Chapter Eighty: Blessings and Misfortunes Intertwined (Part One)

“Bilonze is preparing, before he retires, to become a solitary minister!” That afternoon, after hearing Zhang Qian’s account, Zhang Ruoxu rested his hand on the desk and shook his head with a sigh.

“A solitary minister? Do you mean that he can’t find a single supporter in the court?” Zhang Qian, half understanding, blinked his bewildered eyes and asked in a low voice.

He was a complete outsider when it came to politics, and Guo Nu and Ren Cong, limited by age and experience, couldn’t clarify the situation either. Thus, after much discussion among the three brothers at noon, Zhang Qian was sent to consult Zhang Ruoxu, the elder.

Though Zhang Ruoxu had retired from office and lived in leisure, his experience and insight were far beyond those of the young men. Seeing that Zhang Qian seemed unclear about his meaning, he sighed again and gently explained, “Leaving aside prior years, just from this spring till now, thousands of official positions have been sold by the hands of General Wei, Princess Anle, and Lady Shangguan. Those who bought their posts spent money in hopes of filling vacancies and profiting much more in the future. Bilonze’s move is like setting fire to their prospects, severing countless paths to wealth and advancement! To call it a feud as deep as death is not an exaggeration. And General Wei, Princess Anle, and Lady Shangguan—how could they not hate him to the bone? So, regardless of whether His Majesty ultimately accepts his advice, he has already placed himself at the center of public wrath. Alas, I fear he will not warm the seat of Censor before it must be given to another!”

“Ah—” Zhang Qian could not help but sigh deeply. Not only was his own plan to purchase an official position thwarted before it could be realized, but he also felt pity for Bilonze’s bleak fate.

To be honest, he was not familiar with Bilonze, nor cared much about his favor or support. Yet, influenced by five thousand years of tradition, he had a deep-rooted respect for honest officials and those who dared to speak for the people.

From what little he knew of Bilonze, the man had spent years demoted and away from the capital, only recently returning to Chang’an after completing his term. And instead of cherishing the opportunity granted by the court, he had, on his very first day as Censor, risked his life and future to confront the court’s corrupt practices, hoping by his own efforts to restore Tang’s system of official selection!

Such a feat could be compared to Lin Zexu’s destruction of opium in later times. “A true man does not shy from fortune or disaster.” Zhang Qian knew he lacked such courage, but it did not prevent him from offering his highest respect to a hero.

“Are you worried about your own future?” Hearing Zhang Qian’s heavy sigh, Zhang Ruoxu thought he was troubled by the failed attempt to submit his essay. He glanced at him and asked hesitantly.

“You misunderstand, Uncle,” Zhang Qian replied, his face flushing. He quickly clarified, “I have no skill in poetry or prose, and never expected my essay to catch Bilonze’s eye. I am only concerned for Bilonze’s safety. He has offended so many, and, and—”

He lowered his voice, hesitating, and quickly added, “And most of all, he has offended General Wei.”

“Bilonze has always been upright; as long as he keeps his conduct clean and gives no one a handle, it will not be easy to condemn him to death,” Zhang Ruoxu was much relieved that Zhang Qian’s sigh was not for his own prospects. He thought for a moment and analyzed seriously, “After all, His Majesty is wise and capable. Even if he trusts General Wei, he knows Bilonze has acted without personal motive. In the court, some may wish to dominate, but cannot cover the sky with one hand.”

“So, for now, Bilonze need not fear for his life!” He paused, then shook his head with a bitter smile, “But exile to a distant place is inevitable. Last time he was a provincial governor; now, I fear even that is out of reach. If he can secure a minor post, such as an assistant or deputy, he should count himself fortunate!”

“Oh! Then I am overthinking! But, I wonder what the salary is for a deputy—will it suffice for Bilonze’s needs?” Zhang Qian nodded blankly and began to worry for Bilonze’s life after exile.

“Bilonze’s grandfather was a deputy in Gunzhou, his father served as a minor official, and Bilonze himself passed the imperial exam in his early twenties, enduring the tides of officialdom for years,” Zhang Ruoxu shot him a look and scolded, “Do you think everyone is like you, coming out of the mountains penniless, relying on the production of Six Spirits Dew for a living?”

“I just thought, if Bilonze struggles, I could help him discreetly,” Zhang Qian replied, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile.

“You do have a conscience. It’s not for nothing that he once tried to recommend you for office!” Zhang Ruoxu rolled his eyes, but his tone shifted from scolding to praise, “Still, take care of yourself first! Your reputation is rising, and you have the valuable Six Spirits Dew at home. If you enter office with Bilonze’s recommendation, it will reduce many prying eyes. If you remain a commoner, trouble will surely find you. The Duke of Bao’s household is a great tree, but you are still too far from its trunk.”

Clearly, he truly regarded Zhang Qian as family, speaking so candidly. Zhang Qian was deeply moved and quickly bowed, “Thank you for the advice, Uncle! I will pack my bags and head into the mountains to gather herbs. When the world forgets me, I will return.”

This was the first solution that occurred to him after learning that buying an official post was now impossible, directly borrowed from certain modern executives, though he was unsure if it would work in eighth-century Tang.

“That is a workable plan. If you’re not around, others cannot simply shut down your Six Spirits Dew workshop. And Guo Nu and Ren Cong, with their fathers’ support, can protect themselves well enough,” Zhang Ruoxu frowned, then smiled and nodded. “I had meant to advise you, if all else fails, to buy a nominal position. But with Bilonze’s uproar, Lady Shangguan and the others will surely lay low. The path of buying office is blocked for now. So go into hiding; when your alcohol and disinfection methods gain the attention of the Emperor or the military, you will return to a very different situation.”

“Good! Since Uncle agrees, I will pack tonight and leave for the mountains tomorrow morning!” Seeing Zhang Ruoxu’s assessment matched his own, Zhang Qian felt the dangers around him all the more keenly. Smiling, he made his decision.

“Go on, then, sigh—” Zhang Ruoxu raised his hand and let it fall, as if suddenly aged by years. “In these times, not holding office may bring more happiness. I am not like Ji Weng—he spent his life reading the classics, always hoping to serve the country. I only wish the younger generation could live comfortably and happily.”

“Then I’ll go prepare!” Zhang Qian’s heart felt hollow and heavy. He forced a smile, straightened, and took his leave.

Zhang Ruoxu, facing his own troubles recently, was not in the mood to keep him for supper. He rose, donned a cloak, and saw Zhang Qian out.

Along the way, he saw the chrysanthemums in the courtyard, withered and bare, and sighed softly, “Only because the flowers bloom late, they cannot repay the spring breeze. Your poem on the chrysanthemums was gloomy, but fitting for the times. These days, it is not that the spring breeze cannot be repaid, but that it never reaches us. Well, the world’s seasons have their own order; how can plants or men interfere? Go, enjoy the autumn air; perhaps the mountains will offer their own scenery.”

“Uncle, please take care of yourself as well!” Though their acquaintance was brief, it was rare to meet someone who truly treated him as a younger generation. At parting, Zhang Qian felt reluctant to leave. “If you ever need wine, send someone to my estate and I will have it ready. But do not drink too much—wine may ease worries, but too much will harm your health…”

He was about to offer more advice when he saw Ren Cong’s figure, suddenly running in at the gate accompanied by the steward of the Zhang residence.

Without time for formalities, Ren Cong immediately shouted, “Brother, hurry back! Second Brother is fighting someone—if you don’t return soon, I fear he won’t restrain himself and a great trouble will come!”