Chapter 12: Task Completed

The night was as dark as ink; Wang Jin walked home, hearing his own footsteps clearly—one, then another—echoing in the empty alley, making him feel especially lonely.

He pushed open the gate of his home, and the warm light instantly dispelled the chill outside.

Grandmother Li, hearing the movement, came out from the house to greet him.

"You're back? You must be hungry; the food is still warm on the stove."

Her voice carried a gentleness that put one at ease.

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) looked at his nominal wife before him, and the tension in his heart eased a little.

Wasn't everything he did meant to protect this peace and let it last for a thousand years?

"Mm, I'm back."

He responded, took off his official robe, and washed his face.

On the table lay a simple meal of two dishes and a soup, yet it steamed hot.

Just as he picked up his chopsticks, ready to enjoy this moment of peace, a sudden, urgent, heavy pounding came from the gate.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The sound was urgent and loud, nothing like an ordinary visitor; it sounded like someone coming to wreck the place.

Madam Li jumped, her bowl nearly slipping from her hand.

"Who is it, so late..."

Wang Jin's pupils suddenly contracted.

He set down his chopsticks; the nerves that had just relaxed instantly tensed again like a bow pulled to full draw.

What was bound to come has finally come.

He just hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly.

He gestured to his wife to stay silent, then rose and hurried to the courtyard.

"Who's out there?"

"It's me! Li Duozuo!"

A voice full of energy but clearly suppressing anger came from outside the gate.

Wang Jin's heart sank sharply.

It wasn't Zong Chuke, nor Wu Sansi, but actually Li Duozuo!

The situation he feared most had still occurred.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and drew the bolt.

Outside, Prince Li Duozuo of Liaoyang wore plain clothes, yet could not hide the murderous aura he had carried out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

He stood straight in the moonlight, his face ashen, his eyes fixed rigidly on Wang Jin.

"Wang Jin, you have gall!"

Li Duozuo almost spat the words through clenched teeth, stepped into the courtyard, and slammed the gate shut behind him.

That loud bang made Madam Li inside shudder again.

"Please, Your Highness, calm your anger."

Wang Jin bowed in salute, his face showing no trace of panic.

"Calm your anger?"

Li Duozuo gave a cold laugh, circled Wang Jin, his eyes inspecting him like a disobedient subordinate.

"I assigned you to stand guard at the Arsenal Office so you could cause this huge trouble for me?" he said, his voice low.

"Do you know that your memorial now sits on the desk of Minister of War Zong Chuke?"

"What kind of man is Zong Chuke? A lackey of Wu Sansi! You handed him this—what are you trying to do? Tell the whole court that my people are ignorant and presumptuous, meddling in state affairs?"

Li Duozuo grew angrier as he spoke, then slammed a fist onto the stone table in the courtyard.

"Crack!"

The hard stone tabletop actually cracked under his blow.

Wang Jin's (Wang Xiu's) eyelid twitched.

This old brother really means business.

Yet he remained outwardly calm, even making a gesture of invitation.

"Your Highness, the wind is strong outside; why not go inside to talk? I… have something to say."

Li Duozuo stared at him for a while, seemingly trying to see even a hint of fear on his face.

But he was disappointed.

Wang Jin's gaze was calm, without a ripple.

Li Duozuo snorted heavily, flicked his sleeve, and walked into the study.

Wang Jin followed him in and carefully closed the door.

The study held only a single oil lamp; its bean-sized flame flickered lightly, casting their shadows on the wall, stretched and distorted.

"Speak!"

Li Duozuo plopped down in the chief seat, hands on his knees, torso slightly forward, creating a strong sense of oppression.

"You'd better give me a reasonable explanation; otherwise, I'll take care of cleaning house myself before Zong Chuke and his lot even lift a finger."

Wang Jin did not answer right away.

He walked to the tea stove and, in orderly fashion, lit the fire, boiled water, and brewed tea.

Boiling water poured into the tea cup; the leaves unfurled, releasing a refined aroma that slowly permeated the tense air.

Li Duozuo's brows furrowed even tighter.

What annoyed him most was these scholars' roundabout ways.

Just as he was about to lose patience, Wang Jin held a cup of hot tea and respectfully placed it on the table before him.

Your Highness, please have some tea.

Then he sat down opposite Li Duozuo, sitting upright.

Your Highness, this move of mine may seem rash, but in fact I am playing a grand chess game for you and for all the meritorious officials of the Shenglong Restoration.

As soon as he spoke, his words were astonishing.

Grand chess?

Li Duozuo's hand, raised to his tea cup, froze in midair, and a mocking smile appeared on his face.

What? You, a sixth-rank Xuanjie Colonel, dare to talk about chess?

Wang Jin paid no heed to his mockery, merely continuing leisurely.

Your Highness, have you ever considered why you and Lords like Zhang Jianzhi, despite having the merit of establishing the dynasty, are now everywhere restrained by Wu Sansi and his ilk in court?

This question hit Li Duozuo's vital point.

His complexion instantly became extremely ugly.

This is exactly where these meritorious officials feel most stifled now.

Wang Jin didn't wait for his answer, but went on speaking.

Because high achievements threaten the sovereign. Moreover, because you hold military power in your hands, it is a real threat.

And Wu Sansi and his ilk need only grab a tiny little braid to make a big fuss before the emperor, claiming you few form cliques for personal gain and plot treason.

If this continues, how much of the emperor's trust could remain?

Each of Wang Jin's words was like a needle, precisely piercing Li Duozuo's heart.

Li Duozuo fell silent.

He had to admit that this youngster saw his current predicament clearly.

So, you went to give them braids?

He said angrily.

No.

Wang Jin shook his head, and a faint gleam flashed in his eyes.

I'm not sending braids; I'm forcing them to make a mistake.

Oh?

Li Duozuo became interested, he put down his tea cup and gestured for Wang Jin to continue.

Your Highness, the memorial I wrote, you should already know what it says.

Li Duozuo nodded.

The Yaozhou barbarian affair. It's well-reasoned, not something someone your age could come up with.

Your Highness, do you think my pacify-the-frontier-and-stabilize-the-south strategy is feasible?

Feasible.

Li Duozuo answered bluntly.

Although he is a military officer, he also understands military and state affairs. Wang Jin's memorial's plan, whether strategic vision or concrete measures, can be called perfect, hardly any flaw.

That's right.

Wang Jin's mouth corner slightly curved.

A plan so perfect that no fault can be found, delivered into Zong Chuke's hands; what do you think he will do?

Li Duozuo's gaze tightened, instantly understanding something.

Wang Jin continued his analysis:

He has three options.

First, suppress the memorial so the emperor doesn't see it. Then, if Yaozhou really encounters trouble later, he, Zong Chuke, will bear half the responsibility! Because knowing but not reporting is dereliction of duty!

Second, he submits the memorial but claims the credit for himself. Hehe, Your Highness, do you think, with Zong Chuke's brains, he could write something like that? The emperor and court officials aren't fools; they'd see through the fake at a glance. Then he would be deceiving the emperor!

Third, he can only submit the memorial unchanged. But what would he think? He would think this is me, Li Duozuo, guiding him from behind; I am displaying my political tactics to the court, and demonstrating my power to him!

Thus, he will only fear us more and become more frenzied in wanting to suppress us. And when one goes mad, mistakes are easy to make.

Wang Jin finished speaking, lifted his own tea cup, and took a light sip.

The entire study fell into a deathly silence.

Li Duozuo sat there motionless, but his chest rose and fell violently.

He looked at Wang Jin before him, his eyes full of shock, disbelief.

He originally thought this was just a slightly clever youngster who got lucky and clung to his thigh.

But now he realized he had completely misjudged.

What kind of clueless youth is this!

This is clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing... a little fox!

No, it's an evil wolf!

This interlocking scheme, this talent for seeing into people's hearts, this audacity to play everyone in the palm of one's hand!

This kid, really just a twenty-something youngster?

After a long while, Li Duozuo finally exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

The killing aura on him had vanished, replaced by an extremely complex scrutiny.

Your chess game... you've played too big.

He said in a low voice.

It's also too risky. A slight mistake could lead to eternal ruin.

"Wealth and honor are sought in peril."

Wang Jin set down his teacup and answered calmly.

"My life is worthless, not worth mentioning. But the future of the Prince and all the esteemed officials concerns the fate of the Tang Dynasty; I dare not not strive."

That flattery was just right.

Li Duozuo's expression finally eased.

Although he still felt the plan was too risky, he had to admit that after Wang Jin's analysis, the pent-up frustration in his heart unexpectedly turned into a secret anticipation.

He actually wanted to see how Zong Chuke and Wu Sansi would handle the hot potato Wang Jin had thrown at them.

"You… do as you see fit."

Li Duozuo stood up and gave Wang Jin a deep look.

"Remember, he who plays with fire will burn himself. Don't drag yourself into the scheme as well."

Having said that, he did not linger, turned, flung open the door, and strode away swiftly.

When the sound of the courtyard door being shut again reached his ears, Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) finally leaned his back against the cold chair.

He raised his hand and wiped his forehead.

There, a fine layer of cold sweat had already formed, unbeknownst when.

That recent conversation had almost exhausted all his mental energy.

He had at least managed to bluff his way through temporarily.

He closed his eyes, and on the game interface before him, the number representing his mental strength dropped another 2 points.

Indeed, matching wits and courage with such a historical heavyweight drained his mental energy far beyond the ordinary.

However, he hadn't yet had a chance to catch his breath.

Outside the courtyard gate, another knock sounded.

This time the sound was utterly unlike Li Duozuo's violent fury.

"Tap, tap, tap." three soft sounds, neither hurried nor slow.

Wang Jin's heart leapt up to his throat.

A thin yet clear voice penetrated the door and drifted in.

"An imperial order from the palace: 'Propagator and Pacifier Commandant Wang Jin, where are you?'"