The Child Emperor

Marquis Piyuan Zhang Yin came from a military family with generations of generals who had rendered meritorious service to Great Chu. His son had died on the battlefield, leaving only one grandson, Zhang Yanghao, who caused him endless worry.

Zhang Yin was reclusive and poor at socializing, with few friends. When troubles arose, he had no one to turn to for help. After much consideration, he could only personally appear to plead with the Weary Marquis.

However, Zhang Yanghao’s crimes were not minor. Unlike the Chai family members who forced Chai Yue to commit suicide, Zhang Yanghao and his two companions openly caused trouble in the central military tent in full view of everyone. If they were released, military law would become a joke. The families of the other two had been petitioning for days, only to receive responses of “wait”.

Four princes were competing for the throne. If the Champion Marquis ascended, Zhang Yanghao and the others might be found innocent or even meritorious – this was the main reason the three families kept waiting.

Upon hearing that Marquis Piyuan sought an audience, Prince Donghai gnashed his teeth, “Seeing the other noble sons return to the Capital made the old man anxious. Zhang Yanghao has repeatedly done evil and cannot be pardoned so easily. The Zhang family has no influence, there’s no need to curry favor with them.”

Han Ruzi invited Marquis Piyuan in, wanting to hear how this old general would plead for his grandson.

Marquis Piyuan was short and thin, looking sickly and wearing a long robe. He had none of a general’s bearing from head to toe. After entering the study, he hurriedly bowed with an awkward expression, his face slightly red, like a commoner who had never met an official.

Han Ruzi felt some sympathy for Marquis Piyuan but had already decided to refuse him. Zhang Yanghao’s crimes were too serious and obvious for anyone to pardon.

Han Ruzi had someone offer him a seat. After Marquis Piyuan sat down, he spoke unclearly. Han Ruzi listened intently for a while before realizing the visitor wasn’t there to plead. He also understood why Marquis Piyuan was reclusive: he had an obvious speech impediment. To compensate, he deliberately spoke slowly and emphasized his words, which made it even more awkward.

Han Ruzi raised his hand to stop Marquis Piyuan and walked over to Prince Donghai, “You should go home.”

“Huh? I’m in no hurry.”

“You might not be, but your family is anxious. If you don’t go back to report today’s events, I fear…” Han Ruzi carefully examined the bruise near Prince Donghai’s eye.

Prince Donghai’s face turned redder than Marquis Piyuan’s. He whispered, “The Tan family loves martial arts… what do you know? I… I… she was hurt worse.”

Despite his words, Prince Donghai still got up and left, turning at the door to point at Marquis Piyuan’s back and shake his head at Han Ruzi.

Only two people remained in the study. Han Ruzi leaned against the desk and asked, “General Zhang, you’ve been to the Western Regions before?”

Marquis Piyuan nodded. He had been talking about the Western Regions all this time, which had bored Prince Donghai into leaving. “I was… Protector General of the Western Regions, for five… five years. I understand the situation there.”

“You want to go back to the Western Regions?”

Marquis Piyuan nodded but seemed to have trouble expressing something, his face turning redder. After a while, he recovered and stood up, asking, “Do you have a map?”

Han Ruzi shook his head. Marquis Piyuan pointed at the desk, indicating he wanted to lay out a map there. Han Ruzi moved aside as Marquis Piyuan came forward and began arranging books, brushes, paper, and ink to create a map, carefully considering each detail as he worked.

After a full quarter hour, the map took shape. Han Ruzi thought such detail was unnecessary, but for Marquis Piyuan, the map would save much explanation.

He pointed to two stacked books, and Han Ruzi said, “This is the Capital.”

Marquis Piyuan moved both hands simultaneously from the “capital,” slowly moving leftward in a winding path past many “cities,” gradually separating. Han Ruzi said, “These are the two routes to the Western Regions, splitting into north and south at the Jade Pass.”

Marquis Piyuan’s fingers moved faster, with the “southern” finger stopping at a stack of books while the “northern” finger curved slightly before stopping at the same place. Then he struggled to say, “Kunlun Mountain. When attacking Great Chu from the west, there are two crucial points – the Jade Pass and Kunlun Mountain. Kunlun Mountain… is easier to defend.”

Han Ruzi pointed to the empty space in the north, “One could also advance from the steppes and attack Great Chu in the south, like the Xiongnu.”

“The north… is not a problem.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “Great Chu has fought the Xiongnu for years, the north is heavily guarded. If new enemies come from the north, we’ll treat them as another Xiongnu force. Jade Pass and the Kunlun Mountain are the vulnerable points.”

Marquis Piyuan nodded. The Western Regions states were mostly weak and posed no threat to Great Chu.

Han Ruzi looked for a while, then knocked over “Kunlun Mountain.” “There may be some misunderstanding. You must have heard somewhere that I’m interested in the Western Regions. True, I received news of a powerful enemy rising in the west, but they may collapse on their own without Great Chu needing to take immediate precautions. Besides, I can’t do anything about it. Sending generals to the Western Regions is a matter for the imperial court – I don’t have that authority. You have come to the wrong person.”

Marquis Piyuan withdrew his arms and after a moment said, “Jade Pass is too close. Kunlun Mountain has passes but no cities. Don’t need any Great Chu troops, just labor from Western Regions states… Three years, three years can build a city. If no strong enemies, assert control over Western Regions; if strong enemies come, hold firm until Chu forces arrive.”

Han Ruzi looked again, “As I said, I have no authority to send generals to the Western Regions. Without palace approval for memorials, likely no one can send troops west for several months.”

Marquis Piyuan shook his head, “Can’t send new people, but can send old ones. Can’t send generals, but can send… civil officials.”

“Oh?” Han Ruzi didn’t understand Marquis Piyuan’s meaning.

Marquis Piyuan struggled to explain that sending military commanders to the Western Regions required joint approval from the Ministry of War, Grand Marshal’s Office, and the Reception Bureau of the Ministry of Rites – a complex process requiring imperial approval before departments would act. However, sending civil officials was simpler, needing only appointments from the Ministries of Rites and Personnel. For someone who had previously served in the Western Regions, it was even easier – just a transfer order from the Reception Bureau, with paperwork filed later with the Ministry of Personnel who could recall the person if they objected.

There were several minor issues: Marquis Piyuan held a noble title and came from a military family – taking a civil post in the Western Regions would be like multiple demotions, but since he was willing, this wasn’t a problem. The Ministry of Rites was known for strict adherence to rules – convincing the Reception Bureau to issue transfer orders would be difficult, though easier if Marquis Piyuan volunteered. The biggest trouble was the aftermath: if the Weary Marquis became emperor, all would be well, but if the Champion Marquis ascended and someone complained, Marquis Piyuan could lose not just his title but his entire family’s lives.

Coming to the Weary Marquis was actually a statement of support, showing he believed and backed the Weary Marquis’s eventual ascension to emperor. Marquis Piyuan had no other connections or abilities. Hearing that the Weary Marquis was interested in the Western Regions, he could only use this roundabout way to plead for his grandson.

Han Ruzi understood his intention and said, “I’ll consider it.”

Marquis Piyuan was never one to persist. He was already very grateful that the Weary Marquis had listened to him fully, so he took his leave.

Han Ruzi sat back in his chair behind the desk and stared at the “map” for a while. Slowly his thoughts drifted from Marquis Piyuan and the Western Regions to another matter.

An interesting idea occurred to him, so he left the study and sent a servant to summon Manor Clerk Zeng.

Zeng always felt awkward meeting the Weary Marquis, afraid to be either disrespectful or too fawning, fearing others might mistake him for the Weary Marquis’s confidant.

Han Ruzi invited him to sit, but he just nodded and stood by the door, afraid to move.

Han Ruzi asked, “If the manor clerk position was vacant, would it be difficult for the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs to appoint someone new?”

Zeng’s eyes lit up and he blurted out, “Is the Weary Marquis replacing me? That’s great… I mean, that’s greatly unfortunate.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “You are doing fine, why would we need a replacement? I’m just curious about the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs’ appointment process.”

Manor Clerk Zeng was greatly disappointed but thought and replied, “It’s not difficult at all. Many people at the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs are waiting for promotion. Though the position of manor clerk isn’t high-ranking, it’s still an imperial appointment…”

“But the situation is special now, the palace won’t approve memorials.”

Zeng smiled, “The Weary Marquis overthinks it. How important is a manor clerk? No memorial is needed. As long as the person is an official of the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs, positions up to seventh rank can be appointed freely, while those up to fifth rank must be reported to Personnel but are rarely rejected. Those up to third rank must be reported to the Chancellor’s Office, and only higher officials need special memorials to the emperor. With so many officials in Great Chu, His Majesty couldn’t handle it if he had to decide everything.”

Han Ruzi expressed his thanks, and Zeng took his leave, not understanding the Weary Marquis’s intention but still dutifully recording it to submit to the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs early the next day.

Yang Feng had returned but, seeing the Weary Marquis talking with the manor clerk, didn’t interrupt. Han Ruzi didn’t seek him out either, planning to wait until his thoughts were clearer.

Meng E had gone to the palace with several noble ladies and wouldn’t return until tomorrow. Han Ruzi quietly practiced martial arts and contemplated until he naturally fell asleep. Early the next day, he went to his study and had servants summon Yang Feng.

“Actually, the government has ways to release grain from the granaries,” Han Ruzi said.

“You’ve figured it out?”

“I had a misconception before, thinking all matters great and small were controlled by the Empress Dowager and Emperor. Only yesterday did I suddenly realize: the Emperor can’t manage everything. The entire court has its own set of rules that keep it from collapsing even when the Emperor is idle, maintaining things for a while.”

“Handling major issues while delegating minor ones – this applies not just to the Emperor but to officials at all levels. However, opening granaries is a major matter that only the Emperor dares decide.”

“So, to get granaries opened everywhere, we must make a major issue minor.”

Yang Feng paused briefly, then smiled, “That’s one approach, but not at all easy to accomplish.”

“If I wanted to meet some officials, could Qu Zishi and the others help arrange introductions?”

“Yes.”

Han Ruzi frowned slightly, “Is this Qu Zishi’s plan? Finding an excuse for me to meet officials?”

“This is your plan. Qu Zishi will help, but his plan is to observe.”

“I hope the scholars don’t disappoint me in the end,” Han Ruzi muttered, but first, he couldn’t disappoint the scholars.

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