Chapter 134: The Land of a Commandery

"Censor Ma's words are the same as Yan Wang's; I fear they are also empty talk without proof."

Yuan Hang shot the official a glare, showing no signs of fear.

This man was from the Ma Family of Qin Prefecture, named Ma Yuan.

He held the position of Censor in the Censorate and had always been known for his blunt and daring remonstrance, earning him the nickname "Knife-Tongue."

Emperor Zhao Heng was often lectured by him due to his indulgence in wine and women.

Sometimes, when Zhao Heng's imperial carriage encountered him, he would take a detour to avoid being nagged again.

Beyond this, he showed no favoritism toward his own Ma Family, often scolding them more harshly than other powerful clans.

Precisely because of this, his relationship with his older brother, the Prefect of Qinzhou, Ma Han, had always been disharmonious.

Seeing Ma Yuan step forward, Zhao Heng was immediately delighted.

If Ma Yuan had stepped out at any other time, he would certainly have had a headache.

But Ma Yuan was castigating the Yuan Family for him, which secretly aligned with his own intentions.

"Censors have historically reported based on hearsay; what need is there for material evidence? If Vice Minister Yuan wants material evidence, the Imperial Court can send men to Yan Commandery and Fanyang to investigate the case; they will surely find proof." Ma Yuan stared down Yuan Hang, lifting his head.

Yuan Hang felt a wave of stifled frustration.

Censors were the group most disliked by the hundred officials, yet also the most respected.

They were disliked because they had the authority to impeach ministers based on rumors.

They were respected because they dared to speak the truth and never changed their character before the Emperor.

Therefore, many censors had been beaten to death for angering the Emperor.

With Ma Yuan saying this, he truly had no choice but to take it.

More importantly, he felt guilty; if the Imperial Court truly acted and investigated this matter, it would still be disadvantageous to the Yuan Family.

Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince also immediately shut his mouth.

He only wanted to protect his uncle, but if things escalated, it would be disadvantageous to him.

Seeing this, Zhao Heng felt great joy in his heart.

He knew well that the Yuan Family was difficult to shake; even if he took down Yuan Li, the next appointed Prefect of Yanzhou would still be a member of the Yuan Family or a trusted aide of the Yuan Family.

Because in Fanyang, one could not serve as Prefect without the support of the Yuan Family.

Rather than that, it was better to use this matter to intimidate the Yuan Family, effectively cutting the Yuan Family's flesh in secret.

Thus he said, "Let us set this matter aside for now; let us first discuss the rewards for Yan Wang."

By saying this, he was telling the officials of the Yuan faction that he held the matter of Yuan Li secretly harming Yan Wang in his hands.

Whether to investigate or not rested entirely on his whim.

If you continue to be unappreciative, then I will make things difficult for you.

Pausing, he said sternly, "When Yan Wang first went to Yanzhou, I originally intended to grant him two commanderies, but because he suffered from a brain ailment at the time, he was unable to govern such a large fief. Now that he has achieved this merit, let us grant him the other commandery."

Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince's expression changed drastically, and cold sweat broke out on Yuan Hang's back.

The Emperor was cutting the Yuan Family's flesh.

Yet, they could not refute it; for one, the Yuan Family had become a target of public criticism due to the memorial.

Secondly, the Imperial Clan had the right to grant fiefs to Imperial Princes on any land.

No one had the right to stop it.

"Father Emperor is wise." Zhao Gang spoke up again, "Yan Wang was able to strike the Northern Di hard with only one commandery; if he has two, the Northern Di will find it difficult to invade Yanzhou again. With General Mo guarding Yanguan, Yanzhou will be secure."

"Since it was originally the fief belonging to Yan Wang,

it is only right to give it to him," the Third Prince said.

He had already learned the Emperor's intentions from his uncle.

Moreover, the Emperor promoting Yan Wang's mother from Noble Lady to Imperial Concubine overnight was enough to show his thoughts.

He wanted to use Yan Wang to form a tripartite balance of power in Yanzhou, weakening the Yuan Family's strength in Yanzhou to stabilize the region.

Previously, Yanzhou was as solid as a fortress, and no power could reach into it.

The ministers could only shout all they wanted, but they could not move the Yuan Family, so they gave the Yuan Family face; the imperial court would at most curse a few times and not provoke them.

But unexpectedly, through a stroke of luck, Yan Wang had established a foothold in Yanzhou.

Now, they could take advantage of the snipe and the clam fighting to reap the benefits.

"The Emperor is wise," the many ministers echoed in unison.

Zhao Heng nodded with satisfaction.

He felt quite proud; if not for the Ninth Prince being insane at the time, how would Yuan Li have tolerated Yan Wang going to Yan Commandery?

But he did not expect that once Yan Wang arrived in Yan Commandery, he would give him such a huge surprise.

Sometimes when he thought about it, he even felt that there was a destiny in the dark.

Heaven protects the Imperial Clan.

It was precisely because he thought of these things that he found this ninth son, far away in Yanzhou, more and more pleasing to the eye.

His mother, too, was becoming more pleasing to the eye, which was why he was so happy last night that he promoted her to Imperial Concubine.

This was also showing his intentions to Yan Wang.

Seeing that most of the ministers were leaning toward him, he said, "Since that is the case, convey my decree: from this moment on, Shanggu Commandery is incorporated into Yan Wang's fief."

"Shanggu Commandery." Hearing this, the Sixth Prince breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Yuan Hang and the Sixth Prince exchanged a glance, and their hearts also relaxed.

Among the remaining six commanderies of Yanzhou, Shanggu Commandery bordered Jinzhou, and Jinzhou was currently facing the threat of Xiliang.

If they had to lose one of the Yuan Family's six commanderies, Shanggu Commandery was something they could accept.

Zhao Heng had been observing the expressions of the Sixth Prince and his sycophantic Yuan Family officials.

Seeing their brows relax, he nodded slightly.

The reason he gave Shanggu Commandery to Yan Wang was also something he had considered.

First, Shanggu Commandery is adjacent to Yan Commandery; giving Yan Wang an exclave would be impractical.

Of course, Ping County is also adjacent to Yan Commandery.

However, Ping County has Yanguan located within it, and with Mo Di guarding it, there is no need for Yan Wang to stick his hand in as well.

Secondly, he did this to avoid overly provoking the Yuan Family and to maintain the overall situation in Yanzhou.

Finally, Yan Wang has such great merit; granting him a commandery as a fief can also make him remember his imperial grace.

Once the matter of the rewards was settled, Zhao Heng seemed to suddenly lose interest.

Yawning, he gave Liang Cheng a look.

Liang Cheng then shouted: "If there are matters to report, present them; if not, the court is dismissed."

The ministers all knew the temperament of this emperor.

They bowed in unison, "Respectfully sending off our Emperor."

After seeing Zhao Heng off, the ministers left in twos and threes.

As the Third Prince passed in front of the First Prince, he suddenly smiled: "I didn't expect Imperial Brother to value Yan Wang so much, protecting him at every turn these past few days."

"Isn't Third Brother the same?" Zhao Gang snorted coldly.

Zhao Mu smiled faintly, said nothing, and brushed past Zhao Gang.

The Second Prince, Zhao Qu, watched their retreating figures, his eyes showing deep thought.

Previously, because he had the support of the Sixth Prince, Yanzhou was a card he could play.

But now, Yan Wang has also become a card.

Clearly, both the First Prince and the Third Prince want to hold this card in their own hands.

"Second Brother, can you really swallow this insult?" the Sixth Prince said.

"What if I can't? Who told Prefect Yuan to let someone get a hold on him, trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice," Zhao Qu said.

Pausing for a moment, he continued: "Besides, what is there to regret about losing a place like Shanggu Commandery? It might even be a hot potato."

The Sixth Prince sighed slightly; even though the Second Prince said so, the Yuan Family had ultimately lost another commandery in Yanzhou.

Seeing the Sixth Prince like this, Zhao Qu continued: "What are you afraid of? Isn't there still the Han Family of Qizhou?"

To him, he was actually happy to see the Yuan Family weakened; only then would the Yuan Family be as submissive to his Han Family of Qizhou as they were before.

His younger brother, the Sixth Prince Zhao Fang, would always remain his vassal.

Zhao Fang nodded, clenched his fists, and felt a surge of ruthlessness.

He had indeed underestimated Yan Wang.

But in the future, he would absolutely never make such a mistake again.