Chapter Twenty There Are Always Hearts of Foolish Devotion (II)

　　It is said:

　　A single petal falls, lessening the spring;

　　The wind scatters myriad blossoms, bringing sorrow to the heart.

　　As the flowers fade before the eye,

　　Do not resent the wine that so often touches the lips.

　　In the first year of Yifeng (676 CE), one evening at the hour of Xu, Fan Huaiyi, the Zhonglang General of the Jinwu Guard, led his men on patrol around Emperor Taizong’s mausoleum at Zhaoling. There, he discovered a soldier who had violated military law.

　　Fan Huaiyi reported this to Quan Shancai, the Left Jinwu Guard General, who handled the matter according to the law but imposed excessively harsh punishment. The soldier, feeling deeply wronged, harbored resentment in his heart. The next day, he went directly to report to the Heavenly Emperor, intending to expose Quan Shancai’s misconduct.

　　Now, this Quan Shancai hailed from Lueyang in Tianshui. In earlier years, he had followed Prefect Cui Zhiwen of Lanzhou in subduing the Tangut tribes, earning great merit. Thus, after Pei Judao’s departure, Quan Shancai was promoted to Left Jinwu Guard General.

　　To return to our tale: upon seeing the emperor, the soldier first wept bitterly, then began to denounce Quan Shancai and his men for excessive punishments, exaggerating the matter by claiming the entire army was full of grievances. He then added:

　　“When we were guarding Emperor Taizong’s Zhaoling, on a freezing night, the general ordered soldiers to chop down the cypresses of the mausoleum for firewood. Later, fearing punishment, he threatened us, saying that if word spread, none of us would be spared!”

　　The emperor at first paid little heed, but upon hearing that the sacred cypresses at Zhaoling had been cut down, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head, as though his heart were being pierced by knives. Overcome with fury, he immediately ordered Shangguan Wan’er to draft an imperial decree and had a palace attendant deliver it to the Court of Judicial Review.

　　The attendant arrived at the Court and proclaimed the decree:

　　“To the Ministers:

　　The foundation of the realm rests upon the law.

　　Quan Shancai, the Left Wei Guard General, has failed in his duty to guard Zhaoling, and has even cut down its sacred cypresses for his own use. He is hereby ordered to be seized by the Court of Judicial Review and judged according to the law.”

　　At the time, since Di Renjie had recently concluded most of the pending cases, the Court was idle, its officials strolling leisurely in the courtyard. Upon hearing the edict, none dared delay. Six Court Supervisors led their men, and within half a day they had arrested Quan Shancai and brought him to trial.

　　Quan Shancai, once in custody, admitted guilt. The six Supervisors sentenced him to removal from office and permanent disqualification from service. Yet the palace attendant objected:

　　“When His Majesty learned of this, he was so angered that he suffered sudden head pains, his heart torn with grief. Such a light sentence may incite his wrath.”

　　Di Renjie replied:

　　“We have already judged according to the law. What cause has His Majesty for anger?”

　　Another Supervisor added:

　　“Our duty ends with judgment. Let Minister Zhang decide further.”

　　The palace attendant agreed, and so the matter was referred to Zhang Wenqian.

　　Zhang, upon hearing the case, also found it difficult to handle. After some thought, he resolved to increase the punishment: Quan Shancai was to be dismissed, stripped of office, and never again employed.

　　Thus, Zhang Wenqian and the others entered the palace to report the judgment. Unexpectedly, the emperor was furious:

　　“Such a criminal deserves death! And yet you merely strip him of office and ban him from service?”

　　Di Renjie calmly responded:

　　“We judged according to the law. If Your Majesty is dissatisfied, then abolish the current law and make a new one, and henceforth let punishments follow only your will. But until then, we must judge by law.”

　　The emperor’s face darkened. Zhang Wenqian trembled with fear, but Di Renjie continued:

　　“Your Majesty’s anger, this servant understands. But the ancients said: to remonstrate with the ruler is perilous. I think this is not always so. Under tyrants like Jie and Zhou, it was dangerous; but under sages like Yao and Shun, it was not. I, fortunate enough to live in the Tang’s flourishing age, must not fear for my life when offering counsel.

　　In Emperor Wen of Han’s time, a man stole a jade ring from the ancestral temple of Gaozu. The emperor ordered his entire clan executed. Zhang Shizhi remonstrated: ‘If a thief who steals a ring is destroyed, then what of one who digs up Gaozu’s tomb to build a house?’

　　Today, Your Majesty would kill a meritorious general for felling a single cypress. A thousand years hence, how will history judge you? I cannot bear to see Your Majesty’s noble title as Heavenly Emperor stained by a moment’s rashness.”

　　The emperor, struck by these words, suddenly brightened and exclaimed joyfully:

　　“With ministers such as this, how fortunate I am!”

　　In but a moment, his fury turned to joy. Zhang Wenqian sighed in relief, thinking to himself: “Huaiying, you truly are not like the rest of us.” Empress Wu, though silent throughout, took careful note of Di Renjie.

　　Outside the Xuanzheng Hall, Li Lingyue, Li Xian, and Shangguan Wan’er had secretly observed everything. Li Lingyue said:

　　“Sister Wan’er, Brother Xian—this Lord Di is so wise and eloquent. Yue’er longs to speak with him one day.”

　　Li Xian and Wan’er both replied softly:

　　“Another day, we shall accompany you to see him.”

　　Soon after, the palace attendants announced the end of court. Fearing his mother’s rebuke for idling, Li Xian returned to the Eastern Palace, and Li Lingyue with Shangguan Wan’er also retired to their chambers.

　　Shortly after, as Di Renjie left the Xuanzheng Hall, a palace attendant hurried after him: Empress Wu summoned him to Taiye Lake. Though puzzled, Di Renjie obeyed.

　　Before the lake, he bowed deeply. Empress Wu said:

　　“Lord Di, you are the empire’s foremost judge. Today I summon you here to judge a case.”

　　Di Renjie asked:

　　“What case does Your Majesty refer to?”

　　She said:

　　“Not long ago, Emperor Xiaojing died suddenly. Rumors abound—some say I poisoned him, others say the Crown Prince murdered him. What verdict does Lord Di render?”

　　Startled, Di Renjie felt chills run through him. He thought: She does not seek a verdict—she wants me to silence the rumors. If I investigate and blame someone, none will accept it; if I fail to find the truth, I am guilty still.

　　After a pause, he answered:

　　“Your Majesty, much time has passed, and rumors cannot serve as evidence. How dare your servant pronounce judgment?”

　　Empress Wu said:

　　“Then I shall provide the means. You must bring this case to light.”

　　Thus commanded, Di Renjie could only obey.

　　Just then, as he departed, he encountered Li Lingyue and Shangguan Wan’er entering. He bowed and said:

　　“Your servant Di Renjie greets the Princess.”

　　Surprised and delighted, Li Lingyue lifted him, saying:

　　“Lord Di, the greatest judge of our Tang—what fortune to meet you today!”

　　Then she ran to her mother, saying:

　　“Mother, may Lord Di judge the rumors about Brother Hong?”

　　Empress Wu smiled:

　　“I have already ordered him to investigate.”

　　Li Lingyue then asked eagerly:

　　“May Wan’er and I accompany Lord Di?”

　　Empress Wu was taken aback, but then agreed:

　　“If Yue’er wishes it, she may go. But the Jinwu Guard must escort you, and Lord Di must bring officials of the Court to ensure your safety.”

　　Thus, Li Lingyue rejoiced:

　　“Thank you, Mother!”

　　The next morning, Empress Wu summoned Pang Tongshan, General of the Right Jinwu Guard:

　　“The princess’s safety rests with you—see that she comes to no harm.”

　　She also called Ming Chongyan, commanding him never to leave her side.

　　The company gathered with the Court of Judicial Review. Li Lingyue, seeing Ming Chongyan, asked:

　　“Brother Ming, when will your master come to Chang’an?”

　　He replied:

　　“Why does the princess so long to see him?”

　　She said:

　　“I wish to find someone, but I know not how. I hoped the national preceptor might guide me.”

　　Ming smiled faintly:

　　“The princess is herself blessed with auspicious fortune. What she seeks, she shall find. As for when, the time is near.”

　　Outside Xuanyin Gate, proclamations were posted: the empress had ordered Di Renjie to investigate Emperor Xiaojing’s death. With such pomp, Li Lingyue was puzzled:

　　“Lord Di, why such fanfare for an investigation? It seems more like a public announcement than an inquiry.”

　　Di Renjie replied:

　　“The princess is perceptive. Some things cannot yet be spoken.”

　　Shangguan Wan’er asked:

　　“Then what are we to do?”

　　He said:

　　“I hear that before his death, Emperor Xiaojing drank merrily with Song Lingwen and Meng Shen. Let us go question them.”

　　At Song’s residence, Meng Shen and others were invited. But Di Renjie did not interrogate them—he merely ordered the doors closed, and they sat drinking and conversing for days. Lingyue and Wan’er, though confused, did not question him. Yet Lingyue grew bored, and so the two girls went off to the Western Market for amusement.

　　There, as they strolled, they passed a ruined temple. From within emerged a man—none other than a retainer of Prince Li Zhen. Bowing, he said:

　　“Your Highness, my lord awaits you inside.”

　　Startled, Lingyue entered and found her uncle Li Zhen indeed within. She saluted:

　　“Yue’er greets Uncle.”

　　He asked:

　　“I hear you follow Lord Di in his inquiry. What has he found?”

　　She answered:

　　“Nothing yet—he still investigates.”

　　Li Zhen laughed:

　　“What need of inquiry? The whole city buzzes with talk—where there is smoke, there must be fire!”

　　Lingyue was astonished:

　　“Uncle, how can you say this?”

　　Li Zhen said solemnly:

　　“I summoned you here to tell you—the rumors are no rumors, but truth.”

　　With that, he departed. Lingyue was left utterly bewildered.

　　In fact, once Li Zhen had gone, a flash of light revealed the figure of the Nine-Tailed Fox, who had assumed his form. Ever since entering the capital with Di Renjie, it had watched from the shadows, and now sought to sow discord.

　　The matter was witnessed by a follower of Wu Sansi, who reported it. Wu Sansi, longing for merit, rejoiced:

　　“The empress struggles with the old aristocracy, and now this demonic rumor spreads—even the young princess is deceived! Truly unforgivable.”

　　He rushed to inform the empress, but she exploded:

　　“You, Sansi, think of nothing but scheming! Do you dare spread rumors?”

　　Terrified, he stammered denials, but she thundered:

　　“If ever again you repeat such slander, I will not forgive you. Truth cannot be made from falsehood. Lord Di will reveal all.”

　　Thus rebuked, Wu Sansi dared not speak further.

　　At that moment, Li Lingyue returned, troubled, and told her mother of Li Zhen’s words. The empress laughed gently:

　　“Your uncle is always full of nonsense. That he is misled by rumors is no surprise. When Lord Di uncovers the truth, all will be clear. That is why I entrusted him with this case.”

　　Lingyue yawned:

　　“How complicated! Mother sees clearly. I am tired—I will rest with Sister Wan’er.”

　　She left, while Ming Chongyan and Pang Tongshan remained to report recent events.

　　Meanwhile, Li Zhen’s advisors, upon hearing what had happened, grew alarmed:

　　“Your Highness, how could you tell the princess such a thing? She is young, and her heart uncertain. This is digging your own grave!”

　　Li Zhen, baffled, demanded:

　　“What do you mean?”

　　They explained the situation, and he realized the truth. Angrily he exclaimed:

　　“Would I act so rashly without your counsel? It seems the empress indeed schemes against me, slandering me so brazenly.”

　　Just then, a messenger arrived: the Jinwu Guard summoned him to court. Li Zhen panicked:

　　“What counsel have you?”

　　His advisor replied:

　　“Deny everything. The throne still needs the royal clan as a balance, so he will not press too hard. If necessary, sow confusion—say that someone in court seeks to frame you. The empress will not wish to stir greater strife while entrusting the case to Di Renjie.”

　　Li Zhen agreed, and prepared accordingly.