As Situ Yan had predicted, within two days of him closing his doors to visitors, memorials impeaching the Marquis of Qi Ying's mansion began to pile up on Emperor Changwu's desk. Accusations ranged from servants bullying others with their master's name, disciples accepting bribes, female family members lending money at exorbitant interest, to the estate manager hoarding land and raising rents, and so on.
These were all trivial matters. In the past, such issues would have been dealt with by those eager to please the Marquis before they even reached his ears.
But now, they were being presented directly to the Emperor.
There were always those who wished to use the Marquis of Qi Ying's mansion as a stepping stone to gain favor with another prince, perfectly enacting the saying that "once the person is gone, the tea turns cold."
The Marquis of Qi Ying's mansion faced its greatest crisis ever.
Situ Yan set aside the dozen or so memorials and proceeded to handle other matters, occasionally exchanging a few words with Emperor Changwu, and sometimes receiving a brief instruction. The imperial study did not feel overly somber. After finally clearing a pile of work, he stretched and was about to take a break when Emperor Changwu asked, "I heard you've been closing your doors to visitors?"
"Mm."
"Why?"
"Your Majesty assigned me so much homework. If I were to receive visitors every day, when would I ever finish it?"
Emperor Changwu choked. He picked up a memorial and hurled it at Situ Yan, exclaiming in disbelief, "After all these days, you still haven't understood my intention."
Situ Yan looked at him strangely, "What intention could there be in reading essays other than to improve one's literary cultivation?"
"Nonsense." The usually refined Emperor Changwu uttered a rare vulgarity, "You, a general who wields a sword and spear, what need do you have for literary cultivation? Is it possible that when facing an enemy army, you can drive them eight hundred li away simply by writing a good essay?"
Situ Yan was even more surprised, "Yes, so why are you having me read essays?"
If not for his good health, Emperor Changwu would surely have vomited blood. He rubbed his chest, muttering "my own son" a few times, and at the same time understood that this son's mind was as solid as uncarved wood; unless everything was explained explicitly, he would never grasp the Emperor's meaning.
He took a list from under his imperial desk. "Your fifth brother's faction is a mixed bag, and you were right not to accept them. However, these few individuals are worth making an effort to win over."
Situ Yan glanced at the list. He didn't recognize any of the four names. "Are these your fourth brother's people?"
"Yes."
"What are their official posts? Do they have powerful backgrounds?"
"Can't you find out yourself?" Emperor Changwu felt a renewed urge to hit his son, a mix of anger and relief washing over him.
He was relieved that his seventh son intended only to be a loyal minister, with no thought of building a power base. What angered him was: "A prince who doesn't want to be emperor isn't a good prince. Can't you show a little ambition?"
"Father, you can't blame me for this. I am already a prince. What other position is there to strive for except yours? You don't expect me to rebel, do you?" He felt dejected, and suddenly his eyes widened with a hopeful glint. "Father, Father, you... you're not trying to incite me to compete with Crown Prince and my second brother for that position, are you?"
Was this something that could be said so openly?
Emperor Changwu stopped beating around the bush and stated directly, "Your second brother is not fit for that position. If he ascends, I fear that in a few decades, the empire will change its surname to Fu."
"This humble son is fearful and believes he is also incapable of handling such a great responsibility."
Emperor Changwu sighed, "Do you think I don't know your heart isn't set on this? If the barbarians were a little weaker, I would have chosen your third brother. He cares for the common people and would be a good emperor."
Situ Yan looked somewhat confused. "So you never intended for my second brother to ascend the throne?"
"I have suffered enough from the tyranny of maternal relatives. How could I possibly let my children go through the same ordeal?"
"Hiss."
"What are you hissing about?"
"This humble son merely thought of a saying, 'He who makes Xiao He also destroys Xiao He.' My two elder brothers gained the power to compete because of their maternal family's support, but it is also because of their maternal family that they have never been truly in your good graces."
Emperor Changwu smiled slightly. "It's rare that you know some allusions."
Under normal circumstances, Situ Yan would have argued with him. But now, the shock was too great; he just wanted to be quiet.
Emperor Changwu let him digest the information for a while. "Do you understand the meaning of my having you review these memorials now?"
Situ Yan honestly shook his head. "However, I understand why you appointed my uncle as the chief examiner. Are you planning to help this humble son build a noble family as his backing?"
"It seems you are not entirely beyond hope. Of the two Gu family brothers, one is a bookworm, and the other only thinks of muddling through life. They have little ambition and are suitable for promotion to assist you."
"And the examination papers?"
Emperor Changwu snapped back, "Think about it yourself. If you can't figure it out, go ask your third brother."
Situ Yan: ...