Chapter 85

Chapter 719: Fangshi Shizi (史子?)

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Shizi.

He is a fangshi.

He is neither someone who cultivates the Dao by refining elixirs like in the Alchemy Chamber, nor someone who seeks the Dao by training mind and body like in the Sword Cultivation.

Shizi, unlike the Dragon Ascenders who practice the art of taking the yin energy from women to achieve the Dao, was a fangshi who took a different path.

If refining elixirs to achieve the Dao is considered orthodox, then the Dragon Ascenders are considered heterodox. Talismans and incantations can be classified as the heterodox path of fangshi.

Shizi was known for his fame in using talismans and incantations, which are categorized as the heterodox path of fangshi. Of course, whether such methods truly worked or not was unknown. All that was known was the rumor that the talismans he wrote were highly effective in warding off misfortune.

The reason he suddenly became famous throughout the land was truly absurd.

It was because the former emperor, Yingdi, sent his current successor, Xiaodi, to be raised by Shizi.

Yingdi, being the ruler of the land, could have raised his children without any lack. However, there was a specific reason for such a bizarre act.

His sons had met untimely deaths before they could gain their names.

Therefore, to prevent any misfortune from befalling him, Shizi was entrusted with raising Xiaodi in his own home.

“Once, in the market, they said I played around with that fangshi Shizi and...”

“Empress Dowager, how can you say such a shameful thing? There’s no need to listen to the rumors made up by idle people in the market.”

“I, the Empress Dowager, did not have a good relationship with Empress Dowager Dong. Shangguo, you know this. She tried to eliminate me, who gave birth to the heir to the throne, due to my background. That rumor was likely also her doing. Anyway, the emperor spent several years under Shizi’s care.”

At that moment, Empress Dowager Xia and Dong Zhuo’s gazes met in the air. Dong Zhuo cautiously asked,

“Could it be that Empress Dowager also has the same thoughts as I do?”

“Perhaps so. Shangguo, it seems Shizi is corrupting the emperor’s heart.”

In response, Dong Zhuo clasped his hands and pleaded to Empress Dowager Xia,

“If you entrust this to me, I will capture Shizi even if it means shaking the entire city of Luoyang.”

However, Empress Dowager Xia held out her palm to dissuade him.

“No, that’s not necessary. Shangguo, I will handle this matter myself, so please trust me and return.”

* * *

After Dong Zhuo left, it was finally Jiaodao’s turn to meet Empress Dowager Xia.

“Eunuch Jiaodao pays his respects to Empress Dowager.”

Jiaodao bowed, and Empress Dowager Xia gestured for him to rise.

“Eunuch Jiaodao, please rise and take a seat.”

“Your grace is like the vast sea and sky.”

Jiaodao took his seat and cautiously looked at Empress Dowager Xia. While other eunuchs would never dare to meet her gaze, he was different because of his position as a Lesser Chamberlain.

The position of Lesser Chamberlain is one of the three most important roles among eunuchs.

The three roles are the Chief Chamberlain, the Head Eunuch, and the Lesser Chamberlain.

“Are you not the supreme eunuch of the imperial palace, the Lesser Chamberlain? It is only natural to offer you a seat.”

“There can be only one tiger on a mountain, and only one sun in the sky. There cannot be two supreme beings in the palace.”

“That is fortunate. However, supreme is supreme. You are the supreme eunuch, so you are supreme here and supreme there.”

In response, Jiaodao lightly bowed from his seated position and straightened his body.

“Empress Dowager, I am neither the Chief Chamberlain nor the Head Eunuch. As a Lesser Chamberlain, how can I be considered the head of the eunuchs?”

“Let me debate with you for a moment. Listen.”

“Yes, Empress Dowager.”

“The position of Chief Chamberlain is usually held by experienced old eunuchs. There are exceptions like the Ten Attendants, but not all of them were Chief Chamberlains. The position of Head Eunuch has also lost its former prestige. However, the Lesser Chamberlain is different.”

As she said, the Lesser Chamberlain was indeed different. The Lesser Chamberlain is never held by an elderly person. Being the Lesser Chamberlain means being the closest to the center of power, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that the fate of the eunuch faction depends on the Lesser Chamberlain.

“The Lesser Chamberlain is different. Or rather, was different.”

“Was it different then, but not now?”

“Yes, Empress Dowager. The position of Lesser Chamberlain I hold is responsible for receiving and delivering the memorials submitted by the officials to the emperor.”

“However...?”

Empress Dowager Xia now sensed that Jiaodao was about to get to the main point. And her intuition was correct.

“Empress Dowager, I also know why you have the emperor read the memorials. However, the emperor has not read a single memorial for over a month.”

“Is that so? That’s quite a problem...”

Currently, Empress Dowager Xia is handling the affairs of state on behalf of the emperor. Of course, even in such a situation, she does not attend every council meeting.

She does not intend to handle the affairs of state indefinitely. When the time comes, she will transfer power to the emperor so that he can govern the land. For this, the emperor must understand the current state of affairs.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Xia passed on all the memorials she received to Xiaodi to read.

To understand the state of affairs, one must read all the memorials. Indeed, as the emperor, reading all the memorials is a given.

However, Jiaodao was reporting that the current emperor had not read a single memorial for over a month.

“Moreover, the emperor has forbidden me from entering his chambers. No matter how much I am a Lesser Chamberlain, if the emperor forbids me from entering, I must comply.”

“It seems the Lesser Chamberlain is deeply hurt. I, the Empress Dowager, will apologize on behalf of the emperor.”

“How can I dare to hear such words? I am merely worried that the emperor’s heart might be clouded.”

Empress Dowager Xia gestured to the palace maids to withdraw. Then, with their support, she walked over to Jiaodao. As she approached, Jiaodao bowed again from his seated position and prostrated himself on the floor.

* * *

Empress Dowager Xia extended her hand and said,

“Lesser Chamberlain Jiaodao, take my hand.”

“I, Jiaodao, dare to touch your sacred body.”

Empress Dowager Xia is the Empress Dowager of the Han Dynasty, the most noble woman in the land. Even high-ranking officials would not dare to have such an opportunity.

However, since Jiaodao is a eunuch, the issue of gender boundaries does not apply.

Of course, even so, the action of Empress Dowager Xia was an unparalleled honor for Jiaodao.

“Listen carefully, Lesser Chamberlain.”

“Yes, Empress Dowager.”

“I know that more than half of the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace follow you. Use their eyes and ears to watch over the emperor.”

From this, Jiaodao could sense what Empress Dowager Xia wanted from him.

Empress Dowager Xia could not bring herself to tell him to spy on her son, the emperor. So, she was speaking in a roundabout way.

“Empress Dowager, do not worry. I am the emperor’s donkey and your stepping stone. If anything unpleasant happens, it will be my fault, and you will have no connection to it.”

In other words, if things went wrong and Jiaodao was caught, her name would never come out of his mouth.

Empress Dowager Xia nodded in satisfaction with Jiaodao’s response.

“Good, good! I, the Empress Dowager, have indeed been blessed with good fortune.”

More accurately, she has a good relationship with eunuchs. Her current position is largely due to the support of the eunuchs.

* * *

Lesser Chamberlain Jiaodao returned to his quarters.

Although he holds a position at the center of power, he cannot occupy an entire pavilion in the palace.

After all, a eunuch is still a eunuch.

Outside the palace, it might be different, but inside, the space allowed for him was only three rooms.

It’s a small space, even smaller than that of a concubine, but since he doesn’t have many possessions, it doesn’t feel cramped. However, three eunuchs were always present here, serving as his hands and feet.

“Eunuch Zhong, Eunuch Hou, Eunuch Qi, I have a favor to ask.”

Jiaodao treats these three as his subordinates but does not look down on them. They are subordinates of Cao Chong who entered the palace to help Jiaodao gain control.

If they had not followed Cao Chong, at least one of the three eunuchs would have been a Chief Chamberlain.

In other words, they have considerable influence among the eunuchs and palace maids.

Of course, there are others under Cao Chong with even greater influence, but the palace still bore the shadow of Cao Deng after his death. Therefore, these were the ones chosen for their lesser connection to Cao Deng.

“Lesser Chamberlain, speak freely. Since we are not outsiders, there’s no need to be formal.”

“Yes, we came to serve the emperor, but we entered the palace solely for your sake.”

“What can we help you with?”

The three eunuchs were blindly supportive of Jiaodao under Cao Chong’s orders. If Jiaodao wished, they would even act as executioners within the palace.

“I just returned from Changle Palace.”

Jiaodao began by mentioning his visit to Changle Palace and recounted everything, from meeting Dong Zhuo to his conversation with Empress Dowager Xia.

After hearing this, there was no need for further discussion. Eunuchs are quick to catch on. The three eunuchs understood what they needed to do from Jiaodao’s story.

However, before taking action, they needed to weigh the pros and cons.

Zhonggong, the eldest and leader of the three eunuchs, spoke up.

“Watching the emperor twenty-four hours a day from behind the scenes is not a difficult task for us. However, this is what Empress Dowager Xia wants.”

“Isn’t it a good thing to have a close relationship with Empress Dowager Xia?”

“That’s true. However, you, Lesser Chamberlain, know better that we did not re-enter the palace to serve the emperor. Everything should be done according to the wishes of our senior.”

The senior Zhonggong referred to was Cao Chong. The decision to act or not would depend on whether it benefited Cao Chong.

Jiaodao pondered how to persuade them. His mind was a whirl during the brief pause.

“To move the three of you, I need to persuade you. And you, the three of you, will not do anything that does not benefit our senior. Am I wrong?”

“Lesser Chamberlain’s words are correct.”

“Then, I must first understand what our senior’s intentions are. What do you think our senior wants?”

Jiaodao passed the ball to Zhonggong. After a moment’s thought, Zhonggong spoke.

“Our senior wishes for Lü Bu to become the ruler of the land. If we contribute to Lü Bu’s great cause, we can live with dignity in his new world. How long must we eunuchs continue to live off the scraps of the Han Dynasty?”

“You have spoken well. We must contribute to Lü Bu’s great cause. This matter is part of that. If our relationship with Empress Dowager Xia becomes even closer, we can do many things we couldn’t do before.”

However, Zhonggong tilted his head.

“Even if we do what Empress Dowager Xia wants, it won’t necessarily contribute to Lü Bu’s great cause. Ultimately, for Lü Bu to rule the land, the Han Dynasty must fall. How can helping Empress Dowager Xia be for Lü Bu’s benefit?”

“Eunuch Zhong, what if we think of it this way? Helping Empress Dowager Xia to watch over the emperor means we are doing so with her official approval.”

Having said this much, Zhonggong could not fail to see where this was going.

“Oh! So you mean we can openly observe the emperor’s indiscretions?”

“Yes. If we act alone, there will be many restrictions. But if Empress Dowager Xia backs us, who can stop us from doing what we want?”