Chapter 8: Building the Team

Zhao Dezhao’s appointment as an Investigating Censor moved his long-time servant, Wang Zhifa, who had raised him since childhood, to tears. Sobbing, Wang lamented, "My Saintly Empress, do you see this? Our Prince has finally made something of himself. At seventeen, he has entered the Censorate and been appointed directly as an Investigating Censor, tasked with overseeing the hundred officials. Your soul in heaven must be overjoyed."

Touched by Wang Zhifa’s loyalty, Zhao decided to grant his wish. "Hurry and prepare. I have never been to the Censorate before. You shall accompany me tomorrow to take up the post and receive my seal. If there is anything I do not understand, be ready to help me inquire about it."

Wang Zhifa was overjoyed and immediately set his family to work preparing for the next morning. At dawn, the master and servant arrived near Guozi Lane and presented themselves at the gates of the Censorate to report for duty.

As the eldest legitimate son of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin, the gatekeeper dared not demand any customary bribe. He scrambled inside to report their arrival, and before long, the head of the Censorate, Censor-in-Chief Liu Wensou, led his subordinates out to greet them in person. "Greetings, Your Highness," they bowed.

"Censor-in-Chief Liu, please, no need for such formalities," Zhao replied politely, returning the bow. "And to all you officials and colleagues, there is no need for such ceremony. Censor-in-Chief, I am merely a seventh-rank official arriving to take up my post. How could you lower yourself to greet me at the gate?"

"Your Highness, protocol must be observed," Liu Wensou replied firmly but respectfully. "This is not the place for conversation. Please, follow me inside. Let me introduce you to the current state of the Censorate."

Zhao thanked him and followed Liu inside. As they walked, Liu explained the structure of the Censorate, its current staff, and the scope of responsibilities for each rank. Unlike the Ming and Qing dynasties that would follow, the Northern Song Censorate wielded immense power, though its staff was far smaller. Zhao’s position as an Investigating Censor was one of only six official spots, yet they were responsible for monitoring the six ministries and all local military and civil officials. They held the power to report based on hearsay, allowing them to impeach officials without concrete evidence, which made them a source of great dread among the bureaucracy.

After the briefing, the notoriously incorruptible Liu Wensou offered a word of caution: "Your Highness, forgive me, but while holding office in the Censorate grants us the privilege of speaking without fear of retribution, it demands even greater caution. If one is not careful, the consequences could far exceed those of Shi Xizai’s case, where the victim was tortured to death."

"Thank you for your guidance, Censor-in-Chief. Please rest assured, I shall act with the utmost prudence."

Liu nodded and added, "One more thing: by imperial decree, every Investigating Censor must submit at least one memorial per month to impeach the unlawful conduct of an official."

Having graduated from a "diploma mill" of sorts, Zhao was unaware of this obscure rule. "There is such a rule? Does this mean we must offend someone at least once a month?"

"Your Highness, if you uphold justice and act for the people, it is not about offending people, but about seeking justice for the people at least once a month," Liu replied with a smile.

Zhao nodded, acknowledging the logic. He glanced at his colleagues and thought, *Since the power of the Censors is this great, this office must be filled with people loyal to my second uncle, as well as those loyal to Zhao Pu. It is a hidden den of dragons and tigers.*

Though Zhao’s rank was only seventh, his status as the Emperor’s eldest son drew the attention of ambitious officials. No sooner had he grasped his duties than Lüqiu Shunqing, another of the six Investigating Censors, stepped forward to fawn over him. He led Zhao to a massive bookshelf and asked, "Your Highness, these are the files we have collected on the various officials. Which bureau would you like to investigate first?"

Zhao did not rush. "There is no hurry. Let me first familiarize myself with the procedures of the Censorate. If I have questions, I shall look to you for guidance, Censor Lüqiu."

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I shall tell you everything I know," Lüqiu promised, patting his chest. "By the way, does your household have any clerks familiar with official documents to assist you?"

Wang Zhifa blurted out, "Of course not! Our Prince has never held an official post, so where would he get such clerks?"

Lüqiu brightened. "In that case, I would be honored to introduce you to a few clerks familiar with the Censorate’s inner workings. Would you be willing to meet them?"

To Lüqiu's disappointment, Zhao smiled and replied, "Thank you, Censor Lüqiu, but that will not be necessary. Someone has already introduced such clerks to me, and I have already agreed to hire them."

Zhao shot a look at Wang Zhifa, who quickly caught on. "Yes, Your Highness! You are referring to those gentlemen from yesterday. I was out, so I didn't know you had already hired them. It was my oversight."

***

Once the workday ended and they were alone, Wang Zhifa asked cautiously, "Your Highness, why did you decline the clerks recommended by Censor Lüqiu? You are new here and need someone who knows the ropes."

"Who knows what kind of person Lüqiu Shunqing is?" Zhao sneered. "If he only wanted to flatter me, that would be one thing. But if he has ulterior motives, and I use his recommended clerks as my confidants, the consequences could be disastrous."

"Your Highness has become so cautious and suspicious," Wang remarked, though he quickly added, "But you are right, one must be careful when choosing people."

Zhao nodded. "From today on, any new servants must be approved by me personally. Also, find those patrol guards who helped us catch the murderer in Pig-Killing Alley the other day. Ask if they are willing to serve in our house. Tell them clearly: if they agree, they will be my personal guards, and their pay will be three times what they earn now!"

"Your Highness, there is no need to ask—they would be fools to refuse," Wang replied with a smile, sensing Zhao's intent. "That is a brilliant move. Those guards happened to help us by chance; they could not possibly have been sent by anyone else. Using them is far safer than hiring strangers."

Zhao nodded. "I must also secure a clerk. The previous Zhao Dezhao was not well-read, and his literary style was poor. I only know modern language, so I need someone talented and reliable to draft my official documents."

Zhao spent his first day at the Censorate calmly and without incident. Upon returning to his residence in Jingming Ward, he was surprised to find a luxurious carriage parked at his door, signaling a distinguished visitor.

"Your Highness, you have returned! Your uncle, the Imperial Brother-in-Law He, has been waiting for quite some time. He grew impatient and has already started drinking inside."

It was indeed He Huaipu, his only maternal uncle and a commander in the Imperial Guard. Zhao hurried to the living room to pay his respects. He found the military man already flushed with drink.

"Dezhao! I heard you have made a name for yourself—first by solving a case that even the Kaifeng Prefecture could not, and now by becoming an Investigating Censor! Is it true?"

"Thanks to your good fortune, Uncle, I have indeed been appointed," Zhao replied. He recounted the events as requested. He Huaipu laughed heartily, poured himself more wine, and clapped a heavy hand on Zhao’s shoulder. "You have not shamed the He family! If your mother knew you were so capable, she could rest in peace."

"You are too kind, Uncle."

"Keep working hard!" He insisted. "Try to outshine your second uncle soon so that the Emperor might name you Crown Prince! As for me, I am willing to go through fire and water for you!"

"Uncle, you are drunk. You must not speak such things," Zhao cautioned.

"Drunk? I could drink three more jars and not be drunk!" He scoffed. "Just remember, make me proud. I am counting on basking in your glory once you ascend the throne!"

Zhao, realizing he knew little of his previous household’s staff, quickly changed the subject. "Actually, Uncle, there is something I would like your help with. I need to hire a clerk—someone familiar with the bureaucracy and possessing great literary talent."

"No problem," He agreed readily. "Let me think... who do I know that fits that description?"

After a moment, He brightened. "I know someone whose talent is undeniable: Liang Zhouhan, the current Deputy Director of the Brocade Institute."

Zhao was unfamiliar with the name. "A minor official in charge of craftsmen? Does he have real talent?"

"That is your ignorance talking!" He retorted. "Do you know that the Emperor himself once intended to make him his personal secretary? If not for a stroke of bad luck, he might already be a Chancellor by now."

He explained that Liang was a child prodigy who had passed the imperial examinations at twenty-three. However, he had fallen out of favor with the Emperor after writing a flowery essay that the Emperor found pretentious and wasteful. Later, due to a series of unfortunate misunderstandings and a secret leaked by a friend, Liang was demoted and sent to the provinces, eventually ending up in the Brocade Institute.

"He is currently drowning his sorrows in alcohol and taking his temper out on the craftsmen," He sighed. "He is likely completely disheartened."

"No matter," Zhao said firmly. "I will try my luck. Man proposes, God disposes!"

*If he almost became Zhao Kuangyin’s secretary and has deep ties to the founding generals,* Zhao thought, *he would be an invaluable asset to me.*