Transmigrated as the Emperor, but Slacking Off - Chapter 3

Ning Wujie stepped into the Imperial Study, his footsteps faltering at the sight before him.

Hills of memorials were piled upon the massive desk; they were so numerous that many had spilled onto the floor, obscuring the golden floor tiles.

Ning Wujie frowned. Just how much of a backlog is this?

He picked up a random scroll and saw a small character written in vermilion ink on the bottom right corner: Two. Upon opening it, he scanned the contents it was merely a standard greeting memorial.

As he stood there puzzled, an elderly voice sounded behind him: “General Ning.”

Ning Wujie turned to see Fang Bingyuan entering, followed by several eunuchs carrying even more scrolls.

“Grand Tutor,” Ning Wujie said, bowing in greeting.

Fang Bingyuan helped Ning Wujie up. “I came specifically to thank General Ning for saving my life the other day.” He stepped back and gave a solemn, respectful bow with his hands clasped.

Ning Wujie quickly supported the elder. “It was only right; there is no need for thanks.”

Fang Bingyuan nodded. “These are the memorials that were backlogged with me.” He gestured for the eunuchs to set them down.

The eunuchs scanned the crowded desktop and, finding no space and seeing the scrolls already on the floor, simply leaned over and dropped the stack.

Clatter—

The memorials piled into new small mountain peaks on the floor. Ning Wujie caught sight of a marking on one of them: Zero.

Fang Bingyuan roared in anger: “Memorials are the vital machinery of the state! How can you treat them so!”

The eunuchs dropped to their knees, burying their heads to beg for forgiveness. Frustrated, Fang Bingyuan bent down to pick them up one by one. Ning Wujie immediately stepped in to help.

He watched as Fang Bingyuan meticulously organized the scrolls on the desk. The chaotic surface soon became orderly, creating a surprising amount of space. Ning Wujie followed suit, neatly stacking the scrolls he had gathered.

While busy, Ning Wujie asked in confusion, “Why is there such a massive backlog?”

Fang Bingyuan sighed helplessly. “His Majesty developed a heart condition several months ago. He claims he cannot bear to look at memorials, or he will have a flare-up. From then on, the work began to pile up.”

At these words, Ning Wujie recalled the agonizing chest pain he had witnessed the Emperor suffering today. He remembered the physician saying it could be life-threatening, and his brow furrowed.

But can someone truly fall ill just from looking at paperwork?

Ning Wujie found it hard to believe; he couldn’t shake the feeling that the tyrant was simply using illness as an excuse for laziness.

“Eventually, the backlog became too great,” Fang Bingyuan continued. “We veteran ministers jointly petitioned His Majesty to govern. In response, he came up with a method he called ‘Agile Development.'”

The term “Agile Development” left Ning Wujie stunned.

Seeing his confusion, Fang Bingyuan picked up a scroll and pointed to the number in the corner. “It involves grading the content by urgency. Urgent and important matters are marked Zero. Important but not urgent are marked One. General matters are Two. Grade Zero must be completed; the others can be delayed as appropriate.”

“Aside from Grade Zero, which is handled by us veterans, the others are dealt with by the Six Ministries at their discretion.”

Ning Wujie knit his brows. “Does His Majesty not handle anything at all?”

Fang Bingyuan shook his head. “Not entirely. Every half-month, His Majesty comes to the Imperial Study to listen to our reports on critical matters.”

Ning Wujie’s brow relaxed slightly. It seemed the tyrant wasn’t completely incompetent.

Fang Bingyuan stared at the tall, handsome youth for a moment with a complicated expression. He said pointedly, “General Ning, your current position will not be an easy one to hold.”

Ning Wujie lowered his eyes. “An imperial command is difficult to defy.”

Fang Bingyuan sighed. “Even if His Majesty’s mind is made up, as a subject and his teacher, I must say what needs to be said.”

His meaning was clear: he would continue to persuade the Emperor to rescind the order, and he wanted to see Ning Wujie’s stance.

Ning Wujie understood perfectly. While stacking the scrolls, he said, “The responsibility of the Vermilion Ink is grave; whoever holds it becomes a target for all. His Majesty is unwell, which is somewhat understandable. If subjects do not show compassion but instead use their lives as threats, it will only alienate the Sovereign from his ministers.”

Fang Bingyuan pondered this for a moment. “It is as General Ning says. I have been the Imperial Teacher for eighteen years and know His Majesty’s character best. He was always modest, obedient, and filial. Never…” He paused, remembering Wen Xing calling him by his name in front of the entire court and refusing to see him lately. He shook his head and sighed. “I did not expect that a lingering illness would change his temperament so completely.”

Ning Wujie nodded and said to the elder, “Since His Majesty is not as he once was, the Grand Tutor is wise in statecraft, why not temporarily avoid his sharp edges?”

Fang Bingyuan’s eyes flickered. “I stand corrected.”

The two discussed the details of the handover for a while longer before the elder departed. Ning Wujie watched him leave, looked at the neatly organized desk, and sat down.

The lanterns in the Imperial Study burned through the night, remaining lit until dawn.

The begonias in the Hall of Funing were in full bloom.

Wen Xing slept until noon, finished washing up, and ate his meal before heading to the veranda to enjoy the flowers. He had just sat back in his lounge chair when Li Dequan announced, “Your Majesty, General Ning seeks an audience.”

He frowned and looked up to see a tall figure at the far end of the courtyard.

“What is it now?” Wasn’t the scare last time enough? How does this stubborn mule dare to come back?

Li Dequan reminded him with a wry smile, “Your Majesty, you were supposed to attend the Imperial Study this morning to hear reports. General Ning waited half a day for you before coming to seek an audience.”

Wen Xing blinked, momentarily dazed. Right, I think there was a meeting scheduled.

Tsk…

He rubbed his throbbing temple. When he had first issued the “Agile Development” decree, the entire court had opposed it. Even the Empress Dowager had nagged him daily in the Hall of Funing. Driven to impatience, he had made a concession agreeing to a meeting once every half-month.

While it meant little to him being mere “participation” it held immense symbolic weight for this feudal dynasty to have the Emperor present. Still, it was just like his previous life: listening to subordinate’s report. A mere formality; they were all the same.

“Let him come over. I won’t be going to the Imperial Study today,” he said lazily from his chair.

The figure drew closer. Wen Xing looked up to see him dressed in a dark cyan silk robe with straight sleeves. The long robe trailed the ground, softening his sharp edges and adding a touch of noble elegance.

The youth’s expression was neutral, though his eyes were still red—likely from staying up all night. His complexion wasn’t great, but it couldn’t hide his handsome features.

Wen Xing, in the spirit of appreciating beauty, took an extra look, only to notice a eunuch following behind him. The eunuch was carrying a massive stack of memorials so high it obscured his vision; he nearly bumped into Ning Wujie’s back.

Wen Xing’s expression changed. I’m just here for a report; why bring all those scrolls? Do they want me to read them?

Just thinking about it nearly triggered a flare-up.

Ning Wujie arrived at the steps and bowed. “Your Majesty, I have organized a total of seven hundred and thirty-eight memorials in the Imperial Study. All have been processed.”

Hearing this, Wen Xing’s knitted brow relaxed slightly.

All processed?

As expected of the future Zhou Wudi. This efficiency, hundreds of officials in the Six Ministries combined couldn’t match him alone. Wen Xing secretly gave himself a thumbs-up for his eye for talent.

Ning Wujie continued, “Standard greetings and astronomical reports requiring no response have been returned to the archives. Matters involving criminal justice, secret surveillance, and official appointments have been handled by me at my discretion.”

Wen Xing nodded in satisfaction, plucked a grape from a bowl of ice, and tossed it into his mouth.

Ning Wujie: “However, matters involving military strategy, people’s livelihoods, and finances are, in my view, vital to the state’s foundation. Your Majesty must review them personally; no one in the court may overstep their bounds.”

Wen Xing’s gaze turned cold. Before he could speak, Ning Wujie took a scroll from the eunuch and prepared to hand it over.

Wen Xing propped up his head. “I’m not reading it. You handle all memorials as you see fit; there is no need to consult me.”

After all, he didn’t understand governance, wasn’t it better to leave professional matters to a professional? His interference wouldn’t help, and besides, looking at scrolls made his heart hurt. Paperwork is work; work will be the death of me. He seriously suspected he had developed a Pavlovian response to the agony of his previous death.

Predicting this reaction, Ning Wujie withdrew his hand and calmly opened the memorial.

“Following the floods in Huainan, a petition has been made to delay the collection of grain taxes. It lists twenty-eight counties in distress and requests a ‘work-for-relief’ program, employing disaster victims to repair riverbanks.”

“Ning Wujie,” Wen Xing said, somewhat shocked. “Are you defying a decree?”

Ning Wujie looked at him, neither humble nor arrogant. “Your servant would not dare.”

Wen Xing stood up, snatched the scroll from Ning Wujie’s hand, and threw it back to the eunuch. “You—take all these scrolls back to the Imperial Study.”

The eunuch nodded repeatedly and hurried away with the stack. Wen Xing looked at Ning Wujie with a hint of triumph. No scrolls left. Let’s see what you’ll read now.

The youth’s dark eyes were like a still well. He spoke with total composure: “The petition requests to first borrow fifty percent from unrelated miscellaneous funds for immediate commencement of work.”

Wen Xing: “……”

Wen Xing rubbed his throbbing temple. Excellent. Perfect. You have a photographic memory, don’t you?

What could he do to make this man shut up? If he didn’t stop, a flare-up was inevitable. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he stepped forward.

The distance between them vanished instantly. The wide sleeves of his robe fluttered in the breeze, and the scent of ambergris invaded Ning Wujie’s every breath.

Wen Xing stood on the veranda while Ning Wujie was at the steps. The height difference meant the youth, who was actually taller, now stood half a head shorter. Wen Xing reached down, pinched the youth’s chin, and leaned in slowly with a smile.

Ning Wujie was forced to look up. His gaze met blue-gray eyes like shimmering waves, half-hidden behind fan-like lashes. The distance between them became non-existent; their noses nearly brushed.

Ning Wujie’s hands at his sides suddenly clenched. The tyrant’s face was right there. He simply closed his eyes and continued in a low voice: “For farmers who have lost their flooded land, provide seeds as a loan…”

Wen Xing watched with interest as Ning Wujie kept his eyes squeezed shut, his entire body tensed with resentment. The pale skin of the youth’s ears was rapidly flushing red, like a drop of vermilion ink spreading on white paper.

He’s too easy to tease.

“According to regulation, the loans will be collected interest-free after the autumn harvest to replenish the granaries.”

Wen Xing arched an eyebrow in surprise. Though the words were squeezed out through gritted teeth, the stubborn mule was still reciting the memorial. I guess I have to use my ultimate move.

At that moment, an attendant announced: “Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor and the Ministers of the Six Departments seek an audience.”

Wen Xing didn’t want to see those old men, but glancing at Ning Wujie’s reddened ears and his still-rambling lips, he saw his opening. His tone dropped. “Enter.”

He then leaned closer to Ning Wujie’s ear and whispered, “If you keep reciting, I’m going to kiss you. Do you want all the ministers to see?”

Ning Wujie snapped his eyes open and backed away two steps, his gaze filled with pure disbelief. “You ty—”

The word “tyrant” almost escaped his lips. Ning Wujie grit his teeth, finally falling silent, and glared at Wen Xing with absolute severity. Absolutely shameless! Disgraceful!

Wen Xing sat back in his lounge chair and picked up his feather fan. Seeing Ning Wujie’s look of utter humiliation and rage, he felt like he’d won; his mood improved instantly.

The eunuchs led the ministers in. After the group performed their salutes, Grand Tutor Fang Bingyuan prepared to speak, only to be cut off by a wave of Wen Xing’s fan. “If you are here to persuade me to rescind the order, Grand Tutor, don’t bother.”

Fang Bingyuan sighed, lifted his robe, and knelt. “I am here today to apologize to Your Majesty.”

Wen Xing lifted his half-closed eyelids to look at the old man.

“It was my fault for failing to show compassion for Your Majesty’s health. I have thought it over these past few days and realized that a subject’s first duty is to be of use to the Sovereign. If I cannot do that, how can I remain as one of the Three Excellencies?”

Wen Xing sneered. “So, the Grand Tutor is now willing to share my burdens?”

When I was in agony from working before, why didn’t you show compassion as my teacher? Now that I’ve given everything to Ning Wujie, you come out saying you’ll be helpful? Too late.

Fang Bingyuan said helplessly, “General Ning is young and capable, but he lacks experience. Handling the Vermilion Ink in the Emperor’s stead risks jeopardizing state affairs. Furthermore, with the war in the Northwest being so critical, please allow General Ning to return.”

The ministers bowed their heads in unison. “We concur.”

Wen Xing rocked gently in his chair and said leisurely, “And yet, I feel General Ning is the most suitable candidate. I only learned today that the Six Ministries had a backlog of over seven hundred memorials; and yet, General Ning processed them all in a few days.”

Wen Xing gave Ning Wujie an appreciative look before turning a sharp gaze to the crowd. “Tell me, what use do I have for you lot?”

The officials looked horrified. “All. all of them?”

One minister tried to save face. “The Six Ministries are truly overwhelmed with daily business; we simply lacked the manpower to handle additional memorials. Besides, Your Majesty said that unfinished scrolls could be delayed, so…”

“Enough.” Wen Xing just wanted this meaningless conversation to end. “I will not let General Ning go. This matter is closed.”

Fang Bingyuan’s face turned solemn. “Your Majesty, General Ning is a vital border commander at Hantie Pass. Would Your Majesty truly risk a military disaster just to keep him here?”

Wen Xing: “And what if I would?”

If I don’t keep him here, am I supposed to let him go back to his death? Besides, is the Ning family the only one left in the whole court? Are all other generals dead?

A massive shockwave went through the hearts of those present. Could the recent rumors be true!

Hearing this, Ning Wujie finally turned his face to stare at Wen Xing with a heavy gaze. Even if you favor me this much, I will not do as you wish. Give up on that idea!

Fang Bingyuan’s pupils shrank. He blurted out: “Could it be Your Majesty truly feels that way toward Ning”

He stopped as he saw Ning Wujie looking at him, giving a slight shake of the head. Realizing that questioning would be useless and would likely only result in another “What if I would?” or further incense the Emperor Fang Bingyuan swallowed his words.

Ning Wujie changed the subject. “My lords, there is something I do not understand and wish to ask. You just said the war in the Northwest is critical; presumably, you are aware of the border situation.” He pulled a scroll from his sleeve. “Then tell me: why has my father’s petition for military supplies been delayed for over a month?”

“According to His Majesty’s decree, border defense involves national safety, it is both urgent and important. It should have been marked Grade Zero and never delayed. Why was this memorial left entirely unmarked?”

His gaze turned unfriendly as he scanned the ministers. “I would like an explanation.”

The situation took a sudden turn. Wen Xing narrowed his eyes with interest.

Fang Bingyuan’s pupils dilated. He took the scroll from Ning Wujie and read it before looking at the Minister of War in confusion. “I have never seen this memorial. Lord Xu, what is the meaning of this?”

Xu Zhongyun’s expression didn’t change. He dropped to his knees. “I am guilty. The Ministry of War has been overwhelmed due to the Shuofeng uprising; my subordinates were negligent and overlooked this scroll. As the Minister, I failed to manage my department; I beg Your Majesty for punishment!”

“An ‘800-li-urgent’ scroll was ‘overlooked’?” Wen Xing said coldly.

Xu Zhongyun buried his head in his arms on the floor. “I will immediately summon and interrogate the subordinates involved. I will give Your Majesty an explanation.”

Ning Wujie looked at Xu Zhongyun suspiciously; he clearly didn’t buy the excuse. Fang Bingyuan also knit his brows, seemingly doubtful but unable to find a flaw.

This was exactly why Wen Xing hated dealing with ministers. Everyone who reached this level was a “slippery old loach.” For an incident like this, they could just throw a subordinate under the bus and take a minor “failure to manage” charge at most. It would be handled lightly and moved past.

This was why Wen Xing found meetings so exhausting. Everyone had eight hundred hidden motives; how was he, a modern person with zero court experience, supposed to fight them? So he simply stopped seeing them.

The dynasty is going to fall anyway; what does it matter how? If the original host couldn’t save it with his blood and sweat, why should I bother?

He didn’t want to linger on this. Being active for this long had drained his energy for the day. He was sleepy. He waved a hand lazily. “Let General Ning investigate this matter.”

Ning Wujie looked at Wen Xing in surprise. Though he had intended to volunteer, this matter belonged to the Ministry of War. His investigating was an overstep, it was a slap in the face to the Minister. Does this tyrant want to use me to pressure Xu Zhongyun?

Xu Zhongyun looked up in shock. “Your Majesty!”

Giving no chance for rebuttal, Wen Xing closed his eyes. “Dismissed.”

No matter how much more they wanted to argue, the Emperor wasn’t listening. Having been dismissed, the ministers had no choice but to leave. Only Fang Bingyuan lingered for a final attempt. “Your Majesty, favoring one person so heavily is never a good thing for them.”

Hearing this, Ning Wujie also looked at Wen Xing. The higher you climb, the harder you fall. Being used like this by the Emperor would make him a target for countless people. He wondered if the tyrant could even hear the advice. If you truly cared, you would let go.

Instead, Wen Xing said without opening his eyes, “Anyone who dares to act against General Ning is acting against me. I will never let them off.”

Fang Bingyuan’s pupils trembled. “Your Majesty!”

Ning Wujie also looked at Wen Xing in disbelief. What is this tyrant babbling about now!

Wen Xing had lost his patience. “Grand Tutor, please leave.”

Fang Bingyuan sighed helplessly. Finally giving up on his persuasion, he gave Ning Wujie an apologetic look and left with heavy steps.

Wen Xing wanted to go inside to rest, but upon opening his eyes, he saw the youth still standing there. He arched an eyebrow. “Why haven’t you left?”

Ning Wujie closed his eyes heavily. I cannot let this tyrant act so recklessly! He said with a cold face, “Your Majesty, the petition regarding the Huainan disaster, is it approved or not?”

Wen Xing was shocked. This still isn’t over? This wasn’t just a stubborn mule; this was a total holdout.

“Approved,” he said tonelessly.

Ning Wujie nodded. “Good.”

But as Wen Xing prepared to stand up, he heard Ning Wujie again: “Next is the petition for the ‘Four Policies of Tax Following Land.’ Land records in the Liangjiang region have been hidden or overlooked for over forty thousand hectares over the last decade. It requests all prefectures to recreate land registers…”

“Ning Wujie.” Wen Xing rubbed his throbbing temple. “What is with you? You are repeatedly defying my commands.”

Ning Wujie lifted his robe and knelt on both knees. “From over seven hundred scrolls, I have selected thirty-two. All concern the state’s very foundation; moving one affects the whole. If I handle these unauthorized and the foundation is shaken, I will not escape death.”

The youth looked Wen Xing in the eye. “But defying a decree is also death. Since I cannot escape either way, Your Majesty might as well grant me death right now.”

Wen Xing looked at the person kneeling before him. Those eyes, scorched red with anger, were now wet, as if containing ten thousand grievances and furies.

Wen Xing: “……”

Fine, fine. Why keep picking on a kid.

He lay back in his chair, closed his eyes, and fanned himself. “Go ahead and read,” he said helplessly.

Ning Wujie’s eyes brightened slightly. Before he could speak, Wen Xing added, “I’m going to sleep now. How many you can read before I fall asleep is up to your own ability.”

Ning Wujie lowered his gaze. “Yes,” he said in a heavy voice.

① A historical petition by Wu Guangyue, Governor of Jiangxi, in the 11th year of Daoguang (1831).