Compared to other prime ministers’ residences, the Left Prime Minister’s residence could truly be considered humble.

After the teacher and student finished their meal, they wiped their hands with damp cloths and headed to Ji Wengji’s study.

As soon as the door opened, the scent of old ink and paper filled the air. Ji Wengji entered the study, took out a few books, and handed them to Zhao Jing. Zhao Jing received the books with both hands.

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Ji Wengji said, “The roads in Qinzhou are rugged, with mountains upon mountains. Who knows when we will meet again? While you’re there, read more books. When you return to the capital, we can talk again.”

Zhao Jing responded, “I understand, Sir.”

After gifting some books, the teacher and student bid farewell.

Zhao Jing bowed deeply, raising his hands high, and said, “I hope to see you again in Shengjing, Sir.”

Ji Wengji smiled and said, “Go on.”

Zhao Jing turned and left, not once looking back. That afternoon, a light carriage carrying a few boxes of books left Shengjing. By evening, several carriages loaded with clothing and luggage also left from the residence of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. After traveling about ten miles outside the city, it reached a small pavilion. Qin Si, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, lifted the curtain of the carriage and his eyes brightened as he ordered the driver to stop.

The carriage stopped, and Qin Si, dressed in plain clothes, hurried to the pavilion and greeted, “Guilty official Qin Si greets the Minister.”

Amidst the swirling yellow sand on the ancient road, in the small, simple pavilion, the person who had been waiting for Qin Si was none other than Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen looked him up and down and said gently, “Qin daren has lost quite a bit of weight.”

Qin Si felt bitter inside.

Since the incident in Guangling at the beginning of the year, he had been placed under house arrest by the emperor, and nearly half a year had passed. Even a healthy person would grow thin under such circumstances, burdened by endless worries. Qin Si said, “This guilty official has failed you, Minister, unable to handle the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue and the Revenue And Expenditure Department.”

Wang Zhen was surprised, “You didn’t handle it well?”

“Daren?”

“Whenever the sky is clear, dark clouds always seem to obscure the sun, followed by a downpour. But after the rain, the sun shines brighter than before. Don’t you think, Qin daren?”

Qin Si’s expression grew complicated, and after a long sigh, he replied, “Yes.”

Wang Zhen smiled without saying more.

Using the pretext of the 23 Articles of Tax Reform, Wang Quan attempted to covertly implement “paper currency” without drawing attention from the noble families. However, this path ended in failure, implicating both Zhao Jing and Qin Si, who were banished to distant places.

Successfully handling the Revenue And Expenditure Department would have been a great accomplishment, and Qin Si knew that. But behind every success lies risk, and he was aware he was working for Wang Quan and Wang Zhen. In this political struggle, both he and Zhao Jing had failed, leading to mutual destruction. Yet, Qin Si still held on to hope, which was why he eagerly looked out at the pavilion outside the city.

And sure enough, he saw Wang Zhen!

Qin Si remained silent, waiting for Wang Zhen to give him an explanation.

Wang Zhen did not disappoint him.

“I heard Yu De loves the pastries from Caiqi House. It only has a branch in Shengjing, nowhere else. Wouldn’t it be a lifelong regret if you could no longer have them?”

Qin Si’s eyes brightened. “Daren…”

Wang Zhen smiled, “If you like them, then eat as many as you can.”

As the sun set in the west and the moon rose in the east, Wang Zhen and his manservant stood in the pavilion, watching the three carriages carrying Qin Yude depart from Shengjing. Qin Si sat in the carriage, holding the pastries Wang Zhen had gifted him. He opened the box and ate one, surprising Madam Qin.

“Doesn’t husband usually dislike pastries and sweets?”

Qin Si laughed heartily, “My dear, from now on, I, Qin Yude, will love them!”

The political struggle between the two factions had its gains and losses, but after this incident, the Revenue And Expenditure Department would never reopen.

Zhao Fu had once rebuked the powerful ministers in Chuigong Hall, questioning if they truly believed that the founding emperor abolished the Three Departments just to weaken the ministerial power and strengthen imperial authority. The room fell silent; no one dared answer. Among those present, besides the emperor and a few high-ranking officials, there was also a chamberlain and a junior chamberlain.

Unfortunately, these two were dull-headed. Though loyal, they always turned a deaf ear to matters they dared not listen to or think about.

Much later, Wang Zhen mentioned this in jest to Tang Shen.

Tang Shen nearly laughed out loud.

The founding emperor?

The founding emperor was nothing but a brute!

A rough general who seized the throne from the battlefield!

What else could the founding emperor have wanted to do besides weakening the ministerial power by abolishing the Three Departments? Could he really have conceived of more intricate schemes?

Zhao Fu, borrowing the “tiger skin” of the founding emperor, silenced the four prime ministers, preventing them from ever mentioning the reopening of the Three Departments. After the Revenue And Expenditure Department incident, the Ji and Wang factions both suffered losses, but only Zhao Fu remained unaffected, comfortably watching his ministers scramble for power and profit.

But did only the emperor benefit?

Zhao Jing was demoted, Ji Wengji lost a major supporter in court, and Zhao Fu felt more at ease with him.

Qin Si was demoted, and Wang Zhen lost a capable subordinate. Zhao Fu’s newly appointed Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was aligned with Left Prime Minister Chen Linghai. But beyond this, Wang Zhen was untouched by the incident. In fact, Zhao Fu entrusted him with complete control over the affairs of the newly established Silver Pull Division, favoring him even more.

The Silver Pull Division, established in the northwest, mainly managed military funds and provisions.

In April, Tang Shen privately handed Wang Quan a memorial. A few days later, Wang Quan submitted a memorial to the emperor. Zhao Fu, previously disheartened by the failed “paper currency” policy, had been in poor spirits recently.

At over sixty years old, having reigned for thirty years, Zhao Fu had accomplished many significant feats. For instance, in the tenth year of Kaiping, he went to war with the Liao State and signed a peace treaty; in the seventeenth year of Kaiping, he commissioned the management of the Yellow River, greatly reducing the risk of flooding. More recently, two years ago, he ordered the construction of three official roads leading north, which would be remembered as a great achievement a hundred years from now.

As a sage ruler, Zhao Fu believed he was already destined for an eternal place in history.

But if he succeeded in implementing the “paper currency” policy, he would become one of the most renowned emperors in history.

However, Wang Quan’s initial proposal to disguise the policy under tax reforms had failed. Neither Ji Wengji nor Wang Quan, both serving as prime ministers, managed to pull it off! Now, Wang Quan comes to him again, saying, “Your Majesty, instead of pursuing the levy reforms, let’s go through the military funding from the northwest. We can use the situation at the front as a pretext to secretly push for the ‘paper currency’ initiative!” 

Zhao Fu, though still skeptical, allowed it.

The Silver Pull Division, ostensibly in charge of military provisions, would eventually operate like a future bank once the three official roads were completed. Military officers could store the supplies distributed by the court in the Silver Pull Division and exchange them with deeds when needed. Over time, these deeds would evolve into a form of “paper currency.” There’s no need to go out of your way to exchange; in the various provinces of the northwest, you can directly use these deeds for buying and selling. The Silver Pull Division ‘recognizes the paper, not the person’!”

This was Tang Shen’s “deceive the heavens while crossing the sea” scheme, offered to Wang Quan. (TN: This idiom means to carry out a deception or trick that is clever enough to evade detection, often used in the context of a cunning strategy or scheme.)

The northwest, constantly at war with the Liao State, was an ideal testing ground for the “paper currency” policy, as noble families had no influence there. Once the groundwork was complete, the policy could be expanded nationwide, leaving the noble families with no room to retaliate.

This was a long-term endeavor, not something that could be accomplished overnight. Thus, Zhao Fu entrusted the task to the younger, more vigorous Wang Zhen, not to Wang Quan.

In the court, as the Silver Pull Division began its operations, the court officials were puzzled but had no idea what it was truly for.

Ji Wengji silently acquiesced, allowing the Division to operate.

In the scorching summer, after Tang Shen had finished reviewing the memorials, he handed them to Right Vice Prime Minister Xu Bi. After Xu Bi had read them, he smiled at Tang Shen as he was about to return and said, “Tang daren, today the court’s affairs are particularly busy, and the memorials you need to review are far more than usual.”

Tang Shen halted his steps and turned back, saying, “I will obey the command.”

When Tang Shen returned to his own quarters, a government worker indeed carried over another box of memorials and placed it on his desk. As Tang Shen flipped through them, he saw not only the military reports from the northwest but also the other local reports that Xu Bi had stopped him from viewing last year, now all returned to him. Silently, Tang Shen looked at these reports, closing his eyes in deep thought, trying to figure out what Xu Bi had been orchestrating over the past year.

In the end, he let out a helpless laugh.

Xu Bi hadn’t done anything!

The Ji faction had been exiled, while the Wang faction saw both gains and losses. Chen Linghai’s man had replaced Qin Si, taking the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. But Xu Bi hadn’t gained anything, nor had he lost anything! He remained, in the emperor’s eyes, a figure that barely existed, an official without presence, a Right Vice Prime Minister with almost no threat to his power.

Meanwhile, Right Vice Minister of Personnel Yu Chaosheng entered Xu Bi’s office, bowing deeply, “Greetings to Sir.”

Xu Bi smiled at him, “Xian Zhi, you and that Tang Jingze have quite the timing. Every time he just leaves, you come.”

Yu Chaosheng was surprised. “Has Tang daren been here?”

Xu Bi replied, “Take a seat.”

The two of them, teacher and student, sat facing each other, discussing academic matters and eventually talking about Yu Chaosheng’s family. Yu Chaosheng had returned to Shengjing for half a year, and his wife had recently given birth. Today, Yu Chaosheng came to ask his teacher to name the child.

Xu Bi said, “You’ve been married for over a decade and finally have a child, which puts a worry of mine to rest. Do you know that two years ago, I almost thought you were like Wang Zifeng, someone who favored men?”

Yu Chaosheng was shocked, “Wang daren has a preference for men? How did you know, Sir?”

Xu Bi countered, “If he doesn’t, why would he be twenty-eight and still unmarried? Xian Zhi, Xian Zhi, you can deduce this just by thinking. Even His Majesty surely knows. In the Song Dynasty, there’s no law that a prince consort couldn’t hold an official position. A son-in-law as exceptional as this would surely have been bestowed with a princess by His Majesty long ago, forming a royal union.”

Yu Chaosheng, feeling ashamed, replied, “I’ve been foolish.”

“His Majesty’s heavy favor towards him is likely not without knowing full well he’ll have no heirs,” Xu Bi continued. “But enough about him. This is your first child, so you need a good name. How about ‘Ke’? As in, ‘to cut a tree with an axe.’ How does Yu Ke sound?”

“Thank you for the name, Sir.”

They chatted a while longer, before Xu Bi, after taking a sip of tea, said meaningfully, “Last year, Wang Quan submitted a memorial for twenty-three tax reforms. I immediately reassigned Tang Jingze to handle the northwest memorials, no longer allowing him to oversee local affairs. Who could have predicted that this year, Wang Quan would propose establishing a Silver Pull Division in the northwest? A Silver Pull Division in the northwest… That Tang Jingze is quite the interesting character.”

July 23, 30th year of Kaiping, 30 li outside Yanzhou City in the northwest. (TN: ancient measure of length, approx. 500 m)

The summer nights of the northwest were like burning knives, the air unbearably dry. The fierce wind didn’t bring any relief from the heat, instead scorching the skin like fire. Over thirty young soldiers, dressed in clothing thay blended into the night, lay prone behind a small hill, quietly observing the scene ahead.

At the center of the group was a tall, dark-skinned, handsome general. His bright, piercing eyes fixed on the rugged path below the hill. The moonlight reflecting in those eyes seemed to burn with an intense flame.

“Click click—”

The sound of hooves and carts approached from the distance.

A quarter of an hour later, a caravan dressed as Liao merchants passed beneath the hill. As they moved between two large rocks, the lead Liao merchant suddenly fell into a trap, throwing the entire convoy into disarray.

“Ambush! Ambush!” The Liao soldiers shouted, speaking in their barbaric tongue.

Atop the hill, a gleaming spear was drawn with a sharp sound. Li Jingde roared, “Where are my Feilong troops?!”

The soldiers answered in unison, their voices shaking the heavens, “Here!”

“Charge with me!”

“Yes!”

The Liao soldiers disguised as merchants were terrified by the thunderous shouts. When they looked up at the hill, they saw only a few dozen men! Yet these few dozen men carried the force of thousands. Furious, the Liao soldiers cursed and drew their blades, charging forward as well.

Under the bright moon, blades pierced flesh, and blood sprayed through the air.

The white tassels of the spear were soon stained with blood.

After a long and brutal fight, the Song army captured several Liao soldiers and seized an entire convoy of military supplies and provisions.

A soldier brought one of the Liao men before Li Jingde. “General, the leader of the Liao soldiers is dead. This man seems to be the highest-ranking among the prisoners. He’s not a soldier; he’s a civil official. A few Liao soldiers tried to protect him, but we captured him.”

Li Jingde wiped the blood off his face with his sleeve. “A high-ranking official, huh?”

The Liao official, speaking Song language, spat at him, “Li Jingde, you bastard! Tomorrow, the Liao army will be at the gates of Youzhou, and we’ll cut off your head and hang it above the city!”

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In the next instant, a silver spear pierced through the Liao official’s chest. He stared in disbelief, not understanding how someone could kill a prisoner of war, especially one as valuable as himself.

“Damn son of a b*tch! Did you really think I have a good temper just because I stayed quiet?” Li Jingde cursed.

“General!” his men said helplessly.

“Let’s go, pack up the goods, and head back. We’ll ask the Commander-in-chief for a reward,” Li Jingde ordered.

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Tang Shen’s gaze was too direct. Wang Zhen noticed that his little junior brother didn’t have the slightest intention of being subtle, almost as if he was wearing a sign on his forehead that said, “Senior Brother, are you sure you’re not rebelling against yourself by doing this?” Wang Zhen couldn’t help but chuckle softly and said leisurely, “The Wang clan of Langya has never been inflexible. The two great clans, Wang and Xie—the Xie family has shown signs of decline, while the Wang family is at its peak. Little Junior Brother, have you ever thought about why?”

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Tang Shen pondered for a moment before suddenly sighing deeply, “Water that is not stagnate doesn’t rot, and a door’s hinge that is used doesn’t rust.”

Wang Zhen gazed at him, his eyes shining even brighter.

Tang Shen took his leave from Wang Zhen and left the Minister Residence.

Water that is not stagnate doesn’t rot, and a door’s hinge that is used doesn’t rust… movement!

Wang Zifeng used the Wang clan of Langya as an example, but all he said was that the Wang clan represented the great aristocratic families. He never claimed the Wang clan to be the executioner that harmed others. The Wang clan had been established for hundreds of years, gaining its reputation and standing as the foremost clan on the vast land of the nation. Long ago, before the imperial examination system existed, the social class hierarchy was even more rigid. Later, when the examination system emerged, the aristocratic families’ interests were gradually stripped away, and many fell into decline, but the Wang clan remained standing.

This was because the Wang clan adapted to the changing world!

If it had been the descendants of other aristocratic families facing the reform of replacing gold and silver with paper currency, knowing that this would greatly damage their own interests, how would they have responded? They would have hidden it or resisted it deliberately. But both Wang Zhen and Right Prime Minister Wang Quan vigorously promoted the reform.

The children of the Wang clan of Langya did not only serve the aristocracy but also the greater world.

Tang Shen thought: “The influence of the aristocratic families in Guangling is far less than that in Jinling, yet the death of the county magistrate happened in Guangling, not Jinling… this is the Wang clan’s stance, isn’t it!”

In mid-February, an imperial envoy set off for Guangling in Jiangnan to investigate the Revenue And Expenditure Department case.

By the end of March, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Cao Huixun, wrote a memorial and sent it by a fast courier to Shengjing. After reading the memorial, Zhao Fu flew into a rage and ordered the Minister of Revenue, Wang Zhen, and the Minister of Justice, Geng Shaoyun, to travel to Guangling to supervise the case of the Revenue And Expenditure Department. That evening, the two ministers, along with their trusted aides, set off for Guangling.

In Qinzheng Hall, there was little change from the usual, except that the tax reform issue was gradually being postponed.

The Twenty-Three Articles of Tax Reform were essentially a concept, an ideology, and the Revenue And Expenditure Department was the instrument to carry it out. Now that the Revenue And Expenditure Department had been abolished by the emperor, and with Zhao Jing and Qin Si both under house arrest awaiting punishment, the Department had no personnel left, and the Twenty-Three Articles of Tax Reform were also being delayed.

Everyone knew that the tax reform was a good thing, but no one could implement it.

In April, in the area around Youzhou, the Liao forces violated the border, leading to minor skirmishes with the Song army.

Marshal of the Western Expedition, Li Jingde achieved a major victory over the enemy, and the triumphant report was sent urgently to Shengjing on the third day. The emperor, after reading it, was overjoyed, exclaiming “Good” three times in a row and decided to reward the troops. A few days later, the detailed military report arrived at Qinzheng Hall. Tang Shen read through the thick pile of military dispatches for a long time, and suddenly, something stirred in his heart.

Two days later, Tang Shen wrote a memorial and quietly sent it out.

Before long, a government worker passing by while delivering meals slipped Tang Shen a note. After reading its contents, Tang Shen silently hid the note in his sleeve and, when no one was around, secretly burned it. After work, instead of heading east toward home, Tang Shen walked out of the palace and made his way to Zhengyangmen Street.

Zhengyangmen Street was lined with shops on both sides, and the passersby moved hurriedly along the road.

Tang Shen went straight to Xixia Tower, which belonged to the Tang family. He slipped in through the side door, where someone was waiting to cover for him. He made his way to a private room on the second floor. After pushing open the door, Tang Shen immediately bowed and said, “Lower official Tang Shen, greets the Wang xianggong.”

Sitting in the spacious and tidy room was none other than Wang Quan, the Right Prime Minister of the current dynasty!

Wang Quan, over fifty years old, already had graying hair at his temples. He kept a long beard and had a thin, refined figure, fitting the image of a clean-handed, upright official. Wang Quan did not resemble Wang Zhen much, but both had an air of aristocratic grace that was hard to imitate. At this moment, Wang Quan sat upright in the main room, watching Tang Shen’s respectful demeanor, and smiled, “We’re all family here, come closer.”

“Yes.”

This was Tang Shen’s first formal meeting with the Right Prime Minister.

In the court, there were many factions. The officials didn’t necessarily form opposing parties, and there were some vague connections between them. Tang Shen was considered half a member of the Wang faction because he was aligned with Wang Zhen, but he couldn’t be counted as a member of the Right Prime Minister’s faction.

Wang Quan and Wang Zhen were uncle and nephew, but they operated independently.

More than his affiliation with the Wang faction, Wang Zhen seemed more like a loyalist to the emperor. His loyalty and service were directed solely at the emperor. He was Zhao Fu’s trusted confidant.

Because Wang Zhen was a loyalist, Tang Shen, being aligned with him, was naturally classified as part of the imperial faction. Of course, this faction was complex. Su Wenyun was also a member of the imperial faction, yet he and Wang Zifeng had always been at odds, and he didn’t get along with Tang Shen either.

Zhao Fu’s way of balancing the officials’ power was deeply intricate. He had spent thirty years crafting the court’s political landscape, which appeared simple to an ordinary person but revealed terrifying complexity when examined closely.

In the private room, a steaming hotpot sat on the table, but Wang Quan showed no intention of picking up his chopsticks.

The two sat side by side, and Wang Quan said, “Why did you send me that memorial?”

Tang Shen hesitated for a moment before replying, “Senior Brother isn’t here, and the only person I could think of was you, Wang xianggong.”

Wang Quan smiled, “You certainly have great trust in Zi Feng.”

Tang Shen said nothing but thought to himself: I do trust Wang Zifeng, but I don’t trust you. It was only after weighing my options, I chose to give the memorial to you.

Just as Wang Zifeng had said, the Xie clan had long since declined, while the Wang clan still stood strong. He trusted the Wang clan, so he handed the memorial to Wang Quan.

Wang Quan stared fixedly at Tang Shen, as if trying to find something remarkable on his face. After a long moment, this influential minister of the court laughed and stood up, saying, “I’ve heard from Fu Xiru that although he is your teacher, he has never taught you a single class, instead entrusting you to Zi Feng. Now, it seems the student has surpassed the master.”

Tang Shen felt genuinely uneasy at this: “Wang xianggong, you overpraise me.”

To be compared favorably against Wang Zifeng made Tang Shen a bit self-conscious. His senior brother had an eccentric temper, and Tang Shen still hadn’t fully figured out Wang Zifeng’s thoughts. What if Wang Zifeng heard that Wang Quan had praised Tang Shen as being better than him and became jealous or upset?

Wang Quan laughed, “That will be all for today.”

With that, Wang Quan left.

The hotpot on the table had not been touched at all. After Wang Quan left, Tang Shen finally breathed a sigh of relief and called for Shopkeeper Lu and Tang Huang to join him for the hotpot.

Tang Huang, seeing the untouched table of food, exclaimed in surprise, “These are the freshest ingredients we carefully selected! Brother, how come you didn’t eat any? It’s delicious!”

Tang Shen teased, “Your mind is always on food.”

Tang Huang pouted but retorted with confidence, “Food is the people’s primary concern!”

Tang Shen sighed and said, “‘Food is the people’s primary concern’—what a wise statement.”

For rulers, the people are the foundation, and for the people, food is paramount.

Tang Huang had no idea that just moments ago, the very person in this room had been the Right Prime Minister of the court, Wang Quan! Nor did she know that the conversation just held here was about ensuring that more commoners could have enough to eat.

As for how Wang Quan would execute this plan, Tang Shen didn’t know.

In the 30th year of Kaiping, the great victory in the northwest significantly weakened the Liao people’s morale. Emperor Zhao Fu was overjoyed and rewarded the entire army. Xu Linghou, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, advised that the usual process of rewarding soldiers often suffered from logistical losses, leading to inefficiency. With Wang Zhen, the Minister of Revenue, not in the capital and the Right Vice Minister of Revenue, Qin Si, under house arrest, Xu Linghou proposed establishing a Silver Pull Division in the northwest to oversee military affairs.

The emperor agreed.

By May, Wang Zhen and the others returned to the capital. The investigation into the Revenue And Expenditure Department in Guangling Prefecture was officially concluded. The Court of Judicial Review arrested several officials, and the Ministry of Justice detained more people.

Emperor Zhao Fu lamented, “Our founding emperor abolished the Three Departments—did you really think it was merely to curtail ministerial power?”

Emperor Zhao Fu was known for speaking in riddles, rarely saying anything so directly. Now that he had said this, the ministers in Chuigong Hall all bowed in unison. Had the officials of the Song Dynasty been required to kneel before the emperor, there would have been a sea of people on their knees at that moment.

Zhao Fu sighed, “You all fail to understand the painstaking efforts of our founding emperor!”

In May, Emperor Zhao Fu abolished the Revenue And Expenditure Department, a department reinstated for barely a year, dismissed so effortlessly.

Zhao Jing, the Consultant in Policy Affairs of the Department of State Affairs, was demoted for poor supervision and sent to Qinzhou as a fourth-rank governor. Qin Si, the Right Vice Minister of Revenue, was also demoted to serve as a circuit governor in Liuzhou for inadequate oversight. Neither had the chance to appear before the emperor again.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, both Zhao Jing and Qin Si stared blankly at the sky.

The next day, Zhao Jing visited the residence of the Left Prime Minister to see his teacher.

Ji Wengji, the Left Prime Minister, came from humble beginnings. Although he was now a high-ranking official, his lifestyle remained simple. He personally greeted his prized pupil, with his wife serving a modest meal of wild vegetables—two meat dishes and two vegetarian dishes.

Seeing his teacher, Zhao Jing’s eyes filled with tears, and he knelt down immediately, crying, “I’ve let you down, Sir!”

Ji Wengji gently supported him, preventing him from fully kneeling. He said, “What fault could you possibly have? Come, eat some food, and don’t be so emotional. It may only be wild vegetables here, but where you’re headed in Qinzhou, you might not even have this much to eat.”

Qinzhou was a desolate place, and Zhao Jing knew it might be years—if ever—before he returned.

Zhao Jing couldn’t stomach a bite, choking out, “I failed in my duties and even brought disgrace upon you, being publicly rebuked by His Majesty.”

Ji Wengji chuckled, “It wasn’t you who failed; it was my misjudgment. I thought Wang Quan was pushing for tax reform solely for the benefit of the aristocratic families, so I intervened by reinstating the Revenue And Expenditure Department. Now, a year later, upon reflection, I realize I underestimated him—I underestimated Wang Dezhan, I have been narrow-minded; in this matter, I do not possess his grace!”

Zhao Jing was puzzled, “Sir?”

“I’ve gradually come to understand what Wang Quan has been trying to achieve over these past few months. If he truly succeeds, it will be a good thing, a great thing. Now that he’s establishing the Silver Pull Division in the northwest, I finally understand his intentions, though I no longer have the power to intervene.”

Zhao Jing, filled with guilt, said, “It’s because I failed to carry out my duties.”

Ji Wengji replied, “Who knows if misfortune may not prove to be a blessing in disguise?”

Zhao Jing was still confused.

Ji Wengji took another bite of food, his chopsticks pointing vaguely in the direction of the imperial palace. “Look at it now; my most prized pupil has been exiled to Qinzhou, and the power of the Left Prime Minister’s faction has significantly diminished. Surely His Majesty must feel at ease now?”

Zhao Jing thought for a long time, reflecting on everything he had seen and heard over the past year.

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Suddenly, a chill ran down Zhao Jing’s spine, followed by a surge of hot blood through his chest. As Ji Wengji’s prized pupil, he wasn’t a fool, and at that moment, he truly understood.

Zhao Jing stood up and bowed deeply, saying, “Sir, your noble spirit is clear to me now!”

Ji Wengji smiled serenely, “Eat your food!”

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In the thirtieth year of the Kaiping era, on the eleventh day of February, Emperor Zhao Fu of the Great Song Dynasty flew into a rage in the imperial court and directly dismissed Qin Si, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Zhao Jing, the Consultant in Policy Affairs of the Department of State Affairs. These two were officials in charge of the Revenue And Expenditure Department. With both of them dismissed and awaiting further punishment at home, the Revenue And Expenditure Department was left without a leader.

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In court, Zhao Fu harshly reprimand both Left Prime Minister Ji Wengji and Right Prime Minister Wang Quan. The two dismissed officials belonged to different factions—one to the Wang faction, the other to the Ji faction—severely weakening the morale of both groups.

The next day, Zhao Fu summoned a few of his trusted officials to Chuigong Hall.

Seven to eight prominent officials stood in the hall, waiting for Zhao Fu to speak.

Zhao Fu said, “I originally thought that reopening the Revenue And Expenditure Department was a good and convenient thing. But now, I’m being told that my Revenue And Expenditure Department is rotten to the core. A court official died an unjust death, his body left exposed in the wild, with no one speaking for him, and his corpse even being devoured by wolves! He was once a county magistrate and later became an official in the Revenue And Expenditure Department. He died because of this department. Who will tell me how he died?”

The hall fell into a dead silence.

This incident took place in Jiangnan’s Guangling Prefecture, which in later times would be known as Yangzhou. The death of a mere county magistrate, a seventh-ranked minor official, would not normally cause such a stir. But he wasn’t just any small official; he was a court official closely linked to the controversial Revenue And Expenditure Department.

Zhao Fu’s anger was justified. He wanted to be a sage ruler—how could he tolerate such things happening under his nose?

Minister of Justice Geng Shaoyun said, “We should send someone to Jiangnan to investigate and ease Your Majesty’s concerns by uncovering the truth and clearing the name of the deceased.”

Zhao Fu asked, “Who should be sent?”

Geng Shaoyun thought for a moment and suggested a few names. He proposed sending the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, along with several officials from the Court of Judicial Review. It was a reasonable suggestion; typically, when such incidents occurred, both the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review would jointly oversee the investigation, allowing for mutual supervision.

Left Prime Minister Ji Wengji stepped forward and said, “Since this matter concerns the Revenue And Expenditure Department, we should also send an official from the Ministry of Revenue.”

Wang Quan glanced at Ji Wengji but remained silent.

At this moment, Minister of Revenue Wang Zhen stepped forward and said, “Liu Sixi, assistant director in the Department of Gold within the Ministry of Revenue, would be a suitable candidate.”

Thus, the decision was made to send a delegation to Jiangnan.

A few days later, when these officials received their orders and began preparing for the journey, Zhao Fu stood atop the Immortal Ascension Tower, gazing out over the city of Shengjing. Night had fallen, and the wind was strong. Chief eunuch Ji Fu carefully draped a sable cloak over Zhao Fu’s shoulders.

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t catch a chill.”

Zhao Fu stared at the darkened imperial city, furrowing his brow. “Does it seem to you that something is missing?”

Ji Fu, looking at the moonlit city, hesitated before asking, “What does Your Majesty feel is missing?”

“They’re going to Guangling Prefecture, with Liu Sixi in tow, but I think one more person should go to ensure everything is in order.” Zhao Fu pondered for a moment before realizing, “Where’s Tang Jingze?”

Ji Fu cursed inwardly, thinking that Zhao Fu was too much. Here he was, looking at the darkened city of Shengjing, yet his mind was focused on something that was thousands of miles off the mark! He had no idea Zhao Fu was talking about the officials being sent to Jiangnan and mistakenly thought he was referring to something missing in Shengjing itself. People say serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, but for Ji Fu, it was more like serving a king of hell!

Ji Fu forced a smile. “If Your Majesty misses Tang daren, why not summon him to the Chuigong Hall tomorrow?”

Zhao Fu nodded.

The next day, Zhao Fu indeed sent someone to Qinzheng Hall to find Tang Shen, but the eunuch who returned reported, “Your Majesty, Tang daren is currently serving as the deputy examiner for the huishi at the Shengjing Examination Hall.”

Zhao Fu paused.

After a moment, he turned to Ji Fu and asked, “Didn’t Tang Jingze just pass the imperial examination as the tanhua three years ago? How is he already a deputy examiner?”

Zhao Fu sent people to investigate and found out that Xu Bi had assigned Tang Shen to the examination hall. But how could anything be kept from the emperor? After further inquiries, Zhao Fu learned that it was actually Grand Secretary Zhou Jin of the Hanlin Academy who had transferred Tang Shen.

“That old Zhou Jin isn’t one to handle such trivial matters. This must be Fu Xiru’s doing. Ah, Fu Xiru, your student has only been an official for three years, and you’re already in such a hurry to promote him?” Despite his words, Zhao Fu smiled.

Fu Wei spent his days at home tending to flowers and birds, acting as if he had no interest in worldly affairs. Now, suddenly pulling strings for his student, pushing Tang Shen into the imperial examination hall for a bit of “gold plating,” actually made Zhao Fu feel more at ease.

“So Fu Wei isn’t entirely without personal ambitions!”

Since Tang Shen was busy at the examination hall, Zhao Fu gave up the idea of sending him to Jiangnan.

Standing in the Mingyuan Tower, Tang Shen was unaware that he had narrowly escaped being sent into a dangerous situation by the emperor.

By February 19th, the three sessions of the huishi were complete.

The juren candidates left the examination hall, but the examiners had not yet begun grading the papers. For the next three days, thousands of xiucai made copies of the exam papers, sealed the names, and sent them to the grading room. Tang Shen and the others then began reviewing the papers. By the end of February, more than ten thousand exam papers had been graded.

Minister of Personnel Shen Yun then selected the top three candidates, and the examiners were finally relieved of their duties.

It was at this moment that a political storm, which had been brewing in Shengjing, came into full view for these examiners.

The imperial investigators dispatched to Jiangnan had already left, and several officials from the Revenue And Expenditure Department had been dismissed from their posts and placed under house arrest, awaiting further punishment. Tang Shen heard these rumors and went to the Minister of Revenue’s residence to visit Wang Zhen.

When Tang Shen arrived, Wang Zhen was having dinner.

Upon seeing him, Wang Zhen said, “Set another place for dinner.”

The steward replied, “Yes.”

Tang Shen sat down.

He hadn’t eaten yet, but his mind was preoccupied with questions, so he didn’t touch the food. He stared at the table full of dishes, not picking up his chopsticks.

Wang Zhen glanced at him, chuckled softly, and in a warm tone said, “Since you’re not eating, there must be nothing here that suits your taste. Someone, have the kitchen prepare crab roe meatballs, chicken broth with shredded mushrooms, and Wensi tofu soup.” He looked at Tang Shen. “Do you like those dishes, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen was speechless.

Crab roe meatballs, chicken broth with shredded mushrooms, and Wensi tofu soup—three famous dishes from Guangling!

Well, Wang Zifeng already knew why he had come.

Tang Shen gloomily picked up his chopsticks and quickly finished his meal. After dinner, they washed their hands with warm water and went to the study.

Wang Zhen brewed tea with a wave of his sleeve and said, “Little Junior Brother, if you have something to say, just say it directly.”

Tang Shen steadied himself and asked, “Did Senior Brother already know about the Guangling incident?”

His first question made Wang Zifeng laugh. Looking into Tang Shen’s eyes, Wang Zifeng seemed slightly hurt. “Do you think I’m the kind of person who would stop at nothing to achieve my goals?”

Tang Shen was stunned for a moment and immediately explained, “Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t saying that the death of the county magistrate of Jiangdu has anything to do with you. I just wanted to ask, when did you find out about this?”

Wang Zhen naturally knew that Tang Shen wasn’t suspicious of him, but seeing the anxious and concerned look on Tang Shen’s face, he couldn’t help but curl the corner of his lips in a smile and gave an answer, “On the twenty-ninth of last month.”

The twenty-ninth of the first month!

This means that the county magistrate of Jiangdu died in the early part of the first month, and Wang Zhen knew about it half a month later. But it took the emperor more than a full month to receive the news.

As expected, all of this was within the Wang faction’s plan!

With this answer, many of Tang Shen’s previous suspicions were confirmed. He said, “I had already guessed that when Wang xianggong proposed the twenty-three tax reforms, it seemed on the surface to be for reforming the tax system, but in reality, it was to provide a cover for ‘paper currency’ and secretly implement it. However, the Left Prime Minister would never allow it to develop unchecked, so he reopened the Revenue And Expenditure Department to get involved.”

Wang Zhen poured a cup of tea, leisurely took a sip, and quietly looked at Tang Shen, “Continue.”

“The Left Prime Minister wanted a share of the benefits, but Wang xianggong naturally wouldn’t agree. However, since the Left Prime Minister controls the court, it’s not easy to bypass him in such matters. So last year, Senior Brother publicly agreed to the Left Prime Minister’s suggestion to reopen the Revenue And Expenditure Department, dividing the powers of the Ministry of Revenue. If they acted cautiously, it would be hard to catch them; but if they moved too hastily, they might expose a weakness. Reopening the Revenue And Expenditure Department did indeed divide the Ministry of Revenue’s power, but this move has made his ambition apparent, presenting an ample opportunity to seize on any misstep.”

Wang Zhen gazed at Tang Shen with a long, penetrating look, making Tang Shen feel uneasy.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Senior Brother?”

Wang Zhen: “The Revenue And Expenditure Department has been reopened for half a year now. Have you been following it closely, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen: “Yes.”

“Why the interest?”

Tang Shen thought for a moment, “I am after all part of the Wang faction and stand with you, Senior Brother. How could I not care about something so important? Besides, I’ve always trusted you. Last summer, when I told you about the paper currency in Shu, I knew you wouldn’t just ignore it. You must have thought of something and acted on it.”

Every word was full of trust, with a hint of admiration and respect that even Tang Shen himself hadn’t noticed.

He was genuinely praising Wang Zhen.

It wasn’t flattery or sycophancy, but in his heart, he truly believed that Wang Zhen was capable of such things.

These words hit home for Wang Zifeng, making his smile even brighter.

Tang Shen shared his speculations over the past few months, and Wang Zhen subtly confirmed some of them. Though he didn’t fully reveal the Wang faction’s plans, Tang Shen felt as if he was on the verge of uncovering the truth hidden behind the fog.

However, despite all the revelations so far, the most crucial point was still unspoken.

Tang Shen asked, “Who exactly killed the county magistrate?”

Wang Zhen opened a tea box and pinched out some tea leaves with his fingers. He divided them into three piles. The first pile was the largest, spread out flat. The second pile was smaller, but piled much higher than the first. The third pile had the least amount of tea leaves, but they were stacked tightly together, towering in height.

Wang Zhen pointed to the three piles of tea leaves and said, “Consider these tea leaves as people, and their height as their wealth. Does it seem symbolic, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen immediately understood Wang Zhen’s meaning and nodded.

“Since the time of the late emperor, the Song Dynasty has always faced a money shortage. There’s a lack of bronze, silver, and gold—materials needed to mint currency. The Song Dynasty is vast, rich in resources, and although trade is flourishing, creating a high demand for currency, it shouldn’t be that there are no metals for minting. Yet, there’s a shortage. Have you ever wondered why that is, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen had no idea.

“Why?”

“Because too much has been hoarded!” Wang Zhen poked at the third pile of tea leaves with his finger, scattering them across the table.

Wang Zhen: “Take the Wang clan of Langya as an example. They’re an aristocratic family with a centuries old legacy and great wealth. Over the centuries, they’ve hoarded vast amounts of currency and refuse to put it into circulation, making money scarce. This is one of the reasons for the currency shortage. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, a thousand copper coins equal one tael of silver, and ten taels of silver equal one tael of gold. But if you truly wanted to exchange ten thousand copper coins for a tael of gold, you couldn’t! You’d have to add an extra thousand copper coins before someone would agree to the exchange! Gold is the most valuable, followed by silver, and copper is the least. The Wang clan of Langya has had a treasury full of gold for over a hundred years, but only the head of the family knows how much gold is hidden inside!”

Tang Shen suddenly realized the truth.

According to the official exchange rate, a thousand copper coins should equal one tael of silver, but that’s just a rule. If someone doesn’t want to exchange their silver, then you can’t trade for it!

Gold is the most valuable and hardest to devalue; silver is next in line.

These aristocratic families and wealthy clans have hoarded too much wealth, and by not using it, they make currency more and more scarce!

Wang Zhen shifted the conversation, his gaze turning cold as he looked at the scattered third pile of tea leaves on the table, “I don’t know who killed the county magistrate of Jiangdu. But he must have died at the hands of these people. The use of paper currency cuts into their profits. It benefits the Song dynasty but is terribly detrimental to these people.”

“So, little Junior Brother, do you now understand why he died?”

Reforms throughout history have always been class struggles.

Tang Shen understood clearly in his heart and sighed deeply, “Now that you’ve explained it, Senior Brother, I understand.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Wang Zhen smiled, “As long as we push for paper currency, these kinds of conflicts will inevitably arise. Since the Left Prime Minister is willing to reopen the Revenue And Expenditure Department and take the lead, let him go ahead. The Left Prime Minister is noble, selfless, and willing to stand against the extravagance and waste of these aristocratic families. Truly admirable! I respect him greatly, though I cannot hope to match him!”

At first, Tang Shen almost laughed at Wang Zifeng’s words, but then he realized—

Wait a minute, you’re the legitimate heir of the Wang clan of Langya, leading the charge against aristocratic families, and you’re using your own family as an example… Is this really okay?!

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