Chapter 22: A Fool’s Folly

Although the court was shocked, few were willing to plead on behalf of Fan Dayou. Only a few remonstrance officials from the Censorate stepped forward. Ning Chen’s attitude remained resolute, yet he quietly took note of these individuals in his heart. As for the others, in his eyes, they were nothing but "vermin of the state" that would eventually have to be purged. Not a single one would be spared!

The Empress Dowager seemed to hesitate. After a moment, she waved her hand, looking at Ning Chen with eyes full of feigned emotion, and smiled: "I know of your filial piety, Chen'er, but Fan Dayou's crimes do not warrant such a punishment!"

Ning Chen watched her, capturing every subtle nuance of her expression. He requested once more: "Mother, your heart is vast, and naturally you would not hold a grudge against him. But I truly cannot stand it. He has repeatedly defied you in court and at the birthday banquet. If he is not punished, where would your imperial majesty lie?"

At this point, he glanced at Fan Dayou and looked back at the Empress Dowager: "Mother, I know you cannot bear to punish him too severely. How about this: let us proceed as previously discussed and demote him to a Censor of Inspection."

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s feigned hesitation, Ning Chen chuckled inwardly: *My dear mother, still putting on a show? I have taken the initiative to drive Fan Dayou away for you; you must be overjoyed deep down, aren't you?*

Little did she know, the moment Fan Dayou stood up to rebut Zhao Siwen, Ning Chen had already seen that the Empress Dowager had decided to adopt Zhao Siwen’s suggestions regarding "purchasing official titles" and "crime-redemption silver." At that time, the gaze she directed at Fan Dayou was clearly filled with murderous intent. Since she wanted to play the saint while still building her monument to virtue, how could Ning Chen not oblige her?

As expected, after a moment of hesitation, the Empress Dowager finally issued the decree demoting Fan Dayou to a Censor of Inspection. However, she did not issue the decree herself. Instead, she looked at Ning Chen and said earnestly: "Chen'er, I said that from today on, I would let you learn to handle state affairs."

"Since it was your suggestion to demote Fan Dayou to Censor of Inspection, you shall issue this decree yourself. Consider it the first decree of your official involvement in state governance!"

Ning Chen sneered internally: *My good mother, you are asking me to take my first step into the water by slaughtering my own benefactor! A clever use of a borrowed knife. But I am more than happy to play along!*

Ning Chen immediately kowtowed to thank the Empress Dowager and issued the first decree of his three-year reign: demoting Fan Dayou to a seventh-rank Censor of Inspection. Unexpectedly, Fan Dayou did not curse Ning Chen as he had done before; he merely looked at him deeply, filled with profound disappointment. A seventh-rank Censor of Inspection was not qualified to attend court sessions. Under the mocking gazes of the crowd, he left the Golden Throne Hall in dejection.

Fan Dayou’s departure did not affect the subsequent proceedings. The Empress Dowager soon issued a decree adopting Zhao Siwen’s new policies of "purchasing titles" and "crime-redemption silver." Ning Chen expressed his full approval as well!

However, as the court session drew to a close, Ning Chen suddenly stood up, turned toward the Empress Dowager behind the pearl curtain, and performed a bow with a sweet, obedient air: "Mother, I have a request. I hope you will grant it!"

"What is it?" The Empress Dowager was in high spirits, her tone turning amiable.

"The new policies just proposed by Minister Zhao Siwen are indeed excellent, but I would like to try using my own methods to generate revenue for the national treasury!" Ning Chen said earnestly.

The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Your own methods? What methods are those?"

Hearing this, Ning Chen said with a straight face: "Trade!"

"Trade?"

A wave of disdainful murmurs erupted from the court officials. In the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants held the lowest status and were the least respected by the court. Yet, the young emperor was openly talking about engaging in trade?

Just moments ago, the young emperor had acted like a man who kills his donkey as soon as it finishes grinding the grain—an ungrateful wretch who demoted the very man who had spoken up for him and even defied the Empress Dowager to save him. Now, he was spouting such rebellious nonsense as engaging in trade? Was this the result of him beginning to handle state affairs? It was laughable! It was fortunate that the Empress Dowager hadn't let this little waste handle governance for the past three years!

Watching the disdainful gazes of the crowd, Ning Chen smiled to himself and waited quietly for the Empress Dowager to speak.

As expected, the Empress Dowager said with a hint of anger: "Absurd! As the Son of Heaven, you want to engage in trade? Where is the decorum of the Royal House? Where is our dignity?"

Ning Chen immediately adopted a pitiful expression, tears welling up in his eyes, and pleaded: "Mother, please forgive me. I only want to try. When I was in my fief of Changyi, the merchants were the wealthiest of all!"

"Mother, just let me try. I want to help you ease your burdens!"

Seeing Ning Chen’s tears sliding down his youthful face, the Empress Dowager frowned, seemingly lost in thought. A moment later, she walked out from behind the pearl curtain with a smile, patted Ning Chen’s head, and said: "Very well. Today is your first time learning statecraft. Since you have such filial intentions to help me, I shall grant your request. Go ahead!"

With that, the Empress Dowager strode away.

"Thank you, Mother!" Ning Chen immediately bowed in gratitude.

At this moment, the ministers knelt and chanted: "The Empress Dowager is benevolent! May she live for ten thousand years..."

Ning Chen understood perfectly why these ministers were praising the Empress Dowager’s benevolence—it was exactly what he wanted!

Back at the Yangxin Hall, Ning Chen asked Xiao Anzi: "Xiao Anzi, is everything ready?"

Xiao Anzi nodded and replied: "Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is prepared!"

Ning Chen smiled triumphantly: "Very good. Follow me out of the palace!"

***

Meanwhile, inside the Fengyi Palace, the head maid couldn't help but ask: "Your Ladyship, why did you agree to such an absurd request from the little emperor? An emperor engaging in trade—wouldn't that be a laughingstock?"

The Empress Dowager smiled: "Is it not good to be a laughingstock?"

"If he does not make a fool of himself, how would my holiness and benevolence stand out?"

"Besides, I have long wanted to be rid of that old pedant Fan Dayou. That little waste taking the initiative to demote and exile him today was a great help to me. I should naturally indulge him a little."

The maid laughed: "Indeed. Since the little emperor issued the decree himself, you will not have to bear the infamy from the scholars who look up to Fan Dayou. The little emperor is carrying the blame for you..."

The Empress Dowager nodded, then said sternly: "Go tell Pan Yu to send men to protect him well. He doesn't have much time left anyway; until he dies from the poison, no one is to take his dog life!"

"As you command, Your Ladyship..."

***

Not long after, outside the capital, Fan Dayou walked alone with his luggage and a single horse, heading into the distance with a lonely expression. Passing by a pavilion, he spotted a familiar figure.

A wave of warmth rushed through his heart. He hurried over and bowed respectfully: "Master, I am truly grateful that you traveled such a long way to see me off..."

It was none other than the venerable Master Kong!

Before Fan Dayou could finish, Master Kong interrupted: "I have not come just to see you off. I have something important to entrust to you!"

"What is it?" Fan Dayou was stunned.

Master Kong stroked his beard: "Dayou, do you know why His Majesty took the initiative to demote and exile you?"

Fan Dayou looked dejected: "The student knows; he is protecting me!"

Master Kong nodded with satisfaction: "Good, you have improved. It seems my talk with you that night was not in vain!"

"Since you understand, why do you still look so disappointed and lonely?"

Fan Dayou sighed: "Master, do you know what suggestions Zhao Siwen made today?"

Before the master could speak, he said with heartache: "Purchasing official titles and crime-redemption silver!"

"These are policies that will ruin the country and the people, yet His Majesty said they were good suggestions!"

"And I heard he even publicly stated in court that he wants to engage in trade. It... it is simply a laughingstock..."

Master Kong stroked his beard and laughed: "It seems His Majesty predicted this!"

Fan Dayou was startled: "Predicted? What... what does that mean?"

Master Kong smiled: "Actually, it was His Majesty who asked me to come see you off!"

Seeing Fan Dayou’s stunned expression, he continued: "Think about it. If even you can see the truth, how could His Majesty not?"

Fan Dayou paused: "He knows? But... but why..."

Master Kong explained patiently: "You, you still do not understand our Emperor!"

At this point, Master Kong turned to look in the direction of the Imperial Palace, his eyes filled with admiration: "Although our Emperor is only nine years old, he is already a seasoned chess player and has begun a massive game!"

Master Kong continued with a serious expression: "And you are the most important piece he has on the board!"

Fan Dayou was stunned: "A massive game? I am his most important piece?"

Master Kong smiled: "You do not need to know for now, but trust me, you will eventually understand his painstaking efforts."

He then asked: "Dayou, do you know why you were assigned as the Censor of Inspection for Xichuan?"

Fan Dayou asked in confusion: "Why?"

Master Kong replied: "Because Xichuan is the home of Pan Yu!"

"Pan Yu?" Fan Dayou was startled again!

Master Kong beckoned for Fan Dayou to lean in. A moment later, after hearing Master Kong’s explanation, Fan Dayou stood frozen in place, looking at Master Kong in disbelief: "So... His Majesty wants me to help him seize military power?"

Master Kong nodded with gratification: "Exactly. This is the most critical step in his entire game!"

"In truth, regardless of whether you opposed Zhao Siwen today, His Majesty would have found an excuse to dismiss you!"

"He knew long ago that the position of Censor of Inspection in Xichuan was vacant. If you were demoted, you would inevitably be sent there!"

"This was all his design!"

"And Zhao Siwen’s suggestions, combined with your public opposition, provided the perfect opportunity for him to set his plan in motion..."

After listening to Master Kong, Fan Dayou remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he knelt toward the Imperial Palace and shouted:

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, this old subject will never fail your expectations..."