Chapter 176

In Wang Zhen's study, the lamps remained lit.

He had just finished handling a batch of family affairs sent back from the north, was about to rest, when Su Qin hurried in holding a letter.

"Head of Family, an urgent confidential letter from Wang Hao in Kaifeng."

Wang Zhen took the letter, opened it, his brows first furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

In the letter, Wang Hao detailed how, after Guo Rong ascended the throne, he had been transferred to the post of Minister of Revenue, and also gave his analysis of the new emperor's motives behind this move.

"This Guo Rong indeed has a bit of imperial strategy." Su Qin, standing aside, also finished reading the letter and sighed, "He wants to use our Wang Family while also guarding against us."

"As expected." Wang Zhen placed the letter on the candle flame, watching it turn to ash, "Since ancient times, ruler and minister have been a game of wits. It's a good thing that Guo Rong has this vigilance. It shows he is not a monarch easily bewildered; the realm of the Great Zhou will be more stable in his hands."

"What about Wang Hao's side..." Su Qin worried, "He's been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, far from the center; will that affect our control over northern politics?"

"No problem." Wang Zhen waved his hand, "A pawn, when placed at the crucial moment, has already fulfilled its purpose."

When Guo Rong was still the Prince of Jin, Wang Hao helped him solve the two major problems of disaster relief and military provisions, already earning the Wang Family considerable goodwill and reputation among the northern army and populace. Now, by stepping back to a secondary line, he is actually safer.

"That's what the Head of Family said." Su Qin nodded, also understanding Wang Zhen's meaning.

The Wang Family's layout in the north has never been about seeking petty official positions; they want influence, voice, and the power to sway the situation when the world changes.

"Moreover, Wang Hao's retreat is timely." Wang Zhen's gaze fell on the latter part of the letter, "Think back to the suggestion he previously made."

Su Qin's mind flashed with the content of the previous letter: Wang Hao's proposal to use the Push En Order to weaken the power of princely vassals like Li Chongjin.

"What a splendid Push En Order!" Su Qin recalled, after reading it he clapped his hands in praise, "What an excellent scheme! Using titles and lands as bait, letting them fight among themselves, weakening each other. Without shedding blood, it can eliminate a grave threat!"

Wang Hao is indeed a genius! After years of training, he not only excels in calculation and economics, but also wields such open strategems with great proficiency!

"Yes." Wang Zhen also nodded appreciatively, "Although he is outside the situation, his judgment of the circumstances is even more precise than those inside. I had some hesitation before, but now we must find a way to have Guo Rong adopt this suggestion."

"What does the Head of Family mean?"

"Go to Kaifeng yourself." Wang Zhen ordered, "No need to see Guo Rong directly; go see the Chancellor Fan Zhi. Present this Push En Order method as your own idea and tell him. Fan Zhi is a smart man; he knows what to do."

"Yes, Head of Family." Su Qin received the order.

"There's another matter." Wang Zhen called him back, "Wang Hao's transfer away from the center also serves as a warning to us: don't put all your eggs in one basket."

Su Qin's heart stirred: "Head of Family, you mean...?"

"Our Wang Family, since the southern crossing, has had its roots in Jiangnan." Wang Zhen walked to the large map on the wall, his eyes wandering over it, "Yangzhou may be fine, but lying at the junction of rivers and sea, it has no natural defenses. Once the world changes, this place will become a battlefield on all sides."

"We must find several safer retreats for the family."

His finger pointed to several locations on the map.

"Luoyang, ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, lies in the heart of Zhongyuan, surrounded by mountains, with the Xiaohan Hangu Pass as its natural barrier. Taiyuan, the northern gate's lock and key, with the Taihang Mountains to the east and the Lüliang Mountains to the west, is easy to defend and hard to attack."

"These places, though now somewhat ruined by war, have geographical positions that determine they will inevitably become strategic strongholds again in the future."

"I have decided to select several capable units from the Wang Family's cadet branches, letting them bring funds and technology to relocate respectively to Luoyang and Taiyuan."

"They need not become officials nor vie for fame. Their task is simply to take root there: buy land, open shops, build workshops, fortify strongholds, and firmly plant the Wang Family's influence there."

"In peacetime they are ordinary wealthy merchants; but when trouble arises, they become the Wang Family's strongest footholds and refuges in Zhongyuan and the north."

"Head of Family, your foresight is profound; I admire you." Su Qin said sincerely.

"In troubled times, survival comes first." Wang Zhen sighed, "I am merely fulfilling my duty as Head of the Wang Family. Go now; these two matters must be handled promptly."

"Yes." Su Qin bowed and withdrew.

In the study, only Wang Zhen remained.

He sat back down in his chair and picked up the latest report on the Science Academy.

The report said that, with the "help" of those Japanese apprentices from Zheng Da, the prototype of the first steam engine had been preliminarily assembled. Although it is still crude and bulky, with pitifully low efficiency, it indeed can move.

Looking at the steam engine structural diagram attached to the report, hand‑drawn by Luo Yi, Wang Zhen's face finally broke into a genuine smile.

"Compared to the Wang Family's century‑long grand plan, and to this world‑changing divine artifact, what are those petty power struggles in the northern court?"

He knew that the Wang Family's true future lay in these rumbling machines; the court might be involved, but it is certainly not the main aspect!