Jinshi.
The Imperial Palace.
Great Liang's gardens had inherited Great Song's style: every step revealed a new vista, containing heaven and earth within the garden. Yet they had cast aside the Song dynasty gardens' delicate grace, becoming grand and majestic—a wondrous spectacle.
Zhang Jushi, appearing middle-aged and clad in purple official robes, walked through the gardens, feeling as though self and surroundings had both vanished. For a moment, even his expression grew dazed.
He thought of his late teacher's admonition—serve one's sovereign with loyalty!
He also thought of how he had started as a minor clerk and struggled upward step by step, until he had finally earned an opportunity to meet the emperor.
At the time, the still-young emperor had asked, "King Lie of Chu remained silent for three years. When he finally spoke, he died at once. How do you explain that?"
King Lie of Chu had been an ancient king. Powerful ministers had controlled his state as well. After ascending the throne, he had merely observed the court in silence for three years before launching a coup in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately, he had failed... The young emperor had been assassinated outright!
Zhang Jushi had been overjoyed then, because His Majesty read Confucian books, and King Lie of Chu's story was also a Confucian tale!
He immediately answered with a solemn expression, "If a scholar's rebellion cannot succeed in three years, what about thirty?"
This too was a Confucian saying. A gentleman was meant to lie dormant, to conceal his talents within himself, wait for the right moment, and silently await a favorable opportunity.
His Majesty had not shown much reaction. He had simply dismissed Zhang Jushi, and rarely summoned him afterward.
Yet he had not fallen out with the prime minister of that time. Instead, he had