698 The Cold Autumn Palace (1/2)
Upon learning of the death of Imperial Astronomer, Mr. Miao, the officials from the Ministry of Rites left in a hurry with unreadable expressions.
The chief eunuch motioned for Xu Liangshou to follow him into the room. He sat down and said with a dark expression, ”Do you know what to do next?”
Xu Liangshou said respectfully, ”Please give me some pointers, sir.”
The chief eunuch tapped the table lightly and said, ”We don't know how to read the stars. We will listen to you.”
Xu Liangshou said after a brief moment of silence, ”Sir, do you really want me to write it?”
The chief eunuch was already very impatient, and he shouted, ”What are you waiting for? Get this done quickly!”
Xu Liangshou stopped his prevarication and went to the desk and wrote down eight words.
”The dark moon invades, unrest befalls the country!”
Many years ago, the Tang Imperial Astronomer noticed that the starry night had darkened and wrote eight words. Many years later, the moon appeared in the night sky. The officials in the Imperial Observatory did not even look at it before writing another set of eight words.
The chief eunuch's expression darkened so much that it felt as if it was about to rain. His eyes flamed angrily as he gritted his teeth and said, ”Lord Xu, what do you mean by this?”
Xu Liangshou said calmly, ”I am just the deputy of the Imperial Observatory. After His Honor passed, I have taken his position according to the laws of the Tang Empire. We do not need to discuss this with the court. Since you want me to write, I have done so. How is this inappropriate?”
The chief eunuch laughed in anger. He laughed dryly, pointing at Xu Liangshou, ”You're good, Lord Xu.”
Xu Liangshou looked up sternly and knocked the eunuch's thin fingers away. He yelled, ”I called you sir and asked for pointers. I spoke to you humbly to show my respect to the nobles in the palace! I am a fourth-grade official, and you are just a eunuch. How dare you be so disrespectful!”
”How dare you! Such impudence!” The chief eunuch shook in anger. ”Do you want to die?”
Xu Liangshou's expression was cold as he yelled, ”Die? Do you really think the laws of the Tang Empire are for show? Tell the noble backing you that I am not Mr. Miao. I don't have naughty disciples who have accidentally killed someone in a street brawl and neither do I have corrupt relatives! I am all alone! It's not that easy to kill me! Get out of here!”
With that, he slapped the eunuch forcefully. The slap rang in the air.
The Tang Empire Imperial Center Administration managed cultivators on behalf of the imperial court. To the ordinary folk or ordinary officials, this center was very mysterious.
However, the yamen in the Imperial Center Administration was not mysterious, but rather remote. It was located in a small building four miles east of the Vermilion Bird Avenue across the garden of the military department.
Judging by the skies, it did not look like it was going to rain again in a short period of time after the incessant rain stopped. However, there was a yellow paper umbrella on the desk found on the third floor of the Imperial Center Administration. The surface of the umbrella was slightly wet.
He Mingchi took a piece of white silk cloth and carefully and slowly wiped the water off the umbrella's surface. It was as if he did not see the sweat on Zhuge Wuren's forehead opposite him.
Zhuge Wuren was the chief official of the Tang Empire Imperial Center Administration. Everyone knew he was loyal to the Empress. When the new Emperor ascended to the throne, his position naturally became precarious.
”As the saying goes, with every Emperor, comes a change in his officials. Lord Zhuge should already know about the change in the situation. Why have you still made so much effort? Unless you wish to overthrow the edict? That would be most unwise.”
He Mingchi put the silk handkerchief into his sleeve, looked up, as he calmly spoke.
Zhuge Wuren looked at the young man across him who was dressed in Taoist uniform. The sweat on his forehead grew. He had never imagined that the other man would know about where he had gone over the last few days.
He and He Mingchi were actually very familiar with each other. In the last few years, He Mingchi had been responsible for cooperating with him as the Southern Gate Temple provided the most backing to the Imperial Center Administration. He had always respected He Mingchi, but that respect was mostly for his sect and his teacher, who was the Nation Master. He only discovered that he was wrong today.
He Mingchi himself, was most worthy of respect.
”What exactly does the Abbey Dean He wish to say? I just visited some old friends and had tea and chatted with them. I cannot accept that you would want to frame me for overthrowing the edict of the deceased Emperor.”
Zhuge Wuren's voice was rather hoarse.
His voice had already become hoarse when He Mingchi strode into the Imperial Center Administration and he had not been notified. He knew that no matter what he said, there would be no one to hear it.
”The deceased Emperor had agreed with the Empress' suggestion to make you the director of the Imperial Center Administration because you are a regular person. You will not side with the cultivators and do not feel awe for cultivators like others. This was an advantage and also a fatal flaw.”
He Mingchi said, ”Over the years, there are no cultivators in the Imperial Center Administration who are truly in your control. Once you lose your authority, you will not be able to command them.”
Zhuge Wuren felt that he was sitting in front of a poisonous asp. He said, ”I have never thought that the Southern Gate Temple had penetrated so deeply into the Imperial Center Administration. But do not forget, that I am still the director and while those people did not dare to stop you from coming to see me, they do not dare to help you to kill me either.”
He Mingchi looked at him with pity and said, ”I am a cultivator. While I might not be as powerful as Ning Que and Chen Pipi, do you think I would need help to kill an ordinary person?”
Zhuge Wuren shouted, ”I don't believe that you'd dare to kill an officer of the imperial court!”
He Mingchi said, ”I do not dare to do so, but Lord Zhuge, do remember that the new Emperor has taken the throne. He can take your office away from you with just a simple edict. What will you be left with then?”
Sweat beaded on Zhuge Wuren's forehead as he said, ”In that case, what are you all waiting for?”
”It would not look good to the officials in the imperial court if the Emperor starts getting rid of the Empress' loyal dogs right after he starts his reign. You have been in charge of the Imperial Center Administration for many years, and I trust that you hold many secrets in your hands and possess unknown power. His Majesty does not wish for unnecessary losses just because of warring loyalties amongst his subjects.”
He Mingchi looked at him with a smile and said, ”So His Majesty wants you to resign.”
Zhuge Wuren stared at him mockingly and said, ”Do you think I would be so stupid to do that?”