Chapter 108: Feast at Hongmen

Era Name Deadline later, Yangzhou, Wang Family Fort.

When Zhao Yan arrived at the magnificent gate of the Wang Family Fort leading his vast ceremonial guard, he was completely stunned.

Although he had heard many rumors about the Wang Family Fort before coming.

Seeing it with his own eyes still deeply shocked him with its scale and momentum.

What kind of fort is this?

It is clearly a military stronghold sturdier than Bianliang City!

Tall walls, a wide moat, and on the towers those massive crossbow engines flashing cold light that he had never seen before…

And at the gate, two rows of guards clad in gleaming plate armor, wielding long halberds, standing motionless like statues.

The iron-blooded killing aura they exuded made Zhao Yan, accustomed to the palace guards, feel a sudden palpitations.

"This… this Wang Family…" Zhao Yan swallowed, and for the first time felt a hint of unease.

The imposing lines he had prepared, full of false bravado, vanished instantly from his mind.

He set aside his arrogance, donned a humble smile, and shouted loudly toward the tower:

"We are here by Your Majesty's Imperial Edict, the Imperial Envoy Zhao Yan! Please, Head of Family, quickly open the gate and receive the edict!"

Wang Po, accompanied by Wang Tian and other core members of the Wang Family, had long been waiting at the gate.

"Wang Po of Yangzhou, respectfully welcomes Lord Angel," Wang Po said to Zhao Yan, bowing deeply without deference nor arrogance.

He did not kneel to receive him as other local officials would.

A twitch flickered at Zhao Yan's eye corner; though displeased inside, he dared not speak.

He looked at the young man before him.

His handsome face, upright stature, and eyes as deep as an ancient well revealed no emotion.

Although dressed in a scholar's robe, the inadvertent iron-blooded aura of battlefield experience emanating from him pressed heavily on Zhao Yan.

So this is the new Head of Family, Wang Po?

Indeed, the reputation is well deserved.

"Head of Family, no need for formalities," Zhao Yan forced a smile, "We have come this time to bring Your Majesty's honors and commendations to you."

As he said, he prepared to unfurl the Imperial Edict.

"Lord Angel, you have traveled hard," Wang Po interrupted, "The proclamation need not be rushed. I have prepared light wine inside the fort to welcome you. Please, Lord Angel, honor us with your presence."

Saying so, he made a "please" gesture.

Zhao Yan was momentarily stunned.

Wang Po doesn't play by the script.

There's no rule that you eat first and proclaim later.

But looking at Wang Po's unquestionable gaze and the expressionless armored soldiers behind him.

In the end, he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

"Fine… fine then. We shall respectfully obey."

Under Wang Po's invitation, Zhao Yan entered the mysterious and powerful fort.

He knew this trip to Yangzhou would likely not be as simple as he imagined.

The banquet hall of the Wang Family Fort could hold a thousand, and now it shone brightly with unparalleled luxury.

Thick Persian carpets covered the floor, famous calligraphy hung on the walls, and hundreds of tables crafted from precious wood filled the hall.

The tables were laden with a dazzling array of delicacies and grape wine in crystal cups, amber‑like.

Dozens of beautiful maids in uniform flitted like butterflies among the seats, serving dishes and pouring wine.

At the very center of the hall, a band of dozens of musicians played melodious music.

This scene rivaled, if not surpassed, the state banquets of the palace.

Imperial Envoy Zhao Yan, seated at the most honored guest's seat, stared wide‑eyed at the extravagant sight.

Although he was a favorite of the Emperor and accustomed to wealth, the Wang Family's unabashed, bone‑deep opulence still shocked and envious him.

"This Wang Family is damn rich!" he muttered inwardly, "A local landowner lives more comfortably than the Emperor! When we return to the capital, we must give them a good lesson before Your Majesty!"

While thinking that, he unabashedly downed a cup of grape wine worth a fortune.

"Lord Angel, our Wang Family lies in a remote region with little to offer, please do not disdain us," Wang Po said, seated at the head, raising his cup with a smile.

"Not at all," Zhao Yan quickly forced a flattering smile, "Head of Family, you are too courteous. We have traveled far and never seen such a sumptuous feast. The Wang Family's wealth truly opens our eyes."

His words carried a faint hint of sourness.

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) naturally could tell.

He did not expose it, merely smiled lightly and said, "Lord Angel, you flatter me. Our Wang Family merely enjoys a small advantage in the fertile Jiangnan region; thanks to several generations of frugality we have accumulated a modest surplus, which compared to the vast lands under Your Majesty is but a drop in the ocean, insignificant."

His words were airtight.

Both humble and subtly flattering the Emperor.

Zhao Yan felt considerably relieved.

He thought that Wang Po, though seeming unapproachable, actually knew how to treat people.

Perhaps this mission would go smoothly.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes.

Zhao Yan felt the moment was ripe.

He set down his cup, cleared his throat, and said, "Head of Family, besides proclaiming Your Majesty's commendation Imperial Edict, we also have a private matter to discuss with you."

Here it comes.

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) sneered inwardly.

The fox finally shows its tail.

He kept his composure, still wearing that respectful look: "Oh? Your Majesty, what are your orders? Anything the Wang Family can do, we will certainly not shirk, even at the cost of our lives."

"Ah, I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it." Zhao Yan waved his hand, his face showing an expression of "opening his heart."

"Head of the Wang Family, you don't know. Although Your Majesty has ascended the throne, these days are truly hard!"

He began to bitterly complain.

"The northern Prince Jin, Li Cunxu, harbors wolfish ambitions, constantly provoking the borders. To guard against him, the Court's annual military expenses alone are astronomical! The treasury is already empty enough for mice to run around!"

"To raise military funds, Your Majesty worries day and night, unable to sleep well. A few days ago, he even took out some antique paintings and calligraphy from the palace to sell."

As he spoke, he even used his sleeve to wipe away nonexistent tears, putting on the loyal minister's act of "sharing the ruler's worries."

"As someone close to Your Majesty, seeing you work so hard truly pains my heart."

"We just think that the Wang Family, loyal and good for generations, and so prosperous—if we could… bear a little more burden for Your Majesty, how wonderful that would be."

After he finished speaking, his small eyes stared fixedly at Wang Po.

The meaning could not be clearer.

It's just about money.

In the banquet hall, the originally lively atmosphere instantly fell silent.

All the Wang Family's descendants stopped what they were doing, their gazes all turning toward Wang Po.

Their faces all bore a hint of anger.

This dead eunuch, his skin is too thick!

We just gave the Court twenty thousand shi of grain and thirty thousand strings of cash, and your commendatory Imperial Edict hasn't even been read yet—now you're asking for money again?

You really treat the Wang Family like an ATM?

Wang Tian sat to Wang Po's lower side, brows slightly furrowed, about to speak.

Wang Po, however, stopped him with a glance.

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) looked at Zhao Yan, his face showing an expression of "embarrassment" and "guilt."

"Ah!" He slapped his thigh, let out a long sigh, "Your Majesty, you've spoken at just the right time!"

"To be frank, although the Wang Family appears prosperous on the surface, in reality we are strong outside but weak within, with unspeakable hardships."

"Oh?" Zhao Yan blinked, "This script is all wrong."

All that could be heard was Wang Po (Wang Xiu) continuing to "recount his sufferings."

"Your Majesty, you don't know. Since the Court appointed me as 'Jiangnan Eastern Circuit Disaster Relief Commissioner,' I haven't had a single good day."

"In Jiangnan, refugees are everywhere, crying for food. The Wang Family, responding to Your Majesty's call to share the nation's worries, smashed pots and sold iron, opened granaries to release grain, and sheltered hundreds of thousands of refugees."

"Of the people now living in this fortress you see, about half are refugees we took in. Their daily food, drink, and waste alone constitute a huge expense."

"The grain and money we recently sent to the Court were already what the Wang Family scraped together by tightening our belts and saving every bit we could."

"Now we truly… have not a drop left."

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) spoke, his face showing extreme anguish, as if he were about to squeeze out a few tears on the spot.

This acting surpasses even that of his great-uncle Wang You when he resigned from the court years ago.

Zhao Yan looked at Wang Po's "sincere" appearance and for a moment could hardly tell truth from falsehood.

Could it be that the Wang Family has really been emptied out?

But looking at this table full of mountain delicacies and seafood, this luxurious banquet hall… it doesn't look that way at all.

"Head of the Wang Family," Zhao Yan's face darkened, "are you joking with us?"

"Your Majesty, please see clearly!" Wang Po (Wang Xiu) immediately rose in "alarm," saying, "Even if you gave me a hundred guts, I would not dare to deceive Your Majesty."

"Every word I speak is true! If there is even half a falsehood, may thunder strike me!"

"To prove my words are not false, tomorrow I can personally take Your Majesty to our granaries and treasuries for a look; then you will understand everything."

He actually intends to proactively let Zhao Yan investigate his family's finances?

Zhao Yan was completely bewildered.

Looking at Wang Po's calm demeanor, the doubt in his heart began to waver.

Could it really be true?

Just then.

"Report!" a guard rushed in from outside, hurrying, and knelt on one knee before Wang Po.

"Head of the Family! It's terrible! The one hundred scholars we sent to Jinling to deliver to Yang Xingmi have all been killed!"

"What?!" Wang Po (Wang Xiu) flew into a rage, slammed the table, and stood up.

"Yang Xingmi! He has the gall! He dares to kill members of the Wang Family!"

He turned his head, shouted at Wang Tian beside him: "Pass my order! All troops, prepare for battle immediately! In three days, I will personally lead the army to level Jinling! To avenge the Wang Family's kin!"

The entire banquet hall was instantly shrouded in a cold killing intent.

Zhao Yan sat there, watching this sudden outbreak, so frightened that the wine cup in his hand fell to the ground.

His mind went completely blank.

This… this… what is happening?

Is the Wang Family really going to war with Yang Xingmi of Huainan?