Chapter Ninety-Three: The Art of Compromise (Part One)

“Please stop, Your Highness of the Crown Prince!”

Having somehow turned a situation already on the verge of ruin back to his advantage, Li Xian was in rather good spirits. His steps as he left the palace were relaxed and unhurried. Since there was no need to hurry, he dawdled along at an easy pace. He had not expected, however, to hear a hurried shout from behind him. Startled, he turned and saw that it was Wei Xiji, the Minister of Agriculture. A thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately guessed the man’s purpose. Smiling, he came to a stop.

“Your Highness, I was rude. The matter is urgent, and I had no choice but to act so. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.” Wei Xiji, though holding one of the highest offices in the realm and not yet fifty, was clearly a man of successful career prospects, yet he kept a low profile. Seeing Li Xian turn around, he hurried up to him at a quick trot, bowed respectfully, and offered his apology.

“No matter. Minister Wei, just say what you need. As long as I can manage it, I shall certainly not refuse.”

Though Li Xian in this life had no particular friendship with Wei Xiji, in a former life he had been quite close to him. Now that he had met an old acquaintance, he naturally would not put on the airs of a royal prince. He returned the salute with equal courtesy and answered with a smile.

“I thank Your Highness for your generosity. Since I have received the imperial command to use Your Highness’s agricultural estate as the foundation for this promotion effort, I dare not be negligent. I beg Your Highness to allow me to enter the estate together with my colleagues from the Ministry of Agriculture to inspect it.”

Wei Xiji had also benefited from the great reshuffle at court. Having just been promoted from Deputy Minister of Agriculture to full Minister, he was not truly of the crown prince’s inner faction, but politically he leaned toward the crown prince. In the past, because of his duties, he had often been a visitor to the Eastern Palace. Coming today to find Li Xian, he had feared that Li Xian, owing to his closeness to the crown prince, might make things difficult for him. Yet seeing Li Xian so easygoing, he immediately felt a weight lift from his heart and promptly stated his purpose.

“That is no difficult matter. I can simply return to the manor and issue the instructions. Minister Wei may go whenever it suits you. How about this: I happen to be free tomorrow. If it is convenient for you, let us make it tomorrow, and I shall accompany you personally on the visit. Would that do?”

Li Xian knew well that Wei Xiji was a capable man of practical talent, and he very much wanted to bring him under his wing. Thus he readily agreed to the request, even proposing to accompany him in person.

“I would truly not dare trouble Your Highness with such a journey. If I may have Your Highness’s permission, that would satisfy me completely.”

Though still young, Wei Xiji had already risen to be one of the Nine Ministers; he was by no means a bookish fool. Hearing the clear hint of goodwill in Li Xian’s words, his heart gave a jolt. He did not wish to be lightly drawn into the brutal struggles among the imperial princes, so he quickly stepped back half a pace and bent to decline the offer.

“Do as you think best, Minister Wei. Hmm, this is my seal. Those in the estate will recognize it at a glance. When you go, simply present it and you may proceed as you please.”

Li Xian valued Wei Xiji highly and truly wanted to take him into his own hands, but he would not force the matter too eagerly. There was no need to rush; the future was long. Not wishing to press too hard, he reached to his waist, removed a jade pendant, and handed it forward with a smile.

“I thank Your Highness for your regard. Since Your Highness is occupied, I shall not delay you further. Farewell.”

Seeing that Li Xian did not insist on accompanying him, Wei Xiji secretly breathed easier, though he also felt somewhat apologetic. He took the jade pendant respectfully with both hands, stepped back twice, bowed, and thanked him.

“Very well, Minister Wei, do as you please.”

Li Xian gave Wei Xiji a meaningful look, said no more, and turned back toward the palace gates. He had barely strolled out of the palace when someone else blocked his way.

“Your Highness, at last you are out. My master requests an audience at his residence.”

Zhang Che seemed to have been waiting impatiently. The moment he saw Li Xian emerging at an unhurried pace from the palace gate, he almost sprang forward, hurrying to report his errand.

Heh, why does that fellow always fail to shed his impatient nature? Fine, I may as well go. Li Xian had risen early that very morning, and martial practice had already drained his strength. Then he had fought a hard battle in the morning court, leaving him somewhat exhausted both physically and mentally. He had intended to return home and rest, but since Li Xian had sent for him, he could hardly refuse. With no better choice, he nodded in agreement and took a carriage straight to Prince Lu’s residence...

“Brother Six, I have arrived.”

Li Xian was now extremely familiar with Li Xian. Entering Prince Lu’s residence felt no different from entering his own home. There was no need to announce himself; he went directly to the study in the rear courtyard. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Li Xian sitting behind the table, his face dark and sullen. That resentful little expression made Li Xian both exasperated and amused. Yet he was used to it by now. With a careless shrug, he greeted him with a smile and, without waiting for any reaction, sat down opposite him.

“Hmph, that man is far too much. I shall never let him get away with this. Seventh Brother, are you willing to help me?”

Li Xian felt that he had suffered a great loss in the morning court and was bitterly unwilling to accept it. Seeing Li Xian’s unconcerned expression only made his anger flare higher. With a cold snort, he widened his eyes and cried out in fury.

“What are you saying, Brother Six? Seventh Brother and I are of one body—what is this talk of helping or not helping? Could it be that Brother Six is trying to slap my face?”

Seeing that Li Xian was in a fit of rage, Li Xian knew perfectly well that this was not the time to reason with him. So he deliberately pulled a face, frowned, and asked back in displeasure as though offended.

“You... Ah, Seventh Brother, forgive me. Your brother is merely angered by that fellow’s abuse of power to bully others. I truly did not mean to estrange myself from you.”

Li Xian had been furious, but the moment he saw that Li Xian was displeased, his temper first rose, then quickly cooled. With a wry smile, he shook his head and let out a deeply unwilling sigh.

“Brother Six, I have told you many times: in the matter of the river works, you can never outfight that man. Besides, if Father Emperor truly entrusted this business to you, it would only make you more vulnerable to the malicious framing of others. Why cling so stubbornly to a moment’s gain or loss? If you strike head-on against the Crown Prince now, both sides will be harmed, and in the end someone else will reap the benefit. This must not be ignored!”

Li Xian was both tired and hungry, and truly had no desire to continue circling around the issue in order to comfort him. He simply put on a stern face and lectured him directly.

“I... I only forgot for a moment. Heh, Seventh Brother, do not worry. Your brother will, ah, will certainly not make such a mistake again.”

After being thoroughly scolded by Li Xian, Li Xian first froze, then remembered that he himself had failed to follow the plan they had discussed earlier that morning, which had led to all these complications. His face reddened, and he offered a somewhat embarrassed explanation.

“Brother Six need not blame himself. In truth, the current situation is not bad. In my opinion, it may even be slightly better than our original plan.”

Li Xian knew well that Li Xian’s character was frank to the point of stubbornness. He did not wish to press too hard, so his expression softened a little as he made that judgment.

“Oh? How do you mean?”

The reason Li Xian was angry was not entirely because he had been rebuffed at the morning court. More than that, he was worried that the arranged plan would fail. Agitated and frustrated, he had acted somewhat impulsively. Now that he heard there might be a turn for the better, his spirits immediately lifted, and he hurriedly pressed for more.

“Brother Six, Father Emperor’s intention in letting us brothers help with state affairs was precisely that he did not wish the court to become one-sided. Since conflict has now arisen, His Majesty will certainly not stand by and watch Brother Six suffer a grievance in vain. He will still lend support where it is due. That is the broader trend of things, so why worry so much? Second, governing river works and regulating grain transport has always been Father Emperor’s wish. Your memorial naturally accords with his preference. The reason he did not make an immediate decree was, first, that this plan might contain flaws and needed careful deliberation before any decision could be made; second, he could not bear to wound the Crown Prince’s face. Especially the latter point—I hope Brother Six will keep it firmly in mind. In other words, this memorial on the river works should be able to pass, but it will be very difficult for it to be handled by you personally. I said as much last year, so I need not repeat it. For now, the best course is to make use of the momentum as it comes; the rest need not be taken to heart.”

Li Xian was truly wary of Li Xian’s impulsive nature, fearing that in a moment of rashness he would again create unnecessary trouble. So he simply laid the matter out plainly and forcefully.

“Hm, what Seventh Brother says is very true. I was the one who grew impatient.”

Li Xian was naturally clever and would not fail to hear that Li Xian’s words were meant entirely for his own good. Though the words were not especially pleasant, the feelings behind them and the reasoning were both entirely genuine. Warmth rose in his heart, and somewhat embarrassed, he clasped his hands and apologized again.

“Heh, that is progress. You are admitting fault so readily?”

After having spoken so sharply, Li Xian could not help feeling a little regretful himself. He had feared that Li Xian might become ashamed into anger. Yet to his surprise, Li Xian actually admitted fault for the first time. For a moment he was taken aback, but he quickly recovered and said with a smile, “Brother Six need not worry. If I am not mistaken, Mother Empress is very likely to step in and push the river works forward. When that happens, the one who will be anxious is the Crown Prince. Compromise will be inevitable; it will only be a matter of what is exchanged.”

“Hm, what does Seventh Brother intend to trade with that fellow?” Li Xian thought silently for a while and felt that Li Xian’s analysis was quite reasonable, though he did not dare fully accept it as certain. Thus he asked cautiously.

“That is hard to say. We must first see what Mother Empress does before we can decide. At present, the two of us must not act rashly. Let us simply sit and watch how the situation changes.”

Li Xian could only rely on instinct to judge that the Empress would not remain silent in such a major affair, but he could not predict exactly how she would move, and therefore could not formulate a proper response plan. Faced with Li Xian’s question, he could only answer vaguely.

“In that case, let us leave it at that for now. It is getting late. Seventh Brother, why not stay and dine with me before you go?”

Li Xian thought it over and felt that the matter involved too many interests and too many uncertainties to permit any precise prediction, let alone an appropriate countermeasure. He thus let the matter go with a self-deprecating smile and invited Li Xian to stay.

“That is exactly what I hoped for, and I would not dare ask for it.”

Li Xian was hungry and did not wish to hurry back to his own residence. Moreover, he also wanted to grow closer to Li Xian. So he tossed off a refined phrase, then laughed aloud. Seeing this, Li Xian also laughed, and for a time the study was filled with the brothers’ pleasant, easy laughter as it rose and circled softly through the room...