Chapter 60: Sudden Death

At dusk, within the Wang family residence, in the rear hall.

Several dishes of food sat on the eating table—not refined, but abundant, laid out for Wang Shou'en alone. Even if the starving lay dead by the roadside, for a man like Wang Shou'en, food, clothing, and expenses had never been reduced; rather, he enjoyed them to the fullest. Red gates with meat and wine—no more than this.

While wielding his chopsticks, he listened to the steward's report. Hearing the description of the "lively" scene before the government office, his eyes kept brightening.

"Under Administrative Assistant Gao's persuasion, the petitioners have dispersed." The steward reported in a low voice.

"Gao Fang stepping forward—that's within reason!" Chewing a few mouthfuls of meat, Wang Shou'en nodded and said with exuberant delight: "He's soothed them today; let me see how he answers tomorrow to settle this matter!"

Seeing Wang Shou'en's gloating, petty demeanor, the steward hesitated to speak but could not hold back: "Master, this old servant truly does not understand—what is the purpose of your doing this? Those common folk and petty clerks, how could they pressure the government office? If they anger His Highness the Prince, their lives may well be forfeit. If you are discovered pulling the strings behind this, disaster may not be far off..."

"Nonsense!" Hearing this, Wang Shou'en immediately rebuked: "The reason I do this is out of concern for the destitute officials and people of the city, whose lives have no support—this is pleading on behalf of the people. In past years when disasters struck, the court still ordered the government to provide relief. This time, they are only asking for wealth that rightfully belongs to them—is that not proper?"

Seeing Wang Shou'en's face full of "righteousness," speaking with such high-sounding words, but the steward was an old hand who had followed him for years and knew his master's nature well. He wished to advise him again, but heard Wang Shou'en command forcefully: "Notify our people to go to the government office and petition again tomorrow. Let them rest easy—nothing happened today, and there will be even less danger tomorrow!"

"Yes!" Seeing Wang Shou'en stubbornly courting death, the old servant knew he could not dissuade him and could only sigh helplessly.

Wang Shou'en, for his part, wore a smug expression and muttered to himself: "Most of the wealth in the treasury has been given to reward the army. I'd like to see how they handle this surging public outcry!"

"If they can't hold back and use troops to suppress, killing a few people, that would be even more interesting. What 'strict military discipline,' what 'not taking a single needle from the people'—with so much wealth, they'd still take it for themselves to buy people's hearts. Heh heh..."

"As for me, what can they do to me?" Stroking his beard, Wang Shou'en muttered somewhat arrogantly, then continued his evening meal.

As it turned out, flags should not be planted carelessly. Wang Shou'en's meal, not yet finished, was interrupted by a group of uninvited guests. Dozens of fierce, burly men burst into the Wang residence like bandits, swiftly taking control of the entire estate. They all wore plain hemp clothing, but they were clearly a band of soldiers.

"Xiang Xun!" Gazing at Xiang Xun as he strode into the hall, Wang Shou'en exclaimed in shock and anger: "You have quite the nerve, daring to bring men to break into this official's residence!"

Xiang Xun walked before Wang Shou'en with great poise, his movements slow and leisurely. Glancing at the large portion of food still remaining on the table, he remarked with feeling: "Unexpected—Patrol Inspector Wang eats this well. The simple fare His Highness takes each day is not even a tenth of yours!"

"What do you want?" Glancing at the plain-clothed soldiers following Xiang Xun and standing guard at the hall entrance, Wang Shou'en asked coldly with a dark face.

He looked very calm, but his rapid breathing had already betrayed his nervous state of mind.

"What do you think?" Xiang Xun gazed at Wang Shou'en and asked in return.

Somewhat afraid to meet Xiang Xun's eyes, Wang Shou'en turned his head away guiltily: "How should I know."

"Sigh..." Xiang Xun let out a sigh, and asked with a puzzled expression: "This subordinate is truly curious—why does Patrol Inspector Wang stir up trouble, secretly doing such sneaky deeds? Provoking officials and people alike—if Shangdang falls into chaos and hearts are lost, what benefit is that to you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" The corner of his mouth twitched, and Wang Shou'en flicked his sleeve with a cold snort, using the gesture to conceal his unease.

"Very well then! Since Patrol Inspector Wang is unwilling to speak, this subordinate will not press." Xiang Xun seemed to have no intention of digging to the bottom of things, and said lightly: "Oh, right—this subordinate has come only to take your life!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Wang Shou'en laughed upon hearing this.

"Do you think this subordinate dares or not?" Xiang Xun smiled along.

Seeing that Xiang Xun seemed to be serious, a flash of panic crossed Wang Shou'en's face: "His Highness won't agree to this!"

"Do you think—why would this subordinate dare to come to your door like this?" Xiang Xun asked back in a low, meaningful tone.

"Impossible! I am a meritorious official who raised the banner of righteousness in Luzhou. He wouldn't dare kill me. If he kills me, how can he face the condemnation of the world?" Wang Shou'en suddenly had a flash of quick wit and cried out in alarm.

"Patrol Inspector Wang, you seem to think yourself a bit too important..."

Hearing the impatience creeping into Xiang Xun's tone, Wang Shou'en suddenly raised his voice: "My father is the King of Han!"

The sound echoed in the hall for a moment. Xiang Xun was silent for a beat, then let out a disdainful laugh: "Patrol Inspector Wang, is it that you rely on your family background to act so recklessly and without fear..."

"Let me remind you—the King of Han has been dead for quite a few years now. Besides, the current Son of Heaven's surname is Liu!"

Having said this, Xiang Xun had no further interest in wasting words with him. He waved to his subordinates: "Get to it—send Patrol Inspector Wang on his way as quickly as possible!"

At the command, two of his men immediately stepped forward and seized Wang Shou'en by the arms.

Seeing this posture, Wang Shou'en was thoroughly panicked. He struggled desperately and cried out: "What are you doing? How dare you! I want to see His Highness! You can't do this! Spare me..."

After wailing a few cries, Wang Shou'en was already streaming with tears and snot, his ugly side fully exposed.

Annoyed by his noise, Xiang Xun ordered someone to gag Wang Shou'en, then took out a wide, long piece of hemp cloth and wrapped it around his head, layer after layer. Along with the "mmm mmm" groans gradually fading, Wang Shou'en slowly lost all sound—suffocated to death.

After confirming he was dead, he had the body carried back to his room. Xiang Xun then sat in Wang Shou'en's seat, picked up the chopsticks, had someone bring him a bowl of rice, and continued eating.

"Since following His Highness, I haven't eaten such fine dishes—can't let them go to waste..."

"Your Highness."

Sitting upright behind the writing desk, Liu Chengyou held up his sleeve with one hand and practiced calligraphy stroke by stroke. His handwriting, practiced for a long time, was still ugly, and the hand suspended in the air trembled slightly.

"All settled?" Without raising his head, Liu Chengyou asked.

"White funeral banners have already been hung at the Wang residence..." Xiang Xun replied: "General Guo's side has also moved—there's no chance those conspirators and troublemakers will escape!"

"Mm." Liu Chengyou acknowledged.

"The servants in the Wang residence?" Glancing up at Liu Chengyou, Xiang Xun asked in a low voice.

"What do you propose?"

"This subordinate has inquired—most of them were only hired after Wang Shou'en arrived in Luzhou." Xiang Xun explained.

"Then deal with that small portion..." Hearing this, Liu Chengyou replied flatly.

"Yes!"

"Oh, right—I am appointing you to the post of Military Recorder. Stay by my side and formally participate in recording military and governmental affairs..."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

After Xiang Xun withdrew, Liu Chengyou picked up the paper on the desk, held it over the candle flame, and burned his ugly handwriting clean away.