Chapter 1932: This Matter Is Not Over

In the third month of spring in the twenty-sixth year of Kaibao, Duke Pingliang Wang Yansheng passed away at the age of seventy. The Emperor grieved deeply and issued an edict suspending court for three days.

Regarding Wang Yansheng's death, the historical records contain only a few sparse lines, and the subtle-praise style of writing is quite evident. As for the cause and circumstances of his death, there exists a relatively complete account: supposedly Wang Yansheng, drunk on wine and moved by a sudden whim, went for a nighttime stroll in the Baoguo Pond behind the ducal residence. Struck by inspiration, he drew his saber and danced with it, and in a moment of carelessness, lost his footing and fell into the pond, drowning...

Of course, this was the official conclusion. The true situation had already been investigated and reported to Emperor Liu a day after the incident. In the secret investigation report of the Palace City Office, there was ample evidence that Wang Yansheng had committed suicide.

"What could he not see past? Why did he have to choose death?" Within the palace gardens, Emperor Liu, leaning on his staff, stood by the edge of Ming Lake, silently gazing at the rippling water, murmuring to himself.

His aged face wore an expression of melancholy, and his eyes were even somewhat reddened. After learning of Wang Yansheng's death, Emperor Liu finally understood what Wang Yansheng had meant by "settling accounts" the night before last. The life of a battle-hardened meritorious noble was enough to settle everything, enough to dispel all dissatisfaction in Emperor Liu's heart—after all, the dead were gone...

Today's affair was like a replay of yesterday's scene. Back then, Marquis Zhangding (formerly Duke Dingguo Zhang Yanwei), having uttered resentful words and wild talk at the wedding banquet of the eldest Princess Liu Jia, was sternly rebuked by men sent by Emperor Liu. In fear, he took his own life at his residence. That incident had caused quite a stir at the time, for Zhang Yanwei was also one of Emperor Liu's old retainers from the very beginning, and in terms of seniority alone, he ranked above the generals of the Qianyou era.

And Wang Yansheng this time could likewise be said to have incurred punishment for his words. Although Emperor Liu had not shown much reaction publicly, and the two cases differed in their particulars, Emperor Liu's attitude and method of handling were similar.

And the equally bleak endings of both men also revealed the commonality between them—though Wang Yansheng's death was somewhat easier to smooth over and convenient to embellish...

If Emperor Liu's reaction to Zhang Yanwei's death had been the crocodile-tears sentiment of a cat mourning a mouse, then facing Wang Yansheng's death, shock, surprise, and grief occupied a greater share.

After all, although Emperor Liu was angered by Wang Yansheng's remarks, he had never truly intended to take his life. Sending men was merely meant as a warning. Of course, this was Emperor Liu's self-righteous assumption, and he had overlooked the feelings such an action would provoke.

The aging Emperor Liu's heart had grown harder and harder—as hard as iron and stone, one might say—but likewise, in some situations, he was extremely easily moved. The withering of old companions was one such point, for to Emperor Liu, it was like looking at himself.

Had it been a natural death, a bout of grief would have sufficed. But Wang Yansheng, this old minister and veteran general, had died by "accident," and the direct cause lay with Emperor Liu himself, which made it impossible for him to accept the matter with equanimity.

Though uncertain whether it could be called guilt or self-reproach, Emperor Liu's mood was clearly most unpleasant, and a lump had settled in his chest that he could not expel without speaking.

"Tell me—do you think Wang Yansheng was killed by me?" After standing against the wind for a long while, Emperor Liu suddenly spoke again, asking Yan Tuo and Wang Ji'en, who were attending him.

The two understood this matter quite well, and so Emperor Liu's question carried no concealment—it came straight from the heart. Hearing this, the two old rivals instinctively exchanged a glance, and Wang Ji'en offered consolation: "Commandery Duke Wang died by accidental drowning—what has that to do with Your Majesty? Why need you blame yourself? Please, Your Majesty, restrain your grief; your imperial health is of the utmost importance!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's face showed no expression at all—only that unchanging indifference. He raised his hand and called out in a cold, clear voice: "Yan Tuo!"

"This servant is here!" Yan Tuo's body tensed slightly as he hurriedly responded.

Emperor Liu instructed: "Draw fifty thousand strings of cash from the privy purse. Half goes to the Duke Pingliang's household for expenses, and half serves as the seafaring funds for that colonization team he organized."

"Yes!"

Frowning in thought for a moment, Emperor Liu asked: "Wang Yansheng's three sons—I've heard a thing or two about them. They're all worthless, to the point where Wang Yansheng had to open his mouth to borrow money. There's no small amount of prodigal-son behavior behind that, I suspect. Among the grandsons, is there any promising material?"

At the question, Wang Ji'en pondered for a moment before clasping his hands and reporting: "From what this servant knows, of the eight descendants of the Wang family, only the second grandson, Zhe Kai, is composed and meticulous—worthy of cultivation."

"Wang Zhe Kai?" said Emperor Liu. "Whose son is he?"

"The second son of Duke Pingliang, Wang Yingjie!"

"The second son, eh!" Emperor Liu muttered: "How old is he? Where does he currently reside, and in what post?"

"Twenty-two years of age, holding the military rank of centurion, currently garrisoning the frontier at Kuo Prefecture, having served there for two and a half years!" Wang Ji'en answered, reciting the details as if counting family treasures, having essentially mapped out the Wang family's foundation.

He did not pursue the matter further. If what Wang Ji'en said was true, then Emperor Liu had already obtained sufficient information. Given the quality displayed by the Wang family's descendants, one could only pick the tallest among the dwarfs—finding even one presentable was no easy feat.

"Well, he got lucky—he sired a good son!" After a moment of silence, Emperor Liu sighed softly: "Issue the edict: let Wang Yingjie inherit the title!"

Hearing this decree, both senior eunuchs could not help but show surprise. Yan Tuo, summoning his courage, cautiously reminded: "Your Majesty, the eldest legitimate son of Duke Pingliang is Wang Yinghao..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu turned his head and fixed Yan Tuo with a peculiar gaze, even stepping two paces closer as he countered: "Do I not know that? Do I need you to remind me? Do I need you to review and vet my decisions?"

Three consecutive questions left Yan Tuo dumbfounded. Facing Emperor Liu's sinister expression, Yan Tuo could not help but shiver, shrinking his neck: "This servant spoke out of turn!"

"This habit of speaking out of turn of yours—it's not once or twice, nor has it been just a day or two!" Emperor Liu rebuked in a cold voice.

These words were severe for Yan Tuo. His legs went weak and he knelt, his face panicked as he said: "Your Majesty, forgive me! Your Majesty, forgive me!"

Off to the side, seeing Yan Tuo in such a sorry state, Wang Ji'en's mood was exceedingly pleased, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning up somewhat. After Yan Tuo had thoroughly lost face, Wang Ji'en once again bowed to Emperor Liu and said: "Your Majesty, the Duke Pingliang's household has been taking on external debt for the past two years, solely because of extravagant spending within the household—the expenses were enormous, and income could not cover outgoings.

The creditors are roughly of two sorts: one is the local gentry and prominent clans of Duke Pingliang's ancestral home, and the other is Kang Ning, a great merchant of the capital. According to investigation, these were all managed secretly by the Wang sons behind the scenes; Duke Pingliang was initially unaware. Because of the debts, the local gentry and prominent clans have committed various unlawful acts in the prefectures of Jiannan, borrowing the duke's prestige. As for Kang Ning, no impropriety has yet been found in his dealings with the Duke Pingliang's household.

Before his final audience with Your Majesty, Duke Pingliang specifically went to see Kang Ning, repaying debts with fine horses, jade, and swords. Additionally, according to current investigation findings, Kang Ning has been cultivating connections with the powerful in recent years—besides the Duke Pingliang's household, quite a number of nobles at court and in the realm have borrowed money from him, and some serving officials as well..."

Hearing Wang Ji'en's report up to this point, Emperor Liu's attention had long since shifted away from Yan Tuo. He stood dumbfounded for a good while before speaking with some agitation: "Is what you say true?"

"Yes!" Wang Ji'en gave an affirmative response.

"So there really are more surprises waiting for me ahead!" Emperor Liu smiled, the grief in his aged eyes replaced by a glint of menace: "This Kang Ning—truly a merchant to the bone, incorrigible, and restless as ever!"

"How much did the Wang family borrow from him?"

"Reportedly, eight thousand strings in total, though the exact amount still awaits verification!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's face was cold and indifferent. He thought for a moment, then raised his hand and waved it, commanding in a stern voice: "Investigate! Keep investigating for me! That entire chain of people and affairs entangled in the Duke Pingliang's household debts—investigate it all thoroughly. Anyone who has broken the law, punish severely without exception. And that Kang Ning—find out exactly how many powerful figures he has debt relationships with. I'd like to see just what kind of web of interests he has woven, and how many nobles of the Great Han have sunk into corruption..."

"Yes!" Facing Emperor Liu's instruction, Wang Ji'en felt a warm current surge through his heart—this was his chance to spread his wings.

"You may withdraw!" Having given his instructions, Emperor Liu seemed to lose interest, waving his hand.

"This servant takes his leave!"

The palace eunuchs and guards waited far off at the periphery, leaving Emperor Liu ample space to be alone. Emperor Liu sat on a stone platform with one leg drawn up, gazing at the lake surface in continued reverie, his aged face seemingly written with the word "loss."

He was still thinking about Wang Yansheng's death. All signs indicated that Wang Yansheng had originally intended to slit his own throat with his hengdao saber, but in the end, he had chosen to jump into the lake, creating the illusion of an accidental drowning. The purpose of this was clearly to make it easier for Emperor Liu and the court to disguise and cover up the truth of the matter.

Everyone said Wang Yansheng was crude and overbearing, but his delicacy of mind often showed at critical moments. Even at the end of his life, he could consider such details. Otherwise, slitting his own throat would have been the more straightforward end, but it would have left behind a messy affair with a foul odor—hard to clean up and no good for his descendants either. Through Wang Yansheng's maneuver, those old accounts of the Duke Pingliang's household could essentially be wiped clean.

"A lifetime galloping across the battlefield, more victories than defeats—and this final battle was won most beautifully of all, even I was played for a fool..." Unconsciously, a smile actually spread across the corners of Emperor Liu's mouth.

"I thought it was because he was cowed by me—never imagined there were financial problems in the mix! Of the three unfilial acts, having no heir is the greatest, but if all one's heirs are prodigal wastes, then death truly is better. A tiger father siring dog sons—that must have been your greatest sorrow!

Still, you used your life to give me a reminder..." As he murmured to himself, the smile at the corners of Emperor Liu's mouth had already twisted into a cold, cruel arc.