Chapter 403: Grand Tutor Xu Resigns
The court was filled with rows of officials standing in attendance.
Yun Chu wore a dark purple official robe of the Empress Dowager, its long train trailing on the ground as she entered the hall step by step from outside.
Civil and military officials cleared a path down the center, respectfully welcoming the Empress Dowager into the court for the morning assembly.
A young eunuch had already placed an additional cushioned chair behind the young Emperor's dragon throne, separated by a curtain of gold and jade beads.
Yun Chu ascended the steps and stood beside the dragon throne, addressing the officials: "The Emperor is young, mischievous and willful. For the prosperity and lasting peace of our Great Jin Dynasty, I have no choice but to attend court. Fortunately, most ministers understand this necessity, which is a blessing for Great Jin. Once the Emperor comes of age to rule, I shall immediately retire to the palace to live out my years."
Chu Rui, standing at the head of the officials, watched Yun Chu.
From his position, he had to look up to see her.
Though barely twenty years old, dressed in the Empress Dowager's robes, wearing the Empress Dowager's crown, and with heavy makeup, she appeared at least ten years older, yet also more commanding and authoritative—worthy of the title of Empress Dowager.
The eunuch beside her lifted the bead curtain, and she walked behind it to sit in her chair. As the beads fell back into place, they partially obscured her figure.
Only then did the morning court session officially begin.
Various officials came forward one by one to report on important matters concerning the people's livelihood...
From beginning to end, Yun Chu did not speak a single word. This being her first time attending court, she naturally focused on listening and observing. Through quiet contemplation, she noticed many details she had never paid attention to before—such as which ministers belonged to the same faction, which were stubbornly principled, which cared only for their immediate interests, and which formed cliques for private gain...
Sitting in the highest position indeed allowed one to see everything clearly.
Although she remained silent, Chu Hongyu would occasionally glance at her stealthily, following her cues.
As noon approached, the court session concluded.
Chu Rui watched as Yun Chu emerged from behind the bead curtain, leading the young Emperor away through the door on the right.
His eyes darkened with gloom as he strode toward several ministers engaged in conversation.
These ministers, led by Chief Li of the Grand Secretariat, were all upright civil officials from the Hanlin Academy and the Grand Secretariat—the toughest faction to sway in the court.
Since ancient times, scholars had been known for their integrity, disdaining factionalism, cliquish behavior, and the lure of gold and silver... They held brushes in their hands and the nation in their hearts. United, they formed a formidable force.
Back then, he had gone to great lengths to win over the Marquis of Boyuan, who served in the Grand Secretariat.
He never expected the Marquis of Boyuan to be a woman, which ruined all his schemes.
It was precisely to stabilize this group that he had specifically included Chief Li's name in the list of auxiliary ministers.
"Chief Li, Minister Qian, Minister Wei..." Chu Rui approached, cupping his hands in greeting. "Might I ask for your opinions on this morning's court session?"
"Regent." Chief Li returned the gesture. "Several matters from the morning court remain undecided. Are you referring to those?"
Chu Rui shook his head. "With the Empress Dowager ruling behind the curtain and the Yun family gaining power, I fear the day when maternal relatives might interfere in governance..."
"This..." Minister Wei hesitated before speaking. "While such a possibility exists, the Empress Dowager ruling behind the curtain is currently the best solution. Once the Emperor grows up and reclaims power, everything will resolve itself."
Chief Li said calmly, "Indeed."
On one side was the Regent controlling the court.
On the other was the increasingly powerful maternal clan of the Yun family.A delicate balance of power between both sides maintained a subtle and stable relationship.
Chu Rui said nothing more.
The court officials gradually dispersed.
Yun Chu remained in the Hall of Mental Cultivation to dine with Chu Hongyu, primarily because it was close to the Imperial Study. After the meal and a short rest, he would need to attend lessons there.
"Mother, during today's court session, why didn't you allow me to propose sending troops to attack the Eastern Tomb Kingdom?" Chu Hongyu took a sip of soup, set down his chopsticks, straightened his back, and asked, "Father has been missing for almost three months now. I'm truly worried."
Yun Chu replied, "The Great Jin and the Eastern Tomb Kingdom are separated by a vast sea. As long as we station troops along the coastline, the people of the Eastern Tomb Kingdom cannot invade. If we can avoid war, we naturally prefer not to fight—this is the view of the majority in the court. As for your father... they believe that if he is dead, then he is dead, and there is no need to send troops on a futile mission."
The emperor from two generations ago loved expanding territories and initiated many campaigns, which left the Great Jin internally depleted.
After the previous emperor ascended the throne, the Great Jin focused mainly on recuperating. The previous emperor emphasized maintaining stability, and preserving the nation's territory was considered the mark of a competent ruler.
Therefore, most people in the court were not warmongers.
In her previous life, the Eastern Tomb Kingdom repeatedly harassed the Great Jin, which only issued warnings without taking any real action. This emboldened the ambitions of the Eastern Tomb Kingdom.
By the time the Eastern Tomb Kingdom had accumulated enough strength, the Great Jin became like fish on a chopping block. Coastal cities were invaded, war raged, and countless common people were displaced... At that point, even a force of one or two hundred thousand troops could not drive the Eastern Tomb Kingdom out...
She advocated taking the opportunity to subdue the Eastern Tomb Kingdom.
Not only to avenge Chu Yi but also to prevent the brutal and bloody battles that would come later.
If they did not fight this war now, future generations would have to fight it, and at a much greater cost.
But proposing to send troops now would definitely not gain support.
They needed an opportunity.
After discussing court affairs for a while, the mother and son went their separate ways.
Chu Hongyu had woken up too early in the morning and needed a short nap before heading to the Imperial Study for his lessons.
Yun Chu returned to Kunning Palace, shut herself in her study, spread out a sheet of paper, and densely wrote down many names, drawing various lines and connections...
The next day at the morning court.
Yun Ze brought a white-haired elder into the main hall.
"It’s Elder Ouyang!"
"Heavens! Minister Yun actually managed to persuade Elder Ouyang to come out of seclusion."
"Elder Ouyang is so advanced in years. Can he really serve as the Emperor’s tutor? What if he collapses in court..."
"Which little turtle said I would collapse?" Ouyang Ye glared, his beard bristling. "I may be old, but I’m not sick!"
The one called a "little turtle" was a minister in his fifties, who was mortified but dared not retort.
Fortunately, the court session officially began at that moment.
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager!" Ouyang Ye stepped forward first. "Minister Yun invited me to come out of seclusion to teach the Emperor and to participate in court sessions. Shouldn’t I be granted an official position?"
The entire court of civil and military officials fell silent.
It was the first time they had seen someone so boldly ask for an official position.
Chu Hongyu was at a loss and turned to ask, "What does the Empress Dowager think?"
Yun Chu’s voice came from behind the bead curtain: "Elder Ouyang previously held the position of Grand Tutor. Now that he has returned to court, his official rank cannot be lower than that of Grand Tutor."
Chu Hongyu was still troubled: "But there is no position higher than Grand Tutor."
Grand Tutor Xu gave a bitter smile.Mr. Ouyang has returned to court, and this matter is clearly targeted at him.
He has been occupying the position of Imperial Tutor yet fails to teach His Majesty the art of governance. The Empress Dowager must have long wished to replace him.
Perhaps it is for the best. Only by distancing himself from these court intrigues can his clan truly remain safe.
After all, he is advanced in years and should retire to enjoy his remaining years.
By leaving at this moment, even the Regent would find no fault with his departure.
With these thoughts in mind, Grand Tutor Xu stepped forward and said: "Recently, my health has been deteriorating daily. I truly lack the strength to continue assisting Your Majesty. I humbly request permission to resign from my official post!"
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