Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam Chapter 176

< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >

Not Worthy

T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!

Once Qin Wang and Xun Che’s report came out, the ‘filial and compassionate’ Wu Wang whose face was still full of worry and sorrow just somewhat froze. And the ones that also similarly froze in place were the related officials of the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War, practically looking to one another in dismay. Immediately after, they went forward to report that the state of affairs in the northwest was stable, all things smooth in the Liang province and Yan province, the Chen province army and Yu province army all won’t have to worry about trouble in the rear, and so on.

Xun Che clearly had already anticipated these words, so immediately took out another memorandum from his sleeve, clearly stating, “Regarding the military households, the raising of military horses, and the production and taxation of grains in the northwest, this subject has already reported to your Majesty the day before yesterday. The Yan province and Liang province are the most important support to Great Sheng’s northwest and north. This subject feels, one absolutely cannot overlook and be careless. The Ministry of Revenue’s and Ministry of War’s report every year all just state that things are peaceful and steady. Even so, this subject feels that the imperial court should still dispatch a special envoy to inspect and confirm every three to four years, so as to ensure Great Sheng’s military needs, letting the generals and soldiers have no worries.”

“This subject agrees.” The Prime Minister Ying Duke also nodded, “During Chen province’s treason case, the defense map for the military camp although didn’t leak out much, but the supply reports regarding the military provisions and military horses, as well as our Great Sheng’s current iron casting technique, and military forges have all leaked out. The Chen province army is precisely at a time where the hearts of the people are unstable. The matters regarding the military needs and military arms, absolutely can’t have anymore mistakes, or give the enemy any opportunities to take, so asking your Majesty to dispatch an imperial envoy to go investigate clearly. However, the northwest’s state of affairs is complicated, with mountain bandits running amok last year. West Di also has roving plunderers invading our borders. This subject feels, Qin Wang, as an esteemed imperial prince, is not suitable to go, asking your Majesty to pick another worthy subject.”

“This subject is willing to go.” Qin Wang however once again went forward a step, kneeling down on one knee, “This son, as a son of the imperial family, fed by the labor of the people, has a duty to the people. Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning, as a weak woman, not knowing archery or equestrianship, was willing to, as an imperial princess, guard over the Chen province together with fuma^[1], willing to die to repay the country. Aside from admiring, this son is also willing to follow her example, investigating the northwest to stabilize the army, so as to ensure Great Sheng’s peace and prosperity, letting imperial father have no worry.”

Xuan Emperor although was a lacking in resolution, overly indecisive, and even can be said to be somewhat incompetent emperor, he nevertheless wasn’t a muddled and unjust ruler. In front of the major military affairs of the country, even the remorse and irritation produced previously because of Zhao Wang also got temporarily pressed down. After contemplating a little, he gazed towards the Head Minister of War and Head Minister of Revenue, ordering the court to discuss a plan.

The Head Minister of War actually has always had some views towards the military affairs of the northwest, but he also had some conflict with the Assistant Minister and Hall Officials of the Ministry of War, and he couldn’t use his position as their superior to forcibly suppress them either, so in this moment, hearing this news, it very much matched with his desire, even recommending a few people that can accompany Qin Wang.

The Head Minister of Revenue, however, was a well-known pacifist, unwilling to participate in conflict, especially given that the Zhu family that previously controlled the Ministry of Revenue, following the conflicts of the imperial harem and battle for the throne, rose and fell. The Head Minister of Revenue, under great fear and trepidation, instead insisted on remaining neutral to preserve himself.

However, since the Prime Minister Ying Duke has already expressed his support for Xun Che and Qin Wang, then as someone who doesn’t want to offend anyone, he didn’t dare to oppose either.

As for Wu Wang, he completely didn’t have any thoughts. While he was greatly occupying the upper hand in filial piety and fraternal duty, Qin Wang and Xun Che unexpectedly brought up the northwest affairs. Without the slightest preparation, he truly didn’t dare didn’t dare to carelessly say anything and could only look at the Chang’de Count and Yiyang Marquis on the other side.

Chang’de Count was also drumming inside. Although at present, as the circumstances change, the Qi family is already considered thoroughly tied to death with Wu Wang, no longer having any path of retreat, and Changchun Palace’s schemes and plans in the dark, the Qi family is also participating in little by little, but when really facing Qin Wang and Xun Che like this directly upon the court, the Chang’de Count’s back still somewhat stiffened instinctively.

But, Wu Wang has already casted his gaze over, so not saying anything at this time won’t do either. Thus, after repeatedly hesitating, the Chang’de Count finally slightly mentioned the significance of this trip, considerations for Qin Wang taking the risk himself, and so on. The meaning was nothing more than just with an esteemed body, one mustn’t sit under the eaves^[2]. Qin Wang, out of filial piety, should also take care of one’s body, so asking your Majesty to select another worthy subject.

This saying was actually considered appropriate. The problems related to the northwest’s military horses, provisions, and such matters actually have always existed. Just, for many years, it hasn’t been too serious. Additionally, Xuan Emperor wasn’t a highly capable ruler with high aspirations, so no one has ever been sent to specially inspect the affairs in the northwest.

Qin Wang and Xun Che asking to inspect at this time, the other officials didn’t have any reason to urge Xuan Emperor to not inspect. They can’t just say to ignore the corrupt practices, especially considering that Xun Che even separately mentioned, even if there isn’t any malpractices, should still inspect to confirm. And the Chen province incident that the Ying Duke mentioned further had just happened recently.

Then, at this time, the only thing Wu Wang’s faction can do was basically just urge Xuan Emperor to choose someone else. Even if someone that doesn’t choose to support Changchun Palace and Wu Wang, it’d still be better than letting Qin Wang personally go.

Just, unfortunately, precisely as the Ying Duke said, the customs of the northwest were aggressive, having both mountain bandits and also roving plunderers from West Di, and the many years of malpractices in the past also weren’t an overnight matter. The imperial envoy that goes may not necessarily be able to achieve any feats, and instead might very likely encounter danger. That’s why, although quite a few officials indeed agreed that it wasn’t suitable for Qin Wang to go, no one voluntarily stood out to express that they were willing to go. In fact, whenever someone got recommended by name to go, they would even find excuses to turn down, expressing that they weren’t suitable, and so on.

That’s why, after a not considered very long debate, in the end, when Qin Wang once again expressed that he didn’t fear going, willing to share the burdens for the emperor, the matter of Qin Wang leaving for the northwest to go on inspection for the most part can be considered decided.

After the court meeting, the news spread. All levels of society from top to bottom naturally were enthusiastically discussing. The focus among them wasn’t the military problems in the northwest, also not whether or not the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue will face the next round of purging and changes because of investigating the northwest this time, but instead, mostly still focused on Qin Wang and Wu Wang, these two main candidates for the heir apparent, and exactly how much difference there were in terms of insight and bearing.

TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!

Although Xuan Emperor’s personal fondness towards the princes was very important, but the family affairs still can’t compare with the affairs of the country. Previously, on the matter of Zhao Wang’s severe illness, Wu Wang indeed was a bit more acknowledged by Xuan Emperor than Qin Wang, but once the northwest affairs were brought up, all the affairs of the inner palace and back manor all didn’t count as anything.

And what was more worth pondering over was Xun Che and Qin Wang’s coordination upon the court. At this point, it can once again directly prove that the relationship between this pair of lord and subject has already thoroughly been mended, even displaying Qin Wang’s determination and attitude towards the throne.

However, Changchun Palace’s many years of imperial favor wasn’t just empty talk. Upon the court, Wu Wang although wasn’t able to immediately give out any response, but around the end of the fourth month and beginning of the fifth month, this time period where Qin Wang was preparing for his trip and about to leave the capital to head to the northwest, countless rumors suddenly emerged in the capital. This ultimately still made the situation once again present a new balance.

And the main target that the rumors attacked was Xun Che.

On one hand, after the spring exam, someone begin mentioning that Xun Che never once participated in the imperial exam. Although he had the Wenyuan Academy as his background, he didn’t have any actual political achievements, merely just because of having a noble title, as well as participating in the imperial family’s internal affairs, obtaining Xuan Emperor’s favor, that’s all. Yet, he was able to obtain a fourth rank position as the Chief Secretary of the Central Secretariat, participating in the major discussions related to the country. His qualifications truly weren’t enough.

And on the other hand, regarding Xun Che’s personal character, especially the Xun family’s filial piety in how they treat Xun old madam, even Xun Che and Yu Lingxin’s marriage, Yu Lingxin’s maiden family, and such matters also got taken out to be said, the meaning still pointing towards the young Xun Che truly being unworthy of his position.

[1] Title for the husband of an imperial princess.

[2] The complete phrase for this idiom is don’t sit under the eaves where the tiles may fall from the roof, basically meaning to keep out of danger.

< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >