Chapter 68: Heavenly Authority (6)

After discussing the matter, Yang Zhao and Jia Chang both praised the idea highly, believing that giving Gao Lishi a copy of calligraphy was far more ingenious than offering gold, silver, or wealth. After giving some instructions, servants wrapped the completed copy in silk and placed it in Jia Chang’s carriage. Giving gifts was also an art—timing was crucial; it had to be done at the right moment without making the recipient feel pressured or embarrassed. In the case of giving a gift to Gao Lishi, it had to be done when he was away from the palace, allowing them to enter through a side door under the guise of a visit. This way, the recipient wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, ensuring the gift was delivered successfully.

Gao Lishi’s residence was located in Yishan Fang. Since it was close to the Daming Palace, he could enter the palace immediately to attend to Emperor Li Longji’s orders. Although he was already the second most powerful figure in the Tang Dynasty, he never forgot his status. All his honors depended on Li Longji, so no matter what happened, he would always side with the emperor. Loyalty and self-awareness were the keys to his long-standing position of power. Over the years, he and Li Sanniang had grown accustomed to this arrangement, and neither wanted to break it first.

Today, Gao Lishi seemed in a good mood. Judging from the emperor’s words, the case of the Tubo prince’s assassination would likely be dropped, with some innocent prisoner framed instead. In that case, Prince Guangping would be completely cleared of any involvement, and the trouble wouldn’t spread to the imperial palace.

Shaking his head slightly, Gao Lishi walked slowly to the desk and played with a crystal-clear jade ruyi. That item must be quite rare—how hard it must be for the crown prince. By staying in the background this time, he had been able to see some of the situation. The emperor was ultimately accommodating toward the crown prince; otherwise, he wouldn’t have softened his heart just because of a few words from him. Every family has its own difficulties—what more so for the imperial family?

Gao Lishi wasn’t greedy for wealth; he accepted the gift solely for the sake of the crown prince’s face. The emperor was getting older and should start thinking about the future. Not to mention the crown prince’s constant respect toward him—just his cautious demeanor was pitiable. He would help wherever he could; it wasn’t easy for anyone!

“Master, Censor Yang and Marquis of Fuping request an audience!”

Gao Fu bowed and nodded, interrupting Gao Lishi’s thoughts.

“Oh? Have them wait in the side room.”

Gao Lishi frowned but still decided to go and meet them. He didn’t dare to disappoint Yang Zhao, that young man. With the support of the Imperial Concubine, he now held over twenty positions and had become the second most powerful figure after Li Linfu. Although Jia Chang didn’t hold real power, he was also a influential figure close to the emperor. There was no need to close off all one’s paths. Everyone has times of misfortune; showing respect to others meant leaving a way out for oneself.

After adjusting his appearance slightly, Gao Lishi entered the side room and greeted them with a smile.

“Lord Yang, Lord Jia. What a rare visit!”

“You flatter me, Lord Gao!” Yang Zhao, who was drinking tea, quickly stood up to greet them.

Jia Chang, who seemed not very talkative, bowed to Gao Lishi as a response.

“Ah, I just returned to my residence from the palace when the butler told me that distinguished guests wanted to see me. I wondered who it could be—turns out it’s you two!”

Gao Lishi sat down in the main seat, picked up a bowl of floral tea, and took a sip.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your quiet time, Lord Yang. I deserve to be punished!”

Yang Zhao responded appropriately, flattering Gao Lishi just right.

“In a few days, it’s Lord Gao’s birthday. I don’t have any precious gifts, so I copied a copy of the ‘Seventeen Posts’ in hopes it will please you.”

“Oh?”

Gao Lishi became interested. He took the scroll from Jia Chang and gently unrolled it.

“Lord Jia, you have such excellent handwriting yet kept it hidden from me. You deserve punishment. This copy of the ‘Seventeen Posts’ not only reflects the boldness of Wang Xizhi but also shows delicate precision—truly the work of a master.”

The calligraphy scroll was actually created by a scholar employed by his household, but with Gao Lishi’s praise, Jia Chang’s face turned red to his neck as he hurriedly bowed in thanks.

Seeing that Gao Lishi was in a good mood, Yang Zhao waved his hand to signal his servants to bring in a box. Although he had signed his name on the gift of the ‘Seventeen Posts,’ he didn’t dare to treat Gao Lishi so carelessly. In fact, he had spent a lot of effort searching for treasures for Gao Lishi’s birthday.

The servant took out a wide-mouthed jar made of Yuezhou celadon from the box. The jar was well-proportioned with a rich color, and it gave off a fresh and elegant vibe when placed on the bookshelf.

“Great!”

Gao Lishi clapped his hands in approval. He loved collecting antiques, calligraphy, and paintings, and he also had some knowledge of porcelain. A wide-mouthed jar with such perfect proportions might even be beyond the skills of top masters. It seemed Yang Zhao had put in a lot of effort—this time, he must have something to ask of Gao Lishi!

Seeing Gao Lishi clapping in approval, Yang Zhao was overjoyed. But he couldn’t bring up his request to Gao Lishi right away—this was the rule in official circles; the more anxious one became, the worse the outcome.
“The weather is nice today. How about the two of you accompany me to the garden for a chat?”
Gao Lishi narrowed his eyes and gestured invitingly.
With Gao Piaojie extending the invitation first, how could the two refuse?
In the golden autumn of September, the garden was filled with the fragrance of chrysanthemums. Under the careful care of the gardener, Gao’s garden was in full bloom, with various exotic flowers vying for attention. Though it lacked the splendor of the Lady of Guo’s residence, its meticulous beauty was truly admirable.
“Mr. Gao is so fortunate to have all the world’s beauties in his garden!”
Yang Zhao gave a thumbs up, sparing no praise for Gao Lishi.
“It’s just playing around with plants when one has nothing else to do. At my age, where would I find the energy?”
Gao Lishi waved his hand and sat down on a stone bench.
“I wonder who would be lucky enough to stand out in Mr. Gao’s garden?”
Yang Zhao walked over to a cluster of chrysanthemums and casually brought up the topic.
“Well, gold will always shine. If the emperor likes a flower, then I too will like it,” Gao Lishi replied with a slight smile.
That old fox! Yang Zhao cursed inwardly but wasn’t willing to let it end there.
“Even beautiful flowers need a skilled gardener, and fine horses need a discerning eye. Whoever gains Mr. Gao Piaojie’s favor must be extremely fortunate. I heard that Li Kuo, the Colonel of Xuanjie, has achieved remarkable feats lately. What does Mr. Gao think?”
Yang Zhao tried to elicit some information from Gao Lishi through subtle hints.
“A while back, I accompanied the emperor on a walk in Daming Palace, and the emperor also mentioned this man.”
Seeing Yang Zhao’s persistent inquiries, and considering the Yuezhou blue-and-white vase, Gao Lishi decided to give him some advice.
“From the emperor’s tone, it seems he’s not inclined to promote him at the moment.”
Gao Lishi folded his hands and sighed at the clear sky.
“Why?”
Unaware that Gao Lishi would insist Li Kuo had no chance of promotion, Yang Zhao grew anxious and blurted out his question.
“Don’t worry, Lord Yang.”

Gao Lishi shook his head and said, “Does Lord Yang still not understand official appointments? It’s said to be based on evaluations by the Ministry of Personnel and gradual promotions, but isn’t it ultimately decided by the emperor’s word? Sometimes, rapid promotions aren’t necessarily a good thing, and slow promotions aren’t necessarily bad either. The emperor originally wanted to investigate thoroughly the assassination of the Tubo prince, but unexpectedly, Prince Guangping got involved. Out of necessity, the case was dropped, which surely gave the Tubo people an excuse. The Tubo people have long harbored aggressive ambitions; the emperor must be planning to send troops to the west. Our Tang Dynasty was established through military conquest, and everyone knows that earning military merits comes faster than advancing through civil positions!”
Gao Lishi raised his voice, his eyes gleaming sharply.
“Oh!” Yang Zhao slapped his forehead, suddenly understanding.
So the emperor wanted to send this kid Li Kuo to the border to gain experience. In this way, although he couldn’t be directly controlled by Yang Zhao, given his qualifications, he would inevitably become a powerful figure in a region someday, greatly enhancing Yang Zhao’s influence in the military!
At this thought, Yang Zhao’s previously gloomy expression gradually turned rosy. Life was truly comfortable!……
Note 1: Yishan Fang: According to “Research on the Neighborhoods of the Two Capitals of the Tang Dynasty,” Gao Lishi’s residence was located in Yishan Fang.
Note 2: “The Seventeen Tablets”: A famous cursive script masterpiece by Wang Xizhi, named after the word “seventeen” at the beginning of the scroll. The original ink version has long been lost; the existing “The Seventeen Tablets” are engraved copies.
Note 3: Wang Youjun: A calligrapher from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, styled Yishao and also known as Danzhai. Of Han ethnicity, his ancestral home was Linyi in Langya (now part of Shandong), later moving to Kuaiji (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang). In his later years, he lived in Jinting, Shanyang County. A renowned calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he is known as the “Sage of Calligraphy.”
Note 4: Yuezhou celadon: A famous porcelain workshop from the Sui Dynasty. Yue porcelain is characterized by its thin body, even glazing, and a bright, lustrous green color. It was not only one of the tributes presented to the imperial court but also an important trade ceramic during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Together with the exquisite crafts and literary arts of those periods, it created a new realm in the field of arts and crafts.