Chapter Twenty-Seven: Winds Rise in Chang'an—The Prefect

In Chang'an, Gao Buyi arrived at the residence of the Prefect of Chang'an.

"This Li Gan really is praying for rain. Such a large Prefect’s mansion, yet the air is thick with incense," Gao Buyi sneered coldly.

Upon entering the rear court, he saw an old Taoist priest circling an altar, chanting incantations: "Five Emperors, Five Dragons, descend your radiance and bring the wind. Spread your blessings widely, assist the Lord of Thunder. The five lakes and four seas, all water returns to its source. By divine command you are summoned, ever to obey. Should any defy, the thunder-axe will not forgive. Swiftly, as decreed."

Seated behind the altar were five or six young Taoists, and among them, to Gao Buyi’s annoyance, was Li Gan himself. What was even more infuriating was that Li Gan not only donned Taoist robes to join the rain ritual, but had also gathered numerous commoners to watch. What was this? Did he want the world to laugh at Tang?

Famine had struck, and instead of actively providing relief, the officials of Tang were holding rituals, turning the court into a band of charlatans. Gao Buyi’s anger flared: "Li Gan!"

Startled by the sudden shout, Li Gan faltered in his chanting, and the old Taoist, deeply displeased, snapped, "Who is this insolent wretch, daring to shout in this place and disturb the spirits? Do you wish for the drought in Chang’an to continue? Guards, seize this man!"

This old Taoist and his disciples had been stranded in the Prefect’s mansion for some days. He had assumed that this ritual would go as smoothly as before—chant a few incantations for a week, eat and drink at others' expense, collect some money, and then, as if by coincidence, a little rain would fall. Yet, for reasons unknown, perhaps some sin committed by the Emperor himself, twenty days had passed in Chang’an with nothing but clear skies and not a drop of rain.

Even Li Gan, an enthusiast for ritual, was beginning to doubt, which unsettled the old Taoist. Losing his reputation was one thing, but if word got out, it would be hard to find favor among the nobles of Chang'an again. Still, fortune seemed to deliver—just as drowsiness set in, someone came to cause a scene, giving him the perfect excuse: it wasn’t his magic that failed, but this meddler who ruined it.

The previous displeasure over Li Gan insisting on joining the ritual in Taoist robes was swept away; better that the Prefect witness this himself, lest he be accused of cheating. The old Taoist was secretly delighted.

Gao Buyi dismissed the old Taoist’s words. Such petty tricks—claiming the moral high ground—were nothing new to him. Besides, the old fool didn’t realize he was playing this game with the Emperor himself, who naturally stood above all in matters of morality.

By now, Li Gan recognized the newcomer, and his heart leapt in terror. In the past, he wouldn’t have been concerned; the former Emperor Xuanzong had been an enthusiast for Daoist practices, and they might have even exchanged insights on cultivation. But now, this man had dismissed the immortal master who once prepared elixirs for him. Gao Buyi hadn’t publicized it, but little that happened in Chang’an escaped Li Gan’s notice.

Gao Buyi glanced at the old Taoist, snorted, and said to Li Gan, "It is truly beneath your talents to serve as Prefect. Since you’re so fond of Taoist robes, very well. As I passed by Yunxian Monastery outside the city, I noticed all the Taoists had fled. You shall be its abbot. I’ll grant you a hundred taels of silver to repair the temple."

Li Gan was thunderstruck. He knew his own abilities well enough: as long as he held office, he could command some skilled Taoists. But if he lost his position and had to establish a sect of his own, those very Taoists would likely kill him for seizing another’s nest.

Immediately, he fell to his knees, kowtowing desperately. "Your Majesty, I am loyal to the people. I spent a fortune to invite these masters solely out of concern for the common folk. Please, in light of my devotion, spare me this once."

"You speak of loyalty? Of caring for the people? If not for this famine, you’d have kept me in the dark. In the county under your rule, the magistrate abandoned the starving citizens to celebrate his mistress’s birthday. And you, rather than relying on human effort for relief, put your faith in empty rituals. As a governor, you act without order or reason, divorced from reality. How dare you claim to act for the suffering people? What a joke. Go be your Taoist. Guards!"

At his command, the Imperial Guards flooded in. "Escort Li Gan to Yunxian Monastery to serve as abbot. Expel these Taoists from Chang’an, revoke their priestly credentials, and confiscate all the illicit funds they’ve seized!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After much wailing and pleading, Gao Buyi returned to the palace, ordering the Ministry of Revenue to assign an official to temporarily assume the role of Prefect and oversee disaster relief until a trusted appointment could be made.

With Li Gan dismissed, Yang Guozhong could no longer sit still. Over the past half year, it was clear the Emperor was targeting him—Li Gan was one of his confidants.

At that moment, Yang Guozhong, having just shared an intimate moment with Lady Guo, was tangled in crimson sheets. "The situation grows more dangerous," he said, troubled.

"What’s wrong?" Lady Guo asked.

"Ever since that old man collapsed and revived on New Year’s Day, he’s changed completely. Before, he only doted on the imperial consort and followed her every word. Now, he’s taken to rebuking her. Remember a few months ago when An Lushan came to Chang’an over the appointment as Military Commissioner of Fanyang?"

"I remember, but even though His Majesty rejected the consort’s request, didn’t he still make An Lushan commander of the Northern Army?"

"Title means nothing—the troops under his command weren’t increased, and his authority is much reduced."

"But doesn’t he command tens of thousands of sailors in Bohai?"

"Those don’t answer to An Lushan; they’re the Emperor’s own men, placed in Pinglu as his agents."

"You’re overthinking this. Huan’er is still the imperial consort."

"What good is that? I hear His Majesty is establishing an unprecedented Tang Academy, and even Consort Wang is involved—but Huan’er was excluded. That’s a clear sign of alienation."

"I once thought that when he removed me as Military Commissioner of Jiannan, it was a prelude to promotion. Now it’s obvious he’s coming for us. An Lushan is tightly restrained. Once the court completes its purge of Pinglu officials, they’ll settle accounts with us. We can’t just wait to be destroyed."

"Don’t be rash. His Majesty hasn’t acted against us directly yet."

"By then it will be too late. Li Gan is useless; we must regain the crucial post of Prefect of Chang’an. If someone from Li Linfu or Pei An’s faction takes it, we’re finished. The old fox lingers on—if worst comes to worst, we’ll install a new crown prince and get rid of him altogether." With these words, Yang Guozhong dressed and departed.

Lady Guo shuddered at his words. Was he planning rebellion?

Meanwhile, at Li Linfu’s residence, a few confidants had gathered.

"Prime Minister, we’ve had our eyes on the Prefect’s seat for years. At last, it’s open. We must seize this chance."

"I know that well enough, but the Emperor’s intentions are hard to read. How should we proceed?"

"Simple. Leave it to me. First, find out whom His Majesty intends to appoint. I’ll lure him into scandal—debauchery or bribery. If he obeys us, fine; if not, we’ll ruin his reputation."

"Very well. Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow morning, I’ll enter the palace and push our candidate. If the Emperor refuses, we’ll see who he favors."

"Yes, sir!"