Chapter 197: Give an inch, they take a mile

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's faction impeached Zhang Tang and others, but Liu Ju lightly brushed it aside.

Nevertheless, Liu Ju symbolically docked the salaries of a few people and also granted rewards to Chen Wenjin and his associates.

This had already made his stance clear.

This made the court atmosphere even more tense.

The punished Zhang Tang returned to his mansion, his inner turmoil churning like a stormy sea.

Obviously, the court had been thrown into chaos by Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's faction; to vindicate the loyal and restore clarity to the court, one must venture into the tiger's den and gather evidence of their crimes.

Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and made a decision.

Zhang Tang first selected several priceless treasures from his own treasure vault, items he normally would not bear to show others.

The next day, he brought these treasures to Chen Wenjin's residence.

Seeing Chen Wenjin, Zhang Tang put on a beaming smile, performed a deep bow respectfully, and said: "Chancellor Chen, recent court affairs have left me deeply uneasy. After careful consideration, I now realize that Chancellor, your far-sighted vision makes the southern development project surely beneficial to the state and the people. Previously I have offended you many times; I hope you will forgive me. Today I have specially prepared a modest gift to express my intentions; henceforth I wish to follow you, Chancellor, and offer my humble service."

Saying this, he handed over the box containing the treasures.

Chen Wenjin looked at Zhang Tang, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes; he slowly took the box, opened it, and his eyes instantly lit up, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning up.

"Official Zhang, what do you mean by this? Previously you were dissatisfied with me."

Chen Wenjin said this deliberately to test him.

Zhang Tang hastily apologized: "Chancellor, that was all my foolishness; only now do I understand your painstaking efforts. I hope you will give me a chance."

Chen Wenjin laughed loudly: "Good, good! Official Zhang, your turning over a new leaf couldn't be better."

Afterward, Zhang Tang repeated the same approach, bringing generous gifts to visit Li Xiangtian and speaking many flattering words.

Li Xiangtian saw Zhang Tang, once a close aide of the emperor, come to defect, and immediately felt elated, thinking his power was growing ever stronger.

After Zhang Tang's 'defection,' Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian were exceedingly pleased.

At the banquet in the chancellor's residence, Chen Wenjin held up his wine cup, his face flushed, and said to his followers: "Look, even Zhang Tang has come to join us. Now in the court, who could oppose us?"

The crowd echoed in agreement, praising Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian for their wisdom.

Li Xiangtian grinned so wide he could hardly close his mouth: "This is all thanks to the chancellor's efforts; from now on we will surely be able to call the wind and summon the rain in the court, and this world will sooner or later be ours!"

The two grew ever more arrogant, acting with increasing recklessness, utterly unaware of Zhang Tang's covert moves; meanwhile, Zhang Tang, amidst this false flattery, quietly began his plan to gather evidence of their crimes.

Su Wu met with Wei Xiang and Xu Wei in his residence to discuss countermeasures; the atmosphere was solemn.

At that moment, a page hurried in to report: "Sir, I have heard that Lord Zhang Tang actually brought generous gifts and successively defected to Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian."

Su Wu's teacup clattered to the floor with a clang, tea splashing everywhere; his face filled with shock, he exclaimed in disbelief: "How could this be possible? Zhang Tang has always been upright and incorruptible—how could he commit such treachery?"

Wei Xiang's brows knotted tight, his eyes full of anger: "I said it before—Zhang Tang was assigned to investigate the Huo Guang case but made no progress; now it seems he had long been colluding with those treacherous villains. To think we still considered him a loyal official—what a misjudgment!"

Wei Xiang, fuming, clenched his fists and paced back and forth in the hall.

Xu Wei also showed a look of disappointment: "Back when Zhang Tang enforced the law impartially, he rooted out much corruption for the court; I never imagined he would now be blinded by power and profit."

He gently shook his head and sighed incessantly.

Su Wu's heart was a mix of emotions; though angry, he still retained a hint of doubt: "Could there be some hidden circumstance? Zhang Tang is no one to yield easily—this is too suspicious."

Su Wu paced back and forth, trying to straighten his thoughts.

Wei Xiang, however, snorted coldly: "What hidden circumstance could there be? The facts are right before our eyes—he personally came to deliver gifts. Given that the court situation is already dire, his defection only adds insult to injury."

Wei Xiang's face flushed with indignation; he found Zhang Tang's behavior utterly contemptible.

Su Wu pondered for a moment, then said: "No matter what, we cannot conclude Zhang Tang's betrayal based solely on this. Perhaps he has other plans. We must still keep a close watch on his subsequent actions. At the same time, we must expedite our scheming; we cannot sit and wait for doom—we must find a way to expose Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's crimes and restore clarity to the court."

Su Wu's gaze was steadfast; despite this turn of events, he had not abandoned his resolve to oppose the treacherous villains.

Wei Xiang and Xu Wei exchanged a glance, nodded, and the three continued to discuss countermeasures; Zhang Tang's action was like a massive stone, stirring up waves in their hearts and making the court situation ever more bewildering.

The night was deep, in the side hall of Weiyang Palace.

Su Wu, Wei Xiang, and Xu Wei entered the hall one after another, their expressions solemn.

They wore plain court attire, their faces weary, all troubled by the court's disorder.

Upon seeing Emperor Liu Ju, the three immediately knelt and paid homage, saying in unison: "Your Majesty, we have come late at night to present an important matter."

Emperor Liu Ju sat behind the desk, slightly raising his hand to signal them to rise; his expression was calm, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces.

Su Wu spoke first, his voice low and full of disappointment: "Your Majesty, at present Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's faction runs rampant, recklessly eliminating dissenters. Chancellor Wei Qing and General Zhang Qian have been forced to resign, and Lord Huo Guang has been wrongfully imprisoned; the court order is in utter chaos, and we feel anguished and indignant, deeply disappointed and worried about the current situation."

After Su Wu finished speaking, a faint glimmer of tears appeared in his eyes; he wholeheartedly hoped Emperor Liu Ju would take action to turn the tide.

Wei Xiang stepped forward immediately, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian are in collusion, forming factions for private gain, causing loyal officials to feel chilled and the populace to doubt the court. If this continues, our Great Han's territory may fall into peril."

Wei Xiang spoke earnestly, his brows furrowed, his body trembling slightly—evidence of his inner anxiety.

Xu Wei also added: "Your Majesty, we have served the court for many years, yet never have we seen such turmoil. The former clarity and justice are gone; we truly do not know what to do."

Xu Wei's voice carried helplessness and confusion; his gaze toward Emperor Liu Ju was filled with a longing for guidance.

Afterward, Su Wu hesitated a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, there is still one matter we must report. Recently we heard that Lord Zhang Tang actually brought generous gifts and successively defected to Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian. Lord Zhang Tang has always been upright; this action is truly puzzling. We suspect there may be some hidden circumstance, yet we also fear that Lord Zhang Tang might truly betray Your Majesty and side with the treacherous villains, leaving us anxious." Su Wu spoke while carefully observing Emperor Liu Ju's expression.

After hearing this, Emperor Liu Ju slightly furrowed his brows, pondered a moment, then spoke in a calm tone: "I am already aware of this matter. Court affairs are intricate; I have my own considerations. What you have said, I am not oblivious to. As for Zhang Tang, he has always acted according to his own convictions; I believe he will not lightly commit treason against the court."

Emperor Liu Ju's voice was steady, with little noticeable emotional fluctuation, making it hard to discern his true thoughts.

Su Wu and the others exchanged glances, each showing a flicker of surprise.

They had expected Emperor Liu Ju to react with shock and anger to these circumstances, yet his response was surprisingly calm.

But they dared not ask further; they could only kneel again and say: "Your Majesty, sage and enlightened, we are foolish; we only wish you would soon purge the court and restore clarity to our Great Han."

Emperor Liu Ju gave a slight nod, signaling them to withdraw.

The three slowly withdrew from the side hall, their hearts filled with doubt; Emperor Liu Ju's attitude left them even more bewildered about the court's future.