Meng E changed into palace attire, and Han Ruzi praised, “These clothes suit you better.”
Meng E replied coldly, “You think I was born to be a palace maid?”
Han Ruzi smiled, “No, no, you misunderstand, I just... just don’t like armor.” He quickly changed the subject, “Marquess Ping’en is Xiaojun’s half-sister. When you meet her, bring some gifts, treat it as normal interaction between relatives.”
“Hmm, and then?”
“Then listen to what she has to say. Many imperial clan members and noble families oppose the Champion Marquis, but they can’t act directly. They need to probe and pass messages through their women – that’s your task.”
Meng E narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly not particularly fond of this assignment, “Is that all?”
“Marquess Ping’en will find a way to bring you into the palace. If you have a chance to meet Xiaojun, give this to her.” Han Ruzi pulled out a bamboo bookmark from his sleeve.
Meng E took it, glanced at it, and put it away.
“If you can meet my mother, that would be even better. You’ll probably need Xiaojun’s introduction for my mother to trust you.”
“So my task is just to relay messages back and forth?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
Meng E remained silent for a moment.
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I need all kinds of suggestions right now,” Han Ruzi encouraged.
“It sounds like the husbands and fathers behind these women are cowards. How can they accomplish anything great? They might even rush to inform on others.”
Han Ruzi smiled. In terms of martial arts, he was the student and Meng E was the strict teacher who made him practice internal cultivation daily. But when it came to human nature and power struggles, he had learned from Yang Feng and could guide Meng E.
“Let me think how to explain this... Say someone challenges you to a fight. They have a hundred people behind them, while you’re alone or have ten followers. Would you fight?”
“Of course not.”
“If forced, would you surrender?”
Meng E thought for a moment, “I’d have to surrender. Better than being killed.”
“See, you’re ready to retreat or surrender at the sight of a hundred people, without considering how many are just there for show, or how many would actually fight with all their might.”
Meng E fell silent again, thinking longer this time, “Isn’t that just bluffing or making a false show of power?”
“Not just that. Would those hundred people be afraid or retreat when they see you only have about ten people?”
“No, with superior numbers, they’d be confident... I understand now, you’re saying sometimes a false show of power can become real power?”
“That’s enough. Let the Champion Marquis suspect them.”
“Alright.” Han Ruzi began thinking about how to contact Chai Yue and how to make those noble sons bring back favorable news about him. “How are things with Guo Cong?”
Yang Feng had spent the whole day discussing with Guo Cong and several other scholars, “They still hope you and Prince Donghai will withdraw from the succession, but now there’s another young son of the Martial Emperor, which troubles them. Prince Ying is clearly controlled by the fate seers, and the scholars can’t intervene. Guo Cong made some concessions, agreeing to introduce some scholars and perhaps several ministers to you, so you can understand the prevailing opinion and withdraw accordingly.”
Han Ruzi laughed, “I really don’t understand these scholars. Supporting the Champion Marquis is tantamount to acknowledging the fate seers. Don’t they understand the implications? Are they willing to be manipulated so easily?”
Yang Feng’s expression became serious, “Of all the forces in the empire, if I had to choose the strongest, I would only pick the scholars and the civil officials who come from their ranks.”
Han Ruzi was reminded again that this eunuch was once a scholar, “Where is their power? I still haven’t seen it. The Empress Dowager can control them, the fate seers can manipulate them. Officials like Xiao Sheng and Shen Mingzhi who fight for power can still make some noise, but the others might as well not exist. I’ve always thought Yin Wuhai was an inadequate Chancellor.”
Yang Feng gave a slight laugh, “That’s because you’ve never truly dealt with state affairs and matters of the realm. You’ll understand gradually. Your contact with Guo Cong is an opportunity.”
Han Ruzi could only choose to believe Yang Feng, but he had one question: “If scholars are the most powerful force, Master Yang... why did you give up your scholar status back then?”
Yang Feng’s smile gradually faded, and like Meng E, he pondered for a moment before replying, “I didn’t give it up – I was exiled.”
Yang Feng must have experienced many things, but he was unwilling to say more, and Han Ruzi didn’t ask further. “When should I go see Guo Cong?”
“After you get Han Xing’s official seal.”
The next day at noon, Han Xing’s reply arrived. He only had the Grand General’s seal with him, not the Chief Commander’s seal, but he wrote an order and sent back a trusted subordinate to accompany Han Ruzi to the Office of the Chief Commander. After some negotiations, Han Ruzi obtained the official seal. The process went very smoothly.
As it was already late, Han Ruzi decided to wait until the next day to go to the Hall of Diligent Administration, and arranged with the officials at the Chief Commander’s Office to return the seal intact before dark the following day.
Meng E also returned, bringing no particularly valuable information. Entry to the palace would still require some waiting. She had met with over ten noble ladies at the Marquis Ping’en’s manor. They didn’t offer support but made many demands, all wanting promotions and titles for their husbands or sons.
Meng E listened more than she spoke, but her memory was excellent. She recited these requests on the spot, repeating the names, titles, and official positions almost word for word, which satisfied the noble ladies.
Early the next day, Han Ruzi went to the Hall of Diligent Administration. He had a jade token that allowed him to pass through the first palace gate.
By coincidence, Prince Donghai also came to deliver his official seal that morning. Newly married, he appeared listless. Upon seeing Han Ruzi at the palace gate, he nodded to him. As they walked toward the Hall of Diligent Administration, he lowered his voice and asked, “Do you know who’s supporting Prince Ying?”
Among the five highest-ranking officials, three already had chosen sides, leaving only two without positions. Han Ruzi said, “It must be either Grand Preceptor Wang Ji or Grand Guardian Deng Zhu.”
Prince Donghai pursed his lips and said, “I heard Prince Ying is going to give us all a big surprise.”
“Who told you that?” Han Ruzi was most concerned about this. If Prince Donghai had hidden sources of information, their alliance would be even more superficial.
Prince Donghai was reluctant to answer, but after walking a few steps, he said, “The Tan family’s daughter told me last night.”
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