112 Reaping the Whirlwind (1/2)
Chapter 112: Reaping the Whirlwind
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Within the room, bureaucrats huddled together looking over imperial bulletins, on which were clearly written an account of what had happened in the north. Regardless of whether it was a result of their timeliness or the abundance of the information they contained, they always attracted many more readers than the palace newspapers. What was more, they contained news of national victories. Fan Xian forced a smile as he fished the wrinkled newspaper from his breast pocket, mumbling an apology to old Pan Ling, the official calligraphy master of the secretariat. He sat back down at the table and began to sip some more tea.
The people around him excitedly discussed military affairs. None of them took notice of Fan Xian's calm silence. Instead, the head official smiled at him, and suggested that he should come outside with him for a moment. Somewhat apprehensively, Fan Xian left the room, and came to a secluded place. Deep within the courtyard, there stood a stone table with two stone chairs. The official indicated to him that he should sit. ”Everyone is rather joyous,” he asked with a smile, ”and yet you remain unmoved, sir. Why?”
The official's name was Ren Shao'an. He had once been a distinguished man of letters, and had later become a nobleman, rising steadily to a position within Taichang Temple. His circumstances were not unlike those that Fan Xian found himself facing at that moment. Fan Xian was unsure whether Master Ren was offended by something, and so he sighed, unsure how to respond. ”It was only natural that the imperial household should be victorious in such a matter,” he replied with a weak smile, ”so this is no great surprise.”
”Why is it only natural?” asked the official Ren, curious.
Fan Xian had no unique insight into the military affairs of the kingdom. He had no choice but to try to dodge the topic. ”His Majesty is wise, the officers and soldiers are obedient, and Northern Qi lacks confidence, so it is only natural that we were victorious.”
Master Ren looked at him and smiled. ”It has only just occurred to me that this battle between the two nations is inextricably linked to the assassination attempt on your good self, Master Fan.”
Fan Xian was taken aback. It had only just occurred to him as well. One of the excuses for this military expedition was an attempt by Northern Qi to infiltrate the Kingdom of Qing and assassinate the son of a major minister. He could only think of all the dead bodies that must be piled up along the rivers of the northern border. In every region, wives would be waiting for their husbands in empty bedchambers. For some reason, it made Fan Xian's heart ache. He sighed. ”A sage has no choice but to take up the weapon of the soldier.” He knew that although the Kingdom of Qing had known peace for many years, beneath the surface, its martial spirit had never receded. So every day, he made sure to hide it, but he gave no thought to the idle chatter between himself and Master Ren, so he had spoken freely.
Master Ren seemed to admire his words. He nodded. ”Although that may be the case, we have gained much in this instance. There have been many years of peace in the Kingdom of Qing, and we deserve it.”
Fan Xian was not an inflexible pacifist; he smiled in acknowledgement of the fact. ”Although our victory in war belongs to the officers and soldiers and His Majesty,” continued Master Ren, ”this has been planned in secret by the royal court for many months. It must have been a thoroughly exhausting effort.”
Fan Xian immediately understood another meaning behind Ren's words. He realized that Master Ren was suggesting that the bureaucratic system of the royal court had considerable power over military affairs. After all, Fan Xian had lived two lives; he knew that waging war relied on logistics. ”Much credit must also go to the court ministers,” he said with sincerity.
Master Ren smiled. ”The Prime Minister will soon be your father-in-law,” he continued. ”When you have time, you should go and pay your respects to him. It is only proper.”
”You're right. Thank you for reminding me, good sir.” Cold sweat trickled down Fan Xian's back. He wanted to marry Wan'er as soon as possible, but he had still yet to pay his respects to his own future father-in-law. This was indeed inexcusable. But... this was supposed to be a fair and aboveboard relationship between the Lin and Fan families. Why did Master Ren have to talk to him in secret?
Just as expected, Master Ren spoke. ”I hope that you will visit the Prime Minister's manor. You would not want to alarm too many people.”
Fan Xian fearfully accepted the order.
In the royal court the next day, in thoroughly flattering language, the military received commendations. The Overwatch Council also received praise for their capabilities in information-gathering. But, in a move which many did not expect, Fan Jian, Count Sinan, Minister for the Treasury, stepped forward to suggest that this victory was all down to the careful planning of the Prime Minister. He had put the affairs of the nation ahead of the affairs of his own family, controlling logistics to provide ample rations and fodder for the army, and had truly provided a great service to the nation. There was a hubbub among the gathered ministers, who could not understand why a political opponent would be so kind, but when they recalled the approaching marriage, they suddenly realized why.
Even more unexpectedly, the Prime Minister's long-time ally, Guo You, Director of the Board of Rites, raised an objection. And most unexpectedly of all... Chen Pingping appeared in the royal court, and when the Emperor asked him about the matter, he sat in his wheelchair and replied simply: ”This was all the Prime Minister's work.”
With this, the political opponents who had been using Wu Bo'an and collaboration with Northern Qi as a pretext to attack the Prime Minister had seemingly quieted down. With the Emperor's consolation, Lin Ruofu could stand firm again. A rumor circulated throughout the palace that due to the upcoming marriage with the Fan family, the Prime Minister had turned to the Second Prince. The Second Prince, who originally had no support within the royal court, had suddenly become a powerful figure.
But no one knew that behind all this was an idle chat between Master Ren of Taichang Temple, soured by the loss of his hopes, and Fan Xian, the eighth-level Functionary of Taichang Temple.
Having made a good impression on his father-in-law, Fan Xian finally felt a bit more at ease. Although he was still greatly worried that the Prime Minister would discover that his second son had been killed by someone under Fan Xian's command, he did not avoid him as he had been doing over the past two months.
His duties at Taichang Temple did not require him to attend every day; he simply had to attend for roll call every ten days. One afternoon, Fan Xian came to the palace by carriage.
Now the whole capital knew that he would be marrying the young lady of the palace, and in addition, Fan Manor had spent a great amount of money, so the imperial bodyguards turned a blind eye. Fan Xian and his sister strolled inside, with no intention to see the flowers of the garden. They only intended to go along the cobblestone path straight into the small pavilion. Fan Ruoruo was rather surprised. ”Brother, you seem very familiar with this path.”