Duke of Dai's Residence
The next day, before dawn, Su Ziji washed and ate early, then went to the study. Candlelight flickered inside, and Wild Daoist and Jian Qu were already waiting there.
Su Ziji was not surprised. "Let us discuss my attendance at court a little more. Take a look at this memorial."
As he spoke, he handed Wild Daoist the impeachment memorial he had written and revised several times.
Wild Daoist read it, remained silent for a long while, then passed it to Jian Qu.
Seeing them both remain silent, Su Ziji asked, "What do you think?"
Neither spoke. After a moment, Wild Daoist said, "My lord, your literary skill is beyond question. Simply reading this memorial makes one feel that this is indeed no small matter and deserves serious attention. But my lord, do you intend to tear off the veil of civility with Prince Shu now?"
"Prince Shu will certainly be furious, and a countercurrent may strike us broadside."
Submitting this memorial to impeach Prince Shu would be tantamount to declaring war on him.
Jian Qu had remained silent since reading the memorial, but his silence was different from Wild Daoist's. Back then, rather than sink into the ranks of ordinary commoners, Wild Daoist had willingly attached himself to a county-town gang and had shown no hesitation in helping them harm others.
Although Jian Qu had served as an adviser to the supreme commander of the southwest, at heart he was a scholar-and one who had joined that commander in indignation over injustice.
Prince Shu's actions filled Jian Qu with contempt. In his heart, he admired and supported his lord's decision to expose the hypocrite's true face. Yet from an adviser's perspective, he also agreed with Wild Daoist. That was why he remained silent.
Su Ziji