Chapter 853: Zhang Dejun's Report

It was not until the beginning of the fourth month that Emperor Liu Chengyou, who had spent twenty days at Qionglin Park, finally returned to the palace city. Days at Qionglin Park were filled with beautiful scenery, fair ladies in attendance, children at his knee, falconry and hounds, and galloping horses — carefree though they were, for Liu Chengyou, they soon grew tedious.

"Your servant humbly welcomes His Majesty back to the palace!" Before Wansui Hall, Commissioner of the Palace City Zhang Dejun bowed in full ceremony.

Looking at this obsequious eunuch and spymaster, Liu Chengyou lightly raised his hand in a gesture: "Rise! You came quite promptly. I merely returned from Qionglin Park — why all this fuss?"

"Your servant is but Your Majesty's slave. When the master returns to the palace, be it near or far, it is fitting to come and greet him!" Zhang Dejun said humbly.

Since taking office at the Palace City Office, he could no longer stay by the emperor's side as inseparably as before. But Zhang Dejun's awareness was clearly high enough — he knew where his current power and glory came from, and remained as respectful to the emperor as ever. At every opportunity, he would come to pay his respects before the throne. For something as "momentous" as the emperor's return to the palace, of course he had to attend with even greater diligence.

"Enough. I know well the sentiments in your heart! Let us speak inside the hall!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said with a light laugh.

Beside him, Sun Yanxi, the chief of the palace eunuchs, glanced at Zhang Dejun, who maintained his humble posture and expression throughout, and felt a surge of intense envy well up within him. Men like Zhang Dejun were precisely the ones the eunuchs of the Han palace most admired and resented — deeply trusted by His Majesty, wielding heavy power, and basking in boundless glory.

Though he had taken over Zhang Dejun's former position and was now the eunuch closest to the emperor, relaying matters in and out, and none outside dared to slight him — this position carried with it enormous pressure. If the emperor had been muddle-headed and weak-eared, that would have been one thing. But he was precisely a shrewd and suspicious man. For someone like him, Sun Yanxi, even flattering the emperor on ordinary days required careful deliberation.

Compared to living in constant fear beside the emperor, Zhang Dejun's days now were clearly more comfortable. But one had to consider — Zhang Dejun had spent ten years at the emperor's side before earning his current position...

"Speak!" Entering the hall and personally brewing tea, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhang Dejun standing respectfully at the side of the table: "You've come to see me — what intelligence have you uncovered this time?"

"To report to Your Majesty, it's news from Southern Yue," Zhang Dejun replied.

"Oh? From that Chen Yanshou?" Liu Chengyou showed a flicker of interest.

Zhang Dejun: "Your Majesty is astute — it is indeed that man!"

Having made an embassy trip there years ago, Zhang Dejun had established contact with Chen Yanshou, and the two had even sworn brotherhood. Chen Yanshou was a treacherous man — perhaps he couldn't see that far ahead, but he was more than willing to cultivate relations with an important eunuch of the Northern Han like Zhang Dejun.

After returning to Panyu, contact with the north was never severed. Letters flowed back and forth regularly — naturally, the military and political situation of Southern Yue was spilled out in full detail.

"That Chen Yanshou has been quite prominent in Southern Yue these past few years, hasn't he!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Indeed!" Zhang Dejun said: "Since the death of the great eunuch Lin Yanyu of Southern Yue two years ago, the Yue sovereign Liu Sheng entrusted palace affairs to the eunuchs Gong Chengshu and Chen Yanshou, and their power has grown greatly! However, though Chen Yanshou gained influence, he is suppressed by Gong Chengshu. Quite frustrated, he has not dared to cut off contact with your servant — all affairs of Southern Yue are reported to me in secret!"

"What news has come this time?" Liu Chengyou nodded slightly, curious.

Zhang Dejun said: "According to Chen Yanshou, the Southern Yue sovereign Liu Sheng's health is failing day by day. By his estimate, he is not far from death!"

"Is that so?" Liu Chengyou grew interested.

Zhang Dejun nodded: "The Southern Yue sovereign has indulged in pleasure for years, drinking to excess, wallowing in wine and women, and his body has suffered for it. As early as three years ago, he had already fallen ill. Since the Great Han seized Huainan and took Jinghu, he has been restless and anxious, often starting awake from nightmares.

Last year, when the Great Han pacified Shu, he was even more visibly worried. He once ordered warships built, military preparations made, elite troops trained, and border defenses strengthened. But he started without finishing. This spring, he again gave himself over to heavy drinking, saying: 'If I can escape with my life, that is fortune enough — why should I trouble myself about later generations!'

Liu Sheng's tomb, at enormous expense, has already been completed. Now, all palace affairs are entrusted to eunuchs and shamanka women, while Liu Sheng shuts himself away in his halls to enjoy himself. It seems he anticipates his remaining years are few, and knows he has not long for this world..."

Credible.

"So it seems this Liu Sheng is quite carefree — he's taken it all in stride!" Listening to the report, Liu Chengyou's tone carried obvious mockery.

"Your servant believes that Liu Sheng also knows the Great Han's momentum toward unification cannot be stopped, and so he has given up on himself, simply enjoying his remaining years to the fullest!" Zhang Dejun said.

"So even you speak to me of unification!" Liu Chengyou murmured, then suddenly laughed aloud, glancing at Zhang Dejun: "Nowadays, it seems everyone inside and outside the court has an opinion or two to offer on the matter!"

Zhang Dejun was briefly taken aback, then nimbly responded: "Your servant is but a lowly slave, shallow in knowledge and experience. Having heard much talk on ordinary days, I occasionally repeat it. Your servant believes this also proves that Your Majesty's pacification of the various states and unification of the realm is what the people's hearts desire, in accord with Heaven's will — the earnest hope of countless millions!"

"You certainly know how to speak!" Liu Chengyou seemed to be in good spirits. After a moment's consideration, he instructed: "As for Southern Yue, I cannot attend to it for now. You and that Chen Yanshou — continue strengthening your contact. He should prove useful in the future!"

"Yes!"

Having finished reporting on the Southern Yue matter, Zhang Dejun lowered himself again, and with slight hesitation said: "Your Majesty, there is one more matter..."

"Speak!" Noticing the odd look on his face, Liu Chengyou's brow furrowed slightly: "You know my temperament — just speak the truth plainly. I am quite curious what person or matter has made you so hesitant!"

"To report to Your Majesty!" Zhang Dejun said with a measure of caution: "It concerns Zhao Li of the Censorate!"

Left Censor-in-Chief Zhao Li was a talent Liu Chengyou had personally discovered. In his early years, he had earned the emperor's appreciation for his shrewd competence and fearlessness before the powerful. From the early years of Qianyou, step by step, he had risen from a lowly censor at the Western Capital's branch office to become a major figure in the Great Han's judicial system.

Since succeeding Bian Guidang as Vice Censor-in-Chief years ago, he had been the top man of the Censorate for several years. After the supervisory system was reformed and the Censorate was established, he had remained in the position of Left Censor-in-Chief.

Over the years, under his leadership, the Great Han's supervisory system had operated smoothly, exercising excellent oversight over official governance and people's livelihoods both inside and outside the court. Liu Chengyou had always been satisfied with Zhao Li's achievements.

Therefore, when Zhang Dejun suddenly brought up Zhao Li with such hesitation, his heart gave a sudden lurch. He asked in a grave voice: "Could it be that Zhao Li has some problem?"

Watching the emperor's expression, Zhang Dejun dared not be slow, and hurriedly replied: "To report to Your Majesty, according to the Palace City Office's investigation, during his tenure Zhao Li deceived his superiors and concealed matters from them, accepted bribes, neglected his duties and bent the law, and shielded guilty officials..."

"Do you know what crime it is to fabricate accusations and slander a high minister!" The moment he finished speaking, Liu Chengyou immediately challenged him, his tone exceptionally severe.

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun immediately knelt and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please judge clearly — no matter how bold your servant's courage, I would never dare deceive Your Majesty!"

Observing Zhang Dejun's reaction, it seemed there must indeed be substance to the matter. Liu Chengyou was silent for a moment, then said in a cold voice: "Do you have evidence? If you cannot produce solid proof, I will immediately charge you with framing a minister!"

Though the emperor's words were cold and harsh, hearing them, Zhang Dejun actually breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately drew a memorial from his bosom and respectfully presented it, saying: "This is the Palace City Office's investigation findings — six cases of Zhao Li's law-breaking over the past three years. Please, Your Majesty, review it. All persons involved have been secretly investigated, and the circumstances are confirmed. Simply have the relevant authorities interrogate based on this, and the crimes will be made clear!"

Taking the memorial from Zhang Dejun and flipping through it, Liu Chengyou's expression shifted from overcast to clear, then from clear to overcast. He glanced up at Zhang Dejun and said: "It seems you've put no small amount of effort into this!"

Zhang Dejun clasped his hands and said: "The matter involves high ministers and great officials — the stakes are grave. Your servant dared not be careless. Only after verifying everything in detail would I dare report to Your Majesty!"

"Hah!" Liu Chengyou let out a sneer.

His expression quickly returned to calm. He picked up the boiled tea, poured two cups, and handed one to Zhang Dejun: "Taste it and see how it is — whether my tea-brewing skill has improved!"

The emperor's reaction caught Zhang Dejun somewhat off guard, and his heart could not help but feel uneasy. But on the surface, he still received the cup with utmost respect, thanked him, took a sip, and said: "Excellent tea!"

Liu Chengyou also took a sip, then suddenly erupted, hurling the teacup to the ground with a crash and shouting in fury: "Excellent my ass!"

"Your Majesty, forgive me!" Zhang Dejun's legs went weak and he dropped to his knees at once.

At this moment, Liu Chengyou's anger was written plainly on his face, his chest heaving — clearly furious. He rose and paced a few steps, then forcefully flicked his sleeve and said: "Zhao Li — fine Zhao Li indeed! You've given me quite a surprise!"

"Someone!"

Sun Yanxi, who had been watching the commotion, hurried forward to receive the order: "Your Majesty, please command!"

"Issue the edict — throw Left Censor-in-Chief Zhao Li into prison, and have Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Cui Zhouding interrogate his crimes!" Liu Chengyou ordered coldly, then looked toward Zhang Dejun: "Hand over all the evidence and witnesses collected by the Palace City Office to the Court of Judicial Review, and fully cooperate with the investigation!"

"Yes!"