Chapter 76#
The Second Prince sized up this younger brother, who wasn’t in a particularly high position, and dispensed with polite formalities, simply asking, “Is your health better? On the day you left the palace, I was away and couldn’t return. If you’re not fully recovered, you can leave some matters to Minister Liu.”#
Ying Fusheng stirred slightly, accepting his concern. “Father tasked me with oversight; I cannot be negligent.”
He chuckled softly, putting on the air of a novice eager to do a good job on his first assignment.
Even though this wasn’t their first meeting, the two spoke like a pair of royal brothers on good terms. The officials nearby, seeing the amicable relationship between the two princes, all sighed in relief. Everyone knew there were quite a few conflicts among the princes at court these days, and it wasn’t the first time the First Prince had openly clashed with the Third Prince.
“That’s right,” the Second Prince said, looking at him with slight approval. “If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me.”
Ying Fusheng tilted his head slightly, as if thinking, before replying, “But Father said I should oversee the Ministry of Works. If I come to you, Second Brother, should I report it to him first?”
His voice trailed off, and the surrounding officials fell into silence. Good heavens, did he just say that outright?
Who didn’t know that the Emperor placing the Sixth Prince in the Ministry of Works was precisely to guard against factional cliques at court?
The Second Prince froze for a moment at the words, then couldn’t help but laugh. “That works too.”
The Vice Minister of Works arrived and saw the two princes together. He hurried over to lead them inside.
Song An, who had accompanied Ying Fusheng, then looked apologetically at the other officials. “Please forgive us, gentlemen. His Highness has been unwell since his illness last year; some things he says aren’t intended, he’s just a bit outspoken.”
With Song An’s explanation, the Ministry of Works officials could hardly object. The court was already saying the Sixth Prince had damaged his mind from the fever. Now it seemed his temperament was more straightforward than before. “We understand, of course.”
The Ministry of Works review, besides evaluating the officials, was most importantly about inspecting the Lingxiao Terrace project.
Behind the government offices, workers were busy tallying the craftsmen and stone needed for Lingxiao Terrace.
The Second Prince had come today with personnel from the Ministry of Personnel Appraisals. He held a post in the Ministry of Personnel, with no notable achievements at court—always moderate and unremarkable. Now, an official from the Appraisals Office came over to whisper something to him. He responded amiably, “This is indeed a bit troublesome. Can it be resolved?”
The officials seemed to like this easygoing Second Prince. “Naturally, no problem. As long as Lingxiao Terrace doesn’t run into issues, Minister Meng won’t delve too deeply.”
Ying Fusheng watched from the side as the Second Prince spoke with the Ministry of Personnel officials.
The Second Prince’s gaze swept over and saw Ying Fusheng still standing nearby. He gave a quiet instruction, and soon someone brought over a chair. Noticing a few flower petals stuck in Ying Fusheng’s hair, he reached out and brushed them away. “You’re still not fully recovered. Standing too long isn’t good for you. Have a seat.”
Two princes, but in front of so many officials, offering a chair seemed like the Second Prince’s concern for the Sixth Prince. Yet in reality, if Ying Fusheng didn’t sit, he would appear overly stubborn, and any misstep might leave an impression of being troublesome. If he did sit, before these craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, it would leave the impression that the Sixth Prince was pampered and had to sit even while inspecting.
The test was set.
The Second Prince seemed unconcerned about whether Ying Fusheng would sit or not. Ying Fusheng looked at the chair for a moment, then without much hesitation, sat down. “Thank you, Brother. I’ve just recovered; my legs are still weak… Since I’m new here, I see you’re quite familiar with the Ministry of Works.”
The Second Prince smiled. “I trained here a few years ago, so I know it fairly well.”
With that, the Second Prince didn’t linger. Instead, he followed the Ministry of Personnel officials to inspect everything around Lingxiao Terrace, handling the work himself and even asking the Ministry of Works staff for advice on things he didn’t understand.
Soon, all attention was on him. This prince showed no arrogance and was easy to deal with in everything.
The Ministry of Works officials waited for the results of the Appraisals Office. Only after they finished reviewing matters concerning Lingxiao Terrace did the lead official from the Appraisals Office speak—
“Everything seems fine for now, but Lingxiao Terrace is of great importance.”
The Ministry of Personnel official said, “As things stand, the Ministry of Works is indeed short-staffed. But the court situation is tense; Minister Meng’s intention is that we can temporarily transfer personnel from the Ministry of Personnel to assist.”
When he finished, the Ministry of Works officials all turned to look at the Minister.
Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works changed expression slightly. “This seems inappropriate, doesn’t it? Matters of the Ministry of Works cannot be privately assisted by the Ministry of Personnel without the Emperor’s command.”
The Ministry of Personnel official, however, looked at Minister Liu and said, “Minister Liu is thorough, but if the Ministry of Works fails in its duties, it would reflect poorly on our Ministry of Personnel’s assessment.”
With that, he produced today’s assessment documents, which showed that several Ministry of Works officials had failed on multiple points. “Minister, perhaps you should see for yourself.”
Most of the Ministry of Works officials were either transferred from other departments or newly appointed, with few veterans. Using the old standards of the Appraisals Office to evaluate them was inherently unfair, but the laws and regulations were firm, and the Appraisals Office was only following court orders.
“Before we came, Minister Meng gave instructions, taking into account your difficulties, Minister Liu. The Ministry of Works is indeed in a tough spot right now,” the Personnel official said with a sigh. “We don’t want to submit this and affect our colleagues’ careers, which is why we’re discussing it with you. Lingxiao Terrace must be handled properly. We fear that if the Ministry of Works stumbles, we’ll be watched by the Censorate, and then it won’t just be a Ministry of Works problem.”
In other words, this document could be withheld, but the Ministry of Works had to complete Lingxiao Terrace without any mistakes, and the fire must not spread to the Ministry of Personnel.
Ying Fusheng listened quietly. When he heard “Minister Meng,” he cast a slight glance at the Second Prince.
Minister Meng Jinyuan of the Ministry of Personnel had been the Emperor’s classmate when the latter was a prince. He was a civil official but formed a separate faction from the Xu clique at court. He never engaged in factional politics or accepted protégés. This style made him a unique neutral figure at court, loyal to imperial authority. He had been demoted twice and promoted twice for his frank advice.
His reputation was good.
The Ministry of Personnel’s considerations were reasonable, and the Ministry of Works officials understood.
After the Personnel official spoke, it was up to the Minister of Works to make a decision.
Not only were officials present, but also two princes. The Personnel official turned to the Second Prince. “Your Highness, what do you think?”
Perhaps because of the prolonged silence, the Second Prince thought for a moment. “Both options don’t seem easy. What does Sixth Brother think?”
The Ministry of Works officials had nowhere else to look, so they turned to the Sixth Prince beside them.
“Second Brother is right; neither option seems easy,” Ying Fusheng said, pondering. “Since you’re afraid of getting burned, why bother taking on the Ministry of Works’ work? If you’re that scared of trouble, shouldn’t you stay far away?”
A flicker of displeasure passed through the Personnel official’s eyes. He replied respectfully, “Lingxiao Terrace is a major court affair. His Majesty ordered it done well. Serving the court is the Ministry of Personnel’s duty. This suggestion was merely to find a comprehensive solution for the Ministry of Works.”
The Second Prince didn’t step forward. He wore a contemplative expression, as if searching for a perfect solution. But beneath that mask, his gaze, ostensibly resting on the crowd, sharpened slightly as he watched Ying Fusheng.
“The gentlemen of the Ministry of Works have only recently taken office. If that’s the case, shouldn’t the Ministry of Personnel first ask His Majesty whether the assessment criteria should be revised? And then come for the review?” Ying Fusheng was a bit slow. He paused noticeably after the Personnel official finished speaking, then said earnestly, “His Majesty values the gentlemen of the Ministry of Works; surely he has his reasons.”
Some Ministry of Works officials realized that while the Ministry of Personnel appeared to be doing them a favor, it was also a form of career coercion.
The Personnel official’s expression changed slightly. “Your Highness, revising the assessment criteria would shake the very foundation of the Ministry of Personnel! It’s not something that can be adjusted in a few months. If the Ministry of Personnel changes the rules for the Ministry of Works, how would we deal with other departments in the future?”
Ying Fusheng said, “You make a valid point. Let me think again.”
And then, suddenly, Ying Fusheng turned back, a faint smile on his face. “What does Brother think?”
The question had been passed back to the Second Prince.
Only then did the Ministry of Works officials realize that the Sixth Prince, new to the Ministry of Works, couldn’t possibly know much. If he could straightforwardly petition the Emperor, wouldn’t that be good for both departments? He was only raising questions, after all. What about the Second Prince?
Attention shifted back to the Second Prince.
The Second Prince stepped forward quickly. Without showing the slightest anomaly, forced into the spotlight by Ying Fusheng, he played the peacemaker with a genial smile. “The Ministry of Works is indeed understaffed, and the Ministry of Personnel is only thinking of the Ministry of Works. The two departments have different functions, and the Ministry of Personnel doesn’t want to make things difficult for the Ministry of Works. But the Ministry of Works is swamped with affairs and can’t make a decision so quickly.”
Ying Fusheng said lightly, “Brother is right.”
Whatever the Second Prince said, he echoed.
With the two princes offering no clear solution, what more could the officials present say?
The Ministry of Personnel official had no desire to argue further. He sighed and took his leave.
Minister Liu looked gratefully at the Second Prince and personally saw him and the Personnel officials off. Ying Fusheng didn’t drop his somewhat bewildered expression. After they left, he asked, “Hasn’t Minister Liu asked His Majesty to send more personnel?”
The Ministry of Works officials, realizing the Sixth Prince was new and unfamiliar with the work, explained, “Your Highness, Minister Liu has tried. He’s been submitting memorials every day, but it’s just not working.”
Regarding the shortage of personnel, Liu Yunshi had sent countless memorials to the Emperor. Otherwise, how would those old foxes at court keep recommending people to the Ministry of Works? But precisely because of this, the Emperor preferred to temporarily use the Sixth Prince to block others’ mouths rather than allow any opportunity for infiltration into the Ministry of Works. He chose to slowly select personnel, putting all the pressure on the Minister of Works.
Never mind the Ministry of Personnel; the other day, when the Ministry of Works went to the Ministry of Revenue to request funds, the Minister of Revenue had hinted at sending people to help too. Now everyone wanted a hand in the Ministry of Works. If they agreed to the Ministry of Personnel, they’d offend the Ministry of Revenue at court.
Not to mention the Ministry of War watching from the sidelines… The Emperor wouldn’t allow others to interfere under the guise of assistance. It would be reasonable in principle, but if something went wrong later, the blame would fall on the newly appointed Ministry of Works officials. Just think about the North Mountain Hunting Ground incident—a single arrow left by a former Minister of Works had led to two officials being demoted for negligence in warehouse management.
Offend the factions, provoke the Emperor’s suspicion—either way, it was a dead end.
It was fortunate that Minister Liu could withstand the pressure; he still hadn’t yielded… But today, with the Ministry of Personnel’s words, the officials’ faces grew grim. To serve the people, one had to stand firm to act. If the Ministry of Personnel impeached them, they’d be finished.
“In my opinion, Minister Meng is capable at court and deeply trusted by His Majesty,” said a Ministry of Works official. “Rather than letting the Ministry of Revenue or Ministry of War intervene, it’s better to let the Ministry of Personnel help. At least the Ministry of Personnel would assist us, and the Appraisals Office’s assessment documents wouldn’t be submitted.”
Besides, the Ministry of Personnel was neutral and had nothing to do with the factions.
Ying Fusheng raised an eyebrow. “So we should side with the Ministry of Personnel? Cling to their coattails?”
The officials: “…”
Your Highness! Do you have to be so blunt?!
Ying Fusheng thought for a moment. “I heard you say the Ministry of Works is short-staffed and has problems with assessments and funding.”
The officials perked up—the Sixth Prince was actually considering it. One couldn’t help but say, “…Owing a favor to the Ministry of Personnel is better than owing one to the Ministry of Revenue.”
“You’re afraid of favor-trading? They help you today, and in the future, you’ll have to help them?” Ying Fusheng tried to understand the Ministry of Works’ perspective. After thinking, he said, “The Ministry of Works is the head of a hundred crafts at court. That official also said we all serve the court. Is that still considered a favor?”
The officials didn’t know how to explain it to the Sixth Prince. In principle, it was true. But in the court of a hundred officials, networking and alliances were all part of human relationships.
Without giving something in return, others would be too busy protecting themselves to help them.
The head of a hundred crafts—that was when Grand Secretary Xu was still around. Now, the Ministry of Works’ status had plummeted!
“I start as the Ministry of Works overseer today. As for the personnel shortage, I should be able to solve it for you.”
Ying Fusheng thought it over, as if finally coming up with a plan. He said, “Since we’ll end up owing favors anyway, why not owe more and do it all at once.”
“Wait, Your Highness—” The officials suddenly had a bad feeling.
…
Outside the government office, Minister Liu respectfully saw the Second Prince off.
The Second Prince said, “I appreciate your hard work, Minister Liu. I’ll discuss this with Minister Meng when I return and see if there’s a comprehensive solution. Since I’ve worked in the Ministry of Works before, if I can help, I will.”
Minister Liu was touched. “How could I trouble Your Highness!”
The Second Prince replied, “It’s nothing. Minister Liu, you don’t need to see me further.”
Minister Liu watched the Second Prince board his carriage.
But once inside the carriage, the Second Prince’s easygoing, good-natured demeanor vanished. Through a gap in the curtain, he saw Minister Liu walking back inside with a relieved look. His eyes were cold. “Liu Yunshi is talented. The Emperor was wise to put him in the Ministry of Works. But this smoothness of his can’t be used by us.”
“The medical records at the Imperial Hospital have some issues,” he said.
A subordinate replied, “The records indeed show problems. Our informant at the Imperial Hospital has been watching for a year. The intelligence from Wanchun Hall isn’t false…”
“Your Highness came today precisely to test the truth, didn’t you?”
The Second Prince had observed Ying Fusheng: his reactions, movements, and demeanor all bore the signs of a prolonged illness. But the two traps he had set earlier—the man had stepped into them but hadn’t fully fallen. Everything was plausible. Even his blunt tongue was exactly as it had been back in the days of the Grand Court.
“His behavior is unremarkable,” the Second Prince said flatly. “And he’s clever.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t believe in coincidences… My adoptive father sent multiple killing blows, yet none succeeded in taking his life. This sixth brother of mine is not that simple.”
He wanted to see what lay beneath that shell.
The carriage began to move slowly. The Second Prince leaned against the compartment. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened. Outside the window, in a corner of the alley by the Ministry of Works, an ordinary carriage was parked. There were no wealthy households nearby—why would a carriage be there?
“That carriage is off,” the Second Prince said.
His subordinate understood. He lifted the curtain slightly and exchanged a glance with certain figures in the crowd. On the street, a few “commoners” stiffened, set down their tasks, and casually approached the parked carriage. When they got close, they saw the coachman crouched in front, grumbling about the wheel.
The “commoners” saw that the wheel had been damaged by gravel, and the coachman was fixing it.
“Is that so?” The Second Prince’s suspicion eased somewhat. “Let’s go, then.”
He met his subordinate’s gaze. The latter understood, and the coachman quickened the pace.
The carriage moved away. Inside the carriage at the corner of the alley, Qi Hanzhou, in plain clothes, supported himself against the window, hiding his presence. Through a tiny gap, he watched the carriage disappear down the street. Beside him, Ye Xuanjiu was breaking out in a cold sweat. In just one glance, some “commoners” had come right up to them. If the young general hadn’t reacted quickly and broken the wheel, they would have been discovered.
“Those ‘commoners’ are undercover agents. I’ll deal with them later,” Ye Xuanjiu said.
Qi Hanzhou stared at the departing carriage and said firmly, “No. Leave them be. Don’t send anyone to tail them.”
Ye Xuanjiu was inwardly alarmed. Today, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had learned that Ying Fusheng was coming to the Ministry of Works just as the Appraisals Office personnel arrived. The Second Prince had even arrived before the Sixth Prince. Anyone investigating would think it was a coincidence, a perfectly normal and reasonable meeting.
The Ministry of Personnel’s assessment day had been set long ago, and the Second Prince came because the Ministry of Works was once under him—convenient for him to handle matters.
“This man—there’s really no flaw to find,” Ye Xuanjiu said. “The direction of his carriage—he’s heading back to the Ministry of Personnel.”
“If he deliberately chose today to present that document to the Sixth Prince, then this ‘accidental’ meeting was intentional,” Qi Hanzhou frowned. But that also proved one thing: though the Second Prince seemed ordinary in the Ministry of Personnel, his hidden influence was enough to affect the Ministry’s procedures.
Compared to open factional warfare, an opponent who left no trace was truly difficult to deal with.
Ye Xuanjiu looked at Qi Hanzhou, wondering what the young general and the Sixth Prince were thinking.
The Ministry of Works was now an open mess at court. Liu Yunshi had been trying every way to submit memorials to the Emperor, hoping to install more suitable personnel. But there were too few officials at court. Even though the Emperor had held imperial examinations, most of those available to be assigned to the Ministry of Works had some factional ties. And due to the lingering influence of the previous dynasty, the Emperor was extremely cautious about the Ministry of Works.
“If the Sixth Prince wants to interfere in court affairs, why would he go to the Ministry of Works?” Ye Xuanjiu hesitated, voicing his thoughts. “His Majesty seems to have given him a sinecure, but if the Ministry of Works runs into trouble—even if it has nothing to do with him—it will only harm the Sixth Prince’s standing in His Majesty’s eyes.”
The so-called implication: even the innocent get caught up.
Qi Hanzhou’s expression shifted slightly, then a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Because in his view, the Ministry of Works is the fastest route.”
Suddenly, there was noise outside.
At the entrance of the Ministry of Works in the distance, several officials rushed out, looking flustered, as if trying to stop someone ahead.
Ahead of them was Ying Fusheng. After his long illness, he shouldn’t be moving quickly, but now his face was cold and his pace faster than usual. Behind him, Ministry of Works officials were trying to hold him back, saying something.
Before they could stop him, Ying Fusheng’s carriage pulled out from the government office gate, followed by a Ministry of Works minister running and shouting. As soon as the Sixth Prince got on, the coachman mercilessly whipped the reins, throwing off the pursuing officials.
Ye Xuanjiu was startled and quickly leaned in to hear what the Minister of Works was shouting.
The Minister of Works cried out in a shrill voice: “Your Highness!! Please wait, Your Highness!!”
Qi Hanzhou paused. This smooth Minister of Works had never been so undignified. He told the others to stay calm and sent an Embroidered Uniform Guard to check on Ying Fusheng’s situation. What had he done?
The carriage seemed to be heading toward the Ministry of War.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard moved quickly. Qi Hanzhou didn’t go himself but sent someone to inquire.
The Sixth Prince’s health was poor, and he spoke slowly. The loud-voiced Ministry of War officials barely dared to speak loudly when they saw him.
“The Sixth Prince, citing the Ministry of Works’ shortage of personnel, went to the Ministry of War to request temporary transfers. He said he only needed them for two months and would definitely return them.” The guard paused, then added, “But His Highness asked for thirty men outright.”
Ye Xuanjiu sucked in a breath.
“Did Minister Hu agree?” Qi Hanzhou asked.
The guard replied, “Minister Hu refused and said he could only spare five.”
“…So the Sixth Prince went to the Ministry of Revenue to borrow people.”
By now, the carriage had probably already reached the Ministry of Revenue.