Chapter 30: The Olive Branch from the Jiajing Emperor

Fan Li gazed at Zhang Juzheng, and Zhang Juzheng looked right back at him. Zhang Juzheng’s eyes were fraught with contradictions—admiration and envy mingled together, both emotions flickering in his gaze. He truly did admire Fan Li, yet could not help but begrudge him as well.

Zhang Juzheng had always believed Fan Li owed his meteoric rise and unrivaled authority in Chu’s court, his position as Prime Minister, to the might of the Fan clan. When he last visited Chu as an envoy, he’d been astonished by Fan Li’s imposing presence in the Chengming Hall. Afterwards, Zhang mulled over the encounter, suspecting Fan Li possessed some rare Confucian treasure that had tricked him. After all, Fan Li was only just beginning his cultivation, barely at the Body Refining stage—a fact well known across the Three Kingdoms. Yet soon after, the Grand Master Lan Dao Xing of Ming failed to tame the legendary Black Stallion, and the cause, once again, was traced back to Fan Li’s machinations.

Only then did Zhang Juzheng realize he had greatly underestimated his opponent.

Now, his presence before Fan Li was not merely personal—it reflected Ming’s escalating attention to Fan Li, reaching all the way up to the Emperor Jiajing himself.

“Lord Zhang, what brings you here?” Fan Li asked with a smile.

Zhang Juzheng was a man of promise, his future bright. But for now, his rank was only fourth grade; even in Ming his influence was limited, and he certainly had no sway over someone of Fan Li’s stature, a duke and Prime Minister in Chu. Zhang’s being here likely meant he was acting as a messenger.

Indeed, as soon as Zhang opened his mouth, his awkward position was revealed.

“Duke Jin, His Majesty the Emperor Jiajing of Ming requests your audience.”

Zhang’s face flushed red, embarrassed by his role as mere errand boy. He stepped aside, raising a hand in invitation.

“Jiajing wishes to see me?” Fan Li mused inwardly.

Should he go, or refuse?

Impossible—not to go. With the power and authority of that formidable monarch, any refusal would be a grave offense.

The wrath of the Ming Emperor?

Fan Li could not afford that.

Would Xiang Ning be displeased to hear of this?

No matter—her feelings would have to wait. His own life took precedence.

“Lead the way.”

Fan Li followed Zhang Juzheng, unaware of the faint, cold smile at Zhang’s lips. Nor did he know that Zhang’s subordinates, previously instructed, had already departed for the Chu Emperor’s palace to inform them of Fan Li’s private audience with Emperor Jiajing.

Chu Emperor’s Palace.

“What?! Fan Li went behind my back to meet Emperor Jiajing?” Xiang Ning stared in disbelief at the messenger before her.

He was a Ming official, though of low rank. To quarrel with him would only diminish her imperial dignity.

“Indeed, I came to inform Your Majesty, lest you find Duke Jin missing and be troubled.”

Though only a seventh grade official, the man stood tall and proud, not even performing the customary kowtow, displaying the attitude of “a minister of a superior nation does not bow to a lesser lord.”

And at this moment, there was another guest in the palace—Emperor Liu Xie of Han.

“I understand. You may withdraw,” Xiang Ning said, casting an embarrassed glance at Liu Xie, waving the Ming official away. The latter smirked coldly and strutted off.

“That man’s insolence—he deserves a thousand cuts!” Liu Xie fumed on Xiang Ning’s behalf, but then cautioned, “You must not act rashly. Harm him, and you’ll hand Jiajing the perfect excuse.”

Xiang Ning was at a loss, half amused. Without that last warning, she would have suspected Liu Xie of sowing discord.

“Why did Fan Li agree to meet Jiajing?” Xiang Ning wondered. Just as she pondered this, Liu Xie dropped a shocking suggestion.

“Your Majesty, should Fan Li intend rebellion, why not strike him down in Lü City? I have three loyal ministers who can help you root out traitors!”

Xiang Ning’s mouth hung open, staring at Liu Xie in astonishment.

“Er… thank you, Your Majesty, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Kill Fan Li? Please! The guards escorting her today were elite soldiers selected from the capital’s garrison—staunch supporters of the Fan clan. If Fan Li fell today, tomorrow those soldiers might storm the palace in revolt.

Besides, though Xiang Ning had her doubts, she saw no reason to make this an issue with Fan Li.

“What if he’s doing it for my sake?” she even thought.

Liu Xie, seeing Xiang Ning’s mild response, shook his head in resignation.

“Eh? What’s wrong, Your Majesty?” Xiang Ning asked.

With a sigh, Liu Xie replied, “You are young and kind-hearted, too trusting. I was once the same—trusting Dong Zhuo, bringing him from the provinces to the capital to help me rid the court of the Ten Attendants.”

He sighed deeply.

“But what happened? After the Ten Attendants were destroyed, Dong Zhuo seized power alone, his tyranny surpassing theirs!”

Recalling those days, Liu Xie’s eyes brimmed with regretful tears.

“If Dong Zhuo dared behave as disloyally as Duke Jin does now, I would risk everything—even my life—to strike him down!”

Xiang Ning felt awkward hearing this, thinking: Would you really? If you could, how could you have tolerated it so long? Besides, Dong Zhuo’s disloyalty in Han was hardly rare…

…

Ming Emperor’s Palace.

Fan Li entered the great hall, raising his eyes to the imperial steps. Instead of the dragon throne, there was a meditation cushion woven with golden threads. Upon it sat a middle-aged man in Daoist robes, serene and dignified.

It was Emperor Jiajing.

“No dragon robes, just Daoist garb?” Fan Li looked up at Jiajing, pondering the meaning.

By now, Zhang Juzheng had quietly withdrawn, leaving only Fan Li and Jiajing in the vast hall.

Fan Li considered how to greet this foreign emperor, but Jiajing spoke first.

“You remain a subject of Chu. I grant you one exemption—no need for the full kneeling ceremony.”

Fan Li wondered if he’d misheard.

Good grief! The old lamp, granting favors in such a patronizing tone, saying something so nauseating. Did I ever say I’d kneel for you? Even Xiang Ning has never seen me kneel!

Finally, Emperor Jiajing opened his eyes, ending his meditation, and looked at Fan Li, a slow smile blooming on his face.

“With your Body Refining cultivation, when you look up at me, do you see a mortal—or a deity?”

Fan Li thought, “You seem more like a lunatic!”

But aloud he replied, “Your Majesty is indeed extraordinary.”

“Hahaha! So slippery—no wonder you thrive in Chu’s court.” Emperor Jiajing laughed. “Among my ministers, you’re the first to avoid answering me directly.”

Fan Li heard the implication, puzzled. “Er… Your Majesty, I am a subject of Chu…”

Jiajing cut him off with a wave. “From this day forth, you are not! I am recruiting you into Ming’s service—into the inner cabinet. But as your credentials are lacking, you’ll start at the lowest rank and work your way up.”

Fan Li finally understood.

So Jiajing was here to poach him?

But the old fox was stingy indeed! In Chu, he was the prime minister, the Duke Jin, foremost among all officials. If he defected to Ming, though he’d still be called ‘minister,’ he’d be the lowest-ranked academician in the cabinet?

Where in the world does anyone switch jobs for less pay and lower status?