Chapter 137: Maintaining Stability

“Your Majesty, you must not treat Luan Yi with such favor.”

This single remark stirred a thousand waves. The civil and military officials all turned sharply to the lowest-ranking figure, whispering among themselves, “Who is this?” “I don’t recognize him…”

“Silence!” Zhang Rang’s peculiar voice immediately quelled the noise within the hall.

The Emperor Ling furrowed his brows and asked, “Who are you?”

“I am Wei Ning, courtesy name Zhongdao, currently serving as the Commander of the Tally.”

“Wei Ning? I’ve never heard of you,” Emperor Ling mused, trying to recall the name of the previous Commander of the Tally, but it slipped from his mind.

Wei Ning respectfully replied, “Your servant is newly appointed to this post. The previous Lord Sun retired just last month.”

“Oh!” The Emperor had to admit the truth of the saying “Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.” After nodding twice, his expression changed faster than turning a page. From radiant to storm-clouded in an instant, anger surged as he bellowed, “How dare you, Wei Ning! A mere Commander of the Tally dares to defy the imperial decree? I have already declared Luan Yi as Divine Brave Middle Captain—my words are law, not to be broken. Guards, throw this lowly clerk out! I do not wish to see him.”

Two warriors clad in golden armor entered the hall, approaching Wei Ning with fierce resolve.

Wei Ning pleaded repeatedly, “Your Majesty, I do not stir trouble without cause. There are hidden matters within! Please allow me to explain, Your Majesty, lest endless calamities befall the realm… Your Majesty!”

The Emperor, disinterested, waved him off, “Drag him away quickly! If he disrupts the court again, I will not spare him!”

“Your Majesty!” Zhang Rang stepped beside the Emperor, speaking softly, “This man does not seem reckless. His urgency to present his case today must be for an important matter. Perhaps Your Majesty should hear him out. If his words hold reason and benefit the state, that is well; if not, he can be cast out later.”

Emperor Ling considered this and agreed, “It is true that your suggestion is prudent.” He motioned the golden-armored guards to stand down for the moment. “Let us see what grave matter you present.”

“Your Majesty,” Wei Ning smoothed his creased black robe, speaking deliberately, “Last spring, the Yellow Turban rebels rose in rebellion. The flame of war spread through eight provinces—Qing, Xu, You, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, and Yu. Hundreds of thousands of rebels stormed cities, burning government offices and plunging the people into suffering…”

Hearing this, Emperor Ling’s irritation was immediate, but he restrained himself for Zhang Rang’s sake. Impatiently, he said, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Wei Ning paused, rearranged his words carefully and continued, “I wish to say that Zhang Jiao’s rampant rebellion is due to the influence of the Yellow Heaven Sect. Zhang Jiao was once a simple countryman who claimed to have met the immortal Nan Hua in the mountains and obtained the book ‘Essential Techniques of Taiping.’ He used these false teachings to deceive the people. The rural folk, simple and uneducated, were easily beguiled by the doctrines in that text and grew deeply devoted to him. He founded the Taiping Dao, spreading these heresies far and wide, causing millions of Han subjects to worship him above the Son of Heaven. Zhang Jiao’s ambition grew as he gathered hearts and minds through Taiping Dao, eventually proclaiming himself General of Heaven and inciting the people to revolt. The Yellow Turban Rebellion was a direct result of this, with the Taiping Dao playing a pivotal role.”

“Finished?” Emperor Ling asked lazily. “What does this have to do with Luan Ziqi?”

“Your Majesty,” Wei Ning replied, “the world praises Luan Yi for his extraordinary talent, believing he will become a pillar of loyal service to the Han. But I think otherwise. Do you not see how similar the Taiping Dao is to the Holy Mother Cult that Luan Yi founded? Around the Jinan State, he established churches and gathered over a hundred thousand followers. If he were truly loyal, it would suffice to fulfill his duties as magistrate of Licheng County and General of the Eastern Expedition. Why gather so many followers? Not only that, he arms them with armor, swords, and organizes them into military units. Those victories won were by the arms of the Holy Mother Cult. What does he want with so many soldiers? Clearly, his intentions are sinister. If he is like Zhang Jiao, deceiving the people and raising arms once more…”

Before Wei Ning could finish, Wang Yun realized that if Wei Ning continued, it would spell disaster. Hastily, he intervened, “Enough! Do not slander without cause!”

But at that moment, Emperor Ling said, “Let him continue.” Cai Yong glanced at the Emperor’s expression and felt a chill; the Emperor frowned, indicating he took Wei Ning’s words seriously. This was grave indeed. The Yellow Turban Rebellion was the Emperor’s greatest sore point, and now Wei Ning was cunningly using it to accuse Luan Yi. This was intolerable.

“Traitor, leave at once!” Cai Yong’s anger flared. He composed himself and said, “Your Majesty, this man was once a student at the Imperial Academy, my disciple. He has long admired my lady Zhao Ji and persistently harassed her, though she does not favor him. She and Luan Ziqi are mutually fond and betrothed for life. This man, holding a grudge, now fabricates false accusations against Ziqi to settle personal scores. I beg Your Majesty to see through this!”

“Oh?” Emperor Ling snorted in doubt, then looked at Wen Ning.

Wei Ning appeared sorrowful, “Your Majesty, I did harbor feelings for Zhao Ji, but that was long ago. Time has passed, and those feelings are gone. I would not stoop to such shameless acts now. Every word I speak is for the good of the realm and its people, not for selfish reasons. Luan Yi has temples—churches, as they call them—in every prefecture and county within Jinan, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, even one in a prosperous district of Luoyang. He colludes with local gentry to give clothes and food to the people for free and treats the sick without charge. What is he after? The people’s love for him is so great, even surpassing Your Majesty’s!”

“Impudent!” Zhang Rang feigned outrage and admonished, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the True Dragon. How could he be surpassed by him?”

“I am at fault!” Wei Ning quickly apologized.

“Your Majesty, Wei Ning judges others by his own base heart!” Wang Yun shouted indignantly. “Ziqi’s loyalty is evident…” Before he could finish, Emperor Ling waved him off, “Wei Ning, continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wei Ning bowed. “Luan Yi’s methods to win hearts go beyond clever — they are ruthless. He lures the people with small benefits to believe in the Holy Mother Cult, then enchants them with tricks and illusions to bind their loyalty. His methods surpass even Zhang Jiao’s. Under his command serve the eight divine priests of Yingchuan, Dan Fu and Mao Jie, along with several valiant generals. The Jinan State has become a state within a state! When the time comes, with a mere gesture from Luan Yi, his power will surpass the Yellow Turban rebels a thousandfold!”

“How dare he!” Emperor Ling suddenly leapt from the dragon throne, pacing restlessly. Since the Yellow Turban uprising, Luan Yi’s merits in battle had been outstanding, winning victory after victory and bringing great honor to Han. By rights, he should be a loyal subject. But if even a loyal man builds such a cult, gathers citizens, and forms armies, what does he intend? The Emperor did not wish to believe Luan Yi coveted the realm, for he truly admired this rising star of Han—a man both scholarly and martial, possibly another Huo Qubing, who might secure eternal glory for the Han dynasty.

Yet doubt gnawed at him. Even if now loyal, what of the future? People change, especially one so young—only sixteen. The years from sixteen to thirty are uncertain. If ambition swelled and rebellion took root, what then? Even if not he himself, what if his generals instigated treason? The Han dynasty could not tolerate any potential threat. None at all…

His thoughts veered ever more suspiciously toward Luan Yi. “Issue my decree: immediately arrest Luan Yi and bring him to the capital for trial!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!” Cai Yong pleaded desperately.

“I have spoken!” The Emperor retorted sharply. “Withdraw!”

“Your Majesty, think twice!” Wang Yun knelt and bowed. Scores of officials rose and knelt, holding their tablets in agreement, “Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

Enraged, Emperor Ling thundered, “My decision is final! No more words—withdraw!”

The assembly, faced with the Emperor’s fury, dared not persist. They looked on helplessly as the matter was settled.

After the grand court session, Emperor Ling returned to the Chang Le Palace, sitting silently upon his couch.

Zhang Rang, perceiving the Emperor’s troubled mind, asked knowingly, “Your Majesty, do you have something weighing upon your heart?”

The Emperor pondered and said, “Rang Father, do you think I acted rightly today?”

“What matter do you refer to, Your Majesty?”

“Arresting Luan Yi, of course.” Emperor Ling lifted his eyelids to glance at Zhang Rang.

“Ah, that matter.” Zhang Rang took a plate of pastries from a box and placed it before the Emperor. “Your Majesty is wise and never errs. Today’s decision is no exception.”

“Oh? Rang Father flatters me,” Emperor Ling forced a smile.

“Only speaking the truth. Regarding today’s affair, Luan Yi should be arrested. It is the right move.”

“Oh? You feel the same?” Emperor Ling bit lightly into the osmanthus cake, his favorite treat, but found it less satisfying than usual. “Rang Father, how do you see this matter?”

“If I may be so bold…”

“Speak freely.”

Zhang Rang organized his thoughts and said, “I ask Your Majesty, what has sustained the Han dynasty for over four hundred years?”

“Rang Father is cunning to reverse the question! What sustains us…?” Emperor Ling thought a moment. “It is the wisdom of our ancestors and the loyalty of our ministers.”

“Your Majesty speaks truly.” Zhang Rang had long studied the Emperor’s temperament during years of service. He knew just when the Emperor wished to hear what, and how to present it so it pleased him. “Aside from what Your Majesty mentioned, I believe there is one more crucial element to the Han’s enduring prosperity.”

“What is it?” the Emperor asked with curiosity.

“Stability.”