Su Buwei knew the Emperor wanted to speak privately with Fang Jie, so he slightly bowed and invited Chen Bolai and the others to wait outside for Huai Qiugong, the Minister of Rites. These foreign officials, visiting Chang'an for the first time and entering the palace for the first time to meet His Majesty, left the East Warm Pavilion timidly and hesitantly, as if in a dream, not even knowing how they had gotten out.
"Alright, stop pretending."
The Emperor pointed to a stool not far away and said, "Putting on this act in front of Chen Bolai and the others, did they offend you somehow? I didn't expose you because I know you harbor resentment after being imprisoned in the secret dungeon for so many days. Sit down and talk… I have something to ask you."
Fang Jie lowered his head and responded, thinking to himself that the Emperor could see through everything. From the first time he met this Emperor, Fang Jie knew that this man possessed the ability to see through everything. Many ministers in the court were known for their intelligence, but compared to the Emperor, they seemed to be no smarter at all. Or perhaps, the emperor wasn't born exceptionally intelligent, but rather accumulated ample experience and wisdom later in life.
Fang Jie didn't sit down, but instead gave a slight bow, saying, "Before Your Majesty, it's best for me to speak standing."
The emperor hummed in acknowledgment, picked up his vermilion brush, and began reviewing a memorial, saying calmly, "The secret prison of the Imperial Guard isn't far from my East Warm Pavilion; if you walk quickly, it's only about the distance of an incense stick's burning. I know what kind of person you were in prison. If it weren't for Mr. Zhuo and Professor Qiu from the Martial Arts Academy persuading you, would you have truly given up on yourself? If so, what use would I have for you?"
Fang Jie didn't answer; he knew an answer wasn't necessary.
The Emperor paused briefly before continuing, "Do you feel wronged?"
Fang Jie was silent for a moment before replying, "Not wronged, but wronged."
The Emperor put down his pen, pondered for a moment, and said, "Not wronged, but wronged, well said. If you truly harbor no resentment, I should have someone imprison you again for a thorough investigation. Buddhism is the enemy of the Sui Dynasty, its most powerful enemy… Relatively speaking, the threat posed by the Mongol Yuan Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty is nothing compared to Buddhism. I have established you as a model for those from humble backgrounds, bestowing upon you honor and wealth; this was originally a good thing to inspire the people to strive for excellence, so I do not want such a good thing to become a handle for future generations to ridicule me."
He looked up at Fang Jie, smiled, and said, "Fortunately, you at least have no connection with the Buddhist sect."
"Fortunately,"
Fang Jie repeated, his tone seemingly tinged with resentment. The Emperor ignored his petulance and pointed to the memorials on the table, saying, "These were all delivered this morning. The war in the Northwest has just begun, and it's only slightly unsuccessful. Many officials are already urging us to withdraw and negotiate peace… A bunch of pig-headed fools! I've transferred 700,000 troops to the Northwest, fought one battle, and then negotiate peace? Do they think this is child's play?"
Fang Jie knew the main point was coming, so he listened attentively to the Emperor's words.
"Since the beginning of my reign, I have been planning the advance into the Northwest. For twelve years, I have been preparing for this every moment. Expanding territory is certainly one reason, but there is a deeper meaning behind it. Do you know it?"
"Your subject is foolish,"
Fang Jie lowered his head and said. The Emperor put down his vermilion brush, sat up straight, and said, "Twelve years ago, your master, my seventh brother, the Prince Zhong of the Sui Dynasty, went west to kill the invaders. Do you know about this?"
"I heard some of it from Luo Weiran, the commander of the Imperial Guard."
"Hmm, I doubt he would hide it from you."
The Emperor seemed satisfied with the other's frankness, paused, and continued, "Twelve years ago, the seventh prince led several hundred wandering swordsmen westward, killing the Mongol barbarians outside the borders. But too many died, and even the seventh prince disappeared without a trace. I once thought he had also perished in the northwestern wilderness… From then on, I became even more determined to raise an army to attack the Mongols. To avenge the seventh prince, to avenge the fallen righteous men of the Sui Dynasty. My later signing of the alliance with the Khan of the Mongol Yuan was merely to better prepare for the northwestern war."
"You understand?"
The Emperor asked. Fang Jie nodded, "Your Majesty's good intentions are clear..."
"Few can understand."
The Emperor sighed, "How can one allow others to snore beside one's bed? The Mongols are too strong, and Buddhism is even stronger. I don't want to wait until the Mongols attack before fighting this war. If we wait until then, it will be the people of my Great Sui who suffer. If it's time to destroy the country, it's better to destroy someone else's."
"But...some people just don't understand this principle."
The Emperor looked at Fang Jie and asked, "The first battle in the Northwest has gone so poorly. What are your thoughts? After all, you served under Li Xiaozong for three years, and it's said that you and he have a good relationship."
Fang Jie desperately wanted to avoid this question, but it had to come. Fang Jie knew that His Majesty wasn't simply asking for his opinion; vague, perfunctory answers would be difficult to handle. Luo Weiran's instructions still echoed in his ears; he knew that if he said anything wrong, it would be a death sentence.
"Your Majesty..."
Fang Jie opened his mouth, then swallowed the rest of his words. The Emperor glanced at him, then waved for the servants in the room to leave. Except for Su Buwei, all the palace maids and eunuchs retreated outside.
"You are still young, very young," the Emperor said calmly.
"It will be five or ten years before you have a position in the court. So now is not the time for you to be timid and hesitant. Young people should have the spirit of youth; say what you want to say, say what you should say. Since I have said this, don't you understand the meaning behind it?"
Fang Jie let out a long sigh, raised his head, and said earnestly, "I know Your Majesty's care for me, but I am not only worried about my future. Compared to that, my personal honor and disgrace are insignificant… My knowledge of the war in the Northwest is limited. But I can glimpse some sordid things. Your Majesty, with your discerning eye, naturally sees it more clearly. There are people in the court who do not want the war in the Northwest to go smoothly from the start. As for their true intentions, I dare not speculate."
Hearing this, Su Buwei subconsciously glanced at Fang Jie. The usually quiet and unassuming eunuch looked at Fang Jie with a hint of worry in his eyes.
"That's why I summoned you."
The emperor was silent for a moment before saying, "After much thought, there's something only you are truly suited for. Since you just said that your personal honor or disgrace doesn't matter, then I'll entrust this task to you. I originally planned to give you a more important responsibility after you graduated from the Martial Arts Academy, but since this has already happened, I might as well let you meet people earlier."
This was the worst-case scenario Fang Jie could imagine before entering the palace, and it had indeed come to pass.
He seemed to struggle for a moment, then looked at the emperor sincerely and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens, but please grant me an imperial decree. I don't want to be branded a traitor after this matter is resolved."
"You don't trust me?"
The emperor said with slight displeasure.
"What I don't trust is public opinion; public opinion is a fearsome thing."
Fang Jie lowered his head. "Su Buwei."
The Emperor pointed at Fang Jie and said, "From today onwards, Fang Jie is entrusted to you. This matter must be kept secret, so misunderstandings are inevitable… As for the imperial decree, Fang Jie, I will give it to you, but remember, the war in the Northwest has no time to waste on such sordid matters, and my determination to wage war in the Northwest will not waver."
"Your subject will act swiftly."
Fang Jie bowed and said, "I will not fail Your Majesty's trust."
…
…
Only three people knew what the Emperor had Fang Jie do: the Emperor himself, Fang Jie himself, and Su Buwei, who always stood behind the Emperor. This was a highly dangerous matter, one that Fang Jie least wanted to be involved in. In his view, he was not yet qualified to wade into this deep water. And given his nature, he feared that this water would swallow him whole, leading to utter ruin.
Since ancient times, how many people have drowned in the power struggles of officialdom?
Therefore, although Fang Jie's face appeared calm as he left the East Warm Pavilion, how could his heart be at peace? Yesterday, while drinking with Luo Weiran and the others at Hongxiuzhao, Fang Jie had guessed something from Luo Weiran's words. Today, meeting the Emperor confirmed his suspicions.
The war in the Northwest was far more complex than it appeared. The Emperor wanted to use this war to expand the Sui Dynasty's territory again and to ensure his own name would be remembered for generations. Many others were also eyeing the war, hoping to profit from it, and these people were not solely acting in the Sui Dynasty's best interests. These were people Fang Jie could not afford to offend at this moment.
The task the Emperor had given him was like sending him into a tiger's den.
Looking at the once again overcast sky, Fang Jie couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. He had originally come to Chang'an to avoid disaster, to live a peaceful life. At least for the past three years at the Martial Arts Academy, he could live a stable and carefree life, sleep soundly without fear of impending death.
But life is never predetermined.
Every day is changing, every second is changing. If someone could make life unfold exactly as they planned, they would have transcended the realm of humanity. They would be a god; anyone who easily controls their own destiny is a god. Of course, Fang Jie hadn't seen anyone achieve this.
What a hassle!
He sighed deeply, then smiled.
Let's fight it out. Whose glory isn't earned through hard work?
The emperor sat on the earthen bed, glancing out the window at the receding figure of the young man. He seemed to be talking to himself, saying, "I knew from the beginning that the hardest thing in the world is to be an emperor, and I also knew that the least free person in the world is the emperor. But now that I'm in this position, I've already made things difficult for myself enough. Would I allow others to make things difficult for me?"
"Your Majesty, perhaps it's just...wanting a share."
Su Buwei rarely interjected. The emperor couldn't help but smile, saying, "You rarely speak, but every word you utter hits the nail on the head. I'm not afraid of people wanting a share; I'm worried about people eyeing the spoon. Of course, I'll let..." "Fang Jie meeting people so early has another meaning... Fang Jie is a good prospect. I will train him now, so that when Chengqian grows up, Fang Jie will be of great use."
"Your Majesty is in the prime of life..."
Before Su Buwei could finish speaking, the Emperor waved his hand to interrupt: "It is true that one is in the prime of life, but everyone will die. I don't mind that; what needs to be arranged should be arranged early. I was almost forty when I inherited the throne. Even if I live longer, how many more years do I have? I hope that Chengqian will inherit a peaceful and prosperous era from me. I have done everything that needed to be done while I was on the throne; he only needs to sit firmly on the throne."
The Emperor coughed a few times, his throat dry and sore.
"Your Majesty, you haven't rested for two days and one night,"
Su Buwei reminded him. "Sleep for a while... I understand."
The Emperor lay down fully clothed on the earthen bed, his eyes closed, and said, "The matter I entrusted to Fang Jie is both difficult and easy. It's not difficult because any shady dealing will eventually be exposed, and Fang Jie is smart enough to uncover these sordid things easily. The difficulty lies in... whether he can resist temptation. Sometimes, empty promises are alluring. Su Buwei... you keep an eye on this matter, don't let Fang Jie be framed and killed in this scheme... but if he deserves to die, you can do it yourself."
"Yes."
Su Buwei responded softly, gently covering the Emperor with the blanket.
The Emperor seemed to fall asleep quickly, but his brows remained furrowed. Su Buwei sighed very softly, his worry deepening.
He walked very quietly out of the East Warm Pavilion, closed the door, and looked up to find that snow had already begun to fall silently. Soon, a layer of white covered the ground, obscuring the footprints of the departing young man. But Su Buwei knew that Fang Jie had not left Taiji Palace, but had entered a life-or-death situation.