Volume One, Chapter Six: First Encounter with the Emperor!
Emperor Xuanwu was forty-five years old this year, with thick brows and large eyes, his figure lean and slender, still faintly bearing the handsome and elegant aura of his youth. Especially his eyes, deep and wise, fully displaying the majestic dignity of a ruler.
Upon hearing Wang Caiwei's words, Emperor Xuanwu set aside his brush, his austere face softening as he smiled, “What wind has blown you here today, bringing the busiest person to my door?”
Wang Caiwei was a princess, yet not raised in the inner palace. She not only owned the Jade Sea Tower bookstore but also managed businesses dealing in rouge and powder, making her difficult to find most of the time. The money she earned was never spent on pleasure; instead, she gave it all to Emperor Xuanwu to supplement the military funds, earning his deep affection.
Teased by her father, Wang Caiwei responded boldly, “All my busyness is for earning money for Father.”
A trace of emotion flickered in Emperor Xuanwu’s eyes. Liang was a poor nation, its finances perpetually strained; besides maintaining ordinary expenditures, it had to supply the retired emperor's indulgences and alchemical pursuits, always running a deficit. Wang Caiwei’s efforts to earn money were entirely to relieve her father’s burdens.
Emperor Xuanwu invited Wang Caiwei to sit and asked, “Did you come to the palace today to request another decree?”
Wang Caiwei shook her head, “I came to recommend a talent to you.”
“What kind of talent?” Emperor Xuanwu asked.
Wang Caiwei explained, “Father is selecting representatives for the Four Nations Literary Gathering at Yunhua Pavilion; Wu Xian has always been the strongest. The person I found today defeated Wu Xian as easily as killing a chicken.”
The Four Nations Literary Gathering was held in Xianyang. Due to disputes over the choice of representatives, there was factional competition between the retired emperor and Emperor Xuanwu within Liang. The scholars Emperor Xuanwu brought forth were all defeated by Wu Xian, bringing him embarrassment. Now that someone had beaten Wu Xian, Emperor Xuanwu was delighted.
He leaned forward, eager, “Tell me, what happened?”
Wang Caiwei did not conceal anything, detailing the affair of Qin Bao—from his attempt to sell manuscripts at Jade Sea Tower, her reading of the draft of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” to personally testing Qin Bao, then taking him to Yunhua Pavilion for the selection, where he wrote “Ode to Chrysanthemums” and “Bamboo and Stone” to defeat Wu Xian.
She recounted every detail without omission.
Emperor Xuanwu listened thoughtfully, but was not entirely convinced. The reason was simple: Qin Bao was the eldest legitimate son of the Marquis of Changping, a founding noble house and the foundation of the retired emperor’s faction.
“Did you bring the draft of ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’?” Emperor Xuanwu asked.
“I did!” Wang Caiwei replied, nodding.
The manuscript was not only well-plotted but beautifully written; she kept it tucked in her sleeve for easy access. She took it out and handed it to Emperor Xuanwu.
He glanced at the script, noting Qin Bao’s vigorous calligraphy, the strength of the strokes penetrating the paper. With a hint of admiration in his eyes, he remarked, “Excellent handwriting.”
Wang Caiwei said, “You should see who found this talent.”
Emperor Xuanwu looked at his boisterous daughter, shook his head, and continued reading. Well-versed in literature himself, he was delighted upon encountering “On the River’s Shore,” nodding repeatedly.
Gradually, Emperor Xuanwu became engrossed.
When he turned to the last page, he realized there was no more, and frowned, “Where is the rest of the manuscript?”
“It hasn’t been written yet!” Wang Caiwei explained. “This draft was written on the spot by Qin Bao at Jade Sea Tower. You don’t know—he had just severed ties with the Marquis of Changping, and was terribly shabby. The clothes he wears now are mine.”
Emperor Xuanwu nodded, returning the manuscript, deep in thought.
Wang Caiwei grew anxious, pressing, “Father, is it acceptable or not? Please give your word.”
Emperor Xuanwu did not answer immediately. Qin Bao’s background tied him to the retired emperor’s faction; what if he had come deliberately to seek favor? After pondering a moment, Emperor Xuanwu asked, “Did you bring him?”
“He’s waiting outside the hall!” Wang Caiwei replied quickly.
“Summon Qin Bao,” Emperor Xuanwu commanded.
“Qin Bao, present yourself!” called the eunuch.
Hearing this outside, Qin Bao immediately straightened up, entering with confidence, standing firm and declaring, “Commoner Qin Bao greets Your Majesty.”
Emperor Xuanwu scrutinized Qin Bao. Seeing his handsome demeanor and calm, composed gaze, with no hint of timidity, the emperor’s eyes showed approval. Slowly, he said, “I trust your talent.”
“But I am curious: as the eldest legitimate son of the Marquis of Changping, why did you break with your father—especially during the selection for the Four Nations Literary Gathering?”
Qin Bao replied, “The disgraceful affairs of the marquis’s household might offend Your Majesty’s ears.”
“Speak!” Emperor Xuanwu said.
Wang Caiwei’s bright eyes blinked with curiosity.
Qin Bao possessed both talent and appearance; such an heir would be nurtured by any noble house, destined to support the family. Yet Marquis Qin Sheng had driven him out—a puzzling decision.
Wang Caiwei, full of gossip, seized the opportunity to sample the dried fruit on Emperor Xuanwu’s desk.
The emperor glanced sideways, his cheek twitching, but his gaze returned to Qin Bao.
Qin Bao explained, “It’s quite simple. Qin Sheng arranged a marriage for his second son, Qin Youde, with the daughter of Sun, the Minister of the Household. But Qin Youde frequented brothels and got the courtesan Shen Meng pregnant.”
“Qin Sheng, worried the news would affect Qin Youde’s marriage, insisted I marry Shen Meng instead.”
“I refused, and so we broke ties.”
Qin Bao sighed, “Such sordid affairs must be amusing to Your Majesty.”
Wang Caiwei instantly felt sorry for him.
Qin Youde was corrupt, Qin Sheng cunning and ruthless—neither were good people. To have a son like Qin Bao and cast him aside, favoring Qin Youde, was the mark of a man who spoiled concubines and neglected wives.
Emperor Xuanwu had considered many reasons for Qin Bao’s break with his father, but never imagined the marquis would force his eldest son to marry a courtesan.
The emperor’s gaze toward Qin Bao grew warmer.
Qin Bao was the eldest legitimate son.
He, too, was an eldest legitimate son.
Qin Bao was unloved by his father; he, likewise, was not favored by his own. Both faced fathers who brought them grief.
Emperor Xuanwu’s eyes softened further. He said gently, “You defeated Wu Xian, so you shall represent Liang at the Four Nations Literary Gathering. My expectations are not high—second place will suffice.”
Qin Bao did not boast that he would seize first place, but solemnly replied, “I will not disappoint Your Majesty’s trust.”
Wang Caiwei said, “Strive for first—I believe you can do it.”
Emperor Xuanwu snorted, “The Zhou Dynasty is waning, yet countless talented youths abound; the brilliance of culture makes winning first far from easy.”
Wang Caiwei countered, “I believe in Qin Bao.”
Qin Bao replied humbly, “I will always remember the princess’s encouragement.”
Wang Caiwei smiled, nodding, and looked at Emperor Xuanwu, “Father, my judgment has never failed.”
Emperor Xuanwu shook his head helplessly, but now his gaze toward Qin Bao contained a hint of scrutiny, and he smiled, “The Four Nations Literary Gathering is important, for its outcome concerns the face of Liang.”
“But it is also unimportant, for poetry and prose cannot govern a nation.”
“At present, Liang faces internal power struggles, and on the western frontier, the Qiang and Hu tribes cause unrest, making the situation unstable.”
“Coinciding with the weakening of the Zhou Dynasty in the Central Plains, Yan prepares to march south, Chen eyes the north with ambition—both coveting Zhou's territory.”
“The vast realm is now a stage for contenders.”
“In contrast, Liang is beset by difficulties inside and out, with little room to maneuver—let alone venture eastward.”
Emperor Xuanwu asked, “In such adversity, what is your view?”
Qin Bao pondered swiftly.
After a while, he opened his mouth to speak, but glanced at the attending eunuchs.
Emperor Xuanwu ordered, “All withdraw.”
The eunuchs exited, leaving only Emperor Xuanwu, Wang Caiwei, and Qin Bao.
Qin Bao spoke with composure, “Liang is indeed in adversity, yet adversity and prosperity are intertwined.”
“In the way of Heaven, hardship arises from ease, and ease is found within hardship.”
“Three hundred years ago, Zhou’s founder triumphed in adversity, establishing a great legacy that led to prosperity.”
“After a century, subsequent emperors succumbed to pleasure, weakening imperial power and giving rise to adversity once more.”
“Liang, on the western frontier, must guard against Qiang and Hu attacks and also faces internal power struggles. It appears adverse, but great fortune lies within.”
His words lit up Emperor Xuanwu’s eyes.
Such insight into adversity and fortune was rare!
When Wu Xian returned to Xianyang, Emperor Xuanwu had asked about revitalizing Liang, and Wu Xian answered with preaching virtue and abandoning arms, leaving the emperor disappointed.
Qin Bao was different.
Emperor Xuanwu, no armchair strategist, asked, “You speak of turning adversity into fortune. At this stage, how can Liang’s adversity become prosperity?”
Qin Bao smiled freely, replying with poise, “Liang often wars with Qiang and Hu, thus its troops are seasoned and strong—this is one fortune.”
“Your Majesty, constrained by the retired emperor, has developed resilience and grand ambition, capable of diligent governance—this is a second fortune.”
“Yan and Chen, zealous to seize Zhou, will suffer losses in their campaigns. Liang, by not venturing east, may recuperate and build national strength—this is a third fortune.”
“Tong Pass, the eastern gateway to Liang, is easy to defend and hard to attack, ensuring the nation is safe from external threats—this is a fourth fortune.”
“Qiang and Hu comprise countless tribes; if Liang annexes them one by one, its land will be vast for farming, its population for military service, leading to national rise—a fifth fortune.”
With wise eyes and resolute voice, Qin Bao declared, “With these five fortunes, Liang stands firm in Guanzhong today. When it moves east through Tong Pass, it will surely sweep away chaos and unify the realm.”