Chapter 544: Matters of the Wude Office

The next day, inside the imperial city, at the Wude Office headquarters, Li Shaoyou once again took his seat in the hall, personally sorting through various office affairs.

"Congratulations, Lord Shou, on your elevation to the high rank of Duke!" Wang Jingchong walked into the hall, beaming as he offered his congratulations to Li Shaoyou.

"The pleasure is mutual!" Li Shaoyou wore an air of casual indifference, glancing at him with a slight curl of his lips, saying: "Lord Wang has served in this office for many years, loyal to his duties, repeatedly rendering meritorious service. Now that you've been confirmed in your position, congratulations are truly in order!"

Wang Jingchong smiled faintly below, exchanging a glance with Li Shaoyou, then chuckled: "I still owe much to Your Grace's recommendation and kindness!"

"Though you and I bear private grudges, I believe one must not let personal matters override public duty. Throughout the entire court, there is no one other than Lord Wang who can succeed as Director and manage the overall situation!" Li Shaoyou said with an air of magnanimity.

"Your Grace's noble righteousness puts this old man to shame!" Wang Jingchong said with great emotion.

Beneath his smiling face, Wang Jingchong still harbored some doubts. Why would Li Shaoyou suddenly resign, and even take the initiative to recommend him as successor? Wang Jingchong didn't believe Li Shaoyou was truly that selfless. He knew well that this man, though young in years, was deeply calculating.

Of course, Wang Jingchong had his own considerations. Piecing together the intelligence coming from Hedong, he speculated that Li Shaoyou had likely crossed some taboo — daring to interfere in local military and civil affairs, arousing the Emperor's wariness, hence being signaled to step down. As for recommending him, Wang Jingchong, that was probably also the Son of Heaven's intention...

"Lord Wang, these are some office affairs I handled personally — personnel, assignments, secret orders. I've organized them all and now hand them over to you!" Li Shaoyou pointed to a stack of documents on the hall table, addressing Wang Jingchong: "The Hedong matter is the current urgent priority; it must be memorialized to His Majesty again. Lord Wang, do pay close attention!"

"Your Grace will now enjoy carefree leisure!" Wang Jingchong's smile grew even wider as he clasped his hands: "With such heavy responsibilities, this old man fears he may prove unequal to the task!"

In Li Shaoyou's eyes, Wang Jingchong's smile was far too hypocritical. He said flatly: "Lord Wang is too modest. His Majesty has always advocated that the capable should hold office, and Lord Wang is precisely such a capable man!"

"This office hall is now yours!" Li Shaoyou said with a genial smile: "His Majesty has granted me a month's leave and bestowed the grace of marriage. The wedding date is set; I'll have invitations delivered to your residence. Do honor us with your presence!"

"Oh? That's another cause for celebration! Rest assured, Your Grace — no matter how busy official duties may be, this old man will come knocking to beg a cup of wine!"

Li Shaoyou strode out of the hall with his leisurely gait, departing with ease, showing not a trace of reluctance. Wang Jingchong stood in the hall, his smile gradually fading, reverting to his usual cold and sinister demeanor. He turned and looked at the hall's seat of office.

Slowly, he stepped up and sat down. The seat was cast from pure bronze, with a carved eagle on its back — ancient, heavy, and unadorned, not wide, but as he sat, the satisfaction within Wang Jingchong's heart was beyond words. He stroked the dog-head armrests, pressed upon the case table, then picked up the command tallies and toyed with them.

Upon his aged face, a smile once again rippled forth, gradually growing unrestrained: "Ha, hahaha, hahahaha..."

In Wang Jingchong's heart surged a feeling of elation — of having lurked in obscurity for years and finally emerging on top. This man was intensely driven by ambition. In his earlier years, he had dreamed of governing a region as Military Governor, of becoming a general in the field and a chancellor at court — in short, a true man must grasp the reins of power.

But after being placed in the Wude Office by Liu Chengyou, he gradually came to relish the feeling of being the spymaster. Though the Wude Office was merely one of many government bureaus, low in nominal rank, its authority was considerable, and it answered directly to the Emperor.

Over the years, court officials and censors had repeatedly criticized and even impeached it, but that never hindered the Wude Office's growth, which gradually became systematic. And Wang Jingchong greatly enjoyed this role — monitoring the realm, investigating all officials, especially prying into courtiers' secrets, seizing their leverage, and manipulating punishment. Though the Emperor's restraint always hung over his head, the Wude Office's power grew heavier by the day.

Wang Jingchong was notoriously infamous at court, but by now, no one dared offend him. What had always galled him most was that Li Shaoyou still sat astride his neck — he had schemed against him, but never achieved his goal.

This had troubled him for a long time, but now, an unexpected joy had fallen from the heavens. How could Wang Jingchong not be delighted?

Wang Jingchong slipped into his new role quickly. He immediately issued orders for all the office's clerks and functionaries to convene in the hall for discussion. Meanwhile, he picked up an official document Li Shaoyou had prepared and began reading...

The former Shouyang Duke's residence had already changed its plaque. That night, the Wude Office's Capital District Chief, accompanied by several colleagues, came calling at the gate — very cautiously, entering through the side door, having confirmed no one was following. These men were all ones Li Shaoyou had promoted.

Inside the study, Li Shaoyou furrowed his brow slightly, staring at the Capital District Chief.

Somewhat nervous, the man couldn't hold back and asked: "Your Grace, why did you request to step down?"

"Do I need your permission to resign?" Li Shaoyou said flatly.

"This subordinate wouldn't dare!"

"You are no longer my subordinate!" A single sentence cut him off: "Your visit tonight is highly inappropriate!"

"Your Grace, your subordinates are merely perplexed!" the Capital District Chief said: "Why did you recommend Wang Jingchong? That man is sinister, overbearing, and has never been on good terms with us. Today at the office, Your Grace cannot imagine how arrogant he was..."

The Capital District Chief had originally been Hou Zan, who had previously grown too close to the Emperor's maternal uncle, Li Ye, leaking secrets and crossing taboos, and was dealt with by Li Shaoyou. Afterwards, during the Wude Office's first major reorganization, this man was promoted by Li Shaoyou to the position of Capital District Chief.

When the Wude Office was first established, its hierarchy was relatively simple. But as it continued to expand, registries, prisons, punishments, military affairs, and other departments were gradually added and refined. In the process of radiating outward across the realm, offices were set up according to circuits and prefectures, with the District Chief as head, overseeing subordinate affairs officers, intelligence officers, and the deployed spies and undercover agents. The Capital District Chief naturally became the foremost among all district chiefs — in terms of power, second only to Li and Wang.

Li Shaoyou looked at this man, roughly understanding his concerns. Previously, with Li and Wang contending, many officers had sheltered under their respective wings, engaging in open strife and covert struggle. Now that the boss had suddenly quit and handed the position to his rival, how could these men feel at ease?

After a moment's thought, Li Shaoyou said: "Who is Wang Jingchong? How could I not know clearly? Set your minds at ease. He's just taken control of the office; even if he makes some moves to suppress you, he wouldn't dare go too far. You only need to conduct yourselves according to the Wude Office's regulations, and you'll remain safe.

Also, remember this: the Wude Office does not work for me, nor for Wang Jingchong, but for His Majesty. From top to bottom, we are all His Majesty's hounds."

"But—"

"No buts!" Li Shaoyou cut him off, pausing briefly. His stern expression gradually softened, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes as he said softly: "Let Wang Jingchong be as arrogant as he likes. If he fails to exercise restraint and self-reflection, disaster will surely befall him! You all need only keep a low profile, endure the humiliation for a time, and you'll eventually see the light of day!"

The relationship between Li Shaoyou and Wang Jingchong had long deteriorated to a certain point — how could he truly act out of public spirit in recommending him? Li Shaoyou merely reasoned that if even he couldn't guarantee the Emperor's trust, how much less could Wang Jingchong?

The Emperor had previously employed and trusted him only because he had value in service — placed in the Wude Office, he could counterbalance Li Shaoyou. Now that Li Shaoyou had stepped down and Wang Jingchong held power, there seemed to be no intention of appointing a deputy director. If Wang Jingchong wasn't careful, what might the outcome be?

Thinking of these things, Li Shaoyou found it all quite intriguing — he even silently began a countdown for Wang Jingchong in his heart, guessing how long his arrogance might last. Li Shaoyou knew full well how terrifying the Wude Office could be; naturally, he couldn't genuinely wish for Wang Jingchong to hold the position long. Recommending him was, in effect, retreating in order to advance.

Having said this, Li Shaoyou sighed and looked at the Capital District Chief: "The others — Wang Jingchong probably won't target them too specifically. But you alone, with the weighty responsibility of the capital district, I expect he'll try every means to sideline and suppress you. If you'll take one piece of advice from me, voluntarily request to step down and transfer to another post to protect yourself, and bide your time for another day!"

Hearing this, the Capital District Chief furrowed his brow, seeming somewhat hesitant, his tone carrying reluctance: "Yes!"

"What I've said tonight counts as my final counsel to you all!" Li Shaoyou picked up his cup and took a light sip, signaling that the audience was over, and said: "After tonight, do not come calling again. Even if you do, I will not receive you. I hope you will all take my words to heart!"

"See the guests out!"

The group was escorted out, helpless and hesitant. On Li Shaoyou's side, however, he let out a heavy sigh. It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with the Wude Office's power, nor that he was loath to leave these old subordinates — it was simply a hidden worry in his heart.

It had been less than a day since he left his post, and already these men had come calling out of nostalgia. If word of this spread, he couldn't control what Wang Jingchong might think — but what the Emperor might think was something he had to take seriously.

In light of this, Li Shaoyou suddenly had a thought: when the Emperor sent him to Hengzhou to serve as an official, had he perhaps already anticipated this situation in advance, deliberately keeping him away from the capital's disputes and fading his traces within the Wude Office?

At this thought, Li Shaoyou couldn't help but shudder.