Although Wang Xuan didn’t particularly like Wang Cheng’s conduct, this was still his own uncle, and he had died supporting the northern expedition. Naturally Wang Xuan was unwilling to let the matter rest. So after Zhao Hanzhang successfully returned victorious, he began moving eastward, clearly intending to compete with Wang Dun.

By this point, this was no longer just a struggle between north and south, between Zhao Hanzhang and the Prince of Langya—it was also an internal Wang clan struggle.

Because his cousin was Wang Dao, Wang Dun was close to the Prince of Langya, and Wang Dao had demonstrated his inner talent these past two years, so many clan members followed him. But equally, many clan members chose Wang Xuan and his sister Wang Siniang.

Especially after Zhao Hanzhang first subdued Shi Le and then destroyed the Xiongnu state, even more Wang clan members left Yang Province to seek out Wang Siniang in Jing Province. Some didn’t even go to Jing Province but headed directly north to find Zhao Hanzhang.

Yet Wang Dao seemed indifferent to this situation, and his several attempts failed to retain many people.

This greatly displeased the Prince of Langya.

The Prince of Langya’s displeasure directly affected Wang Dun.

Wang Dun was an emotional person. Though older than Wang Dao, he had always felt this cousin was smarter and more capable than himself, so he deferred to Wang Dao’s leadership in all matters. At this time, he couldn’t help complaining to Wang Dao: “When clan members stayed to serve him, he was overly cautious, feeling our Wang clan held too much power. Now that people have left, he blames you for not being wholehearted. Such ungrateful, faithless behavior…”

“Chuzhong, watch your words.” Wang Dao glanced outside, then after a moment of silence said: “If you also intend to leave, then make early plans. Don’t say such things even to me, and certainly never reveal them publicly in the future.”

Wang Dun said unhappily: “What’s there to fear from him? Even with clan members leaving now, there are still many serving you and me in Jiankang. Your prestige, plus the army under my command—what can he do to us?”

He blamed Wang Dao for being too mild-mannered, saying: “This is a chaotic age—one should act more forcefully. Look at Zhao Hanzhang. Though she has benevolent virtue, she’s absolutely ruthless. This time when she issued the property assessment decree, neither the young emperor nor the Central Plains and northern gentry and aristocracy dared object.”

“You’re just too lenient. The Prince of Langya and these Jiangnan aristocrats, even the northern aristocrats who came seeking refuge, all cause endless trouble.” He wanted Wang Dao to become more assertive, saying: “Now the north has been pacified and Zhao Hanzhang is recovering. She’ll probably wage war on Jiangnan within two years. We must consolidate Jiangnan before then. If you don’t become more forceful, how can Jiangnan unite against the enemy?”

Wang Dao raised his head and stared at him steadily. Only after Wang Dun frowned did he lower his eyes and say coolly: “That’s the imperial court, not an enemy.”

Wang Dun frowned. “It’s just the two of us brothers here—why say such evasive words?”

He said: “You and I followed the Prince of Langya south precisely to support him as emperor, to preserve the Central Plains bloodline and let the Wang clan’s glory continue, didn’t we?”

Wang Dao said coldly: “Now the Central Plains is secure and the Han people can remain. As for the Wang clan’s glory, it can endure elsewhere too.”

Wang Dun stood up abruptly, his face dark as he said: “Maohong, what do you mean? Are you also planning to defect to Zhao Hanzhang?”

Wang Dao heard this and sighed before saying: “No. Even if I had the intention, she probably has none. The grudge of refusing northern aid—she’ll likely remember it for life.”

Only then did Wang Dun’s expression improve somewhat. He said heavily: “Zhao Hanzhang killed my brother. She and I are sworn enemies.”

Wang Dao frowned at this. He didn’t think Wang Dun and Wang Han had much affection for each other. Though Zhao Hanzhang had killed Wang Han, her reasons were justified and the procedure lawful. Wang Dun had no grounds to blame her.

He looked up at Wang Dun and understood with just one glance.

Wang Dun might not hate Zhao Hanzhang because of Wang Han. Saying this was merely because he felt he would have no future prospects under Zhao Hanzhang’s command, so he was finding an excuse for himself.

Wang Dao sighed, knowing today’s probing had yielded a result. Wang Dun would not defect to Zhao Hanzhang.

Wang Dun urged Wang Dao several more times to act more forcefully, not always getting caught in the middle and suffering for it. When he suffered, so did the Wang clan members here, and even Wang Dun’s own days became difficult.

Wang Dao didn’t agree. After Wang Dun urged him several times without getting a response, he left in a huff.

As soon as he left, Yuan Li came from another courtyard. He only saw Wang Dun’s departing back.

Yuan Li paused for a moment, then turned to see Wang Dao, asking: “Would General Wang be willing to serve the Grand General?”

Wang Dao asked: “If Wang Dun submitted to Administrator Zhao, would Administrator Zhao truly set aside past grievances and employ him as the Prince of Langya does now?”

Yuan Li scoffed: “Our Administrator employs people based on talent and virtue, not past grudges. Even Shi Le has been enfeoffed as Youzhou Governor. What is Chief Clerk Wang worried about?”

He continued: “However, our Administrator has many excellent generals. How much of a future General Wang might have depends on his capabilities.”

Wang Dun’s capabilities were naturally considerable, just a bit inferior compared to people like Beigong Chun and Shi Le. He’d heard she’d recently gained a great general named Zu Ti, whose abilities were no less than Beigong Chun’s.

Thinking of Wang Dun’s arrogance and temperament, Wang Dao couldn’t help pursing his lips and remained silent.

Yuan Li then changed the subject. “I’ve come today because there’s a matter requiring Chief Clerk Wang’s assistance.”

Wang Dao asked coldly: “What matter might that be?”

Yuan Li said: “The north has just experienced the ravages of war, with devastating loss of life, so we’d like to request Chief Clerk Wang’s help purchasing a batch of grain.”

Wang Dao was momentarily stunned, then his expression softened as he immediately agreed: “Very well.”

He never doubted Zhao Hanzhang’s goodwill toward the common people. This was one of the reasons why, after realizing the Prince of Langya lacked strategic vision, he quickly chose Zhao Hanzhang.

To be fair, Zhao Hanzhang had never made mistakes regarding the overall situation and could bend and stretch.

Wang Dao agreed.

His influence in Jiangnan was no less than the Prince of Langya’s. Plus Jiangnan was a land of fish and rice. Though northern regions had suffered continuous natural and man-made disasters this year, the Yang Province area had enjoyed favorable weather.

The subordinate regions of Poyang, Jianan, Linhai, Huainan, and Lujiang all produced surplus grain. He’d heard that after the autumn harvest, grain prices had already begun to fall.

Separated by a single river, Jiangnan and the Central Plains and northern regions were two different worlds.

He didn’t even need to handle the grain purchase himself—just instructing his household steward would suffice.

Yuan Li was also generous with money, not only providing sufficient funds to buy grain but also tipping the steward handsomely, so much so that after completing one batch of grain purchases, the steward proactively asked whether another batch was needed.

Yuan Li naturally agreed at once. Unlike the Jiangnan common people who worried about falling grain prices, in the north, the vast majority of people were starving. Currently, disaster victims across six provinces depended on Jiangnan grain to survive, so he would buy as much as was available.

In Yu Province, Zhao Hanzhang sat in Chen County, watching qualified households submit their property assessment taxes.

Not long ago, Zhao Ming had finally calculated his family’s assets and submitted his property assessment tax. Once he paid, the gentry officials quietly followed suit.

Then Zu Ti from Ji Province to the north immediately sent someone with money, saying it was his property assessment tax. Even Beigong Chun, far away in Bing Province, had people haul over a batch of money, saying it was his property assessment tax as well as the property assessment taxes collected in Bing Province. Once this news spread, no one in Yu Province dared refuse to pay. However, cases of concealment and evasion were still numerous.