Chapter 359: Rising to the Pinnacle of a Eunuch’s Power

It’s not that easy… to find someone who truly understands you.

As he watched the grey-bearded official and his entourage leave, Zhu Ping’an couldn’t help but hum the lyrics of “It’s Not That Easy.” His heart was filled with bitter helplessness — truly, being an official was not that easy…

Whether it was gods clashing or great men bickering, the procedures following the imperial examination’s results still had to continue.

Next came the grand highlight — the Imperial Street Parade of Honor. This was a ceremonial procession where the top scorers of the palace examination paraded through the imperial avenue. The Zhuangyuan Lang rode proudly on a tall horse through the capital’s main street, basking in the admiration and praise of the masses. Of course, the Bangyan (second place) and Tanhua Lang (third place) would follow behind him, though less gloriously. As for the remaining Jinshi (successful candidates), they had to walk on foot.

The true purpose of this parade was to honor the top scholars and inspire ambition throughout the realm — especially among the students. It was meant to encourage them to emulate the Zhuangyuan Lang, to study diligently, strive for excellence, and serve the Emperor and the Empire through the imperial examinations.

Under the arrangement of the Ministry of Rites and the officials of the Honglu Temple, Zhu Ping’an, along with the Bangyan and Tanhua Lang, was led to a side hall. The Parade of Honor was a matter of prestige — thus, the top three had to change into bright, festive robes befitting their new titles.

Inside the side hall, eunuchs and palace maids had already drawn curtains to divide the space into three separate changing rooms. Each of the three men was guided into one, to be dressed in their exclusive ceremonial attire.

As Zhu Ping’an stepped into his curtained chamber, he was surprised to see that the eunuch waiting inside was someone he’d met before — the very same one who had winked at him the previous day, when he had been choosing his reward before the Emperor. In truth, his current title of Zhuangyuan was, in a way, connected to that very wink.

“Oh, it’s you, Gonggong. Yesterday, due to the circumstances, Ping’an was unable to thank you properly in person. I hope you won’t take offense. Many thanks for your hint yesterday,” Zhu Ping’an said with a respectful bow upon recognizing the eunuch.

“Hehe, Zhuangyuan Lang is too polite. This humble one did nothing at all yesterday. Your success today is due first to His Majesty’s favor, and second to your own intelligence and talent — it has nothing to do with me,” the eunuch replied with a gentle shake of his head and a smile.

“Gonggong jests. I may not be clever, but I know the meaning of gratitude. Without your hint yesterday, I might have made a grave mistake,” Zhu Ping’an said earnestly.

“Zhuangyuan Lang truly overpraises me. I really did nothing,” the eunuch said, though the faint expression on his face betrayed a subtle admission.

“May I ask how I should address Gonggong?” Zhu Ping’an asked politely, bowing slightly.

“It’s just a lowly name — hardly worth mentioning. This one’s common name is Feng Bao. I fear it might sully Zhuangyuan Lang’s ears,” the eunuch replied humbly.

Oh, Feng Bao, is it?

Zhu Ping’an initially didn’t think much of it. But just as he was about to speak again, it suddenly struck him like a bolt of lightning. Wait a minute — what did you say your name was? Feng Bao…?!

Feng Bao! Damn it — this was a future giant among men! A battle-hardened rooster among eunuchs!

This Feng Bao would become none other than Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng’s most crucial political ally — the man who helped Zhang triumph over his rivals time and again. Whether it was toppling Gao Gong or jointly ruling the empire under Emperor Shenzong, Feng Bao’s influence would be monumental.

In history, Feng Bao was a man of two faces — on one side, brilliant, educated, and ambitious; on the other, greedy for wealth and power, and according to some unofficial histories, even lustful. He was known as the “Eunuch Statesman.” In the years to come, he would rise to hold the Imperial Seal of the Directorate of Ceremonial Supervisors, command the Eastern Depot, oversee the Imperial Stables, and even serve as a Grand Minister entrusted with the Emperor’s will. At the height of his power, his influence was unmatched — he had elevated the eunuch profession to its absolute peak!

Zhu Ping’an was utterly dumbfounded — the eunuch before him, this unassuming young man, was actually Feng Bao!

Just after saying his name, Feng Bao noticed the Zhuangyuan Lang staring at him, eyes wide as though struck by lightning.

“Zhuangyuan Lang…?” Feng Bao asked in confusion.

Snapped out of his shock by the eunuch’s voice, Zhu Ping’an looked straight at him and spoke solemnly, “About yesterday, Ping’an truly owes you his gratitude, Gonggong Feng. That is a fine name you bear. Whether you believe it or not, though this is my first time hearing it, I believe Gonggong will one day leave a lasting mark upon history.”

“Zhuangyuan Lang must be joking. This humble servant is but a menial in the palace — unworthy of your thanks. Besides, I am merely a castrate. What use is a good name to someone like me? How could I ever dream of leaving a mark on history? Please, Zhuangyuan Lang, don’t tease me so,” Feng Bao said with a faint shake of his head. A shadow passed over his face, as if recalling that painful day when the knife had fallen — and he sighed softly.

“There are three hundred and sixty trades in the world, and in each, one may find a Zhuangyuan. Gonggong need not belittle himself so,” Zhu Ping’an said gently.

“But I am only a eunuch. What future could there possibly be for me?” Feng Bao replied with a self-mocking smile.

The Feng Bao standing before him was nothing like the cunning, all-powerful figure that history would later record. Instead, he radiated a faint sense of inferiority — and a touch of uncertainty.

This—this was a rare opportunity worth seizing. If he were to invest now, the future returns would be immense. Even Zhang Juzheng’s rise to prominence would one day owe much to this man—so why shouldn’t he take a share of the profit himself?

Suddenly, Zhu Ping’an recalled a popular saying from the modern world—one that suited this moment perfectly. Truly, this was a convergence of heaven’s timing, the earth’s advantage, and human accord.

So, Zhu Ping’an suddenly raised his voice, cutting off Feng Bao with righteous conviction.

“Eunuch Feng, forgive me, but I must disagree!”

“Oh? And why does the top scholar speak so?” Feng Bao looked puzzled by Zhu Ping’an’s sudden passion.

“Why, you ask?

Dare I ask, does Eunuch Feng know who wrote ‘To explore the boundary between Heaven and Man, to comprehend the changes through ancient and modern times, and to form one’s own school of thought’—the greatest universal history under Heaven?

Dare I ask, does Eunuch Feng know who improved the art of papermaking, allowing the light of civilization to be passed down through the ages, who made paper so affordable that even sons of poor families could study the words of the sages—who brought such grace and blessing upon all scholars beneath Heaven?

Dare I ask, does Eunuch Feng know who, after Empress Wu Zetian’s abdication, when Emperor Zhongzong ascended the throne and the crown prince Li Chong led the imperial guards in rebellion, while all ministers stood helpless and the emperor wept bitterly—who was it that volunteered, struck down the rebel vanguard with a single blade, turned the tide, and saved the collapsing empire? And later, in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, when the chieftain of Vietnam, Mei Xuancheng, rose in rebellion—who took the same narrow path once used by Ma Yuan of the Eastern Han, struck straight at the enemy’s heart, and pacified the southwest in one decisive move?

Dare I ask, does Eunuch Feng know who braved fire and water, journeying seven times to the Western Seas, carrying the mighty prestige of Great Ming across ten thousand miles?

After repeating, “Why, you ask?” in a rising tone, Zhu Ping’an unleashed a storm of rhetorical questions—one after another, pa pa pa!—like a roaring dragon’s gale, sweeping over the young eunuch Feng Bao and washing his mind blank.

“Sima Qian… Lord Cai… Yang Sixu… Lord Zheng…” the little eunuch murmured unconsciously, dazed beneath the onslaught of words.

“And what were their origins? What did they all have in common?” Zhu Ping’an pressed on, striking while the iron was hot. “Just now, Eunuch Feng belittled himself—was that not also to belittle them?”

Under the force of Zhu Ping’an’s words, the young eunuch’s eyes suddenly brightened. In that instant, a seed—one called ambition—took root in his heart and began to sprout.

Sima Qian was not of the orthodox kind, yet he suffered castration under Emperor Wu of Han—he was a eunuch.
Cai Lun, Lord Cai, was a eunuch.
Yang Sixu was a eunuch.
Zheng He, Lord Zheng, was a eunuch.

If they could achieve greatness—if their names could shine forever in history—then why couldn’t he?

The seed of ambition in young Feng Bao’s heart took root, sprouted, and began to flourish!

“Many thanks to you, Zhuangyuan-lang, for awakening me!” Feng Bao’s eyes burned brightly as he looked at Zhu Ping’an, his voice sincere from the depths of his chest.

“Eunuch Feng jests. I’ve done nothing at all,” Zhu Ping’an replied, wearing the very same faint smile that Feng Bao himself had shown earlier.

Then, the two men exchanged a knowing glance—and laughed together.

The wheels of history roared past, never stopping for an instant. They crushed over a small pebble, jolted briefly—and rolled onward without pause…

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