The Emperor's Disciple

In a humble courtyard of yellow earth, a grape trellis stood adorned with vines. 

Beneath the trellis lay a mat of grass. 

A scholar, appearing rather ordinary with sparse stubble and in his thirties, sat on the mat, illuminated by the bright moonlight as he perused a bamboo scroll. 

His garments, washed to a pale white, bore numerous patches, and beside him rested a bowl containing a half-eaten dry bun. The only other item in the earthen courtyard was a water jar filled with clear water, floating a gourd ladle atop its surface. The two small rooms, constructed of the same yellow earth, revealed scant furnishings, a testament to his modest means. 

Yet, he often appeared absorbed in thought, occasionally smiling, exuding a profound sense of tranquility, seemingly devoid of any dissatisfaction with his life. 

With a creak, the rickety wooden gate of the courtyard swung open. 

An elderly man entered, clad in a plain linen robe and leaning on an old wooden staff. 

This elderly figure was of short stature, his right cheekbone seemingly fractured in the past, now healed but slightly sunken, leaving behind a scar reminiscent of a sunflower. His left leg was lame, and even with the support of his staff, he walked with a slight wobble. 

Upon seeing the frail old man push the door open, the impoverished scholar immediately rose, his face brightening with a smile as he greeted him, bowing respectfully before assisting the old man to sit on the grass mat. "Teacher, you are a bit late today." 

The old man's appearance was indeed pitiable, suggesting a life filled with hardship, yet his dull yellow eyes sparkled with a serene optimism and an indomitable spirit. After scanning the courtyard, he smiled gently and replied, "I had more matters to attend to today, which delayed my arrival. Have you completed the assignments I gave you yesterday?" 

"I have finished my tasks, though I am uncertain if I have grasped them thoroughly enough. There are a few minor questions I would like to clarify with you, dear teacher," the scholar responded with a calm smile. Though not particularly handsome, with a slightly sallow complexion, small eyes, and thin brows, his demeanor was exceedingly approachable and humble, making him pleasant to behold. 

The elderly man, placing his worn staff on his knees, nodded and said, "Go ahead and share your thoughts." 

The scholar replied, "To an outsider, it may seem that in the past fifty years, the structure of Yunqin consists of one emperor, nine elders, and eight officials, with the nine elders and eight heads entirely subordinate to the vigorous emperor. However, this is not entirely accurate. Among the nine elders, only Zhou Shoufu, who controls the Zhongzhou Guard and the elite of the imperial city, is absolutely loyal to the emperor, a safeguard left by the late emperor to ensure the stability of the throne. The remaining eight elders serve primarily to supervise and guard against both the emperor and the Qingluan Academy. Each of these eight elders has amassed considerable power to secure their positions behind the scenes. As for the eight officials, they are merely a battleground for the nine elders, vying for balance and appointing their factions." 

"Historically, no empire has ever harbored so many individuals capable of rivaling the emperor while maintaining such a delicate equilibrium. Thus, I hold great admiration for the late emperor of Yunqin, who orchestrated such a complex arrangement... Moreover, after decades of political maneuvering and balance, the wisdom and cunning of these nine elders and eight officials must be formidable. Each one likely possesses the capability to govern a nation. Therefore, regardless of how feeble Yunqin may appear on the surface, it is merely an illusion... As long as this structure remains intact, Yunqin's only adversary will always be itself, whether it be Tang Zang or our own Da Mang, both are unworthy." 

"From the observations of recent years, while the nine elders engage in internal strife, they share a common 'enemy'—the emperor of Yunqin. Thus, despite their differing opinions, they will undoubtedly unite to ensure the continued existence of the elder council, ultimately selecting a successor they collectively deem worthy. Over the years, these nine elders have been assessing candidates to replace the ailing Huang Lao. Based on the trajectories of the eight officials and local officials' promotions... the final contenders should be the Wen and Leng families." 

Listening intently, the elderly man raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why do you believe that the military figure Wen Ren Cangyue lacks opportunities?" 

"Though the elders are formidable, their mutual constraints create predictable patterns in their actions. According to their customs, those aspiring to enter the imperial city's highest echelons must first accumulate military merit in the border forces, then transition to Zhongzhou to gain experience, followed by a couple of years managing provincial affairs before returning to Zhongzhou to await their turn in the Zhengwu Division. However, Wen Ren Cangyue has already served in the Zhengwu Division as a brigadier general. Following the elders' usual practices, he should have been assigned to a western province as governor to achieve some results before returning to the imperial city." The scholar gazed at the elderly man, continuing to express his views with humility, "Yet he has instead been dispatched to the Bilu Border Army, holding the title of Grand General. While this position is equivalent to that of a deputy official, it eliminates his chances of entering the elder council. My analysis suggests that this is due to his excessive cleverness, ruthless methods, and grand ambitions." 

After a brief pause, he added, "His character bears similarities to that of the current emperor of Yunqin. Should he advance further, even if the other elders could restrain him, it would come at a considerable cost. Most critically... he may have exaggerated his military achievements by claiming the lives of over a thousand innocent herdsmen, which directly violates the boundaries of several elders." 

"Your work is commendable; most of your assertions are accurate," the elderly man inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly, and advised the scholar, "However, you have overlooked one crucial point: the greatest 'enemy' of the nine elders and eight officials is not the emperor of Yunqin, but rather the Qingluan Academy. This institution poses a significant threat to both the emperor and the elders, which is why they have been so eager to support the Leiting Academy and the Xianyi Academy in their quest to replace Qingluan Academy. It is this collective effort that allows so many powerful figures to coexist in such a complex and astonishing manner, rendering this empire exceptionally formidable and terrifying. For Tang Zang and Da Mang, the challenge lies not in confronting a singular force, but in navigating the nine elusive undercurrents. Furthermore, it was not solely the late emperor of Yunqin who was extraordinarily capable and wise; it was also due to the presence of Director Zhang. Only a figure of unparalleled prestige and martial prowess could compel such a multitude of strong personalities to accept such arrangements." 

The scholar pondered for a moment and replied, "You are correct, teacher; this reasoning is not difficult to comprehend." 

The elderly man nodded gently and inquired, "There is now news that Yan Shaoqing, Feng Qianhan, and Ye Shaofeng have departed from the imperial city for Qingluan Academy, with Yan Shaoqing at the helm. What are your thoughts on this matter?" 

The scholar contemplated briefly before responding, "Based on your earlier insights, I have come to understand that the foundation of the Yunqin Empire still lies within the Qingluan Academy. Aside from Director Zhang, the elders of the academy and its numerous lecturers represent an immensely formidable force. Most critically, it is this overwhelming threat from Qingluan Academy that has loomed over the emperor and the elder council, regardless of whether this threat is genuine. This has fundamentally united the highest political strategists of Yunqin. However, the emperor is too young and impetuous; he believes he can control the Qingluan Academy and the elder council, which is why he has sent Yan Shaoqing to demand the academy's absolute loyalty to him and the Yunqin Empire. Yet the nine elders cannot possibly be oblivious to this reality, so the outcome of this situation will likely be that they will compel the Qingluan Academy to make concessions, forcing it to undergo certain changes and weaken its influence. The Leiting Academy and the Xianyi Academy are not lacking in excellent students... Moreover, some lecturers at Qingluan Academy wish for change; I believe some remain loyal to Director Zhang and the academy, while others prioritize the interests of Yunqin, remaining loyal to the emperor and the empire. Ultimately, it seems that Qingluan Academy will have to relinquish the portions of alchemical methods and cultivation techniques that most interest the emperor and the elder council." 

The elderly man's expression remained unchanged, yet he felt a deep sense of approval. The astuteness of his student, derived solely from the dead records, likely surpassed his own. 

"What do you think the Da Mang Dynasty can do at this juncture?" he continued to inquire. 

The scholar replied, "Currently, Da Mang has two visible opportunities. The first lies in the western region of Yunqin. Wen Ren Cangyue is both too clever and overly ambitious; a person of his caliber would undoubtedly struggle to accept the reality of failure. According to the methods of those elders, the recent acquisition of the Qing King's heavy armor will undoubtedly involve him in the western border army, which will likely provoke impatience. Given his temperament and abilities, his haste may lead to significant mistakes. The elders aim merely to disqualify him from the council, but we can exploit this to create even greater errors, widening the gap in Yunqin. The second opportunity lies with the Qingluan Academy; the more it is weakened, the more benefits it will yield for Da Mang. As Qingluan Academy grows weaker, its internal divisions will intensify. The Yunqin emperor is likely using the pretext of a dire situation to challenge the Qingluan Academy; the nine elders will likely cooperate... If we in Da Mang push a little harder, we can strengthen the emperor's rationale. After all, this year has seen bountiful harvests for Da Mang, and the situation is unprecedentedly stable. Mobilizing the imperial army for minor skirmishes could enhance their combat effectiveness." 

"Excellent," the elderly man nodded once more and asked, "Do you have any further questions for me?" 

"I have been studying the personalities of the nine elders recently and would like to ask you, teacher: do they remain hidden behind layers of curtains solely to project an aura of immense power, or is it also to conceal their current states from one another?" 

"Indeed, but in addition to the points you mentioned, they likely also wish to avoid confronting one another's faces. They are like mirrors; seeing each other would undoubtedly remind them of the things they have done that they would rather forget, bringing forth uncomfortable memories." 

... 

The elderly man and the impoverished scholar conversed for quite some time, and as the moon reached its zenith, the elderly man finally rose to depart. 

Navigating through a dark alley, he was assisted by an old servant into a luxurious carriage awaiting him, gradually leaving the impoverished streets behind and heading toward the brightly lit and bustling urban district. 

"I have taken on a remarkable student... He may well surpass his teacher, and I find great solace in this," the elderly man, reclining on the soft couch of the carriage, sighed, perhaps bored from the journey, or perhaps unable to contain his admiration. 

"Ah... ah..." The old servant driving the carriage, with a broad smile on his face, made sounds and gestures, for he was mute. 

In the Da Mang royal city, the only one bold enough to refer to himself as "I" was none other than the emperor of the Da Mang Dynasty, Zhan Tai Mang. 

Had it not been witnessed firsthand, no one would have imagined that the individual who rose from an ordinary border soldier to establish the Da Mang Dynasty was this seemingly pitiful old man. 

This renowned elderly emperor bore no trace of domineering authority; he seemed to share a deep bond with the mute servant. Observing the servant's gestures, he smiled slightly and said, "You wonder why I do not bring him into the palace? ... The time is not yet ripe... With his talents, merely viewing the materials I have provided and listening to my teachings, how could he not deduce my identity? Once he knows who I am, he will inevitably harbor expectations... The more one can endure solitude and remain unperturbed by glory or disgrace, the more capable they will be of shouldering great responsibilities in the future."