Chapter Fifty-Five: Judge Dee’s Ingenious Plan, The Crown Prince Without Funds

“Father, this is unjust to your son. I pitied those women, that's all. They may be courtesans, but they are still your subjects. If I had not seen them, there would be nothing to say, but once before my eyes, how could I ignore their plight? After bringing them into the Eastern Palace and settling them, I haven’t met with them since. Besides, I have been considering a proper way to send them out of the palace, but I have yet to find a good solution. I fear that if they are sent out, Wu Minzhi will persecute them at once. If you do not believe me, Eunuch Wang, you may inquire in the Eastern Palace.”

“Your Highness, it is not that I do not believe you, but that His Majesty does not. My words do not carry as much weight as Li Shan’s—after all, he is a renowned scholar. Speaking of which, Bie has brought tea.” He took a sip and continued, “It is only two courtesans. Which is more important, two courtesans or the empire’s future? Not to mention that you are the Crown Prince. In the past, Empress Changsun, upon hearing that the Zheng family had a daughter of remarkable beauty and talent, persuaded Taizong to take her into the palace. The Duke of Zheng, having promised his daughter to the Lu family, strongly remonstrated until Taizong rescinded the order.”

“Indeed,” Li Wei replied, though his heart did not agree. There were positive outcomes, certainly, but what about the other side? Take Empress Xiao, wife of Emperor Yang of Sui—she became consort to Yuwen Huaji, then favorite of Dou Jiande, and later the wife of two successive khans of the Turks. Even his accomplished grandfather, upon hearing of her beauty, brought her back to be his own, serving him alongside Lady Yang, her own daughter by another consort.

Xiangxue and her companion are courtesans, but have kept themselves pure. Are they truly less than Empress Xiao, who married five kings, bore several children, and still returned to royal favor?

But Wang Cainian meant well, and that was understandable. He went on, “Moreover, the Duke of Zhou has not learned restraint and continues his misdeeds—his end will come all the swifter for it. These two courtesans are widely known, and the Duke already disgraced one, Guiyan. Scholars were indignant but dared not speak out. If he now insults Xiangxue and her companion, it will enrage all scholars and the people of Chang’an. That would greatly benefit Your Highness. Besides, after a few years, Your Highness could always bring them back to the palace.”

He stopped short of saying “when you ascend the throne,” but Li Wei wiped his brow. In the Tang dynasty, chastity was not so strictly enforced, yet to reclaim women only after others had them—what sense did that make?

Still, the matter had spread to Luoyang; they would surely have to be sent from the Eastern Palace.

Wang Cainian, seeing him pondering, believed his advice had been heeded and added, “It does not matter much. But now that the scholars have fixated on them, it is not ideal. There is, however, another matter I must inform Your Highness of.”

“What is it?”

“That poem circulating in the city—the one about ‘mounting the summit to survey all mountains’—was that written by Your Highness?”

“It was.”

“Sigh! Your Highness, that was unwise. Such verses should not be written. And the sacrificial ploughing ceremony—Your Highness’s display was too grand. His Majesty seemed displeased. I suspect, if not for these matters intertwining with the Duke of Zhou’s offense, His Majesty might already have executed him.”

Li Wei forced a bitter smile. At the sacrificial ploughing, he sensed trouble; Di Renjie had warned him about the poem. “You speak true.”

“Your Highness, you must make amends. In truth, being sent to the Eastern Capital may not be so bad. It all depends on your relationship with His Majesty and the Empress.”

“Indeed.” Old clothes cannot compare to new, but old friends are better than new. For peace, the root of the problem lies with one’s parents—especially the mother. The best solution is to be near them. Wu Zetian… He still had not fully accepted her as his mother. The thought of meeting such a formidable figure made him both nervous and expectant.

“There is a way, Your Highness, to alleviate this somewhat. Have you heard the story of Lü Buwei and Zichu?”

“I have,” Li Wei replied offhandedly, then suddenly realized something and called out to Bie, “Go and check how much money and silk there are in the storeroom.”

“Your Highness trusts me, and I swear every coin and bolt of silk will be used where it counts,” Wang Cainian said, somewhat moved. The world is bustling for profit; he cared not for small gains but had faith in the Crown Prince’s future reign.

With these funds, the eunuchs and maids near Li Zhi and Wu Zetian could be persuaded to speak on Li Wei’s behalf—a great benefit indeed.

Wang Cainian continued, “There is still a way to salvage matters. I also bring a secret order to quietly execute those palace women who spread rumors.”

These were the attendants of the inner chambers. If there was truly no way out, Wang Cainian would not continue to curry favor. But what a situation—those who deserved death remained, while the less guilty were condemned.

Was this the infamous “honeyed date” that comes with a reward?

After Wang Cainian departed, Liu Qun appeared troubled. “Your Highness, there is little money and silk left in the treasury. Should we transfer funds from the outside workshops to make up the shortfall?”

The Eastern Palace’s expenses were immense, but the Crown Prince could only access the inner palace’s limited funds. To help Wang Cainian operate in Luoyang, a batch of money and silk had already been sent, and the workshops had cost a great deal too. The inner palace treasury was now almost empty. If the Crown Prince indulged in further charity, disaster would surely follow.

“From now on, all workshop profits must replenish the inner palace until the deficit is covered.” At this, Li Wei’s headache returned. A message had been sent with Wang Cainian—due to illness, he could not oversee the Great Sacrifice. Would his father have him remain and recover, continuing the rites, or summon him to Luoyang at once? If summoned and he left the Eastern Palace, someone might discover the treasury’s deficit, trace the funds to his investments in the confectionery workshops, and to the bribes and gifts sent out—what then?

He turned to her and said, “Go to the post station and summon Di Renjie, the judicial officer from Bingzhou whom I met two days ago.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

...

“Your Highness, in the end, it is the Lady of Wei’s death that His Majesty cannot bear,” Di Renjie said.

“She has been dead for years,” Bie protested.

“True, but I have heard rumors among the people. The Helan woman had the beauty and talents of an empress—skilled in all the arts, and exceedingly perceptive…” Di Renjie did not continue, but Li Wei and Bie understood. Wu Zetian was Li Wei’s mother, though he had never seen her. Yet in the palace, all spoke of her—over forty, but appearing barely over thirty. To possess both her beauty and talent, and remain so young, to be perceptive meant she was clever. No wonder his mother was wary, or even took action. From his mother’s view, this was a threat that had to be eliminated. From his father’s, there was reluctance.

To know how beautiful Helan was, one need only look at Helan Minzhi’s appearance.

“Perhaps, if my letter reaches my mother, she will persuade my father to change his mind.”

“Unlikely. His Majesty is gravely ill, but still retains authority. Yet, the Duke of Zhou must die. Your Highness has already retaliated; if the Duke is spared, more will dare to slight you in the future. Allow me to think.”

After a moment’s silence, Di Renjie said, “I have an idea, but while the Empress may like it, His Majesty may not.”

“That’s fine,” Li Wei replied without hesitation. If forced to choose between father and mother, he would choose his mother. His father was cautious, but his mother acted decisively, with a ruthless hand.

Di Renjie, aware of Wu Zetian’s reputation, smiled wryly. “But Your Highness, do not forget, His Majesty is still the emperor.”

“What is the plan? Will it deeply disappoint my father?”

“No, it will not. But it will hasten Helan Minzhi’s downfall. Once your letter reaches Luoyang, the Empress will wish the Duke of Zhou dead, but His Majesty may still hesitate.”

Li Wei nodded. The paranoia stemmed from suspicion of Wu Zetian, not Li Zhi—his father likely felt the same, but tolerated it out of necessity, or perhaps his mother’s skill was too great to provoke him.

“So, what is your plan?”

“Is the Duke of Zhou already mad?”

“He is.”

Whatever the reason, to seize the Crown Prince’s consort, or even attempt to, is madness.

“This time, he failed and was punished. An ordinary man might restrain himself, but he will not—he will grow even more reckless. If Your Highness…” He whispered a few words in Li Wei’s ear.

“A brilliant plan.”

“Not brilliant—a cruel one. Your Highness, it is best to avoid such darkness if possible. Let others handle such things for you.”

Li Wei shrugged, unconcerned. The fight had come to his doorstep—was he, the nominal Crown Prince, not justified in striking back?

Seeing this, Di Renjie continued, “Your Highness, patience is key. The Duke of Zhou is an exception, but some ministers are upright, like the Duke of Zheng in former times, or the likes of Bi Gan in history. As a ruler, one should not act out of personal grudges.”

“Rest assured, Di Gong. Honest words may offend, but I will heed them. That is remonstration, not murder or treason.”

“That is good. As for those two courtesans,” Di Renjie frowned, “Your Highness must send them out of the Eastern Palace. Your eldest son should not be born of their line. However virtuous they may be, their origins are what they are.”

“Di Gong, my father is not in the Western Capital and does not trust me. Now you don’t trust me either?” Eldest son? Li Wei broke into a sweat.

“In truth, it matters little. I have heard of those two courtesans—their virtue and talents are rare. It is a blessing for Your Highness. Besides, you are nearing adulthood. Many sons and grandsons in the Eastern Palace are a blessing to the realm. As long as you exercise restraint and do not neglect state affairs, all will be well.”

Li Wei was speechless—even Di Renjie did not believe him, and now was suggesting such things. He was still a virgin! But Di Renjie was not done. Glancing at Bie, he said, “Actually, Lady Jiang is quite suitable. Another child would be a blessing for you and for the empire.”

At this, Bie’s eyes sparkled, and she seemed to float away in delight. Then, casting a gentle, reproachful glance at Li Wei, she smiled.

“Ahem!” Li Wei knew there was truth in this; an imperial grandson would indeed help solidify his position. But Bie was still too young—he hesitated. He coughed awkwardly and changed the subject, “What, then, should be done with those women?”

“It’s not difficult. Your Highness can redeem them, and I will quietly take them to Bingzhou as my adopted daughters. After a few years, when people have forgotten, I will change their names and send them back to the Eastern Palace to serve you.”

A clever plan, but Li Wei was baffled. “Why send them back?”

Di Renjie only smiled, saying nothing. The meaning was clear.

Bie stifled a laugh and whispered in Li Wei’s ear, “Your Highness, I’ve heard those young ladies are virtuous and talented. Are you truly unmoved?”

A hit, right on target!

“Go on! This is grown-ups’ business—children shouldn’t interrupt,” Li Wei scolded, pushing her aside.

Bie pouted, thinking, “Even Di Renjie says I can bear children—how am I too young?”

But Di Renjie’s suggestion was the only feasible solution. There were few in Chang’an who could protect those women—only the most powerful, who would have their own concerns. Di Renjie himself lacked the means, but in Bingzhou, if done discreetly, even Helan Minzhi could not take revenge, for she would not know their whereabouts.

And if one did not trust Di Renjie, there was no one else to rely on. Keeping them in the Eastern Palace would only anger his father.

“So be it,” Li Wei agreed.

Yet a new problem arose. To make them Di Renjie’s adopted daughters and erase their status, their freedom had to be bought—a costly sum, no doubt. Where would the money come from?

There was money, but to use it would require an appropriation from the Ministry of Revenue. But that money was not meant for workshops, bribes, or redeeming courtesans.

Was he to march into the brothels and tell the madams, “I am the Crown Prince, here to buy their freedom—now, pay me?” Even if he did, his reputation would be ruined—worse than Helan Minzhi’s.

Money—what to do? Should he borrow from Hu Ying and his circle? He could not bring himself to ask.

He looked at Di Renjie, who could only shake his head helplessly. An honest official, staying at a post station, he himself had no money to spare.