Chapter 119: Return to Dust

“Your Majesty, I, Li Qiao, Supervisor of the Lantai Office, have a memorial to present. I impeach Quan Ce, General of the Left Feathered Forest Guard, for losing decorum before the throne and showing disrespect to the Empress. His circumstances may be forgiven, but his conduct cannot be tolerated. I beg Your Majesty to dismiss him from office and punish him, as a warning to others.”

The moment he entered the Wucheng Hall, Li Qiao rose from his seat and stepped forward, directing his attack at his own subordinate and close friend.

“Your Majesty’s nephew supports the motion.”

Wu Chengsi sprang out as well. In recent days, the Wu clan had been sweeping all before it. If a man of Quan Ce’s reputation and extensive connections could be cast into the dust, it would surely enhance their prestige and strike fear into their enemies.

“Quan Ce relies on his talents and holds others in contempt. He neglects his duties, squanders his gifts, and shows no reverence for the laws and institutions of the court. He startled the imperial carriage, and worse, collided with the Empress’s person. He ought to be subjected to severe punishment.”

Wu Chengsi’s influence was worlds apart from Li Qiao’s. The instant he spoke, the court erupted like a flock of gulls startled from the water. Many officials came forward to echo his words. Even Wu Sansi, Minister of the Celestial Office, whose resentment toward Wu Chengsi had deepened as the Wu clan’s power became more secure, was forced to raise the same banner and add his voice.

“Your Majesty, I believe General Quan has indeed been careless, but he has committed no grave offense. His loyalty and filial devotion are known to all. Your Majesty is blessed by Heaven and protected by the divine; your person has suffered not the slightest injury. With a heart as vast as the sea, Your Majesty can contain all beneath Heaven. I beg that he be given a minor punishment as a great warning, without resorting to needless severity.”

Di Renjie, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, frowned beneath his heavy brows. He could not bear to see such a trivial matter inflated beyond all reason. If someone took advantage of this pretext, another wholesale purge might follow, dragging countless loyal ministers and valiant generals into the mire. Quite apart from anyone else, Li Duozuo, Grand General of the Left Feathered Forest Guard, would certainly not escape.

“Not the slightest injury” and “a heart as vast as the sea”—two utterly ordinary phrases—struck Empress Wu with unexpected force. A dull ache stirred beneath her ribs. The tip of her brow lifted slightly, but she said nothing.

Seeing that the Empress’s attitude remained unclear, Lou Shide, Minister of the Ministry of War, hurried forward to smooth matters over. He argued that unpleasant incidents within the court must not be allowed to spread beyond it, lest the Empress’s majesty be damaged.

Wu Youxu, Assistant Director of the Imperial Works Bureau, also voiced his support and pleaded for leniency. He was not skilled at speaking diplomatically; he simply said what he believed.

“Your Majesty, I fear that if a senior minister is subjected to harsh punishment over this incident, it may invite criticism.”

“Rubbish! The Empress possesses the body of gold and jade and the dignity of the ruler of ten thousand chariots. Any offense against her is a grave crime. Who would dare criticize it?”

Wu Chengsi glared fiercely and pointed at Wu Youxu.

“The Assistant Director of the Imperial Works Bureau has spoken without restraint. I request that he be expelled from the hall.”

Empress Wu nodded.

“Wu Youxu is to return to his residence, withdraw from political affairs, and remain behind closed doors to reflect upon his conduct.”

Wu Youxu removed his official cap, prostrated himself, and begged forgiveness before retreating in disarray from the hall.

After this, no one dared speak in Quan Ce’s defense. Fu Youyi, the Investigating Censor seated toward the front, had been eager to say a few words on Quan Ce’s behalf, but the words were forcibly trapped in his throat. His expression turned extremely ugly.

“Quan Ce has acted improperly and disgraced his office. He is hereby stripped of his positions as Assistant Supervisor of the Lantai Office, General of the Left Feathered Forest Guard, and all other official posts, both substantive and honorary. He is to return home and reflect upon his conduct. This matter requires no further discussion.”

Empress Wu made the final decision.

“Your Majesty is wise.”

Wu Chengsi swept his gaze across the assembled officials. Everywhere his eyes fell, heads bowed. He could not conceal his smug satisfaction.

Empress Wu sat high above them, taking in every reaction. Her face remained as still as an ancient well, but the light in her eyes burned with searing intensity.

“I have long heard that the households of many ministers and nobles indulge in extravagance and overstep the proper limits. Though we live in a prosperous age blessed with abundant produce, I have never begrudged sharing wealth and honor with my ministers. Yet thrift brings prosperity, while extravagance brings ruin. The teachings of the sages must never be forgotten. Desire knows no bounds, and once it takes root, it easily breeds the longing to seize one province after another. That is no way to preserve what we possess.”

Seated upright upon the throne, Empress Wu spoke with unhurried deliberation.

“From this day forward, all ministers and nobles, except members of the imperial family, are to remove every article that exceeds their proper rank. Brocades are forbidden. Anyone who dares disobey will receive no mercy from Me.”

“We obey Your Majesty’s decree.”

A chill passed through the court as one. The officials prostrated themselves, each turning the matter over in his mind. Clothing and furnishings were trivial details, yet the Empress had issued her command with such gravity that it clearly carried a deeper meaning. She intended to judge whether the ministers were submissive and obedient, while also creating an atmosphere of tension and tightening her hold over their thoughts. If anyone exceeded the limits even by the smallest degree, his fate would likely be worse than Quan Ce’s.

Empress Wu nodded with majestic severity and said no more. Seeing this, the palace attendant raised his shrill voice.

“Those with memorials may present them. Those without may leave the court.”

“I, Fu Youyi, Investigating Censor, have a memorial to present.”

In the end, Fu Youyi could not bear to abandon the elaborate scheme he had painstakingly prepared. He stepped forward and knelt, his face filled with grief and indignation. His plan had already been ruined before it could achieve its full purpose. Wu Chengsi cared only for flaunting his authority and had spoiled everything.

“Your Majesty, I believe that the governance of the realm depends above all on the clear transmission of commands. Only when government functions smoothly can harmony prevail among the people. The provincial officials who govern on behalf of Heaven serve as the parents of their people. What are their integrity, their abilities, and their true intentions? The court must keep a comprehensive watch over them in order to reward merit, punish wrongdoing, prevent future offenses by learning from past ones, and spread the benevolent policies of the court like rain and dew across the common people. I request that six circuit commissioners be appointed to travel through the provinces and supervise local administration.”

“Oh? Is the proposal of Censor Fu not simply the Six Articles of Inquiry? Local supervision already follows established rules. Why is there any need to appoint separate circuit commissioners?”

Empress Wu’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she asked the question in a mild tone.

The Six Articles of Inquiry were a system of inspection inherited from the Han dynasty. They concerned the virtue and vice of officials, the dispersal of households, negligence in farming and sericulture, demons, bandits and criminals, moral conduct and filial devotion, as well as crafty clerks and powerful clans. At intervals, the court dispatched inspectors to travel throughout the empire and reform the administration.

Fu Youyi grew animated.

“What I propose differs from the Six Articles of Inquiry. The first duty of these circuit commissioners would be to examine the hearts of both the people and the officials, judging men and matters according to their true intentions. Anyone harboring divided loyalties, rebellious thoughts, or treasonous designs must be eliminated, no matter how brilliant his talents. Second, wherever they travel, the commissioners would review criminal cases. Third, to intimidate the provinces, they must be granted the authority to act at their own discretion.”

When he finished, the entire court fell silent.

Even a fool could see what Fu Youyi meant. Examining the hearts of the people and officials was merely a euphemism for determining whether the provinces supported the Wu clan or the Li imperial house. Officials loyal to the Li family would be destroyed even if they possessed the finest talents; officials loyal to the Wu clan might rise to wealth and office despite being corrupt and venal.

“What do you think, My ministers?”

Empress Wu’s voice drifted through the hall. She glanced at Fu Youyi standing in its center and gave him an approving look.

“Your Majesty’s nephew wholeheartedly supports the proposal.”

Wu Sansi almost leaped to his feet before throwing himself face-down upon the floor.

“The great policies of the court rest in the provinces and commanderies. If the provinces turn away from the throne, all else is pointless. The proposal to appoint circuit commissioners cannot be delayed.”

“We support the proposal.”

Lai Junchen, Zhou Xing, and the others surged forward. As brutal officials, they usually exercised their power within the capital. The chance to extend their authority into the provinces was something they welcomed with open arms.

“Since that is the case, the matter is settled. Who shall serve as the six circuit commissioners? Minister Fu, do you have any recommendations?”

Empress Wu’s expression relaxed, granting Fu Youyi an honor beyond measure.

At last, they had reached the crucial moment. Fu Youyi’s heart pounded. Even though Quan Ce had been dismissed and escaped immediate danger, his calculations still involved others.

“I believe each circuit should have a chief commissioner and a deputy, so that they may supervise one another and prevent abuses of power…”

Fu Youyi’s intentions were vicious indeed. He recommended Di Renjie, Lou Shide, Cen Changqian, Su Weidao, and Doulu Qinwang—all important ministers whose positions remained ambiguous—as chief commissioners. With five positions filled and one left vacant, the remaining post was clearly intended for Quan Ce. As for the deputies, he proposed rising stars among the brutal officials, such as Qiu Shenji, Shi Wanjun, and Hou Sizhi. With such men holding them in check, the chief commissioners would have little room to act.

It was a scheme that would accomplish two aims at once. Not only would it bring the provinces to heel, it would also force these men to choose a side. Once their hands were stained with the blood of the Li family, none of them would ever be able to withdraw.

“As for the appointments, we shall discuss them at a later date. Minister Fu’s loyalty is commendable; he ought to be rewarded and entrusted with greater responsibility. Sansi, have the Celestial Office draft the regulations and submit them to Me.”

Empress Wu restrained her emotions and did not approve the proposal outright. Sometimes leaving a matter suspended produced better results. But she made no effort to conceal her high regard for Fu Youyi.

“Your Majesty’s nephew receives the decree.”

Wu Sansi stepped forward to accept the order. He looked at Fu Youyi with a pleasant expression. This man was poisonous enough and ruthless enough—but he was not someone to provoke.

The court assembly dispersed beneath a sky heavy with dark clouds. At the Lantai Office, Quan Ce received the imperial decree stripping him of his posts. Holding the yellow silk scroll, he let out a long breath of relief. Limping along the Dragon-Tail Way, he watched as dusk gathered on every side and the setting sun sank lower, stretching his shadow farther and farther behind him.

He had entered the imperial court at dawn and become a commoner by evening. In the more than two years he had struggled within the court, he had served the realm and its people in countless ways, whether as a civil official or a military commander. He had also preserved the lives of his parents and family. By any measure, his service had come to a satisfying end.

To return to the dust—perhaps everything had been arranged for the best.

Now he could sit behind a window and watch the fierce winds and driving rain outside.

End of Chapter

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