Chapter 78: Struggle of Power

“Are your eyes blind? Seeing the Grand Secretary Xu’s procession, why aren’t you rushing out to greet us!”

Private Secretary Hou Huaichang stepped forward and launched into a tirade.

After leaving the capital so long, local officials along the route had shown utmost enthusiasm—many had come out ten miles to welcome them.

But in Yangzhou City, they hit a wall.

Not only did no one come out to greet them, even the city guards stood motionless, as if they hadn’t seen the raised placards.

“Shout all you want—you’ve got no manners at all!”

I’ve guarded the capital gates for years—I’ve seen more than my share of Grand Secretaries and noble lords in the court.”

I’ve never heard of city guards being ordered to go out and greet anyone.”

In this realm, only His Imperial Majesty has the right to make us kneel and welcome him!”

Zhou Chuanfa’s voice rang loud and clear—everyone heard it, and the scene turned instantly awkward.

Classic case of misdirection.

Under the Son of Heaven’s gaze, everyone must behave.

City guards represent imperial authority—even if they wanted to come out, no one would dare accept their greeting.

But out in the provinces, things are different.

Grand Secretary Xu, as Imperial Commissioner, is the one representing imperial authority.

Local officials offering high-profile welcomes may seem like flattery, but it’s fundamentally correct.

Zhou Chuanfa is playing the role of a soldier-thug, deliberately feigning ignorance of protocol, opening his mouth to equate Grand Secretary Xu with the Emperor.

To ordinary people, this is mere sarcasm—but to Xu Wenyue, it’s something entirely different.

To demand the same treatment as the Emperor is grave disrespect.

When it comes to verbal tricks and slandering with labels, he’s the professional—how could he not see their intent?

Arguing with a city gate thug only lowers your own status.

Ignoring them is just dismissing the ramblings of a thug.

The strong do not haggle with ants.

“Enter the city!”

Xu Wenyue spoke without changing expression.

Before arriving, he knew this journey wouldn’t be smooth.

The tree was planted and carefully watered by others; now, at harvest time, you come to pluck the peaches—of course they’re angry.

But in officialdom, you must fight, seize, and claim.

If he didn’t play the villain, the Qingliu faction officials in the Two Huai region would be wiped clean.

Subsequent court appointments would show no trace of Qingliu figures.

Local gentry, too, would sever political ties for the sake of profit.

“Your Excellency, they’re too brazen—they’re simply…”

Before Hou Huaichang could finish, Xu Wenyue shot him a glare.

“Shut up!”

Didn’t you hear me? Enter the city!”

The sky was already late—delay any longer and the gates would close.

If the garrison shut the gates, they’d be forced to spend the night outside.

Under normal circumstances, no one would dare lock a Grand Secretary out.

But with this band of audacious Five City Military Command troops? Anything’s possible.

The procession moved slowly forward; as the Prefect’s yamen came into view, Grand Secretary Xu’s expression darkened.

Outside the city, it might have been that news was blocked and the city knew nothing.

But he’d been inside for so long—even the slowest officials and local gentry should have received word.

The only explanation for no one coming to greet them: someone had given orders in advance to keep them from coming out.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s control over Yangzhou exceeded his expectations.

An official’s power doesn’t come only from above—it also comes from below.

No matter how high-ranking or powerful he was as Imperial Commissioner, he needed those beneath him to obey.

If those beneath refused to act, he was merely a figurehead.

The scenes from operas where officials are dragged out and beheaded on a whim? Pure fiction.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, removing an official required endless procedures.

A superior displeased with a subordinate? He might give him the cold shoulder, pile on dirty, exhausting work—but the subordinate could still slack off.

As long as he didn’t commit a fundamental offense, he couldn’t be dismissed.

This is power balance!

Even an Imperial Commissioner must follow the rules.

Earlier, tied to the treason case, the Marquis of Wuyang merely placed them under house arrest—he didn’t order executions.

The Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard are hated in officialdom precisely because they bypass rules to arrest people.

…

“Your Excellency, forgive us—these underlings are ignorant and dared to block you at the gate. Please be lenient.

The Marquis is holding a military meeting; please rest briefly in the rear courtyard!”

Hearing the steward’s words, Xu Wenyue felt no surprise.

In power struggles, one step back means a precipice.

If confrontation is inevitable, one must not fear offending.

If no one else came out to greet him, how could the Marquis of Wuyang—the leader—possibly come out?

“Lead the way!”

Deep inside, Xu Wenyue kept reminding himself: don’t get angry, don’t get angry!

No matter how powerful a general is, he’s still a general.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, governing the provinces is the civil official’s duty. The situation was exceptional before—so the Marquis of Wuyang could temporarily manage Yangzhou affairs.

Now that a civil official like me, the Imperial Commissioner, has arrived, the Marquis must hand over control of the region.

This includes all prisoners held in the city—all must be transferred.

Once power is fully transferred, this awkward situation will vanish forever.

…

“Your Excellency has traveled far, and I failed to come out to greet you—it is truly my fault.

But the front-line battle is urgent; I dare not delay a moment. I beg Your Excellency’s forgiveness!”

Looking at the Marquis of Wuyang, who spoke of apology yet showed not a trace of shame, Xu Wenyue was speechless.

His face was so thick, it rivaled the old foxes in the court.

Clearly, everyone is improving.

That once-inconspicuous imperial relative, after seven years in officialdom, had matured.

“Battle matters are paramount. I am but an old man—Your Lordship need not concern yourself.”

His seemingly calm reply was thick with implication.

Among the Grand Secretaries, Xu Wenyue was young—he could hardly be called “old.”

“Need not concern yourself”? What a joke. To treat a Grand Secretary with such disregard? How brazenly arrogant.

He might as well have said: “Enough talk. Hand over the power.

I know you’re unhappy, and I’ll overlook the earlier incidents—but power must be transferred.

Keep stirring up trouble, cause a scandal, and no one’s face will remain intact!”

His smug expression infuriated the Marquis of Wuyang.

But court regulations stood firm.

Even as the Emperor’s brother-in-law, breaking the rules would bring him serious trouble.

“Your Excellency is still in your prime—don’t speak such gloomy words.

The Emperor still needs you to serve the state—you cannot refuse.”

Tomorrow, Commandant Rong will lead the vanguard out; the day after, I will march with the troops. Yangzhou’s affairs will still require Your Excellency’s attention!”

The Marquis of Wuyang spoke with ill temper.

One mountain cannot hold two tigers—Yangzhou City cannot hold two Imperial Commissioners.

He lacked the power to subdue Grand Secretary Xu, nor did he wish to submit to him—leaving was the best choice.

His blunt declaration left Xu Wenyue stunned; instinct told him something was deeply wrong.

All that commotion just to humiliate him? Too petty.

He sensed something was off, yet couldn’t pinpoint what—this troubled him deeply.

(End of Chapter)