Chapter 50: The Royal Clan

During the ritual ceremony, neither of them was present; everything was relayed through others, so Huixin’s understanding was mostly conjecture, and she was not very confident in it.

Huiyi shook his head in disbelief. “The Crown Prince is already the heir apparent. If the Emperor were unwell, he would act as the Son of Heaven. Why would he behave like this?”

“Senior Brother, don’t you see? Here at Heshui Temple, setting aside other advantages, the news flows fastest. The sons of Emperor Shenwu are all outstanding talents, true heroes of the age. The current Emperor…”

Huixin lowered his voice as if someone might be eavesdropping. “The reigning Emperor conceals his light and bides his time, suddenly striking with a thunderous roar. Even if he is divinely appointed, would his brothers be content?”

“If the Emperor were alive, he could suppress them. But if not, with the Crown Prince’s current position, can he truly be secure?”

“Be careful what you say!” Huiyi covered Huixin’s mouth, glancing around. Seeing no one else nearby, he exhaled in relief and pulled Huixin into his meditation chamber before speaking. “Even so, what do you intend to do? Can you help the Crown Prince secure the throne?”

“I can!” Huixin responded immediately. “Qi is a Buddhist kingdom. As long as the Crown Prince becomes the Moonlight Child, he will surely ascend as the Flying Emperor one day! Then we shall rise swiftly and see Buddhism flourish!”

Though everyone knew that endorsement from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism would help stabilize the regime, each of these three teachings only wished to support the eventual winner.

It was like a game of rock-paper-scissors; as long as one never made a move prematurely, one would never lose. The downside might be missing out on hot dishes, but at least one wouldn’t end up as the meal.

Especially for the monks of Heshui Temple, who, though they could not indulge like ordinary people or wield vast resources and power like nobles, could at least live peacefully in a decent temple. In these chaotic times, that was already a good path.

Huiyi had never imagined his usually meek junior brother harbored such grand ambitions. He couldn’t help but laugh aloud and turned to leave.

“You should go back. Don’t speak like this again. If others overhear, you’ll be sure to get punished.”

“Senior Brother, help me!”

Huixin reached out, provoking Huiyi’s anger. “You’re truly deluded! You dare to scheme like this? Setting aside whether the Crown Prince would even favor you, if you fail and the Crown Prince falls from power, not only will you and your family suffer, but you’ll drag down all of us in this temple!”

“I have been a monk since childhood. My family has long since forgotten me.” Huixin suddenly knelt, speaking urgently. “Though we bear that mark, entering the Buddhist path means enduring invisible knives. We seek neither fame nor fortune. Then why else would we live if not to spread the Dharma?”

“Senior Brother, you are skilled but your tongue is clumsy; you do menial tasks in this temple. Had you been born in the Six Towns back then, who knows what duke or king you might have become? How could you have ended up in such a pitiful state that you can’t even eat three full meals a day?”

These words, half complaint, half flattery, softened Huiyi’s heart. Huixin pointed to himself, tears falling. “I am the same. I don’t know where my family is. If it weren’t for the abbot taking me in and the sanctuary of the Buddhist gate, I would have died long ago. But living like this, what difference is there from death?”

***

“The opportunity is right before us now. I cannot guarantee success, but chances must be seized. When our master took the path of Buddhism, did he ever expect to become a Buddha? Setting the distant past aside, isn’t the High King today also destined?”

Huiyi was shaken, some long-suppressed desires stirring within him, but his lips still resisted.

“They have destiny on their side; we are mere mortals. We cannot compare.”

Huixin’s eyes flickered. “Yes, they have destiny. But how do you know this isn’t ours? If the Crown Prince’s position solidifies, will he need us? If a great fortune and grand opportunity come, and we miss it out of fear, Senior Brother, won’t you regret it?”

If anyone else said this to Huiyi, he would have dismissed it as foolish talk. But this was his junior brother, a fellow Buddhist practitioner. Such wavering from a kindred spirit struck Huiyi deeply.

Huixin then related some amusing anecdotes that reminded Huiyi of past grievances, especially the discrimination they suffered due to their low status. He subtly suggested that their plans were not against the Buddha’s teachings, for even the abbot was now engaged in similar schemes. It was only that they, being insignificant, lacked the opportunity.

Huiyi was silent for a long time before speaking slowly, “What do you intend to do?”

Huixin’s face lit up. He leaned close to whisper his plan.

***

“Commander Wei? He is a great talent. But if the Crown Prince wants him, I shall arrange for him to enter the Grand Commander’s Mansion,” Gao Yan said after sipping a cup of fruit wine, clicking his tongue. “I’m even considering making him a Literary Assistant. The rank the Crown Prince grants must not be lower than that.”

His subtle teasing made the gathered company chuckle. As the eldest among them, Gao Yan had the standing to joke this way. Gao Yin nodded. “Naturally.”

“I heard the Crown Prince wants to open a Wenlin Academy. Sounds interesting. I’ll have Commander Wei bring some of my stockpile of books there. In the future, if there’s anything, the Crown Prince can have Changxian send word to summon me.”

Gao Yan lowered his tone slightly. Gao Yin smiled sheepishly. “How could we dare order Fourth Uncle? Once the academy is established, we’ll have Mr. Wei bring back some printed Buddhist scriptures.”

“That’s best!” Gao Yan clapped his fan, marveling. “I’ve long heard the printing technique is quite wondrous — a thousand copies a day! If this business spreads, it could control the entire nation’s literature!”

“I’m just dabbling for fun. Fourth Uncle, if interested, send more people from your mansion. I’m young and inexperienced, so I hope for your guidance!”

Seeing Gao Yan’s interest, Gao Yin seized the chance to invite him to invest.

“How could I accept?”

***

Though he protested, Gao Yan’s eyes gleamed. He wasn’t joining for free; news from Gao Rui was that the Crown Prince wanted to win over this Grand Commander of the capital region. Gao Yan was worth this price. He wasn’t particularly interested in military affairs, but exchanging some power for wealth, prestige, and the Prince’s friendship was very appealing.

Gao Yin also liked Gao Yan. This Fourth Uncle was not of the Zhu family and was remarkably gentle.

With the mood ripe, Gao Yin voiced his concerns openly. Liu Xiang had not yet been captured, and the people around Ye City were unsettled. His new Grand Commander’s Mansion urgently needed manpower, so he sought Gao Yan’s assistance in recruiting soldiers.

Pointing to Gao Xiaoguan and Gao Yanzong, Gao Yin’s words resonated deeply with Gao Yan. The fact that Yanzong was entrusted to work with the Crown Prince showed that the Supreme Ruler still held the Prince in high regard; past rumors were unfounded.

“I understand. If you need anything, send people to my capital mansion at any time. Our Great Qi has lasted nine years, yet there are still vile traitors lurking. Truly detestable and deserving of death!”

Gao Yan ground his teeth, stirring a wave of indignation.

The royal house of Northern Qi was formidable — numerous and talented, far surpassing Liang, Chen, and Zhou. Yet Qi’s turmoil led to the destruction of many outstanding princes in internal strife. This was a catastrophe.

If reform could begin from Gao Yin’s side, Qi would truly become the strongest nation, with a foundation to unify the realm. The future would be bright indeed.

This thought brought Gao Yin to remember two imperial uncles still imprisoned in the dungeon.

“How are Third Uncle and Seventh Uncle today? Has the Supreme Ruler mentioned them to you?”

Mentioning these two caused a hush among the assembled princes, their expressions dark and uneasy. Even among Gao Huan’s sons, Gao Huan and Gao Jun were the most talented. The current Emperor, Prince of Changshan, and Prince of Changguang, if not born of the main line, probably could not compete with these two, aside from the late Emperor Wenxiang.

For this reason, the two princes were imprisoned. Most did not wish them dead, but they had no vote in the matter; Gao Yang could veto any decision.

Unlike others’ worried looks, Gao Yan’s face showed regret and sorrow. Gao Yin noticed and asked repeatedly, “Fourth Uncle, do you know something?”

Gao Yan’s face grew more embarrassed, his gaze toward Gao Yin filled with apprehension. Gao Yin instantly understood the situation.

“Bad news! Prepare the horses quickly!”