Chapter 111: Turmoil in the Imperial Court

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Xiangyang City, Imperial Academy.

“Have you heard? The former military strategist has returned!”
“This morning, news from home said he’s now the Deputy Censor-in-Chief.”
“I once heard he was demoted to county magistrate of Fuchun. I was truly indignant—how could the Chancellor fail to recognize talent? Now it seems I was the fool.”
“Lately, the old generals have dominated court affairs, and progress on the agricultural settlement has been slow. This official’s assignment to Fuchun must have been a visit of some significance. I wonder what storm his return will stir.”
“Whatever happens, the court will not be calm today.”
“Court is in session!”
“Woo~”

The elder ministers and generals removed their shoes at the entrance and entered the main hall. Sun Ce wore his long sword and sat beside Emperor Liu Xie. Despite his youth, a few strands of white hair had appeared on the emperor’s head, his face pale and fatigued.

Though there were Han officials present, none truly represented the Han.

Jiang Wen walked slowly outside the hall, glancing at a nearby clerk whose face was ordinary and kind, with a hint of youthful innocence—just a recent graduate from the Imperial Academy.

Jiang Wen withdrew his gaze, tightened his grip on his bamboo tablet, and continued ascending the stone steps.

“We, your subjects, pay homage to the Son of Heaven. Long live the Emperor!”
“Summon Deputy Censor-in-Chief Jiang Wen!”

Jiang Wen entered the hall. The ministers on either side scrutinized him with varying expressions.

Sun Jing narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled.

Lü Meng, seeing the bamboo slips in Jiang Wen’s hand, turned his gaze away.

“I, Deputy Censor-in-Chief Jiang Wen, pay homage to the Son of Heaven and the Chancellor!” Jiang Wen knelt and saluted.

“Rise, my dear minister,” Sun Ce said.
“Thank you, Chancellor.”

Jiang Wen took his place among the first row of civil officials, while Lü Meng and Zhou Yu stood among the military officers.

“I, Grand Court Judge Gu Yong, have a matter to report!”

“Speak.”

“The Chancellor once arrested many officials, but many have since been released. Only a few remain imprisoned. With the Chancellor’s grace, may these remaining be freed?”

“Release them. There is no use keeping them.”

“As you command!”

“I, Minister of Personnel Sun Fu, have a report! The realm is unsettled; the emperor is worried, and the old generals often think of both the Son of Heaven and the Chancellor. Recently, many erudite scholars have been sought among the common folk. We ask the Chancellor to decide!”

Sun Fu lowered his head and handed a letter to Sun Ce.

Sun Ce glanced at it briefly and set it aside. “The old generals truly care deeply. Your efforts are appreciated.”

“We serve the Chancellor with utmost dedication and do not consider it hardship!”

“I, Strategist-General Zhou Yu, have a report!”

“Speak.”

“The East has been pacified, and war no longer rages. The people live in peace. However, Jingzhou is a hub with many routes and a strategic battleground. I propose that the emperor relocate the capital to Jianye. This would both use imperial authority to pacify the East and ensure the emperor’s safety.”

“I second that!” Sun Jing stepped forward.

“I second it as well,” Zhang Zhao added.

Sun Ce looked at Liu Xie behind him. “Your Majesty, what do you think?”

Liu Xie started slightly. “Ah, what my minister just said—I did not quite catch it. You may decide these matters for me. There’s no need to trouble me.”

“Very well. The capital relocation is urgent. Begin execution tomorrow. Cheng Pu!”

“At your service!”

“Do you think you can undertake this responsibility?” Sun Ce asked.

Cheng Pu glanced at Liu Xie, replying somewhat reluctantly, “I obey.”

Zhou Yu and the others returned to their ranks. Sun Ce stood, straightening his garments. “Any other reports?”

“I, Deputy Censor-in-Chief Jiang Wen, have a memorial to present!”

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Jiang Wen stepped forward among the civil officials and produced his bamboo slips. “I, Jiang Wen, have a new policy for the Chancellor’s review!”

“A new policy? What new policy?”

“Our affairs are running smoothly. What use is a new policy now?”

“Looks like Jiang, the Academic Dean, has not been idle. Even as a county magistrate in Fuchun, he’s concocting something.”

The civil officials were stirred—some uneasy, some curious, others mocking. To them, a newcomer to the court producing a new policy was likely just a source of ridicule.

In the end, it would probably be nothing but a joke.

Yet Jiang Wen was unmoved by the surrounding surprise. He looked at Sun Ce and said evenly, “The new policy is the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng system. The court will establish Zhongzheng posts, divided into senior and junior ranks, appointed by the Secretariat from various regions.

“Once the Zhongzheng are selected, their duty is to select and register talents from their regions. Each Zhongzheng assigns ranks to these talents.

“Talents with high ranks may enter the court directly and receive appointments from the Chancellor, while lower ranks travel and serve as officials in the provinces.

“Ranking depends on family background, conduct, and literary works, with final approval by the Secretariat…”

Such audacity! The civil officials exchanged glances, their shock evident.

Military affairs are the state’s foremost concern; whoever holds military power controls the fate of the nation. These powers were not held by the Chancellor or the emperor, but by the old generals.

Sun Fu had just reported on personnel selection, and now Jiang Wen’s bold words followed immediately.

Every word in this new policy openly challenged the old generals!

This struck fear into the civil officials—Jiang Wen was courting death.

Many civil officials shook their heads in disappointment. They knew Jiang Wen’s poetry and his battlefield exploits and had some regard for him.

But now, they deemed him utterly foolish.

“What nonsense is this Deputy Censor saying? New policy? Whose new policy?” Cheng Pu finally lost his temper.

Not only him, many generals wore angry expressions, but only Cheng Pu spoke.

His voice thundered, cutting Jiang Wen off: “The Han’s recommendation system has lasted over a hundred years. It is the foundation of the court and the root of the realm. It is our ancestors’ law. How can you change this lightly with a few words?”

Wu Jing stepped forward: “Chancellor, the Deputy Censor must have forgotten himself after returning from Fuchun. Such arrogance, to speak so before the Chancellor and the emperor!”

Han Dang joined: “The Chancellor has not changed his father’s ways for three years. This recommendation system is ancestral law. With Marquis Guan Wu having just departed, reforms must not be made lightly. Moreover, this reckless man should be punished!”

Some conservative civil officials naturally sided with the old generals; ancestral laws must not be altered!

“Silence!” Sun Ce roared, holding Jiang Wen’s bamboo slips but without reading them. He had known the contents all along and had been watching the ministers carefully since the start.

Cheng Pu and the other generals glared fiercely at Jiang Wen.

Sun Ce took a few steps forward, then tossed the bamboo slips aside, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

He spoke words that surprised everyone.

“Deputy Censor, you seem to have given much thought to this, presenting such a gift to me upon your return. But as the old generals have said, we already have a system for selecting officials. When have we needed something like this?”

Sun Ce spoke calmly: “I called you back to Xiangyang to offer me counsel. These matters are not yours to worry about. Instead of dwelling on this, better consider how to consolidate Jingzhou and deal with Cao Cao in Hebei!”

“That will be all for today. Dismissed!”

Sun Ce’s anger caused many of the old generals to freeze, exchanging bewildered glances.

Sun Ce and Jiang Wen had been friends long ago, a fact everyone knew. Sun Ce had stood by him!

But his current response stunned them. Why?

Cheng Pu suddenly understood and signaled to the others. Many old generals nodded with knowing smiles—it must be because of that past incident!

Others were absent, but these generals had been present that day and knew why Sun Ce had fallen out with Jiang Wen and demoted him to county magistrate of Fuchun.

It was because Jiang Wen advised Sun Ce against attending a funeral. Though Sun Ce later complied, the incident created a deep rift between them.

This was why such a situation had arisen.

The officials gradually left the hall. Jiang Wen calmly moved aside, retrieved the letter, with Zhou Yu and Lü Meng standing behind him.

“Return to your residence.”

Chancellor’s Mansion.

“Since Bofu became Chancellor, we often come here for drinks, but today is the most joyful day. Cheers!”

“Hahaha, Bofu truly is united with us,” said Cheng Pu and the other old generals, drinking and celebrating. “Bofu, we are brothers who fought alongside your father. As long as we stand, you need not worry about the realm—we will fight for you!”

“Yes, Bofu, it’s right not to implement Jiang Wen’s new policy. Changing ancestral laws is nonsense!”

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“Yes, Bofu, in my opinion Jiang Wen has long been a wedge between us. You did right this time!”

“Enough talk, let’s drink!”

“Cheers!”

Sun Ce’s face flushed slightly as he said to Cheng Pu, “Old General, after escorting the Son of Heaven to Jianye, please stay awhile to help the emperor purge some petty schemers, preventing slanderous words from reaching him.”

“You know, old general, though many Han officials have died, some remain…”

“I know well,” Cheng Pu laughed heartily and drained his cup, then saluted Sun Ce. “Forgive me for the presumption. I will prepare to leave now.”

“Chancellor, Deputy Censor-in-Chief Jiang Wen requests an audience outside!”

Cheng Pu was about to rise but froze, his expression turning chilly. Sun Ce looked at the old generals and feigned anger, “What does he want? Tell him not to come today!”

“He says he has a new policy for the Chancellor.”

“Tell him to get lost.”

“Very well, I shall return to prepare. Farewell!”

Cheng Pu staggered out, eyeing the carriage ahead. Not far away, Jiang Wen was about to leave.

“Hurry and catch up!”

Jiang Wen walked slowly as a carriage approached. Cheng Pu lifted the curtain; Jiang Wen bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, old general.”

Cheng Pu looked at Jiang Wen’s official robes, clicked his tongue, and said, “Master Jiang, when you stayed in Fuchun, you were still that invincible strategist stirring the battlefield—truly admirable.

“But now you’ve returned with this thing. Do you understand what it means? You better restrain yourself.”

Cheng Pu patted Jiang Wen’s shoulder. Jiang Wen glanced at the hand but remained unmoved.

“Chancellor, we take our leave. Today truly is a good day!”

“But beware—Jiang Wen’s new policy is a grave threat to us.”

Sun Ce’s expression gradually regained calm. “Have someone tidy up.”

Jiang Wen’s Residence.

Zhou Yu and Jiang Wen drank wine.

“Though it has begun, it’s not too late to stop,” Zhou Yu said.

“Since it has begun, why stop? It is a perilous path, but fortune favors the bold. Only by completing the new policy can we forge a brand-new nation.”

“That’s nothing. What did Bofu say?” Lü Meng asked angrily. “He promised yesterday to aid Changsu but said that in court today!”

“That’s not Bofu’s fault,” Jiang Wen replied. “Promoting reforms is never easy. The court’s sentiment today is overwhelmingly against us. He probably spoke that way knowing it was too early.”

“Indeed, it’s difficult. I saw old generals entering General Cai Mao’s mansion repeatedly. Though Bofu doesn’t take it seriously, the old generals sense the danger.”

“Tomorrow I will visit the mansion as well.”

Cai Mao’s Mansion.

Cai Mao narrowed his eyes and shot an arrow. It struck the target with a “tac.”

“Master, the Deputy Censor-in-Chief requests an audience.”

“Send him to my main hall. Bring two jars of good wine.”

“Yes!”

Jiang Wen took a sip and knelt on the cushion. A maid looked on admiringly.

“Deputy Censor, your words in court yesterday truly earned my respect. You never cease to shock,” Cai Mao said with a smile, seated in the main seat. “But I assume your visit today concerns yesterday’s court affair?”

Jiang Wen saluted. “General, you are perceptive. I will not speak further. This is indeed the purpose of my visit.”

Cai Mao said calmly, “You helped me avenge my father’s death. I am grateful. But I cannot agree to this, for it endangers the entire Cai family!”

“Historically, reformers, though successful, met tragic ends and implicated their families. The Cai clan numbers seven or eight thousand. Should harm come, not only the elders but innocent children would suffer!”

Jiang Wen lowered his eyes, looking at the table. “I see old generals continually visiting your mansion…”

“I am grateful to you, Deputy Censor. I know you risk your life to aid me. Were it not for you, my father’s murderer might still roam free. I assure you, the Cai clan will remain neutral, taking no side!”

Jiang Wen stood and saluted Cai Mao. “With your words, General, I am already satisfied.”

“Some advice from me: you may check and balance, but do not obstruct. This new policy threatens the old generals’ power. For now, it is not dangerous, but soon it will be. For your kindness to me, I say: stop now, while you still can.”

Jiang Wen saluted again. “Thank you for your counsel, General. I take my leave.”