Chapter 98

On the first day of the lunar new year, for many officials, it might be the most important day of the year.

The reason is simple: this day is the birthday of Emperor Deqing.

According to legend, the main reason why the previous emperor favored Emperor Deqing during his lifetime was largely because Emperor Deqing was born on the first day of the lunar new year, a day for worshipping deities, bidding farewell to the old, welcoming the new, and praying for a bountiful year. Emperor Deqing's birth on this day made Emperor Chongzhen believe it was the will of heaven.

Emperor Deqing was also quite proud of his birthday, often referring to himself as a "heaven-chosen person." Since ascending the throne, he has placed great importance on his birthday, celebrating it with great pomp and splendor every year. This year, with ample funds in the imperial treasury, the celebrations are even more grand.

In short, this day is the best opportunity for officials to flatter Emperor Deqing. Many court officials have gained the emperor's favor because of their smooth flattery and well-chosen birthday gifts.

Among them, Zhao Junchen is a prime example. The gifts he gives each year are not only unique but also extremely valuable.

Two years ago, Zhao Junchen gave Emperor Deqing a birthday gift of fifty-three carved dragons, made of wood, stone, jade, gold, and silver. Emperor Deqing was delighted, and not long after, Zhao Junchen was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Revenue.

Last year, Zhao Junchen's birthday gift to Emperor Deqing was a robe adorned with 540 small pearls, forming ten longevity characters when connected with gold thread. Emperor Deqing loved it so much that he couldn't put it down, and soon after, Zhao Junchen was appointed to oversee the Inner Transport Treasury.

At least, in the eyes of many, the fundamental reason for Zhao Junchen's current achievements and status is his skill in flattering Emperor Deqing.

This year, what kind of birthday gift Zhao Junchen will give is a matter of great interest to many officials in the court.

...

On this day, because Emperor Deqing is leading the royal family in worshipping heaven and ancestors and reiterating family precepts, the officials in the court are rarely spared from attending the morning court session.

It is not until after noon, when the hour of Wei has passed, that the officials will enter the palace to celebrate Emperor Deqing's birthday, presenting their gifts and eulogies. If Emperor Deqing is in a good mood, the officials can also stay in the palace to enjoy the imperial banquet.

Because of the special nature of the day, the Grand Secretary Huang Yourong did not dare to act as he usually does during the morning court session, always arriving just in time. Instead, he left early in his sedan chair, heading towards the Meridian Gate to show his respect and loyalty to Emperor Deqing. However, when the sedan chair reached the official road in front of the palace, it suddenly stopped and did not move forward for a long time.

In the sedan chair, Huang Yourong initially waited patiently, but after some time, he could no longer bear it. He lifted the curtain and poked his head out, asking impatiently, "What's going on? Why aren't we moving? If we delay my celebration of the emperor's birthday, can you afford the consequences?"

As soon as he spoke, Huang Yourong saw the scene in front of the sedan chair and was taken aback, finally understanding why his sedan chair could not move forward.

It turned out that a large number of carriages were heading towards the Meridian Gate from the bend in the official road, one after another, without end. Huang Yourong roughly counted and found there were no fewer than thirty to fifty carriages.

Because of these carriages, not only Huang Yourong's sedan chair but also many other officials heading towards the Meridian Gate were blocked, causing chaos on the official road in front of the palace.

Just as Huang Yourong was puzzled by the scene, his long-time attendant, Liu Lu, who had gone to gather information, hurried to Huang Yourong's sedan chair.

"These carriages, what's going on? Can carriages even pass on the official road in front of the palace? Why is it so chaotic?"

Huang Yourong frowned and asked again.

Liu Lu had a strange expression but still explained to Huang Yourong, "Master, I went to investigate. These carriages all belong to the household of the Minister of Revenue, Zhao Junchen. They are all loaded with birthday gifts for His Majesty."

Huang Yourong was surprised and pointed at the dozens of carriages passing in a line, asking incredulously, "Those carriages are all loaded with birthday gifts?"

Liu Lu nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, I have confirmed that they are all birthday gifts for His Majesty."

Hearing this, Huang Yourong glanced at the nearby carriages and snorted, "This Zhao Junchen, he's making a big splash again this year. It looks like His Majesty's birthday will once again be dominated by him... He's still young and short-sighted..."

Strangely, when Huang Yourong said this, his expression was half-smiling, half-contemptuous, a mix of envy and disdain.

As he muttered to himself, the carriages loaded with birthday gifts finally passed the bend.

Then, Huang Yourong saw Zhao Junchen's sedan chair following the carriages, heading towards the Meridian Gate.

After a moment's thought, Huang Yourong instructed, "Follow them. I need to have a word with this Minister of Revenue."

...

At the same time, Zhao Junchen lifted the curtain of his sedan chair and saw the officials' sedan chairs blocked by the carriages at the intersection. Seeing many people pointing and whispering in his direction, he muttered to himself, "Is this a bit too much? Seeing this scene, the officials and commoners will surely start talking."

Xu Qingyan, who was walking beside the sedan chair, felt proud of Zhao Junchen's prominence and said smugly, "Young Master, what do the opinions of the officials and commoners matter to us? As long as His Majesty likes it. In my view, the officials must be envious and jealous of Young Master's grand gesture. This year's birthday gift is not only grand but also unique, and it will surely dominate the scene again. I wonder what rewards His Majesty will give this time."

Hearing this, Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed, "You are too shallow. While our birthday gifts to His Majesty have indeed dominated the scene in recent years, it's not certain that the officials are envious or jealous. They might even be gloating."

Xu Qingyan was taken aback and looked at Zhao Junchen in confusion.

Seeing Xu Qingyan's expression, Zhao Junchen sighed and asked, "Qingyan, let me ask you, why do you think our gifts dominated the scene at His Majesty's birthday banquet last year and the year before?"

Xu Qingyan hesitated and answered, "Because Young Master understands His Majesty's thoughts the best?"

Zhao Junchen shook his head, a bitter smile flashing across his face, "Wrong. It's because we are the most short-sighted."

Xu Qingyan was stunned and asked incredulously, "We dominated the scene, and His Majesty was satisfied. How can we be the most short-sighted?"

Zhao Junchen sighed and explained, "Two years ago, we gave His Majesty fifty-three carved dragons, made of gold, silver, jade, and stone, all crafted by famous artists. It seemed unique, but do you really think the officials couldn't think of it? Last year's pearl-embroidered robe was the same. It was novel, but do you really think the officials are so foolish that they couldn't come up with a better and more novel gift?"

Xu Qingyan asked in a daze, "Then why did they let us dominate the scene? Did they not want to do so?"

Zhao Junchen said calmly, "Because they care about their reputations. The reason we dominated the scene in the past two years is simply because we spent a lot of money. Those fifty-three carved dragons cost over 20,000 taels of silver, and the pearl-embroidered robe was worth more than 30,000 taels. Compared to the ancient paintings and eulogies given by the officials, our gifts certainly stood out, but what stood out even more was the money we spent. Think about it, how could a clean official have so much money to spend on birthday gifts? When we presented those gifts in front of the officials, it was like announcing to everyone that we are corrupt. My reputation in the court and the country is not good for nothing. I was indeed short-sighted in the past."

At this point, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

When he learned about the birthday gifts "he" had given Emperor Deqing in the past two years, he was also stunned for a long time, feeling that the former Zhao Junchen was extremely short-sighted. He wanted to please Emperor Deqing so much that he didn't care about anything else. He didn't realize that if Emperor Deqing turned against him in the future or if someone else investigated and impeached him, those birthday gifts would become irrefutable evidence of his crimes!

If he wanted to give some valuable gifts, he could have done so privately, as he had done before. Such public and well-known actions could only be described as "self-inflicted disaster."

When Huang Yourong saw Zhao Junchen's birthday gifts, his expression was a mix of envy and disdain, precisely because he saw through this.

On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Xu Qingyan understood but was even more puzzled. He pointed at the dozens of carriages in front of the sedan chair and asked, "If so, aren't our birthday gifts this year a bit too valuable?"

Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed, "Since the situation is already like this, to change our reputation, we can only do it gradually. If we change abruptly, it might make His Majesty unhappy, thinking we are being negligent. Besides, the gifts we are giving this year, though grand, are ultimately just unique and don't cost much. Some of the gifts don't even need to be presented in person."

Just as Xu Qingyan was about to say something, he saw a sedan chair quickly approaching Zhao Junchen's.

Xu Qingyan, who was familiar with the attendants of the officials, immediately explained to Zhao Junchen, "Young Master, it's Grand Secretary Huang's sedan chair."

As Zhao Junchen nodded, Xu Qingyan stepped aside, and Huang Yourong's sedan chair approached and aligned with theirs.

Then, Huang Yourong lifted the curtain of his sedan chair, and his expression towards Zhao Junchen was full of warmth and friendliness, without any of the previous coldness and disdain.

"Grand Secretary Huang," Zhao Junchen said respectfully, bowing to Huang Yourong, "You have come early today."

Huang Yourong nodded and smiled, "Today is His Majesty's birthday, so I naturally dare not be negligent. As for you, Junchen, the birthday gifts you are giving to His Majesty require dozens of carriages to transport. Truly a grand gesture. This year, you will surely dominate the scene again."

Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed, "Not at all. I am just fulfilling my duty as a minister. I am not doing it for the attention. I didn't realize it would cause such a commotion and block Grand Secretary Huang's sedan chair. I feel very guilty and hope you will not blame me."

Huang Yourong waved his hand, "No problem, no problem."

As they chatted, seeing that the Meridian Gate was near, Huang Yourong suddenly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, we officials only get to rest during the New Year. After the New Year, we have the spring examination, followed by His Majesty's southern tour. One thing after another. If we don't rest and gather our strength now, we will be overwhelmed later."

Zhao Junchen felt that Huang Yourong's words had a deeper meaning but couldn't figure it out. He just said, "Grand Secretary Huang, you are still vigorous and experienced. What could possibly overwhelm you?"

Huang Yourong smiled and sighed, "I am old, how can I compare to you young talents? However, I mean to take advantage of these few days of leisure. I intend to invite Junchen, Chief Minister Zhou, and Grand Secretary Shen for a gathering. What do you think, Junchen?"

Zhao Junchen was inwardly surprised. In the current court, apart from the Crown Prince's faction, the main forces are divided among Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, and himself. Huang Yourong's invitation to all of them suggests that the matter is not as simple as he says.

However, although he doesn't know Huang Yourong's intentions, Zhao Junchen naturally won't refuse, saying, "If Grand Secretary Huang is hosting a banquet, how can I dare to refuse?"

Seeing Zhao Junchen agree, Huang Yourong nodded in satisfaction.

As they chatted, the Meridian Gate was already in sight, and the officials had gathered in front of it.

With the time approaching, Emperor Deqing's birthday ceremony was about to begin.