The Great Minister

A master-disciple story, a forbidden game of chess that begins with taming and ends in surrender. There is a huge age gap. This is additional content following The Emperor's Tutor's Strategy, with a focus on everyday life and political intrigue. It won't be very long. This is a writing exercise, so please think twice before reading if that bothers you!!!!

On the night King Zhouling died, sixteen-year-old Crown Prince Li Yunhe clutched the edict naming him successor and knelt outside the Marquis of Pingyang's residence. Su Jue, the emperor's tutor, dressed in a blue robe and jade crown, bent down beneath his oil-paper umbrella as the boy pressed his forehead against the hem of his robe. "If you don't want me, sir, the imperial throne will be carved up by the imperial clan."

Seven years passed, and the new emperor grew up docilely in the palm of his tutor's hand.

The court officials only saw the young emperor obeying the Marquis of Pingyang in everything. They did not know that amid the candles that burned all night in the imperial study, the young ruler gazed at his tutor's portrait with an infatuated look.

"You taught me how to rule, sir. Why didn't you teach me how to imprison the moon in my heart?"

The remnants of the former dynasty rebelled, while the old faction watched hungrily from the sidelines.

Su Jue had spent twenty years playing the game, yet failed to foresee that the student he had personally taught would develop improper feelings for him. But as the boy gradually came of age, Su Jue began to see the likeness of someone from his past in him.

My lord, His Majesty really is so much like you...

Half a lifetime passed in the blink of an eye, and feelings ebbed and flowed.

When Su Jue began to think of retiring, the first snow of winter was falling over the ninefold palace. Li Yunhe ran after him. "You always tell me to be a wise ruler, sir, but if even you are going to abandon me..."

Theme: Keep your heart turned toward the light, and fear no darkness.