Chapter 13: An Imperial Audience

The sharp, thin voice outside the door instantly pierced the air inside the courtyard that had just begun to ease.

Unexpectedly, an edict came from the palace.

The cold sweat he had just wiped from his forehead almost immediately broke out again in a fresh layer.

One wave hadn't settled before another rose.

He had just sent away the furious Prince of Liaoyang when, at once, people from the palace arrived.

This timing is too much of a coincidence.

It's as if someone had been listening outside the door to his entire conversation with Li Duo zuo.

Wang Jin's wife, Lady Li, poked her head out from the main hall, her face filled with terror. She silently asked her husband with her eyes what had happened now.

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) gave her a reassuring glance, signaling her to go back inside and not come out no matter what happened.

He straightened his robes, making sure there was not a wrinkle, then stepped with steady pace across the small courtyard and once again stood before the heavy wooden door.

"Creak——"

The door was pulled open.

Outside stood a middle-aged eunuch, wearing an immaculate pale-blue narrow-sleeved robe, a soft footed headcover, his frame slender, his face clean.

Behind him were two Imperial Guards soldiers holding long halberds, their armor reflecting a chilling light in the moonlight.

Further off, at the lane's entrance, a nondescript small carriage with a blue canopy was parked.

The eunuch's gaze swept over Wang Jin, as if he wanted to see through him from inside out.

"You, are you Wang Jin?"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried the dignity of long residence in the palace, each word spoken with crystal clarity.

"I am indeed Wang Jin, your humble servant."

Wang Jin bowed respectfully, his posture flawless.

The eunuch's face showed no joy or anger, merely a slight nod.

"I am surnamed Gao; in the palace everyone calls me Gao Lishi."

Wang Xiu's heart gave a violent jolt.

Gao Lishi!

That name carries tremendous weight in Tang history.

Although he is now merely an inconspicuous little eunuch, in the future he will wield power over court and countryside, to the point that even the crown prince and princess must yield three parts to him as the "inner counselor"!

He is the most trusted confidant of Emperor Li Longji!

How could he appear here?

Could it be…

A bold thought flashed through Wang Xiu's mind, making his heartbeat skip a beat.

Gao Lishi did not give him much time to think.

"Colonel Wang, come with me for a trip."

"His Majesty wishes to see you."

"His Majesty wants to see me!"

These five words struck like five thunderclaps, exploding in Wang Xiu's mind.

He had imagined countless possibilities.

Being seized by Zong Chuke's people, interrogated by Wu Sansi's people, or even being protected by Li Duo zuo's people.

But he never imagined that this fire would so quickly blaze straight to the emperor's presence!

This is no longer just fighting a higher-level monster; it's like skipping straight to the final boss!

"Eunuch, this… midnight summons—I don't know what it's for."

Wang Jin's voice carried just the right touch of alarm and bewilderment, a normal reaction for a lowly official.

A barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of Gao Lishi's lips.

"Once you see His Majesty, you will naturally know."

He turned sideways and made a "please" gesture.

"Colonel Wang, please. His Majesty is still waiting."

Wang Jin knew he had no room to refuse.

He glanced back at the dark house, then turned and stepped out of the courtyard gate.

He boarded the blue-canopied carriage, the curtains were lowered, shutting out the outside world.

The carriage interior was clean, a small brazier of soothing incense was lit, its fragrance refined.

Gao Lishi sat opposite him, eyes closed, silent.

The wheels rolled over the blue-stone pavement, emitting a monotonous "gurgling" sound.

The whole world seemed reduced to that sound, and to Wang Xiu's own heartbeat, growing louder and louder.

His mind raced wildly, simulating all the possible conversations that might ensue.

An audience with the emperor is no laughing matter.

A single misspoken word could mean utter ruin.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

"Colonel Wang, we have arrived."

Gao Lishi's voice pulled him back from his tangled thoughts.

Wang Jin stepped down from the carriage, and an aura belonging solely to the palace—majestic and solemn—washed over him.

Before him was not a splendid gold-and-glittering palace, but a rather elegant pavilion.

Before the building, a few stalks of green bamboo were planted; moonlight poured down, and the bamboo shadows swayed.

This place does not look like a front court for handling state affairs; it resembles more the emperor's private rear garden where he rests.

Gao Lishi led him up to the pavilion.

His footsteps fell on the wooden steps, making not a sound.

The second floor of the pavilion was brightly lit.

A figure stood with hands clasped behind his back before the window, gazing into the distance.

He wore a plain bright-yellow robe; his stature was not tall, yet his back bore an innate air of nobility.

「Your Majesty, Wang Jin has been brought。」

Gao Lishi bowed and reported.

That figure slowly turned around.

It was a face slightly weary yet unable to hide its heroic bearing.

He was the Tang emperor who had just recently regained the throne, Li Xian.

And standing beside him was another person.

A middle-aged official in a purple robe, his visage sinister and fierce.

Minister of War, Zhong Chuke.

Zhong Chuke looked at Wang Jin, his face bearing an undisguised cold smile.

Sure enough, this was a Hongmen banquet.

Wang Jin immediately knelt on the ground, his body trembling slightly.

「Your subject Wang Jin pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years! 」

He performed the role of a frightened minor official to perfection.

Li Xian's gaze fell upon him, carrying scrutiny.

「Are you Wang Jin? 」

「Your subject is here. 」

「Raise your head. 」

Wang Jin raised his head as ordered, but he dared not meet the emperor's eyes, merely looking at the ground beneath the emperor's feet.

「I have read your memorial. 」

Li Xian's voice was calm, giving no hint of joy or anger.

He raised his hand, and Gao Lishi immediately placed the memorial into his hand.

「Lord Zhong says, you are merely a lowly clerk of the armory, yet you could devise such a shocking strategy; surely you were instigated by others, spreading false rumors to deceive the masses, intending to meddle in court affairs. 」

Li Xian's gaze turned sharp.

「He says the one who instigated you is the Prince of Liaoyang, Li Duozo. 」

「Wang Jin, do you admit guilt? 」

「Here it comes! 」

「The deadliest question has arrived! 」

Zhong Chuke's cold smile grew ever more triumphant.

This problem has no solution.

To admit guilt is to collude with partisans and plot treason.

To deny it is to deceive the sovereign and betray superiors, for everyone knows he was promoted by Li Duozo.

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu)'s back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.

But he knew, this was his only chance!

He suddenly knocked his head to the ground, his voice trembling with excitement.

「Your Majesty! Your subject is wronged! 」

「Your subject and the Prince of Liaoyang share only the grace of promotion; there was no private instruction! 」

「Every word of this memorial is your subject's heart and blood! As a Tang subject who eats the emperor's stipend, it is his duty to share the emperor's worries! 」

His voice echoed in the quiet pavilion, carrying a tragic and indignant resolve.

Zhong Chuke snorted coldly, about to refute.

Li Xian, however, waved his hand, stopping him.

He looked with interest at Wang Jin kneeling on the ground.

「Oh? Your heart and blood? 」

「Then tell me, Your Majesty, how did you, by a sudden inspiration, foresee the rebellion that would arise in Yaozhou a thousand Chinese miles away? 」

Wang Jin raised his head, his eyes flashing with a near-frenzied light.

「Your Majesty, your subject serves in the armory office, spending his days among piles of old documents. Your subject has reviewed all battle reports, maps, and gazetteers concerning the southwestern frontier since the reign of Emperor Gaozong. 」

「Your subject discovered that the people of Yaozhou are fierce and have long been estranged from the court. In recent years, local officials have imposed excessive levies and repeatedly reported auspicious omens, while in fact popular resentment has long boiled over. 」

「Your subject compared thirty years of rainfall, harvests, taxes, and rebel data, employing astrological calculation and taking popular sentiment as a guide, ultimately reaching the conclusion—」

He paused, then added emphasis.

「The rebellion in Yaozhou depends not on heavenly timing but on human harmony! If the court does not intervene, a great uprising will surely erupt within three years! 」

「And this year is the most dangerous of all! 」

He did not say 'next year,' but instead spoke the more vague yet impactful 'within three years' and 'this year is the most dangerous.'

These words were half true, half false, backed by data and analysis, even dragging in superstition.

Li Xian and Zhong Chuke both listened, stunned.

They had never heard that someone could analyze state affairs in this way.

In Li Xian's eyes, genuine curiosity and appreciation appeared for the first time.

"Excellent! Not relying on heavenly timing, but on human harmony."

He pressed further: "In your memorial you advocated using both punishment and appeasement, with appeasement as the main approach. If the barbarians fear our might but do not embrace virtue, and see our dynasty retreat and yield, only to press their advantage—what then should we do?"

This question cuts straight to the core.

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) felt a surge of spirit, knowing the true test had arrived.

"Your Majesty! Benevolence is for those willing to submit; for wolves, only the long spear!"

"Appeasement is a yang strategy. It tells the world that our Tang Dynasty possesses the virtue of cherishing life. If they do not know good from evil, then punishment is the wrath of thunder!"

"The guilty official suggests sending envoys with the emperor's edict to pacify, while simultaneously ordering the Jiannan Circuit army to gather at the border, prepare troops, and show the momentum to trample Yao Prefecture at any moment!"

"One hand holding an olive, the other holding a sharp sword—let them choose!"

"Either kneeling to bask in imperial grace, or standing to face heavenly might!"

"Boom—"

Wang Jin's words rang like heavy hammer blows, each striking Li Xian's heart hard.

Good! Well said!

One hand holding an olive, the other holding a sharp sword!

This is the true art of imperial rule!

A glint flashed in Li Xian's eyes.

He looked at Wang Jin kneeling on the ground, as if gazing at an uncarved peerless jade.

Zong Chuke's complexion had turned as ugly as possible.

He wanted to pin Wang Jin as a follower of Li Duozuo, but now the emperor clearly regards Wang Jin as his own 'heaven-sent talent'!

Li Xian remained silent for a long time; in the pavilion, even a falling pin could be heard.

Suddenly, he laughed.

"What a fine Wang Jin!"

"You are excellent."

He turned his head to look at Gao Lishi.

"Convey my imperial edict!"

"Colonel Wang Jin, quick-witted and devoted to the state, is specially promoted to Hanlin Attendant, to enter the Eastern Palace and assist the Crown Prince!"

"Furthermore, bestow one hundred taels of gold, ten bolts of Shu brocade, and one residence!"

As the edict was issued, Zong Chuke's body shuddered violently.

Wang Jin's (Wang Xiu's) heart was instantly overwhelmed by immense joy!

Hanlin Attendant! Assisting the Crown Prince!

He not only survived, but rose in a single step, directly entering the Empire's power core—Era Name Transition!

However, Li Xian's next words made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

"Wang Jin, I hear you have deep ties with a deceased acquaintance from the Prince Xiang's mansion."