Chapter 104: Trouble Has Finally Arrived

The court session had ended, marking a temporary pause in the multifaceted power struggle, yet the aftershocks continued to ripple unabated. First, Luo Binwang’s poem “Face to Heaven,” composed impromptu in the hall, spread across the empire with lightning speed, stirring the hearts of many. Soon after, countless scholars from humble backgrounds rose in chorus, filling the court and the provinces with calls for reform of the imperial examination system. It was not only the reaction from distant students that was overwhelming; just the thousands of scholars studying in Chang’an who sent petitions and farewell poems to the Ministry of Rites nearly inundated the entire office. The scene rivaled the grand petitioning of the late Han dynasty. Upon hearing of this, Emperor Gaozong realized the matter could no longer be delayed. Thus, on the first day of the fifth month, he formally issued an edict announcing the imperial examination reforms, appointing Prince Lu, Li Xian, to preside over the affair, with Prince Zhou, Li Xian’s younger brother, as his deputy. The scholars from humble origins rejoiced, and Luo Binwang’s reputation as the leader of the literary reform movement was firmly established. Meanwhile, the two princes, Lu and Zhou, earned widespread renown across the realm.

As for whether his name was esteemed or not, Li Xian paid it no mind. To him, such empty honors were worthless; true power in the court was ultimately determined by strength. From this perspective, the greatest gain from this political contest was managing to place two officials, Song Xian and He Long—both originally from the Prince of Zhou’s household—into government positions. Of course, arranging behind the scenes for Luo Binwang to gain his literary prestige was also a notable achievement. Unfortunately, Old Luo did not seem to appreciate Li Xian’s favor, showing no loyalty born of indebtedness, yet he did not refuse to collaborate when called upon. Their relationship remained tenuous, neither close nor distant. But Li Xian was unbothered; he never intended to use Luo Binwang as a strategist. As long as Luo was willing to help with small tasks under the banner of “righteous cause,” Li Xian was satisfied. And what exactly constituted such a cause? That depended on how Li Xian chose to persuade Old Luo when the time came.

With the imperial edict in hand, Li Xian set to work without pause. However, Li Xian’s younger brother, Li Xian, disappeared from view altogether, never once showing his face, much less fulfilling his duties as deputy. Apart from the essential daily martial exercises, he ignored all other matters, rarely even venturing beyond the gates of the prince’s residence. He appeared entirely indifferent, a hands-off overseer, leaving others guessing what his true intentions might be.

This confusion was understandable. Li Xian’s apparent compliance was not without reason; he knew full well that though the court seemed calm on the surface, powerful undercurrents were already raging. One misstep could bring disaster. And all of this danger stemmed from a single figure: Empress Wu. The recent court confrontation had reached a temporary resolution. The Crown Prince had successfully secured the position overseeing river works, gaining the greatest advantage. Li Xian obtained the examination reform post, granting him a legitimate role in state affairs and the opportunity to extend his influence into various ministries and local governments under the guise of educational administration. Though his gains paled in comparison to the Crown Prince’s, they were still significant. As for Li Xian himself, he managed to obtain some benefits as well. Emperor Gaozong, pleased with his efforts to balance the court’s power dynamics, gave his tacit approval. The only disappointed party was Empress Wu, who gained nothing. Worse, Li Xian’s feints had thwarted her plan to incite the northern scholars, turning her scheme into a laughingstock. Never one to surrender easily, the ambitious Empress Wu would surely retaliate with fierce measures. Li Xian, unwilling to be her prime target, chose to lay low and watch the situation unfold—a decision both prudent and necessary.

In truth, Li Xian had already twice disrupted Empress Wu’s schemes, single-handedly preventing the long-anticipated joint rule of the two saints from materializing. He could be proud of himself. Yet, he harbored no joy, for he understood the vastness of Empress Wu’s ambition and the cruelty of her methods. Even with three lifetimes of memories, he was not confident of victory. Thus, caution was his watchword. Hence his role as a political recluse: attending court occasionally but shirking all responsibilities and tasks. Outwardly, it seemed he lived a carefree life.

Yet such carefree days, even when feigned, are always brief. The trouble Li Xian feared finally arrived—swiftly, catching even him off guard. On the twentieth day of the fifth month, Minister of Ceremony Xu Jingzong submitted a memorial accusing Minister of Personnel Liu Xiangdao of disrespectful conduct by speaking ill of the princes, a grave offence. Upon this memorial’s arrival, Empress Wu’s faction rallied, witnesses were summoned, and Liu Xiangdao was left speechless. The court plunged into chaos, and a fierce clash between factions erupted. Li Xian, who had been enjoying a rare moment of leisure at home, was summoned by Li Xian to discuss a response.

“Seventh Brother, you must have heard by now. Old Liu Xiangdao is finished this time. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?” Li Xian asked without preamble as soon as Li Xian arrived, his tone urgent. This was hardly surprising; Li Xian had endured many obstructions from Liu over the examination reforms and had long wished to see him toppled. Beyond weakening the Crown Prince’s faction, Li Xian secretly coveted the important post of Minister of Personnel for himself.

Of course, Li Xian had heard the news. Though he had appeared indifferent lately, hiding away at home, he had never lowered his guard. He had instructed his intelligence officer Lin Hu to closely monitor court developments. As soon as Xu Jingzong’s memorial was filed, Li Xian had received a detailed report and even obtained a copy of the memorial. He fully understood the situation but had yet to devise a response. Seeing Li Xian’s excitement, his mood unexpectedly darkened, though he masked it well and calmly nodded. “I’ve heard some rumors but lack the full details. Sixth Brother, if you know more, please enlighten me.”

“Well, then I’ll tell you. This matter actually involves you, Seventh Brother. That old Liu must have taken leave of his senses. At a gathering of sour scholars, he spoke ill of you without reason, claiming you meddle in court affairs and keep yourself hidden, which is no blessing for the court. What began as careless talk was clearly meant to be heard. Someone reported it to Old Xu, who’s known for being ruthless—he never fails to bring down his targets. Now Liu has lost his powerful ally in the Ministry of Personnel and will surely face punishment. Ha! This is a victory not only for the Crown Prince but for us as well!” Li Xian recounted the events with a teasing tone, ending with boisterous laughter, clearly pleased with the outcome.

“Your joy is misplaced. This matter is far more complicated than you imagine. It is a strategy aimed at three targets; if you cannot see that, then we are in trouble.” Li Xian’s joy was unmistakable, but Li Xian’s heart weighed heavy. He knew more than Li Xian did. Upon learning of Xu Jingzong’s memorial, Li Xian had ordered Lin Hu to investigate thoroughly. They quickly found a scholar who had attended the literary gathering where the incident began. From his testimony, Li Xian concluded this was a conspiracy.

At the gathering, poets and scholars were immersed in their art and conversation. Jiang Mingyao, a secretary who served Liu Xiangdao, deliberately shifted the discussion to the recent examination reforms, feigning admiration for Li Xian to provoke Liu into speaking carelessly. This led to Xu Jingzong’s memorial accusing Liu. This single event stirred the entire court; all factions would inevitably be drawn into the ensuing conflict. For such a coveted post as Minister of Personnel, a fierce battle was unavoidable. This chaos provided Empress Wu the perfect opportunity to act, especially as Emperor Gaozong’s health declined, leaving him unable to govern effectively.

Her aims were threefold: to strike at the Crown Prince, to seize power herself, and to fan the flames of rivalry among the princes. With these forces at play, the court was bound for turmoil.

“I see. So this innocent misfortune has fallen upon me undeservedly. But Sixth Brother, what is your plan?” Understanding Empress Wu’s intentions was one matter, but how to respond was quite another. Li Xian had yet to devise a proper strategy and was eager to hear Li Xian’s opinion.

“There is an ancient saying: Heaven gives and Heaven takes away; to abandon this is ominous. What do you think, Seventh Brother?” Having gained legitimate authority and expanded his influence, Li Xian harbored ambitions for the Minister of Personnel position. When Li Xian asked, he did not hesitate to speak openly.

The importance of the Minister of Personnel was beyond question. Whoever controlled the Ministry could potentially control the court. Typically, the post was held by a favored minister of the emperor. Liu Xiangdao’s appointment, as a close confidant of the Crown Prince, was an exception, largely due to Emperor Gaozong’s support to balance Empress Wu’s ambitions. Thus, even if Liu fell, his successor would likely be another loyalist to the Crown Prince. However, this depended on the emperor’s ability to rule personally. With Gaozong gravely ill and secluded in the Penglai Palace, he was no longer capable of governance. The Crown Prince faced immense pressure to hold onto the Ministry.

This presented an opportunity for Li Xian to contest the post. Whether he was tempted or not, even the prudent Li Xian found his heart stirred. Yet whether to make a move was a question that troubled Li Xian deeply, his brow furrowed as he fell into contemplation…