How should I extricate myself?
I still need to seek out Prince Liang to boost my reputation.
"Whether you are truly trying to build up only to pull down, let’s just assu you are. You plan to turn against anyway, so why not just play into my hands," Zhao Xing muttered to himself.
Planning to distance himself and to rely on Prince Liang’s support was a strategy he had set long ago.
Courting favor with Prince Liang was the fastest and most secure thod.
Other thods were out of the question—embezzlent? Murder? That would only leave stains on his own record. Old Liu would not allow him to do such things either.
But if it was about pointing fingers at Prince Liang and scolding him fiercely, there would be no issue.
The essence of Zhao Xing’s plan could be summarized in eight words: Denounce Prince Liang, attract a righteous reputation.
If he could provoke Prince Liang into repressing him, he could use the situation to distance himself.
Even a temporary dismissal from office, or a demotion, didn’t matter; his military accomplishnts were solid enough to bear it.
As long as he wasn’t stripped of his title or lowered in nobility ranks, it was fine, and only Emperor Jing had the power to do so.
Even for a viscount, Emperor Jing had to nod his approval. Central powers could only imprint the decree for title revocation; emblems of nobility had to be granted and taken back with the Emperor holding the ultimate authority.
In fact, Zhao Xing had other ways to get out, such as going to Liu Tianning and saying he wanted to step back.
It was indeed possible to step back, but wouldn’t that be equivalent to desertion?
If the fight against the barbarians went poorly later, this would co up: Look, Liu Tianning had arranged for his disciple to leave early. He enjoyed the benefits but did not suffer the consequences of any wrongdoing.
This would then beco a blemish on his record.
However, if he were removed from the Pacifying Barbarian Battlefield due to impeaching Prince Liang, there would be nothing to complain about.
"Currently, I am a County Councilor and cannot write directly to the Emperor, but I can write to a prefecture-level office," he mused.
Writing to a prefecture-level governntal institution with suggestions and participating in policy advocacy of the local governnt were within the jurisdiction of a County Councilor, akin to being a Clear Stream Imperial Censor.
Of course, this honorary post was only akin to such because there was still the position of Imperial Censor, which was a proper civil service post that only a Ritual Repairer could hold.
"Since it’s about criticizing soone, there needs to be logic involved, but I cannot solely rely on logic," Zhao Xing picked up his brush and unfolded a sheet of rice paper.
"I cannot directly accuse Prince Liang of any cris, nor can I really send any evidence up, moreover, I don’t have any. If it turns into an actual accusation, with a lower official accusing a higher one, and if the accusation fails, I would be the one to bear the bla," he pondered.
The balance had to be struck with precision.
"Let’s follow Yang An’s previous case and oppose his monopolization of military power first," he concluded.
After so contemplation, Zhao Xing began to draft the first line:
Junior Official Zhao Xing bows deeply, to Lord Wang:
Prince Liang, Ji Mingxian, exalted as a Prince, covets control of military affairs, monopolizing legislative and political power; his authority is overwhelming, intolerable for a subject...
Multiple vassals and disciples under his command have occupied positions such as Inspector and transmission envoy...
Under Prince Liang’s lax governing, there was Shao Wanjie of Cloud City, the forr leader of the Black Dragon Army, guilty of corruption, wrongful killings, conspiring with barbarians and betraying the country; the Prefecture Governor Liu Junliang shielded him, seeking benefits, causing the paralysis of Cloud City’s governnt agencies for over a hundred years.
Later, Qian Shougang, who showed contempt for the law, rampaged through the warzone, severely wounding a city officer, and snatching supplies from allied forces, his actions no different from those of the enemy barbarians.
As the saying goes, subordinates will imitate what their superiors favor; by observing those who serve beneath, can we not infer the nature of their leader above?
If Prince Liang controls the military, political, and legal powers, the vast territories will suffer, the civilians will struggle to live, and the soldiers will lack fighting spirit...
After writing a lengthy piece, he finished with a final line:
Junior official Zhao Xing bows deeply once more, to Lord Wang of Prince Qi Mansion.
Having written the docunt, Zhao Xing carefully revised and edited it, then transcribed it onto an official paper and stamped it with his civil servant seal (the County Councilor had a specialized seal).
He didn’t write just one copy but several.
Afterwards, he went to the Marching Hall, found the Divine Travel Dai Zong Statue, and lit a stick of incense.
"True Monarch, a ’hurry up and march’ order."
Dai Zong’s statue opened its eyes: "Whom shall this humble god send it to?"
"To the Prefecture Lord Wang Shiyong of Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion, Imperial Censor Zhang Qing, Light Discussion Doctor Dantai Ming..."
"To the Prefecture Lord Cui Zhe of Anping Prefecture, Imperial Censor Ji Guanghe, Imperial Light Doctor Xiao Wenshan..."
"To the Prefecture Lord Xie Zhengwen of Datong Prefecture, Imperial Censor Zhao Wen."
"..."
Dai Zong felt sothing was amiss as he listened. Why were all the recipients of the boy’s letters civil officials?
Moreover, they were all fourth-rank officials, and there was a commonality among the positions they held: each had the right to submit reports directly to Emperor Jing.
"Alright, please drop them into the incense burner," Dai Zong unconsciously used a polite request.
"Whew—" one by one, the docunts were dropped into the incense burner, and from there dispatched to various governntal institutions.
After completing all these tasks, Zhao Xing dusted off his hands.
"What are you doing, burning all these docunts?" Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Liao Rulong, and Pu Zhong entered the Marching Hall.
"Oh, nothing much, just planning to impeach Prince Liang."
"Oh," Xia Jing nodded, then suddenly jolted upright, "What? Who did you say you’re impeaching?"
"Prince Liang, Ji Mingxian," Zhao Xing replied, "Wasn’t I clear enough?"
"Brother, what are you doing?" Xia Jing was shocked, "Why would you impeach Prince Liang for no reason?"
"Isn’t he going to be the Commander of Pacifying Barbarians, also holding the title of Four-direction Prefecture Lord?" Zhao Xing said, "I’ve heard that in the 20th year of the Jingxin Calendar, an imperial decree will arrive."
"There are such rumors, true, but... what does that have to do with you?" Xia Jing asked, "Are you out of your mind? Isn’t this seeking trouble for yourself?"
"Why the foolish act? Have you forgotten Yang An’s old story?"
"What are you talking about, Xia Jing!" Long Xiao was displeased and pushed him, "Who are you calling foolish?"
Liao Rulong also stared at Xia Jing with disapproval.
"My apologies, I misspoke." Xia Jing was also anxious, wondering if Zhao Xing was ruining his own future.
If Prince Liang didn’t care, that would be one thing, but if he did, Zhao Xing’s accomplishnts for the year might be in vain!
He was genuinely concerned for his good brother.
"How could a subject like Prince Liang possess such great power?" Zhao Xing spoke with righteous indignation, "As a County Councilor and a frontline soldier, I must speak up with integrity, otherwise, how can I fight with peace of mind?!"
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