Chapter 358: Wang Jingchong Has Something to Say

The door lintel was not tall, but with imperial guards on watch, it took on an air of solemnity. Zhao Kuangyin was on duty, standing with stern dignity, hand resting on his sword hilt, sizing up Wang Jingchong standing below the stone steps with keen interest.

He was tall of stature, advanced in years, head slightly bowed, hands tucked into his sleeves, shrinking in the cold wind in a guarded posture—yet his footing was steady, unmoving by a hair.

A lantern hung on each side of the corridor, their flickering candlelight reaching only half his face. Beneath the hazy glow, there was a faint hint of gloom, but upon a closer look, it was extraordinarily calm.

Zhao Kuangyin was slightly surprised, searching his mind for information about this man, but soon gave up. Having served as an imperial bodyguard for nearly a year now, he had seen and remembered many courtiers coming and going to seek audience, but of Wang Jingchong, he truly knew very little. Only his name, and that he seemed to be one of Chancellor Yang Bin's men.

Wang Jingchong stood in the cold night, his official robe plain and worn, with not a single valuable ornament upon him—as if carrying out the frugality advocated by the Son of Heaven.

Wang Jingchong naturally noticed Zhao Kuangyin's appraising gaze, but acted as if no one were there. He had heard something of this young general newly promoted by the Son of Heaven; observing his bearing and appearance, he was valiant and spirited. Thinking of his own circumstances, for a brief moment, jealousy stirred in Wang Jingchong's heart.

Nearly two years had passed. What had changed was that Wang Jingchong had aged somewhat. What had not changed was that he remained merely a Vice Minister of War—a title without substance, and in the current Qianyou court, he did not even have a single posting of any importance on his record.

Back then, among the crowd that welcomed Liu Zhiyuan into the Eastern Capital, Wang Jingchong had been an eager activist. After the Liu clan's Han took the Central Plains, as a meritorious official, Wang Jingchong received Liu Zhiyuan's attention and favor, and he served with all his heart, striving to please the Han court.

This man had great ambitions, craved achievements, and was skilled at currying favor. In the choice that followed, he made a decision he still regretted to this day: throwing in his lot with Yang Bin and participating in the succession struggle that had barely sprouted before fizzling out.

And besides regret, he could not help but lament his ill fortune. After all, at the time, what power and influence Yang Bin wielded, and how great Liu Chengxun's advantage in the line of succession had been.

Yet who could have imagined that the fledgling Great Han's subsequent situation would undergo such sudden upheaval? Liu Chengxun died young, Liu Zhiyuan passed away from illness, Liu Chengyou ascended the throne—within the span of a few short months, the Northern Han underwent such earth-shaking changes that Wang Jingchong had no time to react before the overall situation was settled.

At the time, Wang Jingchong sensed the shift in circumstances, adjusted course promptly, decisively betrayed his master, and bit back, directly accusing Yang Bin of harboring treasonous intent. Unfortunately, the result was not what he had expected. The Emperor had clearly shown interest in his earnest loyalty and given indications, but afterward let the matter drop—not only failing to deal with Yang Bin, but instead promoting and rewarding him, continuing to favor him as before.

This greatly surprised Wang Jingchong, even filling him with dread, fearing he would suffer calamity. Fortunately, in the days that followed, the Son of Heaven seemed to have forgotten him.

However, over the course of two years, as Wang Jingchong kept a low profile in court and calmed his mind, he gradually began to see the signs and divine some of the Son of Heaven's intentions.

He silently cursed himself for a fool! At that time, a new sovereign had just taken the throne, and stability was paramount above all. His rash, impulsive act of betraying his master in a fit of anxiety—a petty man's move—had truly been a blunder.

But it was never too late to mend the fold after the sheep were lost. Wang Jingchong always kept a final sliver of hope for a comeback. Working diligently and advancing step by step was not his style, nor did it suit him.

What he awaited was that glimpse of the Son of Heaven's will. Liu Chengyou was no ordinary young sovereign, still less a mediocre one. Even if he considered the greater picture, how could he long tolerate arrogant old ministers?

Sure enough, the changes in the Great Han's court over two years confirmed Wang Jingchong's speculation, and Liu Chengyou's policies and measures also drew his attention.

That deeply meaningful instruction Liu Chengyou had given him back then still lingered in his mind from time to time. Wang Jingchong interpreted Liu Chengyou's words as: watch Yang Bin, gather evidence of his crimes, to be ready for great use—and that was exactly what Wang Jingchong had done.

Now, having obtained an assignment from Yang Bin that allowed him to accompany the imperial entourage, Wang Jingchong felt the time had come. He could no longer suppress that "merit-seeking" heart of his, and so he came this night.

Beneath his calm expression, thoughts kept flashing by, until the sound of regular footsteps interrupted Wang Jingchong's musings.

Seeing Zhang Dejun's figure emerge, he hurried forward to meet him. Zhang Dejun glanced at Wang Jingchong, chin slightly raised, and delivered the decree flatly: "His Majesty commands that Wang Jingchong await an audience in the side hall!"

At these words, a flicker of emotion finally crossed Wang Jingchong's calm face—but it vanished in an instant.

Falling half a step behind and following Zhang Dejun toward the side hall, Wang Jingchong, with a practiced motion, produced a jade pendant from his bosom and discreetly pressed it toward Zhang Dejun's hand—only to have it refused by Zhang Dejun with an even more practiced motion.

"Vice Minister Wang, since the northern tour, His Majesty has been weary in body and mind. If there is nothing of importance, and you disturb His Majesty's rest, even I, as the messenger, could not bear the blame..."

Having left those words hanging in the air, Zhang Dejun quickened his pace.

Wang Jingchong was taken aback, inwardly noting that this eunuch was putting on airs, but dared not show the slightest trace of displeasure on his face. He hurried to catch up, humbly offering flattery and apologies.

Zhang Dejun was a man of propriety—when he had helped Wang Jingchong report his arrival earlier, he had already accepted his gift...

After waiting only a short while, Liu Chengyou entered quickly, simply dressed in winter robes, and took his seat behind the desk. Wang Jingchong, who had been waiting properly, immediately rose and bowed in homage. With a glance, he noticed the tea that had been served remained untouched.

"Wang Jingchong!" Liu Chengyou spoke, his tone utterly without inflection.

"Your servant is here!"

"I recall that the last time you came to seek an audience in the night like this, you spoke many words that cut to the heart!" Liu Chengyou's gaze was as still as an ancient well as he looked at Wang Jingchong and asked casually.

At the question, Wang Jingchong's knees dropped to the ground nimbly, and he clasped his fists in response: "Your Majesty's retentive memory fills your servant with admiration!"

"Speak, then. What matter has moved you to visit in the dead of night?" Liu Chengyou cut straight to the point.

Wang Jingchong paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, lowered his head, and said solemnly: "I report to Your Majesty: your servant, by your command, has observed Chancellor Yang's conduct for two years now, and today I have obtained findings to report to Your Majesty!"

As he spoke, Wang Jingchong produced a bound document from his sleeve and presented it.

Taking it from Zhang Dejun's hand, Liu Chengyou weighed it in his palm, estimating it was folded to some ten-odd pages. His gaze dropped as he spread it open and scanned through it. What was written therein, in matters great and small, were all Yang Bin's "crimes": cultivating a personal faction, monopolizing power and running the government arbitrarily, deceiving the sovereign and defying superiors, bending the law for personal gain, indulging old associates—largely accusations of this sort.

The corner of his mouth twitched, as if in mockery. Liu Chengyou smiled faintly and indifferently, as if he did not care in the least: "This is your harvest?"

Seeing Liu Chengyou's reaction, Wang Jingchong was not flustered. He clasped his hands and bowed again, speaking readily: "Your servant has come this time with matters of the utmost urgency to report! Your servant has discovered that Yang Bin is secretly plotting something untoward—he intends to take advantage of Your Majesty's stay at Longgang, summon the Commandery Prince of Julu as reinforcement, surround Your Majesty with Zhao troops, and commit the most heinous of crimes!"

As his words fell, the hall fell silent, seeming even colder.