Chapter 579: Resolution

"Even my own maternal uncle has come to join the fun?" The latest memorial of impeachment came from Li Hongwei, Military Governor of Qingzhou. After reading it, Liu Chengyou murmured softly.

Li Hongwei was a genuine member of the imperial family—the Empress Dowager's own younger brother, and the only one among Liu Chengyou's maternal uncles whom he truly relied upon, praising him as having the talent to guard a region.

"The military provinces submitting memorials stretch from Guanzhong in the west to Pinglu in the east, separated by a thousand li, yet they speak in succession. Acting in unison by coincidence, or secretly colluding? If colluding, then who is coordinating between them?" Liu Chengyou murmured calmly, and Zhang Dejun, waiting in attendance before the throne, was shaken with alarm.

When the court officials had spoken previously, the Emperor had appeared angry and displeased, but this time, he was extraordinarily calm, his expression unreadable, his mind inscrutable. In truth, after a moment of initial shock, Liu Chengyou had long since calmed down.

Reflecting on himself, Liu Chengyou realized that he had grown somewhat complacent—wielding sole authority, considering himself supreme. Especially after the conquest of Tang, he felt invincible under heaven, holding mighty armies in hand. The repeated reductions of the military governors' power did not concern him, as he could mold them at will. Seated at the pinnacle of power, surveying all under heaven, he had become somewhat presumptuous and obstinate in governance and appointments.

But even so, Liu Chengyou would not admit he was wrong—merely that he had been too hasty. Of course, the Emperor's inner shifts were unknown to others. Things having come to this, what he needed to consider was how to handle the aftermath.

"Wang Yan! I never thought the last one to jump out would be him..." Liu Chengyou's tone carried a hint of surprise and reflection.

Originally, Liu Chengyou had expected it to be Liu Zhu—after all, in his impression, that man was vicious and cruel. Yet unexpectedly, he had been subdued by Wang Jingchong and even hounded to death.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhang Dejun, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile, and instructed: "Go, summon Duke Zhao Hui of Shan to the palace!"

"Yes!"

After Zhao Hui had come to court from Fengxiang, he had been ennobled and promoted, reaching the rank of Duke. Since then, he had remained in the Eastern Capital. Though he held a senior military post in the imperial army, he did not ordinarily command troops or handle affairs, spending most of his time resting at his mansion. His health had somewhat recovered.

Summoned for an audience, he received secret instructions from the Son of Heaven. After leaving the palace, he packed his belongings and departed the capital heading north, his destination Jinzhou. He was sent north to mediate the dispute. Hmm—Wang Yan had actually detained Wang Jingchong. Quite unexpected...

Jinzhou, Linfen Post Station. Sentry posts stood all around, with tight security—all Jinzhou yabing guards.

Inside the post station, Wang Jingchong, the Commissioner of the Wude Office who had once run rampant across prefectures and commanderies, was now trapped within. His accompanying clerks and several dozen guards were all under control. Outside Linfen city, the Wude Battalion he relied upon was also being monitored by Jinzhou troops.

It was already late autumn, and the cool wind rustled. Wang Jingchong's mood was as chill as the bleak wind outside the station. He had never imagined that Wang Yan would be so "stubborn." In recent years, he had been sailing smoothly in the Wude Office, and after Li Shaoyou stepped down, he had been even more flushed with success.

Previously in Xiangzhou, even with Liu Zhu's fearsome reputation, he had been easily dealt with. Perhaps that had set a good precedent—too easy—and now that he had hit a wall in Jinzhou, he was at a loss.

More importantly, with the conflict with Wang Yan having escalated to this point, Wang Jingchong could hardly avoid panic—not over the Jinzhou troops outside the station, but over how to explain himself to the Emperor in the Eastern Capital...

Wang Jingchong understood the imperial will deeply. He knew the Emperor wanted to deal with the military provinces, especially those who were insatiably greedy and harmed the localities—men like Liu Zhu, like Chang Si. In the secret archives of the Wude Office, the intelligence and evidence collected on such men filled a large chest, and nearly all of it had been handled by Wang Jingchong himself.

This time, leaving the capital to make a big show, he had not forgotten to line his own pockets. Along the way, Wang Jingchong had reaped considerable gains. But in Jinzhou, he had run into a tough nut. At this point, Wang Jingchong suddenly realized that even if the military provinces were gradually declining, they were still military provinces—they held troops, however many, and one could not be too hasty.

"This Wang Yan—he's utterly audacious!" Wang Jingchong's face twisted with rage as he paced the hall, radiating restlessness, venting his emotions at his subordinates.

"We've been confined here for half a month already, with no idea what's happening outside. Governor, why not let us escort you in a charge to break out, flee Linfen, and report to the court to request aid!" a subordinate suggested to Wang Jingchong.

"Foolish!" Hearing this suggestion, Wang Jingchong immediately cursed. "The post station is surrounded so tightly by Jinzhou troops that not even water could leak through—how would you charge out? Right now this is merely a conflict. If we actually take up arms, shed blood, and cause a great disturbance, how would I explain myself to the Son of Heaven upon returning to the Eastern Capital?"

At the moment of crisis, Wang Jingchong shed his impatience and arrogance. He became shrewd and calm, just as in the old days when he had schemed diligently to climb the ranks.

"But now Wang Yan has surrounded the post station with troops—his disloyal intent is plain for all to see. We must do something to turn the situation around and make amends!" his staff suggested to Wang Jingchong.

Wang Jingchong shook his head calmly, speaking with certainty: "Rebellion—that's not yet in the cards. That would be a path to death. No matter how arrogant Wang Yan is, he wouldn't dare risk the annihilation of his clan to rebel against the court. What he's targeting, I imagine, is only this humble Wang!"

At this moment, Wang Jingchong's head was finally clear, and he agreed with his subordinates that something had to be done. Yet after thinking it over seriously for a long while, he found that trapped in the city, there was nothing he could do.

Unable to restrain himself, he burst out of the hall and shouted at the junior officer on guard: "Go tell your Governor Wang that I want to see him!"

Unfortunately, he only received a cold reply: "The Military Governor has ordered that since bandits are lurking in the city, it is under martial law. The Military Governor is personally conducting the search and has no time for an audience. For your safety, please remain in the post station!"

Wang Jingchong was left choking on his words, threw a fit of temper, and could do nothing about it.

Of course, within Linfen city, the "martial law" covered only the three square feet around the post station...

At the Military Governor's mansion, Wang Yan, Military Governor of the Jianxiong Army, wore a plain expression as he entertained the arriving Zhao Hui in the main hall. Facing an imperial envoy who was also a comrade-in-arms from years past, Wang Yan took the matter seriously and personally hosted a banquet.

"Brother Wang, this time you were too impulsive, too extreme in your actions, and you went too far!" Looking at the ornately dressed, portly Wang Yan, Zhao Hui took a drink of wine to warm himself and sighed.

Wang Yan came from humble origins, having been a bandit in his youth, and his nature carried a streak of harsh stubbornness. Hearing this, he sighed, drank a full cup in one go, and said: "I was forced into a corner with no other choice. Wang Jingchong pushed too far—he dared to throw his weight around in my Jinzhou, even bringing men to storm the governor's mansion to arrest and interrogate me. How could I just surrender without a fight?

I'm not Liu Zhu, and I don't want to end up like him, humiliated by that Wang Jingchong!"

"But he is after all an envoy of the court, carrying out his commission. To resist with armed force—that is a taboo act!" Zhao Hui shook his head. "Do you truly intend to use Jinzhou to defy the court?"

"How could I have any intention of defying the court or betraying the Son of Heaven? I only refused to be controlled by a hawk-hound, acting in self-defense!" Wang Yan said.

Zhao Hui immediately said: "If you have grievances, you could have memorialized the court and asked the Son of Heaven to render judgment. But to resort to such drastic measures now—have you considered the consequences? The world today is not what it once was. With the Son of Heaven's firmness, how could he tolerate such a thing?"

Hearing this, Wang Yan said with a grave expression: "If the court wants to reduce the military provinces, following Brother Zhao's example, would I refuse? Why resort to such tactics, sending a cruel official like Wang Jingchong? Alas, things have come to this—there's no point in saying more!"

As he spoke, Wang Yan looked at Zhao Hui: "Brother, your coming here must be on the Son of Heaven's commission. Tell me, how does he intend to handle this matter?"

Seeing this, Zhao Hui wasted no words and said directly: "His Majesty told me to tell you that what happened in Jinzhou was Wang Jingchong acting on his own authority, doing as he pleased—not His Majesty's intent. This conflict has nothing to do with you. As long as you release him to return to the capital and submit a memorial of apology to the court, all past matters will be forgiven and not pursued."

"I still have to submit a memorial?" Wang Yan's brow furrowed.

Zhao Hui looked at him and said: "Regardless, Wang Jingchong was dispatched by the Son of Heaven and represents the court. You've made such a commotion in Jinzhou—if you don't give an account, where would the court's authority stand, and where would the Son of Heaven's face be?"

"Fine!" Wang Yan agreed.

"And one more thing!" Zhao Hui looked at Wang Yan seriously: "I am one year older than you. If you can trust me, after this matter is settled, you should resign your post and come to the capital with me!"

Hearing this, Wang Yan couldn't help but look at Zhao Hui and ask doubtfully: "Is this also the Son of Heaven's wish?"

Zhao Hui shook his head and said: "The Son of Heaven did not say so—this is merely my suggestion! Your actions this time went too far. Even if the Son of Heaven considers the greater picture, maintains stability, and uses soft measures to settle this matter, who can guarantee what the future holds!"

"We are both past sixty, at the age of sixty. We have fame and fortune in hand. If you wish to enjoy your remaining years in peace, you must recognize the situation clearly!" Zhao Hui added.

Hearing Zhao Hui's words, Wang Yan thought it over seriously for a while, still somewhat hesitant. Zhao Hui did not press him, pouring his own wine and drinking while waiting for his decision.

After a long while, Wang Yan looked at Zhao Hui, raising his cup: "I'll listen to you! I'll resign my post and go to the capital!"