The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 129 Senior Grand Secretary Of The Left

The next morning, Minister of Rites Meng Lang, holding a jade tablet and dressed in a brand-new deep red official robe, strode into the main hall of Chongzheng Palace.

Chongzheng Palace was where officials waited before court sessions. First- and second-rank officials gathered in the main hall, while third- and fourth-rank officials waited in the left and right side halls, respectively. As soon as Minister Meng entered, he saw someone he hadn't seen in a long time. Seeing this person and recalling the upcoming negotiations with the Liao envoys at the guesthouse, Meng Lang felt a headache coming on.

However, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue had always been grouped together. In Qinzheng Hall, the ministers of the two ministries shared a common office, and even during court sessions, Meng Lang had to stand next to Wang Zifeng!

Minister Meng pursed his lips and stepped forward with a smile, "When did Wang daren return?"

This was just a polite remark, something Meng Lang said casually. However, he didn't expect Wang Zifeng to stand up, salute respectfully, and reply in a gentle voice, "Meng daren, I just returned yesterday morning."

Meng Lang was both surprised and flattered. He scrutinized Wang Zhen.

What was going on with Wang Zifeng? Why had he suddenly become so polite and gentlemanly?

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Meng Lang had no choice but to say, "It's good to have you back. I've missed you, Wang daren." The words sounded awkward—while the words expressed longing, the tone carried no hint of nostalgia, merely politeness.

Wang Zhen, however, replied, “Meng daren's kindness fills me with gratitude."

Meng Lang: "..."

What was wrong with Wang Zifeng today? Why was he being so agreeable?

After all, Meng Lang was a second-rank official who had weathered the ups and downs of the court for many years. After a while, he tentatively asked, "Wang daren seems to be in a good mood today?"

Wang Zhen sighed, "Meng daren has noticed. Indeed, good fortune brings joy. Please forgive my lack of composure."

Meng Lang: "???" Wang Zifeng, act normal!

By the time the morning court session began, Meng Lang finally understood what good fortune Wang Zifeng had encountered.

As soon as the court session began, the emperor issued an edict promoting Wang Zhen to Senior Grand Secretary of the Left, concurrently serving as Minister of Revenue and Commander of the Silver Pull Division, holding a first-rank position. When this decree was announced, Zichen Hall fell into silence. The officials bowed their heads, their expressions calm and unreadable. Tang Shen, standing at the back of the crowd, was deeply shocked. He couldn't help but look up.

In the grand hall, no one moved a muscle. Even Wang Zhen's uncle, Wang Quan, kept his eyes downcast, calmly staring at the golden bricks on the floor.

Wang Zhen stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the decree.

Next, Zhao Fu issued another edict, promoting Zhao Yun, the Minister of Personnel, to Senior Grand Secretary of the Right.

Zhao Fu smiled and said, "Ministers Wang and Zhao are both my trusted confidants, my right-hand men. With the Department of State Affairs in your hands, I am at ease."

Wang Zhen and Zhao Yun stepped forward together, bowing and accepting the decree.

After the court session ended, the officials immediately crowded around to congratulate Wang Zhen and Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun, in his early fifties, was a jinshi from the previous dynasty and one of Zhao Fu's old ministers. His promotion to first-rank, while somewhat unexpected, was justified given his lifelong dedication to Great Song. Wang Zhen, however, was a different story. The treasury's current prosperity was largely due to his efforts as Minister of Revenue. The Silver Pull Division’s affairs had also been handled flawlessly. His promotion had been anticipated by many, but no one expected him to achieve first-rank before the age of thirty.

This was Zhao Fu's answer.

After turning thirty, Wang Zhen's promotion to first rank would have raised no eyebrows.

But achieving it before thirty was a sign of Zhao Fu's favor and the emperor's unparalleled trust.

However, even so, Zhao Fu had also promoted Zhao Yun, which was worth pondering.

Wang Zhen was the nephew of Right Prime Minister Wang Quan, while Zhao Yun was a close friend of Left Vice Prime Minister Chen Linghai.

After all the officials had finished offering their congratulations, Wang Zhen and Wang Quan walked together in Qinzheng Hall. The Right Prime Minister sighed, gazing at the increasingly vast sky, and remarked, "The winds of change in the court are becoming more unpredictable."

On the same day, a secret letter was rushed to Shengjing and delivered to the Liao envoys' guesthouse.

The Liao envoy, Xiao Zhang, received the letter and was visibly shaken. He hurriedly sought out Yelü Shege and showed him the letter. "Your Highness, what should we do? Yelü Qin daren has sent a letter from Xijin Prefecture. News of your departure from Liao has somehow leaked and is spreading like wildfire. Once it reaches Shangjing, Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding will surely seize this opportunity to demand an explanation for your whereabouts."

Yelü Shege was stunned, "How could this happen?!"

Yelü Shege had been injured in a hunting accident a month ago and had gone to Xijin Prefecture to recuperate, using this as an excuse to avoid the scandal involving the Fourth Prince and Princess Anding. If news spread that he wasn't in Xijin Prefecture, Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding would easily connect this to him. Although Yelü Ding had no love for the Fourth Prince and wouldn't care if he died, if this incident could be used to gain leverage over Yelü Shege, he wouldn't let it go easily.

Yelü Shege read Yelü Qin's letter several times carefully. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was fierce. "I will return to Liao immediately."

Xiao Zhang, "What about the matter of marrying another Song princess?"

Yelü Shege, "Let the matter go. It's just one less pawn."

Xiao Zhang nodded, "Yes, and not every Song princess is as foolish as Princess Anding. Your Highness only needed to make a few promises, and she was completely devoted, never realizing what was happening until her death."

Yelü Shege smiled, "Xiao daren."

Xiao Zhang felt a chill run down his spine and immediately knelt, "This subject misspoke. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Yelü Shege sighed regretfully, "Actually, Princess Anding wasn't a bad girl. It's just a pity she was a woman." For a moment, Yelü Shege's mind flashed with the image of a radiant face, and a surge of desire and possessiveness welled up within him. But he quickly suppressed it.

"My great task is not yet complete. How can I waste time on such trivial matters?"

Hearing this, Xiao Zhang felt a surge of admiration, secretly glad he had chosen the right master.

Yelü Shege, "This trip to the Song State hasn't been without gains. The Song Emperor isn't as incompetent as you all imagine. It's just that he's getting old and no longer needs to be closely guarded against. I hear he's started believing in Buddhism this year, so his time is likely running out. But we still need to be cautious of his three princes and his trusted ministers."

Xiao Zhang, "Before I return to Great Liao, I will gather as much information as possible."

Yelü Shege, "Li Jingde goes without saying—he's a major threat to our Great Liao. And then there's Wang Zifeng. His Silver Pull Division is also suspicious."

"This subject understands."

That same day, Yelü Shege left Shengjing under cover of night, heading northwest.

Tang Shen had already informed Meng Lang about this matter, asking whether they should detain Yelü Shege or at least partially seal the city to prevent him from leaving easily, as Tang Shen had experienced in Xijin Prefecture. However, upon hearing this, Meng Lang was first shocked, then carefully questioned Tang Shen to confirm the accuracy of the information. After receiving confirmation, he instead said, "No need."

Tang Shen was puzzled, but then he suddenly remembered something. "Daren, your foresight far surpasses mine."

Letting Yelü Shege go had two advantages.

First, Yelü Shege was the backbone of the Liao envoys. Capturing him would be of no benefit to the Song Dynasty. Now that he was gone, the Liao envoy Xiao Zhang was no strategist and posed no threat. Without the resourceful Yelü Shege, Meng Lang would find it easy to deal with the remaining Liao envoys.

Second, this was related to Tang Shen. Meng Lang didn't know that Tang Shen's spy was planted within Yelü Shege's ranks. If Yelü Shege was harmed by Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding and lost power in the Liao court, all the efforts Tang Shen and his allies had made would likely go to waste.

Tang Shen hadn't thought of this at first, but now, suddenly enlightened, he realized that they had to let Yelü Shege go and ensure he returned safely to the Liao State.

After coming to this realization, Tang Shen glanced behind Meng Lang and noticed that the desk that had belonged to Wang Zhen was now empty. Surprised, he asked, "Will Wang daren no longer work in this room?"

Meng Lang, who was pondering how to deal with the Liao envoys, turned around and said, "Don't you know, Tang daren, that your senior brother was promoted to Senior Grand Secretary of the Left overseeing the Department of State Affairs this morning, holding a first-rank position? From now on, he will have sole authority over the six ministries."

Tang Shen, "Of course I know."

Meng Lang, "First-rank officials in Qinzheng Hall have their own private offices. From now on, I'll likely be sharing an office with Minister Yuan Mu of the Ministry of Works."

Tang Shen chuckled awkwardly and took his leave.

Before he could leave Qinzheng Hall, a government worker approached him and asked respectfully, "Are you Tang Shen, Tang daren?"

Tang Shen was surprised, "Yes, I am."

"This humble servant has been ordered by Wang xianggong to wait here for you. Wang xianggong noticed that you went to Meng daren's office and stayed for a long time, presumably discussing important matters. Coincidentally, the Ministry of Revenue had some urgent business to tend to, so Wang xianggong left first. He asked me to deliver this invitation to you."

Tang Shen took the invitation, and the government worker bowed before leaving.

Tang Shen opened the invitation and found a dried peony tucked inside. Beneath the petals, Wang Zifeng's elegant calligraphy was written in black ink on white paper:

"With this flower, I gift it to you. Let us meet at Liuqi."

"Wang Zifeng."

Tang Shen's heart warmed, but then he cursed inwardly. How could Wang Zifeng be so bold? In broad daylight, in Qinzheng Hall, he dares to send me something like this? Isn't he afraid of being discovered?

Tang Shen shook his head in irritation, carefully tucking the invitation into his robe. However, as he left, he didn't notice someone who always seemed to cross paths with him watching from a distance. But before he could greet him, Tang Shen had already stepped out of Qinzheng Hall's gates.

Yu Chaosheng entered Xu Bi's office, bowed, and said, "Your student pays his respects, Sir. Just now, I saw Tang Shen, Tang daren in the courtyard and remembered what you once said—that your student and Tang Jingze seem to have some fateful connection. Every time he leaves, I always seem to arrive. I used to think it was just a joke, but now it seems there really is some coincidence."

Xu Bi put down the memorial in his hand and smiled, "You and he do seem to share a deep connection. Now, one of you is the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, and the other is the Right Deputy Imperial Censor. Isn't that fate?"

Yu Chaosheng, "At today's morning court, I never expected His Majesty to promote Wang Zifeng to Senior Grand Secretary of the Left overseeing the Department of State Affairs."

Xu Bi, "There were signs."

"Sir?"

"You are now the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, subordinate to Wang Zifeng. As the acting head of the Silver Pull Division, do you understand what your duties truly entail?"

Yu Chaosheng pondered for a long time, "Please enlighten me, Sir."

Xu Bi smiled, "How would I know? His Majesty has never allowed my people to interfere in this matter. However, the affairs of the world and the changes in the court are always predictable. Nothing happens without reason, and there are always signs. The Silver Pull Division emerged because the Revenue And Expenditure Department was abolished. So, what was the Revenue And Expenditure Department originally meant to do?"

Yu Chaosheng was shocked, "So that's what the Silver Pull Division is about! Your student has learned much!"

The teacher and student chatted for a while longer before parting ways.

By evening, Tang Shen hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to take the invitation. Without changing out of his official robes, he followed the address on the invitation to a quiet and beautiful estate in the outskirts of the capital. Standing at the gate, Tang Shen looked at the unassuming entrance and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this where Senior Brother wants me to come?"

He looked up and saw the plaque: Liuqi Courtyard.

The characters on the plaque were written with the elegance of a bright moon and the swiftness of a shooting star—undoubtedly Wang Zifeng's calligraphy.

Tang Shen stood at the gate for a moment before the door of Liuqi Courtyard opened from the inside. A servant ran out and said, "Greetings, Tang gongzi. Gongzi has been waiting for you for some time. Please follow me."

Tang Shen was led inside by the servant, but once he entered, the servant did not follow.

Tang Shen turned back in confusion.

The servant said, "I will take my leave here. Tang gongzi, please go ahead."

With that, the door creaked shut behind Tang Shen.

Caught off guard, Tang Shen could only turn around and take in the serene and beautiful estate.

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 130 Tang Daren, Requests Leave

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 128 Wang Zifeng's Tactics!