Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 629 The Hidden Currents of Hanyang (Part 9)

"Zhang Haogu, Judge Zhang!" Just as Zhang Wan reached out to grab the door frame of his donkey cart, Li Erzhan also reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Zhang Wan slapped Li Erzhan with her backhand.

"Give me a ride," Li Erzhan said with a chuckle as he released his grip.

“You have your own car. Besides, it’s not on the way anyway.” Zhang Wan stepped on the pedal and jumped onto the car with a light leap.

“Different paths lead to the same destination, it’s just a matter of taking a detour.” Li Erzhan chuckled, and without waiting for Zhang Wan’s consent, he followed her inside.

"Who said we're going down the same path?" Zhang Wan glared fiercely at Li Erzhan. "Get down!"

"I just didn't kneel down with you, is that a big deal?" Li Erzhan shrugged and said to the driver in a matter-of-fact tone, "Start the journey. To my house."

The coachman, unaware of what had transpired, could tell from the atmosphere that the two gentlemen's cooperation was perhaps not entirely pleasant. "Shall we go?"

"Go home," Zhang Wan said coldly.

"Yes." The donkey cart started up, and Li Erzhan spoke again: "Alright, I'll also come to your house for a meal."

"Ha!" Zhang Wan was so angry at Li Erzhan that she laughed. "How can your skin be so thick?"

“Confucius said, ‘It is impolite not to reciprocate.’ You ate a meal at my house, so I should also eat a meal at your house. That’s what it means to reciprocate.” Li Erzhan said with a smirk, “You, Zhang Haogu, are a scholar. Surely you understand this basic principle?”

"What exactly do you want?" Zhang Wan clenched her fists, her brows furrowing into a deep frown.

Seeing Zhang Wan's anger rising, Li Erzhan quickly put on a fawning, appeasing smile. "Of course, I want to discuss with you what to do next."

“Our cooperation is over,” Zhang Wan said coldly. “There’s nothing to discuss.”

"You think this is the end of it?" Li Erzhan leaned forward slightly.

"Whether this matter is over or not, we will have nothing to do with each other anymore. I will not let you into my house!" Zhang Wan said resolutely.

"Hehe, what are you saying?" Li Erzhan chuckled awkwardly. "Don't we all support sending Counselor Li to the Celestial Empire? We're just different paths leading to the same goal."

“We’re all from the same dregs, don’t take me for a fool,” Zhang Wan said. “Back then, you sided with President Park simply to oust Counselor Lee from Hanyang. That way, you could continue to hold your position as the Minister of Rites.”

“That might have been the case before, but not this time.” Li Erzhan nodded, then shook his head.

"Hmph." Zhang Wan rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.

“Good brother,” Li Erzhan said, “calm down and think carefully. Why is there this court assembly today? His Highness wants to suppress this matter in public! It’s good that you can withstand the pressure and stand up for it. But you couldn’t say anything more at that point. His Highness would never grant your request under those circumstances. If you continue to make trouble, you will only ruin this matter and make it fall apart.”

"So, you're still helping me?" Zhang Wan's expression softened slightly.

“Of course! The current result is already very good. What we need to do next is to do our best to appease His Highness and finalize the matter of Counselor Li’s mission!” Li Erzhan said, “If Counselor Li can live up to expectations, then it will be a win-win situation. If His Majesty does not allow it and issues an edict ordering His Highness to execute the surrendered general, wouldn’t that also be a good result?”

Zhang Wan's expression softened somewhat. "If I'm not mistaken, the people who impeached Counselor Li for failing in his mission were all sent by you, weren't they?"

“Oh dear, times have changed.” Li Erzhan smiled again when he saw Zhang Wan’s expression soften slightly. “Back then I would have struggled a bit, but now I really don’t want to be the censor of the Ministry of Rites anymore.”

Zhang Wan was taken aback. "What exactly do you mean?"

Li Erzhan said with great sorrow, “I have come this far because of three things: first, my service in supporting the emperor; second, my ruthlessness; and third, my connections in the palace. Now, His Highness has been on the throne for twelve years, and the bond of loyalty has faded. As for my ruthlessness, no one can make me kill him anymore. Most importantly, my connections in the palace are about to break down. And you heard it today, His Highness said that I ‘recklessly sowed discord among the royal family.’ If this charge is truly leveled against me, I cannot bear it. I have reached the point where I must retire while I am still at the height of my power. If I do not retire now, I may die without a burial place.”

"Why are you telling 'me' all this?" Zhang Wan emphasized the word "me".

“Because I hope you can help me get a refund,” Li Erzhan said.

"Why me?" Zhang Wan asked.

“It can only be you.” Li Erzhan sighed. “I know you’ve always disliked me, but we don’t have any deep-seated hatred between us. We even share some similar aspirations. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have sent Zheng Zhongxin to bring me here for help.”

"Just because of that?" Zhang Wan frowned slightly, clearly disbelieving.

"Then who else do you think I can turn to?" Li Erzhan countered.

“Of course it’s Park Yeong-sang. After all, you’re in-laws.” Zhang Wan said sarcastically, “I don’t have a son who married your daughter.”

“Although it is a marriage, we are not compatible.” Li Erzhan shook his head and said, “He holds great power in the Ministry of Personnel and has always used selling official positions as a means of making money. I once submitted a memorial to dissuade him from doing such things, you should still remember that.”

"Isn't this because you didn't divide the spoils equally?" Zhang Wan sneered.

“Prejudice!” Li Erzhan laughed. “I am indeed not a good person, but I would never stoop to doing something that erodes the foundation of the country. Look at the people I employ. Although they are all sycophants, they still have some talent. And what about the people surrounding Park Young-sang? They are all bloated and probably haven’t even read the classics.”

Zhang Wan was silent for a moment. "Why should I help you?"

“My followers can rely on me, and they can rely on you too. My big tree is about to fall, and these monkeys are very anxious, thinking only of finding a new patron. As long as you help me get through this crisis safely, I will hand them over to you,” Li Erzhan said.

"What would I need your lackeys and lapdogs for?" Zhang Wan said dismissively.

“You will need them,” Li Erzhan said. “You will need to recruit and train soldiers for the country later. How can you do that without enough talent? On the other hand, if all my cronies are purged because of my downfall, their current positions will inevitably be taken by people who paid Park Ryong-sang to buy their way into office. At that time, will you still be able to train your troops well?”

"Heh. Training troops, huh?" Zhang Wan shook his head with a wry smile. "His Highness already hates me to the core. I might be impeached and removed from office tomorrow."

"No," Li Erzhan said. "Your Highness is somewhat stubborn on certain matters, but not to the point of being unreasonable. This is a critical time for the country. If we remove you from your post, who can replace you?"

“There are many people who can handle it, such as Prince Wanping,” Zhang Wan immediately said.

"Are you kidding me?" Li Erzhan's eyes widened. "Have you forgotten why Li Gongli was dismissed from office and exiled?" "That was all your fault." Zhang Wan rolled her eyes at Li Erzhan.

“Even if I die, they won’t come back,” Li Erzhan said tactfully.

Zhang Wan paused for a moment, then let out a deep sigh. "How can I help you?"

“Initiate a gradual, escalating impeachment,” Li Erzhan said.

"When?"

"Not too early, not too late, just until Counselor Li returns home to report, then take me down," Li Erzhan said. "And then lift him up again."

Zhang Wan thought for a moment and nodded heavily, "Okay. I promise you!"

--------

Although a year had passed since his pardon, Li Gui had still not been reinstated. This wasn't because he couldn't find a way in—Zheng Renhong was no longer the Chief Councilor, and those officials from the Censorate who had impeached him for currying favor with Zheng Renhong had also fallen from grace, many being dismissed as well. In Li Gui's own words, "At this time of change, if I wanted to be reinstated, it would only be a matter of paying bribes and selling my position." Li Gui's continued lack of official appointment was simply because he hadn't decided where to go or what kind of official position to take.

Actually, not being an official isn't a big deal. The Li family in Yan'an is quite wealthy and doesn't care about the meager salary and power. If there aren't any good opportunities, they can just stay idle. But not being an official also has its disadvantages, namely, not being able to attend court and participate in politics. They can only stay at home and wait for their cronies to pass on messages to them.

Around noon, his accomplices arrived: Yi Shu, the Grand Master of Gaseong who was awaiting his post in the capital, and Han Jungyeom, one of the "Seven Ministers Who Had Received the Last Mandate of King Seonjo to Protect Grand Prince Yeongchang."

"You may all leave. No one is allowed to come in without my permission!" Li Shibai stood at the door and dismissed the servants who were serving tea and water. Only after he was sure that all the servants had left did he close the door and turn around.

"Gentlemen," Li Gui asked impatiently before Li Shibai had even sat back down, "How is the situation today?"

"Just as you predicted, His Highness still refuses to severely punish Generals Jiang and Jin and their families. Even though Lord Zhang Luoxi and Lord Li Yuesha argued with reason, they were blocked by Liu and Pu Erchang, who sang in unison." Li Shu immediately replied, his expression unchanged, but a certain fanaticism flashing in his eyes.

"Li Yuesha Gong?" Li Shibai asked as he sat down. "How did he get involved too?"

"Didn't Zhang Haogu consult with Li Shengzheng about starting the uprising?" Han Junqian asked, looking puzzled.

"No," Li Shibai shook his head.

“How could he get involved?” Li Gui also said, “This matter can be easily traced back to last year’s failure to defend himself against false accusations if we just twist the story a little.”

“That’s true. Park Seung-jong was trying to shift the blame onto the ineffectiveness of his defense, but Lee Sung-jung not only didn’t back down, he stood his ground. From what he said, it was almost as if he was going to admit that he hadn’t defended himself well and then apologize. That’s why I think Jang Ho-gu and Lee Sung-jung might have discussed it beforehand,” Han Jun-gyeom said.

“No, that’s for sure. At least I haven’t heard of it,” Li Shibai emphasized again.

“That means it was a coincidence.” Han Junqian nodded.

"What exactly happened in the Xuanzheng Hall?" Li Gui then asked.

"It's a bit complicated, and I'm afraid it can't be explained in just a few words," Han Junqian said.

"Then say a few more words."

Han Junqian thought for a moment: "As soon as Your Highness sat down, you called on Li Erzhan to 'discuss loyalty.' Li Erzhan said a bunch of extremely sycophantic words, and Your Highness immediately took the opportunity to say that trying to sow discord among the royal family members is disloyalty."

“Your Highness is undermining the alliance between Zhang Haogu and Li Erzhan.” Li Gui’s eyes flickered slightly.

"Yes." Han Junqian nodded. "That's what I think too."

"How did they answer?" Li Gui lowered his head and took a sip of tea.

“Li Erzhan resigned directly,” Han Junqian said. “And it wasn’t just verbal; Li Erzhan brought a resignation letter with him. Zhang Haogu didn’t.”

"Resignation?" Li Gui asked in astonishment. "Did His Highness approve it?"

"Of course not," Han Junqian said. "His Highness asked Li Shengzheng to answer. Li Shengzheng then requested His Highness not to dismiss the ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War at this time, citing the many troubles in the country."

"He remains as reasonable and sensible as ever," Li Gui said, not surprised at all.

Han Junqian nodded in agreement. At that time, Han Junqian was one of the few people in the main hall who were not surprised by Li Tinggui's protective actions.

"And then?" Li Gui continued to ask.

"After that, His Highness summoned Zheng Zhongxin to 'discuss integrity'," Han Junqian said.

"By surname? By which family's surname?" Li Gui asked, puzzled.

"It's not 'surname,' it's 'trust,' the 'trust' in 'Have I been disloyal in my dealings with others? Have I been untrustworthy in my interactions with friends?'" As he spoke, Han Junqian gestured in the air. After Li Gui nodded, he continued, "After Zheng Zhongxin joined the conversation, he only said a few casual words, just getting to the point of honesty and integrity, when His Highness seized the opportunity to ask who had written his memorial."

“That memorial was written by Lord Luoxi on behalf of Vice Envoy Zheng,” Li Shibai interjected. “I was right there with them at the time and saw Lord Luoxi hand the completed memorial to Vice Envoy Zheng. I suppose it was written too elegantly, which made His Highness realize something was amiss.”

"It should be." Han Junqian nodded.

"What did Zheng Zhongxin say?" Li Gui's heart skipped a beat. "Did he expose Zhang Haogu?"

“Zheng Zhongxin didn’t expose Zhang Haogu, but Zhang Haogu himself stepped forward.” Han Junqian looked admiring. “He not only admitted that he wrote the memorial that Zheng Zhongxin presented, but also used it as an opportunity to make a loud and forceful remonstrance. Then the situation got out of control.”

"It's gotten out of control? Is it getting really bad?" Li Gui pressed.

“Yes!” Han Junqian said, “I think Your Highness used the word ‘trust’ to reprimand Zheng Zhongxin simply to make an example of him and warn him not to form a faction. But Zhang Haogu not only stood up himself, but also led more than a dozen people to shout in the hall, insisting that Your Highness severely punish Generals Jiang and Jin and their families. So Your Highness had no choice but to summon Liu and Pu Chang to express his opposition on the grounds of ‘settling the mind of Heaven above and stopping the slave soldiers below.’ The two sides argued endlessly, and Zhang Haogu’s words became more and more intense. In the end, he even brought up the story of the young emperor of the late Song Dynasty who jumped into the sea to die for his country.”

(End of this chapter)