Han Sui

Biodata

Background

Han Sui is the chief official of the Court of Imperial Studs and a powerful court figure. He is close to high officials of the Three Judicial Offices, while one of his daughters, Consort Han, is married to the Chongming Emperor, making him the emperor's father-in-law. 1 29

When the Imperial Stud Directorate's long-running corruption case and disappearance of more than three hundred warhorses require a scapegoat, Han Sui pushes his subordinate Xu Xing into prison to bear the blame. Xu Xing is sentenced to execution despite the scale of the crime being implausible for a minor official to have committed alone. 1 3 10

Han Sui sends Zhao Yunniang to marry Xu Xing and bear his child. Xu Xing suspects that this arrangement, together with Musk Dragon Powder, is intended to exhaust his qi and blood so that he dies before reaching the execution ground. 1 2 10

Personality

Han Sui is politically calculating and highly conscious of reputation. Though willing to sacrifice a subordinate to protect himself and his faction, he avoids personally directing Xu Xing's torture because doing so would alienate fellow officials and stain his standing among scholar-officials. 28 29

He recognizes talent and adjusts his position when circumstances change. Han Sui had appreciated Xu Xing as a capable subordinate even before framing him, later regarding him as an exceptional talent after learning of his mathematical work and glassmaking knowledge. 28

His pragmatism outweighs vengeance. After Xu Xing escapes, Han Sui chooses not to seriously pursue Zhao Yunniang or Xu Xing, reasoning that Xu Xing may become useful if the declining dynasty falls into greater disorder. 37

Abilities & Skills

Political Maneuvering

Han Sui navigates court factions, corruption, and competing authorities while protecting his own position.

• Maintains ties with the Three Judicial Offices and benefits from his connection to the imperial family. 1
• Distributes shares in the glass business among officials, imperial clansmen, and nobles connected to the Imperial Stud Directorate corruption case. 39
• Uses Zhao Yunniang, the glassmaking secret, and Xu Xing's impending execution as leverage. 1 28 29
• Misleads the Night Patrol Directorate about Zhao Yunniang's route to avoid genuinely intercepting her. 37

Glassmaking

After obtaining Xu Xing's secret formula, Han Sui successfully produces transparent glass.

• Recognizes the commercial value of transforming ordinary sand into glass. 36
• Uses the glass enterprise to create profit-sharing arrangements with powerful court figures. 39
• Initially lacks a crucial step in the process and seeks to pressure Xu Xing into revealing it. 29

Relationships

• Xu Xing — Former subordinate whom Han Sui frames for the Imperial Stud Directorate corruption case. Later seeks Xu Xing's glassmaking knowledge, honors negotiated terms regarding Zhao Yunniang, and ultimately avoids escalating their conflict after Xu Xing escapes. 1 28 35 37
• Zhao Yunniang — Woman Han Sui sends to marry Xu Xing and bear his child; she serves as his intermediary with Xu Xing but gradually changes allegiance. 1 28
• Commander Liu — Commander of the Night Patrol Directorate. Han Sui negotiates with him over extracting the glassmaking secret, palace favor for Consort Han, and profits from the glass trade. 28 29 39
• Consort Han — Han Sui's daughter and the Chongming Emperor's consort; Han Sui seeks Commander Liu's help restoring her favor in the palace. 1 29
• Steward Sun — Trusted household steward with whom Han Sui discusses his decision to spare Zhao Yunniang and leave Xu Xing unpursued. 37

Story Role / Major Arcs

Imperial Stud Directorate Scapegoat

Han Sui makes Xu Xing the fall guy for the missing warhorses and broader corruption within the Imperial Stud Directorate. He relies on Xu Xing's lack of powerful backing and the political need to contain the scandal. 1 10 28

Glassmaking Secret

After learning that Xu Xing possesses a method for making glass, Han Sui delays his death and attempts to obtain the complete process through incentives rather than overt torture. He rejects Commander Liu's proposal to send Xu Xing to Zhaoyu Prison, prioritizing his reputation and alliances. 28 29

Negotiated Release and Escape

Han Sui accepts Xu Xing's conditions: Zhao Yunniang is to receive 1,000 taels of silver and a Jiangnan residence, while her child is to bear Xu Xing's surname. Although Xu Xing escapes the Heavenly Prison, Han Sui has already fulfilled the agreement through Zhao Yunniang. 35 36

Future Investment

Upon learning of Xu Xing's escape, Han Sui stages an apparent effort to intercept Zhao Yunniang but deliberately sends pursuers in the wrong direction. He considers Xu Xing a potential future asset amid signs that the dynasty is entering decline. 37

Trivia

• Han Sui's status as the Chongming Emperor's father-in-law gives him major influence, but it does not shield him from Commander Liu's leverage over the Imperial Stud Directorate scandal. 1 28
• He believes that Xu Xing's genuine glass formula means Xu Xing has not broken his word, despite escaping prison. 37
• Han Sui privately regrets making Xu Xing take the blame after witnessing the value of the glass Xu Xing's formula produces. 36