Volume One: The Inspector and the Student Chapter Forty-Four: It's Not Easy Being a Father

Guides had already been stationed in the courtyard, and Huang Ming soon followed them to a room resembling a study.

Before he could announce himself, a slightly hoarse voice called from inside, “Huang Ming? Come in and speak.”

Responding at once, Huang Ming stepped inside. At a glance, he saw two figures standing by the wall in that spacious room.

One was the emperor, browsing a book he had just pulled from the shelf; the other was none other than Huang Ming’s own father, Huang Jin.

Yet at this moment, Huang Jin did not spare his son a single glance, treating him as though he were a stranger.

It was the emperor who spoke first, smiling as he said, “Huang Ming, your performance today has far exceeded my expectations.”

After a brief hesitation, Huang Ming knelt to show respect. “Your humble subject, Huang Ming, pays homage to Your Majesty…”

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. No matter how unwilling, in the presence of the emperor he had no choice but to bow and scrape.

“Rise. You have rendered meritorious service today, and I have already rewarded you accordingly—there’s no need to stand on ceremony.” The emperor finally turned and, giving Huang Ming—who had risen to thank him—another look, continued with a smile, “You may call yourself my subject; it’s only a matter of time.”

These words set joy blooming uncontrollably across Huang Jin’s face. With the emperor’s acknowledgment, his son’s future would surely be bright.

Huang Ming, however, remained calm. He rose and thanked the emperor again. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am unworthy; my actions today were indeed rather reckless.”

“From the moment you suggested holding this session at the Imperial Academy, you must have already formed a plan, haven’t you?” The emperor looked at him intently as he spoke.

Huang Ming tensed slightly, feeling considerable pressure. The emperor truly lived up to his historical reputation as one of the cleverest of monarchs—though only fifteen or sixteen, he already navigated the labyrinth of power and intrigue like a seasoned adult.

Huang Ming did not attempt to deny it. “Your Majesty, I am terrified—I acted out of desperation…”

“And were you not afraid people would say you spoke out so boldly only to defend your father?” the emperor asked, slowly moving to sit behind a writing desk, his gaze never leaving Huang Ming.

Was this a test, or an interrogation after the fact?

Huang Ming lowered his head, weighing his response, feeling sweat gathering on his back.

To serve a monarch is to keep company with a tiger.

He had never truly understood this before, but now he felt it keenly. He thought of his father—Huang Jin had accompanied the emperor for decades and never lost favor. In retrospect, it was an extraordinary feat.

Standing behind and beside the emperor at last, Huang Jin finally dared let his gaze fall on his son, his heart tight with worry, wishing he could speak up on his behalf.

“I am not afraid, for I made this decision precisely to share my father’s burdens,” Huang Ming finally replied, lifting his head to meet the emperor’s eyes and speaking with grave sincerity. “Since Yang Shen could seize the opportunity during the lecture to attack my father for the sake of Lord Yang, as his son, I need not show him any courtesy in return.

“As for those who may later say I acted out of selfish motives—I will not deny it. I am fulfilling my filial duty. I simply do not wish for my father to suffer such injustice!”

Though his answer seemed blunt, Huang Ming had chosen it after careful reflection. It was, first, the truth, and second, tailored to the emperor’s own circumstances.

After all, was not the emperor himself preparing to brandish the banner of filial piety in his struggles with the court?

So even if these words did not move him, they would not offend.

Indeed, the emperor laughed. “That’s right—filial piety is not a matter of high or low birth.

“Whether it belongs to the imperial family, a high official’s household, or a humble commoner, filial devotion is the same.

“You have done well—not only upholding filial piety but also showing admirable candor. I have not misjudged you.

“Huang Jin, to have such a son is truly a blessing.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s recognition.” Huang Ming breathed a sigh of relief and bowed once more.

“All my blessings come from my master,” Huang Jin replied with a smile. “Without Your Majesty, how could I have found my nephew to call son?”

The emperor laughed even more heartily, evidently delighted by such flattery.

Then, turning back to Huang Ming, he said, “I remained here today for no other reason than to meet with you in private.”

“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s favor…”

“It is for nothing other than to hear you fully explain those thoughts you left unsaid earlier,” the emperor said, his gaze deep. “I could tell that you were drawing lessons from the past for the present.”

“I confess my guilt—some matters are not for a mere youth like me to comment upon freely.” Huang Ming was surprised the emperor had penetrated even the subtler meanings of his words.

“Aspiring hearts are not limited by age. Who says the young cannot possess true insight? Look at me—I will only turn sixteen after the new year, and I am perhaps a year younger than you. Do you think I, too, should not have my own views on the affairs of the realm?”

“I would never dare think so, Your Majesty. You are endowed with divine wisdom; how could I possibly compare?”

Huang Ming felt sweat gathering on his back yet again. This emperor was truly hard to please. He could only be honest: “Indeed, I fear some of my ideas may be too extreme—if I spoke them, I might mislead Your Majesty, and that would be a grave offense.”

“Speak freely. I pardon you in advance!” declared the emperor.

With the emperor’s permission, Huang Ming could only proceed, choosing his words with care. “If so, then I shall dare to speak my mind.

“In my humble opinion, Your Majesty must have already noticed that your current position is quite similar to that of Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuan of Han upon their ascensions—both succeeded as princes of collateral lines, both faced powerful ministers at court…”

This one sentence struck a chord with the emperor, making his eyes flash with excitement.

Indeed, ever since coming to the capital, he had taken those very rulers as his models—especially Emperor Wen, the paragon of benevolence and enlightened rule—ever yearning to emulate his achievements.

Huang Ming caught the shift in expression at once and knew he had found the right approach.

This, after all, was one of the advantages he enjoyed as someone from the future. In many later analyses, scholars noted that throughout his reign—even during his later years, when he became increasingly reclusive—the emperor continued to cite Emperor Wen as his inspiration for practicing non-interference.

Whatever the truth, it was what he believed in his heart.

Having made a strong start, Huang Ming grew more confident and continued, “Of course, a thousand years have passed, and Your Majesty’s circumstances differ in many ways from those ancient sages. For instance, it is impossible for another Zhou Bo or Huo Guang to emerge today.”