Chapter 199: Counterattack

At the imperial court, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's faction grew increasingly arrogant; Su Wu, Wei Xiang, Xu Wei and other loyal officials were openly sidelined, losing real power, and the court situation fell into chaos.

Liu Ju, as the Son of Heaven, faced all this, yet his reaction was unusually calm.

During morning audience, an official could no longer contain himself, stepped forward, knelt, and loudly proclaimed: 'Your Majesty, Su Wu and several other officials are being wantonly suppressed by the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction; justice in the court is hard to maintain. I hope Your Majesty will investigate and restore fairness to the loyal, and order the court.'

Liu Ju sat on the dragon throne, his expression calm, merely nodding slightly, and said: 'I am aware of this matter; I will personally deliberate and handle all court affairs; you, my beloved ministers, need not worry excessively.'

His tone was unruffled, as if this were merely a trivial matter.

After court adjourned, a close minister privately advised: 'Your Majesty, Su Wu and the others are the pillars of the court, loyal and steadfast. Now suffering this injustice, if Your Majesty does not intervene, I fear the hearts of the ministers will grow cold, and the court may see turmoil.'

Liu Ju still merely gave a faint smile, responding: 'I have it in mind; the situation remains under control; no need for many words.'

Seeing Liu Ju's attitude, the officials' hearts were filled with doubt and disappointment.

As time passed, Liu Ju's inaction became increasingly evident.

After Su Wu and the others were sidelined, their situation at court grew ever more difficult, while the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction became ever more rampant, acting without restraint.

The dissatisfaction of the upright officials in the court spread like a flood.

They whispered among themselves, some shaking their heads and sighing: 'Your Majesty, this move is truly puzzling; how can you allow villains to run rampant while the loyal suffer?'

Others, faces full of indignation, said: 'If this continues, the court will surely fall into great chaos, yet Your Majesty turns a blind eye—what are the common people of the world to do?'

Some officials who had once placed great hopes in Liu Ju saw their disappointment grow ever deeper.

They began to miss the era when senior ministers like Huo Qubing and Zhang Qian were in office, when the court was clear and bright, and they felt anguished over Liu Ju's present conduct.

Meanwhile, among the populace, murmurs of discontent with the court situation gradually spread; hearing that the loyal were sidelined, the people's trust in the imperial court began to waver.

Liu Ju's seemingly calm reaction was like a massive stone thrown into a still lake, stirring up countless waves; inside and outside the court, doubts and dissatisfaction toward him grew ever more, yet he remained unmoved.

On Su Wu's side, after confirming the general direction, he, Wei Xiang, Xu Wei, Jin Fu and others swiftly took action.

They first set about sorting out officials in the court who might share their stance and were upright.

Su Wu, relying on the connections and prestige he had accumulated over years at court, secretly sent confidential letters to several officials who were on good terms with him and upright; the letters hinted at the current state of the court and their resolve to oppose the faction, inviting them to his residence for a meeting.

A few days later, in the secret chamber of Su Wu's residence, several officials gathered together.

Everyone's faces were solemn.

Su Wu rose, cupped his hands to the assembly, and said in a deep voice: 'Gentlemen officials, the court is now thrown into turmoil by the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction; we loyal officials have been sidelined and lost real power. Yet we cannot stand by and let the Han realm fall into the hands of villains; today you have come, so we may confer on strategy—how to overthrow this faction.'

All nodded, filled with righteous indignation.

An elderly official frowned and said: 'Master Su, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian act with extreme caution; their followers fill the court, making it hardly easy to catch them in a mistake.'

Wei Xiang took up the thread: 'Precisely because it is not easy, we must all the more unite. These days I have arranged my trusted men to secretly monitor their movements; I have found that in the Southern Development Project they are colluding with merchants, suggesting possible corruption and bribery. Yet the evidence is still not conclusive.'

After lengthy discussion, they decided to divide their efforts.

One group of officials, using their connections in the various court departments, continued to dig for evidence against Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, focusing on the flow of funds, personnel appointments and dismissals, etc., in the Southern Development Project;

Another group was tasked with negotiating with the Chen Wenjin faction at court, seizing opportunities to expose their misdeeds, and seeking to win over more neutral officials.

Su Wu, Wei Xiang and Xu Wei themselves went out, secretly visiting some generals who held military power but maintained a neutral stance.

They explained the righteous cause to the generals, outlined the current crisis at court, and hoped the generals would step forward at the critical moment to support justice.

When visiting an esteemed old general, Su Wu spoke earnestly: 'General, the court is now held by villains; if left to their devices, the Han realm's lands and ancestral altars hang in the balance. You command heavy troops and have always been loyal and brave; I hope you can contribute to restoring clarity to the court.'

The old general pondered long, then declared: 'Master Su's words are quite right; though I am in the military, I have also heard of the court's turmoil. If needed, I will certainly give my full support.'

As time went on, Su Wu and the others gathered ever more evidence, while expressions of discontent at court toward the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction gradually increased.

They prepared in earnest while awaiting a fitting moment, ready to deal a fatal blow to the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction and restore clarity to the court.

Su Wu, Wei Xiang and Xu Wei gathered at Su Wu's residence, their faces solemn, discussing countermeasures.

Su Wu frowned tightly and spoke first: 'The court situation is now dire; we have been heavily sidelined, and we must find a way to turn the tide. After much thought, Zhang Tang might be a breakthrough. He once served alongside us in the court, sharing many experiences; although he now appears to have allied with Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, I suspect there is something hidden. We might go see him, appeal to our old friendship, and persuade him to turn back and join us in opposing the faction.'

Wei Xiang and Xu Wei exchanged a glance, nodded slightly to show agreement.

Three days later, they arrived at Zhang Tang's residence.

After the gateboy announced them, Zhang Tang came out to meet them, his face bearing a faint, elusive smile, his eyes hard to read.

'Master Su, Master Wei, Master Xu, what brings you to my humble abode today?'

Zhang Tang spoke politely.

Su Wu looked at Zhang Tang, his expression sincere: 'Master Zhang, we have come today to discuss an important matter. The court is now dominated by the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction; the loyal have been wronged. You and I once served the court, both hoping for its clarity. Now that you are close to them, we truly do not understand.'

Zhang Tang frowned slightly, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes, then quickly regained composure, saying: 'Master Su, court affairs are intricate and tangled; some things are not as they appear on the surface.'

Wei Xiang could not help but say: 'Master Zhang, we have known each other for many years; you have always been upright and unyielding. Yet now you keep company with those villains, which truly grieves us. We know you act according to your own considerations, but Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian are wreaking havoc in the court; we cannot stand by idly. If you could join forces with us to expose their crimes, you would surely restore peace to the court.'

Zhang Tang fell silent for a moment, then slowly said: 'I understand the intentions of you gentlemen, but…'

He wanted to speak but held back, his eyes revealing a hint of hesitation.

Xu Wei urged: 'Master Zhang, opportunity must not be lost; it will not come again. If the court situation remains perilous and you continue to let Chen Wenjin and his ilk run amok, the Han realm will be in danger! We believe you would not truly throw in your lot with them; in light of our past friendship, lend us your aid.'

Zhang Tang let out a long sigh, saying: 'Gentlemen, please allow me to consider further. The court situation is shifting and unpredictable; it cannot be explained in a few words. But please believe, I, Zhang Tang, have my own measure in my heart.'

Seeing that Zhang Tang did not immediately agree, Su Wu and the others felt a tinge of disappointment, yet also saw a glimmer of hope.

'Very well, Master Zhang, we await your reply; we hope you will not disappoint us, nor disappoint the many loyal officials at court.'

Su Wu spoke with earnest gravity.

Having said that, the three took their leave; Zhang Tang watched their retreating backs and fell into contemplation.