Chapter 1498: Eunuchs at Each Other's Throats

"The Palace City Office's intelligence officers are arrogant and overbearing, running rampant without restraint, stopping at nothing to achieve their ends, even daring to trespass against Kunming Hall......"

Inside the hall, Yan Tuo had a private audience, spitting venom at Emperor Liu and pouring poison into his ears about Zhang Dejun, his tone carrying seemingly infinite grievance as he rambled on: "Your servant was ordered to assist in the investigation, yet Zhang Dejun's adopted son dared to talk back to my face—utterly rude, wildly insolent, outrageous beyond words......"

Emperor Liu's gaze carried scrutiny as he curiously appraised Yan Tuo. The man had served him for over a decade; a senior eunuch of the palace, also an old fox, deeply scheming—how could he so easily lose his composure?

Clearly, this agitated complaint was merely a performance put on for Emperor Liu's benefit; at least Emperor Liu saw no great turmoil in Yan Tuo's eyes.

"Enough!" Emperor Liu merely raised a hand and spoke a single word, and Yan Tuo immediately fell silent, lowering his eyes and resuming his calm.

Looking at him, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "So the Palace City Office actually has such clueless officers who dare to clash with you, Senior Eunuch Yan? Hmm, they deserve a lesson!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Yan Tuo smiled somewhat awkwardly and was about to explain, when he saw Emperor Liu continue: "However, regarding the Kunming Hall affair, since the Empress has chosen not to pursue it, I see no need to dwell on it either. Moreover, the Palace City Office is ultimately no ordinary bureau—it has its particular nature. When carrying out duties, adapting to circumstances is all understandable. As long as results are achieved and matters concluded, the process need not be overly scrutinized!"

Had anyone else heard such words from Emperor Liu's mouth, they would surely have been shocked. Emperor Liu's consistent public image was one who valued rules and cherished institutions, who especially loathed and resented those who broke laws, violated regulations, and overstepped their bounds.

Yet toward the Palace City Office, he held such an uncharacteristically lenient attitude—this made Yan Tuo furrow his brow involuntarily. But having opened this line of conversation, he couldn't retract it. Bowing his head so Emperor Liu couldn't see his expression, he continued:

"His Majesty's consideration for those below is deeply admired by your servant. However, what your servant worries about is that the lowly and ignorant, not understanding Your Majesty's intentions, might mistake Your Majesty's tolerance for indulgence—then they will only grow more reckless, and discipline and propriety will only deteriorate day by day.

This time, under the pretext of investigating corruption in the inner court, the Palace City Office has wielded its power ferociously, and all within and without the palace fear it. Having been ordered to assist, your servant has seen this firsthand.

The Palace City Office abuses imperial favor to manipulate power. If not restrained and checked, your servant fears that if this continues, the people of the palace will come to fear only the Palace City Office's authority, and no longer revere His Majesty's majesty and virtue. In recent years, signs of this have already begun to show—His Majesty must remain vigilant......

Through your servant's investigation, the Palace City Office is not without its own corruption—indeed, there are acts of illicit accumulation that violate the law. Those officers trusted and relied upon by Zhang Dejun, leaning on his authority and wielding their petty power, have amassed wealth and extorted money within the capital. Your servant has documented thirteen offenders and twenty-three crimes, available for His Majesty's review.

Your servant believes that not only does the palace require a thorough purge, but the Palace City Office equally demands rectification. I hope His Majesty will see clearly!"

Having spoken, Yan Tuo resumed his calm, awaiting Emperor Liu's reaction, his lowered head seemingly concealing his anxious heart.

Emperor Liu, too, fell silent, appearing deep in thought, his gaze pausing on Yan Tuo from time to time. This was likely the first time Yan Tuo had so nakedly attacked Zhang Dejun—the conflict between the two eunuchs revealing its sharpest edge.

Yan Tuo's purpose was probably not so complicated—merely to muddy the waters, to tarnish the Palace City Office and Zhang Dejun with some stains. From the side, one could also see that Yan Tuo had likely had his own weak points seized by Zhang Dejun; with leverage in the other's hands, this was why he resorted to such a face-burning admonition.

Emperor Liu mused inwardly, pondering for a while. He was now even more interested in Zhang Dejun's report. He had seen plenty of struggles among ministers, but friction between his two most valued household servants also stirred his curiosity and interest—the feeling was like sitting back and watching two dogs snapping at each other to curry favor.

Now Yan Tuo had already bitten, and bitten deep, down to the bone. How would Zhang Dejun bite back?

"I never thought you had such insight!" After a long silence, Emperor Liu finally spoke, uttering this single sentence with no discernible attitude or emotion.

"Your servant thinks only of His Majesty's interests, and ventures to offer this counsel, hoping His Majesty will consider it!" Yan Tuo remained bowed.

"I understand. Leave your findings here; I will review them. You may withdraw!" Emperor Liu ordered.

"Yes!" Yan Tuo wasted no words, acknowledging and preparing to leave.

Just as he was exiting, Emperor Liu added: "Summon Zhang Dejun to the hall!"

Hearing this, Yan Tuo's body stiffened, then quickly relaxed, bowing: "Yes!"

Emperor Liu had indeed taken some of Yan Tuo's words to heart. The power of cutting words is boundless—whether or not Emperor Liu adopted them, they could still have some effect, even if only planting a seed of doubt in Emperor Liu's mind.

Of course, Emperor Liu was not a man to be swayed by a mere eunuch. The warnings about the Palace City Office he took half, discarded half. At least in Emperor Liu's view, no matter how arrogant or overbearing the Palace City Office was, no matter how towering its flames of power, it could not conceal its nature as a hawk and hound. However great its authority, its source lay in him, the master. As long as its utility outweighed its harm, it could still be tolerated.

Of course, the hidden danger of an overgrown servant bullying its master was something Emperor Liu took seriously—and Yan Tuo had perhaps precisely targeted this. Yan Tuo had served Emperor Liu all along; few in the world could rival his understanding of Emperor Liu.

And through his years of service, he had long since perceived that Emperor Liu's trust in Zhang Dejun was not unconditional, nor was his indulgence of the Palace City Office unlimited—this was the greatest foundation for his admonition.

For Emperor Liu, it was a different calculation. Zhang Dejun was a convenient lackey he used smoothly; all he needed to do was train him—reward with bones when bones were due, strike with the rod when the rod was due......

Soon, Zhang Dejun, who had been waiting for some time, straightened his appearance and entered with composure, without a trace of unease or anxiety. Like Yan Tuo, he respectfully presented a summary report of his investigations over this period.

First, he begged forgiveness from Emperor Liu regarding the Kunming Hall matter; upon receiving understanding and confirming the matter was closed, he then unfolded a comprehensive account of his findings.

Unlike Yan Tuo, Zhang Dejun appeared to have more "general's bearing," merely presenting the newly uncovered crimes with fairness and honesty, detailing the key points.

He did not directly attack Yan Tuo, but when mentioning the various offenders who had broken laws and overstepped bounds, he mentioned—in a manner that left no trace—Yan Tuo's connections with some of them, or rather, an insinuation, subtly reminding of Yan Tuo's suspicious dealings with those people, including certain anomalies among those who had already been executed or taken their own lives......

In short, compared to Yan Tuo's bluntness, Zhang Dejun did not show his blade too openly, but the killing intent stirred beneath his casual words. Emperor Liu naturally understood this, seeing it all clearly, and just as before Yan Tuo, he gave no obvious reaction.

When Zhang Dejun finished his report and awaited the imperial instruction, Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, then said with a smile: "You've worked hard this period. Your investigation was thorough, and I am satisfied with the results!"

"All that your servant did was his duty, only hoping not to fail His Majesty's grace!" Zhang Dejun said with a humble expression. "But from what your servant has observed, though some worms have been rooted out, there is much more hidden beneath worth digging into. Your servant should redouble his efforts, continue to dig deep and investigate strictly, and capture all those traitors who deceive His Majesty and break the law in one net, so that none slip through!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, then said bluntly and definitively: "This matter ends here!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Dejun finally showed a hint of surprise. He was in his element, wanting to continue "building merit," and instinctively moved to remonstrate, but was stopped by a single look from Emperor Liu.

"I said, this matter ends here!" Emperor Liu stared straight at Zhang Dejun, nearly pausing between each word.

"Yes! Your servant understands!" Seeing this, Zhang Dejun dared not waste another word, though inwardly he felt a pang of regret.

Looking at him, Emperor Liu continued his instructions: "For what comes next, the Palace City Office need not involve itself further. All the offenders and case files from this investigation shall be transferred to the Palace Domestic Service, to be adjudicated by them according to regulations!"

Hearing this order, Zhang Dejun's brow furrowed slightly—a feeling of having his peaches plucked. The key issue was that the one in power at the Palace Domestic Service was that wretch Yan Tuo—how could this not add to Zhang Dejun's worries?

But the Emperor's command—how dared he contradict it?

Emperor Liu continued: "The Palace City Office itself should also be tidied up. Matters within your office, you may handle yourself! Additionally, you have rendered meritorious service this time; rewards will be bestowed shortly!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Seeing Emperor Liu's attitude, Zhang Dejun's face immediately broke into a delighted smile, his mood lightening.

Emperor Liu had both reassured his heart and given him a taste of sweetness.