Chapter 1: Awakening (Part 2)

After Master Wu left, the ministers were just about to breathe a sigh of relief when they heard Emperor Tang Xuan angrily say: "Hmph! Convey my decree to summon all the grand scholars and scholars to the imperial study; I want to practice chess. In ten days, I will gamble a few games with that old man surnamed Wu!" As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers were once again drenched in cold sweat, yet no one stepped forward to advise him, saying that he should prioritize state affairs and not indulge in frivolities. This was because those who had previously spoken such words seemed to have met with unfortunate ends! The ministers could only silently pray in their hearts that Master Wu would not go too far and would leave some face for the emperor! If this continued, wouldn't the affairs of the state be entirely dictated by Master Wu? At that moment, many began to wonder if they should go back and learn how to play chess.

Tang Xuan let out a sigh and said with great annoyance, "Ah! Uncle San, you clearly knew I would fall for his trick, why didn't you say so earlier? What's the use of saying it now? It's all your fault!" The Third Prince was immediately left with a face full of embarrassment, remaining silent and thinking to himself, "You little fool, how shameless you are in your words! I kindly reminded you, and yet you blame me? How unreasonable!"

After Master Wu finished reading, Emperor Tang Xuan shouted loudly: "The imperial decree has already been given to you, why are you still not leaving? I do not wish to see you!" Master Wu replied: "Your Majesty, I have roughly calculated that these imperial decrees require at least one million taels of silver! However, the Minister of Revenue only has less than three hundred thousand taels. How do you propose we raise the remaining seven hundred thousand taels?"

The Third Prince sternly rebuked, "Master Wu! As a minister, one should alleviate the Emperor's burdens. How can you pressure the Emperor for money like this? It is truly outrageous!"

Emperor Tang Xuan deliberately scanned all the ministers one by one, then quietly exchanged glances with Grand Master Wu, and immediately said loudly: "Alright! I will find a way to return the remaining money to you, now get lost! Within ten days, I do not want to see you again, you need not attend court!" Yet in his heart, he thought: "You have accompanied me through an entire night, I will give this old man a ten-day break, let him rest! I certainly do not want this pillar of support to be worn out!" Within ten days, I do not want to see you again, you need not attend court!" Yet in his heart, he thought: "You have accompanied me through an entire night, I will give this old man a ten-day break, let him rest! I certainly do not want this pillar of support to be worn out!"

Tang Xuan angrily said: "You old man are the most detestable! Is it just because you won a few games of chess against me? Look at how proud you are! Who said I can't afford to lose? A gentleman does not break his word; would I really go back on my debts to you?"

Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials were greatly alarmed. They all knew that the young emperor was foolish and capable of all sorts of bizarre actions, and they had previously taken advantage of his incompetence to gain numerous benefits. Now, having been taken advantage of by Grand Tutor Wu, he had issued twenty imperial edicts in accordance with Wu's wishes. If these edicts were to impeach them, would they not lose their positions without reason? This emperor is truly foolish and engages in nonsense! In an instant, all the officials present felt a sense of danger, cold sweat pouring down their backs

The Grand Tutor Wu said: "This old minister does not dare! It is just... this silver..." Emperor Tang Xuan, playing tricks, replied: "I will owe it first, that should be fine! If not, you can advance it for me, and I will repay you later?"

The Grand Minister Wu, with a beaming face, unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud, line by line. Once he finished reading, all the ministers let out a sigh of relief, as the edict primarily concerned disaster relief, the distribution of military rations, and the protection of the people's interests. Its main purpose was to urge the emperor to allocate funds, without targeting any officials.

Tang Xuan expressed his understanding and joy: "Indeed, this idea is excellent! Uncle Sanhuang, do you see this silver... isn't it... of course, as soon as I have the money, I will return it to you immediately"

The Grand Tutor Wu cast a glance at Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and sighed deeply, saying: "As an old minister, I am of clean hands and a clear conscience. Not to mention seven hundred thousand taels, I cannot even produce one thousand taels! Prince San is wholeheartedly devoted to alleviating the Emperor's burdens; why not ask him to advance the funds for the Emperor first?"

In a moment, I will scold him again for not adhering to the rules while playing chess, for not knowing how to show respect and courtesy. Winning one or two games is acceptable, but you actually managed to win against me twenty times? In the last few games, I clearly had the upper hand; why did you turn the tables on me? This is too disrespectful to me.

Emperor Tang Xuan noticed that the Third Prince's expression was displeased, and he felt a surge of secret delight. He continued, "That old man Wu played chess with me last night. In the first game, I defeated him soundly, and I mocked him for being old. He then bet me that if I won, he would agree to return to his hometown, but if I lost, I would have to grant him one request! As a result, I lost twenty games in one night, and I ended up agreeing to twenty requests! According to his wishes, I issued twenty imperial edicts! Now, it is too late to say anything! I have already lost to him! Alas! My imperial garden will never be completed! My heart aches so much!"

Many officials felt a surge of joy upon hearing his words, for it seemed that Grand Tutor Wu had offended the Emperor, and his days ahead would not be pleasant. Grand Tutor Wu knelt in gratitude for the imperial favor and then withdrew. As he exited the palace gates, he could not help but think with satisfaction: "People say the Emperor is foolish! Heh heh! I beg to differ! There will be a good show to watch from now on!" Reflecting on the Emperor's ten years of apparent folly, which he realized was merely a performance for others, Grand Tutor Wu could not help but nod in agreement. If the young Emperor were too clever, he might have been eliminated long ago!

At ten in the evening, Tang Xuan left the imperial study, a hint of mystery and a lewd smile on his face: "Hehe! You want the opportunity, do you? I simply won't give it to you!"

However, Master Wu wore a smile on his face, as if the reprimand from Emperor Tang was directed at someone else. Once the emperor finished scolding, Master Wu ventured to advise: "Your Majesty, you lost the chess game last night. Does the wager between sovereign and subject still hold?"

The Third Prince was about to say a few more words when he was interrupted by Tang Xuan: "Enough, Third Uncle, you need not say more. Let this old man enjoy his moment of pride for a few days! Hmph! Wu Taishi? Why are you not hastening to announce the imperial decree?"

The Third Prince found the matter suspicious and stepped forward to advise, saying: "Your Majesty, what exactly did you gamble with Grand Master Wu last night? Matters of state must not fall into his trap!"

The Third Prince's expression changed, and he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please see clearly, I am also quite honest and upright, this 700,000 taels of silver cannot be produced!"

Tang Xuan complained, "Enough, enough! Among all the civil and military officials present, is there not a single person who can alleviate my worries and solve my problems? I see that you are all useless!"

The officials below did not speak, lowering their heads deeply, avoiding eye contact with the Emperor. It was easy for them to embezzle money, but it was absolutely impossible to make them hand it over. It seemed they were all thinking: "You foolish monarch, don't drag us into your mess; do you think we are as foolish as you?"

Tang Xuan deliberately snorted and said grandly, "Anyway, I have no money, you can figure it out yourself!" Master Wu smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, you must not speak lightly! You... you... cannot... lose your credibility!" Tang Xuan feigned a look of anger and embarrassment, hastily saying, "I never said I wouldn't give it to you! What do you want? Are you going to sell my imperial garden?" Yet in his heart, he thought, "Go ahead, sell it! Hurry up and sell this garden! The Old Summer Palace was built so well, yet it was ruined by the British and French allied forces! It's better to sell it sooner and turn it into silver!"

During the morning court session on the second day, Tang Xuan, who had not slept all night, erupted in fury in the main hall. He pointed at the ugly Grand Minister Wu below and unleashed a torrent of insults. He remarked that while other ministers were plump and looked dignified, this old man was the strangest-looking of them all. Being thin and bony was one thing, but to be a hunchback as well? If envoys from other countries were to see him, they would think I mistreat my ministers! Your appearance clearly indicates that you are at odds with me!