Liu Shan Men and the Three Departments - Three Perspectives

　　"This is a very grave problem."

　　Secretary of Personnel, Zhang Chunfeng, was seated in his home. Kong Duan, Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and Qian Wuque, Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, gathered at Secretary Zhang Chunfeng's abode right after the conference. The three wanted to discuss the matter discussed back in the palace earlier. Specifically, they wanted to discuss the three students they were asked to take under their wing.

　　Secretary Zhang enjoyed a nip of tea. Stroking his beard with a stern temperament, he said, "His Majesty usually wouldn't gather the six ministries for nothing, yet he gathered us and the prime minister for such a menial matter today. Liu Shan Men fell from grace after Yan s.h.i.+san was removed from power. Everyone is aware the Qilin Guards now wield the most power among the three law enforcement offices. Only His Majesty's entourage has a chance against them, because they have Tian Hu. The only noteworthy one under Liu Shan Men's Vice-Captain Shen is a straight-faced and frigid constable. They won't go anywhere with such an awful lack of talent."

　　Secretary Qian chimed in: "Perhaps that is why Shen Yiren asked His Majesty to give her special treatment for recruitments. Don't forget His Majesty and Shen Clan have been friends for decades."

　　"Still, Liu Shan Men oversees matters in the martial world. Unless it involves the martial world, Shuntian Prefecture or the local government offices handle the problems even if it's a security issue. There's no need for Liu Shan Men. It's insane for His Majesty to ask us to take them in as students."

　　Secretary Zhang shook his head: "You two would be dismayed to know the joke they are. This old one has met the three individuals in question. Tang Ye is acceptable, but the other two are an insult to the imperial court. They're all brawn and no brains. The three of us are scholars. We enjoy literature in all shapes and forms, including at work. It would be very difficult for us to handle martial artists as students."

　　"You are absolutely right, Brother He Ya."

　　He Ya was Secretary Zhang's courtesy name. Secretary Kong and him were close in age and joined the imperial court at the same time. That was why they commonly addressed each other by their courtesy name. Apparently, Secretary Kong was one of Confucius' descendants, though which generation was unknown. He was a steady man who valued formalities, morality and character.

　　The three unruly constables from Liu Shan Men got on Secretary Kong's nerves. He fumed, "And we have the worst one, Liu Shan's Plague, Ming Feizhen, among the three of them. Not only is he late to conferences, but he also left without a word during the fuma selection, rendering everyone dumbstruck. He completely disregards His Majesty. I am glad Princess Hongzhuang did not choose him as her husband. Else, he would bring shame to the imperial family."

　　Secretary Qian, Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, favourite hobby was plotting. Frowning, he added, "The three are unorganised, don't abide to rules and are proper martial artists. I would think that the imperial court will heavily promoted them as military officials in the future, as they are from Liu Shan Men. That on top of the way we operate means they are not a suitable fit for our three departments. For that reason, it is best for them to learn under Lie Jingchan's Ministry of Military. I think His Majesty added us to the equation for other reasons."

　　"Secretary Qian is right. His Majesty wants the three to figuratively take root in the imperial court. He would not have us take in students. If they were under our banners, they would naturally enjoy a smooth journey in the imperial court as well privileges. Who would dare to refuse? From this, we can infer His Majesty genuinely wants to promote the three."

　　Secretary Zhang sounded more and more a.s.sured as he went on. He nodded: "Fortunately, the plan fell apart thanks to the prime minister and Secretary Leng's intervention. Else, the consequences would be dire. His Majesty grows more cunning with age."

　　The second the three felt relieved they escaped a calamity, they heard someone with a clear voice coming from outside. The voice evidently belonged to someone from the imperial palace. The visitor declared, "An imperial decree has arrived! Secretary Zhang, Secretary King and Secretary Qian, heed His Majesty's decree!"