Chapter 266: Wang Jun's Arrogance

The stockade walls outside the city had largely been dismantled, leaving the area before the walls much more open. The vast camp had also been adjusted somewhat—after all, it was no longer a continuous siege encirclement, and several roads leading to the foot of the walls had been cleared.

Under the deep cover of night, a mounted force of over a hundred riders reined in their horses south of the city. At their center was none other than Wang Jun, who had been summoned by imperial decree to appear before the Fengxiang Military Governor. All those accompanying him were elite soldiers and fierce warriors of Fengxiang—no small display of pomp.

Tilting his head slightly, Wang Jun gazed up at the two newly carved characters "Yongji" above the city gate, shrouded in dim, flickering lamplight, and could not help but offer his critique: "Yongji City—I wonder who chose that name. Utterly mediocre and commonplace!"

His tone carried a faint trace of arrogance. His eyes swept sideways like a hawk's, and seeing that the city gate had not yet opened, his brows furrowed as he ordered the attendant official at his side: "Keep calling for the gate!"

At his command, the attendant official immediately spurred his horse forward and shouted once more: "Wang Jun, Military Governor of Fengxiang, has come at imperial summons for an audience—open the gate at once..."

After another moment, the city gate finally creaked open, and a composed, prudent-looking junior officer of the Inner Palace Guard walked out across the drawbridge, returning the name register in his hand.

Wang Jun sat atop his horse, looking down at the officer. He gave a grunt through his nose, then merely shot a glance at his personal attendant, signaling him to take the register.

Clearly, after half a year as Military Governor of Fengxiang, Wang Jun's airs had grown only more pronounced. Faced with his arrogance, the officer merely narrowed his eyes, raised his hand in salute, and said: "Forgive the wait, Governor Wang. I hope you will be lenient. The hour is already late, and by rights we should not open the gate—however—"

Before he could finish, Wang Jun cut him off with a cold rebuke: "I have come at imperial summons to meet His Majesty. For you to delay and dawdle so—do you intend to block my way?"

Wang Jun and his party had already been inspected by the patrolling imperial army troops when passing through the outer perimeter to reach the southern city wall. Now, arriving at the foot of the walls, they still had to undergo verification of credentials and name registers. To Wang Jun, this felt like nothing but a slight against him, and impatience churned within.

At his reprimand, the officer's expression darkened somewhat, but he held his temper and replied evenly: "Since His Majesty has summoned you, I would not dare obstruct. However, to guard against the unexpected, Governor Wang may bring a few personal attendants into the city. These riders, I must ask, will remain outside for the time being. The southern camp has dedicated quarters—I can arrange—"

At these words, a flush of anger surged across Wang Jun's face. Pointing at the riders beside him, he demanded: "These brothers are all loyal warriors who have slain enemies and struck down bandits for the state. They have come east with me precisely to see the sovereign, so His Majesty may witness with his own eyes the loyal and good men who guard the frontier. This city is vast indeed—can it not accommodate a mere hundred riders? You, a paltry senior officer, have quite the nerve to block me. Do you not fear chilling the hearts of the soldiers for the Son of Heaven?"

The accusation landed, but the officer showed no reaction. His expression merely cooled as he replied steadily: "The city can naturally accommodate a hundred riders. But the walls fell a mere four or five days ago, and the Son of Heaven is present. To maintain order within the city, I act only on the orders of Chief Commander Li—all military governors coming for audience are treated the same. Please do not make things difficult for me, Governor Wang!"

"Which Chief Commander Li?" Wang Jun swept his gaze over the officer.

"Li Chongju, Chief Commander of the Inner Palace Guard!"

"Once merely a eunuch attendant at the Son of Heaven's side, and now commander of an entire army—the Son of Heaven truly does favor the young. No wonder, with such arrogance..." Wang Jun's muttering rang out clearly in the ears of the Inner Palace Guard officer.

Hearing this, feeling the flat, indifferent tone of his words, the officer's patience seemed to run out. He stared intently at the shifting expression on Wang Jun's face: "Governor Wang, surely you would not lead troops to force your way into the city!"

Wang Jun's expression immediately turned cold. He twirled the riding whip in his hand twice, then suddenly laughed: "How could I do such a reckless thing? I was merely testing you. You're a fine young man—faithful to your duty. You're sure to have a bright future ahead!"

With that, he gave orders to a yabing officer at his side, commanding him to station the men outside the city, while he himself entered with his attendant officials and a few personal guards. He rode straight past the officer, his whip nearly brushing the man's face, crossed the drawbridge, then reined in his horse and looked back, issuing orders: "I'm unfamiliar with the roads—send two men to guide me."

Seeing this, the officer beckoned to two soldiers and instructed them to lead the way.

Without another glance at the officer, Wang Jun urged his horse forward into the city with his men. Watching the figures hurry off into the dim gateway, a subordinate who had witnessed the whole affair walked up to the officer, his face full of indignation: "These military governors—each one more arrogant than the last. This Governor Wang, arriving late is one thing, but to be so haughty! Why must you, Commander, tolerate him? With your status—"

Before he could finish, the officer raised a hand to stop him, his expression somewhat grim: "Say no more. Hold fast to your duty!"

"Yes!"

This officer was Fu Zhaoxin. It was his turn on watch tonight, and he had been informed while on patrol. Had he not come in person, the confrontation at the foot of the walls tonight might well have escalated.

"Quite the Governor Wang, indeed." He muttered quietly to himself, shaking his head slightly, a note of disdain in Fu Zhaoxin's voice.

"Governor, it's so late—His Majesty must have already retired. Perhaps you should seek an audience tomorrow instead!" On the slow ride toward the government office, a subordinate could not help but cautiously advise Wang Jun.

Originally, the two city guards had intended to lead Wang Jun to the guest hostel, but Wang Jun, nursing a grudge, refused outright. Ignoring the fatigue of travel, he insisted on seeking an audience with the Emperor.

At this, Wang Jun waved his hand dismissively with arrogant bearing: "We have thought of His Majesty constantly, riding six, seven, eight hundred li without complaint, all to see the sovereign. The Son of Heaven will understand. Besides, did the decree not say to arrive before the Mid-Autumn Festival? If we wait until tomorrow, we'll be late!"

"But—" The attendant official's expression showed clear hesitation, but a single look from Wang Jun forced the words back down his throat.

Though the night had grown deep, Liu Chengyou had not yet fallen asleep. Several candles around him cast bright light. Liu Chengyou lay on his side on the couch, an autumn robe draped over him, eyes half-open, one hand propping up his head and the other holding a memorial. He was clearly exhausted to the point of collapse.

"Your Majesty." A cautious call came from outside.

His weary eyes opened wide. He yawned and pushed aside the stack of memorials by his pillow. It had been some time now—whether he read them or not, without memorials by his side, he could not sleep.

"What is it?" Liu Chengyou asked the eunuch Zhang Dejun, who had entered.

"Your Majesty, Wang Jun, Military Governor of Fengxiang, has arrived at Yongji and is presently requesting an audience before the prefectural office." Zhang Dejun reported carefully.

"Finally arrived! Late to the feast, but better than never." He sighed with an inexplicable note in his voice, but a flicker of doubt soon appeared in Liu Chengyou's eyes: "It's so late—why has he not taken lodging at the guest hostel first?"

"Chief Commander Li sent word that a minor altercation occurred when he entered the city."

A shadow of displeasure crossed Liu Chengyou's brow.

"Your subject Wang Jun kowtows to Your Majesty!" In the hall, upon seeing Liu Chengyou, Wang Jun clasped his fists in salute. It was surely not his imagination—Wang Jun gave Liu Chengyou the impression of being far more assertive than before.

"Rise, Minister Wang!" Liu Chengyou, not in formal attire and appearing quite casual, personally helped Wang Jun to his feet.

He gestured for him to take a seat and gave him a brief once-over. Indeed, it was not his imagination—from Wang Jun, Liu Chengyou sensed a very pronounced air of arrogance.

"Minister Wang has had a hard journey!" Liu Chengyou offered a few words of consolation: "Early this year, the Shu army invaded our borders, and you led troops to repel them, guarding the western frontier. Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. It has kept us, sovereign and subject, apart for so long..."

"Your subject has long wished for an audience. Having only now arrived tonight, I am relieved to see Your Majesty as vigorous as ever." Wang Jun said flatly.

Largely disregarding Wang Jun's words, Liu Chengyou observed his "keep away" expression and asked: "Your countenance seems off, Minister Wang. What has happened?"

As if having anticipated Liu Chengyou's question, Wang Jun recounted the situation at the city gate with a twist, lodging a petty complaint: "Your Majesty, Li Chongju is young after all. His governance of his subordinates inevitably has its shortcomings."

"A mere senior officer—who does he think he is, with such a temper, slighting a regional governor? Your subject came at imperial summons. Had it been anyone else, who knows what arrogance he might have shown..."

"You speak truly, Minister Wang." Liu Chengyou's expression did not change. He nodded lightly, took a sip of the tea Zhang Dejun had handed him, and gestured toward Wang Jun: "I was unaware that the Empress's elder brother could be so overbearing in his daily conduct. I shall deal with the matter!"

The moment Liu Chengyou's words fell, Wang Jun's face could not help but change, his skin twitching several times.

The atmosphere slid into an awkward direction.