Chapter 109
The Imperial Observatory.
Ever since the Second Prince’s sudden visit last time, Guo Tianheng had been jumping at shadows, suspicious of everything. Anticipating another visit, he had ordered everyone at the Imperial Observatory to remain on alert at all times and notify him the moment the Second Prince set foot on its heavenly steps.
Thus, on hearing the report that the Second Prince had arrived, Guo Tianheng hurried out to greet him, saying with the utmost respect, “What brings Your Highness to the Imperial Observatory so unexpectedly?”
It was thanks to the Second Prince happening to encounter the first snowfall with the moon showing that day that the Imperial Observatory had been able to predict the snow disaster earlier. That was why Guo Tianheng was so polite to Xie Chengze… Though fear had more to do with it: fear that Xie Chengze would have another fit and smash up his Observatory’s tower as he had five years ago.
“Director Guo… Alas! Alas!”
Upon seeing Guo Tianheng, Xie Chengze first gave a heavy sigh, then seemed to hesitate over what to say, shaking his head repeatedly. He looked helpless, as though lamenting some loss on Guo’s behalf.
Guo Tianheng grew uneasy at his manner. “Your Highness, if you have something to say, please say it directly.”
Only then did Xie Chengze give him a long look and say slowly, “Didn’t you say your Imperial Observatory was short of people? I had originally found a student for you with extraordinary talent for arithmetic. He could thoroughly grasp and apply every arithmetic lesson I had written. You can imagine how astonishing his talent is!”
“Is that true?” Guo Tianheng was instantly overjoyed. Seeing Xie Chengze’s troubled expression, however, he suppressed his delight and asked cautiously, “But…?”
“But that Elder Gu at the Ministry of Works showed no dignity befitting his years and poached him!” Xie Chengze said indignantly. “I merely mentioned that I intended to send the student to the Imperial Observatory, and the old man used his achievements to demand an imperial decree from Father first, claiming the young man for the Ministry of Works!”
Zhu Xiaobiao, listening beside him: !!!???
Your Highness, that wasn’t what you said at the Ministry of Works just now!
“What?!” Hearing that Elder Gu had stolen the young man, Guo Tianheng grew furious. “Outrageous! How can he be so shameless at his age?”
Guo Tianheng said angrily, “What is the status of our Imperial Observatory? And what is the status of his Ministry of Works? Sending an arithmetic genius to work there is an utter waste of talent! Clearly, Gu Yun wants to ruin that student’s bright future!”
“Exactly, exactly!” Xie Chengze hurried to fan the flames. “I urged him to let the young man go, but he actually said that since he built your Celestial Star Tower, it was only right and proper for him to poach someone from you! Isn’t that infuriating?”
“Utterly infuriating! I shall go to the Ministry of Works and demand him back! While I’m there, I’ll tell him that apart from building this tower, what the hell use has their ministry ever had?” Guo Tianheng’s beard was shaking with rage too. He took a stride forward, preparing to go to the Ministry of Works and snatch the young man back himself!
“No, no!” Xie Chengze hurried to stop him and reasoned, “Director Guo, calm down! His Majesty has already issued a decree. Wouldn’t taking the young man from the ministry now humiliate His Majesty? Besides, His Majesty is worrying over the snow disaster. How could he concern himself with such trivial matters? Exalted though your position as Director of the Imperial Observatory may be, it would still be best to avoid provoking His Majesty’s anger!”
Zhu Xiaobiao felt that these words sounded rather familiar, as though he had heard them somewhere before.
He wasn’t quite sure. Better keep listening and see.
Xie Chengze’s words made sense. Guo Tianheng could only shake his head in frustration. “My talented recruit… Just like that, he’s gone…”
“Director Guo, try to take it in stride.” Xie Chengze patted his shoulder, then changed his tone. “Still, this matter is not entirely beyond remedy…”
“Oh?” Guo Tianheng’s eyes lit up, hope rekindling in his heart. “What does Your Highness mean?”
Xie Chengze said significantly, “The Ministry of Works was in the wrong first, after all. As it happens, Elder Gu owes me a favor. If I appeal to his feelings and reason with him, perhaps I can persuade him to share half the young man’s time with you.”
Zhu Xiaobiao: ???
Zhu Xiaobiao understood. His Highness had said exactly the same thing to Elder Gu just now!
The next words were sure to be –
“Why not let the student hold two posts? He can work at your Imperial Observatory before noon, then at the Ministry of Works afterward. Split his time in two and divide it fairly. What do you think?”
Exactly! That was it! The very same trick! Elder Gu had just fallen for it!
Zhu Xiaobiao marveled inwardly at how cunning His Highness was. He wasn’t dangling empty promises anymore, but brazenly conning people outright! And two officials of such high rank at that!
“Well…” Guo Tianheng hesitated. He truly did not want to lose an arithmetic genius. After all… others might not know, but Guo Tianheng knew that the Imperial Observatory had reached an impasse. Unless it brought in fresh talent, it might no longer be able to deliver celestial pronouncements. His Majesty had already grown displeased…
Moreover, he had a pile of instrument components on hand that required Elder Gu’s assistance. It would indeed be unwise to strain relations with the Ministry of Works too far. If the Second Prince was willing to mediate, nothing could be better.
So he ventured, “Your Highness… Could the Imperial Observatory have the time after noon instead? As you know, we chiefly work at night…”
“Well… All right. I shall do everything I can!” Xie Chengze looked a little troubled, but finally nodded solemnly. Pointing to Zhu Xiaobiao, he said, “Once I persuade him, I’ll send this trusted aide of mine to tell you!”
“Thank you, Your Highness!” Guo Tianheng could not contain his joy. Turning, he smiled at Zhu Xiaobiao. “Then I must trouble you, Eunuch.”
Zhu Xiaobiao: … “It is my duty.” But I’m not a eunuch!
Having successfully swindled Guo Tianheng out of his underwear, Xie Chengze patted his shoulder and said meaningfully, “Director Guo, I only hope your observatory and the ministry will both cherish this talent. Do not let his gifts go to waste. Help him become a great, capable official for our Jian’an!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Guo Tianheng hastily bowed respectfully, overwhelmed with emotion.
The Second Prince really was a wonderful person!
Now the Imperial Observatory owed him so many favors!
“It is only my duty,” Xie Chengze declared with lofty righteousness. “Everything is for Jian’an and its people!”
Then he took his leave with Zhu Xiaobiao and hurried straight to the Imperial Study, having Zhu Xiaobiao wait at the door and eavesdrop.
Zhu Xiaobiao was numb by now. He knew His Highness was about to start stealing His Majesty’s “underwear.”
Inside the Imperial Study, Xie Chengze wandered back and forth before Emperor Jian, sighing now and then and glancing at the emperor as he reviewed memorials.
Emperor Jian helplessly set down a memorial. “Stop pacing. You’re giving me a headache.”
“Tell me, what is it?” Emperor Jian glanced at him. “Could you be asking for permission to go to Liaozhou?”
“No, no.” Xie Chengze hastily waved his hands, then gave a bitter little smile. “Father, this son has actually encountered a difficult problem and truly does not know how to solve it.”
“Oh? What problem has you so troubled?” Emperor Jian immediately took an interest. “Tell me quickly and give me something to enjoy.”
“…” Xie Chengze secretly rolled his eyes, then continued pretending to be troubled. “The Imperial Observatory and Ministry of Works have both taken a liking to the same person and want to recruit him into the palace as a special exception. He has quite a talent for arithmetic. The two offices are fighting over him and are almost ready to come to blows!”
Xie Chengze sighed, looking utterly helpless. “What a position Director Guo holds – the messenger who delivers celestial pronouncements! And what a position Elder Gu holds – the backbone supporting the entire Ministry of Works! Whichever one we give the young man to, we’ll offend the other!”
Listening at the door, Zhu Xiaobiao could not help feeling puzzled.
Hadn’t His Highness already thought of a solution? Why was he now saying he had none?