Chapter 650: Duke Wang Is No Saint

Hou Zhang and Xue Huairang had ultimately come in high spirits and left in low ones—their gifts hadn't been delivered, but they'd gotten themselves a meal and some wine. When Xue Huairang left, he was fuming with bulging eyes and bristling beard, extremely indignant, and Hou Zhang's mood wasn't much better either.

Inside the main hall, after washing up and changing clothes, Wang Yan's expression was hardly relaxed. He summoned two trusted staff advisors and asked, "Since I took office in Luoyang, who has come to call?"

"Aside from the office clerks, resident officials, and county magistrates who ought to be received and contacted as a matter of course, it's been these meritorious officials and wealthy merchants of Luoyang!" one advisor replied.

"These people are certainly eager! I hear that from Shi Hongzhao to Jing Fan, there's been much suppression of meritorious officials and powerful families. Now that I've just arrived, they come flocking one after another, sending gifts and currying favor—what is it they seek?" Wang Yan sipped his light tea and said leisurely.

The advisor immediately said, "The Governor sits in command of the Western Capital, with high position and great power. Everyone in Luoyang, high and low, depends on your favor. They seek fame and profit, or safety and security, so naturally they come eagerly to establish connections. Moreover, as the Governor said, the meritorious nobles have been much oppressed by the two Dukes Shi and Jing—they also want to see the Governor's governing attitude!"

"Heh heh!" Wang Yan shook his head and could not help sighing, "It seems that to govern Luoyang, the first priority lies with these meritorious nobles and powerful magnates!"

"Tell me, should I continue Jing Fan's policies, or should I make some adjustments?" Wang Yan turned his head and looked at the two men.

Both staff advisors were trusted confidants who had followed Wang Yan for many years. Over the years they had accompanied him through various posts, and even when he was living in seclusion in Luoyang, they had followed him to make a living—so there was nothing they could not say.

"The Governor has just arrived, and the higher and lower ranks are not yet familiar with you. Everything should prioritize stability—you may follow the previous administration's policies! As for the meritorious officials..." The one who had spoken earlier trailed off with some hesitation.

The other man clasped his hands and took over, saying, "The nobles of Luoyang have accumulated over three generations and several decades. Going back as far as the Zhu Liang era, and since the Qianyou reign began, His Majesty has centralized power at the court—countless generals and ministers have been relieved of their posts both inside and outside, and many have been placed in the two capitals. Moreover, the dignitaries of the Eastern Capital often maintain separate residences in Luoyang.

The old officials of three generations are not a concern, but they are deeply entrenched and intertwined. Add to that the new nobles of the current court, especially those connected to high officials of the Eastern Capital—their sons, relatives, old retainers, and even servants—if anything happens, it often drags in a complicated web.

When Duke Zheng governed Luoyang back then, he ran roughshod, indiscriminately suppressing people, stirring up such widespread resentment that it shook the Eastern Capital, and His Majesty finally transferred him to Lingzhou.

As for Duke Jing in office, he enforced the law like a mountain, his statutes merciless, never showing favoritism—but in the end, he offended too many people. In recent years, there have been no shortage of memorials to the Eastern Capital impeaching him for arrogance and abuse of power.

Therefore, I believe that toward the meritorious nobles, one must be cautious and not overly aggressive. Whether for the peace of Luoyang's governance or for the Governor himself!"

"From what you say, I should just let them be?" Wang Yan raised his old brows, seeming somewhat disapproving: "What His Majesty instructed me includes restraining the powerful and noble. You fear I'll offend them and suffer their exclusion, targeting, and impeachment—but if I go against the Emperor's wishes, how can I enjoy my later years in peace?"

Hearing Wang Yan say this, the advisor immediately shook his head and said, "His Majesty's instructions naturally should not be disobeyed. Nor should you simply let them run free—it's just that in handling matters and judging cases, you can be a bit more tactful, not overly hasty!"

Wang Yan did not respond immediately. Instead, he sat behind the desk, seriously considering for a while, then looked up and changed the subject: "I haven't been in office long, but examining Jing Fan's governance, I find nothing much to criticize—in fact, for the moment I can't even find anything to improve. What do you two say about that?"

Seeing Wang Yan's troubled expression, the two advisors exchanged a glance, and the second one said, "I've looked through some case files and found that when Duke Jing judged cases involving noble versus base, or rich versus poor, he often favored the poor and base, with a deliberate intention to suppress the noble and rich.

While this wins the hearts of the common people, it is in fact biased. I believe that in future judgments, the Governor should seek fairness, impartiality—neither siding with the strong nor pitying the weak. Everything should simply follow the law!"

Wang Yan glanced at the advisor but did not directly express his stance. Instead, he sank back into thought. The advisor's words seemed reasonable, but in truth, where his interests lay was already quite obvious.

How could a single "Criminal Code" truly cover every aspect and be comprehensive in all things? Law is nothing more than human sentiment—especially in a society governed by men and virtue. But without deliberating long, Wang Yan still said, "This proposal is acceptable! Since the Son of Heaven has also instructed me to clarify the laws and strengthen their enforcement, then let everything proceed according to the Criminal Code!"

"However, I rose from the ranks of soldiers and led troops for many years. Whether in military or civil affairs, every post I've held, every office I've taken, I have always established my authority first!" As he spoke, Wang Yan's voice rose somewhat, and a cold smile gradually spread across the corners of his mouth.

"May I ask the Governor, do you have a target in mind?" The advisor clearly knew Wang Yan's style and was not surprised, but asked directly.

"What about the two who came calling today?" Wang Yan said.

The words startled everyone. The advisor could not help saying, "But Hou Zhang is an old acquaintance of the Governor!"

"What old acquaintance! That fellow is shallow and short-sighted, greedy and violent by nature—I knew that back when he was in Shanzhou. When I and Zhao Hui killed the rebels and raised the banner of righteousness, he picked up the spoils from behind, and he has repeatedly thrown his weight around and shown me contempt!" Wang Yan said coldly, "Everyone knows he has a connection with me—well, that's just as well. This time he came seeking a bribe and I refused him. If I can also punish his lawlessness, it will further dispel any criticism, won't it?"

Hearing Wang Yan speak his true thoughts, both advisors felt a chill in their hearts. Thinking of how Wang Yan had just been drinking and laughing with Hou Zhang, reminiscing about old times, while harboring old grudges and secretly plotting against him... This Lord Wang was truly not a good man!

Wang Yan continued, growing more animated as he spoke: "As for that Xue Huairang—that man is even more vicious than Hou Zhang. With his violent temper and arrogant nature, I absolutely refuse to believe he accumulated his vast wealth through lawful business. Behind it all there must be no shortage of filthy dealings!"

Clearly, Wang Yan was still brooding over Xue Huairang's behavior at the banquet.

"You two may secretly send people to investigate Hou and Xue, and gather evidence!" Wang Yan instructed.

"And if the two of them have committed no flagrant crimes?" the second advisor could not help raising a rather pointed question.

Wang Yan's figure visibly paused for a moment, but after brief deliberation, a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth and he waved his hand: "If they're law-abiding good men, then they're lucky—I haven't caught hold of their weak points..."

From Wang Yan's tone and expression, he was clearly very confident and did not believe Hou and Xue had clean hands. Those two were simply not the sort to follow the rules.

This man Wang Yan had courage, boldness, and strategic ability, with talent for guarding a region—on matters of great principle, there was no problem with him. But no man is perfect: his tolerance was somewhat narrow, and he could not let go of grudges. Over the years, no small number of people had been retaliated against for offending him, and in severe cases, they had even lost their lives.

This time, Hou Zhang had come calling, hoping to reconnect through old friendship—little knowing that instead, he had drawn Wang Yan's attention...

"Also!" Having settled the governing tone and the first fire, Wang Yan's mood had lightened considerably, and even his expression was more relaxed. He pointed outside the hall and said, "In this government office, the buildings and decorations are old and worn, long unrenovated—the environment can't even compare to Jinzhou. Where's the dignity of the Western Capital's Defender? I want to allocate some funds and grain to renovate and refurbish! This shall be the first policy of my term!"

"Yes!"

The discussion concluded, and just as they were about to disperse, the first advisor could not help saying to Wang Yan, "Governor, there is one more matter..."

Seeing his unhappy expression, Wang Yan said directly, "Speak plainly, don't hem and haw!"

Receiving the permission, the advisor clasped his hands in salute and said carefully, "Since the Governor took office in Luoyang, former retainers and old officials who were dissatisfied with their lot have come seeking refuge! At present, over a dozen have arrived in Luoyang requesting an audience, and the Governor has accepted them all. Yesterday, while strolling through the market, I discovered some who are already swaggering about, throwing their weight around under the Governor's authority..."

"Is that so!" Hearing this, Wang Yan's brows immediately knitted together.

As the saying goes, when one man attains the Way, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Wang Yan had after all once been a military governor of a region. Though he had been transferred through various posts, over the years he had accumulated a number of original followers and retainers. Two years ago, when he fell on hard times, many people had been implicated and dismissed from their posts.

Now that Wang Yan had been restored to office, old associates immediately came seeking refuge. Mindful of their long years of loyal service, Wang Yan had accepted them all.

But now, hearing this situation from his advisor's mouth, his mood immediately soured. After brief consideration, he said coldly, "Notify all the old followers who have come seeking refuge to report to the office tomorrow!"