The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 113 Far Away On The Horizon
"The vast desert scenery... I haven't seen it in years. Jing Ze, tell me more about it."
Tang Shen respectfully recounted his journey to Youzhou, vividly describing the majestic landscapes he had encountered along the way.
Zhao Fu listened with great interest, then turned to Ji Fu. "Have you ever seen such sights?"
Ji Fu pulled a pained expression and replied, "This servant entered the palace at a young age and has been serving Your Majesty ever since. It’s been over fifty years, yet I’ve never left Shengjing."
Zhao Fu looked surprised. "You’ve never been outside Shengjing City?"
Ji Fu nodded with a forced smile.
"Then next time I go to the summer palace, I'll bring you along."
Ji Fu was so moved that he knelt down, thanking Zhao Fu profusely for the favor.
Turning back to Tang Shen, Zhao Fu asked, "How was the food in Youzhou? Did you manage to get used to it?"
Tang Shen replied, "Although it may not be as refined as Shengjing’s cuisine, it has its own unique flavors."
Zhao Fu smiled. "Did you find anything particularly delicious?"
Tang Shen hesitated, then thoughtfully said, "Indeed, there were several delicacies rarely seen in Shengjing. Many dishes are region-specific, such as cucumbers grown only in the northwest and the distinctive lamb dishes of the region. I was fortunate enough to see a plump lamb once. Its meat was tender, and when roasted slowly over a fire, it was incredibly delicious."
Zhao Fu gave Tang Shen a long, measured look before laughing heartily. He turned to Ji Fu and said, "Look at our dear Tang daren. If you told someone he was an official, who would believe it? He sounds more like a seasoned gourmet! Jing Ze, you’ve only just come of age, yet after a trip to Youzhou, all you can talk about is food. Did you manage to complete your mission properly?"
Tang Shen immediately bowed. "I dare not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations." He then proceeded to report on the Silver Pull Division matters he had overseen.
When he finished, Zhao Fu said, "Jing Ze, you truly are one of my most trusted ministers."
This was high praise. Tang Shen quickly adopted a humble yet delighted demeanor, offering the proper pleasantries. Ji Fu also cast him a few thoughtful glances. As someone close to Zhao Fu, Ji Fu had some insight into Tang Shen's recent mission. It wasn’t merely about supervising the Silver Pull Division, though the exact purpose eluded him.
In the past, Zhao Fu had favored Tang Shen, but primarily as a useful tool, not as a true confidant. Compared to trusted figures like Wang Zifeng and Su Feiran, Tang Shen was far less significant. But from now on, that might change.
Ji Fu thought to himself: I should build better ties with Tang daren. After all, they’re all serving the emperor. The imperial court is unpredictable, and no one can stand alone. Wang Zifeng is clever, and since Tang Shen is his junior, he’s probably just as shrewd. He’ll be easy to get along with.
After asking a few more questions, Zhao Fu dismissed Tang Shen, allowing him to return to Qinzheng Hall.
Once Tang Shen left, Zhao Fu suddenly mused aloud, "How old was he when I first met him?"
It was an odd remark, and none of the attending eunuchs or officials knew how to respond, except for Ji Fu, who understood that when Zhao Fu made such statements without specifying a listener, he expected Ji Fu to answer.
Bowing slightly, Ji Fu replied with a quiet laugh, "It was five years ago, Your Majesty. Tang daren seemed to be about fifteen at the time."
Zhao Fu thought for a moment. "Was it during that lecture at the imperial college?"
"Indeed, it was when Your Majesty gave a lecture at Biyong Hall."
Zhao Fu said thoughtfully, "Look at him now. He seems to have changed a lot." Without waiting for Ji Fu’s response this time, Zhao Fu continued as if talking to himself, "He’s grown taller, and he no longer has that sharp, youthful edge." Suddenly, Zhao Fu burst into laughter, confusing Ji Fu, who dared not comment. After laughing for a while, such that wrinkles appeared on the corners of his eyes Zhao Fu said, "Look at him now—he's becoming more and more like Wang Zifeng!"
Ji Fu was startled and inwardly he thought: How are they alike?
Still, he smiled and echoed, "Indeed, as soon as Your Majesty pointed it out, this servant noticed the resemblance."
When Tang Shen returned to Qinzheng Hall, he first went to see Xu Bi, his direct superior. Xu Bi immediately invited him to sit and even offered him a bowl of sour plum soup.
Xu Bi remarked, "Shengjing is not like Youzhou. By June, the heat is oppressive. Are you adjusting well?"
Tang Shen cautiously replied, "I’ve been back for several days and have already adapted."
Xu Bi continued, "Did you meet Xian Zhi on your way back? How is he doing?"
Xian Zhi was the courtesy name of Yu Chaosheng.
Tang Shen responded, "I met Yu daren once. He appeared to be in good spirits and has grown accustomed to Youzhou’s climate."
Xu Bi nodded in acknowledgment. As Tang Shen was preparing to leave, Xu Bi added, "Since you’ve just returned from Youzhou, why not review the memorials from that region for now? You should find them easier to handle."
Tang Shen bowed respectfully. "Understood."
Xu Bi smiled faintly. "There probably won’t be many more memorials for you to read in the future."
Tang Shen looked up sharply, only to see Xu Bi sipping his sour plum soup with a gentle expression, making it difficult to discern his true thoughts. Left without any other choice, Tang Shen took his leave.
As Xu Bi had hinted, three days later, an imperial edict was issued, appointing Tang Shen as Right Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Bureau, with the honorary title of Court Gentleman Consultant, a fourth-rank position.
This announcement surprised many but was not entirely unexpected. Tang Shen, only twenty years old, had risen from top scholar at sixteen to a fourth-rank official in just four years—a rare feat. During Emperor Kaiping’s reign, only Wang Zifeng had risen faster. Even Su Wenyun had taken until age twenty to reach fourth-rank as a Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and another four years to attain third-rank.
Tang Shen’s successful handling of Silver Pull Division affairs had earned him this promotion. While the honorary title of Court Gentleman Consultant was nominal, it implied he might soon be promoted again.
Due to Tang Shen’s youth, Zhao Fu had refrained from granting him a third-rank position outright. Alongside Tang Shen’s appointment, another edict was issued to Youzhou, appointing Yu Chaosheng, the Right Vice Minister of Personnel, to also take on Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division.
This arrangement was intriguing. Both were now Deputy Imperial Censors, yet Yu Chaosheng was a third-rank official, while Tang Shen remained fourth-rank. Zhao Fu’s move subtly indicated that although Tang Shen was nominally lower in rank, he held imperial favor comparable to that of a third-rank official and was essentially a third-rank official in all but name.
Unlike Yu Chaosheng, who retained his position in the Ministry of Personnel while concurrently overseeing the Silver Pull Division, Tang Shen’s new role meant he would no longer serve as an Attendant Secretary, thus relinquishing his duties in Qinzheng Hall, as Xu Bi had suggested. Though he no longer had a seat in Qinzheng Hall, he now wielded real authority.
Whether this was a promotion or a demotion depended entirely on Zhao Fu’s intentions.
Tang Shen received the edict with mixed emotions, reflecting on how Zhao Fu, despite showing signs of weariness, remained the same Emperor Kaiping who had governed the Song Dynasty with an iron grip for thirty-one years.
As the Right Deputy Imperial Censor, Tang Shen was expected to be stationed in Youzhou. However, with the additional honorary title, he soon joined the Censorate in the capital, working alongside other Deputy Imperial Censors And Imperial Censor-in-Chief.
Tang Shen and Yu Chaosheng’s promotions did not attract much attention. Instead, many noticed that Wang Zhen’s authority had been subtly diminished by their appointments.
In the court, the Wang faction had grown too powerful, naturally attracting rivals. Some celebrated this development in secret, feeling vindicated. Others, puzzled by the move, sent letters home seeking their mentors' opinions.
When Xu Bi received Yu Chaosheng’s letter, he smiled and shook his head. Dipping his brush in ink, he wrote a brief reply and sent it back to Youzhou.
Upon reading the letter, Yu Chaosheng felt as if a veil had been lifted. Sitting alone late at night, he pondered the letter’s contents for a long time before burning it. Watching the curling, blackened paper, Yu Chaosheng recalled how, twelve years earlier, he had placed second in the imperial examinations at the age of twenty-five. That should have been his moment of glory, yet a young Wang Zifeng, seven years his junior, had stolen the spotlight, leaving him forgotten in the shadows. He, as the second place scholar, was even less remembered than the previous year's jinshi!
Yu Chaosheng harbored no resentment. Over the years, he had carefully observed what made Wang Zifeng so favored by Zhao Fu.
Now, it seemed he had finally glimpsed a part of the truth.
The Langya Wang clan and Right Prime Minister Wang Quan—these were all external forces. Most people observing the world could only foresee a month or two, at most half a year. But Wang Zifeng had planted the seed of Tang Jingze as a chess piece four years ago.
Yu Chaosheng sighed deeply, "What a brilliant move, advancing by retreating! Others thought your power was divided, yet two years ago, when Zhao Jing tried to divide your authority, he ended up being demoted to Qinzhou, while your influence grew stronger. Now, Tang Jingze, who shares the same mentor as you and has deep brotherly ties with you—this time, are you planning to strike at me or at my mentor?"
Though far from the imperial capital, Yu Chaosheng could only glean fragments of the situation in Shengjing. Yet even with such limited information, he could see part of the picture.
Recently, Wang Zhen had acquired a pet yellow oriole, which he grew fond of, keeping it outside his study and playing with it daily. When Tang Shen came to see him, Wang Zhen was feeding the bird, holding a handful of seeds in his palm and carefully offering them to the little creature. Tang Shen watched for a while before Wang Zhen asked, "Would you like to give it a try, little Junior Brother?"
Tang Shen replied, "Sure."
Wang Zhen divided the seeds and poured half into Tang Shen’s hand.
"Why did you suddenly take an interest in playing with birds, Senior Brother?"
"The one I truly wish to play with is far out of reach, so I can only amuse myself with this bird to quench my thirst in disguise."
Tang Shen froze for a moment, puzzled by the odd remark.
"Are you talking about… me?"
Wang Zhen appeared genuinely surprised. "Why would you think that?" He poured the remaining seeds into the bird’s feeder, patted the residue off his hands, and said sincerely, "What made little Junior Brother misunderstand?"
Tang Shen studied Wang Zhen’s earnest expression, feeling uncertain but eventually convincing himself he was overthinking.
After all, he was a living person, and this was just a bird—how could they be the same? Besides, if Wang Zifeng wanted to tease him, it wouldn’t be that easy—Tang Shen might just turn the tables and make fun of him instead!
Wang Zhen, noticing the changing expressions on Tang Shen’s face, smiled leisurely and said with satisfaction, "Today’s amusement has left me thoroughly pleased."
Tang Shen was left utterly bewildered.
Wang Zhen continued, "You came at the right time. This morning, from Jinling Prefecture a batch of fine silverfish was sent over, and I had the kitchen prepare them. Consider this meal my way of hosting little Junior Brother and thanking little Junior Brother for your support."
Tang Shen asked in surprise, "Support? What do you mean, Senior Brother?"
"Why did you come here?"
Tang Shen felt a bit embarrassed. "I’ve been promoted, but it meant taking some of your authority."
"How coincidental. That’s precisely what I wanted to talk about. Last month, I went to the Immortal Ascension Platform, and His Majesty said a few things that cleared up years of confusion for me."
"What confusion?"
"Throughout history, no emperor has avoided the taxing and delicate issue of naming an heir. Yet His Majesty has never shown any concern for this matter."
Tang Shen was stunned. He hadn’t expected Wang Zhen to bring up this subject. After a moment’s thought, he asked, "There aren’t many princes—only three. Do you think His Majesty already has someone in mind?"
Wang Zhen pressed his finger to his lips and smiled slightly. "Shh, heavenly secrets must not be revealed."