"Wen Ke Xing, what is your answer?" The Emperor repeated impatiently.
"Our Majesty, filial piety means different things to a peasant family than to an imperial family. The peasants have simple goals in life, therefore filial piety means honoring one's parents by doing what they ask. A farmer wants his son to tend to the farm lands and animals. A family man wants his son to get married and have children. A business man wants his son to run his business well and learn everything about it and expand it. But when it comes to royal families, the goals are a lot more grand, more challenging, more difficult to accomplish. Therefore a father, as successful as he might be, even if he has achieved all the things he set his eyes on, would still have grander roles, higher achievements that he might not have time to yet accomplish in his life. That would lead to regrets. Therefore a good son would want to elimiate those regrets, and make those goals his own, and work on them, so his father may become proud and rest in peace. Both princes are therefore correct, and your Majesty is very lucky to have such intelligent sons. This is the greatest achievement a father can have. And the countrymen are very lucky to have such superior princes to be their future leader, this is the greatest gift an emperor can provide to his people. I would be highly honored to work for an imperial court of such quality and with people of such esteemed wisdom."
Wen Ke Xing finished with a bow of his head.
With that answer, the emperor stayed silent for a moment. The two princes also did not show any reaction. Perhaps they were waiting for their emperor father to grade their answers.
"Wen Ke Xing, I'm pleased with your answer." The emperor simply said. Wen Ke Xing bowed.
There was another moment of silence. It seems the emperor was deep in thoughts.
This man was not simple. He was smarter than he looked. Wen Ke Xing learned from Uncle Bai that this Emperor had murdered his own brother and stolen his throne, but nobody in the country was allowed to mention that. Uncle Bai also told him that this emperor did not trust people easily, for he himself betrayed his one and only sibling, and feared that karma would hit him one day, and somebody close to him would in turn assassinate him.
"Wen Ke Xing." The emperor called.
"Yes My Lord." Wen Ke Xing bowed again.
"Prince Zi Shu learned martial arts for many years. He actually leads his own military group to wars. Would you fight with him to show us your martial arts skills?" The emperor asked.
"With honor, my Lord." Wen Ke Xing bowed and then turned to prince Zi Shu, as prince Xi er walked back to his own chair.
"Brother Wen, which weapon would you like to use for this challenge?" Prince Zi Shu asked.
Wen Ke Xing was surprised that prince Zi Shu could fight, and that a high-ranking prince would call a low-ranking scholar 'brother'. Uncle Bai always taught him that Song people were weak and did not train physically. The Jin people however, learned to shoot arrows at young age, play wrestling, ride horses.
Song people also were not kind, they were selfish, greedy. Besides looking down on Jin people, they also disrespected their own citizens, charged heavy taxes, forced peasants to enlist in the army. There was no good Song ruler. That was why the Jin had to defeat the Song and take over, so all the citizens of Song and of Jin could live peaceful good lives. The Song did not know how to rule their country and treat their people right. The Jin on the other hand, loved their people and did not mistreat them, or tax them, and did not force them into the military. They would be better rulers of both countries.
But a prince just called him brother now. Perhaps he was just faking kindness and politeness.
But he knew martial arts too. Perhaps just a couple simple moves to please his emperor father.
"I will use a sword." Prince Zi Shu said, still waiting for Wen Ke Xing to decide.
"A fan will do just fine." Wen Ke Xing figured he didn't want a weapon, for he did not want to accidentally hurt anybody and get in trouble. Uncle Bai reminded him that if he got in trouble, he might not be able to help him at all, and he could be beheaded in an instant. The Song people loved beheading others. The Jin however, never did that, not even to their enemies.
"A fan???" Prince Zi Shu asked, baffled, wondering if he heard it wrong the first time.
"A fan indeed." Wen Ke Xing repeated with a smile to assure him that he did not mishear him.
Therefore a fan was provided to Wen Ke Xing and a sword was given to prince Zi Shu. They swung their weapons around to warmup and stretch, and then they bowed to each other as a sign of respect, and the competition started.
They fought swiftly yet majestically, fiercely yet without violence. They were enjoying each move, action and reaction, back and forth. It looked like a fair fight, no doubt. But to them, it was more like a dance, as they were having so much fun doing each move, walking each step, and expecting the next.
After about half an hour, the emperor stopped them, since there was no clear winner. And because it was getting close to his nap time.
"Given your great literacy and martial arts, I will assign you the post of Secretary of War. You shall accompany the Generals during battles, and take notes of the facts, successes and failures, and make registries for our military library. You will also be the personal bodyguard of the Generals. You shall report to the military court tomorrow morning, to collect your official stationary, and name plaque. We will be having a battle in a few weeks, with the Liao. The battle will be lead by prince Zi Shu, so after you receive your stationary and plaque, you shall ask to be walked to prince Zi Shu's military office, to discuss the details of the upcoming battle."
With that, the Emperor excused himself and went to take his nap. His sons followed him back to the palace. Prince Xi er returned to his study to read books. Prince Zi Shu returned to his military office to prepare for tomorrow's meeting.
Wen Ke Xing returned to his wood shed, where he lived for 18 years with Uncle Bai.
They could afford a home if they wanted, for sure, since Wen Ke Xing was prince of Jin. But they didn't want people to have any suspicion, and Uncle Bai always reminded him that living in poverty was the only way to remember their ultimate goal and not lose sight of things. Living in luxury would lead to unnecessary temptations and sidetracks.
Uncle Bai asked about his day and prince Ke told him everything. At least, all the important matters.
Except a few things, the more personal stuff, he kept to himself.
He asked Uncle Bai to check his pulse, in case he had any underlying heart conditions. But uncle Bai said his pulse was normal after checking it. He asked prince Ke if he needed to see a professional doctor, and prince Ke shook his head no.
"Tomorrow, I'm reporting for duty at the court." Prince Ke said to Uncle Bai.
And tomorrow, I'm going to see prince Zi Shu again. He said to himself.
He used to tell Uncle Bai everything, never hiding any detail. He was not sure why he felt the need to keep somethings to himself this time, but he saw no harm. It wasn't like those details had anything to do with the ultimate goal they were trying to achieve.
"One day, when we successfully conquer the Song, will we have to kill everybody?" Prince Ke asked Uncle Bai.
"Not everybody. Just the royal family." Uncle Bai answered, emotionless.
"We have to wipe off the entire royal family? No exception?" Prince Ke clarified his question, despite it was quite clear already.
"If we don't wipe off their family, they will come back for revenge, we will never have peace of mind. Every body in the royal family must die, regardless of sex, age, or relationship to the emperor." Uncle Bai answered, again emotionless.
"... Understood."
This was usually prince Ke's answer whenever Uncle Bai taught him anything. He did not argue with him. Uncle Bai was always right. His father, the Jin clan leader, told him so.
---
