Chapter 180: Indulgence

Wei Qing again found Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, and sternly rebuked them:

"Both officials, how can the project ever be completed if you continue like this? Don't you know this concerns national affairs?"

Chen Wenjin, however, disagreed, giving a false smile, and said: "Wei Chancellor, you don't know; this project is inherently complex, many matters need slow coordination, it can't be rushed."

Li Xiangtian also chimed in: "Yes, Wei Chancellor, we have been working hard, but difficulties inevitably arise in the process, requiring time to resolve."

Due to the deliberate obstruction by Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, the Grand Canal project almost fell into stagnation.

Seeing the construction site with no progress, Wei Qing frowned, his brow locked tight each day, his heart filled with anxiety.

Meanwhile, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian secretly gloated.

Chen Wenjin said with a satisfied grin: "This Wei Qing, although he holds the title of Prince of Wei, is still restricted in our hands. He wants to push the project forward, but it's not that easy."

Li Xiangtian also nodded with a smile: "Exactly, once he can't hold this position, we'll have our chance."

The two were immersed in their own scheming.

Wei Qing, however, fell into a deep predicament, urgently needing to find a solution.

He did not lose his composure, but calmly considered countermeasures.

He first secretly arranged several reliable aides familiar with project affairs to conduct a detailed investigation into the worker deployment overseen by Chen Wenjin.

These aides disguised themselves as ordinary workers, penetrated every corner of the site, observed the actual work assignments of the laborers, and recorded daily working hours and staffing changes in key areas.

After several days of secret investigation, they gathered detailed evidence confirming that Chen Wenjin was indeed deliberately dispersing workers to irrelevant tasks, causing slow progress in critical phases of the project.

After obtaining the evidence, Wei Qing decided to try diplomacy before force.

He again invited Chen Wenjin to the Chancellor's residence; this time, he did not merely give verbal advice as before.

Wei Qing, with a stern expression, laid the gathered evidence before Chen Wenjin and said: "Officer Chen, this is a record of the recent on-site conditions. Look, these evidences show that the worker deployment under your responsibility has serious problems, directly affecting the project's progress."

"I bear in mind your previous contributions to the project and do not wish to escalate this matter. However, the project is urgent; I hope you, Officer Chen, will prioritize the overall situation, immediately correct the errors, and reassign workers reasonably."

Seeing the evidence, Chen Wenjin defended himself: "Wei Chancellor, there might be some misunderstanding; I also intended to advance the project, but I was momentarily careless, making mistakes in the arrangements."

Wei Qing snorted coldly, fixing Chen Wenjin with a piercing gaze, and said: "Officer Chen, at this point, do you still want to get away with it? If you continue as before, refusing to change, don't blame me for setting aside collegial feelings and reporting this to the emperor."

Chen Wenjin's heart jolted; after weighing the pros and cons, he feigned submission: "Please calm your anger, Wei Chancellor; it is my fault. I will return now to reassign the workers and will surely speed up the project's progress."

At the same time, Wei Qing did not fully trust Chen Wenjin.

After Chen Wenjin left, he had his aides continue to secretly monitor Chen Wenjin's actions to ensure he truly kept his promise.

Moreover, Wei Qing also began to overhaul the project management system, establishing stricter work procedures and oversight mechanisms to prevent recurrence of such insubordination, striving to get the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal project back on track.

After an investigation, Wei Qing finally obtained solid evidence of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's deliberate sabotage of the project's progress.

In his view, their actions had severely impacted the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a major project vital to the nation's livelihood, and could not be tolerated.

Thus, Wei Qing solemnly presented an impeachment memorial to Liu Ju and publicly exposed Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's various misdeeds in the court.

In the court, the atmosphere was solemn.

Officials hearing this whispered among themselves, expressing indignation at Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's actions.

Wei Qing stood in the hall, solemn and earnest, saying: "Your Majesty, these two pay lip service while opposing you, seeking personal gain, recklessly interfering with the project, causing the Grand Canal construction to stall. Such behavior not only betrays your trust but also harms the nation and the people; I implore Your Majesty to punish them severely as a warning."

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Liu Ju received the memorial, glanced over it quickly, and actually smiled, saying slowly: "The two officials act prudently and consider thoroughly; they are indeed a blessing to our Great Han."

Upon these words, the whole court was astonished; Wei Qing found it hard to believe, stepped forward, and urgently said: "Your Majesty, my words are all true, supported by evidence; Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian have indeed sabotaged the project—how could..."

Liu Ju raised a hand to interrupt Wei Qing, his gaze sweeping over the court officials, and said: "I understand what you mean, Wei Chancellor. But I also know well that the Grand Canal project is complex and arduous, requiring coordination from all sides. The two officials, Chen and Li, have weighed many factors therein; although their methods may be flawed, their intention was also to ensure the project proceeds without error, striving for perfection, so I will reward them."

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, originally frightened and pale, upon hearing Liu Ju's words felt as if pardoned, secretly delighted, yet outwardly feigned humility, kneeling to give thanks.

Meanwhile, Wei Qing and the assembly of upright officials were filled with doubt and incomprehension.

They could not understand why Liu Ju would favor these two who sabotaged the project; perhaps there was some hidden motive?

In the court, officials stared at each other, murmuring back and forth; the previously clear situation became even more bewildering.

Moreover, Liu Ju simultaneously announced that Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian would be ennobled and rewarded to honor their contributions to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal construction.

When this imperial edict came down, the officials at court were no longer calm!

What is happening?

Not punish but instead reward?

Even Wei Qing's dignity is insufficient?

At this moment, Wei Qing's face turned ashen instantly, his fists clenched tightly, whitening at the joints from the force.

He stepped forward a large stride, his voice trembling slightly with anger, and said: "Your Majesty! These two's conduct is proven; they severely obstruct the Grand Canal project, causing countless people to suffer and the state to be harmed. Now Your Majesty not only fails to punish them but instead rewards them—how can we be convinced, and how can we answer to the people under heaven?"

Wei Qing's eyes were full of bewilderment and indignation, staring straight at Liu Ju.

Zhang Qian frowned, his eyes full of concern, he clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, General Wei Qing's words are utterly correct. Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian pay lip service while opposing you; their hearts deserve death. If such behavior is not severely punished, in the future court, perhaps no one will again heed your decrees; this would be extremely detrimental to the lasting peace and stability of our Great Han. I hope you will reconsider."

Su Wu likewise stepped forward, kneeling on one knee, and said earnestly: "Your Majesty, I have long been on missions to the Xiongnu, endured hardships, with but one heart for the Great Han. Seeing such treacherous flatterers now rewarded, I find it hard to be at peace. I implore Your Majesty to withdraw this order, restore justice to the court, and give the people an explanation."

Su Wu's words rang out; he lifted his gaze to Liu Ju.

Wei Xiang lightly stroked his beard, shook his head slightly, his expression solemn, and said: "Your Majesty, the conduct of these two has already severely disrupted court order and project advancement. Rewarding them now would likely dishearten the upright and embolden the malicious. I hope you will, for the sake of the greater good, reconsider."

Wei Xiang's voice was not loud, yet it was clearly audible in the court.

Other upright officials in the court also nodded in agreement, whispering among themselves.

Their faces were full of dissatisfaction and puzzlement, finding Liu Ju's decision hard to comprehend.

Meanwhile, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian stood to the side, watching the officials oppose; although they felt a bit nervous, they were mostly pleased.

In the court, the atmosphere was tense, on the verge of conflict.

Liu Ju looked at the scene before him, where opposition rose on all sides, his expression calm.