Prime Minister.

Chapter 53 [The Road Is Under Your Feet]

Huo Guang was an extremely complex and powerful minister.

He was the half-brother of Huo Qubing, the Marquis of Champion, and a trusted minister personally appointed by Emperor Wu of Han. He served under three emperors: Emperor Wu, Emperor Zhao, and Emperor Xuan. During this period, he also presided over the deposition and installation of Liu He, the King of Changyi.

During his lifetime, he held a very high position in the government. Later generations compared him to Yi Yin and called him "Yi Huo". The phrase "doing the things of Yi Huo" is used to refer to a powerful minister who regency and deposes and installs emperors.

Just two years after his death, the Huo clan was exterminated by Emperor Xuan of Han for plotting a rebellion.

If it ended there, perhaps he would be like those powerful ministers in the long river of history who met tragic ends, enjoying the benefits of power during their lives, but leaving behind a legacy of ruin and destruction for their descendants after their deaths, becoming a not-so-unique footnote in the power struggles of the past and present.

However, after the Huo family's major rebellion was exposed, Huo Guang's tomb was not implicated and was still buried alongside Maoling.

Seventeen years after his death, Emperor Xuan of Han, recalling the meritorious ministers who had assisted him in the past, recalled the surrender of the Xiongnu and ordered portraits of eleven meritorious ministers to be painted in the Qilin Pavilion. Huo Guang was prominently listed as the first among the eleven meritorious ministers in the Qilin Pavilion.

It should be noted that Huo Guang had already turned to dust by then, and the Huo family's crime of treason had long been settled. Even if Emperor Xuan had Huo Guang's coffin opened and his corpse whipped, no one in the court would have offered any advice or remonstrance.

Emperor Xuan not only did not do so, but also bestowed posthumous honors upon Huo Guang, as if in his view Huo Guang and the Huo family had no connection.

From this perspective, at least Emperor Xuan harbored no hatred towards Huo Guang; perhaps he never considered Huo Guang to be an ambitious and treacherous official vying for the throne.

These historical records surfaced one by one in Crown Prince Jiang Xuan's mind. Looking at Xue Huai's calm and composed expression, he asked in a seemingly calm manner, "Does Xue Huai consider Huo Guang to be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty?"

"I have no such intention."

Xue Huai shook his head and said, "Although Huo Guang did not actually usurp power, many of his actions while in power still violated the duties of a subject. Just his concealment of his wife's poisoning of Empress Xu alone was a transgression of the relationship between ruler and subject. I am just thinking that from being a capable minister during the reign of Emperor Zhao to becoming a powerful minister who arbitrarily deposed and installed emperors, no one was able to check or supervise his power, which ultimately led him and the Huo family down that dead end."

The Crown Prince gradually grasped the deeper meaning and slowly said, "Not only that, in my opinion, Emperor Wu's arrangements at the end of his life were the root cause of all the subsequent turmoil."

Xue Huai was slightly surprised.

He said today that Huo Guang was trying to test the Crown Prince's views on the relationship between the emperor and his ministers and the court system, while also carrying a somewhat veiled hint.

Before the market opens, no one can be certain whether the Crown Prince will lose his position as heir apparent. Xue Huai also dares not make a hasty conclusion. Therefore, he wants to stay away from the vortex of court intrigue for the time being and avoid becoming a target for all parties.

However, since the crown prince had taken the initiative to come to him, he couldn't appear too mediocre; he could only try his best to maintain a proper balance.

After much thought, learning from history might be the most suitable option for his current status and position, as it would leave a good impression on the Crown Prince without appearing arrogant or frivolous.

Xue Huai composed himself and asked sincerely, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince spoke gently: "Emperor Wu arranged for four regents before his death, intending for them to check and balance each other. However, he overlooked the fact that Huo Guang had been freely entering and leaving the palace for over twenty years, and had placed many of his cronies within the imperial guards. Without a clear hierarchy among the four regents, it was inevitable that the power struggle would intensify. Emperor Zhao ascended the throne at a young age, and the country was in turmoil. Apart from Jin Midi, who died young, how could the other three regents possibly take the eight-year-old emperor seriously?"

There was something else he didn't say: since ancient times, deposing the eldest son in favor of the youngest has been the real root of trouble!
Xue Huai felt a chill run down his spine.

He understood the Crown Prince's unspoken words; the prince was clearly alluding to the current situation.

Although the Prince of Dai has come of age, he is eccentric and reckless. If he were to ascend the throne, it would be an unimaginable disaster for the Great Yan.

The Crown Prince, being mature, steady, and seasoned, is clearly the best choice for the new emperor.

Xue Huai couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He wanted to use Huo Guang's case to remind the Crown Prince that those caught in the vortex of power cannot decide their own fate. Taking a step forward might lead to their destruction, while taking a step back would also lead to an abyss. Being unable to control one's own destiny is the true description of such a situation.

The Crown Prince did indeed think more deeply, but he veered slightly off course. He was using this anecdote to imply to Xue Huai that supporting him, the rightful heir apparent, was the wise choice.

In short, the two people have completely different perspectives on the issue.

Realizing this, Xue Huai wisely kept quiet.

The Crown Prince, however, was engrossed in conversation and continued, "Before today, I always believed that Huo Guang was undoubtedly a treacherous minister, but now I feel that Huo Guang also had many unavoidable circumstances. He had returned power to Emperor Xuan several times during his lifetime, but it was too late. Emperor Xuan might not punish Huo Guang personally, but he would definitely not let the entire Huo family go. This is not only because of Empress Xu's death, but also because the existence of the Huo family has seriously threatened the stability of imperial power. In the end, this is still a hidden danger left by Emperor Wu before his death."

Seeing that he repeatedly emphasized this issue, Xue Huai knew what kind of answer he wanted to hear, but he simply said with conviction, "After listening to Your Highness's analysis, I feel enlightened."

The Crown Prince looked at him with a smile and praised, "I have benefited greatly from listening to Xue Shidu's lecture on history today. Shidu's lectures are profound and insightful, and although he is young, he is very knowledgeable. He truly deserves the title of Tan Hua (third-place scholar in the imperial examination)."

Xue Huai lowered his head slightly and said, "Your Highness is too kind."

The Crown Prince glanced at the sky outside and then ordered someone to bring out some palace snacks, clearly not wanting to let Xue Huai leave so soon.

Xue Huai accepted this calmly. Besides, after spending half a day worrying and tiring, he was indeed a little hungry. So he apologized to the Crown Prince and ate his snacks at a leisurely pace. The Crown Prince only ate a small piece and then sipped his fragrant tea with a gentle expression.

Not far away, Deng Hong, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, watched this scene quietly. His gaze lingered briefly on Xue Huai's back, and he began to have a different opinion of this young scholar.

He thought to himself, "It seems I need to pay more attention to the Xue family's movements in the future. His Highness hasn't valued such a young official for a long time."

After a moment, Xue Huai stopped what he was doing.

The Crown Prince, feeling that the time was right, cut to the chase: "Although you have now been promoted to Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy, it may be difficult to advance further. After all, whether it is a Reader-in-Waiting or a Lecturer-in-Waiting, most positions require a certain level of experience, otherwise it will be difficult to gain the respect of the people. In my opinion, it would be a better choice for you to go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in the future, instead of staying in the Hanlin Academy and toiling away. Do you agree, Reader-in-Waiting Xue?"

He spoke very directly and clearly, which was exactly what Xue Huai had expected.

The highlight of today's visit to the Eastern Palace was that the Crown Prince extended an olive branch to him.

Regardless of the deeper meaning behind this lecture, as long as Xue Huai's performance is satisfactory, the Crown Prince will definitely take this step.

This was certainly not because the Crown Prince was immediately struck by his talent and was determined to recruit him, but rather because the conflict between Xue Huai and the Prince of Dai had become a fait accompli, and Shen Wang's high regard for Xue Huai was unmistakable.

At least in the Crown Prince's view, Shen Wang's intention to pave the way for Xue Huai this time was very obvious.

As a Hanlin Academy reader, Xue Huai was naturally the best person for the Crown Prince to win over, and this move would absolutely not arouse the Emperor's suspicion.

Given all these factors, if the Crown Prince were to ignore Xue Huai and turn a blind eye to such an easily attainable subordinate, he might as well move out of the Eastern Palace sooner rather than later.

Recruiting Xue Huai would mean getting closer to Shen Wang, thereby gaining the support of the upright faction in the court, which would greatly increase the Crown Prince's chances of successfully ascending the throne.

Meeting the Crown Prince's somewhat eager gaze, Xue Huai calmly said, "Your Highness, I truly have not considered this question. I was favored by His Majesty and appointed as the third-ranked scholar in the palace examination at the age of sixteen. In my early twenties, I was promoted to the sixth-rank official position of Attendant Reader. I should be content to perform my duties and cultivate myself. How could I dare to aspire to high office and generous salary?"

A standard, conventional answer.

Knowing Xue Huai's loyal and upright character, the Crown Prince was not surprised by his response and smiled, saying, "It was I who was too hasty."

Xue Huai lowered his eyes and said, "Your Highness is too kind. I thank Your Highness for your appreciation."

The Crown Prince waved his hand and said, “I have said before that you do not need to be too reserved in front of me. I admire your talent and ability, and that is why I am so eager to help you. It is normal for a Hanlin scholar to enter the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and my suggestion is not overstepping the bounds. However, your consideration is also reasonable. One should not rush one’s career. After some time, when you have made new achievements in your post, I will definitely petition the Emperor to promote you to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. I only hope that you will not refuse at that time.”

"How dare I?"

Xue Huai knew that the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was an official under the Crown Prince. As long as he entered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Crown Prince could rightfully bestow favors upon him, and then gradually deepen his relationship with Shen Wang.

But he did not refuse.

The Crown Prince was quite satisfied with his attitude and understood that this was just the right amount of talk; going any further would make him, as the heir apparent, seem unsteady.

There should be limits to showing respect and courtesy to the virtuous and talented.

He said with great anticipation, "It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer. You can come to the palace to teach me again in a few days."

Xue Huai then rose, bowed, and took his leave.

As we left the Eastern Palace, a light drizzle was falling, and a sudden chill swept over us.

Xue Huai took the umbrella offered by the palace servant and stepped into the rain.

After walking more than ten zhang, he looked back and saw the three-zhang palace wall standing silently, its shadow like the Weiyang Palace where Huo Guang held power. The rainwater meandered like ink marks falling, just like the historian's vermilion pen hanging in the air, undecided.

The cold water droplets clinging to the umbrella handle fell into my palm, much like the loyal and disloyal ministers who were swept away by the wind and rain—the glory and disgrace of our predecessors were all eroded into moss by this continuous drizzle, covering the jade steps and vermilion walls.

The Crown Prince's earnest admonitions echoed in his mind.

"A new achievement? It seems like yet another storm is brewing..."

"The world is vast, why confine yourself to this small space? You might as well leave."

Xue Huai silently recited his thoughts, gradually solidifying his resolve.

(End of this chapter)