The Human Emperor Chapter 4: Crisis of the Wang Clan
Previously on The Human Emperor...
This was undoubtedly one of the most joyful meals he had partaken in a long time. Laughter filled the air throughout the meal, and Madam Wang’s face was beaming with happiness. She continued to pile food onto Wang Chong’s plate until it was overflowing, resembling a small mountain. Meanwhile, Father Wang, his usual sternness softened, also placed some food on Wang Chong’s plate under Madam Wang’s watchful eye.
“Third Brother, that’s amazing!” Observing this scene, the youngest daughter of the Wang family exclaimed in surprise. She glanced at her elder brother, deeply impressed by his ability to navigate the situation. She had braced herself for a tragic outcome, expecting her brother to face their parents’ displeasure. Instead, his few words had not only averted blame but earned him praise and compliments. Even their normally austere father had taken the initiative to serve him food.
The little sister felt a pang of envy, recognizing that after so many years in the household, she had never received such treatment. “Father, I want some too!” she declared, puffing out her cheeks and pushing her bowl towards Father Wang.
“You’re a lady, and look at your behavior!” Father Wang scolded, his stern tone causing the young girl’s eyes to well up with indignation. Madam Wang, witnessing this, was unsure whether to scold her daughter or chuckle. “Here! Mother will give you some food!” she offered.
“Brother will give you some too!” Wang Chong chimed in, grabbing some food for his sister with a hidden smile. “Thank you, Brother,” the little sister replied, her tears subsiding as a smile returned to her face. She happily resumed eating, seemingly forgetting her earlier upset.
The family continued their meal with renewed cheer. “Father, I heard you’re going to meet Lord Yao?” Wang Chong casually inquired amidst the meal. Instantly, the atmosphere at the dining table grew tense. Madam Wang shot Wang Chong a warning glance, and the little sister’s chopsticks froze in mid-air, startled.
Everyone in the family knew Father Wang preferred to keep his work separate from home life and disliked interference. “Where did you hear that?” Father Wang asked, looking up without changing his expression, though Wang Chong noticed a slight frown flicker across his father’s brow, indicating his displeasure at the topic being raised. Gedeng, Wang Chong’s heart jumped. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to press on, as this matter was crucial to him; failure to alter the course of events would render all his past efforts futile.
“I happened to overhear you discussing it with Mother,” Wang Chong replied, his heart pounding with nervousness. The success or failure of his plea rested on his next words. “Oh,” Father Wang’s brow twitched slightly. He recalled mentioning the matter to his wife, Zhao Shu Hua, once at home and was surprised Wang Chong had overheard their private conversation.
“Indeed, there is such a matter. Why do you ask?” Thanks to Wang Chong’s earlier composure, Father Wang didn’t immediately reprimand him. Instead, he invited him to continue speaking, clearly treating him as an adult. It was not appropriate, after all, to treat someone preparing for military training in preparation for war as a mere child.
“Lord Yao has never had a good relationship with you, Father, and you barely interact. Yet, he took the initiative to arrange a meeting this time. I fear he may have malicious intentions,” Wang Chong explained slowly. He understood his father’s aversion to family meddling in work affairs, and these words were certainly uncharacteristic for a fifteen-year-old. However, Wang Chong felt he had no other choice.
In his previous life, this Lord Yao, Yao Guang Yi, had invited his father for a meeting under the guise of official business, despite their lack of prior interaction. His father had been wary and would have refused any attempts to be swayed. However, Yao Guang Yi, being exceptionally cunning, remained silent on business matters during the meeting. Instead, he drew his father into casual conversation and drinks, before deliberately manipulating the situation and bringing it to the attention of King Song.
King Song, a prominent relation of the imperial family, held significant sway in the nation's military affairs, commanding considerable authority amongst the royal kin. His deep trust in Father Wang stemmed from connections with Wang Chong’s grandfather. Concurrently, Wang Yan’s ascent to a general commanding actual power at such a young age was, in large part, a result of King Song’s backing. Father Wang had engaged in a clandestine meeting with Yao Guang Yi, a trusted aide of King Qi. Given the bitter animosity between King Song and King Qi, King Song's fury was inevitable. Under normal circumstances, such a meeting might not have caused alarm. However, the current political climate was fraught with tension, as King Song and King Qi were locked in a fierce struggle for control within the imperial court, both openly and secretly. King Qi had aggressively poached many of King Song’s protégés and long-standing allies, significantly isolating King Song and diminishing his influence. This poaching had already unsettled King Song, making him distrustful of his own subordinates. For Father Wang to then meet with Yao Guang Yi privately amplified these suspicions. Adding to the complexity, Father Wang possessed a notably rigid and unyielding character. Aware of King Song’s growing distrust, he adamantly denied discussing anything substantive with Yao Guang Yi, claiming their encounter was merely for a shared drink. Such a private rendezvous between two high-ranking, opposing officials seemed implausible to King Song, who found the explanation unbelievable. Instead of alleviating King Song's concerns, his father’s statement intensified them, convincing King Song that he had been betrayed. He felt King Qi had orchestrated this meeting specifically to humiliate him. Subsequently, Yao Guang Yi deliberately manipulated events, fabricating border incidents that further widened the rift between King Song and Father Wang. King Song genuinely believed the entire Wang Clan had defected to King Qi’s side, perceiving their actions as a response to his weakening position. As the saying goes, the intensity of love often correlates with the depth of hatred. The perceived 'betrayal' by the Wang Clan, given their close past relationship, was something King Song found utterly unacceptable. This event dealt a devastating blow to King Song, a betrayal he felt even more keenly than the defection of numerous students and allies to the opposing side. Complete disappointment washed over him regarding the Wang Clan. While Wang Chong’s grandfather was alive, King Song, out of respect for their past camaraderie, merely stripped Wang Yan of his military command. However, after the grandfather's passing, King Qi began to exert pressure on the Wang Clan, which had by then lost King Song’s protection. Within a few short years, the once-esteemed Wang Clan was expelled from the Great Tang Empire’s imperial court. King Song led the faction advocating for a strong, aggressive stance against external threats to the Great Tang. Following his downfall, King Qi faced no significant opposition in the court. Consequently, the Great Tang Empire's foreign policy grew increasingly passive, ultimately leading to a catastrophic decline. It could be stated that this entire affair was not merely detrimental to the Wang Clan and King Song but was a catastrophic event for the entire imperial court! All three involved factions emerged as losers in this conflict. Even King Qi himself was not the ultimate victor. Wang Chong was acutely aware of the profound repercussions associated with these events. The trajectory of the entire Wang Clan and the fate of the royal court were irrevocably altered from that moment onward. Even at the precipice of his father's death, this matter weighed heavily on his mind. He lamented that the greatest error of his life was accepting Yao Guang Yi’s invitation and failing to clarify the situation with King Song. Wang Chong recalled these memories with absolute clarity. In his previous existence, Wang Chong drifted through life in a haze, pushing everyone and everything away. He had believed he felt no attachment to his family. By the time he awoke to appreciate what he had, it was tragically too late to alter events. This represented one of Wang Chong's most profound regrets. Armed with the knowledge of future developments, Wang Chong resolved not to stand idly by while his family and homeland faced destruction. Therefore, he was determined to prevent this devastating chain of events! However, conveying this intricate situation to his father presented a significant challenge for Wang Chong. “There is no need for a child like you to involve yourself in this matter. I understand what must be done,” Father Wang stated unequivocally, his expression remaining impassive. The animosity between the Yao and Wang Clans was a relic of a previous dynasty; with the passage of considerable time, Wang Yan harbored no personal animosity towards Yao Guang Yi.Father Wang was not oblivious to the schism between King Song and King Wang. He feigned ignorance, yet feared alienating either faction. Hence, he resolved to meet one of them privately.
After all, the animosity between them was not substantial.
At most, should Yao Guang Yi attempt to sway him, he would need only firmly reiterate his stance and decline. That would settle the affair. However, if Yao Guang Yi persisted after his refusal to meet, it could indeed spell potential trouble.
Observing the expression on his father’s countenance, Wang Chong was seized with panic.
His father was, by nature, a soldier. In commanding armies and vanquishing foes, his father was in no way inferior to Yao Guang Yi. Yet, in the realm of political machinations and stratagems, Yao Guang Yi was far superior, operating on an entirely different plane.
The disparity between their levels was immense!
Yao Guang Yi, intimately familiar with his father’s character, had ingeniously laid this trap, anticipating his father’s inevitable fall. Should his father still cling to his creed of 'As long as I conduct myself righteously and transparently, there is nothing to fear,' he would be caught unawares and ensnared by Yao Guang Yi. Then, regret would be a futile emotion.
“Chong-er, since your father has spoken, you should not pursue this matter further. Hasten and eat your meal.”
‘A mother knows her child best’. Glancing at Wang Chong, his mother instantly discerned his intentions and shot him a look, urging him to cease.
She understood her husband’s temperament exceptionally well. He detested discussions of work during mealtimes. It was already a considerable allowance for him to tolerate Wang Chong's persistence thus far.
The simple declaration, ‘I know what I should do,’ conveyed his unwavering attitude regarding this issue. The decision was made, and all discourse was to end. Any further insistence from Wang Chong would truly incur Father Wang’s wrath.
Wang Chong felt a surge of panic. He understood his mother’s intent, yet the gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon him. If matters were to unfold unfavorably, this very dining hall, the entire Wang Clan, and even his uncle could be utterly ruined.
The entirety of the Wang Clan risked expulsion from the Great Tang’s political arena. His father, unaware of Yao Guang Yi’s insidious schemes, remained unguarded. Wang Chong saw no alternative but to press the issue.
Even if his father were to fly into a rage, even if he were to face his father’s stern disapproval, this was a necessary course of action.
“Father, this matter carries paramount importance. I believe perhaps you should inform King Song of it in advance. At the very least, should any unforeseen event arise... the outcome would not be so dire.”
Wang Chong pondered for a moment, deciding to adopt a different tactic. He opted for a more subtle approach, presenting his suggestions indirectly. After all, preventing his father from attending the meeting was not a feasible resolution. His father was no mere child, and being overly stubborn would only provoke his anger. Therefore, Wang Chong sought an alternative path. Instead of directly confronting Yao Guang Yi, he chose to bring King Song into the discussion.
“This is an affair for adults; you need not concern yourself with it.”
Father Wang's expression turned cold as he rose from the table.
“Continue your meal. I have matters to attend to and will take my leave now.”
With that, he departed without even finishing his food.
Mother Wang cast a displeased glance at Wang Chong. Wang Chong could only sigh, acknowledging his insufficient effort to earn his father’s trust this time.
“At the very least, he did not erupt in anger,” Wang Chong mused.
Although the meal concluded unhappily on the surface, Wang Chong recognized that, given his father’s temperament, his defiance should have provoked an outburst. However, his father merely displayed displeasure, a significant improvement, suggesting his words had indeed had some impact.
If his father would inform King Song of the impending meeting with Yao Guang Yi beforehand, his efforts would not have been in vain. This particular task required his father’s personal involvement; not even Wang Chong could act on his behalf.
“It appears I will require Ma Zhou’s assistance for this matter!” Wang Chong thought with concern.
His father’s personality was far too unyielding. Once a decision was made, altering it presented a formidable challenge. Changing his mind with mere words was virtually impossible.
This very trait had led to his father enduring numerous injustices as his adversaries exploited his steadfast nature.
Wang Chong’s attempt to persuade his father had failed, compelling him to seek alternative solutions. Regardless of the cost, he was determined to avert this impending crisis.
Finding a plausible excuse, he quickly bid farewell to his mother and younger sister before departing the dining hall.
As previously stated in the Library of Heaven’s Path, I will reiterate the explanation here.
Emperor - The supreme ruler of a nation.
Ancient China operated predominantly under a feudalistic structure. A central administration, headed by the government, presided over a collection of territorial lords, or landowners, beneath them.
Such an arrangement was a natural consequence of the vastness of the territories and the logistical challenges faced by a central government in exerting authority across the entire realm, especially given the absence of telephones and efficient transportation methods of the era.
Consequently, the emperor would bestow titles of nobility upon individuals, who might or might not be granted a tract of land to govern.
Typically, during the struggle for the imperial throne, numerous princes would meet their demise. Some of the surviving princes would be elevated to the rank of ‘King,’ representing the highest echelon of nobility, second only to the immediate royal family. These Kings might occasionally be granted their own territories to rule, or they might be appointed to positions within the royal court. In some instances, their status as ‘King’ would exist solely in title, bestowing nobility without granting any actual power.
It was also common for subjects who rendered exceptional service to be awarded the title of ‘King.’
Members of the Imperial Clan
Only the direct offspring of the reigning emperor constituted the royal family.
I am uncertain if a definitive official translation exists in Chinese for the term denoting the extended relatives of the royal family. For clarity, I shall refer to them in this manner for now.