Chapter 906
Disobeying one's superior
When Zhu Qiyu first became emperor, he had not yet grasped the true nature of the struggle.
Therefore, he simply believed that the man-made disasters in Lingnan could be eliminated, the conflicts could be resolved, and all people could return to peace.
After the official in charge of the Imperial Observatory finished reporting, Zhu Qiyu immediately summoned the cabinet and the three departments to discuss: "Liu Pu has acted improperly, who will arrest him?"
Xue Xuan was the first to object: "Your Majesty, without any evidence, how can you dismiss a provincial commander-in-chief just because the Imperial Observatory says there are unusual celestial phenomena?"
Chen Xun also thought it was a joke, saying, "That's a second-rank official, and Liu Pu has never made any major mistakes. Your Majesty cannot make a hasty judgment based on slander."
Yu Qian pondered for a moment and said, "Since the Imperial Observatory has spoken so confidently, why doesn't Your Majesty send an imperial censor to investigate? If it is true, it can be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid inciting a popular uprising."
Zhu Qiyu looked at Wang Wen and asked, "What do you think, Minister Wang?"
He was the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.
Wang Wen didn't want to investigate, but everyone was staring intently at him. He was also good at reading people's expressions and could easily tell what the emperor meant. He couldn't bring himself to refuse, so he changed the subject and said, "I think what Grand Secretary Yu said makes sense. Since the Imperial Observatory has this suspicion, it should send someone to Guangxi to take a look. However, Guangxi is mountainous and far away, and Liu Pu is a general, so it may be difficult to investigate. It would be better to select someone from the Imperial Observatory to accompany him, which can also guide the censors of the Censorate."
Yu Qian glanced at him coldly and objected: "That's inappropriate. The duties of the Imperial Observatory do not lie here."
He feared Pan Yun's interference in politics and kept a close watch on him. But Wang Wen, on the other hand, took the initiative to offer a way out to the Imperial Observatory. Was he complaining that Pan Yun wasn't interfering enough?
Yu Qian glanced at Wang Wen indifferently.
Wang Wen lowered his eyes, his heart filled with mixed feelings of regret and acceptance.
After discussing it, the emperor finally appointed Yin Song, the chief of the Imperial Observatory, to accompany the emperor. In addition to the Censorate and the Imperial Observatory, the entourage also included people from the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of War.
The purpose was that if Liu Pu really had a problem, they could resolve it more quickly, as the emperor granted them the privilege of acting expediently.
The operation was primarily led by officials from the Censorate.
To this end, Yu Qian intervened and specifically appointed Hu Wenhan, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.
This man was upright and honest, and had served in local government for more than ten years. In the seventh year of the Zhengtong reign, he returned to the capital and entered the Censorate, but was soon sent to Shanxi Province. Because Deng Qi, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, died in battle with the emperor last year, he was recalled to the Censorate and appointed as Vice Censor-in-Chief.
This Imperial Censor Hu also looked down on his superior, Wang Wen, but he still received orders to go see Wang Wen first.
Wang Wen, with a gentle expression, instructed Hu Wenhan to be careful and act cautiously to avoid escalating local conflicts: "The claim that Lingnan is full of treacherous officials is only one side of the story from the Imperial Observatory. It cannot be taken at face value. We must carefully verify the facts and not discourage the nobles."
Liu Pu was the son of Liu Huai, the Marquis of Anyuan. After Liu Huai's death, he inherited the title of Marquis of Anyuan.
Hu Wenhan had just agreed when Wang Wen added, "The Imperial Observatory is quite capable. Since they were able to predict in advance that Liu Pu would incite a civil unrest, when you arrive in Lingnan, you should consult Yin Song's opinion and not act unilaterally."
Hu Wenhan: ...Would you like to hear what you're saying?
He hated contradictory instructions the most. Why couldn't his boss just say what he wanted clearly instead of making him guess?
Do you want me to listen to the Imperial Observatory, or not?
Hu Wenhan decided not to listen to Wang Wen anymore and to make his own judgment.
When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders. In any case, Guangxi is far away, and the capital cannot command him in case of trouble.
Hu Wenhan calmly agreed, turned and left, deciding to obey the emperor's order and act as he saw fit!
As he was leaving the Censorate, he happened to run into a man coming out of the Ministry of War next door, who was none other than Yu Qian.
So the two of them left work together.
Yu Qian said to Hu Wenhan: "I once worked with Liu Pu. He was fairly honest, but he lacked military strategy and was too lenient. Guangxi has many ethnic groups and its people are known for their fierceness. I'm afraid some of his actions may have offended them. The key to this matter is not whether Liu Pu is a villain, but whether there will be a popular uprising in Guangxi. Solving the root cause of the uprising is the fundamental solution."
Hu Wenhan seemed to be deep in thought, and asked, "Can the Imperial Observatory really predict a popular uprising in Guangxi from celestial phenomena?" Yu Qian was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh, "Others may not be able to, but the Imperial Advisor can."
Hu Wenhan's pupils shrank sharply: "So... it really can be calculated?"
Yu Qian said expressionlessly, "Yin Song, who is accompanying us this time, is the Grand Preceptor's senior brother. His abilities may not be as good as the Grand Preceptor's, but we can listen to his opinions. However, we should not let him participate too much in political affairs, especially military affairs."
Hu Wenhan nodded silently, indicating that he understood.
The Imperial Observatory is already quite prominent because of its position as the Imperial Preceptor. If it were to be involved in political or military affairs, there would likely be a precedent to follow, as it would be unwise for emperors to always rely on Taoist priests to govern or command the army.
Upon receiving the order, Yin Song was completely distraught.
"why me?"
Pan Yun looked at him with sympathy.
Yin Song hesitated and said, "Junior Sister, how about I resign from my official post?"
Pan Yun shrugged: "I have no objection. Why don't you ask Senior Brother?"
Yin Song leaned back in his chair. He knew his senior brother would disagree. He had mentioned it twice before, and his senior brother had replied that he should stay put, take care of his junior sister in the capital, and keep an eye on her to prevent her from doing anything bad.
Yin Song looked at Pan Jun sadly, and after a long while sighed, "Alright, I'll go. I'll leave Qing Jun behind. You keep an eye on him for me, so he doesn't slack off in his cultivation after I leave."
Pan Yun: ...She was still thinking that after her second senior brother left, she would also find an excuse to leave.
Pan Yun frowned, but nodded under Yin Song's gaze.
Yin Song then left with peace of mind.
In fact, Pan Yun doesn't need anyone to watch over her. As long as there is someone she cares about by her side, she will be careful and dare not act rashly.
Pan Yun's ties to the Pan family were fading, and not only the three Pan brothers noticed this, but Yin Song also noticed it, which is why he was willing to listen to his eldest brother and stay.
Now that he's away on a business trip, he can only leave Qingjun by her side, hoping that when she looks at Qingjun, she'll be reminded of the people around her, and that she shouldn't take too big a step in her actions, lest she hurt herself or others.
No sooner had Yin Song left than Yin Qingjun stood at the entrance of the courtyard, carrying a bundle, looking expectantly at Pan Yun: "Junior Uncle..."
Pan Yun: "...The space in the jade pendant I gave you is broken?"
Yin Qingjun immediately smiled and scurried forward: "No, it's because I'm moving here to take care of Junior Uncle. We have to keep it a secret in front of everyone. Junior Uncle, which room do I stay in?"
Pan Yun never expected Yin Qingjun to move in, but she still pointed and said, "Yan Bai used to live there."
Yin Qingjun immediately picked up his bundle and pushed open the door. In no time, he had made the bed and asked Pan Yun warmly, "Junior Uncle, what can I do for you? Can I clean the courtyard for you?"
Pan Jun: "You cook for me, I can clean the yard myself."
Yin Qingjun's smile froze. How come he could never escape the fate of cooking no matter where he went?
Pan Yun noticed this and looked at him sympathetically, saying, "Miaohe and Yanbai love to cook. I hope you can be like them."
In Sanqingshan, it's the younger generation's custom to cook. (End of Chapter)