Chapter 369: The Yang Bin Case (2)

Liu Chengyou spoke with a firm tone, and Wang Zhang did not deny it either, showing no surprise at the Son of Heaven's "foresight." What the Wude Office did was no longer a secret in the court.

When the Wude Office was first established, it was of little account, but as it had grown steadily under Liu Chengyou's support over the past two years, it had already aroused the wariness of many. Since ancient times, secret service agencies have been criticized by people, yet no dynasty has ever been an exception. They were like a sword hanging over the heads of civil and military officials—a sharp instrument for the emperor to consolidate imperial power.

Previously, over the matter of the Wude Office, Yang Bin had already clashed with Liu Chengyou, directly submitting a memorial requesting that Liu Chengyou disband it. He argued that state oversight was the proper purview of the Censorate, and there was no need for petty men to meddle and throw court governance into chaos. His words were harsh and exaggerated, showing Liu Chengyou no face at all.

Of course, no matter how Yang Bin "argued on principle," the outcome ultimately failed to go his way. The contradictions between Liu Chengyou and Yang Bin accumulated and intensified through matters of this sort, until they finally erupted.

"Since returning to the capital, on the matter of Yang Bin, many officials have probed at me from the sidelines. But none have been as direct as you, Minister Wang—this is the first time!" With a composed expression, Liu Chengyou said slowly.

Wang Zhang also withdrew his somewhat bold gaze, rose, and made a bow: "Where my words have given offense, I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Having said this, he sat back down and quietly awaited the "imperial instruction."

Seeing Wang Zhang like this, Liu Chengyou raised a hand and waved it: "No need for that!"

"I find your frank words, Minister Wang, quite reasonable, and indeed I must give the court an explanation!" Liu Chengyou precisely drew out a document from the imperial desk and gestured for a palace eunuch to hand it to Wang Zhang: "The reasons for Yang Bin's imprisonment are all set forth therein—a single glance will make it clear to you, Minister Wang!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Zhang responded, then took it and began reading with focused attention. The information that met his eyes made his expression visibly grow grave.

Words like "mutiny" and "seizure of power" were glaring, gripping Wang Zhang's eyes tightly, and the sickly pallor on his face seemed to deepen somewhat.

Liu Chengyou sighed and spoke at a slow pace: "This involves treason and bears on the very foundations of the state. I must remain vigilant. To guard against the unforeseen, I have no choice but to act with thunderous measures and deal with it immediately!"

Liu Chengyou's explanation did not convince Wang Zhang. Though Wang Zhang was not known for cleverness or wit, his long career in officialdom and high office had honed a certain political instinct.

There was much that was suspicious here!

Based on Wang Zhang's understanding of Yang Bin, he could believe that the man grasped at power and slighted the sovereign, but as for his staging a mutiny and rebelling—Wang Zhang held considerable reservations.

Not to mention whether Yang Bin even had the strength to stage a mutiny—even if he had the intent, how could he act at a time when Liu Chengyou's imperial authority was steadily consolidating and the people's hearts yearned for stability? Would that not be a moth flying into the flame, courting disaster for himself?

The Great Han's situation was now generally stable, and Liu Chengyou's control over the military had been continuously strengthening. With Yang Bin's shrewdness, how could he commit such a foolish act?

As for conspiring with the Prince of Julu, Liu Chengyun, to raise troops—that was even more doubtful. Even if Liu Chengyou had been far from the capital at the time, touring outside with insufficient guards around him, how could those few garrison troops of Xingzhou possibly contend with the elite of the Palace Command? What was even more absurd was that Liu Chengyun had been the first to report the matter. Yang Bin had held power for so long—how could he have been so careless?

Setting aside the above problems, even if Yang Bin truly intended to rebel and actually succeeded, with the meager forces of Xingzhou, how could he manage the situation? The Empress Dowager and all the civil and military officials were here in the Eastern Capital, and the hundred thousand troops of the imperial army were still present. As a rebel, how could he contend with them? Would he then ally with the Prince of Taiyuan in Hedong, Liu Chong?

Even so—if Yang Bin, as a chief minister, dared to brazenly rebel, then those regional governors across the realm who were even slightly restless would surely turn the world upside down. Given the ways of the world and human hearts over the past three dynasties, it would likely be feudal lords rising one after another, rallying to punish the traitor, the land torn asunder, and a new dynasty forged anew...

Any person of insight could consider all these circumstances. Yang Bin had long occupied a high position, harmonizing the yin and yang of the realm—however lacking in broader vision, he could not be so foolish as this.

And with the Son of Heaven's brilliance, how could he fail to perceive these problems? Yet Liu Chengyou's reaction... Thinking of this, the corner of Wang Zhang's mouth twitched, so bitter.

Wang Zhang's mind raced, while Liu Chengyou silently observed his shifting expression, finding it quite amusing.

A trace of hesitation showed on his face. Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, Wang Zhang still voiced his doubt: "Your Majesty, what is written in this document is all too vague, full of conjecture. I fear there is no solid evidence. I beg Your Majesty to be cautious!"

Seeing Wang Zhang's expression, Liu Chengyou knew that this gentleman had already discerned some of the twists and turns in the matter. His eyes flickered, and he was about to speak when word came that Wang Jingchong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, sought an audience.

"Perfect timing. Had Vice Minister Wang not reported the matter earlier, things might not have succeeded. These past days, I have had him investigate and gather evidence. If you have doubts, Minister Wang, you may as well hear his report!" In the hall, Liu Chengyou pointed at Wang Jingchong and said to Wang Zhang.

Hearing this, Wang Zhang glanced at Wang Jingchong, who stood before the sovereign with utmost deference, a flicker of disdain passing through his eyes—though his heart grew even heavier. Some things were no secret in the court, such as the fact that Wang Jingchong had previously belonged to the "Yang faction." But at this moment, as Wang Zhang saw it, the man seemed to be holding a gleaming knife, poised to stab Yang Bin.

Wang Jingchong kept his head slightly lowered, not daring to look directly at Liu Chengyou, and likewise cast a sidelong glance at Wang Zhang seated nearby. Under orders, he narrated with a calm expression: "Through my investigations, the traitorous minister Yang Bin had long harbored rebellious intentions. During the late emperor's reign, he already slighted Your Majesty, often speaking disrespectfully, and repeatedly summoned his confidants to secretly plot wrongdoing. When the late emperor fell gravely ill and passed, transmitting the throne to Your Majesty, Yang Bin secretly made contact with the imperial army, plotting deposition—but Your Majesty, being brilliant and martial, acted decisively and arrived in person in time, and so the plot was abandoned."

"At that time, I was his subordinate, and so I learned of these matters, but since his reckless actions had not yet been carried out, I dared not report them rashly. Over these two years, I observed in secret and gathered evidence. When the northern tour came, Yang Bin's disloyal heart erupted, and only then was he apprehended in one stroke."

"Since the last month of last year, in connection with Yang Bin's treasonous affairs, I have interrogated and examined more than twenty officials and junior officers who conspired with him—enough to corroborate his rebellious acts!" At this point, Wang Jingchong's speech quickened somewhat. He drew a stack of memorials and confessions from his official robe, holding them up with both hands: "Additionally, through my verification, apart from the treason, there are also ten grave crimes of Yang Bin. I beg Your Majesty to review them..."

In the empty hall, the tail of Wang Jingchong's voice still echoed, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Liu Chengyou perused Wang Jingchong's "investigation report," the rustling of pages turning intermittently in his hands.

After a long while, Liu Chengyou's expression turned gloomy, and he gave a long sigh: "Who would have thought Yang Bin's malice ran so deep!"

Having said this, he stared at Wang Zhang with cold eyes.

Hearing this lament, Wang Zhang, whose body had been stiff for some time, seemed to come back to life. His gaze swept toward Liu Chengyou as he murmured: "How dare he do such a thing?"

In his indignant tone lurked a hint of mockery—whether it was aimed at Yang Bin or at something else, one could not tell...

Every word Wang Jingchong had just spoken struck at the heart, even exposing the "unrest" from the very beginning of Liu Chengyou's reign—clearly showing that Yang Bin's "rebellious heart" was not something of a day or two.

At this point, how could Wang Zhang not be certain that the Son of Heaven had woven a vast net for Yang Bin, a trap within it? As for this Wang Jingchong—he was likely nothing more than a pawn...

His breathing grew somewhat heavy, and Wang Zhang did not even notice the hoarseness of his own voice: "Yang Bin's crimes are grave indeed. May I ask how Your Majesty intends to deal with him?"

Watching Wang Zhang's reaction, Liu Chengyou's mood suddenly grew somewhat oppressive. He tapped his fingers on the imperial desk, considered for a moment, then with an unremarkable expression said flatly: "Yang Bin is a founding meritorious minister of the Great Han, a supporting minister appointed by the late emperor. He could not have committed treason. The Great Han's situation has barely achieved stability—it cannot withstand more upheaval..."

A trace of melancholy seeped into Liu Chengyou's tone. Whether his face burned with shame as he said these words, one could not tell...