Chapter 18: The Yong Emperor Returns to the Capital (1/2)
Chapter 18: The Yong Emperor Returns to the Capital
When Gaozu1 returned, he praised Taizong for his diligence. When Taizong volunteered to patrol the frontier, the emperor did not approve it …
—Yong Dynastic Records, Biography of Taizong
On the sixteenth day of the sixth month, at nearly 3 PM, Princess Changle returned to the imperial palace under the escort of the Imperial Guard and Imperial Palace Guard. While seated within her carriage, her beautiful face had a hint of anxiety and worry upon it. Just earlier, Xiahou Yuanfeng had requested an audience with her through her maid, Lü’e. Her original intention was to decline the meeting. But after recalling that, although Xiahou Yuanfeng was intent upon taking her as his bride, he did not continuously nag her after he was rejected. Thinking about this now, Changle considered Xiahou Yuanfeng to be more sensible compared to the gentle and cultivated Wei Ying. As a result, she had acceded to his request.
When she met with Xiahou Yuanfeng, he did not say anything in particular, only tactfully reporting, “Recently, this subject has received news that there are those who have been making a supreme effort to facilitate the wedding between Your Imperial Highness and Wei daren. Previously, after His Imperial Majesty bestowed the engagement, Your Imperial Highness rejected it, however, His Imperial Majesty has yet to retract his decree. As a result, there have been those who wish to compel the Princess to fulfill the engagement. Because Your Imperial Highness has been close to the Prince of Yong’s household over this past year, even though Your Imperial Highness has never been willing to become involved in the struggle, in the eyes of some, Your Imperial Highness supports the Prince of Yong. Therefore, there are those who wish for the Princess to swiftly be married. If this were to happen, then the Wei family’s position would remain neutral, while the Princess, as a virtuous married woman, would definitely not make trouble for your husband’s family. Those individuals are taking drastic measures. Who doesn’t know about Your Imperial Highness’s good relationship with the Prince of Yong’s household? Moreover, the Emperor dotes heavily upon the Princess. They do not want to see the Princess influence the Emperor’s decisions. Besides, the Crown Prince’s position as heir apparent is in danger. This is the situation in which they dare not ignore even the slightest detail. As a result, they view Your Imperial Highness’s wedding with great importance. However, they dare not use force. It is likely that they will use some underhanded methods. Princess must be extremely careful. Although Wei daren’s character is serious, he is deeply infatuated with the Princess and he could be easily manipulated by others.”
Princess Changle gazed out through the thin muslin screen of the carriage window. The streets of Chang’an were solemn and overawed, with imperial guardsmen everywhere. As her carriage moved, Changle could not help but feel extreme disappointment and frustration in her heart of hearts, remembering the scene when she was rescued from the Southern Chu palace by Great Yong’s intelligence network on the eve of Jianye’s desperate crisis. That day, when she gazed out the window, she had seen the normally bustling and prosperous streets of Jianye filled with frantic crowds of people. Today, as she gazed out at the hostile and tense atmosphere of Chang’an, she could sense no difference from what she had seen before.
***
On the eighteenth day of the sixth month, Emperor Li Yuan returned to Chang’an. This time, it was quite clear that Li Yuan’s mood was poor. Even when he accepted the kowtows of all of officialdom, his face remained ashen. After reluctantly stating a few words of praise to the Prince of Yong, Li Yuan hurriedly returned to the palace. Upon arriving, he immediately called for Wei Guan, Li Zhi, and Qin Qing to enter the palace for a conference. Conversely, the officials escorting the emperor back from Qiaoshan, Grand General Who Suppresses Distant Lands, Qin Yi, Duke of Wei, Cheng Shu, and the Prince of Qi, Li Xian, were all instructed to return to their residences to rest.
In front of the three men, Li Yuan angrily and violently threw a teacup onto the floor, shattering it into pieces. Li Yuan castigated, “You lot are truly capable. It was only a few days and yet what has happened to Our Chang’an? Palace Attendant Zheng was attacked by an assassin, chaos in the eastern marketplace, and fires in Chang’an. Good! Speak! How should We punish you lot?”
The three hurriedly kowtowed and begged for forgiveness. In fear and trepidation, Wei Guan answered, “Following orders, this subject was responsible for government affairs. This is entirely this subject’s dereliction of duty by allowing these incidents to happen. Your Imperial Majesty, please punish me heavily.”
Filled with shame, Qin Qing stated, “This subject has failed Your Imperial Majesty’s grace and was unable to ensure the peace in the imperial capital. First, the assassination attempt on Palace Attendant Zheng, followed by the turmoil in the eastern marketplace. Were it not for His Highness, the Prince of Yong, taking personal charge at the eastern marketplace, it is likely that the situation would have broadened and worsened. Your Imperial Majesty, please remove this subject from my office.”
“This was all this child’s failure to supervise,” apologized Li Zhi, also greatly remorseful. “Several days ago, this child had received reports from the northern frontier. However, this child did not take those reports seriously. Now having investigated matters clearly, we can confirm that this was all the work of Northern Han spies seizing the opportunity to cause trouble. This child is Imperial Father’s personally appointed Marshal of Heavenly Strategies. My guilt cannot be forgiven.”
As Li Yuan stared at the three falling over each other2 in begging for forgiveness, he suddenly felt extremely exhausted. He collapsed onto the throne. In his mind, he blamed these incidents on their struggle for power and authority. However, Li Yuan also clearly understood that this was all a result of his own machinations. Although he had nominally named his eldest son as heir apparent to adhere to proper rites, he had ulterior and selfish motives for doing so. He had always been jealous of Li Zhi’s intelligence and capability. However, Li Yuan also knew that of his children only this son was capable of excelling him. But because of all kinds of reasons, he had still selected Li An. Could it be that he was wrong? Li Yuan suddenly recalled his desire to kill after he had received an eight hundred li urgent message.3 But now, he did not know who he could kill.
As a civil official, there was no point in blaming Wei Guan. Although Qin Qing was guilty of dereliction of duty, after thinking it over, Li Yuan realized that there was no way for Qin Qing to actually be able to take charge of the present Chang’an. Moreover, he had appointed Qin Qing to command the Imperial Guard because he was easy to use. As for the Prince of Yong, Li Zhi, how could Li Yuan blame him? Li Zhi had spent the last several years in a dangerous situation and had been forced to conceal his strength and bide his time. When these incidents had occurred, Li Zhi had just come out from the Fasting Palace. Further, without Li Zhi disregarding life and limb to save a desperate crisis, it was likely that aside from Chang’an being in ruins, the city would have become a slaughterhouse. In addition, he had nearly been assassinated as well. By rights, he should be commended. But if he were commended, what was to be done about the crown prince? Would he have to be deposed? Although Li Yuan was extremely disappointed about the crown prince, he was quite unwilling to have Li An deposed lightly. Li Yuan understood very clearly that if such a thing were to enter the official histories, it would only serve to blacken his own reputation, let alone the fact that a pompous and dignified reason was needed. However, there was no way that outsiders would be permitted to learn of the crown prince’s current offenses.
Reaching this conclusion, Li Yuan tiredly waved his hand and declared, “Fine.… Wei Guan will forfeit a year’s worth of his salary. Qin Qing will be demoted one rank and will continue to serve temporarily as the Commander of the Imperial Guard in order to use meritorious service to make up for his offenses. Having performed meritorious service by making sacrifices at the secondary altar and successfully quelled the turmoil, the Prince of Yong should, by rights, be rewarded heavily. However, since there is further room for advancement, We will bestow three thousand taels of gold upon you.”
Li Zhi kowtowed. “This child thanks Imperial Father for this reward. However, this child does not lack gold and silver. There have been many casualties among the common people because of this incident in Chang’an. This child hopes that Imperial Father will use these rewards to provide emergency relief to the commoners. This child would be greatly indebted.”
Li Yuan gazed deeply at Li Zhi, both delighted and worried. Smiling, Li Yuan replied, “Zhi’er is truly deserving of the appellation of a virtuous prince. All right, We approve. You have suffered a shock from being attacked by an assassin, and should go back to your residence to rest properly.”
“Imperial Father, from these incidents in Chang’an and the reports from the northern frontier, it is likely that Northern Han is stirring,” stated Li Zhi promptly before explaining his request, “If Imperial Father permits it, this child wishes to inspect the northern frontier.”
An indistinguishable light flickered across Li Yuan’s eyes as he replied, “We will think this matter over. Go make preparations.”
Li Zhi was overjoyed. Before he had come, Jiang Zhe had sat down with him and had a long talk. If the emperor had immediately agreed with his suggestion, then he, Li Zhi, would have no way to become the heir apparent in an aboveboard manner. Although it was said that a dragon prances in the abyss, the tiger roars in the jungle, to be carefree and leisurely, that also meant that Imperial Father had no intention of ever allowing him to become the heir apparent, otherwise he would absolutely not be permitted to leave the heart of the empire at this hour. If this was the case, Jiang Zhe believed that the throne could only be wrested through martial might. That was not what either Jiang Zhe or Li Zhi hoped for. However, if the emperor were to insist that Li Zhi remain in the capital, then it meant that Li Zhi had a fifty percent chance to be designated as heir apparent by the emperor. The other fifty percent was in the event that Li Yuan was jealous and suspicious of Li Zhi, and absolutely would not permit him to return to the army. But if the emperor were to hesitate, then congratulations, this meant that the emperor was gravely disappointed with the crown prince. As long as Li Zhi handled matters carefully and appropriately, then it wouldn’t be difficult to obtain the position as heir apparent.
The aspect regarding Jiang Zhe that Li Zhi admired the most was Jiang Zhe’s ability to see through another’s thoughts at first glance. However, this did not include the people by his side, such as Xiaoshunzi or Roulan. This was probably what it meant to be able to perceive the tips of an animal’s hair and yet unable to see Mount Tai.4 Jubilant and joyous, and yet unable to express it, Li Zhi hurriedly bade his farewell and returned home.
When he returned to his residence, Li Zhi was naturally delighted. When Wei Guan returned to his residence, no one dared to criticize him. Only Qin Qing was restless and jumpy.5 He did not know how he would be punished by his father. After thinking it over, Qin Qing decided to seek out Qin Yong to accompany him to meet his father so as to reduce the punishment that he would receive. Thinking of this, Qin Qing did not return to his prince consort’s residence and also did not go directly to pay his respects to his father. Rather, he first went to Qin Yong’s residence. Although Qin Yong had been raised in Qin Yi’s residence, ten years ago, he had moved out, reportedly because his mother was not used to the dignity of the grand general’s residence. Before he had gotten married, Qin Qing would frequently spend time at Qin Yong’s home. In reality, Qin Yong’s residence was not far from the grand general’s residence. Born impoverished, even though Qin Yong’s mother was already aged, she was healthy, and was fond of cultivating a vegetable garden and raising chickens. Qin Yong had also hired several female servants to take care of his mother. As a result, both mother and son lived quite comfortably. Qin Qing was extremely fond of Qin Yong’s mother’s cooking, finding it tastier than the dishes prepared by the famed chefs of the grand general’s residence. But after he had gotten married, Qin Qing had gradually distanced himself from this life.
As he was deep in contemplation, Qin Qing spurred his horse forward. It wasn’t long before he arrived at Qin Yong’s home. Hopping off his horse, Qin Qing stepped forward and knocked heavily upon the door. From within, a voice full of vitality called out, “Coming! Has big brother returned?”
Qin Qing was left stupefied. What was going on? Did Brother Yong move? Before he could think this through, the door had already opened and an elegant youth roughly sixteen or seventeen years of age stuck his head out. When he saw Qin Qing, he also stared stupidly at Qin Qing, asking, “Your Excellency, who are you looking for?”
Hesitating somewhat, Qin Qing inquired, “Is Qin Yong here? I’m his younger cousin.”
“Foster mother is always speaking of General, constantly saying that you are the fondest of her cooking,” responded the youth, his eyes brightening. Finished speaking, he turned his head and yelled, “Foster mother, foster mother! Qin Qing, General Qin has come!”
From within, the sound a cheerful voice could be heard. “What General Qin? Here, he’s your older cousin. Hua’er, why haven’t you allowed Qing’er to come in yet?”
The youth laughed happily and pulled the door open. Confused, Qin Qing led his horse into the home. After tying the horse to a large tree in the courtyard, Qin Qing spoke to the smiling, aged woman standing on the steps, “Auntie, I haven’t been able to come pay a visit recently. Have you been well?”
The old lady replied, “I’ve been well. It’s just your Brother Yong. So busy that he frequently can’t come home. Fortunately, I have Hua’er as company.”
Puzzled, Qin Qing inquired, “Is this little brother your foster son?”