Chapter 95: The Power of a Letter

Zhu Hao listened to Old Prime Minister Guo's words and was startled in his heart, for Zhu Hao knew very well who Yang Lian was. In history, this man was a very famous figure. He was with Zuo Guangdou, Gu Dashang, Wei Dazhong, Zhou Chaorui, and Yuan Huazhong, forming the Six Gentlemen of the Eastern Forest, one of the chief figures of the Eastern Forest Party persecuted by Wei Zhongxian in later years. Moreover, this person's evaluation in history was very positive; his integrity and uprightness had always been admired by later generations.

Yet after a moment, the excitement in Zhu Hao's heart vanished, for he remembered something: he bore enmity toward the Eastern Forest Party. This Yang Lian who was also of the Eastern Forest Party probably would not help him. Thinking thus, worry filled Zhu Hao's face. All of this was seen by the old and worldly-wise Old Prime Minister Guo. Knowing what troubled Zhu Hao, he spoke, "Rest easy and proceed. That minor friction with the Eastern Forest Party is no matter. Take this old man's letter and seek out Yang Lian; he will surely lay aside his grudge and assist you."

Zhu Hao received the letter, tucked it into his bosom, and said with doubt, "Since that is the case, young one thanks you, Old Prime Minister. Young one will take leave and depart."

He turned to go, but after but two steps he remembered Guo Mengdie and asked again, "Old Prime Minister, what of Mengdie...?"

Old Prime Minister Guo nodded to him as if affirming the thought in his heart. Seeing the nod, Zhu Hao's expression dimmed with sorrow as he said feelingly, "Though Mengdie was not slain by Yu Jian, she died because of him. It is my fault toward her." Tears slid from his eyes.

Old Prime Minister Guo regarded Zhu Hao thus and spoke, "Sincere heart reaches iron and stone. Young man, so long as you hold belief in your heart, I believe you and Mengdie will one day meet again."

Zhu Hao was greatly startled at these words and cried, "Is Mengdie still alive? She has not died?"

Old Prime Minister Guo smiled and nodded. "Mengdie of course has not died. Who told you she died?"

Zhu Hao frowned tightly. "But just now Houye said..."

Before he could finish, Old Prime Minister Guo took the words and said, "Zixuan spoke of Mengdie's departure indeed, for she is not in the secular world now and I do not wish others in the mansion to know. An unmarried woman from our Guo house becoming a nun and cultivating would sound ill if it spread. Today I told the Fifth Prince, and I ask him to keep this secret for this old man. I trust your character and your heart toward Mengdie; if you truly wish it, you shall meet her again."

Only then did Zhu Hao understand the whole matter. He had been misled by the little boy who first claimed Mengdie had been killed by him, taking that as fact, and later believed when Guo Zixuan said she had gone. His earlier misunderstanding was his own doing.

Though Mengdie now lived beyond the secular world, at least she still lived in this world. He believed that as long as she lived, they would meet again. Thinking thus, he said firmly to Old Prime Minister Guo, "Please rest assured, Old Prime Minister. One day I will surely bring Mengdie back to see you."

Old Prime Minister Guo nodded at the certainty in Zhu Hao's words and said, "The hour is late. Fifth Prince, hurry to find Yang Lian and do not delay the court's great affairs."

Zhu Hao nodded, saluted, and turned away, heading for Yang Lian's residence. The moment he departed, Old Prime Minister Guo returned to Guo Mansion.

In Guo Mansion, Guo Zixuan spoke to Old Prime Minister Guo with displeasure. "Father, is it worth your great effort to aid him? Even risking the old kindness you showed Yang Lian. I recall you once said Yang Lian would, unless the unexpected, become a cabinet minister in the future. For the regard of a future cabinet minister, you give it thus to this Zhu Youjian. Have you grown senile, Father? Is what you do worth it?"

Old Prime Minister Guo shook his head helplessly at these words. "How could I have raised such an unfilial son in my life?" He sighed heavily. "Fortunately Mengdie and Zhaor have good eyes; otherwise our Guo house would have been ruined in your hands."

Seeing Guo Zixuan's unwilling face, he continued, "Do not be unwilling. If I am not mistaken, this son will one day, even if he cannot sit upon the throne, still attain high ministerial rank. The future prosperity of our Guo house will likely rest upon him." With that he paid no further heed to the son and turned away sighing.

Of course Zhu Hao knew nothing of Old Prime Minister Guo's appraisal of him, nor of what gift this time Guo Lao Xiangye was bestowing upon him. He hurried straight to Yang Lian's residence.

Upon knocking, the servant who opened the door learned it was the Fifth Prince himself and dared not be lax. He bade his master come out to welcome. Soon Yang Lian emerged, saluting, "Your servant Yang Lian pays respects to the Fifth Prince."

Zhu Hao helped him up and said, "Lord Yang, in this time of many troubles, no need for excessive courtesies. Please rise. This prince has come seeking aid from Lord Yang today and hopes you will not refuse."

Yang Lian, helped to his feet, said, "Your Highness is overly courteous. I recall that in the royal hunting grounds Your Highness decisively shot and killed Minister Cui of the Ministry of Works, and recently seized the imperial guards in the palace and imprisoned many ministers. Your servant has no right to attend court and thus escaped peril. I truly know not what task requires Your Highness's servant to perform, given Your Highness's methods."

Zhu Hao felt slight displeasure. Though Yang Lian did not cold-shoulder him like other Eastern Forest members, his words carried complaint. Zhu Hao frowned, yet thinking he still needed this man to contact the ministers and pressure Li Xianshi, he suppressed his irritation and spoke again, "Lord Yang, you were entrusted by your late father. Now Li Xianshi holds the Crown Prince and elder brother hostage and threatens the ministers. How can Lord Yang sit idle? Would that not betray your late father's trust?"

Yang Lian's composure wavered, but his next words nearly made Zhu Hao explode. "Your Highness, I know my own duties. I merely wish to say that though you are heir to the late emperor, you are neither crown prince nor feudal lord and remain a person of the harem. The founding emperor left a precept: the harem must not interfere in governance. I believe Your Highness should now behave and return to the palace to await quietly rather than appear before my servant's gate. Moreover, what you have done already exceeds what a subject or minister should do. Please consider the late emperor's sacred virtue and your own conduct and cease intervening in court affairs."

After hearing this, Zhu Hao cursed inwardly, "Bastard! What utter nonsense! What am I to do at the palace? If I do nothing, the Fu Wang would already be on the throne and you lecturing me? You are a true scoundrel!"

Though he now wished to throttle Yang Lian, since Old Prime Minister Guo had recommended him, Yang Lian surely possessed a method to unify the ministers. Zhu Hao forced down his rage, drew a breath, and said, "Lord Yang, Old Prime Minister Guo recommended me. I thought you possessed talents to rule the realm, yet you speak such market talk. The rise and fall of the realm is the responsibility of every common man. As heir to the late emperor in this time of chaos, how can I sit idle? How can I be worthy of the late emperor?"

Though Zhu Hao had recently performed surprising acts, he appeared an eleven- or twelve-year-old child. Yang Lian, seeing him for the first time, held contempt. Yet hearing such logical speech and not being angered by the earlier remarks, Yang Lian regarded him with new respect. When he learned the visit stemmed from Old Prime Minister Guo's recommendation, he set aside his disdain and took the matter seriously.

He valued the recommendation because Old Prime Minister Guo had shown him great恩. When Yang Lian first entered service, youthful arrogance had offended nobles who contrived a trap that could end in dismissal or death. Old Prime Minister Guo, recognizing his talent, interceded and preserved him, bringing about today's Yang Lian. Guo had bestowed a re-creation恩 upon him.

Thus, after hearing Zhu Hao's words, Yang Lian said at once, "Your Highness, forgive me. I did not know you were recommended by Old Prime Minister Guo. My earlier words were rude. Please pardon me. Since you come on Old Prime Minister Guo's behalf, does Old Prime Minister Guo have a letter for me?"

Only then did Zhu Hao recall the letter. He produced it and handed it over. Yang Lian glanced at it and fell to his knees at once, saluting, "Your servant is willing to obey Your Highness's command. Please give your orders."

The swift change in attitude came because the few characters on the letter read, "Willing to obey the command, no debt between us."