Chuzhou Hall was located west of the Imperial City.
Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan naturally had a mansion in Jinling, but when Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan went to Chuzhou to serve as Defense Commissioner, almost all the officials remaining at the Prince Xin’s mansion were people whose identities had some questionable aspects.
Regardless of whether these people were informants planted by the Palace of Tranquility or not, Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan couldn’t openly eliminate them. He could only concentrate them in Jinling, letting them guard an empty residence.
Aside from Chuzhou’s matters in Jinling such as memorial submissions, gathering information, financial transactions, and official receptions—all specifically handled by the Chuzhou Memorial Hall, with the Director, Registrar and other officials all stationed in Jinling by Chuzhou.
After Wang Wenqian took charge of Chuzhou Hall affairs, in addition to strengthening intelligence gathering and other uses, he also allowed merchants and travelers to lodge at Chuzhou Hall. Chuzhou merchants and travelers who worried about encountering bandits with large amounts of wealth could also deliver it to Chuzhou Hall. Chuzhou Hall would issue a receipt certificate, which could then be used back in Chuzhou to redeem the money and goods.
This move not only gave Chuzhou an additional channel for gathering wealth, but also strengthened financial transactions between Chuzhou and Jinling, causing Chuzhou’s commercial tax revenue to surge.
Wang Wenqian rode his carriage back to the rear courtyard of Chuzhou Hall, stepping down with a dark expression.
“Miss returned early and seemed to have tear stains. What happened at the Marquis of Linjiang’s mansion?” Chuzhou Hall Director Yin Peng walked to the corridor and asked in a suppressed voice.
Chuzhou Hall Director Yin Peng was originally a house-born servant of the Wang family. He followed Wang Jixiong and Wang Wenqian, father and son, in the military, accumulating merit to gain freedom from bondage. Later, through Wang Wenqian’s recommendation, he gained Prince Xin’s trust and was able to come to Jinling to preside over Chuzhou memorial submissions, intelligence gathering and other matters. Though his rank wasn’t high at present, he was the most core figure Chuzhou had planted in Jinling.
“Immediately send someone out of the city to withdraw all the secret agents we planted around the outskirts of Taowu Market!” Wang Wenqian said to Yin Peng.
“My father misjudged Han Daoxun,” Wang Wenqian said, lifting his head to look at the dark night sky. “Han Daoxun is most likely the greatest hidden strategist beside the Third Prince!”
“…” Yin Peng was slightly stunned. His expression also became more sinister as he said, “Once Your Lordship confirms this point, many matters become suddenly clear—Han Daoxun creating a great disturbance at court remonstrating about driving away famine refugees was to seek the Vermillion Sparrow Army for the Third Prince! Otherwise, how could everything connect so ingeniously before and after? And the Personnel Ministry recommending Han Daoxun for external appointment to Xuzhou—the Marquis of Xinchang also secretly fanned the flames. It’s lamentable that the Palace of Tranquility’s side was completely kept in the dark—Your Lordship had doubts before. What happened at the banquet that made Your Lordship confirm this?”
“Han Daoxun’s little brat feared I would ruin his great plan, so today he bared his fangs and claws at me!” Wang Wenqian said.
“What happened?” Yin Peng didn’t know what had actually occurred at the Marquis of Linjiang’s mansion. The bodyguards who escorted Wang Jün back first also hadn’t had the opportunity to witness the scene of the young miss being humiliated.
Wang Wenqian didn’t hide anything from Yin Peng and told him about what happened today. This would also help Yin Peng further recognize the intricate and complex situation in Jinling City.
“Will the Third Prince’s side next plot to be enfeoffed to Jingxiang?” Yin Peng asked.
“They certainly have this plan, but Zhao Mingting’s side has kept an eye out. This matter probably won’t be easy to accomplish!” Wang Wenqian said. “You go arrange for our people to withdraw first!”
“Mm!” Yin Peng nodded. Without hesitation, he immediately went to make arrangements.
Wang Wenqian pushed open the door and returned to his room. Seeing Wang Jün standing in the main chamber, he asked, “You heard those words just now?”
“According to Father’s thinking, when Uncle Han wrote to break the betrothal, he should have already decided to pledge allegiance to the Third Prince. But setting aside the clean reputation Uncle Han accumulated through his actions while serving in Chuzhou and Jinling, even if he wanted to curry favor with the powerful and compete for fame and benefits, why would Uncle Han choose the Third Prince who has the least hope?” Wang Jün asked in confusion.
“Sometimes great loyalty and great treachery are very difficult to distinguish,” Wang Wenqian sighed slightly and said. “Han Daoxun has some grand aspirations that are unrealistic. Perhaps he feels that supporting a puppet he can control to ascend the throne is the only way to realize them! That you and Han Qian dissolved your betrothal is truly a fortunate matter.”
Wang Wenqian was just about to have Wang Jün go rest when Yin Peng knocked and entered again, handing over a bronze waist token with a Vermillion Sparrow pattern for military officials, saying, “There’s a beggar outside the gate who wants to see Your Lordship!”
“Hmph, he has the guts to come over!” Although Wang Wenqian had decided not to interfere in matters between the Third Prince and the Palace of Tranquility this time, being humiliated in public today—essentially being threatened—had accumulated resentment in his heart. He hadn’t expected Han Qian to dare come alone to see him. “Bring him in!”
The night itself was the best cover. This time Han Qian didn’t use soft wax paste to conceal his face. Under Yin Peng’s guidance, he walked into the rear courtyard great hall of Chuzhou Hall.
“This nephew pays respects to Lord Wang.” Seeing that aside from Chuzhou Hall Director Yin Peng, the screen reflected a graceful silhouette—presumably Wang Wenqian’s daughter Wang Jün standing behind the screen—Han Qian bowed to Wang Wenqian.
“I’ve already had people withdraw the informants from around Taowu Market. What is your intention in coming to my door at this time?” Wang Wenqian’s eyes sharply fixed on Han Qian, who wore a set of rancid, tattered clothes yet showed not the slightest hint of discomfort before him, and asked.
Han Qian didn’t believe at all that Wang Wenqian would easily abandon his hostility toward them. Even if coerced by him this time, forced to withdraw personnel from Taowu Market and not sabotage his father’s appointment to Xuzhou, there was no guarantee Wang Wenqian wouldn’t harbor resentment after returning to Chuzhou and create more trouble.
Their foundation was too weak. At this time they had already attracted Zhao Mingting’s attention. In a few days they would be fully exposed. From then on, dealing with the Palace of Tranquility and the Crown Prince’s faction would require their utmost effort. If Chuzhou’s side also recklessly caused trouble from the shadows without knowing restraint, Han Qian would also find it difficult to breathe.
He had to come chat with Wang Wenqian before Wang Wenqian left Jinling.
Han Qian’s eyes fell on the sandalwood writing desk before him. There was an exquisitely decorated hand bracelet resting on the corner of the desk—Wang Jün should have forgotten to put it away in her haste. He glanced at the figure behind the screen, then said to Wang Wenqian:
“I came to tell Lord Wang that your understanding of the Palace of Tranquility is too shallow!”
Yin Peng had originally been sitting obediently beside Wang Wenqian, not wanting to directly insert himself into the conversation between Han Qian and Wang Wenqian. But at this moment his gaze also suddenly sharpened as he stared at Han Qian.
If Han Qian were representing the Third Prince, he would be qualified to sit opposite Wang Wenqian and speak. But with such an arrogant tone of lecturing others, he was truly too presumptuous.
“His Majesty’s advancing years and the Crown Prince’s fondness for consuming elixirs—neither shows signs of longevity. When the time comes, with the Palace of Tranquility controlling the interior and Commander Xu controlling the exterior, Great Chu will inevitably become a bloody, chaotic mess. Families and nations will be destroyed, and no one can remain uninvolved.”
Wang Wenqian was a clever person. Han Qian knew he had to speak harshly enough—there was no need to hesitate and beat around the bush.
Wang Wenqian hadn’t expected Han Qian to dare speak so boldly, so utterly without restraint. He narrowed his eyes slightly, fixed them on Han Qian, and demanded, “According to what you say, wouldn’t Chuzhou be an even better choice?”
“Even if we also wanted to assist Chuzhou, we’d need to have the qualifications to assist, wouldn’t we?” Han Qian countered.
Wang Wenqian pondered for a moment. Although Han Qian was very deceptive, he ultimately couldn’t possibly be fooled by Han Qian in his heart. He gave a contemptuous, sneering smile and said, “If these words came from Lord Han, he might have the qualifications to say them.”
Facing Wang Wenqian’s contempt and disdain, Han Qian didn’t feel anything unexpected. After all, no one would currently believe that the “Memorial on Epidemic Waters” was actually written by his hand. Or perhaps Wang Wenqian was convinced in his heart that his father was the most sinister, treacherous villain with ulterior motives. But rushing over to see Wang Wenqian at this time, he didn’t need Wang Wenqian to value him highly in the future—as long as certain words were conveyed, that was enough.
“The Third Prince has long struggled under the Palace of Tranquility’s shadow. After leaving the palace to establish his mansion, he dares not relax for a single moment—this isn’t something a scheming person can manipulate. Regardless of whether I have the qualifications, I hope Lord Wang can understand these points.” Han Qian calmly stood up. Without saying anything more, he directly pushed open the door and extended his hand toward Yin Peng.
Yin Peng laughed in extreme anger. He returned the Vermillion Sparrow-patterned military official waist token to Han Qian and signaled the bodyguards outside the gate to retreat into the shadows.
“Not much older, yet he certainly puts on airs!” Watching Han Qian’s figure leave the rear courtyard and disappear into the night of the back alley, Yin Peng said with disdain.
Wang Wenqian smiled dismissively and said, “No matter how much he postures, since he has already delivered the message, we still must listen to it.”
Seeing that Wang Wenqian also thought Han Qian had only come to deliver someone else’s message, Yin Peng also nodded in deep agreement.
He even thought that at this critical moment of Han Daoxun’s appointment to Xuzhou, Han Daoxun was unwilling to show his face publicly and risk everything falling apart, so he had his son rush over under cover of night to negotiate and parley with this side, seeking to maintain consistency in future opposition against the consort family Xu clan, the Palace of Tranquility, and the Crown Prince’s faction.
“However, his bearing truly isn’t much weaker than Father’s!”
Wang Wenqian turned his head back and saw his daughter Wang Jün staring somewhat absently into the night of the back alley. He said, “Being able to walk in here alone is indeed no simple matter.” Then he said to Yin Peng, “Han Daoxun is being appointed to Xuzhou, but to maintain his influence over the Third Prince, he’ll very likely leave his son in Jinling. You must be careful in dealing with this son.”
“How much of what he said should we believe?” Yin Peng asked.
“Just observe for now,” Wang Wenqian said. Unable to help himself, he sighed again, casting his gaze toward the deep and desolate night sky.
Yin Peng was slightly stunned. Seeing Wang Wenqian’s reaction, he guessed that some statement from Han Qian must have touched Wang Wenqian.
Seeing that Wang Wenqian had no intention of elaborating, Yin Peng took his leave and withdrew.
“Father said Zhao Mingting and the others have sinister, ruthless methods, and also said that His Majesty’s years are advanced,” Wang Jün said, lifting her head to look at Wang Wenqian. “It must be that this Han Qian saying the Crown Prince doesn’t show signs of longevity touched Father.”
“With your cleverness, finding a good mother-in-law in the future won’t be easy!” Wang Wenqian said with a smile.
“Bah, bah, bah! What kind of father says such things about his own daughter!” Wang Jün said reproachfully, having actually forgotten about being angered to tears by that rogue Han Qian today.
Wang Wenqian smiled faintly and had Wang Jün return to her room to rest first. He sat down at the writing desk, contemplating in detail the various matters Han Qian had mentioned.
He had considered that Emperor Tianyou’s years were advanced, and was prepared for the possibility that Emperor Tianyou might pass away at any time.
However, in his view, no matter how dissolutely the Crown Prince behaved, after ascending the throne he might further strengthen the power of the consort family Xu clan. But the Crown Prince had after all followed Emperor Tianyou in creating Great Chu’s foundation. Deep in his heart, he couldn’t possibly have no guard whatsoever against the consort family Xu clan.
Therefore, Wang Wenqian didn’t believe that if His Majesty passed away one day, the situation would deteriorate to an irredeemable state.
And precisely as his daughter Wang Jün said, Han Qian saying today that the Crown Prince wouldn’t live long truly touched him. He truly hadn’t considered how dire the situation would be if His Majesty and the Crown Prince passed away in succession.
Although the Crown Prince’s heir was exceptionally intelligent and had shown uncommon insight from childhood—and many court officials felt the Crown Prince was unworthy but the heir showed promise—the heir was after all not yet ten years old!
If the Crown Prince passed away before the heir came of age, wouldn’t all of Great Chu fall entirely into the hands of the consort family Xu clan and the Palace of Tranquility?