Volume One: The Overseer and the Examinee Chapter Thirty-Two: When the Moment Arrives, One Must Act Boldly (Part Two)

Compared to Huang Jin, who was currently favored, veterans of the inner court like Gu Dayong and Zhang Yong, who had fallen from grace, were left with only one advantage: they enjoyed a greater degree of freedom within the palace. It was much easier for them to leave the palace on errands than it was for someone like Huang Jin. Thus, now that the situation had become critical, as soon as they learned that their potential ally, Huang Jin, had returned home, they hurried over to his residence that very night, setting aside all other concerns.

Even after sending word through the servants and submitting their visiting cards, the two of them, waiting anxiously at the gatehouse, were suddenly seized by uncertainty. Especially Zhang Yong, who furrowed his brow and said, “Old Gu, what if Huang Jin refuses to see us? What then?”

Gu Dayong hesitated, then shook his head. “That’s unlikely. I’ve always had a friendly relationship with him. Why, this very house was a gift from me to him just a few months ago.”

“But what does that matter? Do you know what kind of situation we’re in now? We, the old hands of the palace, are being watched like hawks by the ministers. They’re determined to drive us out of Beijing at any cost. Do you think Huang Jin would stand with us over a mere favor or some past friendship?”

“I always thought he was a decent man; surely he wouldn’t…” Although Gu Dayong tried to sound confident, doubts crept into his heart. Unable to sit still, he rose and gazed out at the shadowy depths of the courtyard.

Deep within the layers of courtyards beyond his sight, in a study, Huang Jin indeed considered turning them away, but Huang Ming immediately intervened.

“Father, when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold,” Huang Ming said, sensing his father’s hesitation and quickly explaining, “Right now, all of you from the palace are seen as a single entity. How can you abandon the others?”

“But given the current circumstances… I can’t even guarantee my own safety. If I openly come to their aid, wouldn’t that put our master in a difficult position and make myself a direct target of the ministers’ attacks?” Huang Jin voiced his greatest concern.

“Your worry is reasonable, but that’s precisely why you newcomers cannot stand idly by. Think about it—if the ministers really succeed in driving out the old hands from the palace, what will happen? Sure, many positions may open up, but is that truly useful? If all those who served Emperor Wuzong closely are condemned, it will cement in the minds of the world—and even in the Emperor’s own mind—that the palace eunuchs are completely untrustworthy.

“When that time comes, how will you or the others ever get anything done again? Your power will be greatly diminished, and eventually, not even the Emperor will rely on you.

“Besides, most of the eunuchs and palace staff now are old hands from Wuzong’s reign—only you and a handful of others joined the current Emperor. In the future, you’ll still need to depend on these veterans for many things.

“And if you abandon Gu Gonggong and the others now, everyone will remember it. You won’t gain any credibility from it. Once people’s hearts are lost, it’s nearly impossible to win them back.”

Huang Ming’s words were heartfelt and logical, and, crucially, they were spoken from Huang Jin’s perspective. As he pondered, Huang Jin found himself nodding. “You’ve considered this far more thoroughly than I had.”

“And one more thing,” Huang Ming continued, seizing the moment to press his point, “The situation may seem dangerous now, but is it truly impossible to protect ourselves? The outer and inner courts are both indispensable to the Emperor’s rule. As long as you all stand united, isn’t self-preservation still within reach?

“That’s why it’s even more necessary now to unite with veterans like Gu Gonggong and maintain good relations with them.”

Huang Jin’s brow finally relaxed. “We’ll do as you say. Huang Zhong, invite the two gentlemen in… No, I’ll go invite them myself!”

He was decisive when he made up his mind; once resolved, he hesitated no longer and rose to head outside.

Huang Ming hurried after him, following his father to welcome their guests.

As the father and son went out together, Huang Jin couldn’t help but glance back at his son with curiosity. How had he never noticed before that his son was so shrewd and resourceful? It was as if, ever since that time he’d been locked up in the South City constabulary’s prison, he’d become a different person altogether.

But that was of little importance. As long as he knew Huang Ming was his son and stood by his side, that was enough.

The father and son’s personal welcome took Gu Dayong and Zhang Yong by surprise but also reassured them.

Once back in the study and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Yong, a martial man among eunuchs and still a prominent figure as Chief of the Imperial Horse Supervisor, got straight to the point. “Gonggong Huang, I won’t hide it: today Old Gu and I have come to you for help.”

Gu Dayong followed immediately, “That’s right, Gonggong Huang. The situation is dire. The ministers are baying for our blood, and we can barely get a word in with His Majesty. So, we have no choice but to swallow our pride and come to you. Please, for the sake of our shared background in the palace and whatever friendship we have, help us…”

As they spoke, both men rose, about to kneel before Huang Jin.

Huang Ming quickly got up and rushed over to steady them. “Gentlemen, please, there’s no need for this. Since my father has invited you in for a proper talk, he won’t stand idly by.”

Huang Jin echoed, “That’s right. We are all servants of our master—we are family. How could I stand by while family is bullied by outsiders?”

“Gu Gonggong, Zhang Gonggong, rest assured, if I lack anything, it’s certainly not loyalty!”

Hearing his declaration, the two men were delighted. “With your word, Gonggong Huang, we can set our minds at ease.”

“However,” Huang Jin continued, “even if I’m willing to help, if we truly want everyone in the palace to survive this ordeal, we must first help ourselves.”

“How do we do that?”

“There’s only one person in this world who can protect us—His Majesty. So, my plan is that tomorrow, we will go together to plead with the Emperor, and ask him to defend us.” Huang Jin revealed his strategy, which, in truth, was the suggestion that Huang Ming had offered as they went out to receive their guests.

“This time, all the eunuchs in the palace should unite and beg for mercy together, while also exposing the ministers’ sinister motives.

“What are they really after? It’s not, as they claim, about reforming government and rectifying corruption. It’s simply a power play to eliminate anyone in the palace who might check their influence.

“So I believe we, the servants, must speak out as one and reveal the truth! Whether we are newcomers who followed the Emperor from the Anlu Prince’s household, or you veterans of the palace, in the end, we all serve the master. How we are dealt with should be decided by His Majesty alone—not by the outer court.”

“Well said! That’s exactly how it should be!” Zhang Yong exclaimed, slapping the table.

Gu Dayong quickly agreed. “It’s settled, then. Tomorrow, when we return to the palace, I’ll reach out to the others. This time, we must unite everyone and demand justice from His Majesty!”

When it comes to the crunch, one must be bold. Sometimes, in their resolve, these incomplete men surpass ordinary men in determination.