Chapter 669: The Two Lords, Wang and Zheng

Under the spring night, the candlelight was soft and bright, the light falling on Wang Pu's cheek, revealing a face that did not look at all relaxed. After a moment of deliberation, Wang Pu sighed deeply: "For such corruption and malpractice to surface in Huaidong, though it originated in the Transport Bureau, as Administration Commissioner governing all affairs great and small of this circuit, how could I stand aside and keep myself clean? The Transport Bureau is right here in Yangzhou city—if there is any crime of oversight, I must bear a share of it."

"Previously, I knew the Transport Bureau had some problems, but constrained by the limits of my authority, I did not intervene to investigate. Yet I never imagined that a man like Zhao Feng could harbor such immense greed, reckless of life and death—and once exposed, it went straight up to the Eastern Capital, drawing the Emperor's thunderous wrath!"

"When the Son of Heaven is angered, is that an ordinary matter? His Majesty is a peerless sovereign. Since ascending the throne, he has governed with vigor, reformed the old ways, and swept away the accumulated abuses of three dynasties—only thus has the Great Han's realm enjoyed its present peace and order."

"Yet now the Khitan still hold our strategic terrain in the north, the northwest has fallen to sundry barbarians, the southern states remain unconquered, and the realm is not yet pacified—while officials under his rule have already grown corrupt. How could His Majesty not be angered, not be enraged?"

"As I see it, His Majesty's raising such a great commotion this time, dispatching special envoys to investigate this matter, likely also carries the intent of rectifying official discipline. With the grain transport case broken open, all we can do is cooperate as fully as possible. If we attempt to delay or even resist, we will only invite even harsher strikes from the court."

"Huaidong Circuit has belonged to the Han for less than three years. Though its territory is not vast, it encompasses fertile lands and commands the advantages of transport, grain, and salt—it has already become a key source of revenue for the court. His Majesty's regard for this place can well be imagined."

"Under such circumstances, with the imperial edict coming south, we can only bow our heads and obey—and entertain no other thoughts..."

Hearing Wang Pu's lengthy discourse, Zhang Yi blinked involuntarily, pondered for a moment, and sighed: "The Governor's vision is broad and his considerations far-reaching. Your subordinate's knowledge is shallow, and I have lost my sense of public duty—please forgive me!"

"However, because of this disturbance, the various offices are unsettled at heart, and this has already affected the normal functioning of official business!" Zhang Yi added.

After considering for a moment, Wang Pu gave a cold, stern order: "Tomorrow, draft an official notice and send it to all offices and clerks, telling them to each fulfill their duties. If anyone is absent-minded and neglects government affairs, they need not wait for the court's special envoy—I will deal with them right here first!"

An imposing aura of authority without anger swept over them, and even Zhang Yi could not help but feel awed. In recent years, Governor Wang's prestige in Huaidong was such that hardly anyone dared to look at him askance.

"Yes!" Zhang Yi subconsciously bowed his body.

After pondering a while longer, Wang Pu asked: "And Judicial Commissioner Zheng?"

"I heard that Lord Zheng has fallen ill—after noon he handed his affairs to the deputy commissioner and returned home to recuperate!" Zhang Yi replied, then paused briefly and lowered his voice instinctively: "There are rumors that Lord Zheng deliberately feigned illness to evade responsibility!"

"Zheng Rixin is a man of integrity and prudence; his moral conduct has always earned my admiration. How dare you recklessly speculate and slander him?" Wang Pu frowned and cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Yi.

Seeing this, the man hurriedly apologized: "The Governor's admonishment is correct!"

Taking a deep breath, Wang Pu rose directly and gave orders toward the outside: "Someone, prepare the carriage—I am going to Lord Zheng's residence!"

Zheng Renhui, Judicial Commissioner of Huaidong, had long been known for talent and virtue, with extraordinary bearing. He had formerly been Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs and was an old acquaintance of Guo Wei. After the southern campaign, when Commissioner of Military Affairs Guo Wei wished to retire and requested to govern a locality, he also recommended Zheng Renhui to serve as Judicial Commissioner in Huaidong. It could be said that the framework of the Huaidong Judicial Commission was proposed by Emperor Liu Chengyou himself, but it was Zheng Renhui who concretely implemented and perfected it—also setting an example for the subsequent establishment of the Judicial Commissions in Hedong and Guanzhong.

Under the night sky, Lord Zheng's residence was tranquil and peaceful, with gentle breezes still carrying a slight chill. But in the rear courtyard, the air was permeated with the smell of medicine. Zheng Renhui, dressed in plain clothes, lay on a couch while his wife attended to him with medicinal broth at his side.

Upon learning that Wang Pu had come calling, he immediately instructed the steward to receive him in the hall and serve tea, then, disregarding his wife's dissuasion, rose and dressed to go meet him. When Wang Pu saw Zheng Renhui, his face showing signs of illness, being supported into the hall by family members, he was startled and hurried forward to meet him, repeatedly offering apologies: "This is my fault! I did not know Lord Zheng was so gravely ill. To come barging in unannounced—how could I trouble Lord Zheng to receive me in person!"

"It's no matter!" Zheng Renhui shook his head and sat down slowly, gesturing for Wang Pu to drink his tea: "Propriety cannot be abandoned! Besides, Lord Wang rarely visits my home—as host, I naturally should receive you properly!"

"Lord Zheng is a pillar of the state, a great talent who holds up the heavens—you must take care of your health!" Wang Pu urged.

Zheng Renhui, however, appeared entirely magnanimous, responding: "I am nearly sixty, beset by illness. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order—one cannot force otherwise!"

"Had Lord Wang not gone north to inspect Hongze?" Zheng Renhui asked Wang Pu, his strength clearly insufficient.

"I only returned to the office at dusk!" Looking at Zheng Renhui, so full of decline and decay, Wang Pu suppressed what he had originally intended to say and changed his words: "I heard Lord Zheng was unwell, so I came especially to offer my regards."

"Lord Wang's kindness—I thank you!" Looking at Wang Pu, Zheng Renhui said softly: "For you to come at night, I suspect you have also heard of the upheaval in the city!"

"I cannot hide anything from Lord Zheng's discerning eyes!" Meeting his gaze, Wang Pu sighed softly: "Though the Judicial Commission governs the criminal and judicial affairs of the circuit, the duty of oversight does not fall on your shoulders. Shen and Sun—those two men, borrowing the imperial mandate and wielding heavenly authority, were indeed too hasty and rash in their actions!"

That the Governor, known for his fierce and upright temperament, would comment on another's rashness was itself something of a novelty. Hearing this, Zheng Renhui shook his head: "In the end, I failed in my duty to govern my subordinates! The several men who were taken away—they bent the law for personal gain, were bought off by Zhao Feng, acted as his eyes and ears, and wrongfully framed the innocent. These past six months, afflicted with illness, I relaxed my instruction and supervision of my subordinates."

"To enforce the law yet pervert the law—every time I think of it, I feel ashamed before His Majesty and the court, and ashamed before those officials and commoners who suffered humiliation and harm!"

"So that's how it was!" Only then did Wang Pu understand. Seeing his emotions gradually stirring, he hurriedly offered consolation: "Even under the bright sun there are dark corners—how could Lord Zheng possibly eradicate all treachery and evil? Do not be overly burdened by guilt. Since I took charge of Huaidong, I have governed with strict laws, yet I cannot guarantee that all above and below are loyal and upright—I can only constantly admonish and investigate promptly!"

Zheng Renhui smiled, calmed his emotions, and said: "This grain transport corruption—fortunately it was reported in time, and the sums involved are not excessively large. But for the court's official discipline, it serves as a thunderous wake-up call. Think of it—nearly half the clerks in the Transport Bureau were coerced by Zhao Feng into stealing and selling official grain. His Majesty's raising such a great stir this time is likely because he too has seen the deterioration of official discipline. This kind of atmosphere must not be allowed to persist—we should decisively take measures to prevent and curb it!"

Hearing his words, Wang Pu immediately showed an approving expression and said to Zheng Renhui: "What Lord Zheng says coincides perfectly with my own thoughts! The reason I came this time was originally to discuss with you taking advantage of this grain transport corruption case to conduct a unified investigation and rectification of all officials from the prefectures, departments, counties, and towns under Huaidong Circuit. Since ancient times, official discipline has been a difficult problem. Though it cannot be completely eradicated, one who governs a region should naturally uphold the laws and regulations, insist on the rule of law, and deal severe blows—especially to corrupt and embezzling conduct!"

"From my understanding of His Majesty, he will not focus only on Huaidong—extending from here to Huaxi, Henan, Hedong, and Hebei is not impossible. Fortunately, we are taking the lead. Commissioners Shen and Fang have made a start today—we should continue it!"

As a newly conquered territory, the governing Wang Pu and Zheng Renhui wielded considerable power. If the two of them coordinated and had their two commissions jointly organize a "special rectification of official governance" campaign, there would be no problem at all.

"If that is so, then officials throughout Huaidong will truly have no peace!" Rarely, Zheng Renhui made a joke, but his expression was very solemn as he said: "Since Lord Wang has this intention, though I am gravely ill, I will support it with all my strength—through a thousand difficulties and ten thousand dangers, I dare not speak of hardship!"

"Lord Zheng's magnanimity—I admire it!" Wang Pu rose and said gravely: "'Officials have no peace' and 'the people have no peace'—though they differ by only one word, I would rather choose the former. Officials who enjoy power and position and draw salaries should bear their responsibilities. If they harbor resentment and grumble just because the court governs strictly, then such officials are better off dismissed!"

Watching his demeanor and listening to his words, Zheng Renhui's pale face regained some color, and his ailment seemed somewhat alleviated. In his heart, he could not help but marvel—no wonder so many people feared Wang Pu and hated Wang Pu. His strength of character and firmness of will, in Zheng Renhui's view, could probably only be matched by Guo Rong among the entire court.