The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 122 The Tang Party
Three days later, Tang Shen's old classmates, Mei Shengze and second-place scholar Wang Xiao, returned to the capital together.
Four years ago, the three had passed the imperial examination together with great glory. Now, each had their own role and responsibilities, yet their paths had diverged. When they reunited, they all felt a sense of nostalgia. Over the past four years, Tang Shen had risen rapidly in rank, while Wang Xiao, after two years of obscurity, earned the emperor’s recognition for his contributions to the construction of the Ningzhou official road. Only Mei Shengze had struggled in his career after being implicated in the Revenue And Expenditure Department controversy two years ago.
Upon seeing Mei Shengze, Tang Shen barely recognized him at first glance.
After a long silence, he said with concern, “Brother Sheng Ze, how have your temples turned gray!”
Mei Shengze looked at Tang Shen and revealed a wry smile. “You wouldn’t understand the taste of it, Jing Ze!”
When Mei Shengze was exiled to a remote post, he had initially found ways to find joy in hardship. Back in the Imperial College, he had excelled in poetry and painting, so he composed a few melancholic poems about his banishment, unexpectedly gaining some literary fame. However, within a year, his wife died in childbirth, leaving behind only their newborn son.
The following year, his son also succumbed to illness. Unable to bear the grief, Mei Shengze fell seriously ill and nearly passed away himself.
Thus, though he was only twenty-seven, his temples had already turned gray, making him look as aged as an old man.
The three reunited at Xixia Tower for a heartfelt gathering. Later, Tang Shen invited them to his residence. Inside his study, he asked, “Brother Sheng Ze, Brother Dai Yue, do you know why His Majesty has appointed you both as Senior Administrators of the Silver Pull Division in Youzhou?”
Hearing this, Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze exchanged a glance, understanding Tang Shen’s implication. “Is Jing Ze saying there’s more to it?”
Tang Shen smiled and slowly explained.
Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze had only a vague understanding of the Silver Pull Division. They had suspected it might be connected to the Revenue And Expenditure Department’s downfall two years ago. However, they never expected that the emperor’s true intention in sending them to Youzhou was not merely to take up office, but to take on the critical mission of gathering military intelligence on the Liao army.
Both men were shocked into silence.
Then, a surge of ambition ignited in their hearts. Mei Shengze’s eyes gleamed. “To think that Jing Ze has undertaken such a great endeavor, and I, Mei Shengze, can now be part of it. Jing Ze—no, Tang daren—this lower official swears to not fail your trust and will ensure victory!”
Wang Xiao also cupped his hands. “This lower official will follow daren’s orders!”
Shortly after, the two set off for Youzhou.
Before them, Qin Si had already been dispatched to Youzhou as the Silver Pull Division’s Accountant General. Though he held the same rank as Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze, he was actually in a different role—he served directly under Wang Zhen. Qin Si carried with him a decree personally issued by Zhao Fu and Wang Zhen’s official seal, arriving in Youzhou with confidence.
Upon taking office, he wasted no time in making drastic changes, shaking up the entire northwest.
Effective immediately, all military pay for the three northwestern armies would be issued only in silver notes rather than actual silver.
This decree caused an uproar. The entire military was thrown into panic. General Li Jingde was so furious that he stormed into the Silver Pull Division, captured Qin Si, and tied him up. Qin Si, helpless against this brute of a general, could only take out the emperor’s decree and Wang Zhen’s seal. “General Li, are you rebelling?”
Upon seeing these two items, Li Jingde’s eyelids twitched. He closed his eyes, turned his head away, and pretended not to see them. With a snort, he said, “Rebelling? Qin Si, don’t you dare slander me! Explain first—why are my soldiers not getting paid anymore? In the past, you people replaced real silver with those paper contracts, and I let it slide because we could still use them for food and weapons.” In fact, because the contracts could only be exchanged for essentials, corruption within the army had lessened, which had actually pleased him. “But now, you’re not even giving us a salary? Who would still be willing to fight for me?”
Qin Si’s eyes blazed with anger. “I cannot get through to you!”
Li Jingde smirked. “Oh, got a little temper now, huh? Are you implying I’m too dumb to understand?”
Qin Si rolled his eyes. So you finally figured it out.
Just as Li Jingde was about to lose his temper again, a soldier rushed in from outside. Li Jingde was initially impatient, but upon seeing the leader of the group, he swallowed nervously and said, “Old Cheng, why are you here?”
General Cheng sighed. “If you hadn’t stormed into the Silver Pull Division, would the Grand Marshal have sent me to arrest you? Release Qin Si now and come with me to face the Marshal.”
At the mention of the Grand Marshal, Li Jingde had no choice but to surrender.
Once they left, Qin Si exploded in fury. “Bandits! Thugs! These scoundrels don’t deserve to be officials!”
He smashed everything in the room in vexation. However, if Wang Zhen had been there, he would not have gotten angry. Instead, he would have thought deeply about what had just transpired. For instance, Li Jingde had led private troops to seize him—yet somehow, General Cheng had arrived from the northwest army camp almost immediately.
There was clearly something suspicious about this.
Outside, Li Jingde was still grumbling. “Old Cheng, I know it was just an act, but did you really have to humiliate me in front of all those civil officials? Couldn’t you have said you were ‘inviting’ me instead of ‘arresting’ me?”
Cheng Fei rolled his eyes. “If I hadn’t scolded you in front of Qin Si, do you think he wouldn’t retaliate later? Don’t you know how petty these civil officials are? The Grand Marshal told you to stir up some trouble to express the army’s dissatisfaction, but he didn’t tell you to actually kidnap Qin Si! Do you really want to rebel?”
Li Jingde scratched his thick beard, his face slightly flushed. “Hai. I just couldn’t stand that guy Qin Si. I can’t tie up Wang Zifeng, but I can at least tie up his subordinate.”
Cheng Fei sighed. “Do whatever you want, but don’t mess up the bigger plan. The Grand Marshal specifically instructed us to support the Silver Pull Division in implementing the silver notes. Your job today was just to show our discontent so that the soldiers wouldn’t lose faith. Once they see the benefits, they’ll come around.”
Li Jingde sighed. “I just want to know—what’s so great about these silver notes anyway?”
As expected, at first, the soldiers were furious about receiving paper instead of real silver. However, once news spread that General Li Jingde had stormed the Silver Pull Division in protest, their frustration eased somewhat.
Half a month later, the division began setting up military silver exchange banks in all 36 provinces of the empire.
Only then did the soldiers realize the true value of the system.
How many warriors return from battle? A single letter home is worth more than gold.
Though Song and Liao had signed a peace treaty, small skirmishes never ceased. Just last year, the Liao army besieged Youzhou for two months, costing the lives of thousands of soldiers!
Most soldiers were far from home, and their wages were often kept on their person, as sending silver taels back was difficult. Letters and money could only be sent home once a month via military couriers—but even then, there was no guarantee they would arrive.
If a soldier died in battle, his wealth meant nothing.
With the new system, they could deposit their silver notes at the local bureau, specify a recipient and location, and their families could withdraw the money at any military silver exchange bank.
This achievement earned universal praise from the court. Officials congratulated Wang Zhen, who humbly replied with an elegant smile, “It was all Qin daren’s doing.”
After court, Zhao Fu was in high spirits. At noon, he summoned Wang Zhen and asked, “Zi Feng, before I close my eyes, will I see the golden age you once promised me?”
Wang Zhen bowed and, with a teasing tone, asked, “Your Majesty will live for ten thousand years, will you be closing your eyes for a short nap?”
Zhao Fu laughed heartily and said to Ji Fu, “Look at this Wang Zifeng—he understands me so well.”
Implementing a paper currency system within the empire had been Wang Zhen’s long-standing goal. After two years of effort, they had finally taken the first step. Everything was difficult at first, just this tiny step, and it had actually taken two whole years!
Raising his jade tablet in salute, Wang Zhen stood tall in the palace hall. Sunlight streamed through the glazed windows.
Zhao Fu’s laughter sounded for a long time, but looking at Wang Zhen standing in the hall, it gradually faded. He watched Wang Zhen for a moment, then murmured, “Zi Feng, you have been with me for twelve years now.”
Wang Zhen replied, “Your Majesty, I passed the imperial examination at seventeen. Now, I am twenty-nine.”
Zhao Fu sighed. “Yes, twelve years. But let’s not wait until you’re thirty!”
Wang Zhen looked up at the emperor in astonishment. For the first time, he couldn’t quite decipher the true meaning behind Zhao Fu’s words.
After leaving Chuigong Hall, Ji Fu quickly caught up with Wang Zhen, beaming as he said, “Congratulations, Wang xianggong! Congratulations indeed!”
A realization struck Wang Zhen. His heart stirred as he turned to Ji Fu and bowed slightly. “Many thanks, Chief Steward Ji.”
“Oh, there’s no need for that, no need at all.” Ji Fu’s smile deepened, the wrinkles on his face folding further. He glanced around before lowering his voice. “His Majesty is in excellent health, so Wang xianggong need not worry.”
Leaving the palace, Wang Zhen passed by the Censorate in his sedan chair. Suddenly, he recalled something Tang Shen had said to him months ago—“Senior Brother, your path hasn’t been easy.” He couldn’t help but laugh softly, his tone indulgent as he murmured to himself, “I told you long ago, my path has never been difficult. Look, your dear senior brother is about to be promoted again.”
They say human calculations can never outmatch heaven’s will. If the emperor decides you’ll be promoted this year, don’t even think about delaying it to the next.
But since nothing had been officially announced yet, Wang Zhen didn’t head to Qinzheng Hall after leaving the palace, nor did he go to the Ministry of Revenue. Instead, he had his sedan bearers take him to the Astronomical Bureau, where he remained until the late afternoon before departing.
Meanwhile, the Silver Pull Division had handled its affairs impeccably, and as a result, all its officials received imperial rewards. Yu Chaosheng, who had just returned to Shengjing, found himself unexpectedly rewarded as well. Turning to his trusted aides, he remarked with amazement, “Ever since I returned to the capital two years ago, everything has seemed divinely ordained.”
When the Revenue And Expenditure Department fell into scandal, Yu Chaosheng had been safely tucked away in the examination hall, serving as a deputy examiner for the huishi exam, thereby avoiding the disaster altogether. Now, out of nowhere, he had been assigned to the Silver Pull Division. Without lifting a finger, he had found himself swept along by its success, receiving credit and rewards alongside the rest.
One of his confidants flattered, “Daren’s career is simply blessed with good fortune.”
Yu Chaosheng pondered for a moment. “Not quite. His Majesty sent me to Youzhou as the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, first to suppress the growing influence of the Wang faction, preventing it from becoming too dominant. And second, to elevate that Tang Jingze—allowing him as a mere fourth-rank position to be on equal footing with me. Perhaps, I am the one benefiting from his rise. Just last month, His Majesty gave him two subordinates and sent them to Youzhou. That Mei Shengze and Wang Xiao—are they not the rising stars of the Tang Party now?”
AN: Yu Chaosheng: You guys are the Tang Party!
Mei Shengze & Wang Xiao: Tang Party? Oh, you mean the Candy Party? That’s right, we’re the Sweet Party. What’s it to you? Are you the Salty Party?
(TN: the word for ‘candy’ and the surname Tang are homophones)