Wanli Emperor Chapter 114 Part 1

Chapter 114 Part 1: Shrine Rats and City Foxes, a Blazing Inferno

Only half a year remained until the triennial Spring Imperial Examination. 

Scholars with their sights set on a jinshi degree were already rubbing their palms in anticipation, and the entire capital was steeped in a fervent atmosphere of scholarly pursuit. Even the sons of high officials gathered frequently, both to clash in academic debate and to spur themselves onward.

Recently, the residence of Zhang Siwei had been exceptionally lively, its scholarly atmosphere rivaling that of the All-Jin Provincial Hall. 

Wang Qian, son of Wang Chonggu; Feng Lun, son-in-law of Yang Bo and Wang Chonggu; Han Zhan, Zhang Siwei's in-law; and Zhang Siwei's own son, Zhang Jiazheng—they were all good relatives, studying together. 

As for which among them were present to appease Zhang Siwei and mend familial ties, that was a matter of personal interpretation.

Feng Lun closed the copy of the Memorials of Gao Wenduan in his hands and picked up a volume of the Illustrated Mirror for the Emperor's Reference, flipping through it idly. 

For the imperial examinations, one had to write policy essays in addition to studying the classics; the works of ministers currently in power had to be read, so one might cater to the examiners' preferences once their identities were announced. 

However, the Illustrated Mirror was, in the end, an enlightenment primer, merely listing the good and bad deeds of emperors throughout history, with illustrations occupying more than half its pages. 

There was no need to study it in depth, so Feng Lun only gave it a cursory glance.

After a long while, he slowly closed the book and remarked with some emotion, "The Senior Grand Secretary truly holds Emperor Taizong of Tang in high esteem. Of the eighty-one virtuous deeds, Emperor Taizong alone accounts for thirteen." 

With that, he resolved to find a place for Emperor Taizong in this year's policy essay.

Han Zhan immediately picked up the thread. "He was, after all, the greatest emperor of a thousand ages. He deserves the recognition." 

As he spoke, he pulled a copy of the Illustrated Mirror from the pile and handed it to his eight-year-old nephew, Han Kuang, who had accompanied him. Han Zhan's elder brother, Han Ji, was a disciple of Gao Gong and had been exiled from the capital during last year's turmoil; Han Zhan had since taken it upon himself to care for the family left behind. 

This nephew, though only eight, was remarkably intelligent. Han Zhan always brought him along to these scholarly gatherings to observe and absorb the atmosphere. 

Of course, Han Zhan had no way of knowing that this nephew would in history become a Senior Grand Secretary and a leading elder of the Donglin Faction. 

At this moment, a few signs of a child prodigy were only natural.

Zhang Siduan, the younger brother of Zhang Siwei, heard this and immediately shook his head. "The greatest emperor of a thousand ages? In my view, compared to His Majesty, Emperor Taizong of Tang is far inferior."

The moment his words fell, the expressions on the others' faces varied. 

Was he flattering the emperor in private at a time like this? Was he treating them all as outsiders? 

In the past, Zhang Siduan had been known to criticize the emperor.

Wang Qian, the eldest son of Wang Chonggu, knew his cousin's temperament better and asked with curiosity, "Cousin, what is your meaning?"

Zhang Siduan nodded as if it were obvious. "Compared to His Majesty, Emperor Taizong of Tang has ten defeats, while His Majesty has ten victories." 

The others all cast curious gazes upon him.

Zhang Siduan, holding a book, shook his head and began: "Emperor Taizong vied for the Central Plains, enduring half a lifetime of hardship before he gained the realm. His Majesty, however, was born to the imperial throne, his succession orderly, receiving Heaven's mandate. This is the first victory in the Way."

As soon as he spoke, the others instantly understood—it was the same old flavor! 

He was merely finding a new way to mock the emperor. That was fine, then. 

One had conquered the realm, the other had inherited it. The difference was self-evident.

Having begun, Zhang Siduan did not keep them in suspense. "Emperor Taizong forced Jieli Khan to dance, humiliating him and losing his dignity. Observe His Majesty: he rewards Tumen Khan and bestows favor upon the Doen Guard. The foreign barbarians feel as welcome as if returning home. This is the second victory, in benevolence." 

The group shared a knowing smile.

"Emperor Taizong took the Princess of Qi, disregarding human ethics, an act despised by all. His Majesty secludes himself in the Western Garden, dutifully serving Empress Dowager Chen. This is the third victory, in virtue." 

[TN: Princess of Qi — The widow of Li Jiancheng (the Prince of Qi), whom Emperor Taizong took as a consort.]

This was a recent rumor. 

Last year, the emperor had coerced Empress Dowager Chen and had since kept her confined in the Western Garden, where even titled ladies of the court rarely saw her.

Who was to say that he, seeing her beauty, was not secretly committing some unethical act in the Western Garden?

"Emperor Taizong's court had the likes of Chancellor Wei Zheng, who dared to brazenly admonish his lord, lawless and defiant. His Majesty's court is filled with ministers like Li Zaiting and Ge Shouli, who understand the sagely heart. This is the fourth victory in governance." 

Zhang Siduan was growing more animated. "Emperor Taizong was direct and inflexible with his subordinates. His Majesty greets his ministers with cultivated grace, honoring worthy scholars. This is—"

He was halfway through his sentence when he noticed his classmates had silently turned their faces away. 

Puzzled, he saw his nephew, Zhang Jiazheng, frantically gesturing toward the area behind him. 

Zhang Siduan immediately knew something was wrong.

He turned his head with great difficulty and, sure enough, saw two men standing at the door. 

One was the Minister of Rites, Ma Ziqiang. The other was, unmistakably, his own elder brother, Zhang Siwei, staring at him with a dark expression.

Feng Lun, Han Zhan, and the others immediately rose with awkward smiles. "Haha, today's harvest has been plentiful. We must return and organize our thoughts. Let us stop here for today." 

With that, they bowed to Zhang Siwei and Ma Ziqiang and hurriedly took their leave.

Wang Qian, Wang Chonggu's only son, was the last to leave. After bowing, he did not depart immediately, but instead mustered a familiar tone and smiled at Zhang Siwei. "Cousin, tomorrow Mother is hosting a family banquet at our residence. She specially bade me come and invite you."

Ever since Wang Chonggu had entered the Grand Secretariat, the relationship between the two families had grown strained. 

Wang Chonggu, having taken advantage of his own nephew, was naturally trying every means to appease him. 

Unfortunately, Zhang Siwei was still furious and offered him no face.

He glanced at his cousin, his expression unkind, and shook his head. "My uncle and I hold high positions. We must avoid the appearance of private collusion. I will not go."

Zhang Siwei then instructed his son, "Jiazheng, you will go tomorrow in my stead to see your granduncle, lest it be said our family shows no courtesy." 

Zhang Jiazheng grimaced and agreed. His father had reached that age, and his temper had been worsening by the day.

Having spoken, Zhang Siwei turned and left with Ma Ziqiang.

Wang Qian was left standing in place, his expression rigid. 

Avoid collusion? 

You and Ma Ziqiang are in-laws—your daughter is married to Ma Ziqiang's son, Ma Zao. 

The two of you are walking right there together, and you speak of avoiding collusion!?

This was a deliberate slight! 

Wang Qian silently cursed Zhang Siwei—did he not see who was in the Grand Secretariat now, yet he still dared to put on such airs! 

Outwardly, however, he only smiled bitterly at Zhang Siduan and Zhang Jiazheng, wearing an expression of helplessness, and implored them to be sure to attend the banquet tomorrow.

Zhang Siduan had a good relationship with his cousin, but he also knew what had recently caused the discord between the two families. 

In truth, almost all the relatives who had come today were here to help smooth things over with Zhang Siwei. 

Han Zhan's elder brother and Zhang Siwei were extremely close. 

Feng Lun was likely representing the intentions of Yang Bo's faction. 

If Wang Qian had come alone today, he probably would not have even made it through the gates. 

Zhang Siduan, as the younger brother, had wanted to mediate several times before, but his elder brother had lost his temper with him. 

Now, he dared not touch that bad luck. 

He could only send Wang Qian off with a look of shared difficulty.

Meanwhile, Zhang Siwei, who had deliberately snubbed his relative and ruined the mood, entered the study with Ma Ziqiang. Only after they were alone did his expression soften. 

He spoke, his voice aggrieved and indignant. "Tigan, you saw it, did you not? First, my uncle stole my seat in the Grand Secretariat, and not a single person tried to persuade him on my behalf. Now that I have suffered this loss, they come to my residence every three or five days, all counseling me to put the matter to rest! How utterly preposterous!"

And it was not just these relatives at home. When he went to the Ministry of Rites for his duties, he had the Right Censor-in-Chief Huo Ji, the Minister of War Shi Maohua, and even that junior from the Hanlin Academy, Wang Jiaping, all coming to advise him, telling him to prioritize the greater good. 

It was all the same, they said—whether his uncle, Wang Chonggu, entered the Grand Secretariat or he, Zhang Siwei, did. 

It was an outrageous insult! 

This was the first time Zhang Siwei had ever been counseled to prioritize the greater good!

Ma Ziqiang was also helpless. 

If not for his fear of damaging their relationship, he too would have advised Zhang Siwei—it was a seat in the Grand Secretariat, after all. Who would yield it? 

He, Ma Ziqiang, had only been a third-class jinshi. Had he not run about and schemed, how could he have been selected for the Hanlin Academy? 

Everyone knew what they were preparing for. If he, Ma Ziqiang, had been in Wang Chonggu's position, he would not have yielded either. 

However, with Zhang Siwei clearly in a fit of anger, these words could not be spoken. Ma Ziqiang could only choose to acquiesce. "Ziwei has truly been wronged."

He sighed in empathy, aligning with Zhang Siwei's emotions, before subtly shifting the focus. "This is still the fault of the Central Government. How could they go back on their word? Since Ziwei was already acting Grand Secretary, how could they choose another?" 

It was better for Zhang Siwei to blame the emperor than his own family. That would only destroy the clique's internal unity.

The moment Zhang Siwei heard this, he instantly calmed down. 

The anger on his face vanished. He was silent for a long moment, then sighed and recited, "He who has not trod the road to Chang'an knows not the hardship of the way. The Three Gates bar the earth's axis; the Nine Bends pierce the clouds. On water, one fends off the oars; on frosty campaigns, one can only grip the saddle. How can one risk the hall's collapse? I envy the great roc, lifted on the wind."

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