Chapter Eighty-Three: The Weight of Authority and the Subtle Torment of Yanbo
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When the Crown Prince visited the Xu residence, the common people were not particularly fond of it. Among the populace, Xu Jingzong's reputation was rather unsavory.
In fact, such an opinion was mistaken; just as in governing a country, where Confucianism serves as the façade, but the methods of Legalism and Daoism are also employed. An emperor must make use of certain unscrupulous individuals—those willing to handle duties too unsavory for an emperor to perform openly. Take Xu Jingzong, or Li Yifu, for example; without men like them, Li Zhi would never have been able to eliminate the ever more ambitious Zhangsun Wuji. Had Li Yifu not later... perhaps Li Zhi would have continued to favor him. Or take the later infamous Heshen—when the Jiaqing Emperor finally disposed of him, the entire nation rejoiced wildly, but without Heshen’s ruthless talent for amassing wealth, the empire’s finances would have quickly run dry...
So Li Wei still could not understand why his father treated old Xu so well.
Xu Yanbo was busy flirting with a pretty young maid when a servant reported the Crown Prince’s arrival. Hastily, he dressed, but wondered inwardly, What could this ailing prince want with us?
Approaching the entrance, he saw Li Wei standing at the gate from afar, and the sight of him standing there made Xu Yanbo feel rather sick.
What is this supposed to be?
If his own grandfather were at the residence, then, out of respect for an elder minister, it would make sense for the prince to wait a moment outside. But who was he, Xu Yanbo, to deserve such treatment? Did he dare presume to be worthy of it?
He looked again at the prince’s face; he was smiling, but there was something sinister in that smile.
Xu Yanbo was unnerved by the expression, though he dared not show it, and hurried forward, saying, “Your Highness, this is too much, far too much.”
“Too much?” Li Wei asked.
Xu Yanbo dared not say, “You should not be standing at my gate, awaiting my servant’s report”—wasn’t that a deliberate attempt to unnerve me? But Li Wei, with an air of intimacy, took his arm and said, “Master Li, let us go in.”
The display of warmth only made Xu Yanbo more uneasy, but he had no choice but to lead Li Wei to the main hall, instructing servants to bring tea. Then he said, “Your Highness does my humble home great honor with your presence—may I ask what brings you here today?”
“‘Humble home’? Surely not. If yours is a humble home, how many in the capital could claim to have a grand residence?” Li Wei replied, leaving Xu Yanbo unable to respond.
Yao Yuanchong and Ximen Chong, being younger, could not help but smile at the exchange.
Li Wei then gave Xu Yanbo a way out: “I have heard something—back in the Western Capital, when Helan Minzhi committed that monstrous treason, the ministers all sat watching, unwilling to comprehend His Majesty’s wishes. Only the Grand Tutor took the initiative and memorialized His Majesty, urging him to punish Helan Minzhi. This moved me greatly.”
At this, he nodded to Bi’er, who brought forward a brocade box.
Li Wei opened it and said, “The other day, my mother, seeing that I was not well, took two medicinal pills that the Daoist Master Zhengyi had refined for my father and gave them to me. The Grand Tutor’s loyalty has touched me deeply; I have nothing else worthy to offer. Since you labor for the state and are also ailing, I have brought these two pills as a gift.”
Xu Yanbo stared motionless at the two little pills.
Li Wei’s intentions were hard to fathom, but these two pills were genuine—counterfeiting such a thing was unthinkable. Even the Daoist Master Zhengyi could not produce many such colorful elixirs. Not only he, even Wei Yuanzhong felt some pain at seeing them; such fine medicine, even though there were ulterior motives, the prince was being generous indeed.
In these times, one must never quibble about whether such pills should be taken.
Xu Yanbo found himself wondering: Could this sickly prince truly be grateful to my grandfather? He murmured, “This is truly too great an honor.”
Li Wei snapped the lid shut and said, “The Grand Tutor is a treasure of the realm. Not just two pills, but a hundred would still be well-deserved. Master Li, there’s no need for such modesty. I have another matter to discuss. Some days ago, in the Western Capital, there were misunderstandings between us—truly, it was all Helan Minzhi’s instigation.”
“Indeed, Your Highness, I have come to regret it and was preparing to beg your pardon.”
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“What crime is there? Did I not act rashly as well?”
“It was I who first—”
“The past is like water flowing east; let us not speak of it again. Shall we let bygones be bygones?”
“I dare not disobey, yet I am unworthy...” Xu Yanbo was only more suspicious; he could not guess what this sickly prince was plotting. Surely he did not come in goodwill—why else would he use the term ‘grand residence’ to mock me?
“In that case, it is settled. Come, let me introduce a few friends. This is Imperial Censor Wei Yuanzhong of Songzhou, this is my adviser Yao Yuanchong of Shanzhou, and this is my adviser Ximen Chong of Shangzhou.”
The prince’s four main advisers—by now, perhaps a third of Luoyang’s citizens had heard of them. Not knowing Li Wei’s purpose, Xu Yanbo could only greet them politely.
The tea was ready. The two maids serving tea were strikingly beautiful, no less so than Bi’er. In the corridor, more lovely maids could be glimpsed coming and going. Not to mention the mansions of Chang’an, even this residence—just think of the annual expenses for all these maids and servants.
But Xu Yanbo showed no sign and sipped his tea, saying, “I have not had much occasion to interact with Master Li, but I have heard that your learning is extraordinary. May I ask, which classics do you excel in?”
“Your Highness flatters me. From childhood, under my grandfather’s strict tutelage, I have read some books, but dare not claim to be remarkable. By luck, I have studied all nine classics to some extent.”
“Oh? There are some scholarly matters I do not fully understand—might I consult you?”
He truly did begin to ask questions, but Xu Yanbo’s reputation was not for nothing—his learning was substantial. Thus, they discussed various classics.
At last, Li Wei’s true motives began to show. Glancing at the sky, he said, “Master Li, it grows late; I must take my leave.”
“I shall respectfully see Your Highness out.”
But Li Wei did not stand at once. Instead, he said, “Master Li, today’s gathering was most pleasant. The day after tomorrow, Wei will be free from duty; we have arranged to stroll about the Eastern Capital together. Would you join us?”
After keeping company with Li Wei for a while, Xu Yanbo, feeling guilty, was already as restless as if sitting on needles. He quickly replied, “Your Highness, that must not be. Have you forgotten what happened on Mount Zhongnan? The Master said, ‘Prevent disaster before it strikes, so that grief will not follow.’ One must act with caution and foresight; a gentleman does not stand beneath a perilous wall, nor treat danger lightly. Mencius also said, ‘All is fate; one should accept it with equanimity. Thus, those who understand fate do not stand beneath a crumbling wall. To die fulfilling one’s duty is true destiny; to die in chains is not.’ Your Highness, you must be careful.”
He did not wish to accompany them, so he spouted a string of moral principles.
“Master Li, your words are ill-intentioned,” Li Wei’s tone suddenly shifted.
“I do not understand—how am I ill-intentioned?”
“You truly do not know? How many are there in the world like Helan Minzhi, guilty of such monstrous crimes?” Li Wei pointed outside, then continued, “Besides, my father and mother govern the realm with tireless diligence—for what? For the splendor of these lands, for the prosperity of millions of people. Yet you call this realm, this people, a perilous wall, a crumbling wall?”
“Your Highness, you misunderstand me,” Xu Yanbo protested anxiously. Even if he did mean it that way, he could not admit it directly. “The realm is good, the people are good, but there will always be a few villains; one blemish should not overshadow a hundred virtues. Still, one must guard against that blemish. Your Highness, it is best to remain in the Eastern Palace; His Majesty will be at ease, and so will the people.”
It would be best if you didn’t even visit my house.
“Master Li, you leave me ever more baffled. The late Grand Tutor devoted his life to self-discipline and public service, always thinking of the country. Yet your heart is worthy of condemnation!”
How had things turned so suddenly? Now he was being accused in the gravest terms. Xu Yanbo replied, “Your Highness, I harbor no such intentions.”
“No such intentions? Then let me ask you—what do I do in the Eastern Palace but study the classics and learn to govern the state? For this, my father has summoned wise scholars from across the land to instruct me. Yet what is written in books is not always seen in life. So my parents often go among the people, to learn their hardships. But you, invoking the gentleman’s rule not to stand beneath a perilous wall, would confine me to the Eastern Palace. Do you wish to make me another Emperor Hui of Jin, and yourself a Jia Chong?”
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“No, that is not so.”
“Good, then it is settled. You will join me the day after tomorrow.” He stood and patted Xu Yanbo’s shoulder.
Xu Yanbo, nearly faint with dread, dared not refuse. If he resisted further, who knew what accusation would come next—Jia Chong had already been brought up; who could say what would follow? He had no choice but to agree.
After seeing Li Wei off, he immediately wrote a letter and said, “Quick, send this to the Western Capital for my grandfather.”
He had no idea what the prince was plotting, but already sensed danger in the air.
...
“Your Highness, seeing his final expression was most satisfying,” Bi’er said.
Even a lowly palace maid could hold grudges. That day, when Helan Minzhi had been slapped hard at the Hongwen Institute, Xu Yanbo had been one of the accomplices.
“He’s not without talent, actually,” Li Wei remarked.
“But in learning, he’s no match for his grandfather—what a pity,” Wei Yuanzhong sighed. Such talent, put to the wrong use.
Ximen Chong said, “It’s the environment that changed him. The former Grand Tutor Xu was not so bad.”
“That’s not necessarily so—for example, Prefect Yao,” Li Wei said, referring to Yao Yuanchong’s father.
He had not known this at first, but later learned that Yao Yuanchong came from a distinguished family. His great-grandfather, Yao Xuanye, was the Grand General of the East for the Chen Dynasty and Duke of Wuxing Commandery. His great-grandfather Yao Anren had served as prefect of Qingzhou and Fenzhou, renowned for his integrity and just administration. His grandfather Yao Xiang had served as chief historian of Huaizhou, acting commandant of Hangu Pass, and had been praised by Emperor Yang of Sui for his military prowess at natural defenses.
His father, Yao Yi, was skilled in archery and horsemanship and loved the classics and histories. During the Sui, he served as magistrate of Xiaoxian, later joined Li Yuan, and campaigned alongside Li Shimin, earning many military honors and the title of Commandant of Eagle Guards and Chief Controller of Water and Land, as well as Baron of Changsha County. Envious rivals brought about his demotion, after which he was never able to recover. Only in his sixties did the court remember him and grant him office. When the Qiongbu tribes rebelled in Xizhou, leaving the people destitute, the court again sent the versatile Yao Yi with imperial authority to serve as governor of Xizhou. Though he succeeded, he was already old, and died of illness there. One could say his life was complete; he never stooped to flattery or intrigue for wealth.
Yet the court had treated him somewhat poorly.
Yao Yuanchong’s eyes grew moist. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness.”
“In the future...” Li Wei said tactfully.
Li Wei thought little of it—a posthumous title, after all. If not for fear of making his father suspicious, he would have asked for it already.
After a pause, he said, “Will Xu Yanbo try to find an excuse to avoid us the day after tomorrow?”
Wei Yuanzhong replied, “He hasn’t the courage.”
“Then, gentlemen, what clever ideas do you have to give him some trouble?”
“Your Highness, we mustn’t be too hasty, but I do have a plan,” Wei Yuanzhong whispered.
“An excellent plan,” Li Wei said. He also reflected that his only concern lately was that Xu Jingzong would stir up trouble in the Western Capital, but he could never have imagined that Li Wei would drag his beloved grandson onto the prince’s own chariot. Even if Xu Jingzong had to watch helplessly as his grandson was tormented, he would be powerless to do anything about it. The thought made Li Wei laugh.
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