Chapter 34: Memorials to the Throne
The thirteenth year of the Yongxing reign was destined to be an eventful one. The Zhuo Guanyi case was like a small stone tossed into a lake, sending out ripple after ripple. Although Her Majesty held back all the memorials, the discussions invariably revolved around the same few points. The common folk at the foot of the Imperial City had even more to gossip about, speaking of matters of state as if every one of them were a first-rank chancellor.
Cui Miao was worked to death at the Office of Transmission. The Office of Transmission was responsible for conveying information up and down the chain of command. All memorials had to be sent to the Office of Transmission to be collected, sorted by type, and then delivered to Her Majesty's desk. The memorials Her Majesty commented on were also sent back to the Office of Transmission for distribution. All government decrees were also reviewed, copied, and publicly announced by the Office of Transmission, which also held the power of Edict Review and Return. It was a core department of the central government with real power.
These days, a large number of memorials needed to be registered and sorted every day. Cui Miao was so busy she barely touched the ground. On this day, as she was categorizing the day's memorials, she picked out one signed by Cui Yicheng.
She could hardly believe it. She looked closely a couple of times; it was indeed the three characters for Cui Yicheng. Her father had reached his current position entirely through the lingering grace of his family. In his daily affairs, he would dodge what he could and be as lazy as possible. With the four borders currently at peace, the Court of State Ceremonial had little important business, so he was even more inclined to slack off. Every day, all he thought about was where to go drinking and carousing after his duties ended; not a sliver of his mind was reserved for official matters. A man like this would actually submit a memorial to Her Majesty? What business could the Court of State Ceremonial possibly have?
Cui Miao hesitated. After much deliberation, seeing that there were no colleagues nearby, she opened Cui Yicheng's memorial. A quick glance was enough to make her anxious. Cui Yicheng was actually petitioning for the severe punishment of Zhuo Guanyi. The prose was fluid and cited classics and historical precedents; looking at the text alone, one could see the foundation of diligent study. But the content of the petition was grossly inappropriate for the times. In essence, it was still harping on the principle of fatherhood and sonship, reeking of pedantic obstinacy. Cui Miao had previously connected Wei Zhi and Jiang Shu and knew what they were up to, so she also knew Her Majesty's inclinations. She was fairly certain Her Majesty would not want to see such a memorial.
Cui Miao felt a wave of desolation. The world had already turned to a new chapter, yet some people insisted on remaining in the past. And such a person was her own father. She thought and thought, then secretly copied the memorial, hid the copy in her sleeve, and then returned the original memorial to the pile, placing it a little lower down.
After her duties ended, Cui Miao rushed home, hurrying into her mother's study.
"Mother!"
Jiang Shu was still busy. Annoyed at having her thoughts interrupted, she said, "So flustered. What kind of behavior is this? You're a grown woman, be more composed!"
Cui Miao slowed her steps, hastily bowed to her, and stepped forward to place the copied text on Jiang Shu's desk. "Mother, look at this!"
Jiang Shu read it and scoffed. "Which idiot is rushing to get on Her Majesty's bad side? Ruler and subject, father and son—all Her Majesty wants is ruler and subject. Her Majesty's line is passed down from mother to daughter; what do the affairs of fathers and sons have to do with her? Why are you showing this to me?"
Cui Miao closed her eyes in despair. She wanted to ask why her own family wasn't passed down from mother to daughter, saddled with such a useless father.
Looking at Cui Miao's expression, Jiang Shu understood. "Your father?"
Cui Miao nodded.
"Where did you see this? Wait, you secretly read a memorial at the Office of Transmission?" Jiang Shu's eyebrows shot up, her face filled with anger. "Cui Miao, do you know this is dereliction of duty?"
"No one else saw," Cui Miao said, knowing she was in the wrong. The Office of Transmission was a central hub; privately opening official documents was a major taboo. "I was just anxious. I wanted to hold it back, but I was afraid it wouldn't match the register…"
"At least you have a brain in your head," Jiang Shu sneered.
"Mother, what should we do?" Cui Miao asked anxiously.
Jiang Shu poked her on the forehead. "What 'what should we do'? We don't have to do anything. The memorial has already been submitted, what can be done? At worst, he'll get a scolding from Her Majesty, a fine, or a demotion. What else can happen?"
"I don't ask him to be a help to us, but he shouldn't be dragging us down," Cui Miao said, squatting down to lean against her mother's knee, her heart heavy.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Shu was somewhat amused. She stroked her daughter's hair and smiled. "Is this the first day you've known what kind of person your father is? Don't mind him. You have your own future. Just do your own job well."
Cui Miao looked up at her. "Aren't you angry, Mother? Being tied to such a muddle-headed person, don't you feel miserable?"
"Angry about what? When you have no expectations for him, you won't be troubled by him." Jiang Shu had been through worse in her youth: her parents had died, she was surrounded by wolves, and her younger siblings were crying for food. Fortunately and unfortunately, the Cui Family had not broken off the engagement despite her family's decline. She married Cui Yicheng, bringing her siblings with her, which gave her a chance to breathe, slowly take back what was hers, and raise her younger brother and sister. From this perspective alone, she had to be grateful to the Cui family. But because of this, she had also lost her own promising future, trapped in the inner quarters day after day. But the path was one she had chosen herself, so she could blame no one. She had tried to live a good life with Cui Yicheng, but they were simply incompatible. She had suffered, but after a long time, she gave up and focused all her thoughts on her business, carving out her own path. At her age, her siblings were all settled, Cui Miao was grown, and the entire Cui estate was in her hands. Why should she wallow in self-pity over a fool who could not be bent back or straightened out?
But Cui Miao was still young. She repeatedly held expectations for her father, and was repeatedly disappointed. Each time brought her pain and anger. She had not yet learned to make peace with this part of herself. The sage texts she read taught her filial piety. She didn't understand: if a father is not kind, how can a child be filial? She always felt that she and Zhuo Guanyi were no different, except that Zhuo Guanyi had been pushed to the brink and fought back, while she was being sliced, bit by bit, by a soft knife. Cui Yicheng's memorial was about Zhuo Guanyi, but every sentence stabbed at Cui Miao's heart, throwing her into disarray and nearly causing her to make a terrible mistake.
Jiang Shu gently patted her head in silent comfort. Out of Cui Miao's line of sight, Jiang Shu's gaze gradually grew resolute.
Cui Yicheng's memorial was but an insignificant footnote in this storm. The memorials that truly shook the court came from Dai Yao and Gao Yunqu.
The former stated that while the Zhuo family case was small, it revealed the chaos in the regions. Great clans blotted out the sky, officials governed chaotically, and the common people dared not speak—how utterly absurd. Zhuo County was tiny, but how many of the empire's prefectures and counties were like it? She requested that censors be dispatched to inspect the four corners of the realm and investigate long-standing abuses. Her Majesty readily agreed, approving the request and ordering the Censorate to draft a plan and implement it as soon as possible. On the day the memorial and its approval were publicized, officials from powerful local families were all filled with anxiety, sending letters home telling their clans to be more restrained.
And before this storm had passed, another wave was stirred up by Gao Yunqu's memorial. Gao Yunqu believed the reason for the Zhuo County magistrate's dereliction of duty was that the local official and the local great clan were from the same family. It is human nature to conceal the faults of one's kin. To prevent such chaos, there should be a rule of avoidance when appointing officials. Local officials should not serve in their home prefectures. Parents and children, siblings, spouses, in-laws, and uncles and nephews should not serve in the same region or the same government office, nor should they simultaneously hold positions as tangshangguan1 of the fourth rank or higher.
This would not only affect the various regions, but the central government as well. Tales of "three dukes in one family," "father and son serving in the same court," and even "husband and wife working together" had always been considered admirable. According to Gao Yunqu's memorial, they were all sources of corruption. How could the court officials possibly agree to this? But Her Majesty gave them no chance to object. The moment Gao Yunqu's memorial was submitted, it received the Emperor's approval that very day. She fully agreed and ordered the Council of State to devise a system, to be implemented by the Triennial Capital Evaluation in two years' time.
This edict caused an uproar throughout the court. The Left Chancellor, Cai Quan, exercised his right of Edict Review and Return on the grounds that it violated ancestral systems. Her Majesty did not accept it and issued the edict again. Cai Quan again exercised his right of review and return and offered his resignation as Chancellor.
Wei Qi met Cai Quan in the main hall of her Yong'an Palace2. She looked at this old minister who had stood by her side all this time and sighed, "Minister Cai, why must you do this?"
Cai Quan said respectfully, "Your Majesty is being too hasty. With these two edicts issued one after another, both the regions and the central government will fall into turmoil. This will lead to a major disaster."
"Minister Cai is exaggerating. These are just some adjustments, all reasonable and logical. Who would dare to be unwilling?" Wei Qi had her own plans and would not be swayed by a few words from Cai Quan.
"Your Majesty should know, the trouble with the great families has persisted to this day because one hesitates to act for fear of the consequences. It's not that the late Emperor couldn't act, but she was afraid that acting rashly would throw the regions into chaos and cause the people to suffer. Does Your Majesty believe that now is the time to act?" Seeing her resolve, Cai Quan spoke bluntly.
Wei Qi looked at him and said, word by word, with determination, "Yes. I am ready."
Cai Quan studied her carefully for a long moment before sighing, "Your Majesty has grown up."
He solemnly lifted the hem of his robe and knelt. He took off his official hat and placed it gently on the ground beside him. Then he took a memorial from his sleeve, held it up with both hands, and said to Wei Qi, "Your Majesty has grown up, and this old minister should also retire. This minister is old and frail. I ask Your Majesty to permit this minister to retire and return to my hometown."
Wei Qi had countless times wanted to move this solid wall aside, but now that the day had come, she actually felt a bit melancholic. She stepped forward to help Cai Quan up, sighing, "Minister Cai is still strong and healthy. Don't be so self-deprecating."
"This old minister has long felt my energy failing, often feeling dizzy and my vision blurring. But the late Emperor's final entrustment is still ringing in my ears, so this old minister had to brace myself to watch over things for Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty has made a decision, this old minister is very gratified."
Cai Quan was determined to leave. After Wei Qi's attempts to persuade him failed, she asked, "Is there anything else Minister Cai can teach me?"
Cai Quan thought for a moment and said, "This old minister has a word that may be harsh to the ear, but I must still remind Your Majesty."
"Minister Cai, please speak frankly."
"The way of the court is all about balance. Your Majesty can use the Reformist Faction, but you must also use the Conservative Faction. The labels of new and old are not fixed. Without living water, the new will become old. And if used properly, the old can become new. No matter which faction, they are all Your Majesty's subjects. It depends on how Your Majesty uses them. You must never make choices based on your own likes and dislikes. Furthermore, young ministers should not be promoted too quickly. A sudden high position can easily corrupt their character. They must walk a difficult path to become grounded…"
These were indeed the words of a seasoned statesman. Wei Qi listened and nodded in agreement, but her mind was already calculating, wondering if Cai Quan's words were meant to secure more opportunities for his own protégés.
Seeing her noncommittal expression, Cai Quan left it at that. After listening to a few words of praise and blessing from Wei Qi, he withdrew.
The news of Cai Quan's swift retirement sent shockwaves through the court and the country.
"Teacher?" Lu Songnian called out as soon as he entered the Cai residence.
"What are you shouting for? I'm not deaf yet!" Cai Quan, free of his duties, was enjoying the flowers in his garden.
"Teacher, why have you requested to retire now?" Lu Songnian's face was filled with confusion. "The battle has only just begun!"
Cai Quan looked at his student. He once thought this student was intelligent, but now he felt he wasn't intelligent enough. "Just begun? No, it's already over."
"Teacher? We can still…"
"You can't," Cai Quan interrupted him. "Her Majesty's will is now irreversible. Fighting the Reformist Faction is one thing, but fighting Her Majesty is another."
Lu Songnian was stunned for a moment, unable to reply.
"Songnian," Cai Quan looked at him, "Teacher will also give you a piece of advice. Those who flourish do not flourish forever. When others are flourishing, we should step aside and preserve our strength for a later day."
Lu Songnian was noncommittal. He spoke with his teacher as usual before leaving. After leaving the Cai residence, his faction allies joined him to ask for news.
He sneered, "The old man is in a hurry to save his own skin. He's gotten both fame and fortune."
"Then what should we do?"
"The old man is right. Don't go head-to-head with Her Majesty. Let's wait and see. Tell everyone under us to be more restrained."
Cai Quan stood in the garden, alone, admiring the increasingly desolate scenery of early autumn. After a long moment, he sighed heavily. "They don't listen to their elders, not a single one of them, ha."
Author's Notes
- Tangshangguan: The heads of various departments.
- A note on the setting: Grand court assemblies are held in Zichen Hall. The Emperor's daily office for handling politics and discussions is in Chuigong Hall. Yong'an Palace is the bedchamber, study, and living quarters, belonging to the Emperor's private domain.
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