Chapter 533: A Mirror
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
As the ruler of this dynasty, Emperor Lin Mubai could remain calm in the presence of the Southern Region Princess and Yan Xiu, but he could not tolerate the disgrace of this worthless “Prince”.
“Your Majesty, please calm down!”
“Your Majesty, please take care of your health!”
Upon witnessing such a sight, the officials promptly got down on their knees.
The surrounding commoners started panicking. Although they lived in Yan Capital city, seeing the Emperor this furious was rare.
“Father!” A clear voice rang. A figure in a red dress with gold stitches floated in front of Emperor Lin Mubai.
Her presence seemed to calm Emperor Lin Mubai. His fury waned, and tranquillity was restored.
“Ping Yang, do you have anything to add?” Emperor Lin Mubai lovingly caressed her hair.
“Yes, I was about to scold Father!” Princess Ping Yang pouted her lips slightly, her arms akimbo, thrusting her youthful, swelling chest forward.
“Oh? How would my dear princess wish to scold me?” Emperor Lin Mubai smiled. He was certainly happier seeing Pin Yang in this way.
“Father is not a wise emperor!” Ping Yang said candidly.
“Nonsense! How am I not a wise emperor!” Emperor Li Mubai’s expression turned blank.
The officials and commoners broke out in a cold sweat. Openly reprimanding the Emperor for his lack of wisdom? Indeed something like this could only be mentioned by Ping Yang.
“Hm, I think you’re not! As a wise emperor, it is not enough to only have powerful abilities and grand strategies.” Ping Yang continued, curling her lips.
“What else do I need?” Emperor Lin Mubai grinned. Well at least, Ping Yang praised him for his abilities and strategies.
“A mirror!” Ping Yang said.
“Mirror?” Emperor Li Mubai wondered.
“That’s right. It was recorded in ancient texts that Emperor Taizong’s empire flourished by his Reign of Zhenguan, and much of that owed to the efforts of Chancellor Wei Zheng. Father, if it weren’t for Emperor Taizong’s wisdom and magnanimity, how would he gain Wei Zheng’s loyalty and trustworthiness?” Ping Yang stated confidently.
(Translator’s note: the Reign of Zhenguan refers to the success and achievements of the Tang Dynasty under the rule of Emperor Taizong. Tang Dynasty flourished economically and militarily, and this era was regarded a golden age in Chinese history.)
“Go on.” Emperor Lin Mubai nodded, though he couldn’t believe his ears.
“In his life, Wei Zheng authored more than 200 critiques examining governance, economics, culture, foreign affairs, and even Emperor Taizong’s personal life. What he knew and discussed were virtually boundless, and sometimes even made Emperor Tai Zong feel ashamed!”
Ping Yang paused for a second.
“But he also helped Emperor Taizong establish the policy of shifting the focus from military activities to cultural education, consolidating his power during the early Tang Dynasty while developing the country. He helped Emperor Taizong understand that the people could support a regime or overturn it and that listening to both sides is always wise. These are key principles of governance. Father, although you have great abilities and strategies like those of Emperor Taizong, you lack a mirror like that of Wei Zheng!”
(Translator’s note: Emperor Taizong once wrote this of Wei Zheng “Using copper as a mirror allows one to keep his clothes neat. Using history as a mirror allows one to see the future trends. Using a person as a mirror allows one to see what is right and what is wrong. When Wei Zheng died, I lost a mirror.”)
Ping Yang then looked at Emperor Lin Mubai in hopeful anticipation.
A mirror?
Emperor Lin Mubai thought for a moment. His face mood changed completely, his eyes sparkled, gazing lovingly at Ping Yang.
“Great, my princess has really grown up!” The atmosphere lifted considerably.
The officials exchanged looks and heaved a sigh of relief. Little did they expect the impish Princess of Yan Capital could articulate her point so coherently and convincingly.
“Oh, the princess understands governance?”
“Of course! As part of the royal family, how can she not be interested in the affairs of the state?”
“That’s true… but she’s Ping Yang!”
The officials discussed softly.
Chi Hou looked at Ping Yang in surprise. He knew that with Ping Yang’s support, this matter may eventually turn out well.
“Your Highness, Princess, you have really matured in the past year!” Chi Hou sighed to himself. He glanced at Xing Yuanguo, realizing why Xing Yuanguo had previously stopped him.
At this moment, another youth appeared behind Emperor Lin Mubai. His eyes gleamed a trace of sharpness.
“Father, the Princess of the Southern Region was right. I think this case has more than meets the eye. Although today might not be a good time to settle this, it will be an honorable act for you as a wise emperor to serve justice for the Southern Region and give them a reasonable answer!” Prince Lin Xinjue finally voiced, as he dropped to a kneel.
This matter had developed beyond his expectation.
In any case, everyone was certain of Emperor Li Mubai’s attitude.
It was said that if an emperor had made a mistake, he should be punished like a commoner. But since when had an emperor been interrogated by the court?
In the same vein…
Even if the crown prince had made a mistake, how would he, as the future successor of the throne, be scrutinized in full view of the public?
Lin Xinjue, raised in a royal family, could naturally empathize with this more than anyone else. This sentiment was shared by all the officials too.
But now, it was different.
Pressured by Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu, and the Princess of the Southern Region, and with the Ninth Prince Lin Yun’s tantrum and Ping Yang’s enlightenment, the situation was completely different.
Lin Xinjue seized this golden opportunity to say his opinion.
“I also feel that there is something suspicious in this case. Your Majesty, please investigate further!” Chi Hou added as he stood out.
Neither did Chi Hou waste this opportunity.
Among the crowd, Wen Dabao watched as Prince Lin Xinjue and Divine Constabulary Chi Hou kneeled, his eyes lit up with optimism.
“There’s a chance, now there’s really a chance!” Wen Dabao was elated.
But Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s look was extremely grave as he glared bitterly.
The officials exchanged looks as they noticed Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s expression. Some finally spoke up after a few moments of hesitation.
“Your Majesty, that was only one side of the story with many unverified claims. If this case were overturned so simply, we would make a fool of ourselves. How about…”
“Yes, Your Majesty, this is an issue with vast implications, please deliberate carefully!”
“Your Majesty, it has already been a year since, yet there is insufficient evidence for the Southern Region case. May I suggest sending someone to verify the facts before making a decision!”
These officials knelt as they spoke.
“This matter requires swift judgment, yet you try to hinder its progress. With such indecisive officials, how would we ever achieve great success?” Chi Hou glared coldly at these kneeling officials as he shot back.
In this situation…
With the Ministry of Finance official Yue Hu brought away, the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Manpower and the Minister of Works unconscious, how could these Rank 3 or 4 officials rally against the Divine Constabulary’s authority?
These officials shivered and laid low.
The rest of the officials swiftly lowered their heads. Southern Region Princess Shan Yu’s roast lamb had poisoned a large portion of officials.
More importantly…
Most of these officials held Rank 1 or 2.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s influence in the Imperial Halls went down with most of the officials on the ground. Many of those left standing held merely Rank 3 or 4.
To make matters worse, only a handful held Rank 3.
How could they compare to Chi Hou?
How could a few Rank 3 or 4 officials argue against a mighty Rank 1 Army Marquis? Naturally, they fell silent.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s expression was utterly grim.
Although he was part of the case, he could not say his thoughts. Furthermore, his injury made speaking too difficult.
But…
He couldn’t accept this.
He simply couldn’t. He had not expected nor prepared for what happened today. It was all too sudden, too unbelievable.
Among all the officials, more than 80 percent has chosen their side.
With that, would they still lose?
If he hadn’t witnessed this today, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong would have never believed his advantage had entirely reversed.
Usually, for all matters above the Imperial Halls, provided he did not resort to violence, even Emperor Lin Mubai let him have his way.
But what happened today?
How did it become like this?
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong itched to rush up close. Yet he could not, for he was now the Crown Prince. He could not defend himself.
And so, he could only clench his teeth and endure.
At this moment, Emperor Lin Mubai turned toward Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, then took a sweeping glance at the many commoners in shock and disbelief.
Finally, he looked at all the officials.
“Wen Chuan.” Emperor Lin Mubai finally spoke.
“At your service!” a figure scurried out from the crowd of officials and knelt on the floor. As the newly appointed Law Official, he was under the spotlight. He was Wen Dabao’s father, Wen Chuan.
Emperor Lin Mubai glanced at Wen Chuan, then at Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
“You are the Law Official. What do you think is suspicious in this case?” Emperor Lin Mubai asked.