Chapter Twenty-Eight: Conversation with the Crown Prince
The next morning, during court assembly, Gao Buyi first recounted his observations throughout the disaster-stricken regions. Then he said, “Gentlemen, the counties around Chang’an are so close to the capital, yet you all watched as people starved to death. This truly grieves me. The Prefect of Chang’an has been dismissed, but the disaster is as urgent as fire and water. Lord Pei, has the Secretariat’s recommended list of candidates been finalized?”
Pei An replied, “Your Majesty, the list is complete. We recommend three officials: Meng Hao, Geng Wenjing, and Zhai Qu. Here are their records; all are qualified by seniority. Please review them, Your Majesty.”
After an attendant brought over the dossiers, Gao Buyi leafed through them. Among the three, only Geng Wenjing was free of dubious ties, unconnected to Li Linfu or Yang Guozhong. Because of his upright character, after being recalled to Chang’an from his post as regional governor, he had not been promoted for years. It seemed likely that being moved to Chang’an was a way to make room for others through the old trick of apparent promotion but actual demotion.
After a long look, Gao Buyi said, “The Crown Prince should review these as well.”
At this, Crown Prince Li Heng took the dossiers and read them carefully.
“What do you think?” Gao Buyi asked.
“Father, your son is dull of wit and asks that Your Majesty make the decision,” Li Heng replied, playing it safe. He was unfamiliar with all three candidates, and given that Li Linfu had just tried to frame him and Yang Guozhong was currently in favor, it was best to feign ignorance to avoid offending anyone. Using his supposed lack of judgment as an excuse, he sidestepped the question.
Gao Buyi noticed the prince’s evasiveness and understood his caution—clearly, the shadow of Emperor Xuanzong’s rule still lingered. Gao Buyi sympathized with him and said, “Since all three are suitable, appoint Geng Wenjing as Prefect of Chang’an. The other two will remain in the capital, awaiting assignments.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Disaster relief must be as swift as fighting a fire. From now on, aid cannot be restricted by regional registration—saving lives must always come first. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“The Ministry of Revenue is to handle the transport of grain and intensify supervision over relief efforts as well.”
“As you command,” replied Pei An with a bow.
After the assembly, Gao Buyi summoned the Crown Prince to the Hall of Proclamation and Governance. “On the court just now, I saw you had your concerns. Now it’s just us two—tell me your thoughts.”
Faced with this question, Li Heng hesitated, the shadow of Xuanzong’s former ways still heavy upon him. After deliberating for some time, he finally said, haltingly, “Since Father has witnessed the situation, your son believes that Meng Hao, recommended by Li Linfu, might be best suited for Prefect of Chang’an. But Meng Hao is too closely tied to Li Linfu. As for Zhai Qu, recommended by Yang Guozhong, he is also appropriate, but with Yang Guozhong’s backing, that is problematic. Only Geng Wenjing, with the least complicated background, seems most suitable.”
“That’s a good insight. Now, do you know why I kept the other two in Chang’an, awaiting orders?”
“Father, pardon your son’s dullness.”
“Is it that you don’t know, or that you don’t wish to say? In future, speak openly with me—there’s no need for reservations.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I want to hear your honest opinion.”
“In my view, Father, it might be more fitting to appoint Zhai Qu as Prefect of Chang’an.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Currently, on the court, Chancellor Li Linfu’s faction is the most powerful, nearly impossible to rein in. Yang Guozhong’s influence has also grown rapidly in recent years and is nearly equal to Li Linfu’s, but not quite. By using Yang Guozhong’s nominee, Zhai Qu, you could strengthen his faction and also bind him to our service, thus balancing the Chancellor’s power and stabilizing the court.”
“That’s a fair assessment. However, right now, righteousness is in short supply at court, and neither Li Linfu nor Yang Guozhong are worthy of their positions. If their factions continue to grow unchecked, the government will become corrupt and its credibility will vanish. At such times, imperial authority must be used to vigorously support a third party. Good and evil are like yin and yang; water that is too pure has no fish, but if it’s too foul, not only are there no fish, the pond itself is ruined. Thus, throughout history, two powerful villains cannot coexist, yet they depend on and restrain each other. In this way, contradictions are resolved and progress is made jointly. It all depends on the ruler’s skill.”
“I do not fully understand, Father.”
Gao Buyi chuckled. “Do you really not understand?” His words made Li Heng’s heart skip a beat.
“Do not be afraid. Do you not understand why I have you observing government affairs? You are the Crown Prince of the Empire, and the future Emperor—none can challenge that. In these years of endless war, the common people suffer terribly and the nation is in need of rebuilding. You must listen closely to the officials at court, but also go among the people and learn their wants. Only by comparing both can you avoid being misled by self-serving ministers. The people are the foundation of the state—do you understand?”
“Yes, Father, I will remember.”
“It is not enough to remember. The counties under Chang’an Prefecture are all afflicted by disaster. I give you seven days to visit each one. When you return, prepare a relief proposal for me yourself.”
“Yes, Father!”
“Hui’er!”
Outside the palace doors, Shangguan Peihui heard Gao Buyi call for her and immediately entered. “Your servant is here!”
“Assign twenty guards from the Dragon Guard to protect the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Father!” Li Heng was overjoyed to hear that the elite Dragon Guard would be protecting him. He knew the Dragon Guard was a newly established, mysterious unit of the Emperor’s, filled with exceptional warriors and answering only to the throne. Now that the Emperor had assigned them to protect him and reaffirmed the security of his position as Crown Prince, the meaning was clear.
Once the prince had departed, Gao Buyi said to Shangguan Peihui, “Go to the secondary palace by the Taiye Pool and summon the concubines there. I will give them a lesson.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
When Gao Buyi arrived at the Taiye Pool, nearly all his consorts were present, delighting in the flowers and lively chatter. The sight of so many beautiful women, adorned in court attire, filled him with joy.
“These outfits need improvement. At the Academy, such formal dress is out of place.”
Only Shangguan Peihui, walking by his side, heard this. She glanced at her own clothes—nothing seemed amiss. Still, if the Emperor said change was needed, so be it. She was curious to see what new styles Gao Buyi would devise.
After teaching for half a day, Gao Buyi felt refreshed. Surrounded by so many wives, he couldn’t help but indulge in a bit of flirtation. If not for his aging body, he might have succumbed to temptation on the spot—some of them were truly bold, daring even to touch his trousers.
Back in the Hall of Proclamation and Governance, Gao Buyi set to work at his desk, sketching designs for horse-faced skirts, both triangular and square-cut undergarments, brassieres, and even stockings and towering heels. After finishing, he explained their uses to Shangguan Peihui, who blushed furiously, especially when he described the stockings and high heels as a beauty’s best friend and a man’s greatest weakness. She found herself eager to try them.
Once she understood everything, Gao Buyi added, “First, send these to the Clothing Bureau to have samples made. The horse-faced skirts and tops—black and blue for men, white, pink, red, and green for women. If all goes well, we might spark a fashion revolution, and these will become the uniforms of the Imperial Academy. The other items are not to be made public for now—keep them within the inner palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”