Early the next morning, just as the emperor finished his morning court, a young eunuch reported that the Grand Tutor sought an audience.
"Your Majesty," Lin Ling Su bowed upon entering, executing his signature greeting.
"Master, to visit so early, is there something amiss?" Zhao Ji asked, a hint of confusion in his voice as he noticed Lin Ling Su's ornate robes. While the man was a quintessential charlatan, Lin Ling Su typically avoided such luxurious attire unless for specific occasions like important ceremonies.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night. A foreign star appeared in the northeast, directly impacting the Zi Wei star. This humble servant requires the establishment of an altar within Bianliang City to assist Your Majesty in averting this calamity!"
"A foreign star impacting the Zi Wei star?" Zhao Ji stood abruptly as Lin Ling Su finished speaking. He himself was a devout Taoist and deeply superstitious. Upon hearing this, he grew visibly anxious.
"Indeed, so I must erect nine altars across the city in accordance with the Eight Trigrams to help Your Majesty overcome this tribulation!"
"Is there anything you require of me?" Zhao Ji inquired nervously.
"I have already dispatched people to expedite the construction of the altars. They will be completed by tomorrow night. At that time, please stand upon the altar, Emperor, and use your human emperor's aura to suppress the malevolent forces!" Lin Ling Su was intimately familiar with such matters, delivering his words with such conviction that even Emperor Zhao Ji felt a strong sense of involvement. Especially upon hearing that his human emperor's aura was needed to suppress evil, he felt not fear, but a surge of excitement.
"If that is the case, I shall trouble you, Master! Please have people procure whatever you require!"
"I also need to select sites throughout the city. I shall take my leave now!"
"Thank you for your efforts!" Lin Ling Su departed, and Zhao Ji found himself consumed by a growing unease. He had originally planned to visit the Prince of Yun's mansion, but now he had no inclination to do so, pacing restlessly in the grand hall.
"Summon Grand Tutor Liang!" In his agitation, Zhao Ji instinctively thought of Liang Shicheng. Cai Jing had departed, and Tong Guan was solely focused on achieving military glory. Now, only Liang Shicheng truly understood his desires.
News of Lin Ling Su's pronouncements quickly spread throughout Bianliang City. This was a truly significant event! A grand spectacle involving the Emperor himself naturally became the talk of every street and alley.
The calm before the storm often feels most profound. Minister Wang, basking in his success, was already selecting his official robes for the investiture ceremony. His family had prepared new attire for him, but after careful consideration, he felt it was too ostentatious. Although he disregarded the opinions of his fellow ministers, he still needed to be mindful of the Emperor's thoughts.
The military funds for the northwest could not be interrupted, and significant expenses were imminent in Hebei. Although the Genyue Gardens were nearing completion, the real cost lay in the subsequent maintenance. The entire imperial court was an bottomless pit; no amount of money could satisfy this voracious beast. As someone about to be promoted to Imperial Chancellor, he naturally wished to present a picture of frugality to the Emperor. Otherwise, how could he differentiate himself from Cai Jing?
"My lord, this one is torn. Do you truly intend to wear it?" His several concubines looked at the robe Wang Fu had chosen with disbelief.
"A woman's perspective!" Wang Fu, too lazy to explain, tossed the robe aside, instructed them to mend it quickly, and then happily headed for his study.
Cai Jing had been gone for some time, and Wang Fu had almost completely usurped Cai Jing's authority. Only a mere title remained, and as the saying goes, without the proper designation, one's words lack legitimacy. Without this nominal title, he felt a distinct sense of incompleteness. He had subtly hinted to the Emperor several times, but to his surprise, the Emperor remained indifferent. The more indifferent the Emperor was, the more unsettled Wang Fu felt. To expedite the Emperor's decision, he had dared to defy all conventions and set a trap for the Emperor.
The Emperor and the Political Affairs Council had already decided on Xu Churen's appointment. However, the imperial edict for his appointment remained piled on the desk in the Central Secretariat. This, he had planned as his trap for the Emperor! According to protocol, imperial edicts appointing officials of the third rank and above required the Chancellor's endorsement before issuance. However, this rule had been cast aside by Cai Jing after he took office. It had been over a decade, yet Wang Fu had resurrected it today. Of course, those with discerning eyes in the court could tell at a glance that Wang Fu was pressuring the Emperor to make a decision. Therefore, even Xu Churen, the affected party, had fallen silent.
Although Zhao Ji was displeased, upon hearing of the matter, he gave Wang Fu an affirmative response. Three days later, during the grand court assembly, he would proclaim his appointment. While the Emperor only mentioned the proclamation and investiture, without explicitly naming him, there were at most two or three individuals competing for the position. Moreover, at this juncture, he already held all the powers of the Chancellor in his capacity as Junior Chancellor. How could those individuals compete with him?
"My lord, please come out and see! Those people outside are doing something. The platform has already been built ten feet high!" Before Wang Fu could finish his tea, the voice of the old steward suddenly rang out from outside.
"What platform? What are you talking about?"
"A group of Taoist priests suddenly appeared on the street outside and began constructing a high platform without a word. It's already ten feet high. If they continue, they'll be able to see into our backyard from the street!"
"What are you good for? Does this kind of matter require my personal intervention?" Upon hearing this, Wang Fu was furious. To think that such a trivial matter needed to be brought to his attention; the man was truly becoming senile.
"But my lord, they are Taoist priests from the Shenxiao Palace. They are not like others!"
"Taoist priests from the Shenxiao Palace?" Wang Fu's expression immediately turned serious. While he might not be an expert in handling state affairs, when it came to intrigue and framing accusations, he was undoubtedly a top-tier master.
"Let them be! There's no need to interfere with them!" Wang Fu had initially intended to bring men to dismantle the makeshift platform. However, considering that his investiture was imminent, he suppressed his resentment. As long as he ascended to the position of Grand Chancellor, there would be ample opportunities for revenge.