The Child Emperor
Chapter 273: No One to Use

Han Xing’s death and the fall of Hangu Pass caused the recently stabilized situation to become tense again. Han Ruzi could clearly sense that both the palace and court were no longer as decisive as they had been days before. Though no one disobeyed or disputed his orders, the responses became noticeably fewer and slower, like bait being nibbled away underwater by clever fish while the angler remained unaware.

Han Ruzi spent an entire day in discussions with his ministers. The number of participants gradually increased to over thirty people. Everyone agreed they must quickly eliminate Shangguan Sheng’s forces, and that this battle would not be difficult to win. However, deciding who to send became an endless debate.

The ministers argued endlessly over minor details. Whenever one minister recommended a candidate, at least two others would object, always with compelling reasons – either the candidate lacked prestige, ability, or was in poor health…

Han Ruzi initially participated in the debates but eventually became a cold observer. He understood that it wasn’t that the ministers were incompetent or cowardly. On the contrary, these experienced officials, sensing potential changes in imperial power, were deliberately trying to stay uninvolved while helping each other. They aimed to appear neither too passive nor too eager, avoiding future liability.

Han Ruzi felt angry, as his already poor impression of the ministers grew even worse.

Tomorrow was the day to report to ancestors at the Ancestral Temple. Regardless of the situation, Han Ruzi had to first formally resume his position as Emperor. The political discussions ended before dark, with the only decision being to strengthen military defenses and wait for more detailed news from Hangu Pass before making further decisions.

While the Emperor could have taken a sedan chair back to the palace, Han Ruzi dismissed the imperial carriage and walked with Yang Feng, protected by soldiers before and behind. These men had no clear status – neither imperial guards nor palace guards – but were the Emperor’s most trusted men.

“I really want to replace them all,” Han Ruzi said, unable to contain his anger. “You saw it too – only Xiao Sheng was willing to offer suggestions!”

Before Yang Feng could respond, Han Ruzi added, “I understand Xiao Sheng isn’t truly helping either – he’s just afraid of retaliation. Did I pardon the ministers too early? Should I have kept some pressure on them?”

Contrary to his usual manner, Yang Feng merely hummed in response without saying anything, much like the ministers in the Hall of Diligent Administration. Han Ruzi stopped walking. “Lord Yang, don’t you think the ministers are being too much?”

It had just gotten dark, with lanterns some distance ahead and behind. Standing in the dim light, Yang Feng appeared somewhat aged, though when he spoke, his voice showed no trace of weariness. “What would Your Majesty do?”

“I… if I were a minister?”

Yang Feng hummed again in acknowledgment.

“I would…” Han Ruzi pondered for a moment before sighing. He had been angry for half the day but hadn’t considered one thing: the ministers’ behavior was actually quite normal. Since the late years of the Martial Emperor, the palace had seen much turmoil, with several emperors rising and falling in quick succession. Today’s power holder could become tomorrow’s prisoner just from one wrong choice. If he were a minister, he too would protect himself when the situation was unstable.

Shen Mingzhi and Xiao Sheng were bad examples – their momentary greed led them to participate in the imperial succession struggle, resulting in repeated mistakes that brought them trouble rather than benefits.

“One cannot be so selfish as to think others aren’t selfish,” Han Ruzi chuckled softly, realizing he had become more “selfish” since returning to the throne.

But if one couldn’t be excessively selfish, what was the point of being Emperor?

Han Ruzi didn’t pose this question to Yang Feng. Now calm, he no longer complained about the ministers, nor did he seek Yang Feng’s advice. He understood that once again, he would have to make his own decision.

Without even having dinner, Han Ruzi went directly to see his mother and pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Things were not the same as when he was a puppet. Even if the Empress Dowager didn’t want to see the Emperor, her attendants dared not refuse his arrival or block his way, and instead respectfully welcomed him in.

The Empress Dowager sat on her couch, with Maiden Wang still standing beside her like a maid.

On his first day entering the palace, Han Ruzi had wanted to take his mother away, but Maiden Wang had firmly refused, believing that serving the Empress Dowager was not only a duty but an honor.

In Han Ruzi’s heart, the first major task after reclaiming the throne was to establish his mother as Empress Dowager as well. There were precedents for having two Empress Dowagers, and even if the Emperor didn’t speak up, the ministers would propose it themselves. The Minister of Rites Yuan Jiuding had already hinted at this matter.

The fall of Hangu Pass had disrupted these plans, and everything had to be postponed.

Han Ruzi no longer needed to kneel as before. After bowing and politely greeting her, he said, “Has the Empress Dowager heard? General Han Xing was assassinated, and Shang-guan Sheng has occupied Hangu Pass.”

The Empress Dowager looked well, though less stern than before, as if she was happy to have relinquished power. “It’s my fault for failing to properly discipline the Shang-guan family, leading to such a treasonous villain causing Your Majesty worry. If Your Majesty has come to hold me accountable, I have nothing to say in my defense.”

Though the Empress Dowager had lost power, she was still a symbol. Han Ruzi certainly wouldn’t “hold her accountable” and said, “The Empress Dowager speaks too severely. Shang-guan Sheng’s rebellion is his own doing – what has it to do with you? I have come to seek your guidance on quelling the rebellion and governing the country.”

Maiden Wang nodded slightly at her son in approval.

The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment. “Does Your Majesty sincerely seek advice?”

“Without any pretense whatsoever.”

The Empress Dowager fell silent again before saying, “Tell me the details about Hangu Pass.”

Han Ruzi explained the situation broadly, answering all of the Empress Dowager’s questions.

“The assassination of the Grand General couldn’t have been Shang-guan Sheng’s idea. Neither he nor his subordinates have assassins capable of such a deed. Either Shang-guan Sheng received help from others, or he was being used.”

The Empress Dowager spoke of her nephew as if discussing a stranger, showing no “maternal affection.” She had already avenged her biological son and had no need to establish another “son.”

Han Ruzi suspected the same, but he was more concerned about another question: “Now that Shang-guan Sheng has occupied Hangu Pass, will he stay or go?”

“He will definitely continue east,” the Empress Dowager said without hesitation.

“What if his people disagree? For instance, those who helped him assassinate the Grand General?”

“You still don’t understand Shang-guan Sheng. He’s not a dog, but a fierce beast. You can use him to hunt prey, but you can’t make him stop. Even if the assassins speak eloquently, Shang-guan Sheng will still run all the way back to Donghai. He thinks that’s his home.” The Empress Dowager paused. “I gave him that idea. He’s already set on this path.”

Han Ruzi didn’t want to pursue whose idea it was. He bowed and asked, “Among all the civil and military officials, who can be trusted?”

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly. “Has Your Majesty also hit that soft wall?”

“I have, and nearly got stuck in it.”

“I tried many methods, but that wall can’t be broken, demolished, or circumvented. Have you considered replacing all of them?”

“I have.”

“Never do that, because I’ve already tried it and found it to be a grave mistake, and moreover, it’s a trap.”

“How so?” Han Ruzi became more interested. Yang Feng had opposed this idea but gave vague reasons. He needed more direct explanations, and the Empress Dowager was perfectly suited to answer this question.

“Because the Emperor stands alone and must rely on others to get things done. The Emperor can choose his confidants, but there are countless officials throughout the empire – how many trusted allies can you have?”

Han Ruzi didn’t answer. He didn’t even have enough trusted people to form a policy-making team.

“So you still need to use the ministers to get things done. Replace one batch, and another batch comes up, quickly becoming another soft wall, and they won’t be as competent as the previous group. Memorials arrive late, imperial edicts are delayed in reaching various regions, tax revenue falls short, household registries have errors… All sorts of problems emerge – neither major nor minor – until the Emperor has to invite the old ministers back one by one. The Emperor will discover that these old ministers never truly disappeared. They were either assigned to positions beyond the Emperor’s notice or simply stayed at home, accurately calculating when they would be restored to their original positions.”

“Where exactly lies the problem?” Han Ruzi asked.

The Empress Dowager smiled without answering. If she had identified the problem, the Emperor standing before her now would not have been Han Ruzi.

“Is there truly not a single capable person among all the court officials?”

“There are, but they might not be to Your Majesty’s liking.”

“Why?”

“Forgive my directness, but Your Majesty’s foundation is not yet stable, and there are few truly loyal and reliable people. Most of those who are capable are opportunists. If Your Majesty cannot overcome the hurdle of ‘loyalty,’ who can be employed?”

Han Ruzi thanked the Empress Dowager and took his leave.

Maiden Wang accompanied the Emperor to the palace chamber entrance and whispered, “Don’t rush. As your throne becomes more stable, more people will become loyal to Your Majesty, and naturally, more ministers will be willing to work.”

“I’m not rushing, Mother.” Han Ruzi indeed appeared less eager to take action than before. From being a puppet emperor to a deposed emperor and then reclaiming the throne, he had already taken a major step. As for gaining true power, that was another major step that had to be taken carefully.

“No matter what, the Southern Army must be sent out. Any conditions Cui Hong proposes can be accepted.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Maiden Wang’s eyes showed affection as she gently stroked her son’s cheek. “Your Majesty may not be the luckiest emperor, but you are the most intelligent. The Great Chu empire belongs to Your Majesty and will be passed down to your descendants.”

Han Ruzi smiled. Only his mother would unconditionally think so highly of him and offer such praise.

He certainly didn’t consider himself the most intelligent emperor, but he believed he was far from being the most unfortunate or incompetent one.

After dining, Han Ruzi returned to his palace chambers and quickly noticed the Empress’s unnatural expression, as if she had something to say but dared not speak.

“The Cui family sent you a message, didn’t they?” Han Ruzi guessed with a smile, not minding that the Empress wanted to speak on behalf of her family.

Cui Xiaojun blushed. “Yes, Father says… he’s too old to endure the hardships of war.”

“But if I asked him to give up his position as Grand Marshal of the Southern Army, he probably wouldn’t feel too old then.”

Cui Xiaojun’s face reddened further. “Your Majesty… do you truly intend to eliminate the Cui family?”

Han Ruzi walked up to the Empress and said softly, “Even if only for your sake, I wouldn’t do that. I will give your father one chance to volunteer for battle. You need not feel troubled or intervene. Grand Tutor Cui will do this.”

The next day at dawn, Han Ruzi summoned his officials to the Hall of Diligent Administration and announced his intention to personally lead the army into battle.

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