Chapter 1969: The Involvement of the Crown Prince

Returning to Guangzheng Hall, Zhao Pu was no longer as calm and composed as he had been in Chuigong Hall; there was even a hint of lingering fear on his old face. Whenever he thought of the old Emperor's final fierce, tiger-like gaze, Zhao Pu felt a chill run down his spine. He did not know whether the tricks he had played before Emperor Liu would work, and his confidence was ultimately insufficient.

The old Emperor could not fully trust anyone or anything now, including Wang Yucheng, who had ignited this storm. Could the old Emperor truly tolerate him? Would he accept and approve everything he said?

I fear that beneath that tolerant and emotional surface lies a heart ready to devour at any moment. Wang Yucheng has been lucky—how many times has he drifted between life and death? How terrifying it truly was behind the scenes, he probably hasn't even realized it himself.

This time, he again spoke recklessly before the throne. In Zhao Pu's view, he neither knew the gravity of the situation nor feared death.

"Chancellor Zhao!" Returning to the government hall, before he had even sat down to take a sip of tea, Zhao Pu saw an official walk in. His hair and beard were gray, but his spirit was vigorous—it was Xin Zhongfu, the Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

Xin Zhongfu had once served as Minister of Justice, then been transferred to Vice Minister. When Zhao Pu returned to court and resumed his post as Chancellor, Xin Zhongfu was further promoted to Right Vice Director, becoming Zhao Pu's most capable subordinate and one of the few figures of real power at the center of the court.

"How goes the situation?" After sitting down, Xin Zhongfu did not stand on ceremony and asked directly.

Glancing at him, Zhao Pu sighed: "The imperial majesty was shaken, and the dragon's countenance was furious!"

"That's to be expected!" Xin Zhongfu nodded, showing no surprise: "What about Wang Yucheng?"

"The minor storm in Chuigong Hall has subsided, but a great upheaval is brewing in Helong!" Zhao Pu frowned and sighed deeply.

Seeing Xin Zhongfu's concerned gaze, Zhao Pu briefly recounted what Emperor Liu had instructed. After hearing it, Xin Zhongfu was silent for a moment, then said: "That's fine as well. Some officials in Helong have indeed gone too far..."

"Alright!" Zhao Pu waved his hand to signal, then called out toward the outside: "Someone come!"

Soon, an officer on duty entered and bowed respectfully: "What are the Chancellor's orders?"

"Go to the Censorate and invite the Left Chief Censor here!" Zhao Pu instructed.

"Yes!" The subordinate officer dared not delay and immediately set off.

Withdrawing his gaze, Zhao Pu looked back at Xin Zhongfu and continued their previous topic: "His Majesty wants us to investigate and verify the matters concerning Longxi that Wang Yucheng reported. However, you and I both have a grasp of the situation in Longxi—even if there are discrepancies with what Wang Yucheng said, they cannot be significant.

From the Yulin Rebellion to the far expedition to Anxi, from the Lu Duoxun case to the purge of officialdom, the northwest has not been peaceful for nearly a decade. So many people have been replaced, and many have been killed, yet the deep-rooted problems remain unchanged.

Under such major policies, it is understandable that officials and commoners are exhausted. But some people take advantage of this to stir up trouble and manipulate matters—blaming the court while pocketing the profits. How could His Majesty tolerate that?"

"These are all calamities left behind by Lu Duoxun back then!" Xin Zhongfu voiced this opinion out of nowhere.

It even startled Zhao Pu. His old brows furrowed, and he couldn't help but look at Xin Zhongfu a couple more times. After all, Lu Duoxun had been Zhao Pu's mortal enemy—even though the man was long dead, thinking of him still brought back vivid memories. And when the Lu case broke out back then, it was precisely Xin Zhongfu before him who had presided over the trial.

"Zhihan, let us not speak of past matters. What we should consider now is how to handle the situation in Helong." Zhao Pu said this.

"What is His Majesty's intention?" Xin Zhongfu asked.

Zhao Pu said: "His Majesty clearly intends severe punishment and stern warning. But what is strange is that this time he has not mobilized the two bureaus—the Imperial City Bureau and the Wude Bureau—but has let the relevant departments handle it!"

Xin Zhongfu pondered this as well, then said: "The imperial heart is hard to fathom! However, not using the two bureaus is a good thing for the court's dignity—it can reduce many injustices and better maintain proper measure. But this matter will still require considerable effort to repay His Majesty's trust. What plans does Chancellor Zhao have?"

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Pu looked directly at Xin Zhongfu and said: "I intend to have Brother Zhihan go to Helong together with Commandery Duke Yang and Wang Yucheng—this both shows the importance we place on it and ensures the task is done well! It will require Zhihan to personally make the trip, I'm afraid!"

Xin Zhongfu silently weighed the matter for a moment, then cupped his hands and said: "It is my bounden duty, I dare not speak of hardship! Only—Commandery Duke Yang is reasonable, but Wang Yucheng..."

At the mention of Wang Yucheng, Zhao Pu couldn't help but show a pained expression. After thinking it over, he said: "No matter. He has already poked a hole in the sky; once he reaches the northwest, just handle things according to the rules!"

Xin Zhongfu nodded slightly, hesitated a little, then said: "Chancellor Zhao should know that the root of the northwest's hardship—if we do not seek a fundamental solution, then no matter how many officials we deal with, I fear it will only be like pouring boiling water to stop the fire—a temporary fix!"

Zhao Pu thought of something, pondered for a moment, and said softly: "His Majesty loosened his grip today!"

"Truly?" Xin Zhongfu's eyes lit up.

Zhao Pu nodded solemnly.

Upon hearing this, even with Xin Zhongfu's composure, he couldn't help rubbing his palms together, suppressing his excitement, and said: "If that is so, my confidence for the trip to the northwest is greatly increased. The officials and people of the northwest have hope, and the court above and below can rest easy."

Clearly, regarding the western expedition, from top to bottom, both in court and outside, a force of opposition had long formed—even factions of different stripes had reached a consensus. They simply dared not make too much noise because of the old Emperor's insistence. However, once he loosened his grip, that suppressed "public opinion" would rapidly erupt.

Not to mention the northwest—even the central court itself had long suffered from "the western expedition's burden." So much military supplies and equipment supporting Anxi had been scraped from the northwest's lands, and the drain on the national treasury was enormous.

"Commandery Duke Yang... Left Chief Censor..." Having finished his instructions, Zhao Pu suddenly realized something. He muttered to himself, and the meaning in his old eyes shifted from deep thought to sudden understanding.

How could the old Emperor possibly let Wang Yucheng take charge of the Censorate? With his temperament, placing him in such a high position would only be asking for trouble for himself.

Even setting that aside, Yang Ye's position as Left Chief Censor had been personally appointed by Emperor Liu, and he had only been in office for a year. This was an important arrangement by the old Emperor in structuring the court's power—how could the mere Wang Yucheng possibly replace him?

Thinking back to the old Emperor's words and stance in Chuigong Hall, a subtle, inscrutable expression appeared on Zhao Pu's face.

In the evening, at Hongde Hall in the Eastern Palace, attendants were dismissed to a certain distance. Crown Prince Liu Yang alone listened to the report of the palace eunuch Wang Yue. His account naturally revolved around the news and conditions within the palace.

Recently, Liu Yang had been as low-key as he had told Murong Defeng—relinquishing all power and affairs, not setting foot outside his gates, quietly playing the "idle gentleman" in the Eastern Palace. However, there was little happening in the court or the palace that could escape his eyes and ears, especially since the matter in Chuigong Hall today had not been deliberately kept secret.

After Wang Yue finished his report, a somewhat complex expression reappeared on Liu Yang's dignified face. After pondering for a long while, he sighed: "Wang Yucheng, Wang Yuanzhi—scholar's spirit. After all these years, he truly hasn't changed one bit!

It's fine for him to serve in the provinces, but the capital is truly no place for someone like him to be an official."

Liu Yang even felt that Wang Yucheng was only suited to serve in prefectures and counties—the farther away from Emperor Liu, the better. That way, with his sincere devotion and true temperament, he could protect a region's peace and do real things for the people. Otherwise, fortune and misfortune would be unpredictable.

Given the court's current political atmosphere and structure, it was truly not friendly to upright ministers like Wang Yucheng.

Sighing twice, Liu Yang looked up and instructed Wang Yue: "Send that box of 'Xie Gong cakes' that the Tenth Brother sent over to Chancellor Zhao's residence."

"Should I convey any message?" Wang Yue asked for instructions.

"No need!" Liu Yang said calmly: "Just deliver the cakes."

Regarding the matter of Wang Yucheng, Liu Yang and Zhao Pu understood each other tacitly. Back then, when Wang Yucheng's memorial was withheld, the one who truly made that decision was Liu Yang; Zhao Pu was merely a witness. As for why—it was naturally to protect Wang Yucheng.

And as for Zhao Pu's intention in voluntarily taking on this matter, Liu Yang had understood it the moment he learned of the situation. Regardless of the outcome, Zhao Pu's intentions were good.

Although Liu Yang felt at ease with himself, he dared not be overly optimistic at this moment. If he explained truthfully, what would the old Emperor's reaction be? Would he "understand" him as the Crown Prince the way he had "understood" Zhao Pu, or—

"Your Highness, word has already spread throughout the inner and outer courts that His Majesty intends to halt the western expedition!" Wang Yue raised another matter. As a close personal eunuch, he had some sense of what his master cared about.

However, upon hearing this news, Liu Yang's expression showed no obvious change. After a brief moment of thought, he responded softly: "I see."

And if speaking from his true heart, Liu Yang naturally did not support continuing the western expedition. His reasoning was simple—it was a losing venture, and as the years passed, the burden grew heavier and heavier.

If one must expand outward, Liu Yang would rather turn toward the South Seas. At least there, one could still see a return on the investment.