Book 15: Chapter 4
Sentiments that Could Reach the Imperial Palace
“… Not a big… problems. Okay. Slow down. That’s a good response. I like it,” Ming Feizhen mumbled as he scribbled down He Shi’s response onto a blank sheet of paper. He didn’t bat an eye when he looked up to see He Shi’s stupefied look. “In your opinion, these, uh, three things don’t qualify as big problems? The consequences are significant, though. If nothing else, this, uh, power contest between the martial and civil officials could cause considerable problems. That’s not a big problem?”
He Shi stared blankly for a while before shaking his head, sighing three times and then elaborated, “His Majesty is able to tackle all three issues alone. While the two factions are competing, nobody has the upper hand. While the three offices overseeing the martial world have matured, their authority comes from His Majesty. Accordingly, the other faction will go down once His Majesty picks one. Similarly, if His Majesty wants to delay the stripping of the White Princes, they’ll have to live with their tails between their legs until he decides he wants to strip them. Who would dare to oppose him? As for the Crown Prince matter, His Majesty has his ways of dealing with the foolish officials trying to pressure him. Although it may prove challenging and time consuming, His Majesty can sort all three matters out on his own. His Majesty has shown our country’s power as well as his own. As well, he has shown he is both a man of benevolence and virtue, generous and humble. These people and their agendas will be thwarted in due time.”
“Slow down. What was that about benevolence and what? That’s a good line I need to remember.”
“His Majesty can handle those three problems, but natural disasters and foreign invaders aren’t issues he alone can deal with. Not only are they out of his hands, but they both harm the nation. If priorities aren’t sorted out properly, then a real disaster is unavoidable.”
“Nah, that’s not something you can say directly. Do you have any roundabout butt-licking things that you can say without any hesitation?”
He Shi just stared at Ming Feizhen.
“… Ahem, ahem, even if they aren’t big problems, they need solutions. You, uh, have any solution?”
“The martial and civil officials don’t see to eye to eye, and it’s nothing new. The likes of Old Fart struggle to impose their will under His Majesty’s governance, so they can only wait for openings to exploit. As long as His Majesty doesn’t let them have their way, the civil officials will quit sooner or later. The biggest issues in this matter aren’t the corrupt officials trying to stir the pot but the conflict between the two factions. Even if the contest ceases, the two still won’t see eye to eye. A problem isn’t solved until the root of the problem is addressed.”
“What solutions do you suggest, Professor He?”𝚋𝚎ｄｎｏｖ𝚎𝚕．𝚌ｏｍ
“Simple: mix them up.”
Biting his brush, Ming Feizhen inquired, “How?”
He Shi smiled. “Who says scholars can’t wield swords? Who says warriors can’t write? It’s a virtue for a man to be as mighty with a sword as he is eloquent with a brush in the first place. Why is there a need to pick one over the other in the first place? Have scholars learn martial arts, and have warriors learn literature.”
Merely thinking about excelling in both domains gave Ming Feizhen a headache. Nevertheless, he believed in He Shi’s judgement, so he noted it down.
“As for the White Princes, they’re not a big problem, either. It boils down to decorated vassals forming networks that make them challenging to stop. His Majesty needs time; the more time he has, the more beneficial it will be for him. If he could slowly whittle away at their privileges and claim their territories, they will seek peace with him once they can’t resist any longer. Thus, they will resolve the internal strife themselves.
“As for the succession, it’s supposed to be a topic for discussion in court. The former Emperor selected a Crown Prince early, leading to the battle with his brothers still traumatising His Majesty. It’s clear that His Majesty has no plans of crowning a Crown Prince beforehand. Pushing for the instatement of a Crown Prince is crossing the line for a vassal. There’s nothing to discuss. It’s not as if His Majesty doesn’t know who to choose.”
Considering the Crown Prince matter was the most frequently discussed matter in court, sometimes, Ming Feizhen was glad he wasn’t an Emperor. He Shi’s perspective on it was akin to the needed ray of light on a cloudy day.
“People with working eyes wouldn’t focus on the small immediate benefits. The White Princes do have hope. I don’t know the standing and rankings of the next generation; however, it’s hard to not know about Luo Siming taking over as Luo Clan’s head in charge of the military’s armoury, Song Chi’s travels between Yangzhou and Nanjing to form an alliance with the imperial court and Ling Clan’s Ling Ruoyun contacting His Majesty. Sadly, these capable young men aren’t interested in building up the country; they’re only after their own clans’ gains.”
“If they’re short-sighted, who’s far-sighted?”
“Do you really think nobody is doing anything about the three big problems? Starting from two years ago, Green Prince has commenced preparations for droughts. He has travelled almost across the entire land. Everywhere he’s gone, he has offered supplies to assists in disasters, invested in farming and schooling.
“You think Blue Prince has been twiddling his thumbs in Beiping while you martial artists make life difficult for him to move around? He spends six months between his Luoyang and Beiping territories. He should be in Luoyang right now, so why is he in Beiping right now? That would be to destroy Beijiang’s attempt at an alliance. That’s called foresight. If the White Princes could see the big picture like that, they’d realise their clan could thrive even without their title.”
Though the White Princes held a prestigious title, they weren’t the only big clans in the pugilistic world. There were big clans that had more prestige than history than the seven of them. If the White Princes didn’t stop for the sake of their privileges, they really might’ve developed far more than they had.
He Shi stood up. “Whether or not one the people are in support has always been the key to stability. How much noise is there regarding the stripping of the White Princes. How close are they to Nanjing? How often have you heard the people complaining about it, though? To the contrary, because His Majesty has the support of the people, ow!”
A big tile slipped through a hole in the ceiling and landed flush on He Shi’s head, knocking him out instantly. Since it would’ve been rude to disturb He Shi’s sleep, Ming Feizhen got up and stretched out once he was done copying.
“Well, I’ve gained a lot. See you.” Ming Feizhen tucked He Shi in and then noticed several sheets of paper on the ground.
Uh… Who do those belong to? This one in my hand is the one He Shi gave me. Why are there four copies? Shouldn’t there only be three?
Ming Feizhen scratched his head as he attempted to figure out the situation. Eventually, he recalled himself randomly shoving papers here and there when the building collapsed. In other words, he might’ve picked up someone else’s paper.
I need to return this, but… who does this belong to?
Ming Feizhen looked over to He Shi, then back down to the papers in his hand.
Eh, whatever. Doesn’t matter.
Ming Feizhen’s thoughtless decision planted the seed for a result that couldn’t be repaired or reversed.