PC Chapter 38

Su Cen felt he might be the most leisurely court official in the world.

Perhaps it was because people had witnessed his troublemaking abilities. First, he managed to offend two of the most powerful ministers in the court, then wherever he went, assassins seemed to follow. Even the simplest investigation could unearth cases decades old. As a result, Zhang Jun treated him like an ancestor, never daring to let him take on any case. Instead, under the pretense of letting Su Cen “familiarize himself with his new duties,” he sent stack after stack of case files, essentially confining Su Cen to the study.

Su Cen was content with this peaceful lifestyle. On regular days, he helped Song Jiancheng care for flowers and birds while taking the opportunity to learn the rules of the court. He knew the difficulties in handling this case up to now were partly due to Li Shi’s interference, but also because of his own reckless approach and lack of adaptability. He understood that Zhang Jun couldn’t keep him confined forever. Once the time came for him to fully investigate this wide-reaching case, he would need to skillfully navigate the law—and ideally, find loopholes—so no one could use any leverage against him.

Life at the Dali Temple was fairly relaxed, but there was one issue: since Su Cen was now a fifth-rank official, he was required to attend court meetings on the first and fifteenth of each month. Although his rank only allowed him to stand in the back and watch the proceedings, there were always people eager to cause a spectacle, providing entertainment for the rest.

As Su Cen stood yawning behind the crowd, he listened to the Ministry of Personnel’s vice minister nominate a new Governor for Huzhou, understanding that another drama was about to unfold.

What is this Huzhou? People in the world say “When the Su and Hu are prosperous, the world is prosperous”. It was known as the nation’s granary, a fertile and highly coveted position, historically a battleground for political factions.

The previous Governor had been doing well until bandits caused trouble on Lake Tai. The Governor accidentally fell into the water and died while leading people to suppress the bandits. This shocked the court and the public, and even Su Cen, who normally paid no attention to outside matters, had heard of it. The imperial army was later sent to eliminate the bandits, but the debate over the new Governor reignited soon after.

After all, taking over Huzhou was akin to securing a small treasure vault. The Empress Dowager Chu had been trying to get her nephew appointed, but there was a major obstacle: Prince Ning, who was not easily dealt with and always managed to intervene.

Su Cen listened to the Minister of Personnel’s lengthy, sycophantic praise of the Empress Dowager’s nephew, while his attention wandered, eventually falling on the figure of Prince Ning.

Prince Ning appeared indifferent to the clownish behavior, leaning casually against his chair, his hand resting lightly on the armrest, idly stroking the ink jade thumb ring on his finger.

This man seemed to possess an innate, distinguished aura that set him apart from the crowd.

Sure enough, when the Minister of Personnel finally finished his report, Li Shi neither agreed nor disagreed. Instead, he lightly tapped his thumb ring on the armrest, and someone immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I have objections.”

It was the Minister of War who spoke, stating bluntly, “Huzhou suffers from rampant flooding and banditry. Sending a pampered young lord there won’t solve anything; he’ll just end up as another ghost in Lake Tai. I recommend Sima Kang Lu from Weizhou, a battle-hardened soldier who can ensure Huzhou’s peace.”

Someone immediately countered, “How absurd! Since when has the Great Zhou ever had a military general serve as Governor?”

The Minister of War sneered coldly, “Exceptional times call for exceptional measures. Have you forgotten how the last Governor of Huzhou met his end?”

The scene in the court was heated, with everyone arguing intensely. The young Emperor, caught in the middle, looked left and right, glancing at Liu Cheng, then at Li Shi, his little head bobbing back and forth like a rattle-drum, unable to make up his mind.

Amidst the uproar, the eunuch standing beside him leaned in close and whispered in the young Emperor’s ear. Before long, the Emperor’s brows relaxed as if he had made a decision, but before he could speak, a soft cough echoed in the hall.

Instantly, the court fell silent. All eyes turned to Li Shi, who had raised his hand and pointed at the eunuch. “Drag him out and beat him to death.”

“Imperial Uncle?” The young Emperor looked up in shock, hardly believing what he heard. He asked again, “Imperial Uncle, what did you say?”

“Eunuchs meddling in state affairs, disrupting imperial authority, are unforgivable.”

The eunuch was stunned and immediately fell to his knees, kowtowing desperately. “Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy, Your Highness! I… I was only following orders… Please spare me, Your Highness!”

This eunuch had been serving the young Emperor under the orders of Empress Dowager Chu since the Emperor’s ascension. Backed by the Empress Dowager, he had walked around the palace with impunity and felt bold enough to advise the young Emperor in court. He had hoped that by conveying the Empress Dowager’s thoughts, he could win some future reward. However, he never expected to catch the ire of Prince Ning and end up facing such a serious charge.

Liu Cheng, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward. “Your Highness, even when punishing a dog, you should consider its master!”

Li Shi raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting that someone instructed this eunuch to meddle in politics?”

“You…!” Liu Cheng was rendered speechless.

Li Shi turned to the young Emperor and said, “I am giving you the power to make decisions so you can distinguish right from wrong and have your own opinions, not to be swayed and manipulated by others. When you fully take the reins of power one day, will you allow a eunuch to direct state affairs in court?”

“Imperial Uncle, I…” The young Emperor, publicly reprimanded, felt tears welling up in his eyes. But remembering his uncle’s teachings about not showing his emotions too easily, he forced himself to hold them back, lowering his head in frustration. “Imperial Uncle, I understand.”

“It’s ‘We understand,’” Li Shi corrected him.

“We understand.”

The young Emperor, thoroughly chastised, dared not raise his head again, and no one else in the court dared to make a sound. Su Cen couldn’t help but sigh to himself. No wonder people placed Li Shi at the top of the list of court officials not to cross. If he treated the Emperor so bluntly, who would dare defy him?

Su Cen unconsciously touched his neck. Since he hadn’t yet been beheaded, it seemed he was indeed quite lucky to still be alive.

Li Shi then ordered, “You issue the decree yourself.”

The young Emperor glanced at the tear-streaked eunuch kneeling on the ground and then at the stern-faced Li Shi. On one side was the close servant who had been with him since childhood, and on the other, his strict and formidable uncle. He knew in his heart that the eunuch was beyond saving, but the thought of personally issuing the order for execution left him deeply conflicted, unable to speak.

Liu Cheng sneered at the moment. “If anyone is manipulating the court, surely no one can rival Your Highness.”

A crisp voice rang out from behind Li Shi. “His Highness is teaching the Emperor how to make decisions, to help him discern and understand matters. Would you rather watch as the Emperor is deceived by traitors? His Highness balances court affairs for the sake of the Great Zhou, unlike some people who act solely for personal gain!”

Su Cen followed the voice and raised an eyebrow. Li Shi truly had influence; even in court, he brought his favored companion along. The one who had just spoken was none other than Xiao Yuancheng, the young heir of the Xiao family.

What Xiao Yuancheng said made sense, but Liu Cheng, having adopted some of Li Shi’s arrogance, had no respect for anyone below him. He immediately retorted, “Who do you think you are?” silencing Xiao Yuancheng.

Su Cen clicked his tongue inwardly, watching as Xiao Yuancheng’s face darkened.

Those words hit him right where it hurt. Who was Xiao Yuancheng? His ancestors had followed the founding emperor, fighting battles across the land to establish the Da Zhou Empire. Later, they were granted fiefdom in Liangzhou, and his family inherited the title of King of Northern Liang¹Beiliang for generations. Xiao Yuancheng had survived the sandstorms of Northern deserts and the open and covert power struggles in his father’s rear court. After barely reaching adulthood and just assuming the title of heir, an imperial decree sent him from Liangzhou to Chang’an.

He hadn’t come for a ceremonial visit or to receive titles and rewards, but because some censor, for reasons unknown, accused his father of harboring an army with intentions of conspiring with the Turks. Xiao Yuancheng was forced to come as a hostage.

In Liangzhou, despite the hardships, he had been the heir of the Northern Liang family—his mere presence could shake the ground. But in Chang’an, the capital was full of noble princes, and as an heir without power or connections, he was completely isolated, vulnerable to mistreatment. Moreover, the court had summoned him with the intent to monitor and restrain him. Every move he made was scrutinized, and even a sneeze could be reported as disrespecting imperial authority. He was truly living in constant frustration.

So, he needed someone to back him, to give him legitimacy and protection. Having the most powerful minister in the court as his ally would not only safeguard him but also ensure that no one dared to challenge the Northern Liang family in the future.

Being publicly humiliated by Liu Cheng made Xiao Yuancheng’s face flush with alternating shades of red and white. He glanced at Li Shi, hoping for support, but seeing no intention of intervention, he clenched his teeth in silent anger.

“If His Majesty is undecided, to ensure fairness, why not hear the opinion of a neutral party?” Liu Cheng smiled coldly.

Su Cen silently cursed to himself.

As expected, Liu Cheng’s gaze swept over coldly. “What does Lord Su of the Dali Temple think?”

 

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