Chapter 79: The Art of Kingship

The Honglu Temple, once known as the Grand Minister of Protocol, derives its name from the idea of proclaiming announcements in a resounding voice and guiding proper etiquette. Within the court, its chief responsibility is the administration of ceremonial matters. All major state rituals, suburban sacrifices, ancestral offerings, and imperial assemblies ought properly to be prepared by the Honglu Temple. However, following the Han dynasty envoy Zhang Qian’s missions to the Western Regions, diplomatic exchanges between nations grew ever more frequent, and the Honglu Temple took on the management of hospitality for foreign envoys.

Seemingly a minor institution, it was, in truth, indispensable to the imperial court. Since antiquity, the Han people have cherished decorum; thus, the Honglu Temple often served as the very face of the dynasty. Yet now, envoys from Persia and Byzantium had been murdered within the city of Chang’an. Should word of this spread, what face would the court of Great Tang have left? What of the Emperor Taizong’s own dignity? How could Li Shimin not be enraged? The Minister of Honglu Temple understood the gravity of the matter; so, at Li Shimin’s first inquiry, he immediately knelt down.

“Rein in my anger? Ha, I am not even angry yet! Speak, what happened? Where did the men die?”

“Your Majesty, at noon today, the Persian envoy, Xerxes Yide, departed the Honglu Temple, saying he wished to visit the Eastern Market to buy porcelain. The Byzantine envoy, Marcus, insisted on accompanying him. I thought, the Eastern Market is not far from the temple, and the eastern city is well guarded, with patrols from Yongzhou Prefecture and the Court of Judicial Review, so I did not prevent them. Unexpectedly, soon after they set out, both were found dead in Changle Ward, each pierced through the heart in a single fatal blow.”

“Hmph. Lord Li Peng, what do you mean by this? His Majesty asked you where the men died—why involve my Court of Judicial Review and Yongzhou Prefecture? Are you suggesting my court failed in its duty, or that Yongzhou Prefecture neglected its charge to safeguard Chang’an? Your Majesty, please see the truth and uphold justice for us.”

“Lord Xiang, do not slander me. I never intended such a thing.”

“Hmph, you did not?”

The Prefect of Yongzhou stepped forward, eyes blazing, glaring fiercely at the Honglu Temple minister.

“It was your negligence and dereliction of duty, failing to assign men to escort the envoys, that led to this disaster. Now, before His Majesty, you feign distress—such deceit is a crime against the throne!”

“Tian Sihai, this is intolerable! How dare you speak so recklessly before His Majesty? Have you no sense of proper conduct between ruler and minister? What sort of scholar are you?”

For a moment, the Minister of Honglu Temple and the prefects of Yongzhou and Judicial Review quarreled furiously, their dispute so heated that even the eunuchs and maids waiting outside could sense the storm brewing within the Ganlu Hall.

“Enough. Cease your bickering! Ah… you argue in court, and again after court—is it so hard to grant me peace of mind, to let me live a few more years?”

“Your Majesty, we are guilty beyond forgiveness!”

Seeing Li Shimin press his forehead, weariness etched upon his face, all the ministers but the golden-armored general and the seated young man immediately knelt and bowed their heads to the ground.

Li Shimin heaved a long sigh, remaining silent for a while before he spoke: “Xuancheng, as Director of the Imperial Library, you are entrusted with the classics—learned in all things, versed in past and present. Last night, a great fire broke out in the Western Market; today, so many have been brutally slain. What is your view? Are these two incidents connected?”

“Your Majesty!”

Wei Zheng lifted his head, glanced around, then rose from the floor, his face solemn. Li Shimin did not look at him, but sat with eyes closed, radiating a silent, imperious dignity.

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“Since the days when the High Ancestor rose in arms, turmoil has swept the land, and the people have known no peace. To this day, many still go hungry and cold. From the memorials submitted by the prefectures, uprisings and rebellions are too numerous to count. The Great Tang appears united, but without, the Turks and Tibetans cast covetous eyes, and even the Khitans have formed the Great He Alliance, intent on invading our Hebei provinces. Within, demons run rampant, the provinces have become fiefdoms, and local sects and cults spring up everywhere. The people cannot live and work in peace, and thus evil thoughts arise. How can such a world be truly at peace? If the world is not at peace, how can Chang’an or Your Majesty’s palace be untroubled?”

Wei Zheng spoke with utter conviction, fixing Li Shimin with his gaze, each word making the assembled officials’ faces darken. Li Shimin’s hands, resting upon his knees, trembled with restrained fury, his anger barely contained.

Though Li Shimin did not speak, his ministers could not hold back. Changsun Wuji jerked his head up, glaring at Wei Zheng, and roared, “How dare you, Wei Zheng! What do you mean by this? Are you blaming the Supreme Emperor for raising the standard of revolt, or blaming His Majesty for misgoverning the realm? I see you’ve taken leave of your senses, daring to speak such confusion before the throne. Had His Majesty and the Supreme Emperor not risen against the Sui, the people would have perished under the Yang clan’s heel! Your Majesty, Wei Zheng has spoken out of turn and insulted the Dragon Throne—please punish him for his disrespect!”

“Lord Changsun speaks truly! We all agree!”

The officials bowed again, this time in unison, demanding that Li Shimin issue an order to punish Wei Zheng. Yet Wei Zheng remained standing, his eyes fixed on Li Shimin, as if the others did not exist. To the assembled officials, this was further evidence of arrogance and disregard for rank.

At this time, Wei Zheng was but Director of the Imperial Library, a minor office, without rank or title. Only the Emperor’s favor allowed him to participate in affairs of state. Compared to the grand ministers and departmental heads, he was lowly indeed. Even they dared not speak so boldly before the Emperor—Wei Zheng’s conduct could only arouse their wrath.

Suddenly, silence fell upon Ganlu Hall, the air thick and heavy with tension. After a dozen heartbeats, Li Shimin abruptly opened his eyes and rose from the dragon bed.

“Rise, all of you. Xuancheng spoke not amiss—water can bear a boat, or overturn it. The Supreme Emperor took up arms because the Sui was lawless, Yang Guang was a tyrant, and the people starved. The common folk, unable to endure, left their homes to follow my Li clan in rebellion. Though peace has slowly returned, disasters and calamities are ever present. The court has done some work, but it is far from enough. I often wonder—does Heaven refuse us peace, or am I, Li Shimin, unworthy to be Emperor?”

“Your Majesty! You must not belittle yourself so!”

“Your Majesty is blameless—it is all our fault, our incompetence, our guilt is beyond forgiveness!”

Li Shimin’s words left all the officials aghast; they kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming from the eyes of Changsun Wuji and the Judicial Review minister, while even Wei Zheng’s face changed and he too knelt again.

“Your Majesty!”

The golden-armored general suddenly stepped forward, his voice trembling, but Li Shimin waved him to silence.

“Jingde, do not worry—I am fine. Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, you two, summon all ministers of the six boards and nine courts, all officials of the fourth rank and above, to the palace at once. I shall show the world that Chang’an is unshaken, and my palace stands firm. Ministers of Judicial Review and Yongzhou Prefecture.”

“We are here!”

“Withdraw all city patrols—leave only discreet surveillance. If you discover the assassin or any suspicious person, you may execute first and report later. Jingde, leave only the South Barracks to guard the palace; have the Imperial Guards withdraw to the North Barracks. All Flying Cavalry officers of sixth rank and above are to don plain clothes and assist the Court of Judicial Review in their investigation. I would see who dares trespass in my palace!”

“Your Majesty, the palace is the heart of the court, the lifeblood of the Tang! Your safety…”

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“No matter. With you, Yuchi Jingde, by my side, who would dare set foot in my palace? Besides, the Minister of the Yin-Yang Temple is ever at hand—should even Jing Ke be reborn, what could he accomplish?”

Li Shimin glanced at the white-robed man at his bedside, his gaze sharp as lightning, spirit undiminished. Though newly enthroned, just past thirty, he governed with decisive vigor, his commands as fluid as clouds and water. Changsun Wuji and the others nodded in approval, no one dissenting.

“And as for the Honglu Temple—the Turkish marriage envoy arrives in Chang’an tomorrow. Receive them with the honor due a Khagan; I will have Li Jing accompany you.”

“But, Your Majesty, the envoy is only the Ninth Princess of Khagan Jieli. To greet her with the rites of a Khagan not only violates protocol, but is a slight to Your Majesty.”

“My mind is set, say no more. I want the Turks to see that the Tang is a land of ritual. If we treat a princess with such honor, how much more the Khagan himself? Was it not said just now that someone masqueraded as a disciple of the Nether Sect to cause chaos? This will silence all rumors.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

“Enough, to your duties. Fuji, Jingde, remain.”

With a wave of Li Shimin’s hand, the officials withdrew, and in a moment, only Changsun Wuji, Yuchi Jingde, and the ever-silent, eyes-shut white-robed man remained in Ganlu Hall. This man was none other than the mysterious Minister of the Yin-Yang Temple, supreme head of the Imperial Shrine and the Demon Suppression Academy.

“Fuji, I have heard that in your household dwell a master and disciple skilled in physiognomy, able to judge fortune and fate. They are also adept at augury, versed in the Six Ren and Five Phases. Many officials have consulted them for divination—are their talents genuine?”

“Your Majesty, indeed there are such men. The elder once served as magistrate of Shu during the Wu De era. Now, both live in my house.”

“Oh? If you hold them in such regard, they must be exceptional. The Tang needs talents—let them serve the court. Though I detest those sects and cults that are so rife, as long as they are loyal to the court and the people, I shall treat them with honor. As for the imperial examinations, I intend to gather talent from all corners—this concerns the fate of the dynasty. No matter who opposes, the examinations must be conducted flawlessly. You are Minister of Rites—see that nothing goes awry.”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, even at the cost of my life, I will see the examinations…”

Changsun Wuji nodded, ready to pledge himself with fervor, but before he could finish, the candles in Ganlu Hall suddenly flickered.

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