Yinshan Record

Chapter 432 A Proclamation to the World Denounces Emperor Liang (Part 2)

A faint fragrance wafted from the seventh floor of Chenhan Palace. The calming incense sent by the Celestial Masters Sect burned slowly in the bronze incense burner, and the plain-colored curtains blended with the swirling smoke.

Every time the Crown Prince came here, he felt an indescribable sense of oppression.

Given time, when he inherits the throne and rules over all lands, he certainly won't live in this Chenhan Palace.

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

The current emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty is aloof and cold-hearted. There are never any palace servants in his bedchamber. His voice, piercing through layers of curtains, sounds somewhat ethereal.

"Yes, Father."

The crown prince responded cautiously.

"Were you talking to Jia'an downstairs just now?"

The Crown Prince knew that his father had been cultivating for many years. Although he didn't know what level his father had reached, he was still very perceptive and knew that his conversation with Jia'an below should not have escaped his notice.

"Jia'an asked about my affairs in the north..."

"She is a thoughtful person."

The soft rustling of hemp shoes against the purple-gold and black floor echoed as the curtains swayed in the gentle breeze. The crown prince finally saw his father, the emperor, who wore a plain cotton robe with a wooden hairpin in his hair and no other accessories. His eyes were bloodshot.

His face showed signs of illness.

The emperor looked to be only in his early thirties; compared to the crown prince, the emperor appeared much younger.

"I don't know about Father's health..."

Rumors circulated in Jiankang that the emperor was feigning illness and neglecting state affairs in order to prevent Wei Huaiwen from returning south.

The Crown Prince, however, knew that it was mostly a rumor deliberately spread by Northern Wei spies. He knew that his father was indeed ill.

Although no one would believe it if it were told, the emperor was indeed ill, and had been ill for some time.

"Fortunately, the elders sent some pills today, which should help with the treatment."

The emperor looked at the crown prince and said, "You've had a hard time these past few days."

"Family matters are intimate."

The crown prince shook his head: "I don't think it's hard at all."

"Indeed, the affairs of the world are my family's affairs." The emperor sighed and said, "Your steps sound a bit heavy. Is there no good news?"

"It's from Cizhou." The Crown Prince carefully chose his words and said, "The third son of the Su family killed a fifth-rank soldier in battle. Xiong Shou has already inspected the case and sent a report requesting credit."

"If you hadn't brought this up, I would have forgotten that Old Su's family's Six Harmonies Azure Dragon has already secured its position as the cardinal." The emperor thought for a moment and smiled: "Arrange a reward for him later."

“I think so too. Cizhou has caused such a big incident, and the Chief of the Imperial Guards is to blame. Why not promote Su Che further? That way, he can act with a legitimate authority.”

"If you need this person, save him for later. I can't use him."

"Father is right. We should think about the future. How about we give him a military post?"

"There's no need for that. Just give him a title and let the Ministry of Personnel discuss it."

The emperor said, "You don't only have this one small matter, do you?"

"And this, after reading it, I am filled with trepidation and dare not act on my own initiative. I beg Your Majesty to review it before making a decision."

The crown prince handed over the memorial he was holding.

The emperor slowly opened the yellow cover, his eyes quickly scanning the memorial.

This memorial was the very same proclamation fabricated by the White Deer Cave.

The emperor paused almost without hesitation, his face expressionless, as if this were not a declaration of war from the Confucian school, but some mundane story.

"What do you think?" The emperor put the memorial aside and looked at the crown prince.

"The Cizhou incident was likely orchestrated by the Confucian school, with the White Deer Cave school leading the charge. As for the other schools, their involvement is unknown. The most troublesome is the Imperial Academy. According to intelligence from the Imperial Guards, these documents will probably be posted everywhere tomorrow..."

"What are your plans?"

"Order the Censorate to first seal off the Imperial Academy, arrest people, and then send people to investigate in various places. Send censors to the four major academies. The Imperial Academy is the easiest to deal with. As long as we bring Yuelu Mountain or Songyang Academy over, it will be two against two, and let their Confucian disciples fight amongst themselves..."

The Crown Prince slowly explained his strategy. He had already discussed these measures with the officials in the Ministry of Personnel. Such a large-scale action by the Confucian school was extremely rare.

It should be understood that although the north and south are now in opposition, the north is still regarded as barbarians. The scholars of the world still favor the Great Liang and believe that the Southern Dynasty is the legitimate dynasty.

If this proclamation signifies a shift in the allegiance of scholars across the land, and is further complicated by the struggle for legitimacy between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, then the situation becomes even more complex.

Since things have already come to this, we might as well strike first and take the initiative to minimize the impact of the situation.

It was only after discussing it with the officials in the court that the Crown Prince brought this proclamation to meet the Emperor. The current Emperor of Liang has been in power for over forty years, and his authority is so great that all the officials can only look up to him.

"Do not move."

The emperor gave his orders, his face showing no change, calm as if these were matters for others, not important matters concerning the Great Liang.

"But Father, this is a matter of great importance..."

"Your Highness, are you afraid?"

The emperor lightly flicked the yellow silk cover of the memorial with his finger.

"Tell me what you see in this."

"The Confucian school intends to rebel, and Cizhou is their first target. Now they want to undermine our prestige..."

The Crown Prince recounted in detail the results of his discussions with the senior officials of the Ministry of Personnel.

Indeed, this manifesto was like a sharp knife across Da Liang's chest; if it were allowed to pierce him, even if he didn't die, he would be severely injured.

"I saw the rumors."

The emperor contemptuously threw the memorial on the ground: "You think you can stir up people's hearts and smear the court with just a few words? You're trying to blind them."

"This is a criticism of the court and slander against the emperor. The conditions set by the higher authorities are all nonsense and not worth refuting."

The emperor's words made the crown prince feel dizzy. These were the four great academies, backed by the entire Confucian school.

"Let them spread the word."

The emperor sneered, "Crown Prince, remember this: a few idle words won't ruin anything."

"Yes, Father."

"Mobilize troops. Send General Zhennan and Governor of Jiaozhou, Feng Yun, to lead troops up the coast of Guangnan to attack the lost prefectures and counties of Cizhou. Send General Yunhui, Li Liang, and General Qiangnu, Wu Sheng, to enter Cizhou from Jiangzhou. Also, send General Zhengdong and Governor of Xuzhou, Du Ling, to serve as the Acting Censor of Cizhou. All three groups of troops and four veteran generals are to go to Cizhou. I will not set any dates for them, but I want them to carry the heads of traitors and not have any petty thoughts of killing innocent people to claim credit."

The emperor said calmly, "If Bailudong dares to show its face, beat them until they bleed. Then issue an edict that Bailudong is colluding with the Northern Wei, framing ministers, and harming the sons of my meritorious officials. Order the Censorate and the Jingye Division to conduct a joint trial and investigate how many people in Jiankang are related to Bailudong. Those whose families have Bailudong disciples or who themselves are from Bailudong should all be imprisoned in the Censorate and placed under strict guard."

The emperor's words came out like a machine gun, leaving the crown prince momentarily dazed.

Is this arrangement really appropriate?

This is the Confucian school.

"Father..."

"Issue an imperial decree stating that I have recently been suffering from convulsions and insomnia, and my mind is elsewhere. I have been seeking to understand the profound mysteries of morality. I invite all virtuous and wise men in the land to gather in the capital to discuss the Dharma, and the victor will be honored as the National Preceptor. Furthermore, I order all prefectures and counties to search for virtuous hermits, and compile a list of all those with cultivation and send it to the capital."

The emperor's eyes were sharp and powerful.

"Go do it."

(End of this chapter)