Chapter 169: Two-Faced, Three Knives

"Chancellor, Vice Minister of War Wang Jingchong requests an audience!"

The steward's announcement interrupted Yang Bin's gradually smoothing train of thought. His first reaction was impatience. He glanced outside the hall—the cold mist hung deep and vast—and couldn't help but wonder: "For this man to visit at such an hour, what business could he have?"

"Chancellor, Vice Minister Wang came through the side gate, moving with secrecy." The steward added.

"Coming in such secrecy, no less!" Yang Bin muttered, then casually instructed: "Lead him to the side hall to wait. I'll see him shortly!"

"Yes!"

From Yang Bin's tone and attitude, it was clear he didn't think much of Wang Jingchong—in fact, he rather despised him.

The side hall of the Yang residence was somewhat small. For this audience, he couldn't even enter the main hall, yet Wang Jingchong showed little resentment; his expression was calm. After all, he hadn't come through the front gate to pay his respects either.

Wang Jingchong was dressed lightly, his robes thin, as if he feared no cold. His buttocks slightly raised, perched on the edge of the chair, his body taut, appearing very cautious.

Though his demeanor was calm, the small eyes revealed a cold, wolf-like gaze. During the campaign to pacify Du, Wang Jingchong had served as Fiscal Commissioner for water routes, earning some hard-won merit. After returning to court, he was made Vice Minister of War, but held no real power—it was merely an honorary title. For a man of ambition like Wang Jingchong, continuing on in such mediocrity was absolutely intolerable.

He waited for nearly half an hour, the tea growing weak, his hands and feet turning cold, before Yang Bin finally appeared. Though his limbs were numb, the moment Yang Bin showed himself, he rose swiftly and paid his respects: "Your subordinate pays respects to the Chancellor."

"No need for formalities. I've kept you waiting!" Yang Bin's tone carried no apology.

But Wang Jingchong clearly didn't mind. A servile smile hung at the corners of his mouth: "The Chancellor attends to a myriad of affairs daily. Your subordinate's presumptuous visit is truly an imposition, and I feel deeply uneasy."

The lower Wang Jingchong bowed, the greater Yang Bin's contempt grew. He furrowed his brows slightly, sat down, and asked directly: "Spare me the flattery. What important matter brings you to see me in the dead of night?"

Yang Bin gave no indication, so Wang Jingchong dared not sit. He remained standing, his face full of servility, speaking cautiously: "There is Shu unrest in Guanzhong, and the court intends to dispatch troops. Your subordinate has heard that the commander has yet to be chosen. His Highness the Crown Prince intends to decide on the lead general tomorrow..."

"That is indeed the case!" Yang Bin nodded, his expression growing deeper as he glanced at Wang Jingchong: "You seem to have some thoughts on the matter?"

The question of dispatching troops to Guanzhong had been dragged out for several more days amid disputes. Presumably because the region west of the pass was still holding steady, and the Shu army had achieved no breakthroughs, the matter of military deliberations was postponed again and again.

Shi Hongzhao wanted to use Bai Zairong as the general—the former Defense Commissioner of Qizhou who had been stripped of all rank by Liu Chengyou for harming the army and the people. After arriving at the Eastern Capital, the man had attached himself to Shi Hongzhao, and the two had indeed hit it off. He was taken into the imperial army and made Chief Inspector of the Wujie Army.

Of course, Shi Hongzhao's purpose in sending Bai Zairong was still to protect his younger brother Shi Honglang. His suggestion to make Shi Honglang Bai Zairong's deputy was entirely aimed at padding his brother's credentials...

Yang Bin, meanwhile, strongly recommended the Commander of the Scattered Ranks, Zhen Yanqi—one of the several generals he had previously planted in the imperial army, now exposed outright.

Even the State Finance Commissioner Wang Zhang recommended Grand Commandant Bai Wenke. Lord Bai was not only a founding meritorious official of the Great Han, but also Wang Zhang's father-in-law. His recommendation was somewhat more reasonable, except that he was simply too old.

These men were all too driven by personal motives, which infuriated Guo Wei—who had been charged with the task and desperately wanted to resolve the matter quickly. When even an "honest" man lost his temper, one could imagine how infuriating their squabbling was. It was Liu Chengyou who finally lost patience and set a deadline: the general would be decided tomorrow, and troops would depart the day after. It was this forceful attitude that led Yang Bin to clash with him head-on once.

At this moment, noticing Yang Bin's expression, the fawning look on Wang Jingchong's face grew thicker. He gave an awkward smile: "Chancellor, what would you think of your subordinate leading troops to Guanzhong?"

"Hm?" Hearing this, Yang Bin looked at Wang Jingchong in surprise. Seeing his obsequious demeanor, he couldn't help but mock: "You must have heard of the disputes in the military council. Do you truly believe you can sit in the commander's seat?"

"Your subordinate has self-awareness and naturally harbors no such extravagant hopes. I merely wish to serve as a general under the army!" Wang Jingchong bowed even lower.

Hearing this, Yang Bin fell silent, glancing at him as if pondering something.

At this moment, Wang Jingchong continued in a fawning tone: "With military unrest in the west, this is the time for arms. Your subordinate is willing to manage the region west of the pass on the Chancellor's behalf..."

These words made Yang Bin's expression shift. He fixed a cold, sharp gaze on him for a while, and saw Wang Jingchong with his back deeply bowed and head lowered, still perfectly respectful toward him.

After thinking it over, Yang Bin waved him off: "Go back for now. Tomorrow, I will recommend you to command troops in Guanzhong!"

"Thank you, Chancellor!" Wang Jingchong's eyes immediately lit up. He hurriedly bowed and scraped in gratitude, looking exactly like a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy.

"Consider it planting a piece on the board in Guanzhong." Yang Bin muttered to himself after Wang Jingchong left, though he didn't seem to take it too seriously.

Perhaps Wang Jingchong's submissiveness reminded Yang Bin that he was still the powerful chancellor of the Great Han, and his mood improved somewhat. Settling his mind, he began pondering the impending changes in the Great Han...

The next day, under Liu Chengyou's personal direction, the selection of generals for the expedition was decided with great efficiency. As for the proposals of Shi, Yang, and the others, Liu Chengyou approved none of them outright. Instead, he proposed Wang Jun.

Wang Jun had followed Liu Zhiyuan for many years and contributed greatly before and after the founding of the Great Han. He had sufficient seniority, sufficient ability, was in the prime of his strength, and was worthy of trust. For a time, Yang Bin and the others truly could find no grounds to object.

In the time since Liu Chengyou had been regent, his assertiveness could no longer be contained. Since they could offer no objections, they let him have his way.

After the council dispersed, Shi Hongzhao left with a black face. His proposal had been completely rejected—how could he be happy? Moreover, he now fully understood that with the Crown Prince, he truly wasn't as favored as he had been under Liu Zhiyuan.

A sense of crisis!

As for Yang Bin, he fared little better. He had made plans in advance, deciding to take a step back and not contend for the position of lead general, intending instead to make Wang Jingchong the Army Supervisor—only to have that rejected by Liu Chengyou as well.

What was there left to discuss? Let the Crown Prince decide everything himself! What use were they, the chancellors, for then!

In comparison, Wang Zhang's attitude was more composed. At some point, Wang Zhang—who had always been in lockstep with Yang Bin—had reduced his contact with Yang Bin, and in the court, he was no longer a yes-man.

With Wang Jun decided, there was no changing it. Facing the position of lead general that had suddenly fallen upon him, Wang Jun was surprised, but also somewhat excited and grateful. At this time, Wang Jun was driven by ambition—commanding troops, repelling enemies, quelling disasters, and stabilizing the realm was an excellent opportunity to distinguish himself.

Together with Guo Wei, they also summoned Li Shu, the memorial officer Zhao Kuangzan had sent to the Eastern Capital to report on the situation, and discussed the war situation in Guanzhong with Wang Jun.

Liu Chengyou had only two instructions for Wang Jun: First, Fengxiang must not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Shu army. Second, Hou Yi's loyalty was uncertain; if he delayed or wavered, Wang Jun could act as circumstances dictated. He need not fear trouble—Liu Chengyou would cover for him from the Eastern Capital.

"Your Highness!" Somewhat to Liu Chengyou's surprise, during his rare moment of leisure, Wang Jingchong actually sought him out on his own initiative—and in a sneaky manner at that.

Quite bold of him.

"What is it?" Liu Chengyou looked at him.

Before Liu Chengyou, Wang Jingchong was even more deferential, though without the fawning look he showed before Yang Bin. With his eyelids lowered, he clasped his fists tightly and said in a low voice: "Yang Bin is up to something. Your Highness should be on guard!"

These words startled Liu Chengyou greatly. His originally relaxed expression immediately darkened. He glanced at him with cold indifference, sizing him up, various thoughts racing through his mind.

This man had always been Yang Bin's lackey. Why would he now secretly come to him to inform against his master?

After a moment's consideration, Liu Chengyou seemed to think of something. Staring at his respectful demeanor, he said coldly: "Chancellor Yang is the chancellor His Majesty and I trust most. For you to suddenly come to me with such baseless words, I suspect your intentions!"

Hearing this, Wang Jingchong's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly gritted his teeth and knelt directly: "Your subject would never dare speak recklessly of a chancellor. Had it not been a matter of grave importance, how would I dare come directly to Your Highness?"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou slowly sat down and said blandly: "I would like to hear, then, what irregularities Chancellor Yang has shown..."

Liu Chengyou's light words fell on his ears, and Wang Jingchong's tense expression visibly relaxed. He quickly replied: "Last night, Yang Bin summoned me to his residence at night and told me he intended to recommend me as deputy general of the expedition. He said there might be great upheaval in the capital and wanted me to manage Guanzhong on his behalf."

"Upon hearing this, I was utterly stunned. I truly did not understand what Yang Bin meant by such instructions. But cowed by his authority, I could only assent. After returning home, I could not sleep all night. I felt Yang Bin's words carried hidden meaning—how dare he have me manage Guanzhong for him? Such words border on treason! And today, sure enough, I heard he had indeed proposed recommending me. I was seized with terror and dared not delay any longer, so I came specially to report to Your Highness. Yang Bin may harbor disloyal intentions. I beg Your Highness to be on guard!"

After hearing Wang Jingchong's report, Liu Chengyou narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing him. This man's words carried quite a lot of information.

Without any shock, anger, or other excessive reaction, Liu Chengyou said in a detached tone: "You certainly have nerve, accusing a chancellor of treason. Aren't you afraid of losing your life?"