Chapter Sixteen: The Sage

Since ancient times, there has never been a rule that one could possess true power the moment they sat upon the throne. Even for an emperor, there are no shortage of examples of those who remained mere puppets or were directly deposed.

The Empress had three primary ways to consolidate her control over the imperial court: delegation of power from the Emperor, accumulating merit and prestige through her own actions, and—more ruthlessly—toppling any court official who opposed her.

Hao Chujun was not, in fact, an ideal target. Given his advanced age, he was bound to retire within three years regardless. Furthermore, his reputation and prestige were significant; striking him down prematurely might make the Empress appear overly petty, making the cost outweigh the benefits.

The Empress’s gaze drifted past the crowd and landed on her nephew. For her, there was only one underlying reason that could change her mind: profit. Using a mere soldier like Wu An to trade for the Left Chancellor, Hao Chujun, would create a vacancy at the highest level of government three years ahead of schedule, allowing her to install one of her own and strengthen her faction.

While she mused in silence, the ministers below turned their heads toward Wu An, erupting in indignation.

"Nonsense! You are nothing but a foot soldier from Hexi; how dare you spread such malicious lies here!"

"In this official’s view, so-called evidence requires both witnesses and physical proof. To bring an imperial petition based on a mere ledger—who is to say if it is authentic or fabricated?"

For a moment, the crowd either retorted or muttered with biting sarcasm. Wu An watched them calmly. This situation was entirely within his expectations; in this court, no one cared for right or wrong—they only looked to their own standing.

Some were shouting, while others remained silent. Wu An did not rashly assume the silent ones belonged to the Empress’s faction; he simply committed their faces to memory.

He raised the booklet and said coldly, "Regarding right and wrong, I am only willing to submit this to the Empress. Let Her Majesty judge whether this ledger is true or false!"

Wu An took a few steps forward. The crowd that had been glaring at him retreated slightly. Some had intended to incite their colleagues to rush forward and beat the young man, but seeing his massive frame, which his official robes could not hide, they hesitated. The youth wore the green robes of an official, but he radiated a fierce, predatory aura.

The old eunuch who had met Wu An several times before approached him and gestured. Wu An immediately offered the ledger with both hands.

The Empress took the booklet and flipped through a few pages. Her initially calm expression shifted violently—first to shock, then to disappointment, confusion, and finally, sheer disbelief.

"You scoundrels!"

She slammed the ledger onto the table and slowly rose. Her sharp, overwhelming presence pressed down upon the hall, and the room fell instantly silent. The ministers who had just been shoulder-to-shoulder in their opposition immediately bowed in submission.

The Empress swept her gaze across the crowd, her hand trembling slightly as she held the ledger.

"The court has raised officials for years, only to nurture such a massive rat!"

Hao Chujun looked up sharply. He knew full well the Empress was referring to him, but even now, he could not fathom why she would choose this moment to purge him.

"Clang!"

The Empress tossed the ledger down. Her eyes were filled with murderous intent as she said, word by word, "Left Chancellor, see for yourself what is written here."

Hao Chujun stared at the booklet lying at his feet. He did not reach for it, instead looking toward his colleagues. Their voices had long since died away; now, not a single person dared to meet his gaze.

Wu An watched the scene unfold with cold eyes.

But the next moment, to his surprise, Hao Chujun did not even pick up the ledger. Instead, he removed his official cap, knelt down, and said in a hoarse voice, "I beg to return to my hometown to die."

He was giving up?

Wu An was stunned. Although Hao Chujun did not formally confess, kneeling in court to ask to die at home was effectively an admission that he was finished. If Hao Chujun surrendered, the situation could be cracked open, potentially implicating others like Li Jingxuan.

Just then, he heard the Empress sneer.

"The Emperor is weary, and the ministers should be exerting themselves to help. Yet, while the Son of Heaven is not presiding over the court, some do not think of giving their all, but instead dig at the very foundations of the Great Tang."

She glared at the kneeling Hao Chujun and said coldly, "Minister of the Supreme Court, investigate him thoroughly."

A minister stepped out immediately. He did not dare look at the kneeling Hao Chujun, only bowed to the Empress.

Hao Chujun was finished. The Hao family was finished. This thought flashed through everyone's minds before the Empress continued, her anger still palpable.

"All of you, go look at what is written inside! Must I personally hold your hands and explain every single matter in this vast court?"

No one spoke. A minister in purple robes leaned down to pick up the ledger. He and several other ministers flipped through the contents and remained silent.

The purple-robed minister eventually spoke: "The Left Chancellor has served in the court for many years with great merit. This was but a momentary lapse in judgment; we cannot negate all his contributions. I pray the Empress will show mercy."

From initial support to now directly acknowledging Hao Chujun’s "crimes," the minister’s transition was seamless and emotionless. Wu An understood why they had all changed their tune so quickly: the ledger recorded many officials of the current court. Even if your name wasn't on it yet, it could easily be added.

The Empress remained silent for a moment. Her anger gradually dissipated, and she sat back down behind the dragon desk.

"Then tell me, what should be done?"

The purple-robed minister raised his head and said calmly, "I believe we should order the relevant departments to recover all bribes. At the same time, the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice should immediately begin investigating those who sold titles and accepted bribes... As for Hao Chujun, he should be stripped of his rank and titles as a warning to others.

"Furthermore... the Courageous Commandant Wu An was originally a soldier from Hexi who deserted his unit and returned to Chang'an. Although his report has merit, his assassination of a superior and his bypassing of proper channels to file this petition are both serious offenses. His merits do not outweigh his crimes, and he should also be severely punished."

The Empress narrowed her eyes and countered, "Since the report is true, Commandant Wu has rendered a service despite his transgressions. Once this case is fully investigated, we shall see whether his merits or his crimes are greater."

"But..."

"Then let us begin the trial of Hao Chujun now. Ask him exactly who he took bribes from," the Empress demanded.

The minister paused, then changed his angle. "Hao Chujun is indeed guilty, but Wu An is not innocent. If he is not punished, even if we cannot convince the court or the public, the soldiers in the Hexi army will surely view the imperial court as weak. This is a great taboo."

His stance was clear. Hao Chujun could be discarded, but Wu An—who had broken the rules of the bureaucracy—could not remain. The court had lost a Left Chancellor, but the Empress had only lost a pawn; the latter was a bargain, but the officials needed to save face.

*We need a way out, too.*

Wu An stood in the back, listening silently. He knew this outcome was actually quite favorable. He might be demoted or have the rank he gained over the last few days stripped away.

But in exchange, Li Jingxuan would certainly meet a grim fate.

He, a mere martial man, had traded himself for a Chancellor and a military commander—like a pawn crossing the river in a game of chess, taking two of the opponent's knights in one go.

It was worth it. Truly worth it.

He sighed inwardly, waiting for the expected response.

"What did you say..."

The Empress looked at him, puzzled. "I did not hear you clearly. Xue Fuchao, do you dare to repeat what you just said in my presence?"

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

The purple-robed Chancellor named Xue Fuchao looked up, stunned and utterly bewildered.

For the sake of a pawn that could be discarded at any moment, was the Empress truly willing to disregard her own face to this extent?