Chapter 14: The Quest for Power

“Then continue writing. And what about the matter of ‘printing’? Please explain in detail.”

Gao Yang’s tone carried a slight tinge of mockery.

Everyone having access to books? It sounded noble, but was difficult to achieve in practice. Otherwise, the classics wouldn’t have remained the exclusive domain of a few aristocratic families, passed down as treasured heirlooms.

Moreover, establishing another department within the palace would require additional expenses and manpower. The royal treasury wasn’t short of funds, but since this was the first initiative proposed by Gao Yin himself, Gao Yang had to inquire about his eldest son’s plans.

Earlier at the banquet, Gao Yang had only asked in broad terms, and with the Empress Dowager and the imperial brothers nearby, he hadn’t pressed for details.

After a moment’s thought, Gao Yin finally spoke: “Regarding funding, there’s no need to trouble the imperial purse. I will draw from my own household treasury. At first, it will surely incur losses, and not a small amount. But in time, it will turn a profit. If it still falls short, I will ask Father Emperor for additional funds.”

Gao Yang didn’t deny the profit motive—no one dared compete with the Crown Prince’s business, and since this was a venture beneficial to scholars, even if it required subsidies, it ought to be done. Even if Gao Yin hadn’t asked, Gao Yang would have allocated funds himself.

“I plan to set up offices at the Grand Commander’s Mansion, the Eastern Palace, the South City, and the North City. They will handle business operations and miscellaneous affairs. Two factories will be established: one also in the Eastern Palace, and another in the northern suburbs for easy collection of raw materials, supplying the southern and northern parts of the capital respectively. As for bookstores, there will be four—two each in the north and south cities—open to the public. If successful, expansion will follow.”

Gao Yang nodded. His understanding was limited, but hearing Gao Yin’s detailed explanation, he sensed his son had a clear plan and found it acceptable.

He took another sip of wine and burped: “And the name?”

Gao Yin’s heart stirred slightly. “Since I’m opening the factory in the Eastern Palace, let’s call it the Eastern Factory. What does Father Emperor think?”

Gao Yang stroked his chin thoughtfully: “Eastern Factory, Eastern Factory… why not call it the Eastern Palace Printing Bureau? That sounds more fitting.”

Gao Yin smiled faintly: “That’s part of the miscellaneous affairs I mentioned earlier. I’ve been lenient in the past, and palace staff often deceived me. Today, they even dared to steal right before my eyes! I’m deeply ashamed and determined to reform the atmosphere and uphold discipline. Therefore, I hope to establish an Inspection Bureau and an Eastern Palace Affairs Factory, tasked with monitoring disorder within the palace, ensuring matters are orderly above and servants understand respect and hierarchy.”

Gao Yang fell silent.

Suddenly, he fixed Gao Yin with a fierce, eagle-like gaze, his expression cold and wolfish, as if his son had triggered some taboo.

Gao Yin sat upright and met his father’s gaze calmly, as though he had merely spoken of a trivial matter.

For a moment, the atmosphere froze. Even the distant prisoners noticed the tension between father and son, as if Gao Yin’s immense pressure was shifting onto them, causing cold sweat to drip down their backs.

Gao Yang fully understood Gao Yin’s intent: everything the boy was doing was a power grab.

First came the Inspection Bureau and the Eastern Palace Affairs Factory—the former responsible for oversight, the latter for enforcement. If Gao Yin were put in charge of palace discipline and law, then besides Gao Yang himself, only the Crown Prince’s word would carry weight inside the palace. Over time, the Crown Prince’s prestige would become absolute.

And that was just the first step.

If Gao Yin blurred the boundaries between the printing bureau, the inspection bureau, and the affairs factory under the name of the Eastern Factory, the scope of authority would become dangerously ambiguous. Moreover, by setting up offices throughout the palace, the capital, and even the Grand Commander’s Mansion, what business would this department truly conduct? Printing books, or surveillance and arrests?

In such a case, the Eastern Factory’s power would become boundless.

Gao Yang knew this game all too well—the Gao family had always played this game, the original strategist being Cao Cao in the late Han dynasty.

Cao Cao first established the Chancellor’s Office and was then enfeoffed as Duke of Wei, holding both the Han Chancellor and Wei Duke titles.

The Chancellor’s Office had its own administrative staff, and the Wei fief had its own government. Cao Cao implemented a two-step plan based on this foundation.

First, he placed trusted confidants in key positions within the Chancellor’s Office, transferring the responsibilities of Han officials to the Chancellor’s Office, sidelining Han officials and empowering the Chancellor’s Office, making it the true seat of power.

Second, the officials of the Chancellor’s Office took on roles within the Wei government, shifting Han political resources to Wei, transforming the Wei state into a kingdom wielding real authority.

Once these steps were complete, the Han court became a hollow shell; key figures were Wei officials, making regime change inevitable.

The Gao family employed this exact strategy. Gao Huan’s establishment of the hegemonic mansion in Jinyang followed Cao Cao’s blueprint, seizing power from the Eastern Wei court in Ye and consolidating authority. The nine ministers of Wei were inferior to a single subordinate of the Grand Chancellor in Jinyang.

What Gao Yin planned was merely the continuation of schemes left by his father and grandfather. Gao Yang naturally deduced the eventual outcome: the Eastern Factory would command all law enforcement, arrest powers, and even official interpretations over Ye city, outranking judicial departments like the Court of Justice, becoming a monstrous department overshadowing the entire city. If Gao Yin used the printing business to unite Han aristocrats and even Buddhist factions...

Then his position as Crown Prince would be unassailable, to the point of threatening Gao Yang’s own authority.

This triggered Gao Yang’s primal instincts.

To grant power, or not to grant power?

This was the ultimate dilemma every aging emperor faced. The Gao Yang of the old world never had to confront this; no matter how much he delegated, Gao Yin was unable to grasp it, so there was no need to decide.

But now, caught in this vicious cycle of power, for the Crown Prince’s sake, he should grant authority, yet doing so might threaten his own position. Reason urged him to agree and avoid a tragic fate like that of Liu Ying, but selfishness reminded him of Liu Shao’s downfall.

Gao Yang was torn. For someone like him, dividing imperial power was akin to Buddha cutting flesh to feed the eagle.

His mind was restless. So he decided, for now, not to dwell on such complicated matters and sought some amusement instead.

He stretched out his hand, pointing at the high platform: “Continue the release!”

The terrified large birds leapt down, their mournful cries splashing everywhere, making Gao Yang laugh heartily.

“Jump higher! Jump higher! If you don’t jump high, how can I show my virtue in ‘releasing life’?”

The monks bowed their heads, chanting faster and more devoutly.

Still not satisfied, Gao Yang shouted, “Bring the bows and arrows!”

The servants knelt on the ground; Gao Yang placed one foot across a servant, drew a bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed at the flock.

Some arrows pierced tongues, others penetrated chests, and in midair, the prisoners burst into bloody blossoms—terrifyingly beautiful.

Gao Yang shot six arrows in succession, shouting with each successful hit. As he prepared the seventh, Gao Yin reached out and pressed his hand on the bowstring.

“What are you doing? Let go!”

Gao Yang was furious. He hated being interrupted in his games. If not for the fact that this man was his Crown Prince, he would have shot him through the heart.

“Father Emperor, please calm your anger. If what I said displeased you, I will not proceed. Please do not kill for amusement.”

Fearing misunderstanding, Gao Yin added, “Killing is one matter, but these minor affairs are truly not worth your wrath.”

Gao Yang ignored him and continued shooting. A bold attendant approached, tugging at Gao Yin’s sleeve to signal him not to provoke the emperor further.

Gao Yin lifted his gown, knelt, and kowtowed: “If that is so, please depose me as Crown Prince and establish Prince Changshan as heir.”