gaze.

There was envy, surprise, and calm.

However, this is not particularly surprising.

The fact that a mere sixth-rank official, who had been in office for less than a month, could withstand the struggles of a minister-level figure is enough to prove that he is indeed very capable.

With just a little nurturing, they could become the seeds of a prime minister.

Furthermore, this subtle form of complaint is not uncommon among intellectuals.

It's just a different approach.

They might write articles, compose poems, offer subtle remonstrances, or recommend themselves—the list goes on.

It's just that Jiang Zhao is a bit more aggressive.

He was a player who debuted and immediately played in the top-tier tournament.

He survived questioning by officials, reprimands from the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and interrogations by the Right Censor-in-Chief.

Fortune favors the bold!

It's not surprising that the emperor valued talent.

Furthermore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this calligraphy is merely the beginning.

"Your subject Jiang Zhao bows in gratitude to Your Majesty." Jiang Zhao bowed.

Zhao Zhen nodded.

(End of this chapter)