Chapter 278: The Meeting of Guo and Wang

After finishing the military and political matters, seeing that the sky was gradually growing dark, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and directly dismissed the ministers.

The golden crow was about to sink in the west, only lacking a bit of time before the last glimmer of light would be swallowed by darkness. Within the Bian Palace, several halls, chiefly Chuigong and Guangzheng, had already lit their palace lanterns. The deep autumn night was cold as water, and within these deep palace halls, it felt even more chilly and desolate.

Dressed in a scholar's robe with a futou headwrap, the martial aura about Guo Wei grew ever fainter. With steady steps and a calm countenance, one might well believe him to be a civil official or Confucian scholar.

With his hands simply tucked into his sleeves, Guo Wei walked out of the palace alongside Wang Jun in the night breeze, tilting his head to look at him: "Having been summoned back to the capital this time, I am fortunate to have been promoted to a position at the center of power. Upon my very arrival, I was entrusted with an important task—I must congratulate you, Brother Wang!"

The relationship between Guo Wei and Wang Jun had not been particularly close before, but it had been fairly decent. Of course, among the civil and military officials of the entire Han court, there were few who were on bad terms with Guo Wei—only the imperial relatives like the Liu and Li clans, especially the Imperial Uncle and Military Governor of Hedong, Liu Chong, with whom he had formed a grudge back when they were still in Jinyang.

It was said that Liu Chong in Jinyang also kept a constant watch on the situation at court, especially in the half year and more since the new emperor had ascended the throne. Upon learning that Liu Chengyou was heavily employing Guo Wei and entrusting him with power, he was greatly displeased and repeatedly voiced critical remarks before his subordinates.

Walking in step with Guo Wei and hearing his words, Wang Jun said calmly: "Compared to returning to court, I would rather be deployed to the western frontier. Until the four prefectures of Qinfeng are restored to our rule, the Shu army can march north at any time, and the region west of the Pass will never be at ease!"

Wang Jun's tone still carried a hint of unwillingness, a trace of dissatisfaction.

"With the Son of Heaven's military acumen, he will surely not tolerate the realm being split apart. Even if it is only to consolidate the west of the Pass, he will send troops to take it back one day—that will be the time for you, Brother Wang, to display your martial prowess!" Guo Wei, noting Wang Jun's somewhat indistinct expression under the dim lamplight, said with a light laugh: "The court is precisely at a time of needing men, and His Majesty is eager for talent. This autumn's special examination has just concluded. With your abilities, Brother Wang, returning to court is precisely the chance to serve the court and the common people of the realm to the fullest."

There was a note of flattery in Guo Wei's tone. Hearing it, Wang Jun's mood improved slightly. There was not much arrogance on his face, but between his brows, confidence was clearly evident.

Glancing at Guo Wei, Wang Jun's eyes turned for a moment, and he said: "With a capable minister like you, Brother Guo, holding down the Bureau of Military Affairs, wouldn't my coming be superfluous?"

"Brother Wang jests!" Guo Wei's thick brows rose, still wearing a smile as he clasped his hands: "Having received the Son of Heaven's trust and been entrusted with the confidential affairs of the Bureau, since taking office I have been utterly exhausted in mind and body. Lately, with the heavy volume of work, I often feel my strength is insufficient. Now that you, Brother Wang, have returned to court to assist, I can finally breathe a great sigh of relief!"

Guo Wei was giving him such face that even with Wang Jun's current proud demeanor, he felt a little embarrassed. Returning the courtesy, he thought for a moment, then suddenly turned his head to ask: "The Son of Heaven wishes to reorganize the imperial army. What does Brother Guo think of the prospects for this matter?"

After all that talk, finally something of substance had been said. Hearing the question, Guo Wei instead appeared all the more composed, with a thoughtful expression on his face. The wind blew his light beard wildly about. Raising his head, he said to Wang Jun: "What does Brother Wang think?"

At Guo Wei's evasive behavior, Wang Jun actually felt a trace of superiority in his heart. His gaze fell upon the deep, winding corridor of the palace stretching into the distance, and he said with calm confidence: "Taking advantage of the moment when your prestige is at its peak after putting down the rebellion—as long as the Son of Heaven's resolve is strong enough and he pushes it through with full force, I doubt anyone can stop him!"

"However, establishing the Palace Command and reorganizing the Imperial Guard is clearly a division of the Imperial Guard Command's great authority. I fear that Shang Hongqian and his lot will not yield easily! Of course, the Son of Heaven's prestige in the military grows ever greater—merely Shang Hongqian and his people are probably no match for the Son of Heaven. Moreover, with men like us assisting, they will hardly be able to stir up any major trouble!"

Though Wang Jun's demeanor was arrogant, what he said all struck at the heart of the matter. Between his words, the intense confidence nearly infected Guo Wei.

Guo Wei first appeared lost in thought, then suddenly enlightened, and only then looked at him: "From the sound of Brother Wang's words, you intend to support the Son of Heaven?"

"Did I not already make my stance clear in the hall just now? Brother Guo, could it be that you do not share this intention? Could it be that you are merely going through the motions with the Son of Heaven?" Wang Jun stopped in his tracks, crossed his arms, and stared straight at Guo Wei.

Such words could not be answered carelessly.

Guo Wei stopped as well, nodding gently, and finally said something substantial: "The imperial army is the wings of the state. Strengthening the army is like strengthening the wings, enabling them to beat with power. I, Guo, naturally shall serve with utmost sincerity."

"Brother Guo is loyal and upright, and possesses keen insight—no wonder the Son of Heaven trusts you so heavily." Wang Jun said with a chuckle.

"Brother Wang flatters me!"

Seeing Guo Wei's self-deprecation, Wang Jun only felt that this man had changed greatly. Based on past experience in dealing with him, when had Guo Wei ever been so "refined and agreeable"?

"His Majesty wishes to curtail the power of the Imperial Guard Command while expanding the authority of the Bureau of Military Affairs. As Chancellor of the Bureau, Brother Guo, you deserve congratulations! This reorganization of the army is a heavy responsibility on your shoulders." Resuming his pacing, Wang Jun said with pointed meaning.

Hearing this, Guo Wei likewise emphasized with equal significance: "Brother Wang, you now share control of the Bureau..."

Even if one knew how to conduct oneself and was considerate of the sovereign's intentions, without benefits, even Guo Wei would not be so proactive.

"Brother Wang has just returned to the Eastern Capital. If you don't mind the lateness of the hour, would you care to visit the Bureau of Military Affairs? I, Guo, will personally accompany you." Glancing at the gradually darkening sky, Guo Wei pointed toward the Bureau's location southwest of the imperial city and asked considerately.

"With such warm hospitality from Brother Guo, how could I dare refuse?" Wang Jun said.

As he strode forward, Guo Wei walked beside him, silently savoring his conversation with Wang Jun. From his feeling of it, Wang Jun had indeed changed greatly, as the rumors said—or rather, the arrogance and overbearingness that had previously been suppressed was now no longer concealed, but fully unleashed.

Noting the sharpness fully displayed on Wang Jun's profile, a thought suddenly flashed through Guo Wei's mind: this man's entry into the central government might be a move by the Son of Heaven. He could almost be certain that the Bureau of Military Affairs would not be peaceful in the days to come.

Thinking of this, Guo Wei felt he understood many more things.

However, even so, his steps remained perfectly steady. Through the conversation just now, probing each other's intentions, the two had basically reached a tacit understanding—at least on the matter of reorganizing the army, the two could cooperate fully.

On Liu Chengyou's side, he ordered people to close the wide-open doors and windows. With the cold wind no longer invading, it became considerably more comfortable.

He kept Wei Renpu and Fan Zhi behind. In the current court, the only ministers truly trusted and relied upon by Liu Chengyou were these two.

"Regarding the reorganization of the army—was my move a bit too hasty?" Sitting together and drinking hot tea, Liu Chengyou's tone could not help but carry some doubt.

Despite how forceful he had appeared just now, that had merely been a necessary attitude.

"Now is precisely the right time—ride the momentum. If this excellent opportunity is missed, who knows how long it would be delayed. Since Your Majesty has already made up his mind and announced it to the civil and military officials, your resolve should be unyielding—you must not hesitate or waver!" Fan Zhi's words were sharp, offering direct counsel.

Wei Renpu had clearly pondered this as well. His expression and tone were both very modest, but he likewise reinforced Liu Chengyou's confidence: "Your Majesty wishes to thoroughly reform the imperial army. Though the actions are swift, the mindset should be unhurried. As long as you consider everything thoroughly, prepare properly, handle matters with force, and advance steadily, you can accomplish the task with ease. Having Chancellor Guo take the lead in managing this matter is most fitting—with his prestige and ability, he can suppress much of the opposition."

"Additionally, regarding the army reorganization, Your Majesty should issue an edict proclaiming it to all the troops, speaking from the heart to reassure them, so as to avoid any errors or omissions in conveying the will from above to below. Your Majesty should keep constant grasp of military developments, and make proper arrangements for the officers and soldiers of each army—then all will be secure!"

Wei Renpu was reminding Liu Chengyou here.