Chapter 48: Teach Me
In the spring, the evaluation of officials was in full swing. For an official of Fang Jian's rank, the primary assessment was conducted by the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel's Bureau of Evaluation. The Ministry of Personnel's Appointments Bureau would then reassign officials based on the results. The faction of the Fan family that Fang Jian had sought out was currently the most powerful force in the court. Backed by Left Chancellor Fan Ying, they were shown deference everywhere.
The Ministry of Personnel had originally been a stronghold of the conservative faction. Its minister, Lu Songnian, lost his backing after Chancellor Cai's retirement and could no longer hold his position as the "Celestial Official of Personnel." He was transferred to the post of Minister of Rites. Though still a high-ranking position, his power was greatly diminished. He seemed to have taken Cai Quan's advice to heart, lying low and biding his time, waiting for an opportunity. The new Minister of Personnel was naturally a trusted subordinate of Fan Ying and took good care of Fan Tingrong, a junior of the Fan family. Coupled with Fan Tingrong's extensive network among low- and mid-level officials, arranging this matter for Fang Jian was not difficult.
In the end, Fang Jian's new assignment was a transfer to the Jingzhao Prefecture as a sixth-rank judge, presiding over criminal penalties and litigation. Fang Jian was quite satisfied with this. Although she had not yet entered one of the Six Ministries, the Jingzhao Prefecture held a special status. Its power was significant and its affairs complex, making it an excellent opportunity.
Fan Tingrong, however, did not consider it a particularly good placement. In her eyes, the Jingzhao Prefecture managed all the trivial affairs of the Capital City. But what kind of place was the Capital? One could grab a handful of nobles and dignitaries anywhere on the street. Even the merchants and commoners were exceedingly proud, not fearing the government as the people in ordinary regions did. Everyone in the court knew that being the Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture was a difficult job, and the subordinate officials naturally had it hard as well. Feeling guilty, Fan Tingrong sent Fang Jian a gift to apologize. Fang Jian, of course, did not see it that way and sent a gift in return, thanking her once more.
Only after receiving her letter of appointment did Fang Jian go to inform Gao Yunqu. Since that day, Fang Jian had grown even more intimate with Gao Yunqu. The way she hovered around Gao Yunqu, trying to please her, was like an endearingly clumsy puppy, often making Gao Yunqu laugh. Gao Yunqu tried to push her away but couldn't budge her, so she let her be. In any case, it couldn't be considered a breach of propriety. As if encouraged, Fang Jian grew bolder, occasionally initiating ambiguous physical contact. When Gao Yunqu flew into a rage out of humiliation, Fang Jian would retreat to a suitable distance, smiling apologetically until she coaxed Gao Yunqu back into a good mood.
Hearing her news, Gao Yunqu pondered for a moment before saying, "It's a decent post. Although the Jingzhao Prefecture is in the capital, its work is still that of governing the people. It may be trivial, but it is a rare chance for experience."
"I think so too." A hint of pride touched Fang Jian's face. Youth came with boundless enthusiasm; she didn't believe anything could stand in her way. "Does Teacher have anything to teach me?"
"No." Gao Yunqu continued walking forward, her words drifting lightly on the wind.
"Teacher?" A sense of unease filled Fang Jian's heart. She quickened her pace and reached out to grab the cuff of Gao Yunqu's sleeve.
Gao Yunqu turned with the motion and glared at her. "Let go. What kind of behavior is this!"
"No." Fang Jian refused to let go and asked again, "Does Teacher have nothing to teach me?"
Gao Yunqu helplessly gave up on making her release her sleeve. She looked at her and said, "I've thought carefully about what you said that day, and I feel there's some truth to it. In the past, I was always afraid you would stumble and fall, but I failed to notice that those are things you must experience for yourself. The Jingzhao Prefecture is not an easy post. You will certainly suffer setbacks, but you will only remember these lessons when you encounter them yourself. Why should I say more?"
"I remember everything Teacher has ever said." Fang Jian was already twenty-four, but in Gao Yunqu's eyes, she was still a youth. And in her eyes, there was always the sincerity and fire of youth.
"That's different," Gao Yunqu said, seizing a moment of inattention to pull her sleeve from Fang Jian's grasp. Straightening her robe, she continued, "In any case, when you encounter problems, ask your superiors more often. Nothing major will happen. Just follow your heart."
"Alright." Fang Jian was somewhat reluctant but did not press further.
After walking a few steps, Gao Yunqu seemed to remember something and turned back to her. "Since you are to venture out on your own, come to me with questions less often in the future. I won't tell you the answers. Think for yourself."
"Ah?" Fang Jian had never imagined that her pretext for hiding her feelings would be taken so seriously by Gao Yunqu. She softened her voice, calling out to Gao Yunqu in a coquettish whine, trying to salvage the situation. "Teacher~"
"You..." Gao Yunqu was taken aback by her charming demeanor for a moment, then huffed. "It's useless no matter how many times you call me. Remember, I will not interfere with your affairs."
"Not even if it's something very difficult?"
"Not even then." Gao Yunqu's tone was resolute, but after a moment, she hesitated. "Well... I trust you can handle it well. Just proceed as you see fit."
Compared to Fang Jian's, Gao Yunqu's next appointment was much more difficult to decide. The scarlet and purple-robed courtiers all understood that the Merit Evaluation System had long since caught Her Majesty's eye and would be implemented sooner or later. For now, it was merely serving as a stalking horse for the Law of Avoidance. Gao Yunqu was engaged in a clandestine operation under a public guise; on the surface, voices of opposition were rampant and Her Majesty remained noncommittal, but in reality, wherever Gao Yunqu went, she would sort things out and implement the system. Given time, she could connect the great dragon into a single line.
Though it was a matter of sooner or later, later was always better. Most courtiers were inclined to have Gao Yunqu remain at the Court of Imperial Entertainments, but Her Majesty naturally did not think so.
Wei Qi calculated again and again. This time, there were many vacancies in the provinces, and a number of third- and fourth-rank officials in the capital would have to be sent out. After some maneuvering, there would be openings in the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Works, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Office of Transmission. She wanted to send Gao Yunqu to the Ministry of Justice. The affairs of the Six Ministries were more burdensome, and it was necessary to find one ministry to serve as a model to lay the foundation for future implementation.
She secretly arranged for someone to recommend Gao Yunqu during the Court Recommendation. But the ministerial posts of the Six Ministries were, after all, key positions in the central government. Although the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Works were not as high-ranking or powerful as the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of Revenue, nor as prestigious as the Ministry of Rites, they were still major prizes contested by all factions. Between the two, the Ministry of Justice was slightly more important, and the position of Vice Minister of Justice had more eyes on it. During the first Court Recommendation, there were as many as seven or eight candidates nominated by various factions, each one controversial. Some courtiers were even impeached on the spot.
Wei Qi sat on her high throne, watching the chaotic squabbling below. She idly pinched her fingers under her sleeves to pass the time. She had seen this scene many times and knew they would argue for a while longer. She only needed to wait until they were finished to step in and preside over justice. Sometimes she even felt that these matters had little to do with her, the Emperor. She sat upright on the imperial throne, her royal bearing perfectly composed, but her thoughts had drifted who knows where. One moment, it was the childish babble of the five-year-old Eldest Princess; the next, it was the scene of Wei Zhi playing with A'xi. Oh, speaking of Wei Zhi, she was getting on in years. How long was she going to play around with that girl from the Cui family? She would have to find time to ask her. Cui Yicheng was a good-for-nothing, but his wife had some skill. That young lady of the Cui family was also quite outstanding among the younger generation. Hmm... speaking of outstanding, Minister Gao's young student was the foremost. A promising talent for tomorrow. Minister Gao, Minister Gao...
Thinking of Gao Yunqu, she cast an imperceptible glance in her direction. For all these years, Gao Yunqu's energy had been entirely focused on the Merit Evaluation System, and she rarely participated in other court affairs. During court sessions, she was often like an old monk in deep meditation. Wei Qi sometimes mischievously wondered if she had fallen asleep standing up. According to the art of being an emperor, she should not have placed such trust in Gao Yunqu, but alas, Gao Yunqu understood her thoughts too well. In recent years, she had not summoned Gao Yunqu for private conversations very often. She had matured and was no longer the young emperor with no one to rely on. She knew being a lone minister was difficult, and after so many years of rapport between ruler and subject, she couldn't bear to push Gao Yunqu into the heart of the storm. Yet, Gao Yunqu had walked out on her own, every step landing exactly where Wei Qi had intended, which both surprised and perplexed her. Minister Gao, oh Minister Gao, what are you thinking? And what is it all for?
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