The Child Emperor

When he was young, the warts on Wang Jianhuo’s face were only somewhat obvious, not as large as they were now, like half a rough mask worn on his face. People didn’t call him Ugly Wang then, but rather referred to him as “Half Buddha.”

The old generation of pugilists had been killed off in batches by the Martial Emperor. Those who remained were either relocated to desolate mountains and treacherous marshes or retreated into the pugilist world, disappearing without a trace. Wang Jianhuo rose to prominence during this time. Leveraging his slight imperial family connections, he saved many heroic pugilists. What made his reputation soar even higher was that he exhausted his family fortune to provide relief to the relatives of many deceased pugilists, offering help in their time of need without seeking any reward.

Most people had no way to repay him, but some possessed the noble spirit of their fathers and brothers and insisted on returning this favor. After settling her mother, the daughter of an old pugilist had someone convey to Wang Jianhuo that she was willing to marry him, whether as a wife or concubine.

Wang Jianhuo refused, believing this would be taking advantage of someone in distress.

Several days later in the evening, the old pugilist’s daughter came to his door personally, saying she could not accept another’s kindness for nothing, as it would tarnish her father’s reputation. Since she had already come, she would not leave tonight. No matter what happened, by tomorrow morning when she left, her reputation would be ruined, so Wang Jianhuo marrying her would be saving her.

Wang Jianhuo was moved. The old pugilist’s daughter was not only beautiful but also intelligent and generous—exactly the wife he had dreamed of. Yet he still wanted to refuse. To make her understand his feelings, he moved closer, making as if to kiss her.

She did not avoid him, but closed her eyes, gently biting her lips, her eyes moist as if tears were about to flow.

Wang Jianhuo stepped back and said, “Before you came, you had already determined that I, Wang Jianhuo, would have difficulty finding a wife, so you wanted to offer yourself to repay my kindness. This is both an insult to me and a degradation of yourself. There are many ways to repay a favor. If you truly have this intention, please first give me some respect, then slowly wait for the right time. As for your reputation, you need not worry.”

Wang Jianhuo left, sending someone to bring the old pugilist’s widow over, and gave up his residence to them. The mother and daughter no longer needed to leave.

It was after that incident that Wang Jianhuo completely abandoned the idea of marrying and having children. As the warts on his face grew larger and larger, this thought never wavered again. He even accepted the nickname that outsiders had secretly given him, calling himself “Ugly Wang” and making it his only title. Ugly Wang was just that proud.

He was not afraid of death. Having witnessed firsthand the tragic ends of many old pugilists, he had long placed life and death beyond consideration, making no preparations for escape. When the authorities once wanted to arrest him, he voluntarily surrendered himself after hearing the news. He was imprisoned for a few days, then released.

He was also not afraid of humiliation. Ever since the warts on his face became obvious when he was eight years old, humiliation had been his daily bread. But he successfully transformed humiliation into a symbol, never hesitating to display it and never accepting pity.

However, there was one thing he never did: become an official.

Wang Jianhuo had fled only once in his life, and that was because Luoyang wanted to recommend him to serve as an official at court. The government officials and guests who came to congratulate him all came up empty-handed—the Ugly Wang had vanished without a trace. Only after the prefectural office spread word that they had recommended someone else did he quietly return home, then personally went to thank the officials.

As for his reason for not becoming an official, it was simple: if you hold a position, you must fulfill its duties. If you take the imperial salary, you must be a loyal minister. He could not bring himself to betray those who had fed him.

Wang Jianhuo had declined at least five opportunities to become an official, with each recruiter holding a higher position than the last. Former Chancellor Yin Wuhai had once personally written a letter urging Ugly Wang to come to the Capital, only to have the letter returned unopened.

Now, the person asking him to become an official was the Emperor.

Wang Jianhuo knelt down again. “This commoner would rather suffer castration.”

Han Ruzi had anticipated that Ugly Wang would not agree immediately. “You have been a hero for many years. How many people have you helped in total?”

“This commoner has not kept count.”

“Give a rough estimate.”

“Well, perhaps a thousand or eight hundred. Most people only took some silver from this commoner.”

Han Ruzi picked up a memorial from the table. “Henan Prefecture has a population of nearly two million. Since last autumn, over five hundred thousand have lost their homes and become refugees. After the first opening of the granaries for relief, the number of refugees decreased, but there are still over a hundred thousand remaining. Countless people from other prefectures have come here to beg for food. Nearly half of all refugees in the realm are here. If the official granaries of Henan Prefecture were to provide relief for all the refugees, the food could probably last ten days.”

“The wealthy households of Luoyang have responded to the call and will also open their private granaries.”

“Yes, in that case we could last a month. However, the local officials have warned that Luoyang already attracts many refugees, and once large-scale grain distribution begins, it will draw even more people. By then, we might not even be able to last a month.”

Wang Jianhuo raised his head. “This commoner understands how dire the situation is, but I have no solution now, and it would be the same after becoming an official.”

“It would not be the same.” Han Ruzi picked up several more memorials and stacked them on the table. “To speak frankly, providing relief to refugees for one month, or even half a month, would be sufficient. We will quickly pacify the rebellion in Donghai and the threat from the Xiongnu, once we have released grain from the Ao Granary to address this urgent crisis. What We worry about is not time, but whether the grain in the official and private granaries can actually reach the people.”

Wang Jianhuo said in surprise, “Does Your Majesty have some suspicion?”

“We have met some disaster victims in the Capital. They told Us that there are many tricks when officials distribute grain. Often they only take out small amounts of grain for show, then sell the grain at high prices. They deceive the court above and cheat the people below, so the more grain is distributed, the more refugees there are.” Follow current novels on NoveI-Fire.ɴet

“After natural disasters, there are always man-made calamities that follow.” Wang Jianhuo thought for a moment. “The customs in Luoyang may not be the same as in the Capital.”

Han Ruzi laughed once. “Perhaps. We indeed have no evidence, but the local officials agreed too readily, things are proceeding too smoothly, and the wealthy households of Luoyang are so enthusiastic. Upon self-reflection, We feel We have not yet reached the level of respect where everyone responds to a single call. There is probably deception involved.”

“Your Majesty is too modest.”

“You are a hero of Luoyang, yet you still engaged in a battle of wits with Us. Are the officials of Henan Prefecture all more honest than you?”

Wang Jianhuo kowtowed. “This commoner would not dare…”

“Hundreds of thousands of refugees outside Luoyang City are waiting for you to save them. We would rather see the Ugly Wang who stood up for the Tan family, not the Wang Jianhuo who kneels here saying ‘would not dare.’ If you don’t want to be an official, that’s fine. We will only give you a temporary official title. Once the grain distribution is completed, the position will be withdrawn and you will still be a ‘commoner.’ Moreover, We will not provide a salary. We owe each other nothing. You would not be helping Us or the court, only the refugees.”

Wang Jianhuo was dumbfounded. He had received many attempts at recruitment before, always with promises of high office and generous rewards. But when it came to the Emperor, not only was the position temporary, but there was no salary either.

“What about the punishment of castration…”

“That stays. We’ll settle accounts after the grain distribution is finished.”

The conditions were becoming increasingly harsh.

“What about the Tan family?”

“We are puzzled how someone like you would make enemies with the Tan family.”

“Which version has Your Majesty heard?”

“The Tan family wanted to build an inn in Luoyang, and you disagreed.”

Wang Jianhuo smiled bitterly. “The Tan family has friends throughout the realm. Using someone’s help to open an inn would be as easy as turning over one’s hand. Even if this commoner opposed it, what use would that be? However, this commoner has indeed had grievances with the Tan family. They are all minor matters of the pugilist world, not worth mentioning.”

Ugly Wang clearly did not wish to elaborate, and Han Ruzi did not press further. “The Tan family’s women, children, and elderly will remain in Luoyang. The men will be incorporated into the army, giving them a chance to perform meritorious service and redeem their crimes.”

“Will Your Majesty depart tomorrow morning?”

“Yes.”

“Please give this commoner some time. I will report back before dark.”

“Very well.”

“This commoner takes his leave.” Wang Jianhuo rose and retreated toward the door. After a few steps, he raised his head and asked, “If this commoner refuses to become an official, will I still suffer castration?”

Han Ruzi nodded. “And the one wielding the blade may not be the Little Knife Liu you mentioned.”

Wang Jianhuo laughed heartily, turned around, and walked out of the tent.

Prince Donghai and the others entered. The others returned to their positions without asking any questions, but Prince Donghai could not contain his curiosity. “Ugly Wang didn’t look like someone about to face the knife. Has Your Majesty changed your mind again?”

Han Ruzi gave a noncommittal response and lowered his head to continue reading the memorial from Liu Zeqin, Vice Minister of Revenue. The writing was somewhat convoluted, and the compensation given to wealthy merchants did not seem to be very much. First, Hangu Pass would waive part of the transit tax and no longer limit the number of annual passages. Second, when replenishing official granaries in the coming years, Luoyang merchants would be given priority.

Prince Donghai refused to leave and stood beside the table, flipping through memorials the Emperor had already read. “Hey, Yang Feng is really generous. Look at this – the timid officials receive great rewards, while the Southern and Northern Army soldiers who risked their lives and assisted Your Majesty only get small rewards. Is he deliberately making enemies for Your Majesty?”

Han Ruzi did not respond. He always felt there was something wrong with Liu Zeqin’s memorial, but he could not pinpoint what the problem was. After a while, he said, “Before departing tomorrow, I will personally draft an edict to increase the rewards for those with merit, granting them promotions and noble titles.”

Prince Donghai nodded, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Yang Feng, this fellow, is really… too clever!”

“Hmm?” Han Ruzi frowned as he looked at Prince Donghai. His mind was not on the Capital now.

Prince Donghai pointed at the thick stack of memorials and laughed. “Yang Feng is handling matters in the Capital and fears Your Majesty doesn’t trust him, so he deliberately belittled the meritorious Southern and Northern armies to provoke their indignation, waiting for Your Majesty to issue an edict to set things right. When that happens, the gratitude goes to Your Majesty, the curses go to Yang Feng, and at the same time Your Majesty learns that the armies have grievances against Yang Feng. This kills two birds with one stone – it both consolidates Your Majesty’s hold on the military’s loyalty and ensures Your Majesty has no suspicions about Yang Feng. Clever, truly clever.”

Han Ruzi was slightly stunned. Regardless, he would have to increase the rewards for the Southern and Northern Army soldiers, but he had not thought so deeply about Yang Feng’s intentions. Hearing Prince Donghai’s explanation, this indeed seemed like something Yang Feng would do.

“If Your Majesty wants to put Yang Feng at ease, then severely scold him in the imperial edict.”

“Scold him?”

“It is that unspoken understanding between ruler and minister that is most precious. If Your Majesty rebukes Yang Feng but does not strip him of power, that would be the greatest trust.” Prince Donghai sighed softly. He had learned so much about imperial statecraft since childhood, yet could only serve as Han Ruzi’s advisor.

“Unspoken understanding…” Han Ruzi found these four words quite worth pondering. “Summon Vice Minister of Revenue Liu Zeqin.”

Zhang Youcai acknowledged and left the tent to inform Liu Jie. Prince Donghai asked, “Why are you thinking of him again?”

“I want to ask him what his ‘unspoken understanding’ is.”

“Since it’s unspoken understanding, naturally it cannot be spoken.”

“He must speak.” With only half a day left before the expedition, Han Ruzi was determined to resolve the grain distribution matter completely.

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