Chapter 1402: The Clever Zhang Dejun

"Great eunuch!" A young eunuch stood respectfully before the hall and called out. This was Zhang Dejun's personal palace attendant.

"What is it?" In a poor mood, Zhang Dejun's tone was somewhat harsh.

The young eunuch sensed it, his posture growing even more humble as he carefully replied: "Someone has come from Chuigong Hall—His Majesty summons you to the palace!"

"Where is the messenger?" Zhang Dejun's expression changed quickly, swiftly returning to calm, as he asked.

"Waiting in the main hall!"

"Serve him tea, have him wait a moment—I'll make some preparations and then set out!" Zhang Dejun instructed.

"Yes!"

Under Wang Shouzhong's personal attendance, Zhang Dejun changed into his court robes, solemnly straightened his cap, and said to his adopted son: "I'll go to the palace to see His Majesty first! I'll give you two more days—get the matter settled properly!"

"Father's instruction, your son will surely keep it in mind and dare not repeat the offense!" Wang Shouzhong hurriedly said.

"Repeat it? If you repeat it, you needn't remain in the capital any longer!" Zhang Dejun said flatly.

A flash of tension crossed Wang Shouzhong's face as he replied in a low voice: "Yes!"

From entering the palace to see the Emperor to returning to the Palace City Office headquarters, barely half an hour had passed in total—he had not stayed long in the palace. However, while his expression had been grave on the way there, by the time he returned to the office, Zhang Dejun's steps were somewhat lighter, his face exceptionally relaxed, faintly carrying a hint of a smile.

Wang Shouzhong was still keeping watch at the office, respectfully welcoming his adoptive father into the hall. Noticing the expression on Zhang Dejun's face, he asked curiously: "His Majesty summoned Father—could there be some good news?"

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun immediately restrained himself somewhat, saying unhurriedly: "Not exactly good news, but for the Palace City Office, it is indeed a good thing!"

As he spoke, he looked at Wang Shouzhong, noticing his somewhat labored gait, and said: "When it comes to punishment, you're certainly eager!"

Evidently, while Zhang Dejun had been in the palace, Wang Shouzhong had already received the caning Zhang Dejun had ordered, and it looked like he had taken it seriously. Hearing Zhang Dejun say this, Wang Shouzhong immediately replied with a look of shame: "Just now Father's instruction shook my mind and spirit—I repent and am awakened, and feel even more afraid in hindsight. Fortunately, no greater lapse was caused. A mere ten strokes serve only as a warning, to be remembered forever—I dare not repeat the offense!"

"Having this awareness, I am gratified!" Zhang Dejun's attitude was uncharacteristically gentler, as he said: "All you brothers, I hold expectations for each of you. I took you in because I saw your natural talents, hoping you would strive vigorously and one day bring glory to our house.

Therefore, when carrying out duties, you must never be negligent or lax—especially as subordinates of the Palace City Office. We are all His Majesty's household servants. When His Majesty issues an order, whether great or small, we must carry it out without reservation!"

"With such high hopes from Father, your son will surely remember!" Hearing Zhang Dejun's words, Wang Shouzhong immediately grew solemn.

"Go tend to your wounds first!" Zhang Dejun waved his hand.

Wang Shouzhong then said: "These are minor injuries, nothing serious. If Father has matters to attend to, please do instruct!"

Evidently, Wang Shouzhong was still quite curious about Zhang Dejun's audience at the palace. Though he did not say it outright, his eyes conveyed exactly that meaning.

Zhang Dejun, for his part, glanced at him, unfastened his somewhat cumbersome robes, took a seat, and then instructed: "That's convenient then—in a moment, take my token to the archives and bring me the records on Li Chongju from the past year or so. I have use for them! Additionally, secretly dispatch men to strengthen surveillance on Li Chongju and his household, especially over the coming period..."

Wang Shouzhong received the order, momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. Looking at Zhang Dejun with a somewhat grave expression, he said: "Father, this is the Commissioner of the Wude Office!"

"Yes, the Commissioner of the Wude Office! Any objection?" Zhang Dejun was very composed.

Wang Shouzhong immediately said: "You have repeatedly taught me before to act with caution toward the Wude Office, so as not to give others grounds for criticism. Why now..."

"An imperial decree from His Majesty! Is that reason sufficient?" Zhang Dejun said flatly.

Wang Shouzhong was startled by this, immediately falling silent, his expression growing even more puzzled.

Zhang Dejun then took the tea offered by the eunuch, drank two mouthfuls, and only then said calmly: "From now on, Li Chongju is no longer the Commissioner of the Wude Office!"

At this, Wang Shouzhong understood. His solemn expression relaxed, and he bowed: "Congratulations, Father! If Li Chongju leaves his post, you have eliminated a great enemy!"

As Zhang Dejun's adopted son, Wang Shouzhong knew all too well what weighed on Zhang Dejun's mind. Over the past decade or so, the Palace City Office had indeed achieved tremendous development, and its prestige and power in the capital had grown ever greater—but in truth, it had always been suppressed by the Wude Office.

Within the capital's environs, with Emperor Liu's support, it could put up some resistance, but beyond the capital, it was entirely overshadowed by the Wude Office, and had always struggled to break through.

The Wude Office had been established earlier, had more people, more money, and broader influence—it had garrison troops, prison facilities, and even certain powers of arrest and interrogation. By comparison, the Palace City Office was far behind. Emperor Liu seemed to have set a baseline for them that they could never cross.

The Palace City Office was more like a purely surveillance-oriented institution, maintaining a large corps of spies and informants, yet its actual power was pitifully small, with its prestige deriving mostly from Emperor Liu. This situation was deeply frustrating for Zhang Dejun, who was determined to surpass the Wude Office.

The Wude Office had a strict and orderly system, internal unity, and virtually no major flaws—even if one wanted to move against it, there was no good opening to exploit. More importantly, the one in charge of the Wude Office was Li Chongju, and who Li Chongju was, and what power and influence he wielded, needed no elaboration.

"Don't put it that way!" Seeing Wang Shouzhong's reaction, Zhang Dejun raised a hand to stop him, saying: "We both serve His Majesty—how can there be talk of enmity!"

"Your son misspoke in his excitement!" Wang Shouzhong quickly corrected himself, though the smile at the corners of his mouth could not be concealed. Still, he could not help but raise the question: "But why would Li Chongju suddenly leave his post?"

"He went to the palace himself, citing old age and illness, and requested to retire!" Zhang Dejun said unhurriedly: "This man appears harmless, but he is shrewd and knows well how to read the situation. This is a strategic retreat—seeking safety for himself!"

His expression growing even calmer, Zhang Dejun said: "Over the past year or so, I had already noticed that His Majesty was somewhat dissatisfied with the Wude Office. A man as clever as Li Chongju naturally would not have failed to notice it either.

Li Chongju has headed the Wude Office for nearly twenty years now. In such a long time, how much power has he cultivated within the Wude Office, how great is his influence? Even if he is close to His Majesty and deeply trusted, with His Majesty's suspicious nature, how could he not have thoughts about it?

And most importantly, Li Chongju has excellent relations throughout the court, with an unsullied reputation. Compared to us 'notoriously infamous' hounds, he is far more popular with the people. That may not be what His Majesty wishes to see!"

"Father is wise and sees through things clearly!" Wang Shouzhong immediately flattered.

Zhang Dejun continued: "I have long had a premonition that Li Chongju would not remain Commissioner of the Wude Office for much longer. I never imagined it would end in such a manner!"

There seemed to be a note of regret in his tone: "Li Chongju is a man worthy of admiration! A position like Commissioner of the Wude Office—he could set it down just like that. If he had been greedy for power and refused to retire, perhaps... a pity, ah..."

"If that's the case, then this Li Chongju is indeed extraordinary!" Wang Shouzhong said.

"Even so, does His Majesty truly trust him? Could there not be a single shred of doubt in his heart?" Zhang Dejun's lips curled slightly.

"So that's the origin of His Majesty's decree!" Wang Shouzhong suddenly understood, then said: "If that's so, then toward Li Chongju, our office need no longer be as wary as before! Father, this may also be an opportunity for the Palace City Office to continue rising—if Li Chongju has problems, the Wude Office is bound to be implicated as well!"

Seeing his excitement, Zhang Dejun decisively cut him off, saying coolly: "No! With Li Chongju leaving his post, the Wude Office is bound to be in some turmoil. In the coming period, there's no need for too much maneuvering! Toward Li Chongju, we should still be cautious!"

"Why?" Wang Shouzhong did not understand.

For the first time, a trace of envy finally showed in Zhang Dejun's eyes: "The bond between His Majesty and Li Chongju remains deep. He retires with honor, his title elevated to Commandery Duke! In the Great Han today, how many princes and dukes are still alive altogether... At a time like this, we need only follow His Majesty's instructions and do our work. If we rashly stir up trouble and something goes wrong, we may well bring disaster upon ourselves!"

"Yes!" Wang Shouzhong did not dare defy Zhang Dejun's decision.

Zhang Dejun truly understood Emperor Liu all too well. Therefore, when he assessed matters and made decisions, he tended to be more mindful of Emperor Liu's feelings and thoughts.

"May I ask, when Li Chongju leaves his post, who will succeed him?" Wang Shouzhong asked again.

"The one you mentioned before—Wang Yinwu, the Hexi Commander of Military Affairs!" Zhang Dejun said.

"Him!" Wang Shouzhong was quite surprised: "Does that man have the qualifications?"

"That man's fortune is abundant!" Zhang Dejun's gaze sharpened slightly as he turned to Wang Shouzhong and instructed: "Notify Jinjie—keep a close watch on this Wang Yinwu for me!"

"Yes!" Wang Shouzhong acknowledged with understanding. Previously, a Hexi Commander of Military Affairs might not have warranted much attention, but if he were to become Commissioner of the Wude Office, the situation would be completely different. More importantly, compared to Li Chongju, they would indeed have far fewer reservations.

It did not take long before Wang Shouzhong brought the private file the Palace City Office had kept on Li Chongju, which also recorded some of Li Chongju's recent words and deeds.

However, Zhang Dejun was in no hurry to report it. This was not the time to demonstrate the Palace City Office's efficiency on this matter and this man. After waiting two days, once he had supplemented the record with Li Chongju's conduct after resigning, Zhang Dejun finally went to the palace to submit his report.

In this confidential report, there was not much overt denunciation of Li Chongju—it seemed merely to state some trivial words and deeds of his. But among the many details, one point did catch Emperor Liu's attention: Li Chongju appeared to have deliberately delayed medical treatment, to the point that his illness had grown severe...