noveltune Chapter 5527 Mutual Testing
Chapter 5527 Mutual Testing
Chapter 5527 Mutual Testing
In this world, nothing is more important than fame and fortune.
Even eunuchs are human beings. Although they are physically disabled and have severed bloodlines, they still cannot escape the pursuit of fame and fortune.
Some even develop psychological abnormalities due to physical disabilities, becoming increasingly greedy and unscrupulous in their pursuit of profit.
It's just a broken body; death is death, what's there to regret?
Wang De was not greedy for profit, but only sought fame.
In his view, what use was so much money to an old and frail eunuch? No matter how powerful or wealthy a eunuch was, after he died, he would be nothing more than rolled up in a thin mat and thrown into a mass grave outside the city. Even a stick of incense and a ream of yellow paper were luxuries he could only dream of.
But it's different if you have a name.
If he could contribute his remaining body to the palace upheaval, thus maintaining the foundation of the nation and protecting the crown prince, even if he died, he might be buried in the imperial mausoleum and receive offerings as a meritorious official of the country, ensuring that the nation would not perish and the blood offerings would never cease.
This is the highest honor a palace attendant can receive!
Fang Jun promised him that as long as the crown prince could ascend the throne, this would be his final destination.
For this, Wang De was willing to give everything.
……
Empress Su gently released the Crown Prince and said softly, "Throughout history, there have been loyal ministers and wise rulers. Now, the Grand Steward is assisting Your Highness with his own honor and disgrace. Regardless of victory or defeat, he will enhance Your Highness's reputation for virtue. Your Highness should repay him as a national hero."
Li Xiang had read many books and received imperial education from a young age, so he understood the meaning of respecting and valuing the virtuous.
He then clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his voice still somewhat childish, and said, "I will never betray the steward's loyalty and enthusiasm, through victory or defeat, life or death, I will never fail you!"
With tears welling in his eyes, Wang De knelt on the ground and said, "This old servant is willing to die for Your Highness!"
Li Xiang stepped forward and reached out his hands to help him up, his youthful face full of solemnity: "The times are difficult, and the fate of the nation is precarious. You and I, as ruler and subject, must work together to create a glorious future and ensure a lasting prosperity!"
Wang De's eyes were filled with tears, he was amazed, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Perhaps this was the seed of a wise ruler no less than Emperor Taizong, but alas, times have changed and circumstances have shifted. He no longer believed in the monarch being high above, whether wise and mighty or foolish and tyrannical, and that one person could determine the rise and fall of the world.
A sound system that can avoid more drawbacks, where the rise and fall of a nation depends on the efforts of everyone to strive, maintain, and continue—this is the belief he was willing to betray His Majesty and even sacrifice himself to uphold.
The monarch should only serve as a symbol of the empire, presiding over sacrificial ceremonies from a high position. He can preside over political affairs and make military decisions, but he cannot hold the power of life and death or determine the rise and fall of empires.
That is the most ideal country.
Empress Su turned her head and glanced at the doorway. Seeing everyone standing respectfully before the throne, she asked in a low voice, "What exactly happened in the palace? What does His Majesty intend to do?"
Wang De shook his head and said, "This old servant does not know; it is only the Grand Commandant who gave this order."
Although he was the chief eunuch, he was not allowed to handle military and political affairs, and there were too many secrets in the palace that he could not access, such as the frequent mobilization of the imperial guards, the rapid movements of the Hundred Cavalry Division, and His Majesty's sudden and unannounced order for house arrest...
After a pause, seeing Empress Su's solemn expression and fearful look, he comforted her, "The Grand Commandant is a man of perfect strategy. Now that arrangements have been made, there is no chance of anything going wrong."
Empress Su touched her forehead with one hand and sighed softly.
Is there any plan that can be perfect?
Being inside the palace, no matter how many schemes and measures one devises, none can withstand a single imperial edict from His Majesty.
Of course, even if he were still in the Eastern Palace, if His Majesty insisted on issuing an edict to depose him, there would be no way to avoid it or stop him.
We can't exactly launch a coup, can we?
He could only bow deeply and say softly, "Then I entrust everything to the steward."
Wang De declined the offer, and respectfully replied, "Where righteousness lies, I will not hesitate to die ten thousand times!"
*****
In previous years, by early February, the temperature would rise, the snow would melt, and the vegetation would sprout, making it a perfect time for spring outings. However, spring came late in the tenth year of the Wude era. At the end of the first month, a heavy snowfall blanketed Guanzhong for several days, and even when the snow stopped, the weather remained cold.
In the past, such abnormal solar terms would have been called "disasters" or "oddities," and countless people would have associated them with "government decrees" and "benevolence," using them to attack the government, demote ministers, and turn it into a political struggle.
However, not only are there few objections to this heavy snow in the court, but even the officials in the Imperial Observatory who observe celestial phenomena and calculate solar terms are keeping quiet, only sending the predicted delays in solar terms, disaster prevention and relief information to the Council of State Affairs.
More and more insightful people have recognized the absurdity of the so-called "interaction between heaven and man." When disaster strikes, we should quickly organize disaster relief efforts, try every means to reduce the losses caused by the disaster, and rescue the people from the disaster, instead of burning incense and praying to heaven in various temples.
With the support of government agencies from three provinces and six ministries, the "Emergency Relief Office" quickly launched an operation to provide relief for the disaster throughout the Guanzhong region.
Not only did the troops stationed outside Chang'an mobilize to provide disaster relief, but the army inside Chang'an itself also stepped forward to help the victims repair houses and dredge irrigation canals...
The people affirmed the timely rescue efforts of the government and the army, and cheered and rejoiced that they were born in a prosperous era.
The imperial court was filled with unease and fear.
……
"The troops have left their posts without orders, often in groups of dozens or hundreds, fully armed. What are you trying to do?"
Inside the government hall, Ma Zhou looked haggard and angry, slamming his fist on the table and lashing out at several commanding generals.
Opposite him, General Cheng Yaojin of the Left Guard, General Zheng Rentai of the Left Army Guard, and General Liang Jianfang of the Right Army Guard all had solemn expressions.
Cheng Wuting, the Left General of the Golden Guard, and Sun Renshi, the Right General of the Golden Guard, sat at a distance, leisurely drinking tea.
In this situation where the army actively participated in the rescue, the Left and Right Imperial Guards did not send out a single soldier, so they were naturally not among those to be reprimanded...
Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard, unfazed by Ma Zhou's anger, and said nonchalantly, "The Guanzhong region is suffering from natural disasters, and the people are in dire straits. It has long been an imperial tradition for the army to participate in the relief efforts. Do you think we soldiers should just stay in the barracks and train as usual while turning a blind eye to the people's suffering? The soldiers are also brave men of the Tang Dynasty, and among the people affected by the disaster are their parents, wives, children, relatives, and friends. It is only right to lend a helping hand."
Ma Zhou snorted: "That was under the circumstances where the Grand Council issued military orders. Duke Lu is also a veteran of the army. Does he not know that acting without orders is a major taboo in the army?"
"what!"
Cheng Yaojin chuckled, leaned back in his chair, and spread his hands nonchalantly: "Grand Chancellor, you wouldn't be suggesting that I, Old Cheng, am going to rebel, would you? Come, come, I'll sit right here. You summon all the officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate right now for a joint trial!"
Liang Jianfang also laughed and said, "Want to count me in?"
Zheng Rentai remained seated and silent.
Faced with the provocation from Cheng and Liang, Ma Zhou, who had initially appeared furious, suddenly calmed down and became composed.
"You two are both meritorious officials of the empire, having rendered great service to the country. Who would think that you would have rebellious intentions? However, rules are rules. Do you acknowledge that the army cannot act without orders?"
Cheng Yaojin stubbornly argued, "Of course I admit it, but there was a reason for this; it was a last resort for the sake of rescue."
Even if it's a rescue operation, couldn't we wait for the military orders to arrive before taking action?
Ma Zhou didn't dwell on this point. Instead, he nodded and said gently, "Now that the disaster is over, spring plowing should begin immediately. Ensuring the stability of the Guanzhong region is the top priority. Shouldn't you all restrain your troops and return to your camps?"
Cheng Yaojin hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "It is only natural."
Ma Zhou then looked at Liang Jianfang, who nodded in agreement.
Ma Zhou first smiled and said, "Although it is unreasonable to mobilize troops without authorization, disaster relief is a real achievement. I will report to His Majesty and apply for awards for each department."
Then his smile faded, and his tone became serious: "However! If such a thing happens again and causes unrest in the capital region, leading to panic among the people, I will not care what your official position, title, or whether you have contributed to the country, I will punish you severely without leniency!"
Cheng and the other two remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Zheng Rentai nodded slightly.
Cheng Wuting and Sun Renshi watched from the sidelines.
Ma Zhou then nodded: "Let's leave it at that for now. Everyone, please step down."
"Here!"
The generals rose, bowed, and filed out.
Watching the figures of these people disappear outside the Hall of State Affairs, Ma Zhou let out a soft sigh of relief. He did not feel the embarrassment or anger that Cheng Yaojin and Liang Jianfang had shown when they contradicted him, but he was not exactly relieved either.
It was just a mutual test.
The fact that Cheng, Liang, Zheng, and others dispatched troops to participate in the rescue without authorization was a test of the central government's reaction. They also wanted to see what His Majesty's true intentions were. Whether it was intentional indulgence or a stern reprimand, it reflected His Majesty's will.
From this, it is clear that His Majesty's indifference speaks volumes.
Ma Zhou also took this opportunity to emphasize the attitude of the State Council: it was unwilling to tear off the mask and confront each other, but it would not tolerate the military's unusual movements any longer.
He drank the lukewarm tea in his cup, stood up to straighten his clothes, and stepped out of the Hall of State Affairs to go to the Hall of Martial Virtue for an audience.
……
"Your Majesty, Cheng and Liang are arrogant and domineering. They not only mobilized troops without authorization but also acted rudely. This trend must not be allowed to continue! If they are not severely punished, others may follow suit, and the capital region will be in chaos!"
In the side hall, facing His Majesty who was half-reclining on the bed, Ma Zhou spoke sharply and with great sorrow.
Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said gently, "Whether it is Cheng, Liang, or Zheng Rentai, they have made contributions to expanding the territory and securing the country. They are all loyal to me and the pillars of the empire, and should not be criticized too harshly. Since the Grand Secretary has already reprimanded them, let's stop here and observe their future performance."
Ma Zhou nodded: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. It was my oversight that led me to overlook this."
He didn't dwell on that, but instead brought up another matter: "Li Jingye canceled his sick leave and ordered the 'Hundred Cavalry Division' to be mobilized extensively during the rescue efforts, roaming around the city and its outskirts to spy on and collect various intelligence information, causing widespread panic. Your Majesty should issue a clear order to prohibit this!"