Chapter 451: No One Understands Better Than Liu Bingzhong What It Means to Be a Pragmatic Hero

The main hall of Jing Zhao Fu had its lattice windows half open.

The pale golden morning light from the eastern horizon was filtered into fragmented shadows, falling onto the Qingzhuan Dimian.

Three green porcelain cups were placed on the desk, the white steam rising from the tea winding around the eave‑corner spiderwebs, slowly dispersing into the wind scented with locust‑tree freshness.

Jing Zhao Fu's magistrate Liu Bingzhong pinched the rim of his cup, just after sipping warm tea, the astringent taste of the tea stalk still lingering on his tongue, when he heard junior magistrate Li Shuren suddenly set his cup down, the crisp clatter of green porcelain striking the wooden desk startling the sparrow perched on the window lattice into flight.

"Magistrate, Old Zhang, have you seen the document sent from Tian Guan Fu?"

Li Shuren leaned forward, the hem of his dark‑blue linen shirt sweeping over the three‑legged bronze furnace beneath the desk, the lingering charcoal ash in the furnace drifting up in fine particles, "The lord of the Mingjing Office has been transferred to the Magistrate of Wan'nan…"

Legal Officer Zhang Yinxian pinched the rim of his cup with his fingertip, first taking a shallow sip of the tea, the scalding liquid sliding down his throat, yet it did not quell the doubt in his eyes.

He lowered his gaze, staring at the drifting tea leaves at the bottom of the cup, as if weighing his words, and only after a moment lifted his eyes to Liu Bingzhong and Li Shuren, his voice pressed even lower than before, tinged with tentative caution: "What do you think the Grand Preceptor means by this?"

He paused, his fingertip unconsciously curling, then continued: "Could it be dissatisfaction with that lord?"

From the wind‑summoning, high‑ranking overseer of the Mingjing Office to a petty county magistrate of the capital region, there's hardly any difference at all…

A definite demotion!

The Grand Preceptor's intentions, no matter how one guesses, just feel…

"Whatever it means…"

Liu Bingzhong, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, furrowing deep lines on his brows, the gentle look in his eyes replaced entirely by sternness: "That lord isn't one we could afford to offend!"

He paused again, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the desk, his gaze sinking as he glanced at the two, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, letting out a light sigh before continuing: "Moreover, the Grand Preceptor's heir has also been transferred to the Chang'an Magistrate; you should ponder the meaning of this, ponder it carefully!"

Given the Grand Preceptor's series of actions, could it be discontent?

These two not only have poor political instincts, they only see parts of things…

"Indeed!"

Li Shuren blinked, his brows loosening from a slight frown to a relaxed line, then he thumped his thigh heavily, his tone full of a dawning realization: "The heir's appointment is also an extremely unusual signal…"

He had indeed overlooked this crucial point!

If considered together, it becomes highly thought‑provoking…

The positions of these two capital‑region county magistrates seem transitional no matter how you look at them!

Liu Bingzhong lifted his hand, carrying the freshly poured hot tea from the desk, the swirling heat spreading, the warmth of the tea sinking down his throat, and said: "We shouldn't guess the Grand Preceptor's thoughts!"

"Just focus on doing your duties peacefully…"

Even though the senior magistrate Liu said so outwardly, in his mind he had already begun scheming…

After all, the chance to "go grassroots" with the two lords, if used well, could further advance relations with them…

That would become his future political resource!

Moreover, such an opportunity is rare and cannot be sought…

Just as the tea steam in the main hall was settling, light footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by an official bowing and entering; his robe hem brushed the threshold, stirring a gust of wind, his voice urgent yet clear: "Sir, the Chang'an Magistrate and the Magistrate of Wan'nan have arrived…"

"Who?!" Liu Bingzhong almost blurted in response, the tea cup he had just set down jerking violently, half a cup of hot tea splashing onto the desk, spreading a dark stain.

The Chang'an Magistrate and the Magistrate of Wan'nan?

Aren't those the two lords?

Li Shuren's tea cup clacked against the desk corner, and Zhang Yinxian's grip on his pen shaft nearly slipped.

The two exchanged a glance, the dawning realization and contemplation on their faces wholly replaced by shock, frozen in place, forgetting how to move.

Liu Bingzhong inhaled deeply, his fingertip pressing the water stain on the desk, then regained his composure, gesturing to the official: "Quickly, quickly…"

As he spoke, he rose to straighten his official robe, the earlier composure completely gone.

These two lords cannot be delayed even a moment!

But before the words could finish, before the invitation could be spoken, a bright laugh rang from outside, shaking the morning dew on the window lattice: "Old Liu, long time no see!"

Immediately after, two figures pulled aside the curtains and entered.

The leading figure wore a dark brocade robe, a jade belt at his waist, and was Chen Yan, his face bearing a warm smile.

Behind him followed Yuwen Ze, dressed in a blue shirt, his features bearing a hint of sharpness, his gait composed.

Behind the two, Yuwen Xiang, Zhu Yi, Hongye, and Lu Cangfeng stood with hands at their sides on either side, while Liu Mu Zhi and Huan Jing trailed closely behind.

At the very end were a few embroidered‑clad envoys.

Liu Bingzhong's pupils narrowed, the earlier haste overtaken by shock, he quickly bowed in salute, his robe hem brushing the tea stains on the desk unnoticed, his voice carrying a barely concealed humility and respect: "Greetings, Supervisor… Pillar of the State!"

"Greetings, Prince!"

Li Shuren and Zhang Yinxian also reacted in time.

They hurriedly rose from their seats, daring not a hint of delay, then bowed in salute, their movements uniform, even their breathing subconsciously softened.

No one expected that as soon as the report arrived, the two lords were already there, front and back…

However, the Jing Zhao Fu offices seemed to have no one daring to block them…

"No need for formalities, gentlemen!"

Chen Yan strode forward to the bowing Liu Bingzhong, lifted his hand onto his shoulder, giving a light pat, the pressure of his palm neither light nor heavy, his tone carrying a deliberately teasing note: "You are both superiors of my two brothers, so I should be the one to bow!"

Liu Bingzhong straightened up, momentarily stiffened at the remark, a wry smile tugging at his mouth, the fine lines at his eyes tightening, he said helplessly: "Pillar of the State, please don't mock us officials!"

Having said that, he stepped back half a pace, eyes slightly lowered, his posture still deferential.

Having the youngest, exceedingly scheming and ruthless Pillar of the State, and the Grand Preceptor's sole son, Prince of Ancheng, make these lowly officials bow?

Not only does he no longer want the black silk hat, his very life might be in danger…

The stance of these two lords doesn't look like a demotion at all, nor does the magistrate's keen insight… Li Shuren, listening to each of Old Liu's words, couldn't help but feel, and together with Zhang Yinxian hurriedly echoed: "Exactly!"

Liu Bingzhong quickly turned aside, his hand gesturing toward the main seat, his robe hem sweeping the desk edge, his voice full of respect: "Please, sit quickly!"

After seating Chen Yan, Yuwen Ze, and Yuwen Xiang on the higher seats, he shouted toward the doorway: "Servant, bring the tea!"

The official entered at the call, carrying the green porcelain tea jar that Liu Bingzhong rarely used, deftly boiling water and adding tea, and in no time brought three cups of hot tea topped with fine white foam.

Liu Bingzhong stepped forward to receive them, first handing a cup to Chen Yan, then turning to present the other two cups to Yuwen Ze and Yuwen Xiang, his hand delivering the tea steady without any tremor.

Chen Yan lifted the tea cup and took a sip, the tea sliding over his throat, and smiled, nodding, "Fine tea!"

Yuwen Ze also took a shallow sip, his fingertips rubbing the cup rim, his gaze falling on the unfurled tea leaves in the cup, praising, "The tea fragrance is lingering…"

Liu Bingzhong folded his hands in front of him, his shoulders and back constantly in a slight forward lean, his eyes fixed on the tea cups before Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze, even his breathing became gentle.

When the two's tea‑drinking paused, he slowly raised his eyes, his tone full of respectful inquiry, "Prime Minister, Prince, at this early hour, why have you both come?"

Chen Yan set the tea cup onto the desk, the crisp yet unhurried sound of porcelain meeting wood.

He lifted his hand to loosen the jade sash, his gaze sweeping over the unfiled documents and tea stains on the desk, a hint of a casual smile at the corner of his mouth, he said offhand, "Old Liu, this isn't following the usual custom; a new official must pay a visit. Are you the Jing Zhao Fu Prefect?"

According to the system, whether Magistrate of Wan'nan or Chang'an Magistrate, both fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Jing Zhao Fu Prefect…

Therefore, by usual practice, one must let the superior recognize the person and also pay respects at the dock.

Liu Bingzhong heard this, his mouth first stiffened slightly, then slowly drew a somewhat hurried smile, saying, "Prime Minister, you're joking; there's no need for you both to come in person, is there?"

Immediately, the grip of his clasped hands tightened further, becoming even more reverent, "It should be I, the subordinate, who goes to pay my respects!"

Since the subjects are these two, this Prefect had even forgotten the rule…

Chen Yan's fingertips tapped lightly on the desk, a steady rhythm, smiling, "Mainly it's been a while, I've missed you a lot, Old Liu…."

He paused, then shifted his tone, continuing, "I also have a small request to discuss with you!"

What missing? Of course it's because one never visits the Three Treasures Hall without business… Liu Bingzhong couldn't help a snide thought, his back hunched a bit more, his hands dropping to his sides, no hesitation in his eyes, he cooperated fully, "Prime Minister, you speak!"

"I will spare no effort to fulfill it!"

Chen Yan raised his hand toward Liu Mu Zhi behind him, his fingertip pausing in the air, his gaze fixed on Liu Bingzhong's face, a hint of a profound smile, "Let's follow the procedure; I wish to recommend this subordinate as Wan'nan Chief Clerk…"

He deliberately slowed his speech, the ending slightly drawn out, then added, "It must be nominated by me, then you, Old Liu, approve it!"

Beside him, Yuwen Ze also raised his hand, pointing to Huan Jing beside him, picking up the thread, "Prefect Liu, I also wish to recommend a subordinate as Chang'an Chief Clerk…"

"I wonder if that's possible?"

So that's the matter… Liu Bingzhong exhaled, as if a thousand‑pound burden had been lifted, his previously hanging heart finally settled.

A smile instantly spread across his face, the fine lines at his eyes converging, his voice a bit brighter than before, without hesitation he replied, "Very well, very well!"

"Of course it can!"

"I will certainly cooperate!"

Thought it was some big matter?

He didn't even have the nerve to trouble the messenger!

Chen Yan heard this, nodded satisfactorily, "Then it shall be done…."

Immediately, he rose, bracing the desk, the hem of his dark Brothel sweeping the chair legs, crisp and decisive, "It's getting late; we should go to the county office to attend to affairs!"

Yuwen Ze rose right after him, the guards and staff behind him immediately followed, the group walking toward the doorway.

Liu Bingzhong hurried forward, bowing as he led toward the door, repeatedly saying, "I, the subordinate, escort Prime Minister, Prince…"

Just as they reached the threshold, Chen Yan suddenly slowed, turned back to look at Liu Bingzhong, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment, his tone carrying an unmistakable hint, "Old Liu, you've been in this position for quite some years, haven't you?"

"It's about time to move up…."