Chapter 1401: The Commissioner of the Palace City and His Adopted Son

The Palace City Office was naturally located within the imperial city, positioned in the southeast, close to the palace proper, adjacent to the various central government offices. Compared to the low-key and restrained Wude Office, the Palace City Office was clearly more ostentatious, with its gate beautifully decorated in bright, eye-catching colors.

As Commissioner of the Palace City, Zhang Dejun was a humble servant before the Emperor, but before his subordinates in the Palace City Office, he was the master who held their futures, destinies, and even their lives in his hands. Moreover, because he was a eunuch, he was all the more feared—this could be considered a kind of status enhancement. Those willing to be driven like cattle or dogs by a eunuch were hardly people of great integrity or moral principle.

In the rear hall, the furnishings were luxurious, even bordering on extravagant. Fine carpets completely covered the floor, incense smoke curled gently from burners, and a light, pleasant fragrance permeated the air—the incense used was clearly of a costly grade.

Zhang Dejun sat behind his desk, head bowed, diligently poring over the large volume of secret reports submitted by his men, showing no impatience, displaying great patience, hoping to find some valuable piece of information—something that would interest Emperor Liu.

What made the Palace City Office most feared and criticized was precisely these secret agents—their ability to infiltrate everywhere and employ every conceivable means of espionage, which seriously violated the privacy of officials and commoners in the capital, keeping a dark cloud perpetually hanging over the heads of court ministers, who could hardly even know how much of their private selves had been exposed.

Compared to the Wude Office, perhaps the greatest difference of the Palace City Office was not that eunuchs held power, but that in the process of espionage, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, it had too few scruples.

In this regard, the Wude Office under Li Chongju's direction had greater energy, resources, and power, yet it always stayed within bounds, rarely overstepping.

By contrast, the Palace City Office had far fewer reservations. Its methods were highly goal-oriented, with virtually no constraints on its means. Zhang Dejun was Emperor Liu's household slave, and he had discerned one key point: if he could ensure that all the nobles and ministers of the court stood utterly exposed before the Emperor, with not a shred of privacy, then Emperor Liu would be pleased to see it.

And precisely because he understood Emperor Liu's psychology, Zhang Dejun could act with such arrogance, even recklessness. With a different identity and a different position, Zhang Dejun felt no moral pressure and feared no one's enmity. He always kept one thing clear in his mind: as long as his imperial favor with Emperor Liu remained undiminished, he could secure his power and wealth.

Besides, wasn't the very purpose of Emperor Liu establishing the Palace City Office, with him at its head, precisely this?

"Heh heh..." Seeming to have discovered something interesting, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but let out two soft chuckles. The laughter was not loud, but carried a faint hint of treachery.

"Father!" A figure moved, and a call clearly tinged with reverence rang out, pulling Zhang Dejun's attention back.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man, around thirty years old, with a long, narrow face, fair complexion, and a few short whiskers on his chin—a man of somewhat refined bearing. He wore an official robe bearing the insignia of the Palace City Office, with accessories of the sixth rank, which already counted as a mid-level official of the court. One should know that even Zhang Dejun himself, the Commissioner of the Palace City, was only fixed at the fourth rank.

The man was named Wang Shouzhong, the foremost of the Palace City Office's personal attendants, Zhang Dejun's capable subordinate—and most importantly, he was Zhang Dejun's adopted son.

The less one has of something, the more one craves it. Perhaps for this reason, over the years Zhang Dejun had ultimately been unable to resist and had taken four adopted sons, changing their names and surnames, to carry on his family line.

The four adopted sons were named Wang Shouzhong, Wang Shouyi, Zhang Jinren, and Zhang Jinjie. Zhang Dejun had put real thought into the naming—the two Wangs and two Zhangs were because Zhang Dejun's original surname was Wang, and he had only kept the surname Zhang because he had been adopted by a eunuch surnamed Zhang; before his adoptive father's death, he would not revert to his original surname.

All four adopted sons had been placed within the Palace City Office, serving as personal attendants and intelligence officers, all becoming important wings and aids to Zhang Dejun, upon whom he relied heavily in daily affairs.

As for Wang Shouzhong, he was the eldest, and moreover, only ten years younger than Zhang Dejun. For such a pair of father and son, there was much ridicule in the capital.

Their behavior of turning their backs on their ancestors was also mercilessly attacked. Of course, behind those mockeries, there may well have been envy. Not just anyone could catch Zhang Dejun's eye, and for most people, acknowledging a father meant wealth, honor, power, and official career within easy reach—such an opportunity was equally rare. Those who actually reaped the benefits cared even less about a few stray rumors.

"What is it?" Facing his adopted son, Zhang Dejun showed little warmth, presenting instead an awe-inspiring and dignified mien.

Wang Shouzhong bowed and reported: "Fourth brother Jinjie has sent word that he has returned to the capital from Hexi. He failed to locate the two princes, and let the Wude Office's men claim the merit. He feels guilty and specifically asks to apologize to you!"

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun smiled and waved his hand: "Reply to him—no harm done! As long as the two princes are safe, that's what matters. I imagine he did his best. I sent him there only as an attempt; success would have been welcome, but failure is no loss either! Compared to the Wude Office, we indeed find it hard to operate outside the capital. Tell him to return to the capital at ease!"

"Yes!" Wang Shouzhong responded: "Additionally, while lingering in Hexi, Jinjie discovered some circumstances concerning Wang Yinwu, the Hexi director of the Wude Office who found the two princes this time!"

"What, seeing someone else earn great merit, feeling envious?" Zhang Dejun said flatly.

A slight curve lifted the corner of Wang Shouzhong's mouth as he reported solemnly: "Fourth brother says this Wang Yinwu has very close dealings with the Hexi military and civil authorities, especially with the former Hexi director Lu Duoxun, whom he regards as a kindred spirit—intimate relations, frequent interactions!"

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun clearly grew more interested, looking at Wang Shouzhong as he continued. Noticing Zhang Dejun's reaction, Wang Shouzhong pressed on: "Fourth brother believes that privately forging ties with high ministers is a taboo matter. Wang Yinwu's relations with the Hexi military and civil authorities are so close that entanglements are inevitable. Should we investigate deeply, perhaps we might uncover some unexpected gains..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dejun thought it over seriously for a while, then shook his head: "The man has just rendered great merit; if we go looking for trouble with him, even if reported to His Majesty, it would be hard to gain support. It might even be seen as a struggle between the Palace City and Wude Offices, as if we were deliberately striking at them.

What Jinjie reported is not enough—just some specious things. As for Lu Duoxun, His Majesty thinks highly of that man; his imperial favor is at its peak, so it's not convenient to offend him for now!"

"Father is wise! Then shall we set this matter aside for now?" Wang Shouzhong sought instruction.

"Set it aside for now!" Zhang Dejun affirmed.

"And what about that dog-meat shop matter—has it been handled?" Zhang Dejun suddenly asked.

At the question, Wang Shouzhong replied: "It has already been investigated. The shop's dog meat is mainly purchased from a dog dealer, a man surnamed Zhou, who is nothing but a rogue and scoundrel of the capital."

"And where does that man's dogs come from?" Zhang Dejun immediately asked.

"It seems he buys them from the countryside!" Wang Shouzhong did not notice Zhang Dejun's gradually darkening expression.

"And how did you handle the follow-up?"

Wang Shouzhong was taken aback and said: "It was only a matter of a dog-meat shop, nothing worthy of serious attention, so I withdrew the men..."

"This is how you handle affairs!" Zhang Dejun suddenly stood up, glaring at him fiercely: "A matter His Majesty entrusted—how dare you treat it with such perfunctory neglect!"

Seeing this, Wang Shouzhong was greatly startled. He dropped to his knees at once and, somewhat flustered, begged forgiveness: "This son has erred—please punish me, Father!"

"I tell you, don't think that just because it's a bit of dog meat, it's trivial and not worth minding!" Zhang Dejun stared at him coldly: "If His Majesty asks about it one day, how am I to answer—with your excuse? Or am I to deceive His Majesty with lies?"

Sweat had already formed on his forehead. Wang Shouzhong knocked his head hard against the floor and hastily assured: "This son will immediately dispatch more men and investigate the matter thoroughly!"

Staring at him for a while, Zhang Dejun finally withdrew his gaze and waved his hand: "Get up!"

"Thank you, Father!" Wang Shouzhong rose, letting out a deep breath.

"Go receive ten strokes of the cane!" Zhang Dejun added flatly.

"Yes!" Wang Shouzhong showed not a moment's hesitation.