To be honest, Zhang Hao did not entirely approve of Crown Prince Di Hedong's approach.
Since the Crown Prince had chosen Zhang Hao as his adviser, he ought to have discussed matters with him before making such a major move.
The bigger the undertaking, the greater the need for secrecy. But if secrecy meant keeping even your adviser in the dark... what did you need an adviser for?
And if Zhang Hao had known the Conservative Faction's plan in advance, he would certainly have urged the Crown Prince to change course.
Taking part in this operation personally might win him the Conservative Faction's friendship, but friendship was the least useful thing a ruler could have.
What he stood to lose for its sake, however, was crucial.
It was his position above the fray.
In Zhang Hao's view, a wise ruler should have no political leanings of his own. He should not truly enter any political struggle, but stand apart from it as a "referee."
He set the rules of the contest and let both sides compete. Then, as a referee who was not entirely impartial, he decided the winner according to his own judgment and preferences.
Such a ruler could stand calmly above his ministers and watch the storms gather and break across the court without being caught in them.
For the Crown Prince to step into the fray himself and act as an intermediary between the Conservative Faction's ministers and the Zhu Zhao was simply... unnecessary!
Fortunately, it was not too late. He could still withdraw in time.
It would not work as well as staying out of it from the start, but at least he would not lose his authority.
For a ruler, authority was the only thing of real value.
In the Great Ancestor Di Jiazi's On