Chapter 71: Meeting the Emperor

Speaking… Emperor Hongzhi looked up and gazed at Liu Jian and the others.

Liu Jian and the others sighed with emotion. Since enthronement, Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian had always served Emperor Hongzhi with utmost loyalty. There was a long-standing tacit understanding between the ruler and his ministers, so how could the three of them not know His Majesty’s thoughts?

Emperor Hongzhi then regained his spirits, and his eyes fell upon a memorial on the imperial desk. He then forced a bitter smile. “Have all of you read this memorial?”

“Yes, we have,” Liu Jian replied with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Even someone as steady as Liu Jian was left stunned for a long time when he first read this memorial.

This memorial was jointly submitted by the Marquis of Shouning and the Earl of Jianchang, and its target for impeachment was none other than Fang Jifan. It was truly a case of the flood washing away the dragon king’s temple—two great scoundrels denouncing the little scoundrel Fang Jifan for insulting officials. They had even listed over a hundred charges. It was remarkable how diligently the Zhang Brothers had worked, compiling a full list of more than a hundred offenses.

If this had been during the time of Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty, these two brothers would undoubtedly have excelled as cruel officials.

Emperor Hongzhi narrowed his eyes. “What do you all think about this?”

Liu Jian coughed and said, “The Marquis of Shouning and the Earl of Jianchang have always been… somewhat absurd. Their impeachment of Fang Jifan likely stems from a personal grudge against him.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded in agreement. How could he not know the true nature of these two brothers-in-law?

Liu Jian then added, “Therefore, this memorial should be kept in the palace and not acted upon. However…” He drew out the last word, then exchanged glances with Li Dongyang and Xie Qian, communicating his thoughts with them. “However, despite Fang Jifan’s youth and his tendency to misbehave, Your old minister believes that he possesses qualities uncommon among ordinary people. He is like an uncut piece of jade. If left to his own devices, he will inevitably cause harm sooner or later. But if carefully polished, he might yet become a treasure. Last time, Fang Jifan remarked that Vice Censor-in-Chief and Guizhou Provincial Governor Qian Yue was nothing but a bookish and incompetent scholar, which stirred up quite a bit of gossip among the literati circles. Your Majesty, Qian Yue’s administrative achievements are solid. He comes from the Qingliu Faction and is widely respected among scholars, serving as a model for many. Yet, Fang Jifan, a mere Zongqi, belittled him. It is understandable that this has caused dissatisfaction among the literati circles. Therefore, Your old minister suggests that Your Majesty use this opportunity to reprimand Fang Jifan. The purpose of such reprimand is not punishment per se, but to teach him to adhere to the rules.”

Emperor Hongzhi pondered this and nodded. “Well said. I really ought to discipline this young man. I cannot allow him to continue his absurd behavior. His father has spoiled him too much. If his father won’t discipline him, then I will.”

…

A fast horse from the Southwest raced like a whirlwind, trampling over countless muddy patches on the streets. The rider on the horse faced the blinding fog of blood, allowing the cold wind to slice across his face like a knife. Yet, he continued to gallop forward, his exhaled breath turning into white vapor that melted the falling snowflakes, forming droplets of ice that settled on his brow and his weary, travel-stricken face.

With practiced ease, he rode to the Office of Transmission. The entrance of the Office of Transmission was relatively calm, but the sudden disturbance of urgent hoofbeats caught the attention of several yamen runners wearing straw rain capes and covered in snow.

The rider on the horse seemed utterly exhausted, yet he mustered his last ounce of strength and shouted, “Urgent dispatch! Urgent dispatch! An emergency report from the Southwest military!”

Upon hearing the words “four hundred li urgent,” the yamen runners at the Office of Transmission immediately paled and hurried over. One of them grabbed the horse’s reins, while the rider leaned forward and tumbled off the horse. Someone caught him, and without hesitation, the rider took out a bamboo tube. The yamen runner accepted the bamboo tube and hastily carried it into the Office of Transmission.

The archival official on duty was a sixth-rank official. When the yamen runner swiftly delivered the urgent dispatch, the official looked puzzled. He took the bamboo tube, tore off the wax seal, and retrieved a memorial from inside. Moving a lamp closer, he lowered his head and stared intently at the contents of the memorial. Moments later, his face turned pale, and his entire body trembled. He took a sharp breath before finally looking up in bewilderment.

A major event had occurred!

He abruptly stood up and shouted hysterically, “Quickly, quickly! Enter the palace immediately and head to the Grand Secretariat!”

A group of people swiftly entered the palace and reached the Grand Secretariat. The only person on duty there was a Daizhao Hanlin. The three Grand Secretaries were still in the Warm Pavilion, meeting with the Emperor.

There were no major matters at the Grand Secretariat that day, so the Daizhao Hanlin was relatively idle. He was comfortably sipping tea, waiting for Liu Jian and the others to return and draft comments. The Hanlin Academician did not have the authority to draft comments; he was only responsible for some clerical tasks, such as organizing the memorials that had been commented on.

However, when the people from the Office of Transmission arrived, the Daizhao Hanlin immediately sensed that something was amiss. He stood up in astonishment and asked, “What is the matter?”

Their eyes met. In the warm duty room, the Hanlin Academician could see the despair in the eyes of the archival official from the Office of Transmission. The archival official said with great difficulty, “The Southwest… Guizhou… has encountered trouble… a major disaster… the sky has collapsed over half of the Southwest.”

The Daizhao Hanlin’s face turned pale. “Lords Liu, Yang, and Xie are still in the Warm Pavilion. For such a major event…” He shuddered, then stamped his foot. “Let’s go to the Warm Pavilion, quickly.”

…

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience,” a eunuch cautiously entered the Warm Pavilion and reported.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and exchanged looks with Liu Jian and the others. Liu Jian remained unfazed, but Xie Qian seemed rather gleeful. He certainly held no personal grudge against Fang Jifan, but as the saying goes, everyone has the right to punish traitors. Although Fang Jifan was clearly not a traitor, as a spoiled young man, he naturally evoked an urge in people to teach him a lesson.

Xie Qian had a straightforward personality, unlike Liu Jian, who was steady, or Li Dongyang, who was deep and reserved. He simply enjoyed watching a spectacle.

Emperor Hongzhi already had a plan in mind. “Has Fang Jifan arrived? Summon him as well.”

“Yes.”

Not long after, Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan entered one after the other. One thing Fang Jifan detested about Zhu Houzhao was that, although he usually acted arrogantly and looked down on everyone, the moment he entered the Warm Pavilion and saw his Imperial Father, he immediately pretended to be meek. His face always took on an expression as adorable and pitiful as that of a national treasure panda. As soon as he saw his Imperial Father, he immediately bowed. “Your Son and Servant pays respects to Imperial Father.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and glanced at Zhu Houzhao with a smile. “There’s no need for formalities.” But his gaze soon shifted to Fang Jifan. “Minister Fang, how have you been lately?”

Without hesitation, Fang Jifan immediately knelt down. “Your servant Fang Jifan pays respects to His Majesty. Long Live the Emperor! Despite Your Majesty’s busy schedule and countless responsibilities, you still remembered to summon Your humble servant. The thought of this filled Your humble servant with mixed emotions and inexplicable warmth. Your Majesty’s favor is vast and profound. Bathed in Your Majesty’s grace, Your humble servant cannot help but burst into song, praising Your Majesty—Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Your Majesty is wise and mighty! Long live the Emperor!”

“…”

This was clearly overdoing it.

But Fang Jifan did not care.

Whatever the Emperor had summoned him for, he decided to start with an exaggerated flattery. Reputation? What did reputation matter? Did he, Fang Jifan, even have a reputation to begin with?

“…” Emperor Hongzhi was stunned.

In this era, although officials would flatter the Emperor when they met him, they would never be so blatant. After all, officials were expected to maintain their dignity and uphold principles of neither humility nor arrogance. Otherwise, they would likely be seen as sycophants.

Liu Jian’s aged face twitched, and he hurriedly turned his head away.

Li Dongyang looked up at the ceiling beams, lost in thought. Who knew what was going through his mind?

Xie Qian widened his eyes, which were bloodshot. He looked as if he wanted to strangle Fang Jifan, this shameless scoundrel.

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath. He was just a child, after all. How could he hold it against him? Besides… one should not strike a smiling face. It seemed somewhat unkind to punish him for this.