Chapter 4 (1/2)
Chapter 4: In the palace hall
If it was not for the gong signalling the start of Court, who knows how long more I have to endure the countless ”Daren is not arrogant and doesn't claim credit for himself, truly is such a rarity”, ”Daren is generous even to criminals, truly a saint”, and such other nonsense. I want to follow along with everyone else into the palace hall. After all, I had no idea what to do and could only follow the example of others. Only, this bunch of lackey officials are firmly set on my leading the way instead. Hence, I could only brace myself mentally and go forth.
Luckily, that black-faced official and his civil official follower are already standing in their spots. At least now I will have a marker to gauge where my allocated place is. The civil and military officials are divided into rows. The older one is positioned second at the right-hand side while there is a distance of seven or eight people between him and the younger man. From observation, I suppose my place is also on the right-hand side. Taking into account my status and the way a lot of ministers went out of their way to avoid offending me, it is prudent to a.s.sume the empty seat of honour at his side is meant for me. Still, I dare not take the initiative to go over just in case I am wrong and create a situation that will ruin my reputation. Should something serious arise due to this one action, things will be disastrous for me.
After a moment's consideration, I deliberately adopt a slow pace, turning my body slightly to look behind me at the gaggle[1] of lackeys and show a polite smile. ”Fellow ministers, please.”
Sure enough, overwhelmed by the show of graciousness from a superior, each and every one of them tucked their hands into their flowing sleeves bow slightly before gesturing towards the empty seat of honour. ”Daren, please.” ”Prime Minister Zhang, please.”
Chuckling softly, I walk over to my position confidently.
As I was standing, I thought about which dynasty or era am I in now? Why are the t.i.tles for each official's position so chaotic? For instance, the master Dragon Portrait Pavilion's Four Books of Confucianism appears around the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), the position of Crown Prince's tutor in recorded history has always been given to senior important ministers, not to someone young like me. Also, the t.i.tle of Chancellor and so on are all positions during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), which is most definitely not the era I am in now for these people don't have shaved heads and long braids. That means…
One cannot expose holes or tears in their clothes[2] ah. I am a little worried but decide to firmly remember the words of my idol Minister Zhang Tingyu[3]. ”Ten words, ten gains, but not equal to a single silence.” This saying, I am going to use as a lifeline.
At this moment, the generals finally make their entrance in an orderly line. Looking at their solemn and respectful demeanour, I realise that the way I entered the hall just now was gravely discourteous. If the Imperial Censor holds even a little bit of grudge towards me, it is possible for him to charge me with the offence of being impolite in Court. However, I doubt he would try to since the majority of ministers seem to be on my side. Therefore, there's no need for me to be too anxious.
Finally, a court eunuch called with a high voice. ”The emperor has arrived!”
Hmm…it sounds very similar to actors portraying eunuchs in serialised dramas.
The emperor walks out and my eyes widen. Hehe…a boy of six or seven years old as the sovereign of a country filled with treacherous court officials. How can a young child possibly help his nation emerge from this ocean of bad circ.u.mstances? No wonder the heavens took such a drastic measure like pulling the original soul out and forcing me into the Prime Minister's body. But did this incident truly happen because the heavens want me to rescue the country?
Naturally, I will have to weigh my current situation first. Don't hope for me to commit myself to justice just because I transmigrated.
Nonetheless, the little emperor is pitiful. At such a young age when sleep is very important for growth, he needs to wake up so early every day. Even so, he still sits perfectly straight upon the throne, carrying a bit of domineering aura.
The court eunuch holding the position of Master of Ceremonies has just begun to say those cla.s.sic lines ”If there are things to report, bring it forward. If not, Court is dismissed”, when the Minister of Rites (that black-faced Zhong Kui[4]) steps out of the ranks. The matter he brings up is adding an honorific t.i.tle for the previous emperor who died two months ago, and his empress who chose to die together with her husband, which is the last essential step for a royal funeral.
This one matter instantly set fire under the pot[5], with both civil and military officials leaping into the fray, causing the debate to become more and more heated. From my point of view, the way each of the skilfully joined the argument, commenting and reb.u.t.ting, it is absolutely not the first time this topic has been brought up and argued over. Honestly, I am not surprised by the gleeful way everyone involves themselves in the debate. In fact, I would be more shocked if an issue brought up in Court is not heatedly argued over even a little.
Towards this kind of foolish and time-consuming activity, I have absolutely zero interest. I am quite happy to tuck my hands in my sleeves and watch the show as a bystander.
The verbal struggle drags on as these chosen servants of the Crown send their spittle flying all over the place. With the exception for profanities, every other rule regarding etiquettes in the palace is slowly being broken as the argument accelerates. Personal attacks can be heard most frequently amongst the things being said, especially mocking other households for not being wealthy or high-standing enough. Things like ”summer insects cannot talk about ice[6]”, and ”General Li is a man of action, without reading literary texts, don't try to solve academic matters”, etc. are being thrown around without end.
I listen to all this while standing aside for a while, only to find that the current situation is very clear-cut. It is precisely because my clique desires to lift the previous emperor up on a pedestal, thus proposing the t.i.tle ”Holy Far-sighted Emperor Above Countless Talents” while the Minister of Rites' faction propose the t.i.tle of ”Wise and Courageous Holy Empress Above the Heavens” for the empress. Those in my group wants to get rid of the word ”Holy” in the empress' t.i.tle even if it cost them their lives. Thus, both sides degraded to hurling continuous insults at each other.
At present, I still don't know who is who, and politics is an extremely complicated matter. While I, of course, have no idea why, but I am sure Zhang Qinglian and the previous empress always clashed for some reason. But it's expected that there will be deep hatred between two parties when someone's husband is stolen. However, this case of the empress choosing to die together with the emperor is somewhat strange. Don't tell me this b.a.s.t.a.r.d (ZQL) killed her too!
It is only a little later that I notice besides Zhong Kui and the scholarly official, the white-bearded old man standing opposite me is also a member of the opposing faction. Ah, to have the support of the army, no wonder they are not scared of me.
Soon, they have already been quarrelling for an hour but have yet to compromise. I am so bored I really want to yawn. This bunch of people are really annoying. Why does it matter if a commemorative t.i.tle for a dead person is short one or two words?
Glancing at the emperor on his dragon throne, I involuntarily sympathise with him. This is really hard on the child. He doesn't have parents or advisors to guide him, doesn't have the right to speak and yet is still required to sit there like a decorative piece. In actual fact, he must really want to yawn too, right?
As my mind wanders, someone drags me into the chaos. ”Zhang Daren, I wonder if you have any wise opinions to give?”
Who is it that's so annoying? Impatiently sweeping my eyes over to that joy-killing rascal. Apparently, it's my ”a person with a clean conscience has nothing to worry about” currently smiling ”son”.
Pondering deeply, I decided to make both sides compromise. ”The previous emperor is well versed in literary and military arts, astute and far-sighted. No doubt he is ”Holy Far-sighted Emperor Above Countless Talents”. The empress gave up her life to follow the previous emperor, showing true affection and devotion. How is she not qualified to bear the word ”Holy”?”
Once I finish speaking, both parties stare at me in a daze, mostly likely not expecting me to take this course of action. Their mouths open and close silently for a while before the matter is settled just like this.
The next issue pertains to a request to increase the army provisions delivered to the militia in the southwest borders of the country. The size of the militia is not large and makes up that local region's military ranks. These rascals who were so intensely debating moments ago are now silent, expressing their refusal to care about this small matter, especially the higher-ranking officials surrounding me.
However, I am aware of how important the militia is to a country and its borders. The power of a single militia is, of course, insufficient to sway the nation, but provisions are the lifeline of an army. Without it, there would be no militias. It's a pity I do not completely understand the circ.u.mstances surrounding it, thus can only worry hopelessly.
At this moment, a civil official wearing the green robes of the lowest Court rank steps out, bowing towards the throne. ”This servant, Official Liu Chunxi of the Ministry of Revenue requests permission to speak.”
Everyone's eyes turn to me. Taking the cue to speak, I said: ”Liu Daren, please speak.”