Chapter 745

Li Banghua's face instantly flushed scarlet. He whipped his head around, channeled qi to his dantian, and barked sharply: "Who spoke?"

His furious eyes bulged wide as he swept his glare across the room.

Following the direction the voice had come from, he looked toward where Wang Pu stood, finally fixing his gaze on Wang Pu — eyes blazing, utterly severe.

As Left Chief Censor of the Chief Surveillance Bureau, Li Banghua had impeached countless officials and generals, dragging many officers down from their posts. On ordinary days, officials paled at the mere mention of his name. He possessed his own authority, and when his piercing eyes locked on someone, they brought immense pressure to bear.

But Wang Pu merely let out a cold snort of laughter. He slapped his teacup lid back into place with a crack, pointed at his own nose, and said: "That would be me — Wang Pu, Count of Dingxing of the Great Ming! I am of transcendent rank. Whether civil officials or military officers, all who meet me must observe the rites of a subordinate. Lord Banghua, Left Chief Censor, you are no exception!"

Li Banghua froze for a moment. Every gaze in the hall converged on him, tinged with mockery.

Ji Shiwei sneered inwardly, feeling a surge of satisfaction.

He naturally still harbored feelings for the imperial court, but as Wang Dou rose to prominence, he increasingly poured his energy into his son-in-law — a classic case of family overriding dynasty.

What had Li Banghua just said — that he came to express the gratitude of Xuanzhen's common people on their behalf? Where did that leave his own son-in-law? This was turning the guest into the host!

Had he said he came on behalf of the court, Ji Shiwei might have felt more at ease. But by coming in their stead, was he trying to strip away his son-in-law's authority?

His heart was truly deserving of death!

Seeing Wang Pu step forward, Ji Shiwei suddenly found him quite agreeable.

Li Banghua stared coldly and sternly at Wang Pu, but Wang Pu merely wore a lazy expression, utterly indifferent.

In the end, the sense of ritual and propriety won out. Li Banghua bowed to him. Wang Pu grinned and said grandly: "You may dispense with the formalities."

Snickers rippled through the hall. Zhu Zhifeng and Wei Jingyuan closed their eyes, expressions of humiliation appearing on their faces.

The snickering was piercing, but Li Banghua acted as though he heard nothing. He instantly regained his composure, only his eyes remained fixed unblinkingly on Wang Pu, sharp as a hawk's.

He said grimly: "Just now, this official expressed the gratitude of Xuanzhen's common people for the Marquis of Yongning's achievements. The Count of Dingxing scoffed in derision. This humble official fails to see what is so amusing. The Marquis of Yongning shepherds the people on the Son of Heaven's behalf; I patrol on the Son of Heaven's behalf. To then commend a local father-official for his meritorious service on behalf of the common people — what is improper in that?"

"May I ask the Count of Dingxing: is this land not under the governance of the imperial court?"

Silence fell over the hall. For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense.

Many people watched Li Banghua. This old man was formidable — a casual bite from him cut to the bone.

Although the various territories of Xuanfu Garrison were de facto independent, they still had to maintain relations with the court. If Wang Pu denied it, the chain of consequences would be more than he could bear.

They had long heard of the treacherous undercurrents of the court, where a careless moment in verbal sparring could spring a hidden trap — at times even more perilous than the battlefield. Look at this old man Li Banghua: with just a few words, he had already clapped several enormous hats onto someone's head. Was this the combat prowess of a Grand Secretary?

Truly perilous indeed.

Everyone turned back to Wang Pu, waiting to see how he would respond. Even Wang Dou set down his teacup, his interest piqued.

What a man, this Wang Pu. He still wore that lazy expression as he said unhurriedly: "When patrolling on the Son of Heaven's behalf, one may naturally speak for the local common people. Only, this Count distinctly recalls that Lord Banghua is now no longer an imperial commissioner, but the Vice Protector of the Anbei Protectorate — subordinate to the Marquis of Yongning."

He curled his lip: "A Vice Protector, presuming to climb above the Grand Protector's head — what does one call that... politely put, overestimating one's station! Rudely put, insubordination against a superior, disregarding hierarchy, disregarding propriety!"

He too barked a shout, glaring at Li Banghua: "Is this your way of officialdom, Lord Banghua? Your rites as a subject?"

"Well said!"

A chorus of approval erupted in the hall. Gao Shiyin roared especially loudly, shouting: "Brother Wang, from now on I'll call you elder brother."

Gao Shiyin had long found this old man Li insufferable, always acting as though he were the foremost man under heaven. Wang Pu's words were immensely gratifying and made him pound the table in approval.

Han Chao and Wen Fangliang exchanged a glance and smiled as well.

Wang Pu said cheerfully: "General Gao honors me too highly — this little brother is unworthy of such regard."

Li Banghua's face suddenly swelled purple-blue. He had not expected a local military brute to be so sharp-tongued, seizing on a single point and beating it to death.

What infuriated him was that, for the moment, he had no retort. After all, once the imperial edict had been read, he was indeed no longer an imperial commissioner but a member of the Protectorate. Wang Pu's words were not wrong.

His original intent had been to lecture them while wielding the lingering authority of the imperial commissioner, but Wang Pu had precisely seized on that loophole. A chill ran through him — local wolves were rising together, and he had underestimated these regional heroes.

Wang Dou inwardly cheered as well. Wang Pu had played this move brilliantly — a classic case of using the other's own methods against them. Exquisite!

At the same time, he glimpsed Wang Pu's true nature. Wang Pu had always been obsequious and fawning before him, so he had somewhat overlooked him. Judging by this ability, Wang Pu was in fact more than capable of serving as his Foreign Affairs Minister.

Seeing Li Banghua somewhat unable to back down gracefully, Wang Dou rebuked: "Brother Wang Pu, do not treat Vice Protector Li with such discourtesy."

Wang Pu said cheerfully: "The Marquis is right — this little brother was rash."

Wang Dou said to Li Banghua: "So long as the common people receive real benefits, it matters not who speaks for them. Lord Li, please continue — this Marquis is all ears."

Li Banghua drew a deep breath, repeating inwardly over and over: Do not stoop to the level of a military brute, do not stoop to the level of a military brute.

At the same time, how could Li Banghua fail to see that Wang Dou and Wang Pu were playing good cop, bad cop?

He thought to himself: Wang Dou had put Wang Pu up to playing the villain while casting himself as the good man — devious indeed, no ordinary character.

Earlier, he had received the imperial commissioner with grand ceremony, giving the court full face and leaving no flaw in ritual for anyone to pick at. Perhaps when word spread, many would even praise him: "The Marquis of Yongning is truly magnanimous — a prime minister's belly big enough to pole a boat in."

There might even be calls of "a great man does not remember the slights of lesser men." After all, given how relentlessly he had targeted him in court, yet now received such courteous treatment — Wang Dou had reaped a full harvest of prestige, while he himself had been turned into the villainous foil, a stepping stone. This man was no simple figure.

And now he had become his subordinate, placing him at an inherent disadvantage. To uphold the righteous path, the burden was heavy and the road long.

A resolve hardened in his heart: trapped in a tiger's den, no matter how blades pressed against his neck or axes loomed over his body, he would remain unafraid and preserve his loyal and righteous heart.

He ignored Wang Pu entirely, bowed solemnly to Wang Dou, and continued: "By the Son of Heaven's generous favor, this humble official has been appointed Army Supervisor of the Protectorate, to inspect the weal and woe of soldiers and civilians, to exterminate the vicious and evil, and thereby bring peace to the good. Since entering Xuanfu, this humble official has seen the common people at peace and living in prosperity along the way. This is most gratifying, and yet..."

He suddenly raised his voice, as though brewing something.

Wang Dou's thoughts raced. Li Banghua's attitude seemed to have shifted from what it was at court. Could it be that seeing the strength of Xuanfu Garrison had changed his mind?

He had originally thought Li Banghua would pull a loyal-minister-dashes-his-head-against-a-pillar act — denouncing him furiously before dying a martyr's death. Now it seemed he intended to work from within the system? Like Tang Ruowang and the others, continuing Matteo Ricci's strategy of disparaging Buddhism and Daoism, using Confucianism to attack Confucianism, ultimately achieving the goal of supplanting the host and using the barbarian to transform the Chinese?

He sharpened his focus. Everyone in the hall listened in silence.

They heard Li Banghua slowly continue: "...Though Xuanzhen is a small territory, its accumulated ills are not few. Since entering Xuanfu, I have seen along the way the constant bonds of order overturned, hierarchy and deference absent, propriety discarded, ancestral institutions abandoned. Now, the Three Bonds and Five Constants, the great righteousness between sovereign and subject — these rest first upon hierarchy. Where the bonds of order exist, this is turning things upside down! It is also said: draw close to worthy ministers, keep petty men at a distance. Yet the Marquis of Yongning employs only worthless scoundrels, leaving great worthies neglected. Worse still, villainous underlings run rampant, seizing by cunning and plundering by force, imposing fines at every turn..."

Du Xun's eyes flew wide open. "Villainous underlings run rampant, imposing fines at every turn" — was this referring to him?

Li Banghua's words were grim, while the hall seethed with righteous indignation. What was this old man Li saying? The achievements of Xuanfu Garrison were a source of pride to everyone — yet according to this old man Li, they were utterly worthless? How could that not provoke fury and hatred?

From time to time someone shouted: "Wild ravings, alarmist nonsense, a mad dog barking at the sun..."

Zhu Zhifeng, the Provincial Governor of Xuanfu, suddenly shot to his feet and said loudly: "What, is Lord Li wrong? Why not let him speak? Are you gentlemen feeling guilty or afraid?"

Zhu Zhifeng was fiery by nature. When he had been appointed Provincial Governor of Xuanzhen, he had come prepared to accomplish great things. He had also been very cooperative with the then Regional Commander of Xuanzhen, Wang Dou. He had never imagined that this scoundrel would silently and gradually strip away his authority. Now, with the mass recruitment of officials, the people of his faction were in danger of all fleeing.

Was he to become a bare-pole Provincial Governor, an idle official like Ma Guoxi, the Military Defense Circuit of the Eastern Route?

Ambitious and driven, how could he endure such a thing?

So when Li Banghua said “setting a great worthy aside without regard,” he truly felt it in his bones. At this moment, Provincial Governor Zhu’s pent-up fury erupted forth.

He was even more incensed by how everyone in the hall disregarded hierarchy, constantly ganging up to attack. It seemed what Lord Li had said — “the cardinal constants are overturned, hierarchy is gone, decorum is no more” — was also correct.

As the crowd denounced him, Li Banghua paid no heed. He continued in a grim tone: “…Since the existence of ethical bonds, there has never been anything so vile. What is more fearsome is that the common people openly chase profit, rival each other in extravagance, indulge in debauchery and gambling, vent their rage through litigation, and entertain themselves with song and courtesans. This is the heart of man falling into chaos! The ancients said: extravagance is the borer of the family. When customs exceed in pursuit of splendor, one must exhaust oneself in frantic management. Day by day, as people multiply and land fills up, livelihood will inevitably grow harder. Moreover, the Great Ming suffers drought after drought, the people plunged into misery — how can one be sated on the private profit of one locality? Furthermore, in Bao’anzhou, workshops and factories cover the land, filth and stench spread everywhere. Over time, the green hills are no more, the clear waters are gone. All one smells is the reek of rot. Merchants act with vile conduct. When people are so twisted, should one not fear? Add to that redundant officials and clerks, harsh taxes and levies, the people’s suffering — every item, every piece is truly shocking to behold!”

Li Banghua spoke at great length without pausing for breath. Finally he fixed his gaze on Wang Dou, his eyes cold and stern: “He who reveres Heaven and Earth must then pity the people’s misery. At this moment of surging public indignation, I hope the Marquis of Yongning will resolve firmly to sweep away these foolish clowns, gather up their villainy, and thereby rectify men’s hearts!”

“What a load of crap!”

With a boom, Gao Shiyin slammed the table and rose.

Though some parts of Li Banghua’s speech were beyond his understanding, the parts he could grasp had already made his lungs burst with rage. With a clang, he drew his sword: “Old bastard, I’ve put up with you long enough. Spouting nonsense here — believe me or not, I’ll cleave you in two with one stroke?”

Li Banghua let out a long laugh and chanted: “Shattered bones, crushed to powder — I have no fear at all; I would leave a spotless name among the living!”

He looked coldly at Gao Shiyin: “From the moment I came to Xuanfu, I long ago set life and death aside. Even with blades at my neck and axes at my body, what is there to fear?”

He walked forward step by step, his voice grim: “You are called Gao Shiyin? Come then, strike here. This old man’s loyal blood — would I fear a mere common ruffian like you?”

His eyes were piercing as he stared straight at Gao Shiyin, pointing at his own neck: “General Gao, use your sharp sword — just strike this old man here!”

Zhu Zhifeng’s blood boiled. He suddenly stepped out and strode before Li Banghua, shouting at Gao Shiyin: “General Gao, if you wish to harm Lord Li, you will have to trample over this old man’s body first!”

The Datong Provincial Governor Wei Jingyuan also suddenly stepped out, blocking in front of both Li Banghua and Zhu Zhifeng. On the surface, he said with a genial smile: “It is merely a clash of words — let us not harm the harmony.”

Though he spoke thus, anyone could see that he would use his life to protect the two men.

At this, Gao Shiyin was somewhat dumbfounded. Holding his sword aloft, he found himself riding a tiger and unable to dismount. Fortunately, Han Chao and Wen Fangliang had already leapt out, one on each side, pulling Gao Shiyin back. Han Chao even scolded him: “Old Gao, what are you doing?”

Gao Shiyin shouted: “Don’t stop me! Today I’m going to cleave this old bastard apart.”

“Stand down!”

Wang Dou, who had remained calm in the main seat, spoke. Gao Shiyin and the others all retreated, leaving only Li Banghua, Zhu Zhifeng, and Wei Jingyuan standing proudly.

Watching them look disdainfully upon the assembled men, Zhong Xiancai murmured: “Today I finally see what a loyal minister looks like.”

Zhang Gui sighed to Tian Changguo beside him: “Old Zhang here is beginning to understand His Majesty’s suffering.”

Tian Changguo quickly replied: “Yes, yes, truly bitter.”

Ji Shiwei watched the three men in the hall, a look of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

Seeing the three standing stiffly, he bellowed: “Zhu Zhifeng, Wei Jingyuan, what are you two doing planted there? Stand down at once! Each of you utterly ignorant of decorum!”

Watching the two high officials’ expressions shift before they finally took their seats, leaving only Li Banghua still standing stiffly, Wang Dou laughed heartily and said: “As Provincial Governor Wei just said, it is merely a clash of words — let us not harm the harmony.”

He rebuked Gao Shiyin: “Lord Li is a great Confucian scholar of this age, with profound attainments in poetry and letters. How can you not know to respect a man of learning? Besides, Lord Li is advanced in years. Even out of respect for the elderly, such discourtesy is unacceptable. Let this not happen again, understood?”

Gao Shiyin grinned and said: “This lowly general understands.”

Li Banghua’s expression changed. Was Wang Dou mocking him for only knowing how to write poetry and books, or saying he was old and senile?

And moreover, Gao Shiyin’s earlier discourtesy was thus lightly dismissed? Such favoritism was excessive!

Just as he was about to speak, Wang Dou waved his hand, forcing the words in his mouth back down: “The heartfelt words Vice Protector Li just spoke — this Grand Protector has heard them all. As the saying goes, the more truth is debated, the clearer it becomes. Since everyone is gathered here, let us debate it right in this hall!”

He added: “One rule beforehand: no one is to lay hands on anyone else again. Otherwise, discipline will be severely enforced. Chi Dacheng, keep an eye on things.”

He looked toward Chi Dacheng. The expressionless Chi Dacheng bowed and responded: “Yes!”

In truth, when Gao Shiyin had leapt out earlier, as Minister of Supervision he could have stopped it immediately. But he too was extremely angered by Li Banghua, and for the first time violated his own principles.

He shouted: “Silence!”

The hall fell utterly quiet. In particular, Wang Dou’s subordinates sat upright and proper, each displaying excellent discipline — a sight that made Li Banghua’s eyes flicker.

Wang Pu and the others also grew interested. As for what Li Banghua had said earlier, Wang Pu did not understand the actual situation in Xuanfu Garrison, so he had said nothing. Now he too wished to hear how the various members of the shogunate would argue their case.

Du Xun as well stared darkly at Li Banghua. He now managed the Urban Management Bureau and other departments, raking in plenty of grease every day, and had long been so absorbed in profit he had forgotten home. That Li Banghua had just cursed him to his face — this he could not forgive.

Especially if Wang Dou were to dismiss him from his post, it would be even worse.