All Under Heaven

To achieve greatness, there must be sacrifice.

Beijing in February was still chilly, but early spring was near. A few days ago, it even seemed sunny but it was followed by a sudden downpour of heavy snow again with the wind howling once more, making everyone cold. So much so that people just wanted to stay at home with their families and their warm beds, not wanting to take a single step outside.

The situation in the imperial court was treacherous, just like the recent weather it was completely unpredictable.

However, Xu manor was still full of warmth.

Four charcoal basins were placed in each corner of the room. Xu Jie was wearing a mink coat, sat on a wooden armchair. In the one hand he was holding some travel notes, whilst his other hand was lightly placed on the arm of the chair. Next to him there was also another small heater.

The maidservant was making tea.

Guo Po entered and saw this scene.

“Huating-xiong1 still has the mood to be so carefree and idle. It’s a complete mess out there, and you’re still in here twiddling your thumbs!” said Guo Po, treading into the room bringing with him the snow from outside.

“Oh Zhifu2, you’ve come, take a seat!” Xu Jie said smiling whilst greeting his guest. He sighed: “I’m only taking a day’s rest, how am I twiddling my thumbs!”

Guo Po shook his head, he couldn’t tell if the other didn’t know or if he was putting on a show.

“It’s much better here than outside. In the last few days, people have been panicking. There have been incidents where multiple juren have been arrested. Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin are stuck at home, you are not present in the Grand Secretariat, so who would feel like doing any work?”

Xu Jie said lightly: “Isn’t there still Yuan Weng? With him there, that’s enough.”

Guo Po sneered: “Huating-xiong, there’s no need for empty words between us, the people out there don’t know, but how could I not know? Yan Song is old, Yan Shifan relies on bullying others, over the last few years if it wasn’t for you propping up the Grand Secretariat, it would have fallen into chaos long ago!”

Xu Jie sighed: “Zhifu, speak carefully!”

“What is there to be afraid of! The righteous are not afraid of the shadows, push has already come to shove, it’ll get worse if we do nothing!” Guo Pu sneered, “Who doesn’t know what Yan Shifan is up to, using Zhao Su to get rid of all the people in his way, in one fell swoop. Things are really getting out of control!”

The more he spoke the angrier he got, making his face turn red and his chest heave up and down. Xu Jie shook his head, immediately pouring a cup of tea and handing it to him.

“Relax, I’m not even angry so why are you!” After being comforted by Xu Jie, he couldn’t get angry again so instead Guo Po just rolled his eyes: “Are you afraid I’m anxious for nothing?”

“You are too impulsive, which is why Yan Shifan dislikes you. This time it’s me that he’s trying to take down. Save your energy, and don’t get yourself pulled into this.” Xu Jie said sincerely in a bitter but heartfelt way.

Guo Po was moved after hearing this, over the years many people came and went from the Grand Secretariat. Those who opposed the Yan faction had long ago been expelled, or they had allied with Yan Song and his son, the remaining members did not dare to speak out. Although Xu Jie had never gone against Yan Song in public but he had protected quite a few people in secret. Guo Po had also been saved by Xu Jie and that was why he had been able to stay in the Grand Secretariat.

“Huating-xiong, I know that you have great self-restraint but after so many years, how much longer do you have to endure it? Not to mention that this time, that Zhao Su is just a front, the person he really wants to deal with is the Prince of Yu and you!”

Xu Jie was calm: “Then what would you have me do?”

Guo Pu angrily said: “You can make an account and clarify everything to his Majesty!”

Xu Jie sneered: ‘If his Majesty would listen to me explain, would I still be hiding out at home now?”

Guo Pu choked, opened his mouth, but couldn’t speak.

Xu Jie sipped his tea slowly, and then slowly said: “Whatever I do now would be wrong, the Emperor is wise and has already an idea in his mind, so is there any need for you or I to speak up?”

If the Emperor had already made up his mind, how would the imperial court be in such a mess these past few years, even letting Yan Song and his son run amok!

Guo Po thought to himself. He was even starting to feel a little resentful towards Xu Jie. The latter was a vice Grand Secretary, but he was so wretched, and spent his days bowing down to the Yan family. What was the point in that?

He was about to try and persuade him again when a servant came to report that the County Magistrate of Guangling County, Yuan Shu, was seeking an audience with him.

Guo Po was astonished: “Why does a little County Magistrate want to see you?”

Xu Jie said: “He is a student of Dai Gongwang, Zhao Su’s shixiong, he must be here to ask me to help save his shidi.”

He then turned back to the servant to say: “Tell him that I don’t feel well, I’m not receiving guests and ask him to go home.”

Guo Po sighed, he knew in his heart that there was no way Xu Jie would take the initiative. As a result, this time Yan Song and his son would once again come out on top, Gao Gong and the others would lose their official position, the Prince of Yu would be implicated and the Prince of Jing would be the one to benefit from all this.

He was a little disappointed, he no longer spoke with his previous passion, he exchanged a few more plaisanteries with Xu Jie and then quickly took his leave. Xu Jie didn’t try to keep him, he just smiled and saw him out, telling him to continue as he was and not to worry too much, and then he returned back to the room.

“Come out.” As he finished speaking, a person walked out from behind the screen, wearing green robes and black shoes, and a white jade silk ribbon sash tied around his waist. His appearance was magnificent.

“Teacher, why didn’t you answer Guo Po, if you were able to make him an ally, that would definitely help us.”

“This Guo Po is extremely impulsive. We can work together, but if we really wanted to discuss something serious with him, we wouldn’t be able to ask him for help as he would surely lose his cool.”

Xu Jie waved his hand and motioned him to sit down, whilst letting his servants come to change tea.

Zhang Juzheng sighed: “Looking at the state of the Grand Secretariat, aside from Guo Pu who has the ability to insist on his own views. Yu Zi still does not dare to speak up. If teacher wants to find another ally, I’m afraid it’s going to be quite difficult!”

Xu Jie smiled slightly and looked at his proud disciple: “Do you think it depends on the Grand Secretariat to get things done? Yongle Emperor built the Grand Secretariat with the intention of assisting the Emperor. But throughout his reign, his Majesty has only been interested in cultivating immortality and has a total disregard for political affairs. The power of the Grand Secretariat has only increased. But however big it gets, it can never surpass the heavens.”

Zhang Juzheng reacted after a short silence: “So what teacher means to do is to directly influence his Majesty’s decision?”

Xu Jie nodded: “There is a special skill to persuading his Majesty. But this is not something I nor Guo Pu can do, let alone anyone in the Grand Secretariat.”

Zhang Juzheng was blessed with quick-wit, and smiled as he slowly said, “Imperial Censor.”

Xu Jie gazed at him approvingly: “Hit it where it truly hurts. To impeach someone, we must also pay attention to timing, technique, and reasoning. If one cannot succeed in one fell swoop, it would be better not to do anything at all, or it’ll all be in vain.”

Zhang Juzheng said: “If that Zhao Su cannot endure the torture, and he implicates Gao Gong, or even you, I’m afraid ……”

Xu Jie suddenly remembered that tall elegant young man, whom he had shared an eloquent exchange with, he couldn’t help but feel some regret and he sighed again.

To achieve greatness, there must be sacrifice.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be burnt by the fire for the time being. His Majesty is not so muddled to that point. In many incidents, his Majesty has already an idea in his heart …… Besides, our opportunity is almost here.”

What opportunity he was talking about, Xu Jie did not go on to explain but Zhang Juzheng revealed an expression of comprehension.

Outside Xu Manor, Yuan Shu stood for two hours until the snow under his feet covered his shoes, but the door of the Xu Manor never opened. He was not a fool. Naturally, he knew that Xu Jie’s so-called illness was just an excuse. Xu Jie would never lend a helping hand to save a powerless juren.

Even if he, himself was a jinshi of the second rank, in the face of the authority above, he was still powerless.

Back then when they were still studying under Dai Gongwang, their teacher had talked to them about the dark side of the imperial court. However, it was one thing to hear about it, but it was another thing to personally experience it.

He originally thought that during the three years he had spent as the County Magistrate of Guangling, he had already seen enough hardships, but in the end, he realised it was far from enough.

What kind of place was the Embroidered Guard prison. It was a place that swallows people up without spitting out their bones. He did not even want to think about what Zhao Su would have to endure in that kind of place.

Yuan Shu clenched his fist tightly, so tightly that his nails pierced into his flesh bringing with it a painful sensation.

————

Zhao Su didn’t know how much time had passed.

He discovered that since he had been there, there was not much difference between night and day.

Coupled with the dullness and numbness to the passing of time, the body’s perception of pain instead became stronger and stronger.

The thirty lashes on his body were still feeling hot and extremely painful. The blood from his open wounds had clotted. But the wound had not been treated. This place was cold and damp, and if this continued, it was inevitable that he would fall ill.

Zhao Su usually got up early every morning, he’d do some taichi, and then do some sit-ups and push-ups, his archery skills had not slackened either, his health had been very good, but after thirty lashes, he really felt like he couldn’t take any more.

It was no wonder that Zhao Rong couldn’t take it and had accused him, it was completely normal.

The whip was dipped in salt water first, so it hurt even more when it hit the body. And now the blood had clotted, it had started to itch a little. Zhao Su wanted to scratch, but his hands were shackled and he couldn’t move.

He sighed again and could only close his eyes and think of something else to divert his attention.

How did things come to this?

Should he blame Zhao Rong for being reckless and impetuous and causing him trouble, or should he blame himself for not disciplining him well?

Or maybe he should not have gotten too close to Gao Gong and others, making him now the cannon fodder and it was all for nothing?

Zhao Su knew that all of these were not reasons.

The real reason was that he didn’t have any power.

Between the Prince of Yu, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and himself – out of all these people, he was the weakest. He didn’t have an official position, he didn’t have a backer, he had no contacts, nor power. Who didn’t know that the persimmon is easy to squish3. Zhao Su asked himself if the situation had been reversed and he was in the powerful position, he would probably do the same, and the Emperor would still be none the wiser.

The sound of footsteps could be heard.

Someone said: “Did you know, in this prison, whipping is the lightest method.”

Zhao Su hung his head slightly and did not speak.

The person laughed, and touched his shackled right hand. He started at the wrist, slowly rubbing down to the knuckles and then pushing outwards with force.

Zhao Su’s little finger snapped.

“!!!”

He stifled a grunt, his face twitching and twisting, cold sweat sliding down the corners of his forehead, his whole face turning miserably white.

“It hurts, doesn’t it? It’s said that our ten fingers are connected to the heart, so it must be very painful. As long as you are willing to confess, if you get medical help within twelve hours, you’ll still be able to move your hand freely in the future.”

The interrogator paused for a moment, “Moreover, Yan Shifan said, if you are willing to identify Gao Gong and the others and their participation in cheating, not only do you not have to be caned, but we can also arrange for you to be released. Anyway, you are originally a scholar, you’re already qualified enough to be an official. Why be so stubborn when glory and wealth are just around the corner?”

It really was painful.

This pain was different from the previous whipping. It was like having something engraved into his bones. Followed by his heart pumping uncontrollably and huge drops of cold sweat coming out. Zhao Su clenched his teeth but still could not resist a moan from coming out of his mouth.

How about confessing, it’s been so long, and the people who could have saved him will certainly not come. With the status of little shixiong now, even if he had the heart to help, he was utterly powerless. Plus, Xu Jie and others would definitely not plead with the Emperor for him. Instead of suffering for them in vain, was it better to confess……

You can’t confess, Zhao Su, once you comply with their terms, then everything that you have worked so hard for will be completely meaningless!

You will lose your dignity and it can never be restored!

He kept hearing two voices in his head. Zhao Su drifted in a trance, his consciousness drifting quite far back. As if he had gone back to the day that he bid farewell to his teacher, and the words that his teacher had imparted on him that day.

To do something you know you can’t possibly achieve demonstrates great foolishness, but also great courage.

It was indeed difficult to be a great and brave hero – so difficult. Yang Jisheng…… no wonder there has only been one Yang Jisheng in a thousand years.

Zhao Su twitched the corners of his mouth slightly, his dry and cracked lips moved and spat out the words with difficulty: “…… I have nothing to confess.”

Just as his words came out. Another snap, his right ring finger was also broken.

The other party laughed: “I’ve been mistaken, so it turns out you’re not just a weak scholar but you’ve also got hard bones. Why don’t we try something more exciting? Have you ever heard of ‘Combing’4?”

Zhao Su’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Palace of Eternal Longevity.

Jiajing looked at the two figures before him, one large and one small, but he didn’t say anything.

The Prince of Yu had been waiting outside for half a day. He originally thought that he’d have to return without success, but in the end his old dad was actually surprisingly willing to see them. This really was a miracle. He trembled as he walked in slowly, in his heart, he tried to prepare the words that he wanted to say. But in front of Jiajing’s cold and indifferent expression, he could not manage to say one word.

After thinking for a long while, he finally managed to mumble: “Ha….has Father 5 eaten yet?”