Chapter 96

Chapter 730: Behind the Son of Heaven (3)

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Zhaodao hurriedly walked out of Zhangle Palace.

His position was that of a Lesser Eunuch, responsible for presenting memorials from the court to the Son of Heaven, guiding envoys, and even leading those who, like Cai Yong, had returned from expeditions to report to the Son of Heaven.

"Lesser Eunuch Zhaodao pays his respects to Lord Nandailing."

As soon as Zhaodao saw Cai Yong, he bowed. Cai Yong waved his hand.

"It is improper for a Lesser Eunuch to pay respects to me, Lord Nandailing."

"How can a mere eunuch not bow to a hundred scholars? I have kept you waiting."

"Not at all. I have just finished adjusting my attire."

"I will lead the way."

Cai Yong followed Zhaodao, walking with a dignified stride as if he were a returning general.

Zhaodao waved to the guards at the entrance of Wondeok Hall.

"Lord Nandailing has brought the victory report! Open the way quickly!"

The guards, being Dong Zhuo's subordinates, found Zhaodao's words and actions distasteful. However, they followed his command considering Cai Yong's reputation.

Before entering Wondeok Hall, Zhaodao knelt and squatted. This left Cai Yong in a dilemma. It was customary to remove one's shoes before entering the imperial presence, and originally, one should not wear socks.

However, it had now become acceptable to wear socks. So, when officials entered the hall, eunuchs would help them remove their shoes. Now, Zhaodao, a Lesser Eunuch, was offering to remove Cai Yong's shoes.

But this was not Zhaodao lowering himself.

There were factions among the eunuchs, and it was common for them to form alliances with officials to advance their status. Thus, when they needed to pass messages secretly, they would use such moments to their advantage.

"How can a Lesser Eunuch like me remove the shoes of Lord Nandailing? If others see this, how much will they mock me, and the eunuchs will surely bear a grudge for being disrespected..."

Cai Yong also squatted and argued with Zhaodao. In the midst of this, Zhaodao subtly mentioned:

"This is a message from Lord Zhaochong. The court advises you to sever ties with General Yu."

The voice was so low that it was hard to hear even from close by, but fortunately, Cai Yong caught every word.

"I am grateful for your concern."

"If Lord Nandailing could write a few characters for us, it would be used for good purposes."

Since the message had been delivered, Zhaodao now needed to resolve the situation amicably. So he seemed to covet Cai Yong's calligraphy. Cai Yong nodded and said:

"Writing a few characters for a Lesser Eunuch is no trouble. I will invite you to my house one day. We can enjoy good wine and music for the night."

"Then I will bring good paper and wait for a favorable day."

* * *

The doors of Wondeok Hall opened, and Zhaodao raised his voice.

"Lord Nandailing, Cai Yong, enters the hall!"

Cai Yong immediately bowed deeply and performed the ten steps and three prostrations upon entering.

"Your servant, Lord Nandailing Cai Yong, pays his respects to the Son of Heaven! Long live the Son of Heaven! Long live the Son of Heaven! Long live the Son of Heaven!"

After completing the three prostrations, he stood up, holding his staff and bowing again. The young emperor gestured and said:

"Lord Nandailing, come closer."

"Lord Nandailing, ten steps forward!"

Zhaodao's voice echoed clearly. Cai Yong took ten steps forward, closing the distance to the Son of Heaven.

"Read the memorial from General Luo quickly."

The young emperor's command was given, and Cai Yong read the memorial. It began with a loyal greeting to the Son of Heaven, then detailed the achievements and shortcomings, attributing the credit to the Son of Heaven and the blame to himself.

When Cai Yong finished reading, the young emperor stood up, clenching his fists and exclaiming:

"General Luo has achieved great success at Hangu Pass. What do you think, my ministers?"

The Son of Heaven asked for the ministers' opinions. Dong Zhuo stepped forward with his staff and reported:

"Your servant, Dong Zhuo, reports to the Son of Heaven. The rebel forces led by Huang Bocong have been unable to cross Hangu Pass, and their eastern campaign has been thwarted. This is a great blessing for the state. It is only right to commend and reward General Luo for his achievements."

"Hmm...! Reward... What reward do you think should be given to General Luo?"

"Your servant dares to suggest that General Luo, with a force only a fraction of Huang Bocong's, has repelled the rebels at Hangu Pass, securing the imperial road. It would not be excessive to appoint him as the General Who Pacifies the East."

The Son of Heaven turned his head to the right.

Empress Dowager He, who usually attended the court sessions, was not present today. Despite knowing she would not attend, the young emperor kept glancing in her direction, perhaps worried about making decisions alone.

When the Son of Heaven remained silent, Dong Zhuo's words poured out like a waterfall.

"Although General Luo's achievements are great, General Lü Bu's contributions are even greater. General Luo was able to hold Hangu Pass because General Lü Bu's forces repeatedly defeated the rebels in Guanzhong."

As the discussion of General Luo's achievements turned to Lü Bu, Sima Xunwu stepped forward.

"How can you bring up General Lü Bu's name, Lord Chancellor? The Son of Heaven asked what reward should be given to General Luo, not to General Lü Bu."

"Sima Xunwu, the achievements of General Luo and General Lü Bu are not in competition. If we are to commend General Luo, it is only right to also commend General Lü Bu."

"Why does Lord Chancellor always take General Lü Bu's side? Could it be that General Lü Bu is your hidden son?"

Xunwu's provocation almost made Dong Zhuo curse, but he suppressed his anger with superhuman patience.

"Your words are too harsh. As a distinguished minister of the late emperor, I have treated you with respect. Why do you not show me the same courtesy?"

Xunwu realized his attack had failed and quickly retreated.

"My words were too harsh. It is all for the good of the Han dynasty and the court. Please do not take it to heart."

"I accept your apology. However, I must clarify that I, Dong Zhongying, am a man without a single trace of shame. I do not secretly keep children or live under a different surname. And having a son like General Lü Bu would be a great honor."

Dong Zhuo's honest confession stirred the hall.

"Is Lord Chancellor considering General Lü Bu as his successor...?"

"Is General Lü Bu to be the next Lord Chancellor after Dong Zhuo?"

It was a common practice among noble families to separate their biological children from their successors, much like Ma Rong had chosen his disciple, Luo Si, as his academic successor. Rumors had long circulated that Dong Zhuo had chosen Lü Bu as his political successor. Today's conversation seemed to confirm those rumors.

* * *

Cai Yong calmed the murmurs in the hall.

"Your servant, Lord Nandailing Cai Yong, reports to the Son of Heaven. I followed General Luo and saw with my own eyes how he defended Hangu Pass and Hangu Pass from the rebels in Guanzhong."

"Oh! That's right. Lord Nandailing was there. So, is everything in General Luo's memorial true?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty. General Luo's words in the memorial are neither exaggerated nor understated."

"Then did General Lü Bu also contribute to the defense of Hangu Pass?"

"That is true. However, the main force behind this victory is General Luo, not General Lü Bu. I suggest we commend General Luo first before discussing General Lü Bu's contributions."

Cai Yong's words made Dong Zhuo's eyes flash with anger.

"Are you unaware that the rebels could not fully attack Hangu Pass because General Lü Bu's forces were weakening them from the rear? What about the victory reports from Yangshan, Sanzhen, and Dongguan, and who cut off the rebels' supply lines?"

Cai Yong did not back down and countered:

"Does Lord Chancellor not know how many titles General Lü Bu already holds? Moreover, he has already been appointed as the General Who Defends the State at such a young age. I acknowledge that General Lü Bu is a young talent, but he still needs more experience."

Experience and wisdom are always the catchphrases of those who hold power. Under the guise of needing more experience, they hinder the rise of young heroes.

"So you are saying we should not reward those who have achieved great deeds?"

"I did not say we should not reward him. I merely suggest that the time is not right yet."

"Then when will the time be right? Surely you are not suggesting that one must have gray hair like Lord Nandailing or me before they can be rewarded."

Dong Zhuo's words hit the mark, but Cai Yong's response was not to be underestimated. Instead of directly engaging in debate, he chose to sway public opinion.

Cai Yong looked around at the high officials and said:

"If we continue this way, we will soon be serving a Grand General who is not yet forty. Do you have the confidence to bow to such a young man, General Lü Bu?"

The officials of the noble families responded in unison:

"No, we do not."

"I cannot do that. Although he has gained some fame, I am not ready to bow to a young man."

"Defeating rebels and defending the state is a warrior's duty. If we reward every small deed, General Lü Bu will not stop at Grand General but become the Supreme Grand General."

The confrontation between Dong Zhuo and the noble families seemed to be reaching a conclusion. However, there were no shortage of young officials who revered Lü Bu, known as the 'Lü Gongtang.'

Guan Ning, a leader among the young officials, interjected in the debate between Dong Zhuo and Cai Yong.

"Lord Nandailing's words are flawed. If the state is in turmoil, is it only the warriors' duty to defend it? Should the civil officials do nothing when the state is in danger?"

"Civil officials should serve through civil means, and military officials through military means, to ensure the Son of Heaven's safety and the peace of the realm. As a descendant of Guan Zhong, do you not understand this simple truth?"

"If everyone has a role to play, should the wealthy not contribute their wealth for military expenses?"

"Civil officials use their pens, and military officials use their swords. If one is wealthy, they should contribute their grain and resources from their granaries and treasuries."

Cai Yong's words made Guan Ning sneer.

"Lord Nandailing, do not side with the high officials. When Hangu Pass was in danger, these high officials did everything they could to avoid contributing their resources."

Han Fu stepped forward to support Guan Ning's argument.

"Your servant, Han Fu, the Chief Secretary, reports. Lord Nandailing, do not listen to the biased words of the high officials. When Hangu Pass repeatedly requested reinforcements, they hoarded their resources and refused to contribute even a single cart."

But Cai Yong was now fully aligned with the noble families.

"Perhaps Lord Chancellor Dong made the request... If the Son of Heaven had not issued a mobilization order, they would not have needed to contribute. We are not subjects of Lord Chancellor Dong, are we?"

Some of the young officials could not hide their disappointment. They had hoped that Cai Yong, at least, would not align himself with the old guard.

"Are you not ashamed before General Luo and the soldiers of Hangu Pass?"

"Dying in battle is the highest honor for a warrior. If you truly felt sorry for them, why did you not take up arms and fight alongside them instead of staying in Luoyang?"

The young emperor felt as if his head was spinning from listening to their debate.

His face seemed to say, "I hate these complicated discussions." He raised his palm.

"Enough."

With those words, the debaters bowed and returned to their places.

"Phew!"

The young emperor sighed deeply and rubbed his temples.

'Both Luo Si and Lü Bu have achieved great deeds. However, seeing the ministers divided and arguing, it seems that the old officials, including Cai Yong, are trying to elevate Luo Si and belittle Lü Bu. On the other hand, the young officials are supporting Lü Bu. Moreover, Lord Chancellor Dong also seems to be on Lü Bu's side...'

The young emperor made a reasonable inference. But that was as far as he could go. If Empress Dowager He were present, he would have pushed all the difficult decisions to her. But today, she was not there.

In the end, the only person with the authority to make decisions in Wondeok Hall was the young emperor himself.

'If I lean one way, the other side will pour out their complaints. This is not a decision to be made lightly.'

The young emperor found it difficult to decide on rewarding Luo Si. He did not know what appropriate position to grant and what other rewards to offer.

And Lü Bu. The issue of rewarding Lü Bu was even more challenging.

'In situations like this, I should consult my superiors. That would solve everything.'