There were two types of loyalty: one tended toward loyalty to an individual, while the other tended toward loyalty to a position.

For Han Ruzi, the Empress and Zhang Youcai belonged to the former type. Whether he was Emperor or Weary Marquis, he could count on their loyalty. Liu Jie and Xiao Sheng, who died for the cause in Jincheng City, belonged to the latter type. Regardless of who became Emperor, their loyalty remained largely unaffected.

Han Ruzi perused historical records and discovered that most emperors distinguished clearly between these two types of loyalty. They indulged and pampered the former type, treating them as family members, which often puzzled outsiders and drew criticism from historians. Toward the latter type, emperors constantly maintained an air of authority, conducting business formally in ordinary times, yet might show mercy at crucial moments.

Han Ruzi himself was no exception to this pattern. The difference lay in addressing some people as “I” and others as “We.”

There were also some people for whom loyalty or disloyalty mattered little. Not only would they not bow to an emperor, but even if deities descended from heaven, they would observe for a while, confirming that the deities truly benefited them before kneeling in worship. Otherwise, they preferred to stand aside and watch.

Ironically, these very people might possess exceptional talents in certain areas. Yang Feng and Meng E were such individuals—they had their own ideas that even the Emperor could not control.

Han Ruzi closed the book, feeling both excited and bewildered. Being Emperor was perhaps the most complex identity in the world, extremely challenging. No wonder most people failed at being Emperor, and some even showed obvious weariness, yet no one could let go—all held on tightly.

Han Ruzi was willing to accept the challenge.

Chief Overseer Liu Jie entered and said softly, “Your Majesty, Jing Yao has arrived.”

Han Ruzi nodded, signaling the Chief Overseer to wait a moment, and said, “Lord Liu is familiar with palace protocols. Do you think what I’m doing is appropriate?”

Han Ruzi had followed Yang Feng’s advice and decided to employ Jing Yao again, but he could not restore him to his original position, nor could he avoid Liu Jie.

Liu Jie had once been Jing Yao’s subordinate, but was now his superior. He showed no dissatisfaction with the Emperor’s decision. On the contrary, he appeared to value Jing Yao highly. “Lord Jing has served in the palace for many years, and his experience is unmatched. Although he was demoted by the Empress Dowager, he committed no serious crime. Your Majesty’s employment of him now poses no problem.”

“Good. I remember Lord Liu mentioned that Jing Yao excels at gathering information?”

“That’s correct. He can always find suitable personnel and can distinguish whether the information they report is true or false.”

“Who is currently responsible for this matter in the palace?”

“There is no permanent position, nor should one be openly established. When Your Majesty gives orders, they act; when there are no orders, they disperse.”

Using eunuchs to gather intelligence would arouse the suspicion of court officials. Han Ruzi understood this principle. “Let him enter.”

Jing Yao entered trembling and knelt at the doorway. After receiving permission, he crawled forward, addressing His Majesty. Before saying anything else, tears streamed down his aged face.

The former Chief Overseer had been reduced to chopping wood and sweeping floors in the palace. Suddenly receiving the Emperor’s summons was like a hand reaching down from the clouds into the depths of a mud pit. Naturally, Jing Yao was moved to tears of gratitude.

Han Ruzi accepted this calmly, for he understood this was the Emperor’s power.

Only the Emperor could openly wield the power of life and death, with a single word capable of elevating someone to the heavens or casting them down to earth. This was how the Emperor controlled power beyond ten steps and within a thousand li. Those who did not use this power remained confined within ten steps for life, while those who abused it could invite threats even from a thousand li away.

When Jing Yao had finished crying, Han Ruzi waved his hand, having Liu Jie present a handkerchief. Jing Yao received it with both hands, but still used his dirty sleeves to wipe the tears and snot from his face. He knew he had expressed his attitude sufficiently—from now on, he needed to use real ability to impress the Emperor.

Han Ruzi inquired how Jing Yao, while in the palace, could gather information from all corners of the realm. Jing Yao rallied his spirits and explained in great detail. It turned out he had no secret organization. When he wanted to investigate matters, he would select different minor clerks from various government offices, promise them certain benefits, and have them bypass official channels to find more peripheral people to gather information. Several lines of inquiry operated without knowledge of or interference with each other. Finally, the information was compiled together and cross-verified to ensure accuracy.

Such matters were easy to talk about but difficult to execute. Jing Yao had spent over ten years selecting a group of officials to become his regular collaborators. As for compensation, gold and silver were minor considerations; more important was certain information from within the palace, especially regarding the promotion and demotion of officials. The minor clerks could use this information to curry favor with or seek revenge against certain officials.

After Jing Yao fell from favor, all these channels were severed.

Jing Yao kowtowed repeatedly, swearing that he had never revealed true palace secrets—only news that would eventually become public anyway, allowing the minor clerks to know it a day or two in advance.

Han Ruzi said nothing and nodded to Liu Jie, who withdrew, leaving the Emperor alone with Jing Yao for a private conversation.

With his forehead touching the ground, Jing Yao, as an experienced old eunuch, understood all too well what a private audience meant—it was both danger and opportunity, requiring the utmost caution.

Han Ruzi was also proceeding cautiously. Using imperial power on someone like Jing Yao required particular care. If handled well, it would provide additional support; if there were any flaws, it could nurture a vicious wolf that might even turn to bite the Emperor himself.

Han Ruzi remained silent for a long time, until Jing Yao’s back began trembling again from nervousness and confusion, before finally speaking: “When did you enter the palace?”

“The nineteenth year of the Peaceful Emperor’s reign.”

The Peaceful Emperor was the Martial Emperor’s father. Jing Yao had entered the palace as a child and had now served for over fifty years.

“Mm, that’s quite a long time.”

Jing Yao didn’t understand the Emperor’s meaning and dared not respond while prostrated on the ground.

After another moment of silence, Han Ruzi asked: “You have witnessed many palace conflicts, have you not?”

Jing Yao quickly glanced up at the Emperor, knowing this wasn’t a casual question and that he couldn’t answer casually either. After some thought, he raised his body slightly to make his voice clearer: “There have never been conflicts within the palace.”

Han Ruzi raised an eyebrow. “How curious. While historical records don’t say much about palace affairs, they’re not entirely blank either. Throughout all dynasties, including our current one, the palace has never lacked conflicts, has it?”

Jing Yao raised his body a bit more. “What this old servant means is that there have never been palace conflicts that were purely palace conflicts.”

Han Ruzi vaguely understood Jing Yao’s meaning. “Rise and speak.”

Jing Yao expressed his gratitude and struggled to his feet, knowing this was an extremely rare opportunity. If he couldn’t immediately impress the Emperor, he would be left to die in that cold, dark room. “What those in the palace compete for and look toward is always Your Majesty, nothing else. But what Your Majesty thinks about and focuses on is the realm and the imperial court. Whether eunuchs or consorts, no matter how much they scheme, they can only win Your Majesty’s momentary favor. To establish a lasting position, they must rely on external forces. That’s why I say there are no conflicts within the palace—all conflicts come from the outside.”

“What about Grand Consort Shang-guan and the Empress Dowager?”

The most brutal palace conflict had occurred between these two sisters.

Jing Yao bowed and replied: “If Your Majesty considers carefully, the Grand Consort had harbored resentment for a long time but never revealed it or engaged in open conflict until she colluded with outside ministers and dared to act. From what I have seen and heard, all palace matters can be understood this way. No matter how many differences or how deep the hatred, without external assistance, one can only endure. Those who cannot endure will face severe punishment. Conversely, those who wish to engage in conflict must start from the outside.”

Yang Feng had been right—internal matters should indeed be discussed with Jing Yao. These words brought sudden understanding to Han Ruzi, though not complete enlightenment. Because he realized his optimism upon first returning to the palace had been gravely mistaken. Palace conflicts were indeed ongoing; they simply weren’t unfolding around him.

No one wanted to let the Emperor see their ugly side.

“You are dismissed.”

Though the Emperor’s voice was rather cold, Jing Yao felt more at ease. Truth always hurt some people, but for precisely that reason, truth could move others.

Shortly after Jing Yao withdrew, Liu Jie entered. He was waiting for the Emperor’s orders regarding Jing Yao’s assignment.

“Find him some light work where he can retire peacefully.” Han Ruzi didn’t want to immediately reemploy this old schemer.

“The Imperial Treasury lacks a Deputy Key Keeper. Jing Yao is experienced and could serve in this position.”

Han Ruzi nodded his agreement.

Liu Jie also withdrew, and Han Ruzi contemplated alone. His mother and the Empress indeed had their disagreements, but as Jing Yao had said, they would not openly fight in the palace or before the Emperor. That kind of struggle would be too disgraceful and would not produce a real victor. His mother’s target must be Grand General Cui Hong – she believed that once the Cui clan fell, the Empress would also lose power.

This was why the Empress had refused the Emperor’s goodwill and was unwilling to grant the Cui clan another marquisate, because she understood that the higher the Cui clan’s status rose, the bigger a target they became, making them more vulnerable to attack.

Han Ruzi sighed softly. After understanding the patterns of palace intrigue, he was no longer eager to intervene and resolve matters. His mother was alone, without father or brothers to assist her from outside – this was actually a good thing. No matter how much officials might curry favor with Maiden Wang, there was still a barrier between them, preventing complete trust.

Han Chou, the Prefect of Henan who had most blatantly courted Maiden Wang’s favor, had already been punished. Han Ruzi believed that after he dealt with one or two more similar officials, the trend of currying favor with the future Empress Dowager would subside.

For some reason, in this hidden struggle, Han Ruzi found himself primarily guarding against his mother, while toward the Empress he felt more understanding rather than seeing her as a problem to be solved.

But he absolutely could not let his mother be hurt. Han Ruzi decided that tomorrow, after resuming governance, he would quickly formally invest his mother as Empress Dowager.

Zhang Youcai entered from outside, saying, “Your Majesty, the item is finished. Should I bring it in?”

“Yes.”

Zhang Youcai turned and soon returned with another eunuch, carrying in a waist-high stone screen which they placed against the wall. The Emperor could see it with just a turn of his head from behind his desk.

The stone screen was ordinary, with no landscape paintings on it, only several lines of large characters carved into it – not the work of any famous calligrapher.

Xiongnu

Cloud Dream Marsh

Pirates

Western Regions

These were what Han Ruzi considered the most pressing troubles that needed to be resolved. The Xiongnu ranked first and were also the most difficult to deal with – they could not be confronted within several years. Cloud Dream Marsh and the pirates needed to be handled quickly, but not simultaneously, to avoid falling into another chaotic war that Great Chu could not withstand.

As for the Western Regions, Han Ruzi had hesitated for some time before deciding to carve it on there. The so-called western enemy sounded quite illusory and came only from the Xiongnu’s account.

But he could sense the fear in the Great Chanyu’s heart. Even if that fear was only thirty percent real, it still meant there truly was a force rising in the west.

“Just leave it there.” Han Ruzi was very satisfied. Though he would not hold court with his ministers until tomorrow, he wanted to handle several important matters today. “Summon Marshal of Dai Deng Cui and Marquis Zhang Yin.”

The Western Regions were the most distant, and currently seemed to present the simplest problem. Han Ruzi decided to start with them. Thinking that this would be the first time he extended the Emperor’s authority thousands of miles away, he felt a small thrill of excitement.

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