Chapter 102: The Approaching Storm (Fifth Update)

“Your Majesty, regarding the origins of this strange beast, your humble servant does possess some limited knowledge. This creature hails from a land far to the south of the South Sea, called Africa. The climate there is scorching, and the land is vast but sparsely populated…” Zhang Qian hesitated briefly before resolutely deciding to recite the answer he had rehearsed earlier with the sly old fox, Yang. At the same time, he felt a surge of gratitude toward the old fox.

Whether Yang’s earlier remark—“whether you wish to be my junior or not”—was an offhand joke or had deeper intent, before uttering that line, he had methodically shown Zhang Qian that outright denial of prior knowledge about the giraffe’s origins was impossible. To do so might seem clever on the surface, but beneath the words, cracks would inevitably show. And those cracks, once spotted by a few watchful, determined individuals, would be relentlessly exploited. Even if Zhang Qian managed to patch up the lies later, the emperor himself would develop a poor impression of him as a cunning and insincere speaker.

Such a reputation would doom his future prospects instantly—at least until the passing of Emperor Li Xian of the Divine Dragon era. In truth, a well-modified version of the truth at the last moment would leave him appearing broad-minded, honest, and trustworthy in the emperor’s eyes. Even if the final conclusion failed to satisfy some, no one could justly vent their anger upon him.

After all, at the critical juncture, he had made it clear that whether the giraffe was a strange beast or not was entirely up to everyone’s judgment. Denying it was reasonable; affirming it was also plausible.

The subsequent unfolding of events proved his approach was apt. When he mentioned that the creature was called a giraffe, originating from a place called Africa, favoring leaves and fruit from tall trees and abstaining from meat and fish, several senior ministers seated on embroidered stools revealed expressions of embarrassment.

However, when he described the giraffe’s immense strength, with four long legs capable of matching a lion in a one-on-one fight, and the rarity and difficulty of capturing and taming it even in its homeland—sometimes regarded as a precious rarity—the discomfort on those ministers’ faces quickly faded.

When he further explained that the giraffe’s initial habitat was near the sea, and that maritime merchants often landed to trade with local vendors, several minor officials, who had been ready to stand and refute him on subtle signals, immediately lowered their flags.

When he clarified that the Kunlun slave fatally kicked by the furious giraffe was actually a beast trainer from the same hometown—either bought as cargo along with the giraffe by the merchants or enslaved and brought from that land—both the senior ministers on the front benches and the lower-ranking officials kneeling on the floor furrowed their brows in anger.

Yet when he stated that although giraffes were common in their homeland, to have one transported thousands of miles to Tang and presented to His Majesty was a testament to the grandeur and unmatched glory of our Great Tang, pride blossomed on the faces of the officials seated both on benches and on the floor, as if Zhang Qian’s words were meant to flatter each of them personally.

“Cough, cough, cough…” The old fox Yang Lin, laughing heartily, bent forward and covered his mouth with his hand as he gently coughed. Before Emperor Li Xian could gesture, a young eunuch hurried forward to rub the old fox’s back. From the old fox’s cough, Zhang Qian discerned an urging tone. Steeling himself, he committed fully to the role, bowing deeply and proclaiming loudly, “Your humble servant is honored to witness this grand occasion and feels doubly privileged. May the prosperous era of Great Tang endure forever, and may our national fortune flourish eternally!”

“May the prosperous era of Great Tang endure forever, and may our national fortune flourish eternally!” Zhang Qian was not the only one who had rehearsed this phrase. Zhou Jianliang, newly appointed commander of the Guoyi Troops, also rose with a knowing glance and bowed deeply to Emperor Li Xian, uttering the same words.

“May the prosperous era of Great Tang endure forever, and may our national fortune flourish eternally!” Once someone had taken the lead in flattering the emperor, all the senior and junior ministers present could no longer feign aloofness. Whether willing or not, many rose or bowed in unison before the Divine Dragon Emperor Li Xian.

Having once been forced to abdicate by his mother, Empress Wu Zetian, and upon his second enthronement inheriting a precarious and chaotic realm that required endless toil to stabilize, Emperor Li Xian lacked confidence and security. He was thus prone to delight in auspicious omens and flattering titles. Hearing his ministers proclaim the arrival of a prosperous era and wish for eternal national fortune under his reign—though fully aware of their sycophancy—he nonetheless felt his heart swell with joy.

Feeling this joy, he looked even more favorably upon Zhang Qian, who had once risked his life to divert the giraffe. Laughing heartily, he stood and loudly praised, “What a great sense of honor, what unparalleled greatness! Our Great Tang has reached today’s glory thanks to the dedication of all your excellencies. Although the giraffe may not count as an auspicious omen, to have it transported from thousands of miles away to our Tang is indeed a rare marvel. Send for the supervising official of the livestock department and have the giraffe escorted out of the palace to be housed near the Tangquan Springs at Mount Li, where it shall be well cared for. As for Yang Wanjun, the young gentleman from Guangzhou who presented this rare beast, though lacking in experience, his loyalty is commendable. Promote him to county magistrate of Shaozhou and grant him one thousand strings of coins and two hundred bolts of silk. Order the Lingnan provincial authorities to pay immediately without deduction!”

“Your Majesty is wise!” The Minister of War, Zong Chuke, and the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, Ji Chuena, who had led the offering of the auspicious beast, exchanged glances and simultaneously bowed to Emperor Li Xian, signaling acceptance of his judgment and a willingness to back down gracefully.

Having gently closed the chapter on the false auspicious offerings by Zong Chuke and Ji Chuena—who had colluded with unruly elements in Guangzhou—Emperor Li Xian then turned his smiling gaze toward the other disputing party, the Right Deputy Prime Minister Xiao Zhizhong. He nodded at him first and then spoke softly, “Deputy Prime Minister, you mentioned during this morning’s court session that the windmill and irrigation well, along with their schematics, presented by Bi Gou were all crafted by Chief Clerk Zhang. You also said that if these devices were widely adopted, they would reduce the damage caused by floods and droughts across our Tang by more than half. Do you recall?”

“Your Majesty, I do,” replied Xiao Zhizhong cautiously. Seeing Li Xian casually dismiss the matter of ‘lack of insight’ and shift blame from Zong Chuke and others, he declined to press further and continued, “I have already handed the schematics and samples of the windmill and irrigation well to the Imperial Works Department for verification. Their report confirms the efficacy fully matches Chief Clerk Bi’s claims.”

“Since it’s verified, entrust the Ministry of Works to promote it throughout the realm! Have them draft regulations promptly for implementation!” Pleased with Xiao Zhizhong’s tact, Li Xian smiled and nodded at him.

Finally, turning his attention to Zhang Qian, who had been left unattended for some time, the emperor smiled and said, “Bi Gou refuses to take undue credit, stating that these two highly beneficial devices and their designs were personally created by Chief Clerk Zhang. Zhang is a direct disciple of Qin Mo, possessing unparalleled skill, vast knowledge, and a patriotic heart. I have dispatched envoys to inquire about gunpowder production, and the entire Armory Department reports a monthly output of ten thousand catties—more than sufficient. They also commend Zhang for his dedication to teaching without reservation. This brings me great comfort…”

Having extolled Zhang Qian’s virtues and contributions at length, it was clear that the emperor intended to reward and promote him. Immediately, all the minor officials of eighth and ninth rank awaiting audience pricked up their ears.

Yet before they could hear the Divine Dragon Emperor’s final words, a man in a seventh-rank subordinate official’s robe, aged around fifty, suddenly stepped forward from the central ranks of the civil officials. Raising his voice, he urgently interrupted, “Your Majesty, please hold! I am Sha Chongyi, Palace Censor. I submit impeachment against the Armory Department’s Chief Clerk Zhang Qian for his obscure background and suspicion of cunning schemes that could exhaust the state. I implore Your Majesty’s careful scrutiny!”