Legend of Concubine’s Daughter Minglan - Chapter 271
271. A Talk with Gongsun Baishi (3)
Translator: Iris
Gongsun Baishi stroked his beard and chuckled complacently, saying, “After that, the mutiny happened as we expected. When the war broke out, all the other generals have either acted hesitantly and stalled for time, or been unable to lead the army at once even if they wanted to fight the battle. However, in the troops Zhonghuai leaded, every order was executed without fail. Therefore Zhonghuai has managed to command the army down south. At that time, some people in the army with ulterior motives tried to trip Master up when the troops were marching by stalling sending the military orders. When two armies face each other standing in readiness, everything could become a matter of life and death. There mustn’t be the slightest slip. Thus Zhonghuai killed half of people with evil intentions and tied the other half up. Those people who were executed also included one old subordinate of Old General Gan and his nephew.”
“Ah.” Minglan uttered that lightly with an obviously surprised look in her eyes.
“It doesn’t matter if Master has been impeached or hated. One great advantage is able to counter other mild disadvantages! After His Majesty wiped out the rebel armies in the Jing Tan area and established a stable government, he became the wise emperor who would be worshiped by all the officials. After Zhonghuai won the war, he became the one who made the first contribution to the country! Shen, Duan, Geng, Liu and Zhong had no choice but to show loyalty!” Gongsun Baishi said that in a loud voice. He was in high spirits and his eyes sparkled..
Minglan really respected Gu Tingye for his courage and insight. However, she really wanted to ask, “Do all the things you have said have anything to do with my question?” Anyway, a person with high IQ normally had a bad temper. Minglan was afraid that he would leave right away if she asked that, so she couldn’t remind him that their topic had already been off the track.
“But this is a risky move, and a risky move can not be used all the time.” Gongsun Baishi put his hand on the arm of the chair and sat down while steadying his breath, “At last, Zhonghuai still has to do things step by step. He has to slowly build connections and make contributions. After all, it is not a good thing to offend too many people and do things too radically.”
Minglan nodded subconsciously, ‘Huh? Wait, I think I’ve heard those words before. A famous general who liked to drink Black Tea has once said the same thing.’
Thinking of that, she uttered unwittingly, “… The way to victory is assembling more troops and making fewer mistakes than the enemy. Then, fight hard. Using the few or the weak to defeat the enemy is never a common or a right way to battle.”
Hearing that, Gongsun Baishi was a little surprised and burst into laughter, “Madam, your words sound interesting and straight, but there is no lack of sense. That’s exactly what I was talking about.”
Minglan gave a dry laugh. She almost forgot all the legal provisions she had learned in her previous life but still remembered a character in a novel. All those years of education she had received from the Party and the nation failed to impress her as a novel with lots of handsome male characters did. Such a shame.
“Zhonghuai is just a new general in a second class with no noble title or political foundation. Although His Majesty trusts him a lot, those ministers, officials in the Cabinet, the Grand Secretary could still pick on Master… It is hard for Master to gain a firm foothold or be promoted again.” After saying that, Gongsun Baishi let out a deep hoarse sigh which echoed in the hall.
Minglan was speechless. She never thought that there were so many difficulties in his career.
“So, let’s get back to the beginning. What kind of person is His Majesty?”
Gongsun Baishi held up the tea cup and skimmed the scums slightly. Then he took a sip of the tea to wet his throat, and then continued, “His Majesty became a seignior when he was a teenager and lived by the border of the Shu State ever since. So he didn’t have any helpers in the army, the court or the royal palace. However, his advisers who worked for him when he has been a prince are quite capable. Ever since His Majesty came back to the capital, every move of him was marvelous and everything he did was reasonable.”
Minglan knew about that because her father and brother had also mentioned that before. Then she chimed in, “And it is because of two words, filial piety.”
“That’s right.” Gongsun Baishi said smilingly while thinking, ‘She’s from a scholar’s family, that explains her good education.’ Then he said, “His Majesty has slept on the ground beside our former emperor’s bed for half a month in order to serve the latter decoction. By doing that, His Majesty would be confident to confront all the officials and generals. His Majesty has chosen no one for his harem, worn frugal clothes and eaten simple food for three years in order to observe mourning for our former emperor. By doing that, he could fiercely punish those noble people who lived extravagant lives. For example, when His Majesty gave punishments to the unfilial people, he was highly appreciated by the upright officials.”
Minglan calmed down slowly. Although he didn’t answer her question straightly, he seemed to have said everything.
She finally unclenched her fist and listened to him with her head raised in silence. The room was so quiet that she could even hear her own heartbeat. This was the first time she found how intriguing the political tactics could be. Although Gongsun Baishi’s words sounded calm, she found them quite soul-stirring.
“Sir, you haven’t finished yet, right?”
Her voice sounded calm and gentle like the drop of water dribbling on the smooth stone stairs from the eaves after the rain.
Minglan looked at the basin which was full of ice and said, “Doing everything reasonably and being confident to confront others, those all sounded unreasonable. His Majesty was chosen to be the crown prince by our former emperor. Even if he didn’t do anything reasonably, so what? He would probably receive a few statements of advice, and that’s all. No one would deny him as our emperor. Sir, tell me, what is the thing that you and others are afraid of?”
She raised her head with her spring-like clear eyes fixed on the man in front of her straightly.
Gongsun Baishi stopped waving his fan with the smile on his face vanishing. After he stared at Minglan for a while, he said in a flat tone, “Madam, you are right. However, His Majesty wasn’t the only crown prince.”
Minglan didn’t understand his words. ‘Third Prince and Fourth Prince both died. Fifth Prince was executed for his crime of insurrection. Six Prince was deprived of his noble identity. Seventh Prince had died at a young age. Wasn’t it a matter of course that Eighth Prince ascended the throne? What are you guys worrying about?”
She got a bit confused and didn’t know why she felt a bit uneasy when her conclusion was perfectly right. It was like there was a drum being played slowly by her ears. Hearing the heavy sound of the drums getting closer and closer to her, she was suddenly struck by an idea. Then she blurted out,
“It’s Lord Yu! The young lord who used to be the son of the Sixth Prince and was adopted by the Third Prince afterwards!”
Gongsun Baishi praised Minglan inwardly. Then he gave an obeisance to her with a serious look and said, “Madam, I’m impressed by your great intelligence and insight. It’s indeed because of the young lord who hasn’t turned ten years told. You see, our former emperor has permitted the adoption and also written an imperial edict to appoint Third Prince as the Crown Prince. Before our former emperor could declare that edict in the country, the rebellion broke out.”
While saying that, the old man sighed, “When our former emperor was seriously ill, so many people howled beside his sickbed and advised him to appoint the young lord as the crown prince. Luckily, our former emperor was wise enough to know that our country still needs a grown-up emperor. If he chose a child to be the next emperor, the relatives of the royal family and the powerful ministers would definitely scramble for the power and position, which would bring about huge trouble. Therefore, our former emperor ignored the crying and begging of Empress Dowager Sheng De and made His Majesty’s biological mother as the Empress, and then appointed His Majesty as the crown prince. Alas… Only a few people know about this secret of the royal family.”
