Chapter 34: Internal Strife Emerges in the Great Xia, the Xia Emperor Marvels at Whose Masterpiece This Is

Ye Lantian’s intentions were good, but reality was cruel.

Within the imperial court, officials from the aristocratic clans colluded, submitting memorials several times to demand the dismissal of a particular troublemaker. Ye Lantian, however, suppressed these attempts with an exceptionally iron-fisted attitude. Just as he believed he was on the verge of success, reality taught him a harsh lesson.

Dozens of officials from the Three Departments and Six Ministries knelt before the Houde Hall overnight, effectively staging a political siege. Ye Lantian, then in the prime of his vigor, would never have succumbed to such coercion. Yet, this mass kneeling brought the government to a near-total paralysis. After two days of stalemate, the administration of the capital, Shangjing, fell into absolute chaos. With no other choice, Ye Lantian had to compromise; he demoted the troublemaker and exiled him to a desolate, harsh region. Only then did the aristocratic officials relent and return to their respective posts.

It was then that Ye Lantian truly understood the terrifying power of these great clans and the extent of their influence as a malignant tumor within the imperial court. For this reason, he had spent these past years vigorously fostering the new faction from Guanxi, led by the Wei family, to serve as a check against these deep-rooted aristocratic houses.

...

In the Imperial Palace, within the Houde Hall, Emperor Ye Lantian of the Xia Dynasty sat at his desk, reviewing memorials. Though only fifty, his hair was already half-white, and his face was etched with the weariness of time; the deep furrows carved into his skin served as a testament to his extraordinary life.

At that moment, the old eunuch Gao Dejin approached and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhen requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, a trace of a smile appeared on Ye Lantian’s stern face, and his mood lightened considerably. "Quickly, bring him in."

Ye Lantian had never doubted the loyalty of Wei Wuji for a single moment. Without him, Ye Lantian would not have held the throne securely for sixteen years. Today, half of the burdens of the Great Xia were shouldered by Wei Wuji.

"As you command, Your Majesty," Gao Dejin replied before exiting the hall.

A moment later, Wei Wuji hurried into the chamber. "Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Ye Lantian waved him over happily. "Fuchen, have I not told you? In private, you and I may address each other as brothers."

Wei Wuji replied hastily, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, the distinction between sovereign and subject has been clear. Whether in public or private, the rules must be upheld."

Ye Lantian had said those words for sixteen years, and Wei Wuji had declined them for sixteen years. Yet, the sentiment they expressed never changed: Ye Lantian would always view Wei Wuji as a brother, and Wei Wuji would always remain loyal to the Ye family.

"Hahaha..." Ye Lantian’s heart swelled with joy at the sight of Wei Wuji. "Come, sit. I am quite troubled." His expression darkened immediately as he continued, "I have heard that there was quite a commotion in the capital last night, and that a registrar bound himself in confession for his crimes?"

Last night, after Liu Mingyuan left the Prince of Wu’s residence, he had someone find Liu Jingfu. Half an hour later, Liu Jingfu hanged himself in his own residence. The stated reason was that he had mistakenly arrested a servant from the Prince of Qin’s residence and accidentally injured the young eunuch Cao An and the imperial dog Wangcai, leading him to commit suicide out of fear of punishment.

However, the matter had already been suppressed by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, and it was not made public. Having walked this path himself, Ye Lantian naturally understood the reasons behind it. In the past, he would have investigated it to the very end. But now, his health was failing, and there was no telling when he might be bedridden. Moreover, the Great Xia still lacked a Crown Prince, which made Ye Lantian hesitant to probe too deeply into matters that could lead to widespread repercussions. After all, on this road, no one’s hands were clean. As long as things did not go too far, Ye Lantian could only tacitly permit it. Who else could he turn to? Ye Xun was incompetent, and among the many princes, choosing an heir left him conflicted and unable to decide.

Wei Wuji nodded slightly and mused, "Your Majesty is wise. What, then, is your intention?"

Ye Lantian picked up the teapot, poured a cup for Wei Wuji, and sighed, "These are troubled times; it is better to have one less problem than one more. Let the matter end with this registrar. It may serve as a lesson to that rebellious son of mine!" He then lowered his voice, "Fuchen, let us not hide anything from each other. Among the many princes, who do you favor most?"

The words hung in the air. Wei Wuji paused, surprised by the Emperor’s bluntness.

Looking at the current situation, the one with the most power was undoubtedly the Fourth Prince, Ye Chen. His mother was a noble consort, and his maternal grandfather, Nangong Ye, was the Chancellor. However, Nangong Ye was from an aristocratic background and had deep ties with the Jin family, one of the five great clans of Xia, through marriage. This not only disgusted Wei Wuji but also displeased the Emperor. If Ye Chen were to ascend the throne, the new Guanxi faction led by Wei Wuji would inevitably be suppressed, and the clans would dominate. All of Ye Lantian’s efforts over the years would be in vain.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant..." Wei Wuji hesitated, unable to answer.

Ye Lantian was not surprised. He said calmly, "Fuchen, this Great Xia empire was won by both you and me. We have ruled it together for sixteen years. In these sixteen years, I have been diligent and conscientious—lowering taxes, reducing corvée labor, reclaiming wasteland, digging irrigation canals—not even daring to build a single palace."

"All of this was to ensure the people of Xia think well of the Ye family and to provide them with a good life."

"Although the Great Xia has developed well these years and appears infinitely glorious, my health has been deteriorating, and undercurrents are surging within the borders."

"The four kings at the frontiers, the five great clans of Xia—which of them does not hold immense power?"

"I do not wish for all these years of effort to be wasted, only to end up making a wedding dress for someone else."

Ye Lantian turned around, looking at Wei Wuji with profound meaning. Both men knew that the prosperity of Great Xia would plummet the moment Ye Lantian collapsed. Princes vying for the throne, the rise of the clans, the conflict between the kings, internal troubles, and external threats...

Ye Lantian felt physically and mentally exhausted, as if he could already see the scene within the borders of Xia: rivers of blood, fields littered with corpses, and a land left in ruins. Now, he needed a stalwart Crown Prince, one capable of propping up a collapsing building, turning the tide, inheriting his legacy, and continuing the work of stripping the kings of their power and suppressing the clans.

After a pause, Wei Wuji pulled two poems from his robe. "Your Majesty, do not be anxious. I have two excellent compositions here to ease your mind."

*Sigh...*

Ye Lantian breathed a long sigh, sat at his desk, and picked up the poems.

*From the side, a whole range; from the front, a single peak;*
*Far, near, high, and low, each perspective is unique.*
*The true face of Mount Lu is hidden from my sight,*
*Only because I am standing in the midst of it.*

After reading the first, Ye Lantian could not help but smile. "A fine poem, truly a fine poem."

"Especially the latter half—the whimsical imagination captures the spirit of the mountain, surveying the whole from within. This poem is completely devoid of artifice; it is plain yet profound, finding deep meaning in simplicity. It is a rare masterpiece."

He then flipped to the second.

*The crescent moon like a bow, not yet strung,*
*Hangs clearly on the edge of the azure sky.*
*Let not the people say the brow of the mountain is small,*
*When it rounds to full, it will illuminate the world.*

After reading it, Ye Lantian nodded repeatedly, exclaiming, "A fine poem, this is also a fine poem. A young hero expressing his ambition through the moon."

"'When it rounds to full, it will illuminate the world'—what magnificent spirit!"

After reading the two masterpieces, Ye Lantian’s heavy heart felt much lighter. He looked at Wei Wuji with curiosity and asked, "Who composed these two poems?"