Chapter 1461: Never on the Same Path

"Chancellor Zhao!"

A call rang out, its calm tone carrying a faint hint of cold hardness. In the Hall of State Affairs, only two people dared speak to Zhao Pu in such a manner and tone—one was Li Ye, the other Wang Qiwu. Even the Crown Prince was always humble and courteous, treating him with full propriety.

The newcomer was thin of frame, with a gaunt, clear-featured face and a distinctly scholarly bearing—something Li Ye lacked entirely. Of course, Zhao Pu didn't need to look; he knew from the voice alone that this was Wang Qiwu.

But at this moment, Wang Qiwu's stern face seemed shrouded in dark clouds, his refined features wearing a deeply troubled expression. Seeing this, Zhao Pu performed full courtesies, smiled, rose, and personally went to receive him, saying: "Lord Wang has come—please, do sit!"

He personally guided Wang Qiwu to a seat and ordered tea to be served.

"Lord Wang, your duties are many and you manage a thousand affairs daily—how do you find the time to come to my humble place?" Zhao Pu sat down, rubbed his hands together slightly, and asked with a smile.

Though both were chancellors in the Hall of State Affairs, their offices were not often in the same chamber. Wang Qiwu's focus lay on the court's finances, and apart from routine matters or court deliberations, the two did not meet all that frequently.

Seeing Zhao Pu's composed demeanor, Wang Qiwu was in no mood for pleasantries. In a tone that was both admiring and mocking, he said: "Chancellor Zhao truly lives up to being Chief Chancellor of this hall—your bearing surpasses all the ministers at court. At a moment like this, you can remain so calm, unmoved as a mountain. This old man's self-restraint is far beneath yours!"

Hearing this, Zhao Pu chuckled cheerfully, waited for the tea to be set down, took a sip, and only then said: "Lord Wang, you didn't come all this way just to flatter me, did you?"

Facing Zhao Pu's half-smiling expression, Wang Qiwu was equally forthright, though his face was cold and hard. He produced a memorial and handed it to Zhao Pu, saying: "Naturally not. I have a memorial I wish to present to His Majesty, and I hope Chancellor Zhao will add his name in joint signature!"

At these words, Zhao Pu immediately showed keen interest. Since Wang Qiwu had returned to court and become chancellor, the two had never jointly submitted a memorial—and for Wang Qiwu to take the initiative made Zhao Pu all the more curious. Of course, observing his manner and listening to his words, even without fully divining his purpose, Zhao Pu could make some guesses—nothing more than the ongoing upheaval still shaking the court.

Out of courtesy, Zhao Pu personally received it, opened it with both hands, and perused it solemnly. His expression changed quickly. His old face remained serene as clouds, but his attitude turned distant and forbidding. Looking at Wang Qiwu, Zhao Pu said with a light laugh: "Lord Wang is a seasoned counselor for the state, wholly public-spirited—I deeply admire that. But if this is the proposal, I must beg your pardon: I dare not co-sign!"

Wang Qiwu's remonstrance contained no excessive verbiage. Its wording was clear, its stance unambiguous, plainly expressing his concern over the current political turmoil at court and the anxiety among the people. To avoid giving rise to greater troubles or even unrest, Wang Qiwu hoped Emperor Liu would promptly take forceful measures to rectify the atmosphere at all levels, reassure the hearts of those within and without, and restore the court to its proper course as soon as possible.

Similar suggestions had been raised before, of course. When others made them, one might call it ulterior motives; but Wang Qiwu could be praised as a seasoned counselor for the state—that was simply double standards.

His starting point was certainly good, but coming to Zhao Pu, he was destined to receive only a disappointing answer. Not only did Zhao Pu have his own ideas, but even if he hadn't, with the sovereign's intent unclear and the situation treacherous, he would not rashly wade into these murky waters and risk bringing fire upon himself.

Hearing Zhao Pu's reply, Wang Qiwu's expression did not change much, though his brow furrowed slightly. His gaze carried a hint of pressure as he stared at Zhao Pu: "The court is unstable now, hearts are restless, and it has even begun to impede the normal functioning of government. Chancellor Zhao, as a chancellor, you should step forward and set things right—why do you refuse?"

"Is the court situation truly so dire? Forgive my dim eyes—I hadn't noticed!" Zhao Pu put on a 'bewildered' reaction, the corner of his mouth twitching as he said unhurriedly: "All I see is the government functioning perfectly well. All the ministries and bureaus, officials at every level, are at their posts doing their duty—where is this turmoil? Even if there are some ripples, they fall within the rules and regulations of the court. Lord Wang worries too much!"

Hearing Zhao Pu's perfunctory words, Wang Qiwu laughed too—almost a sneer. He abruptly rose to his feet, staring at him: "Zhao's discernment—this old man has truly witnessed it today!"

"Lord Wang flatters me—I hardly deserve the praise!" Zhao Pu was perfectly calm.

Meeting Zhao Pu's gaze for a moment, Wang Qiwu finally gave a soft sigh. He did not press further—indeed, he could not press further. In truth, Wang Qiwu knew well that this request of his was somewhat rash and somewhat discourteous, but Chancellor Wang, who worried for his country and people, still chose to do what he knew could not be done. He would never stint on the responsibility he ought to bear.

As for this exchange with Zhao Pu, it proved once again that they were not of the same kind. In fact, as the Huazhou case had drawn in ever more people, Wang Qiwu had already developed considerable grievances against Zhao Pu's watching from the other shore and keeping silent.

Noticing the gloom on Wang Qiwu's face, Zhao Pu closed the memorial and returned it to him, still smiling: "Lord Wang is upright, utterly selfless, and holds the court in his heart—always valued by His Majesty. Since you have true insight, you may present it to His Majesty directly, and His Majesty will surely adopt it. Why need my name be attached?"

Taking back his memorial, Wang Qiwu did not lose his composure. He lightly brushed his robes, as if they had been sullied by filth and dust in this grand hall of chancellors, and turned to leave on his own.

Only after Wang Qiwu's figure vanished from sight did the smile on Zhao Pu's face recede and gradually fade. His gaze grew deeper, and a trace of gloom likewise surfaced between his brows.

Since assuming the chancellorship, he had worked alongside many people. Li Ye went without saying—a relative of the imperial house, a chess piece placed by Emperor Liu. Though he occasionally caused trouble, he was unlearned and incompetent; despite his ambitions for power, his abilities fell short, and Emperor Liu had no high expectations of him. He was easy to handle.

Before Song Qi's second departure to Shanyang, their cooperation had gone relatively smoothly. The two shared similar origins and experiences, and their paths of rise had parallels. Even with some differences of opinion, Zhao Pu had never felt any great threat from him.

But Wang Qiwu was different. In seniority, he was deeper than Zhao Pu; in closeness to the emperor, he was likewise a minister who had come up from Emperor Liu's side—far more authentically rooted than Zhao Pu, who had joined midway. In background, Wang Qiwu came from an official family, while Zhao Pu had risen from humble origins. In learning, the man was erudite and learned—among the Great Han's earliest jinshi degree holders, a scholar of letters and author of books, with considerable renown, and in prestige among the literati, the two were simply incomparable...

Comparing the two, Zhao Pu could naturally feel the pressure Wang Qiwu brought upon him at all times. Of course, Zhao Pu was also a confident man; he did not believe himself inferior to Wang Qiwu.

But holding such a position, worries were unavoidable. Setting aside political differences and conflicts over power, even Wang Qiwu's attitude toward him often left Zhao Pu dissatisfied. He could clearly sense the contempt that courtiers like Wang Qiwu held for him.

Likewise, the more pragmatic Zhao Pu looked down on the sour arrogance of these celebrated scholars. Thus, between the two most powerful chancellors in the Great Han court, a deep rift had formed.

In this unprecedented political storm of the Great Han, their divergent paths and differing views had been thoroughly exposed. Some people were simply never meant to walk together.

Of course, with Zhao Pu's shrewdness, even if their temperaments had matched and their political views aligned, he would not have grown too close—that would only invite Emperor Liu's groundless suspicions.

Zhao Pu could see perfectly well why Emperor Liu had placed these chancellors in the Hall of State Affairs. In the Great Han today, the Son of Heaven sits the throne, chancellors govern the state, and the Crown Prince supervises the government—the checks and balances among these powers were plain as day.

Though his power, prestige, and foundations grew daily, Zhao Pu did not delude himself into thinking he could truly dominate the court. Behind this Chief Chancellor, there was always an invisible thread pulling. Though he was no marionette, whenever situations threatened to slip beyond the control of those behind him, the pressure and constraints naturally descended upon him. Zhao Pu felt this keenly.

He sat down and took another sip of tea—in the brief interval, it had already gone cold, making Zhao Pu frown. Thinking of Wang Qiwu's coming and going, Zhao Pu could not help but ponder. He could be certain Wang Qiwu was headed to Chuigong Hall. If even Wang Qiwu could no longer sit still, then clearly, this matter might have reached the point where a resolution was due.

About two quarters of an hour later, a messenger came from Chongzheng Hall—Emperor Liu was summoning him. Zhao Pu immediately perked up, rose to straighten his robes and cap, then retrieved a memorial from among his documents, tucked it away carefully, and went to see His Majesty.

A memorial? Chancellor Zhao had long since prepared one.