Chapter Nineteen: The Difficulties of He Zhizhang

Li Longji had no idea that the conscription system of the Tang dynasty was originally proposed by Zhang Yue. It was precisely because Li Longji took Zhang Yue’s advice and reformed the recruitment system that the weakness of the garrison troops was swept away. Coupled with the Tang dynasty’s equal emphasis on civil and military affairs, many excellent generals emerged, once again displaying the might seen in the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong.

At present, Zhang Yue was busy helping him contend with Princess Taiping, and given the current situation, even if they proposed the recruitment system, it would be blocked by Princess Taiping’s faction, possibly making matters worse. Thus, there was neither time nor opportunity to consider the conscription reform. Even Zhang Yue, the very man who would later propose the system, did not comprehend it as thoroughly as Pei Min did at this moment.

Pei Min himself was not fully aware of these subtle details, let alone Li Longji.

Li Longji could only attribute it all to “great minds think alike,” and felt that Pei Min saw even further in this regard.

“If this recruitment system truly originated from Pei Min, then he is indeed a remarkable talent,” Li Longji said, feeling a surge of excitement. As a ruler, who would not wish for a court filled with capable men? Especially one with ambition and grand designs...

He Zhizhang replied, “It is indeed his own idea. To speak candidly, Your Majesty, I seem to have a particular affinity with Pei Min. I have a cousin serving as an official in Youzhou, who has spoken of him in his letters to me. He praised Pei Min’s extraordinary talent, his unique insights into ancient texts, his exquisite calligraphy, and his exceptional martial skills—his swordsmanship is so refined that even renowned local experts are no match for him. Though he began as a commoner, he has earned the grand marshal’s deep respect, and is free to come and go from the marshal’s residence. Were it not for his youthful eagerness to see the world in Chang’an, he would already have been appointed under the grand marshal.”

Li Longji’s interest grew. He laughed, “A man accomplished in both civil and military arts! Ha ha… Now that he has caught my eye, the grand marshal must make do without him. A talent who can perceive the flaws in our government and propose the recruitment system is wasted under the grand marshal. Tell me, what post should I bestow upon him?”

He Zhizhang and Zhang Jiuling were caught off guard by this question.

He Zhizhang had been persuaded by Zhang Jiuling, while Zhang Jiuling himself simply wished to prevent the court from losing a promising talent.

Upon closer consideration, there truly was no suitable vacant post for Pei Min. After all, Pei Min was currently only a tribute scholar, not yet twenty, still at an awkward stage—too young for high office, too talented for low rank.

Zhang Jiuling, quick-witted as ever, thought for a moment and said, “Pei Min has come to participate in the imperial examination for the jinshi degree. Perhaps we should wait for him to succeed, and then bestow special honors?” According to Tang law, anyone who passed the jinshi exam qualified for officialdom. Generally, even those who succeeded might not enter government service, but since Pei Min had caught Li Longji’s attention, he would surely be given a good appointment. Far better than Zhang Jiuling himself had managed in his youth.

Li Longji pondered briefly. His inclination was to appoint Pei Min directly, but he recalled that all his actions were under Princess Taiping’s scrutiny. If he suddenly promoted Pei Min, it would invite investigation and interference, and if such a talent were drawn into Taiping’s orbit, that would be disastrous.

Princess Taiping was now focused on the spring examinations, boldly drafting her own list of top scholars, aiming to sweep up all the jinshi and bolster her influence. It would be better to push Pei Min forward, making him an enemy of Princess Taiping, and thus...

With this thought, Li Longji’s mind was made up. He smiled, “Just as Lord Zhang suggests.” Turning to He Zhizhang, he said, “Do not mention this to Pei Min. I wish to see whether he can rely on his own ability to make a name for himself.”

**********

He Zhizhang returned home burdened with worry. He never expected Princess Taiping to act with such audacious arrogance. Yesterday, he and Zhang Jiuling had spoken to Li Longji about Pei Min; today, he was summoned and openly questioned about it.

Though he managed to muddle through, He Zhizhang was once again threatened. Li Longji was gradually shifting his focus to open confrontation, energetically governing the court and winning over a group of mid- and lower-level officials. He was, after all, the Emperor—even though the retired Emperor Li Dan had not given him all power, he still possessed the authority to appoint officials of the third rank and below. With this power, promoting mid- and lower-level officials was effortless.

Though these officials could not compare with chancellors and grand generals, those in key positions still wielded considerable influence.

Following Zhang Yue’s advice, Li Longji engaged Princess Taiping in open political maneuvering, and indeed gained the upper hand, successfully suppressing her arrogance.

Princess Taiping, unwilling to accept defeat, plotted her counterattack and placed even greater importance on the selection of jinshi in the imperial examinations. She could allow scholars and Li Longji’s people to achieve the jinshi degree, but the top three—first, second, and third place—had to be hers. Only then could she recover lost prestige; this was not mere spite, but the logic of power. Whoever conceded was overwhelmed, and would face unyielding opposition.

Princess Taiping had lost ground openly, and if she did not regain it, repeated defeats would unsettle her faction. The party struggle was no longer what it once was; her opponent was the Emperor himself, not a mere chancellor, and the pressure was immense.

Thus, Princess Taiping was determined to secure the top jinshi candidates.

He Zhizhang had expected his own rise and favor to mark a turning point in his career, but instead found himself swept into the vortex of conflict between the Emperor and Princess Taiping.

Watching Zhang Xu in the courtyard, drinking wine and practicing calligraphy, he smiled, “You truly live the carefree life, brother—wine always in hand, brush never put down, like a sage.”

Zhang Xu tossed the wine flask over and said, “Something troubles you?”

He Zhizhang sighed, “In officialdom, one cannot act freely. His Majesty wishes to entrust me with a heavy responsibility, overseeing next year’s spring examination. Though my appointment as Supervisor of Tribute Examinations has yet to be issued, I am already embroiled in the Emperor’s struggle with Princess Taiping. Next year, brother, if you wish to drink with me, you may have to seek me in Lingnan.”

Zhang Xu remained silent.

“There’s really no need for you to be so troubled, Brother He!” Pei Min suddenly appeared, holding a copy of the Book of Changes, and walked out from the hall. Seeing He Zhizhang’s surprise, he quickly explained, “I did not mean to eavesdrop. I was seeking Brother Zhang’s guidance on a passage from the Book of Changes, and happened to overhear your conversation.”

Pei Min was living in He Zhizhang’s residence. Both Zhang Xu and He Zhizhang were far more accomplished in literature than he, and as a junior scholar, with two such talented men at his side, how could he not be eager to learn? He often sought their advice on classics, historical writings, and calligraphy, and in just a few days had improved in every respect.

He Zhizhang, now well aware of Pei Min’s capabilities, asked humbly, “Teach me, brother!”

Pei Min smiled, “It’s really quite simple. The reason the examination system is currently controlled by those in power is because the rules are unclear and the process unfair. If we change the atmosphere of the imperial examinations, making them impartial and allowing candidates to succeed by merit—if the Supervisor of Tribute Examinations no longer holds all the authority—wouldn’t that solve the problem? If you cannot control it, and Princess Taiping’s people fail to win, no matter how arrogant she is, she cannot blame you.”