1927 Free Market, Free Competition

  "General, you've arrived just in time. Just now, Shi Daoren from the Bian Er Pai sect came to see me and said he wanted to find a teacher to study poetry, books, and etiquette."

  "Your Highness, this is a good thing! This shows that the eldest prince has grown up and knows how to study poetry, books, and etiquette. In the future, he will surely become a wise and virtuous ruler."

  "It's a good thing, but the teacher he wants to find is Cai Yong, and it has to be Cai Yong. You also know that Cai Yong offended Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and others, and has already been exiled to Lingnan by the Emperor, so this matter is a bit difficult."

  "Your Majesty, I dare not speak out of turn, but the Emperor is too indulgent towards the eunuchs. Everything is done according to their wishes, so who really holds power in the great Han dynasty? The Crown Prince is the future ruler, and yet even finding a teacher for him requires consideration of those eunuchs' faces?"

  What's more, Cai Dafu is a renowned scholar throughout the land. As an official appointed by the imperial court, it is his duty to offer advice to the emperor. Now that he has been demoted to Lingnan for two years, can't he be allowed to return?

  "What you said makes sense, I'm just afraid that the Emperor won't let him return, and with Zhang Rang and others by the Emperor's side, if they continue to flatter him, it will be difficult for Cai Yong to come back to the capital. Let me call Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and others over to ask them some questions, and calm them down first."

  "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it would be better to simply order the execution of these eunuchs and be done with it. Why bother to consider their feelings? Now they have become the masters of this palace, what a ridiculous state of affairs!"

  "The general should not say anything more, after all, the things in this palace can't be done without them, it's also a rule passed down by our ancestors. Of course, these slaves shouldn't be given too much power."

  However, they are now powerful and still have 3,000 forbidden troops in their hands. Even your Imperial Guard may not be able to defeat them easily, so it's better not to conflict with them. Because once a bloody conflict occurs, who knows what will happen in the chaos.

  Now if we just endure a little longer, until the emperor has confirmed the identity of the crown prince and ascended to the throne, it won't be too late to gradually weaken the eunuchs' power.

  And you, outside, strengthen your control over the capital and win over more officials in the imperial court. As long as the officials support Bian'er, everything will be easy to handle. In the palace, I am in charge of the six palaces, even if that Wang Meiren wants to make a comeback, this palace won't let her have an easy time, humph."

  "It's all right, I'll take charge of the Imperial Guard and you can control the six palaces. As long as we work together and have the support of many officials, Bian'er's position will be secure. For now, let those eunuchs roam free for a while, and later we'll slowly deal with them."

  After General-in-Chief He Jin left, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were summoned to the Ning'an Palace. Although they had colluded to deceive the Emperor and often influenced his decisions, they still showed some restraint in front of Empress He, who was in charge of the six palaces.

  "Your humble servants Zhang and Zhao pay their respects to Your Ladyship, may Your Ladyship live for a thousand years."

  "The two of you may rise, I have summoned you today because there is a matter that requires your attention." Empress He said calmly.

  "My lady has spoken, whatever instructions you give me I will carry out."

  "It's like this, the Crown Prince sent someone to the palace today to tell me that he wants to find a great Confucian scholar as his teacher to learn some poetry, books and etiquette. I was delighted when I heard it, which means the Crown Prince has grown up and become sensible."

  Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads and said: "Your Majesty, this is a great joy! The Crown Prince Bian is already thirteen years old this year. He's still at an age where he should be carefree, but instead, he knows how to study. This is indeed fortunate for the imperial court and the world."

  "What you two gentlemen said is quite right, however, the Crown Prince has heard from some servant's mouth that the most famous Confucian scholar in the world today is Cai Yong, so he firmly wants Cai Yong to be his teacher. However, I know that there are some small conflicts between Cai Yong and several of you gentlemen, so I'd like to ask for your opinions on this matter: can we let His Majesty summon Cai Yong back to the capital?"

  Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong had already known about this matter, as Shi Dao Ren had gone to find them according to Liu Bian's instructions, and promised that Liu Bian would only pay homage to him as his master, but would not let the imperial court restore his official position, which made the Ten Eunuchs feel a little more at ease, without worrying that Cai Yong would again speak out of turn to the Emperor.

  "Your Majesty, we had no conflict with Cai University Scholar. The previous incident was only because he angered the Emperor and was exiled. So, Your Majesty's words are too severe. We have no opinion on this matter, after all, the prince's education is the most important thing."

  "The two of you are so magnanimous, the palace is very pleased. Come and bring a pair of nine-dragon pendants for the palace to reward the two of you."

  The empress was still well-versed in the way of the ruler, knowing that she should use both kindness and severity towards her subordinates. Therefore, she rewarded each of them with a jade pendant adorned with a nine-dragon pattern, its colors clear and extremely valuable.

  She then drove to the imperial study, where she presented Emperor Ling with a bowl of silver lotus seed soup. At this time, Emperor Ling had just woken up from his noon nap and was feeling somewhat restless. Seeing Empress He's elegant arrival, he couldn't help but feel stirred, and pulled her onto the couch in the imperial study to engage in that activity.

  "Your Majesty, Bian'er is now thirteen years old and has not had a good teacher to instruct him since he was young. Now that he understands things, today Shi Daoren came to the palace saying he wants to find a teacher to study poetry, books, and etiquette. Can Your Majesty grant his request?"

  Empress He gently and graciously accepted the Emperor's favor, while softly making her request. Emperor Ling of Han naturally immediately agreed, as he was in high spirits and willing to grant any wish.

  However, Empress He also knew Emperor Ling's temperament, so she didn't mention Cai Yong. Instead, she said to him: "Our Bian'er is a noble prince and naturally needs a good teacher. Moreover, Bian'er has his own opinions and chose the most famous Confucian scholar as his master. I'm sure His Majesty will agree."

  "Agreed, I agree, isn't it just a matter of finding a great Confucian scholar to be the child's teacher? What's so difficult about that?"

  "Then I thank Your Majesty."

  The Empress He was secretly delighted, and so she served the Emperor Ling with all her might, making him feel as if he were floating on air, until finally they both collapsed exhausted onto the dragon bed, their bodies drenched in sweat.

  "My beloved empress, you are truly a treasure sent to me by heaven." The Spirit Emperor said with a lingering tone while caressing the chest of Empress He.

  "If Your Majesty likes, I can accompany you to the ultimate pleasure every day. However, just now Your Majesty promised me that Cai Yong would be the teacher of Bian Er, so please issue the edict early when you have time."

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