Holding the Emperor Hostage : Chapter 4: Usurper

Grand Commandant Huo Yan was a man of strong execution. As the ten cartloads of treasures were openly delivered to the palace, the iron wok, iron griddle, and wire mesh that Yin Shuhuai wanted also began to take shape.

Before Chongde Hall, the imperial guards who had escorted the treasures into the palace at the Grand Commandant’s command respectfully conveyed the Grand Commandant’s verbal message to Yin Shuhuai: “…If Your Majesty wishes to forge an iron wok, you may simply instruct the Iron Bureau.”

The Iron Bureau was the official agency of the Yin Dynasty that managed the smelting, casting, and trade of iron. During Emperor Li’s reign, the Iron Bureau had been subordinate to the Privy Purse (the emperor’s private treasury). After Emperor Li’s death, as imperial power in the Yin Dynasty gradually declined, the Iron Bureau’s jurisdiction had shifted from the Privy Purse to the Grand Minister of Agriculture.

The Grand Commandant Huo Yan had the young emperor issue a direct edict to the Iron Bureau. This appeared to be a delegation of power, but in reality, he wanted to use his informants within the Iron Bureau to monitor the emperor’s every move. Whether Yin Shuhuai truly wanted to forge iron implements for cooking, or was using the pretext of forging iron to secretly manufacture weapons, as long as Huo Yan controlled the source of iron casting, the young emperor could not jump out of his palm.

This was the first consideration.

Secondly, if the young emperor truly made a great fuss and issued an open edict to the Iron Bureau just to forge cooking implements, Huo Yan would certainly spread throughout the world the reputation of the emperor as a foolish ruler who was extravagant and debauched, cared only for the pleasures of the palate, and misused official equipment for private enjoyment. If the young emperor feared bearing this bad name and dared not issue the edict to the Iron Bureau, then it would prove that his previous act of selling offices and bartering titles was merely to deceive Huo Yan, and his heart was worthy of death.

Either lose his reputation or lose his life. No matter which the young emperor chose, he would be caught in a dilemma.

This was an open scheme.

Imperial Censor Liang Gong immediately saw through Huo Yan’s sinister intentions and stamped his feet in fury: “That old thief Huo Yan, truly treasonous and rebellious.”

“Minister, why grieve? Come quickly and help me see how much these ten cartloads of treasures are worth?”

Yin Shuhuai’s eyes were shining with excitement.

He had originally only wanted to use the position of Chancellor to exchange for some practical benefits. He had not expected Huo Yan to be so generous. Yin Shuhuai, who had never seen such fine things in either of his lifetimes, pulled Liang Gong along to admire the treasures sent by the Grand Commandant. He even enthusiastically declared that “those who see should have a share,” and told Liang Gong to pick one cartload of treasures to take home.

Liang Gong was in no mood to select treasures. Seeing the emperor so humiliated by that old thief Huo Yan, yet still forced to smile, his heart was simply being cut by a knife. “Your Majesty, rest assured. This humble minister will immediately leave the palace to visit the ministers and must expose the old thief Huo Yan’s treacherous plot to everyone!”

After speaking, Liang Gong immediately bowed and took his leave, departing the palace with a face full of grief and indignation.

Yin Shuhuai watched Liang Gong’s gradually receding figure and sighed with emotion: “Lord Liang is indeed deeply understanding of righteousness and utterly loyal. What do you all say, shall I appoint Lord Liang as Grand Tutor?”

The Grand Tutor ranked above the Three Excellencies. It carried an empty title without real power, yet it was the highest honor a subject could obtain in a feudal dynasty.

Yin Shuhuai did not actually think that Liang Gong was particularly loyal to the Yin house. After all, with the power of the Three Excellencies, if Liang Gong had truly been loyal to the imperial house, the four previous “lessons” would not have died so easily. But Liang Gong had indeed benefited Yin Shuhuai by openly opposing the plan to depose the emperor at Huo Yan’s banquet, risking his own life to do so. Yin Shuhuai felt he should repay kindness with kindness. The position of Grand Tutor was sitting empty anyway, so he might as well use it as a convenient favor.

The eunuch Zhuang Wuwei, who had just been expressing loyalty before the emperor, cast an unobtrusive glance at His Majesty.

The Grand Commandant Huo Yan was autocratic and domineering, forcing the emperor with his lowly status as a subject to appoint him as Chancellor. The emperor had no choice but to comply. Yet with a flip of his hand, he also appointed Liang Gong as Grand Tutor. Clearly, he intended to have the two stand against each other as equals.

The eunuchs who had been following Yin Shuhuai all bowed together: “Your Majesty is wise.”

Huh? He was wise already? It seemed he did have quite a talent for being emperor!

Yin Shuhuai basked in the repeated cries of “wise and enlightened Son of Heaven,” and gave himself a thumbs up in return.

A sudden gust of cold wind blew past, and Yin Shuhuai immediately sobered up. He turned to look at the attendants standing shivering in the cold wind and waved his hand grandly: “When the iron wok arrives, this wise and enlightened Son of Heaven will treat you all to something delicious.”

The eunuchs looked at the emperor who was so easily pleased, and were immediately moved to tears of gratitude, kneeling to thank him for his grace.

Yin Shuhuai laughed out loud. He had to admit, these people certainly gave him plenty of emotional value.

If this were a photo op at a tourist attraction, that would cost five hundred yuan per person!

After laughing, Yin Shuhuai returned to Chongde Hall, surrounded by numerous eunuchs.

Recalling the ten cartloads of treasures glittering in the sunlight, Yin Shuhuai immediately issued an order for the Secretariat to draft an edict, appointing Grand Commandant Huo Yan as concurrently serving as Chancellor, and promoting Imperial Censor Liang Gong to Grand Tutor.

Yin Shuhuai, having received ten cartloads of treasures, well understood the principle of taking money and doing the job. He not only wanted the Grand Commandant to see the efficiency of this puppet emperor and human shaped imperial seal, but also wanted the entire court to clearly understand that as long as “loyalty” was delivered, his imperial edicts could be summoned at any time.

As for whether they could hold their positions securely based on the edicts, that would depend on each person’s own ability.

*

The attendant who announced the edict had barely left when Commandant of the Palace Guards Dong Wan immediately turned hostile: “I knew that young emperor was restless. Sure enough, my prediction was correct.”

“It really was too easy for that scoundrel Liang Gong. To obtain the position of Chancellor, the Grand Commandant still had to send ten cartloads of treasures to Chongde Hall. That scoundrel only said a few painless, empty words at the banquet, and he actually won over the young emperor’s heart. He even actively issued an edict appointing Liang Gong as Grand Tutor…” Jiang Yang grew more indignant as he spoke, sneering repeatedly: “Acting so muddleheadedly, truly a foolish ruler.”

When Jiang Yang said this, he had obviously forgotten that they were the ones who wanted to throw dirty water on Yin Shuhuai, slandering him as a foolish emperor who sold offices for money, which was why they had made such a grand show of assembling ten cartloads of treasures to send into the palace.

Dong Wan also said with some discomfort: “If we had known that young emperor was so easy to talk to, we should have spoken up first and had His Majesty continue to appoint the Grand Commandant as Grand Tutor!”

“Lord Dong’s words are mistaken,” advisor Fan Juan said unhurriedly. “How do we know that His Majesty’s action is not intended to support Grand Tutor Liang in standing against the Chancellor as an equal?”

“Grand Tutor is merely an empty position. What use could it be?” Dong Wan dismissed it. “The Grand Commandant commands all the military forces in the world. Now that he has also been appointed Chancellor, he can rightfully assist the emperor in handling all court affairs, including the promotion and dismissal of all officials throughout the court.”

From now on, the entire court would be the Grand Commandant’s sole domain. A mere Grand Tutor, without troops or power, how could he stand against the Grand Commandant as an equal? By relying solely on his mouth?

The people in the hall burst into roaring laughter.

They knew what the young emperor was thinking. Nothing more than wanting to strengthen the pro imperial faction and sit back to watch the tiger and dragon fight. It was just a pity that he had overestimated Liang Gong. The man was neither a dragon nor a tiger, merely a pedantic old scholar.

Huo Yan casually placed the edict appointing him as Chancellor on the table and asked calmly: “Has the young emperor issued an edict to the Iron Bureau?”

Dong Wan, who had just been complaining about the young emperor’s restlessness, immediately replied: “He has. He also sent several silk paintings to the Iron Bureau, instructing them to forge an iron wok, iron griddle, wire mesh, and iron stove according to the designs on the paintings.”

Huo Yan slightly raised his brow and instinctively asked: “Iron stove?” Hadn’t he wanted to forge an iron wok, iron griddle, and wire mesh to cook food? What was this iron stove?

Jiang Yang took out several silk paintings from his bosom and presented them to Huo Yan with both hands: “Chancellor, please see.”

Huo Yan accepted the silk paintings and examined them carefully for a moment, then sneered coldly: “When the map is unrolled, the dagger is revealed. Nothing more than this.”

Huo Yan came from a military family. He not only understood military affairs but was also thoroughly familiar with the manufacture and use of weapons. He immediately connected the shapes of the iron griddle, pot lid, and stove hook to shields and sharp weapons.

His rough finger tapped on the silk painting as Huo Yan said leisurely: “It seems these few items are what the young emperor truly wants.” To hide shields and blades within the palace, the young emperor’s intentions were self evident.

Commandant of the Palace Guards Dong Wan frowned heavily and said in a rough voice: “I always said he was trouble. If we didn’t still want to use him to fish out the remaining forces of the Night Owl, I would have to learn from Zhang Jian and personally pour a bowl of…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Fan Juan: “Lord Dong, watch your words.”

Dong Wan resentfully closed his mouth. Fan Juan then bowed to Huo Yan and said: “His Majesty’s rebellious heart is now clear for all to see. My lord must make early preparations.”

Huo Yan lowered his head to look at the silk paintings, his eyes flickering, and killing intent suddenly arose.

Yin Shuhuai naturally had no idea that the Grand Commandant with his rich imagination (and his accomplices) had already demonized his iron griddle, pot lid, and stove hook. This was the gap of eras, and also an insurmountable gap between a clear eyed college student from a resource rich modern era and the political monsters of a feudal dynasty.

As Yin Shuhuai sat in the dining hall of deep winter, eagerly awaiting the iron wok stew he had been longing for, a courier rider from the State of Yan galloped into Luoyang city at full speed.

“Report!”

“Lord of Yan Shentu Yu has passed away from illness. Shentu Yang killed the Lady of Yan and the heir apparent Shentu Yuan at the funeral, then deployed thirty thousand troops at Shangdang and Henei Commanderies…”

The next day, the newly appointed Chancellor looked at the battle report from Yan and was simultaneously angry and ashamed. He had just taken office as Chancellor, and someone was already leading troops in rebellion. Were they deliberately going against him?

“I see this Shentu Yang intends to rebel!” Huo Yan was shocked and furious, wishing he could immediately dispatch troops to suppress the rebel. “Someone come…”

“My lord, wait a moment.” Fan Juan, who was always well informed and had a strong memory, pondered for a moment and dug up an old story from his memory: “Does my lord remember thirteen years ago, when Emperor Li passed away and the various regional lords were summoned back to the capital by edict? The Xiongnu took the opportunity to launch a large scale southern invasion, attacked the State of Yan, and abducted the wife of the Lord of Yan along with most of the people under his rule?”

Huo Yan said impatiently: “So what?”

“This Shentu Yang is the eldest son of the Lord of Yan who was abducted by the Xiongnu back then.” Fan Juan paused slightly here: “The current heir apparent of the State of Yan, Shentu Yuan, was born to a concubine.”

It was said that when the Xiongnu raided the borders back then, this concubine happened to be traveling with her son, following the Lord of Yan back to her parents’ home in Luoyang. She was extremely fortunate to have escaped the tragedy of being plundered by the Xiongnu. Not long after, she was elevated to principal wife by the Lord of Yan. The Lord of Yan doted on her greatly and even specifically submitted a memorial to the court, requesting that her son Shentu Yuan be appointed as heir apparent.

Commandant of the Palace Guards Jiang Yang suddenly recalled something: “Several months ago, the Great Chanyu of the Xiongnu passed away. His eldest son Yizhinu succeeded him but could not win the people’s support, so the Xiongnu court fell into internal chaos. I heard that a Han slave took the opportunity to lead eight hundred slaves in killing their way back to the State of Yan. Could this Han person be Shentu Yang?”

With Jiang Yang’s reminder, the others also vaguely recalled that there did indeed seem to have been such an incident. At the time, they had been busy eliminating Zhang Jian and had no mind to pay attention to the Xiongnu internal chaos.

They had not expected that several months later, this Shentu Yang would suddenly strike while the old Lord of Yan was dying of illness. Not only did he kill the Lady of Yan and the heir apparent, but he even dared to deploy troops at Shangdang Commandery and Henei Commandery.

Commandant of the Palace Guards Dong Wan’s heart stirred, and he immediately said: “The Xiongnu people have always been cruel and fierce. For this Shentu Yang to be able to lead eight hundred slaves in fighting through the Xiongnu, it is sufficient to see that he is a heroic figure. If my lord can recruit this person to his side, it will certainly be like adding wings to a tiger.”

“That is not appropriate.” An advisor immediately objected: “Shentu Yang is cruel and unprincipled. The evil reputation of killing his principal mother and younger brother has already spread throughout the world. Now that he has deployed troops at Shangdang and Henei, his intention of disloyalty is clear for all to see. If my lord recruits him, I fear he will suffer criticism from the court and countryside.”

“Who would dare criticize?” Commandant of the Palace Guards Dong Wan’s eyes bulged, and he said indignantly: “Setting aside the fact that Shentu Yang has the ability to fight through the Xiongnu, let’s talk about his killing of his principal mother and younger brother. That principal mother of his was a concubine elevated to principal wife, inherently illegitimate and improper. That younger brother of his also obtained his position improperly. I see this as clearly a Shentu family matter. Shentu Yang, in his capacity as the legitimate eldest son, cleaned house. What fault is there in that?”

“Then how do you explain his deploying troops at Shangdang and Henei, with his sword pointed at Luoyang?”

“Shangdang and Henei are both within the territory of the State of Yan. Shentu Yang mobilizing troops in his own fief, why does he need to explain to others?” Dong Wan argued unreasonably.

“If the name is not proper, then the speech is not smooth. The heir apparent of the State of Yan is Shentu Yuan. Shentu Yang is a commoner with no rank. He dares to kill a court appointed noblewoman and heir apparent. This act itself is equivalent to usurpation and rebellion, not to mention that he has also massed troops…”

“Enough!” Huo Yan’s face was ashen. He truly could not bear to hear the words “usurpation and rebellion.” He immediately slammed the table and rebuked: “Shentu Yang’s plot to kill people and raise troops in rebellion is conclusive evidence. Immediately request an edict from His Majesty, appoint Jiang Yang as General Who Suppresses Rebels, and lead one hundred thousand troops to Yan to suppress the rebellion!”