125. In the World, Sycophants Masquerade as Loyal Ministers

Page 1 of 3
Kyoto, Yuwen Residence.
Yuwen Yongjia returned home as dusk settled. Close officials from the capital had long been waiting at the residence to congratulate the Minister of the Secretariat on his promotion.
Despite his fatigue, Yuwen Yongjia made the rounds, greeting everyone personally. He offered advice where needed and encouragement where appropriate. The Minister’s refined demeanor and affability left a deep impression on every guest.
After seeing off the visiting colleagues, the time had already entered the late evening hours.
Entering his study, Yuwen Yongjia took a silk handkerchief from his steward and wiped his face before taking a seat behind his desk. His face, over fifty years old, showed the weariness of the day.
“Sir, have some tea,” the old steward said, handing over a freshly brewed cup at just the right moment.
“These people have no sense at all. Master has worked hard all day, yet they come to visit so late. If I may speak freely, they should be told to come another day,” the steward complained.
“All for the sake of the nation. The current situation is unstable. It is right that I endure some hardship,” Yuwen Yongjia said as he took the tea cup.
“Call Zhang Yan here.” Yuwen Yongjia took a sip of tea and instructed the steward.
“Yes, sir, I’ll fetch him right away,” the steward replied and quietly withdrew.
Yuwen Yongjia sipped his tea again. He found today’s brew somehow different, as if it carried a richer flavor than usual.
Soon, the door opened once more, and Zhang Yan entered.
“Minister!” Zhang Yan bowed deeply.
“Minister? It sounds too formal. You can still call me ‘Teacher’—it’s more comfortable to the ear. Come, sit down. There’s no need for such ceremony between us,” Yuwen Yongjia said with a cultured smile, the fatigue vanishing from his face.
“I dare not,” Zhang Yan replied.
“Do you want me to stand as well?” Yuwen Yongjia joked with a smile.
Startled, Zhang Yan quickly lowered his head and said, “Thank you, Teacher, for the seat.”
After another bow, Zhang Yan took the chair opposite Yuwen Yongjia.
“Here, have some tea,” the steward who followed in poured a cup for Zhang Yan then stepped quietly aside.
Zhang Yan tried to stand and thank them but was stopped by Yuwen Yongjia.
“Yan, how many times have I told you to consider this your home? Why are you still so polite?” Yuwen Yongjia’s face showed a hint of displeasure.
“I am ashamed, sir.”
“Today at court, you stood fearless and devoted. You did not let my efforts down,” Yuwen Yongjia said with evident satisfaction.
“All thanks to your guidance, Teacher!” Zhang Yan interrupted and promptly knelt before the desk.
“You’ve made yourself worthy, Yan. Otherwise, even if I risked my life, it would have been for nothing.”
“Ah, the state’s affairs are perilous. It’s a pity there are so few like you, Yan,” Yuwen Yongjia sighed.
“Please, Teacher, command me, and I would die without hesitation.” Zhang Yan’s voice was strong, though his face was bowed and unreadable.
“Old Feng, look at my student here—always so serious. I don’t even know what to say sometimes, ha ha ha.” Yuwen Yongjia suddenly laughed heartily, nearly to tears, his refined features twisting with mirth.
“Minister Zhang respects you greatly,” the steward remarked quietly.
“Respects me? What if I truly let Yan die for me?” Yuwen Yongjia’s laughter faded as he fixed his gaze on the kneeling Zhang Yan.
A chill ran through Zhang Yan’s body upon hearing this.
“Since I met you ten years ago, Teacher, I have been ready to give my life for you at any time.” Zhang Yan kowtowed deeply.
“Do you truly mean that?” Yuwen Yongjia lowered himself to look at Zhang Yan.
Though his tone was gentle, Zhang Yan felt as if under a piercing gaze, unable to move.
“Every word is heartfelt. Please judge me fairly, Teacher.”
“Old Feng, see? I told you I have a good student. Yan has never disappointed me.” Rising, Yuwen Yongjia smiled and spoke to his steward.
“Master has a keen eye for talent. Minister Zhang’s loyalty is admirable. Minister, please rise. How could the Master bear to lose you?” The steward helped Zhang Yan to his feet.
“Yan, your Ten Strategies for a Strong Nation today were excellent. I’m very pleased, and so is His Majesty. But do you know why His Majesty only approved the first four?”
Zhang Yan paused to consider, then answered, “You mean because His Majesty fears too fierce a backlash from the aristocratic clans?”
“Whether it’s the unified currency or the state monopoly on salt and wine, these strike at the very roots of the aristocrats. How could they ever agree? Even the emperor dares not take that risk,” Yuwen Yongjia said calmly.

Page 2 of 3
“But now, with enemies at the gate, if we cannot act boldly, how can our Liang survive?” Zhang Yan exclaimed passionately.
“That is true, but who wants to offer up the meat in their own pot?”
Zhang Yan’s face flushed red; his passion was strong, yet he felt restrained.
“Teacher, must we allow the situation to continue deteriorating?” Zhang Yan asked defiantly.
“That depends on what you intend to do.”
Zhang Yan was momentarily stunned. What exactly did Yuwen mean by what he intended?
“Please, Teacher, enlighten me.”
“His Majesty appointed you as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture to carry out your proposals and increase state revenues. But don’t think that just because the emperor and I support you, you can push them through singlehandedly. The real power in Liang still lies with the aristocratic clans.”
“If you only want to advance step by step in your official career, that’s one thing. But if you truly want to enact your strong nation plan, a mere memorial won’t suffice,” Yuwen Yongjia continued.
“What else must I do?” Zhang Yan asked, genuinely puzzled. Of course, he wished to implement his proposals—they were the fruits of years of tireless effort throughout Liang. To give up now would be unthinkable.
“I understand your intentions, Yan. Leave the rest to me. It’s late; you should go home early,” Yuwen Yongjia said as he poured tea to see him off.
Though full of questions, Zhang Yan had no choice but to leave for now.
Once Zhang Yan had gone, the steward approached the desk and whispered:
“Master, news came from the palace just now. His Majesty killed a young eunuch after court yesterday, and… and favored a consort of the late emperor.”
The steward’s voice grew quieter with each word, barely daring to believe it. Was this truly the renowned King Cheng?
“Ha ha ha, a man can endure a moment, but not a lifetime. It seems our emperor can no longer restrain himself,” Yuwen Yongjia laughed heartily, as if expecting this all along.
“Has everyone at home gone to bed?”
“Yes, all are resting.”
“Good, bring them in.”
After the steward left, Yuwen Yongjia sat solemnly in the study, holding his tea and lost in thought under the lamp’s glow.
After a long while, quiet voices came from outside, and the door opened. The steward entered with a guest.
“Congratulations, Minister of the Secretariat!” the newcomer bowed deeply, his voice rough and hoarse.
“Great King, you must have suffered these days. Steward, make tea for the Great King quickly,” Yuwen Yongjia said with a smile as he rose to assist the man.
The visitor removed his hat, revealing a bald head. His long, narrow face was sharply featured. Beneath prominent brow ridges, deep-set blue eyes glimmered. A high nose bridge and full lips framed by thick facial hair tightly encircled his face.
“My humble abode is simple; I apologize for any discomfort, Great King. But today, I bring you good news,” Yuwen Yongjia smiled, seating the visitor before returning to his own chair.
“Oh? Has it succeeded?” the visitor asked excitedly.
“Today we received military dispatches. Five days ago, your forces entered Ningbian and should now have reached Fengzhou.”
“Excellent, excellent. The credit belongs to Minister of the Secretariat; our tribe shall not forget it.”
“It is a matter of mutual benefit. But Great King, do not forget our agreement,” Yuwen Yongjia’s expression turned serious.
“Hmph! Now that we have entered, do you think you can decide when we leave?”
“Rest assured, Minister of the Secretariat. Our tribe will not break its word,” the visitor said respectfully.
“Even if you sought to advance further, I doubt it will be possible. Though Liang is beset by troubles, its frontier armies are formidable. You surely know this, Great King. The court has already made plans; your tribe would do well to be prudent. Don’t throw away the troops you have painstakingly gathered.” Yuwen Yongjia’s voice was gentle but shrewd.
“Then… what does your court intend to do?” the visitor became uneasy.
“Great King, as long as you do not hesitate and delay the opportunity, our plans will not be hindered,” Yuwen Yongjia was clearly reluctant to reveal the court’s strategy.
“Minister of the Secretariat, you’d better keep your word, or neither of us will fare well,” the visitor warned angrily.
“My years of friendship with your tribe will not lead me to make empty promises. You should return tonight…”
In the study, Yuwen Yongjia and the Southern King of the White Rong stirred the winds of turmoil.
Outside Yuwen Residence, the night had settled over Kyoto like thick ink.
Thousands of Liang’s people remained unaware that this impending White Rong southern invasion, destined to shake the nation, was orchestrated by this newly appointed Minister of the Secretariat.

Page 3 of 3
The next day, impeachment memorials against Xiao Yi and Zhang Yan flew into the palace like snowflakes.
Before dawn, court officials brought their overnight-written petitions to the palace, then waited within the Qianqing Palace for the emperor’s response during the morning court session. If the emperor proved unworthy and sought to seize the people’s wealth, their fervor would not be in vain.
But where was the emperor? Hours passed, and not even a glimpse of him appeared.
“When will His Majesty come out to meet us, Palace Attendant Zhou?” someone asked impatiently of the eunuch standing nearby.
“Could His Majesty still be asleep? The millions of subjects wait anxiously to be fed; how can the Son of Heaven act so arbitrarily?”
“Gentlemen, be cautious. His Majesty has been reviewing memorials since before dawn and has yet to eat a single grain. As ministers, you must not speculate or speak ill of the sovereign,” the eunuch warned.
“Then why has His Majesty not appeared?”
“There are too many memorials submitted this morning; he cannot finish reading them all.”
(⊙ꇴ⊙) So it’s our fault?
“Minister Jiang, Minister Zhou, there’s trouble!” An official hurriedly shouted at the door.
Minister of Justice Jiang Taiyi frowned slightly. This young man was becoming more reckless, shouting aloud in court—what kind of decorum was this? The Ministry of Justice was not the Ministry of War; what could be so urgent? Minister of the Capital Cui Zheng was also puzzled.
Before they could move, the official arrived, panting and shouting:
“Ministers Jiang and Cui, a murder occurred last night. A man was cut down in the street in a gruesome manner.”
Jiang Taiyi was about to lose his temper. Even so, was this urgent enough to come find him? Investigate the case, arrest the culprit—couldn’t they handle that? But the official’s next words froze him in place.
“Confirmed by the family, the deceased is Zhang Yan, recently appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture by His Majesty.”
A hush fell over the hall; the officials were stunned.
No wonder Zhang Yan was not seen today!
He had just presented the Ten Strategies for a Strong Nation yesterday, and today he was murdered?
Who was so eager?
Who did this?
Countless questions jammed the dazed minds of the ministers.
Especially the aristocrats, their thoughts a tangled mess. Which family? Why resort to murder? Was such recklessness necessary? This was a slap to the emperor’s face!
“What did you say?”
Before anyone could react, the once refined Yuwen Yongjia stormed toward the messenger, his face full of rage.
“What did you say?”
“Minister Yuwen… Zhang Yan was murdered…” the messenger stammered fearfully.
“Where?”
“Not far from your residence, in an alley…”
“Last night Yan left my place. I never thought he wouldn’t even make it home before passing beyond this world…” Yuwen Yongjia seemed to lose all strength; tears traced down his cheeks.
Those around him were silent. Everyone knew Zhang Yan was Yuwen Yongjia’s protégé; everyone knew who truly backed those Ten Strategies.
Yet in a single night, the man was killed—so close to Yuwen Residence.
This was a slap to the emperor and to Yuwen Yongjia himself. This matter could not be settled lightly.
After a moment’s pause, Yuwen Yongjia composed himself, steeling his sorrow, and with firm steps approached the throne hall, kneeling before the imperial seat.
“Your Majesty, Zhang Yan served with unwavering loyalty, governed with incorruptible integrity, and was a man of utmost purity and filial piety. Entrusted by Your Majesty to carry out the work of enriching the people and strengthening the nation, he was cruelly murdered last night. I beseech Your Majesty to deliver justice for Zhang Yan!” Yuwen Yongjia’s words struck like hammers.
“Justice for Zhang Yan!” The stunned Yuwen faction and other ministers immediately followed suit, kneeling in the hall with voices that thundered to the heavens.
The eunuchs beside the throne snapped awake and hurried to the rear palace.
Some stood, some knelt, but all their hearts were thrown into chaos.