Millennium Three Officials Dream

Author: Yang Jinming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Princess Xingping released Zhang Yuan's neck, tears streaming down her face, and said resentfully, "Etiquette and morality—how can people in high positions with power speak of such things! Which noble or high official doesn't claim to be full of virtue and righteousness, yet in reality, their insides are filled with male theft and female debauchery. Wasn't Qin Shi Huang the illegitimate son of Lü Buwei and Zhao Ji? Wasn't Emperor Sui Yang killed by his father's concubine, Chen Shi, for wanting to get her? Wasn't Wu Zetian the stepmother of Emperor Gaozong of Tang? Wasn't Yang Guifei the daughter-in-law of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang? Which man with power doesn't have affairs? As for me, it's not that you don't want to, but that you dare not. You place too much importance on your position and your reputation. Your alliance with the Liao against the Song is merely a desire for fame and profit." Princess Xingping's words left Zhang Yuan speechless. Yes, etiquette and morality have no for those in power. He remembered the boy in the forest outside Bianliang who had saved an injured crow. Back then, he despised those who incited mutual hatred for personal gain, but now he had become one himself. He should stop now, but he was unwilling, unable, and unwilling to. Though he held high office, his power came from the King of Wu. What could he do? Power was tied to one person—what could anyone do about it? Thinking this, a sense of confusion and melancholy arose in his heart.
Princess Xingping gradually calmed down and saw Zhang Yuan lost in thought. She personally poured him a cup of hot tea and said, "Since we are powerless, why seek trouble for ourselves." As Zhang Yuan reached for the cup, she tightly grasped his hand. This time, he did not shy away, and he held her hand tightly in return. Their eyes met, reading each other's souls.
"Tonight, don't leave," Princess Xingping said. Zhang Yuan thought for a moment and shook his head, "It's not that I don't appreciate your kindness, Princess, but I fear the consequences. Please forgive me." With that, he hurriedly left the palace.
At midnight, the wind began to blow. The wind in Western Xia always howled fiercely, and Princess Xingping's sobs were swallowed by the wind.
Zhang Yuan's close relationship with Princess Xingping drew some gossip. Some people had a penchant for scandal, using whispers and rumors as entertainment after meals. Some were jealous, unable to find fault with him, so they exaggerated their private affairs to damage his reputation without any accountability. Since Zhang Yuan's arrival in Western Xia, he had been trusted by the King of Wu as a key minister, naturally attracting envy. Now that they heard the rumors of his affair with Princess Xingping, they saw it as a chance to destroy him.
Mo Zai Epo was the eldest son of the Mo Zai family in Western Xia. His sister, Mo Zai Shi, was the wife of General Yeli Yuqi. Yeli Yuqi's sister, Yeli Shi, had become the favorite of the King of Wu after marrying him. Yeli Yuqi and his brother, Yeli Wangrong, were the King of Wu's most trusted generals, holding the military power of Western Xia and commanding significant influence in the court. Mo Zai Epo benefited from his sister-in-law's favor, securing the position of Vice Minister of State. Clever and strategic, the King of Wu often sought his advice, making him a notable figure in the court. Relying on his sister-in-law and his family's influence, he courted the King of Wu, using promises of titles and threats to gain allies, forming his own faction. He sought to accumulate as much power as possible, climb higher, and one day seize control of the entire court.
Since Zhang Yuan's arrival, he had become Zhang Yuan's superior and was always one step ahead of him in strategy. The King of Wu trusted Zhang Yuan completely, leaving him feeling. Mo Zai Epo knew that to advance quickly, he must bring down his superior and take his place. To do so, he needed to bypass his superior and gain the trust of his superior's superior. Thus, he kept a close eye on Zhang Yuan.
When Mo Zai Epo heard that Zhang Yuan often visited Princess Xingping, he saw an opportunity. He told the King of Wu, "Your Majesty, I've heard some rumors that could harm your reputation. I've heard that Princess Xingping is very close to the Vice Minister of State. Don't let any scandals arise."
The King of Wu replied, "The Vice Minister of State considers the bigger picture and asks me to treat the princess favorably to strengthen the alliance between Western Xia and Liao. But I don't get along with her—I find visiting her pointless. The princess is unfamiliar with the customs and culture of Western Xia, yet she is very interested in Chinese studies. The Vice Minister of State is a scholar of Chinese studies, so I've asked him to chat with her."
"Your Majesty, the princess is proud and arrogant, relying on Liao's great power. How could she respect you? Since you refuse to bow to Liao, it's natural that you don't get along with her. The Vice Minister of State is a subject and will surely treat the princess with utmost respect. He is also very learned and only says what the princess likes to hear. Women are weak to flattery, and a few compliments from the Vice Minister could win the princess's heart. If you become a mistress's man, it will bring shame upon Western Xia. Your reputation is extremely important. Besides, why should we curry favor with the princess and please Liao? Under your wise leadership, Western Xia is growing stronger and expanding its borders to achieve eternal imperial glory. Why would we bind our own hands and refuse to accept rebels?" 64-65