Chapter 93: Storm in the Court

Chang'an, Da Ming Palace.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed it could drip water.

The reigning Son of Heaven, Tang Xizong Li Xuan, a boy of only fifteen, was fidgeting on the dragon throne.

He had originally been a mischievous child emperor who only cared about cockfighting and running dogs, ignoring state affairs.

But at this moment, his face was filled with terror and panic far beyond his years.

Just now, he had received two consecutive reports that kept him sleepless and uneasy.

One concerned the northern war situation.

Wang Xianzhi's rebel army swept across the entire Henan Circuit within a few months. The Court's dispatched suppression force suffered repeated defeats, losing soldiers and commanders.

What frightened him even more was another rebel force led by the Salt Control hawk Huang Chao, which also rose in rebellion at Yuanju (present‑day Heze, Shandong), echoing Wang Xianzhi from afar.

The entire northern Tang Dynasty had descended into complete chaos.

The other report came from the south.

"The Wang Clan of Yangzhou has gathered thirty thousand men, calling it disaster relief but in fact seizing territory. They are building cities and recruiting troops, tantamount to rebellion. Your Majesty, please dispatch heavenly troops at once to suppress them!"

This report from the Yangzhou Inspector sank Tang Xizong's heart three more points.

The north is in turmoil; he could send troops to quell it!

But now, even the south, long regarded as the Court's purse and backyard, has produced such a huge disturbance!

Wang Family!

This massive entity, inherited for nearly two hundred years and unshaken through several dynasties, has suddenly emerged at this moment!

What do they intend to do?

Do they plan to loot the fire and set up their own stronghold?

"Esteemed ministers!" Tang Xizong's voice trembled slightly, "Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao rebel in the north; the Wang Clan secedes in the south. Now both north and south are in revolt; what course should our Tang Dynasty take?"

His gaze fell upon the civil and military officials standing below, hoping someone would offer a suggestion.

However, the Court was dead silent.

Those ministers who usually spoke eloquently and debated loudly were now all mute.

What could they say?

The northern rebel bandits are powerful and hard to control. The southern Wang Family is a hot potato no one dares to touch.

Fight? With what to fight?

The treasury's meager funds aren't even enough to supply the northern army, let alone spare money to raise a new force for a southern expedition.

Moreover, who would dare to fight?

The Wang Family's prestige is immense. Wang You's dual‑tax system is still in use. Some descendants of Wang Ce still wield great influence within the Imperial Guards.

Anyone who dares to lead troops against the Wang Family would likely be drowned in the Court's scorn before even reaching the south, and have military commanders stab them in the back.

But if we don't fight, should we just watch the Wang Family grow in the south, becoming a state within a state?

Where then is the Court's face? Where is the emperor's authority?

Just as everyone fell silent and the atmosphere grew unbearably awkward.

A sarcastic voice sounded from beside the emperor.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this matter may not be entirely bad."

Speaking was the most powerful eunuch of the era, the Shence Army Lieutenant, Tian Lingzi.

He was also Tang Xizong's most trusted "father figure".

"Oh?" Tang Xizong, as if clutching a lifeline, asked hurriedly, "Father figure, what is your high opinion?"

Tian Lingzi bowed slightly, a shrewd smile appearing on his face.

"Your Majesty, the northern rebels are a serious internal threat that must be eradicated. Yet the southern Wang Family may not be our enemy."

"The Wang Family's three generations of loyal men uphold the rule 'do not covet the throne, do not vie for great treasure.' Though their recent actions are out of line, their banner is 'disaster relief.' This shows they do not intend to openly oppose the Court."

"In my humble view, they merely seek self‑preservation in these chaotic times."

Tian Lingzi paused, then continued: "Since that is so, why must we force them onto our opposite side? We now lack soldiers, grain, and money. The Wang Family lacks nothing!"

"In my humble opinion, we should go with the flow and do them a favor."

"Your Majesty may issue an Imperial Edict, not to reprimand them, but to commend them!"

"Commend?" Tang Xizong was stunned.

All civil and military officials in the Court were also stunned.

"What on earth is Tian Lingzi selling in his gourd? People are about to rebel, and you still want to commend them?"

Tian Lingzi calmly explained, "Exactly, it is commendation. Your Majesty may issue a decree praising the Yangzhou Wang Clan head Wang Jing, who is deeply virtuous, loyal to the sovereign and the state. In the Court's time of crisis, he proactively opened granaries, released grain, sheltered refugees, and eased the nation's burdens."

Then grant them a title: appoint Wang Jing as 'Eastern Route Disaster Relief and Pacification Commissioner of the South,' allowing him 'to act at his convenience,' responsible for the settlement of refugees and local pacification throughout the Eastern Route of the South.

"What benefits does this bring?"

"First, the Wang Family's actions shift from 'unsanctioned secession' to 'acting by imperial decree.' We preserve the Court's face."

"Second, once we grant them a title, they must acknowledge our favor. In the future, if we ask them for money, grain, or support for the northern war, could they still politely refuse?"

"Third, and most importantly," Tian Lingzi's eyes flashed with a sinister gleam, "by making him this pacification commissioner, we are putting him on a roasting spit! The powerful families of the South are not limited to the Wang Family. When the Wang Family settles refugees and pacifies the region, it will inevitably affect the interests of other families."

When the time comes, without us lifting a finger, the South will descend into chaos on its own. We can then sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, reaping profit from it!

"Brilliant! Brilliant!"

Tang Xizong, after listening, finally relaxed his tightly knit brows.

He slapped the dragon throne, laughing, "Father figure's plan truly is an excellent strategy for securing the world!"

The Court's ministers, though finding the scheme somewhat underhanded, had to admit it was indeed the best solution under the current circumstances.

Thus, when no one expected it, a commendation Imperial Edict was issued from Chang'an and dispatched at top speed to Yangzhou.

……

Wang Family Fort.

When Wang Jing received the Imperial Edict appointing him as 'Jiangnan East Circuit Disaster Relief Pacification Envoy' from the hands of the transmitting eunuch, he was completely stunned.

He had imagined countless possible reactions from the Court.

Reprimand, warning, even sending troops to attack.

But he never expected that what awaited him was actually an Imperial Edict of praise and appointment!

Holding the Imperial Edict, he hurried to the backyard and found Wang Zong basking in the sun.

"Uncle! Quick look! The Court... the Court actually...

"Wang Zong (Wang Xiu) took the Imperial Edict, merely glanced at it, and calmly placed it aside."

"It seemed as if all of this had long been within his expectations."

"Jing'er, there's no need to make a fuss." He said calmly, "This is the scheme of that old eunuch dog, Tian Lingzi. He wants to put our Wang Family over a fire to roast."

"Then... what should we do?" Wang Jing felt a bit panicked.

"What should we do?" A cold smile curled at the corner of Wang Zong's (Wang Xiu's) mouth.

"He wants us to be the bird that sticks out; then we'll let him see."

"Now, in the name of the 'Jiangnan East Circuit Disaster Relief Pacification Envoy,' we will issue documents to all the prominent clans of every prefecture and county in Jiangnan."

"We will say that, with the nation in crisis, our Wang Family shares the state's worries, having opened granaries to distribute grain and taken in thirty thousand refugees. But our strength is limited; a single log cannot support the whole structure. We earnestly ask our fellow neighbors to also follow our Wang Family's example: contribute money if you have it, contribute strength if you have it, and together overcome the crisis."

"If anyone refuses to comply..." A cold light flashed in Wang Zong's eyes.

"Then we will report to the Court, charging them with 'disrupting relief efforts, watching refugees starve to death, equivalent to treason,' and request the royal army... no, have our Wang Family, acting on behalf of the Emperor, attack them!"