A stream burbled. Not far from the little river, beneath a lush green tree, several youths lay resting. Judging by their clothes, they were not commoners: two or three wore fine robes, while the others dressed somewhat more plainly.
One of the finely dressed youths sat up and leaned against the tree. "Two days ago, I heard Father say that the Empress Dowager's future brother-in-law had been appointed Chief Commandant of the Capital. Not even thirty, and already holding a lofty seat among the Nine Ministers.
"Sigh.
"I really don't know whether we're the Liu Clan Kin or he is. Comparing yourself to others really can infuriate you to death."
Even among the Nine Ministers, the Chief Commandant of the Capital held considerable rank and power. The office was almost always held by a trusted confidant of the emperor. He could patrol the Three Adjuncts and enter the Imperial Palace to conduct investigations, commanded substantial military forces, and even possessed judicial authority, allowing him to try certain cases independently.
Promoted to Chief Commandant of the Capital before thirty-who would not envy that?
Another youth sat up, spat out the blade of grass in his mouth, and said sarcastically, "All Under Heaven doesn't belong to the Liu Clan, nor does it belong to the Luo Clan. Clearly, it belongs to the Maternal Relatives.
"Heh.
"In every reign, the most illustrious families are always those of the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
"Luo Wenqi is the Empress Dowager's future brother-in-law. A seat among the Nine Ministers like Chief Commandant of the Capital, with control over the military forces of the Three Adjuncts and the court's Palace Guards, would naturally be reserved for one of their own.
"We call ourselves Liu Clan Kin, but we lost even our High-ranking Marquis titles long ago.