Yan Song heard Li Ben’s puzzled question and said nothing. He simply fixed Li Ben with a pair of old eyes that seemed cloudy but actually flashed with sharp light. He stared until Li Ben dared not meet his gaze, lowered his head, bent his old back, cupped his hands, and humbly explained with a respectful attitude.
” This official was momentarily agitated and spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Chief Minister. This official was not questioning you. I was simply puzzled as to why you would support Zhu Ping’an in pacifying Wang Zhi by imperial decree.”
” I know that you admire Zhu Ping’an. In fact, I admire him too. But the situation remains opposed at present. Even if you admire him and wish to bring him under your wing to create a fine story, it would still be best to wear him down a bit first to make it work. Zhu Ping’an is young, yet he has already risen to the position of Governor of Jiangzhe, becoming a regional grand administrator. If he pacifies Wang Zhi and quells the Japanese pirate troubles in the south of the Yangtze, and given that he is also favoured by His Majesty, upon his return to the capital, he could rise smoothly through the ranks. A high ministerial post would be within reach, and with a little more seniority, entry into the Grand Secretariat might even be possible.”
” By that time, though your temple is grand, Chief Minister, it would not be able to accommodate such a large Buddha as him. Not only would you be unable to bring him under your wing, you would also have to watch out for a vigorous, capable, and outstanding opponent in his prime.”
As Li Ben explained softly, he kept an eye on his surroundings to avoid being overheard, lest their conversation reach the wrong ears.
He was now tied too deeply to Yan Song to untangle himself. If Zhu Ping’an returned to the capital and entered the Grand Secretariat, he would deal with Yan Song and also with Yan Song’s followers.
In history, such things were commonplace, and often the followers were dealt with first.
Though he did not want to admit it, he had no choice but to face it. He himself could now be considered one of Yan Song’s followers.
Moreover, if Zhu Ping’an returned to the capital with the achievement of quelling the Japanese pirates, he really might enter the Grand Secretariat after a few years of gaining seniority.
There were only so many Grand Secretaries, each position like a single radish in a single pit. If Zhu Ping’an were to enter the Grand Secretariat, someone would have to vacate a spot.
Me, Yan Song, Xu Jie. Who among us three would vacate it?!
Chief Minister Yan?!
Do not even think it. Chief Minister Yan was deeply relied upon by His Majesty. As long as Chief Minister Yan was not addled with age, his position was as steady as Mount Tai. Oh, even if Chief Minister Yan became somewhat addled, as long as he was not completely muddled, with Yan Donglou handling things on his behalf, Chief Minister Yan would still be secure. At present, many matters were handled by Yan Donglou on behalf of Chief Minister Yan, all in good order and exceedingly proper. For the many matters entrusted by His Majesty that the Grand Secretariat could not resolve or had no leads on, Chief Minister Yan would always have someone secretly ride posthaste back to the mansion to inform Donglou. The answers given by Donglou always pleased His Majesty.
Xu Jie?!
His abilities far surpassed Li Ben’s own, and he had also gained His Majesty’s favour. Moreover, he was Zhu Ping’an’s teacher. Zhu Ping’an might seize anyone’s position, but he could not seize his. If Zhu Ping’an tried to take Xu Jie’s spot, the public outcry from outsiders would drown him.
Since neither of them was possible, the only choice left would be Li Ben himself. Heh, now everyone outside called him the figurehead Grand Secretary.
And it was unfortunately true!
He did indeed attach himself to Yan Song, acting according to his moods and not daring to go against his orders.
When the time came to vacate a position, it would surely be him!
Yet after becoming Second Grand Secretary, the glory was boundless. Even if people behind his back called him a figurehead Grand Secretary, who did not address him as “my lord” with utmost respect upon meeting him? How could he let go of the benefits brought by such power and influence?
Therefore, suppressing Zhu Ping’an was not only for Yan Song’s sake but also for his own. That was why he was so diligent about it. Seeing Yan Song unexpectedly support Zhu Ping’an in pacifying Wang Zhi, he was so puzzled and agitated.
” Ruli, you have been in the Grand Secretariat for some time now. How is it that your skill at reading words and expressions has made so little progress? Do you truly not see what His Majesty intends?”
Yan Song looked at Li Ben, sighed a little in exasperation at his lack of ambition, and lowered his voice to say.
” Ah?! What does His Majesty mean?” Li Ben could not help but start in surprise.
Then, recalling the various events in the hall that day, he suddenly realised it afterwards. Yes, yes, it was His Majesty’s intention.
How muddled of him. He should have seen it earlier. When he had initially proposed punishing Zhu Ping’an for unauthorisedly recruiting Wang Zhi to surrender, His Majesty had said the punishment was waived and that Zhu Ping’an had submitted a secret memorial requesting it. Without even waiting for the Grand Secretariat to deliberate, Zhu Ping’an had proceeded to act.
In truth, even if Zhu Ping’an had submitted a request, since His Majesty had not approved it, proceeding to pacify Wang Zhi was still unauthorised.
But His Majesty had said the punishment was waived. From that phrase alone, he should have discerned His Majesty’s intention at the time.
His Majesty wished to quell the Japanese pirate troubles in the south of the Yangtze as quickly as possible, by whatever means necessary.
Whether to recruit Wang Zhi to surrender or not, His Majesty had not yet decided and still needed the Grand Secretariat to deliberate. But Zhu Ping’an proceeding with the pacification of Wang Zhi did not meet with His Majesty’s opposition. Though no decree had been issued approving the recruitment, it was tacitly permitted.
No wonder Chief Minister Yan supported Zhu Ping’an in pacifying Wang Zhi. He himself followed Chief Minister Yan, but Chief Minister Yan was also following His Majesty.
Since he now knew His Majesty’s intention, how could Chief Minister Yan oppose it? Even if he opposed it in his heart, he would voice support.
” Have you figured it out?” Yan Song looked at Li Ben.
” I have figured it out. Many thanks to you for the guidance, Chief Minister.” Li Ben cupped his hands and thanked Yan Song.
” It is good that you understand.” Yan Song nodded.
” His Majesty intends it, so you cannot oppose. Thus, you settle for the next best thing and say that the court is not suitable to step forward at present. It is best for Zhu Ping’an to continue and try further.” Li Ben felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, suddenly enlightened, and understood Yan Song’s attitude in the hall.
If the court stepped forward, then Zhu Ping’an’s pacification of Wang Zhi would gain the mantle of righteousness. With the court’s support, Zhu Ping’an’s recruitment would be much easier.
Conversely, if the court did not step forward and it was merely Zhu Ping’an’s personal action, without the court’s endorsement, the recruitment would be difficult. Wang Zhi was no three-year-old child. Without a court decree, how could he be easily recruited?!
” Heh, it is not easy to accomplish a matter. One needs the right time, place, and people, strength, luck, and so on. Nothing can be lacking. But to sabotage a matter, that is far too easy and simple. Do you not agree, Ruli?”
Yan Song smiled faintly, gently patted Li Ben’s shoulder, and strode forward.
Li Ben was instantly enlightened.
No wonder, no wonder Chief Minister Yan supported Zhu Ping’an in continuing to pacify Wang Zhi.
Recruitment was not easy, but sabotaging the recruitment was far too simple. In just these few seconds, Li Ben thought of no fewer than ten ways to sabotage the pacification.
If the recruitment succeeded, it would be Zhu Ping’an’s achievement. But similarly, if the recruitment failed, the responsibility would also fall squarely on Zhu Ping’an. And if the failure led to severe consequences, all the blame would still be his.
Brilliant, ingenious. As expected of Chief Minister Yan.
Li Ben looked at Yan Song’s receding figure and could not help but sigh in admiration. There was still so much for him to learn. By the time Li Ben came back to himself, Yan Song had already gone far ahead.
” Chief Minister, wait for me. I shall go with you, go with you.” Li Ben said as he hurried forward to catch up with Yan Song.
