At court, Duan Ziqian demoted the Vice Minister of War by three ranks, clawing back a victory.
But Jiang Zhizhou's proposal to visit the Imperial Mausoleum and persuade Eunuch Hai to come out of retirement met with little success.
After hearing of the situation in the palace, Eunuch Hai sighed deeply, but he did not agree to leave the Imperial Mausoleum and lend his aid at court.
"This old servant belongs to the previous reign and will not meddle in the affairs of the present one. I beg Your Majesty to withdraw your command."
Bu Er went there bearing Duan Ziqian's handwritten decree, only to have the door slammed in his face.
Eunuch Hai refused to accept the decree and sent Bu Er back.
"Young master, what do you suppose Eunuch Hai was thinking? To think there's someone in this world bold enough to refuse even the emperor's handwritten decree!"
Despite repeated attempts, Bu Er could not persuade Eunuch Hai to change his mind, leaving him no choice but to hurry back on horseback.
Upon returning, he clicked his tongue in wonder as he spoke to Yang Qing, marveling that someone could act with such complete disregard.
"Eunuch Hai's words were not without reason." Yang Qing, however, understood what Eunuch Hai had been thinking.
Eunuch Hai had been the chief eunuch of the previous reign and had spent so many years away from the Capital City that even if he returned to the palace, he would be of little use.
The situation within the palace was no longer what it had been when he served there.
As a chief eunuch from the previous reign, even with innate talent, he could hardly cook a meal without rice.
Yet if he returned and immediately handled everything with ease, he would invite suspicion