Chapter 131: If Ruler and Minister Are Like This, How Can They Coexist Peacefully…

Chapter 131: With a Ruler-Minister Dynamic Like This, How Can There Be Peace...

"Song Xu, you were Teacher's most valued student..."

"Teacher has always treated you well. Back then, if not for his intervention, how would the Hengyang Song clan have treated you and your mother respectfully instead of harassing you..."

"Now that his situation grows increasingly difficult, how long will you remain idle? Can you truly bear to watch as our teacher is forced to resign through impeachment?"

Sitting across from Song Xu was one of Wen Shengan's earliest students, over a decade older than Song Xu.

Normally, Song Xu would politely address him as "senior brother."

Today was Song Xu's day of rest, and when this senior brother suddenly visited, Song Xu naturally couldn't turn him away.

The moment tea was served, without needing to be asked, the senior brother came straight to the point.

Over the years, the more favor Song Xu gained with Huo Ling, the more distant they grew from Wen Shengan.

At some point, the once close teacher-student bond had weakened.

Wen Shengan no longer shared court secrets with him, nor entrusted him with important matters.

Yet their official roles as teacher and student remained unchanged.

Song Xu would neither help his teacher against the Duke of Chengen, nor assist the Duke against his teacher.

Wen Shengan clearly understood this position, having never before sent anyone to disturb him.

Now this senior brother had broken that unspoken agreement with this sudden visit...

It seemed their teacher truly couldn't hold on much longer.

Song Xu sighed: "I'm merely a lowly fifth-rank official. If even our teacher can't resolve this issue, what could I possibly do?"

This wasn't just an excuse.

His senior brother overestimated him.

Yet the senior brother countered: "You're mistaken. The Emperor has always favored you. If you would intercede with him to support our teacher..."

Song Xu's face darkened, his gaze sharpening: "Does this come from you, or from Teacher?"

When the Huo family held the full moon celebration, they'd sent him an invitation too.

He wasn't a key figure in the Empress Dowager's camp, but Ding Jinghuan was.

Ding Jinghuan had been seated near the front, and by extension, Song Xu as well.

Thus he hadn't clearly heard what was said between their teacher and His Majesty,

but he'd witnessed their dispute, seen how the Emperor showed no courtesy, rising in anger and storming out.

The senior brother's gaze faltered momentarily.

Song Xu said: "So this comes from you."

The senior brother flinched briefly before steadying himself under Song Xu's gaze: "If there was any alternative, I wouldn't be troubling you like this."

...

The tea on the table had long lost all its warmth.

The senior disciple across from him had already risen to take his leave.

Song Xu sat idly in his chair, rubbing his forehead with his fingertips before casually pouring the remaining half-cup of tea into a flowerpot. He stood up, intending to step outside for some fresh air.

Just as he walked out of the courtyard, the doorkeeper hurried over with a letter in hand.

"My lord, this letter was sent by Lord Ding. He said he has prepared a banquet at Fan Tower and invites you to join him."

Fan Tower was renowned as the most prestigious tower in the capital, its prices well beyond a commoner’s means—yet Ding Jinghuan was a regular guest.

This was no secret. When censors accused Ding Jinghuan, one of the charges was embezzlement and bribery.

The reasoning seemed sound.

If not for embezzlement, where else would Ding Jinghuan get the money to splurge so freely?

However, this particular censor was ignorant of the facts, basing accusations on appearances alone. Song Xu, on the other hand, knew the full story.

Ding Jinghuan’s official stipend alone would never allow him to frequent Fan Tower so often.

But then again, Ding Jinghuan was the Empress Dowager’s trusted confidant, and Fan Tower was a property of the imperial family.

With the token granted by the Empress Dowager, Ding Jinghuan could enter freely.

As long as he wasn’t excessively extravagant, all his expenses at Fan Tower were covered by the Empress Dowager.

Naturally, the censor faced consequences for his reckless accusations. Before the entire court, he was publicly rebuked by the Empress Dowager and exiled from the capital the very next day.

Song Xu returned to his room to change clothes, summoned his carriage, and headed straight for Fan Tower.

Upon arriving at the entrance, he sensed something unusual when he saw the palace servant waiting to greet him.

"Has Her Majesty left the palace?"

…

A light, lingering incense filled the private pavilion.

Huo Ling balanced a feathered dart in her hand before tossing it toward a narrow-necked vase a few steps away.

The dart landed effortlessly inside.

Just as Song Xu was led into the room, he witnessed the scene:

Huo Ling finished throwing her darts, and Ding Jinghuan obsequiously retrieved the vase, poured out the darts, and offered them back to her with both hands.

Song Xu: "..."

Despite being caught in such a fawning gesture, Ding Jinghuan showed no embarrassment. "Ah, you’re here."

Following Ding Jinghuan’s words, Huo Ling turned her head to look at Song Xu.

Song Xu moved to her other side. "What brings Your Majesty out of the palace today?"

Huo Ling replied, "I promised to accompany His Majesty for a stroll outside the palace. It’s been a while since I last visited Fan Tower, and Jinghuan mentioned there are many new diversions here, so I brought His Majesty along for a look and to enjoy lunch."

Song Xu instinctively glanced around.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Ding Jinghuan knew what he was looking for: "His Majesty heard that Fan Tower was hosting a calligraphy and painting competition, so he took some people over to check it out."

Once Huo Ling got tired of playing pitch-pot, Ding Jinghuan found an excuse to make his exit.

"His Majesty has been gone quite a while. Honestly, what's so interesting about a calligraphy and painting competition? Everyone just stands around, and it takes at least a couple hours before any results come out. My Lady, I'll go downstairs to find His Majesty and show him around Fan Tower."

Huo Ling warned: "Go ahead. Just don't miss lunch."

Ding Jinghuan assured her: "I'd go hungry for three days before letting His Majesty miss a single meal."

Song Xu said with a smirk: "Starving for three days is too harsh. Going without wine for half a month would be more fitting."

Just as Ding Jinghuan was about to lunge and cover Song Xu's mouth, Huo Ling cut in: "That's a good idea. Let's do that."

"Sit."

Huo Ling pointed to the seat opposite her and asked Song Xu: "Do you play chess?"

Song Xu replied: "I know the basics."

Huo Ling picked up the white piece closest to her: "Then play a game with me."

The white jade piece landed on the board with a crisp sound as Huo Ling remarked casually: "If I recall correctly, you once went to Yanxi and even taught a few classes at the prefectural school, didn't you?"

Song Xu acknowledged: "Your Majesty has an excellent memory."

Back then, the late emperor had suddenly passed away, leaving only the Empress Dowager and the young emperor as widow and young son. Prince Duan and the Duke of Liu took their chance to raise troops.

After barely quelling the internal strife, Great Mu in the north sent troops to attack Yanbei.

To hasten Great Mu's retreat and relieve Yanbei's crisis, Song Xu proposed a plan: going through Yanxi to reach Great Mu via the Qiang Rong, stirring up trouble in Great Mu.

Once Great Mu's forces withdrew and Yanbei's crisis was resolved, Song Xu stayed on in Yanxi for a while longer.

It was during that time that he entered the Yanxi Prefectural School.

Huo Ling asked: "Then do you know how the officials in the prefectural school were selected?"

Song Xu shook his head: "I'm afraid I'm uninformed on that matter."

Huo Ling explained: "When I first proposed establishing prefectural schools, I intended to select officials familiar with the Qiang Rong, ideally ones who spoke their language, to be sent to Yanxi.

"The court had no shortage of talent, but very few met the criteria.

"To select enough officials, the Ministry of Rites prepared several examinations for the Imperial Academy, choosing twenty-seven students from over a thousand candidates. They also put up notices to recruit twenty more talents from the commoners, totaling forty-seven individuals, all granted official positions."

Song Xu felt a pang: "If I recall correctly, the current Cangzhou Prefect once taught at the prefectural school."

Huo Ling nodded slightly: "You're right. The Cangzhou Prefect, the Hengyang Prefect, and the Hengyang Vice-Prefect all came from the Yanxi Prefectural School—they were the cream of that crop."

The years flew by. Some couldn't endure Yanxi's desolation and poverty.

Others, dissatisfied with their low-ranking posts, pulled strings to secure transfers elsewhere.

Those who persevered and possessed genuine talent all eventually made their mark.

A decade ago, the best any of them had done was reach the seventh rank.

Among them, the highest-ranking official has already reached the fourth rank.

Is that considered a fast promotion?

It depends on who you compare them to.

Compared to those from noble families who skyrocketed into high positions right after entering office, it’s certainly slow.

But compared to others from similarly modest backgrounds, it’s downright impressive.

Song Xu got a little fired up by Huo Ling’s words: "I might’ve missed the big state academy selection, but I got a taste of it from the buzz around the Martial Exam."

The court held its first Martial Exam in the second year of the Celestial Reign.

At that time, Song Xu was already serving as an official.

Just like the state academy’s selection, the Martial Exam didn’t care about background—only test scores.

Only the truly skilled could rise to the top.

Huo Ling smirked, then her expression hardened: "What if I pushed for a civil exam in court—ignoring family ties and selecting batches of low- to mid-level officials through written tests? What would you think?"

Song Xu froze for a second.

Since this conversation started, he’d been trying to figure out what Her Majesty really wanted to discuss.

He could’ve lasted way longer in this chess game.

But his mind was elsewhere, so he lost quickly and was already about to start the third match.

He’d figured Her Majesty would bring up his teacher, but he never expected her to reveal her grand plan.

Yeah, a real game-changer.

The Martial Exam just shook up military officers and a few nobles who clawed their way up through battle.

But a civil exam? That’d upend the noble families’ whole system.

How many big shots in court weren’t from noble families?

Hell, even the lower-tier officials usually had noble family ties. Otherwise, they’d be clueless about how the court even worked, let alone become part of it.

Take the Wen family—nobodies until Wen Shengan snagged the Minister of Personnel spot. After that, other noble families accepted them, arranging marriages between their children.

They all scratch each other’s backs, handing out favors and promotions, controlling most of the power to appoint officials.

If the civil exam took off, the court could slowly take that power back.

But... Pulling it off? That’s the hard part.

Her Majesty was aiming for the nobles’ throats—you think they’d just take that lying down?

Song Xu almost launched into a cost-benefit breakdown for Huo Ling, then bit his tongue.

If he could see it, no way Her Majesty hadn’t already thought it through.

Huo Ling placed the final chess piece and suddenly said, "I win again."

Song Xu jolted back to reality and looked down at the board—indeed, another total loss.

He gave a bitter smile and tossed the piece he had been holding back into the box. "Would Your Highness like another game?"

Huo Ling chuckled. "I've already won three games in a row. Besides, your mind isn't on the game—no point in playing more."

Song Xu picked up the pieces one by one, tidying the board to gather his thoughts.

As the pieces clinked softly into the box, he asked quietly, "Does Your Highness plan to push for reforms?"

Great Yan had been established for nearly a century, and by now, all the rules had long been set in stone.

To change them, there was only one way: reform.

Huo Ling looked at Song Xu. "Know why I’m telling you this?"

"I do not, Your Highness."

"Because I admire your talent—and because this is your dream too."

"Your Highness," Song Xu couldn't help but ask, "aren’t you worried the nobles will band together against you?"

"Remember how powerful Prince Duan and the Duke of Liu used to be? And now? What remains of them? In my lifetime, I’ll do what no one else has."

...

Not long after the conversation between Huo Ling and Song Xu concluded, Ding Jinghuan returned with Ji Xianshan in tow.

Ding Jinghuan and Xiao Fuzi were loaded down with stuff, and even Ji Xianshan held prizes he’d won playing games.

Seeing Song Xu present, Ji Xianshan showed no surprise—clearly, he had already learned of it from Ding Jinghuan.

Beaming, Ji Xianshan approached Huo Ling and eagerly showed off his haul like treasure.

There was a small jar of autumn dew wine, a folding fan bearing the characters "Fan Tower," and a round fan clearly meant for a woman.

Huo Ling took the round fan and twirled it on her finger. "Is this for me?"

Ji Xianshan nodded repeatedly. "It was to win this fan that I stayed out a bit too long and missed the meal hour."

Huo Ling tapped his head with the fan in mock scolding. "Since that's the reason, I’ll let it slide."

Ji Xianshan winked at Ding Jinghuan—only to hear Huo Ling add in the next moment, "Go ask the kitchen if any dishes were prepared with wine. If so, make sure your Teacher Ding doesn't eat them."

Ji Xianshan froze.

Ding Jinghuan, who had been grinning broadly just moments ago, went stiff.

He should have known—Your Highness never goes back on her word.

Yet the Emperor, having too much fun, had insisted on staying to watch a cricket fight and even swore he’d put in a good word for him.

Standing nearby, Song Xu felt his dark mood lifting for no reason.

Ding Jinghuan said: You’ve got your dreams. Don’t go down with a sinking ship.

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The senior brother said: "The teacher has always been good to you; you are his most valued student."

The Empress said: "Because I cherish your talent, and because this is also your ideal and ambition."

After going through one thing after another, he had come to realize deeply that he and his teacher were not on the same path.

The teacher was stuck in his ways, devoting too much energy to opposing the Empress.

Knowing the teacher’s temperament, he would never support reform. If one day the Empress even hinted at reform in court, the teacher would undoubtedly lead the opposition.

The senior brother tried to persuade him with years of mentorship and camaraderie, while Jinghuan and the Empress asked about his ideals and political aspirations.

**

*

He figured after wavering for so long, it was time to make a choice.

Wen Shengan took ill.

After attending the full moon banquet, he had been feeling unwell, dragging himself to work these past few days despite his condition.

Seeing the increasing number of impeachment petitions against him, Wen Shengan grew more disheartened, and his illness worsened.

After his wife and children kept urging him, Wen Shengan filed for sick leave.

That morning, Wen Shengan sat by the window soaking up the sun when his wife came to him: "Song Xu heard you were sick and wanted to visit."

Wen Shengan slammed the book in his hand down, his expression cold: "So he hasn’t forgotten I’m his teacher."

"Don’t talk nonsense."

Wen Shengan waved his hand: "Turn him away. I need rest and don’t want to see outsiders."

His wife’s heart sank—once a close teacher and student, now acting like enemies. "You... Ah, never mind, don’t be angry. I’ll turn him away."

"Wait—"

As his wife was about to leave the study, Wen Shengan hesitated, then called out to stop her.

He sighed heavily: "Fine, let him in."

The teacher had aged terribly.

This was the first thought that crossed Song Xu’s mind upon seeing Wen Shengan.

Wen Shengan was naturally no longer young, but he’d been a handsome man in his youth and took great care of himself in old age.

His energetic demeanor had once made it seem certain he could serve in court for another decade.

Now, he sat slumped in his chair, with a robe draped over his shoulders even in the heat of July or August.

The relentless impeachment petitions weighed him down like a ton, nearly breaking his spirit.

Song Xu bowed respectfully to Wen Shengan, inquired about his health, and gave him a hundred-year-old ginseng.

He had gone to great lengths to obtain it after hearing of Wen Shengan’s illness.

Wen Shengan didn’t need the ginseng, but Song Xu’s thoughtfulness touched him.

His expression softened slightly, and his tone grew gentler: "Today isn’t a rest day. You didn’t just drop by to check on me, did you?" Song Xu replied: "A few days ago, Senior Brother Qi came to me, asking me to intercede with His Majesty on your behalf. I refused him."

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The Regent's predicament seems due to the Emperor's displeasure toward him, but the real issue is the Empress Dowager.

Even if the relationship between the Emperor and the Regent improves, as long as the Empress Dowager won't back down, his predicament cannot truly change.

So Song Xu continued, "You are a subject, and Her Majesty is the sovereign. Given the current circumstances, why keep fighting a losing battle? It would be better to yield to Her Majesty and stand down. Considering your years of loyal service, she will not treat you too harshly."

Wen Shengan said, "Your senior brother Qi came to you, asking you to plead my case before the Emperor, yet you refused. Instead, you now advocate for the Empress Dowager."

Song Xu replied, "This is the wisest course."

Throughout history, no ruler who has fully come into their power has ever tolerated a powerful minister like you—one who meddles in and dominates court politics.

If you step down now, you might still leave with some honor.

Wen Shengan said nothing.

He understood this truth all too well.

Yet, even after seeing through it, people still hope against hope.

With governance in his hands, authority at his command, the support of hundreds of officials, and a lifetime of spotless reputation—how could he just walk away?

He had repeatedly claimed that Empress Dowager Huo, even as Empress, had never shown the qualities of a virtuous empress. But in these years of power struggles, how much of it was for the public good, and how much was for personal gain? Even he himself could no longer say.

Had it truly come to this?

As if all strength left him, Wen Shengan sank back into his chair.

By chance, he lifted his gaze and saw a painting hanging on the opposite wall.

It was a landscape painting.

A gift from the late Emperor, then still a prince, when Wen Shengan had been demoted to Qizhou.

"Do not despair, Minister Wen," the young prince had said, his voice bright and steady, his bearing as noble as the sturdiest pine. "You and I shall await better days."

...

After a long silence, Wen Shengan turned his gaze back to Song Xu.

His eyes were sharp and cold, filled with scrutiny.

In that moment, he was no longer a frail and weary patient, but the veteran Regent who had stood firm in court for years, who held immense power.

"Ah-Xu."

By addressing Song Xu this way, he spoke as a teacher questioning his student.

"The Empress Dowager favors you, and the Emperor is close to you. If one day the Empress Dowager and the Emperor came to blows, would you support Her Majesty or His Majesty?"

Song Xu was stunned by the sudden question.

"...Are you worried, Teacher, that Her Majesty will refuse to return power to the Emperor?"

"Not worried," Wen Shengan said. "It's already happening."

Power works in strange ways. When one does not possess it, it seems manageable. But once truly grasped, who would willingly surrender it? Anyone who believes the Empress Dowager would willingly return authority to the Emperor is either hopelessly naive or has never truly tasted real power.

First Chen Haoyan, then him—the Empress Dowager had already disposed of two Regents left by the late Emperor.

The remaining Lu Hang was a well-known opportunist, seeking profit and avoiding harm, past his prime.

The Emperor had not yet truly grown up, yet the Empress Dowager had already tightened her grip on power.

Song Xu said, "I see things differently, Teacher."

Wen Shengan was not angered: "Then tell me your thoughts."

Song Xu replied, "If we set aside all prejudices and review Her Majesty’s political achievements over the years—in all honesty, Teacher—how has she performed?"

Wen Shengan went quiet once more.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know the answer—it was precisely because the answer was too obvious that he had to remain silent.

Song Xu waited a moment but still received no response, so he continued: "The Empress Dowager is ruthless and visionary. During her regency, she suppressed the nobility, promoted commoners, kept government honest, and ensured the common folk secure. Perhaps you and some courtiers may object to her being a woman, but I don’t hold that against her. In fact, I would gladly serve under such a regent."

Wen Shengan asked, "And the Emperor?"

Song Xu said, "Perhaps you’re right—when the Emperor comes into his own, Her Majesty may not relinquish power immediately. But the Empress Dowager has only the Emperor as her child, does she not?"

No matter what, they were flesh and blood mother and son.

The power in the Empress Dowager’s hands would ultimately return to the Emperor.

Wen Shengan looked at this brilliant yet naive student and allowed himself a faint smile, his eyes flickering with sorrow.

"I ran out of things to teach you years ago. As your teacher, I’ll give you one last piece of advice—a sovereign mother and her son cannot be compared to an ordinary family. What you see between them may only be what she wishes you to see."

Her Majesty has only the Emperor as her child.

But she is the sovereign, while he is no Crown Prince.

An empire might tolerate a powerless Crown Prince for twenty years—but could it endure an Emperor who did not rule for twenty years?

This time, it was Song Xu’s turn to fall silent.

"Enough. Enough."

Wen Shengan’s smile held bitterness, loneliness, yet also relief.

"My two sons are unremarkable at best, fit only to preserve what they inherit. Among my grandsons, some show promise, but they need more seasoning.

"Don’t listen to your senior brother. My course is set—no need to plead for me, but file a memorial backing me. This way, when I leave the capital, some of my connections can legitimately fall to you."

Song Xu was stunned: "Teacher..."

"I leave these resources to you, hoping you’ll better protect the Emperor."

Wen Shengan said no more.

Leaning on the armrest, he rose slowly, swaying under some invisible weight. Before Song Xu could steady him, he found his footing and made his steady way out of the study beneath the afternoon sun.

In the ninth month of the eighth year of the Celestial Reign, Wen Shengan brought closure to three months of court strife with a memorial of retirement.

As for who was most pleased by Wen Shengan’s resignation...

***

That would naturally be Huo Shiming.

After such a long struggle and so much effort, he had finally brought down Wen Shengan.

He had united the officials to overthrow Wen Shengan, the head of the civil officials and a Regent!

What a glorious victory!

After this, his prestige among the officials soared, and wherever he went, he could rally officials at a moment’s notice.

Brimming with excitement, Huo Shiming entered the palace. Upon leaving, he happened to encounter Wen Shengan on the palace path.

Once he’d recovered, Wen Shengan had returned to his duties at the ministry.

Though he’d submitted his resignation, as long as the request remained unapproved, he was still the Minister of Personnel and had to report to the palace regularly.

"Where is Minister Wen heading?"

Huo Shiming greeted Wen Shengan with a smile, his expression so friendly that an uninformed observer might assume the two were on excellent terms.

Both were leaving the palace, so they walked together briefly.

Wen Shengan replied indifferently, "Back to the Ministry of Personnel."

Huo Shiming didn’t actually care about Wen Shengan’s answer—he just wanted an excuse to start a conversation.

After the small talk, he got right to it.

"I heard Minister Wen is resigning?"

Wen Shengan glanced at Huo Shiming and suddenly sneered, "Don’t celebrate just yet, Duke of Chengen."

Huo Shiming dismissed this as Wen Shengan’s sour grapes and paid it no mind.

Wen Shengan saw his indifference and continued, "The Empress Dowager rules with an iron fist and has long resented me. To keep my place at court, I had to weaken her influence."

Huo Shiming stopped dead in his tracks.

He and Wen Shengan were not only strangers but political enemies. Yet Wen Shengan had just laid his cards on the table…

It sent a chill down his spine.

Ignoring Huo Shiming’s gaze, Wen Shengan went on, "The memorial submitted by the Right Vice Minister of Personnel won’t break you, Duke of Chengen—at most, it will drive a wedge between you and Her Majesty. Only if you and Her Majesty are at odds can I play both sides.

"But I wonder, what’s your game in helping Her Majesty target me so eagerly?"

Did he really think that without Wen Shengan’s interference, or once Wen Shengan fell, his crimes in Yanxi would just vanish?

Did the Duke of Chengen truly believe that by aiding the Empress Dowager in defeating him, things between father and daughter would go back to normal, and she would trust him like she used to?

As the Duke of Chengen, he led an army of a hundred thousand in Yanxi; crushed the Qiang Rong revolt; marched his troops to the capital when Prince Duan and the Duke of Liu plotted rebellion; and won major victories when Great Mu invaded Yanbei…

Now, by uniting the officials to expel Wen Shengan, a Regent, he’d made himself the faction’s top dog.

Such influence surpassed even that of the Duke of Liu in his prime.

Between father and daughter, concessions might still be made.

But between sovereign and subject, how could there ever be peace?