The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 142 Perhaps, Wang Zifeng Is The Next Zhong Taisheng
The family letter was sent from Gusu Prefecture to Shengjing, and by the time it reached Youzhou, it was already May.
When Tang Shen received the letter from Gusu, he finally learned that after resigning from office, Fu Wei had even traveled south to Jiangnan for leisure.
The thirty-second year of Kaiping was destined to be different from previous years. Left Prime Minister Ji had been stripped of his position, and Fu Wei had retired from court. These once-powerful ministers, who had wielded immense influence over the imperial court, were now stepping down one by one. Perhaps this also symbolized the gradual passing of the Kaiping Emperor’s era.
At the end of May, Wang Zhen returned to the capital first.
In just two years, the Military Silver Exchange Bank had been established across all thirty-six provinces of the Song Dynasty, securing its foothold. Originally, the Silver Pull Division only managed the military funds of the Northwestern Army, but starting this year, the pay for the Southwestern Army and various regional forces also flowed into its treasury.
The Silver Pull Division was no longer limited to Youzhou. Wang Zhen’s return to the capital was to oversee the construction of the division’s headquarters in the imperial city.
Tang Shen escorted him out of Youzhou. At the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside the city, Wang Zhen lifted the carriage curtain and smiled at him.
“Little Junior Brother, no need to see me off.”
Tang Shen replied, “Senior Brother, safe travels.”
With many officials present, the two couldn’t exchange private words. Wang Zhen gave Tang Shen a deep look, then let the curtain fall and departed in his carriage.
Not long after Wang Zhen’s return to the capital, the emperor issued an edict to establish Silver Pull Divisions in both Shengjing and Jiangnan.
In an instant, the division's influence reached its peak.
With immense power in his hands, Wang Zhen even made the Right Prime Minister Wang Quan tread carefully. When officials spoke of the “Wang faction,” the first name that came to mind was no longer Wang Quan but Wang Zhen.
Officials and government officers alike understood how to serve those in power. Seeing Wang Zhen's rising influence, Minister of Works Yuan Mu, who had previously been at odds with him, chose to yield. Completely disregarding past conflicts, he dedicated himself to constructing the Silver Pull Division headquarters in Shengjing.
Within a month, the divisions in Shengjing and Jiangnan were completed.
During a private family banquet, Right Prime Minister Wang Quan remarked to his nephew, “Look at them—this time, they surely wouldn’t dare to skim off any funds.” He paused, realizing this might not be entirely true, and added, “Even if they did embezzle, it would be at most ten percent. And that’s only because they’re working for you. Everyone knows that you, Wang Zifeng, are the most influential first-rank minister of the moment.”
Wang Zhen raised a brow in mild surprise. “The construction of the Silver Pull Division is a task for His Majesty. What does it have to do with me? Why would you say such a thing, Uncle?”
Wang Quan ignored him, merely snorting. “Ji Wengji has stepped down, Fu Xiru has left, and now I, too, have reached the age of sixty. Perhaps I should start considering my retirement.”
But Wang Quan was only speaking idly. Could he truly resign?
Despite the Wang faction’s growing power, Wang Zhen was only half-aligned with them. If Wang Quan retired, the faction would collapse by half.
The division’s operations flourished, and by July, everything seemed to be thriving.
For years, Wang Zhen had planned meticulously. Now, noble families finally realized something was amiss with the Silver Pull Division and the Military Silver Exchange Bank—but it was too late. These institutions had already spread like chess pieces across the empire, weaving a dense and inescapable net.
The momentum of the Silver Pull Division had picked up. All that remained was the right moment.
Wang Zhen knew that by now, the division was beyond the influence of noble families. However, implementing paper money to replace silver currency immediately would be too hasty. It needed time—perhaps a year, perhaps two. But it wouldn’t be long. The path had been paved. The moment the emperor issued an edict extending the Military Silver Exchange Bank’s services beyond the army and into the hands of the common people, it would mark the first step of a historic transformation.
That night, Wang Zhen sat in the Minister of Revenue’s study, playing Go.
Holding both black and white pieces, he played against himself, each move evenly matched, a fierce battle of wits.
The black stones formed a bold and aggressive dragon, rampaging and destroying cities. The white stones, like a vast and unfathomable sea, remained calm and unreadable. As the game progressed, Wang Zhen’s moves slowed. When he finally picked up another white piece, the steward’s voice came from outside.
“Gongzi, it’s time for the morning court session. Shall I prepare your court robes?”
Dawn had arrived.
Wang Zhen snapped out of his deep thoughts, momentarily dazed.
“Prepare my robes.”
“Yes, gongzi.”
Lowering his gaze, he placed the white piece onto the board.
In an instant, the tranquil sea surged into a great wave, swallowing the black dragon whole.
Looking at the board, Wang Zhen let out a long sigh. He felt immense loneliness.
He rose abruptly, walked to his desk, took up his brush, and penned a letter.
When the steward entered with his court robes, Wang Zhen handed him the letter. “Send this to Youzhou. Use the fastest courier.”
The steward nodded. “Understood.”
Three days later, Tang Shen received the letter. Seeing how urgently it had been sent, he assumed something serious had happened. Anxiously, he tore it open.
Staring at the single line written inside, he was momentarily stunned—before breaking into a helpless smile.
“I miss you too.”
Tang Shen read the letter carefully three times before tucking it into his sleeve. Then, he called for Lin Xu.
Lin Xu was the chief officer of the Youzhou Silver Pull Division and a trusted confidant of Wang Zhen. While Wang Zhen's letter to Tang Shen only conveyed thoughts of longing, Tang Shen detected something unusual within it. He asked Lin Xu, "Now, in Youzhou, are you familiar with all the officials in the Silver Pull Division? Can you trust them all?"
Lin Xu's eyes flickered as he lowered his voice. "Rest assured, daren. They are all our people."
Tang Shen sighed. "Senior Brother has had a hard time."
Lin Xu did not fully understand but made a mental note to discreetly remove the remaining uncertain elements within the Silver Pull Division.
At the end of July, Wang Zhen submitted a memorial and entered the palace for an audience with the emperor.
Inside Chuigong Hall, the windows gleamed, their glass panes making the palace seem almost ethereal. Wang Zhen had been summoned, and before long, the chamberlains and palace attendants withdrew, leaving only Zhao Fu, Wang Zhen, and the chief eunuch Ji Fu in the hall.
Zhao Fu and Wang Zhen spoke in private for an hour before Wang Zhen left.
Clad in a red official robe, Wang Zhen looked striking yet elegant, as refined as an immortal. With an air of composure, he exited the palace, boarded his carriage, and headed straight to the Ministry of Revenue.
After his departure, silence engulfed Chuigong Hall. The chamberlains did not re-enter immediately, and the eunuchs remained waiting outside.
Zhao Fu leaned back against the throne. Ji Fu stood by his side with his head bowed.
After a long pause, Zhao Fu spoke in a gentle tone, "Tell me, how is it that Wang Zifeng understands my heart so well?"
Ji Fu felt his heart race in alarm. He had no idea how to respond, but since the emperor was awaiting his reply, he cautiously said, "Wang xianggong is devoted to Great Song, just as Your Majesty is. That is why he aligns so well with Your Majesty’s intentions." Ji Fu had a close friendship with Wang Zhen, and at a time like this, he naturally offered his support.
Even the most calculating ruler could not have foreseen that someone who had served him for decades was actually allied with Wang Zhen.
Zhao Fu nodded and picked up a fresh memorial from the table. He gazed at it for a while before tossing it to Ji Fu. "Take care of this discreetly. I do not want anyone to see it."
Ji Fu quickly accepted the document and obediently replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhao Fu muttered, "How is it that not one of my three sons can compare to Wang Zifeng? I fear even Fei Ran falls short."
Ji Fu thought to himself: Your three princes were simply born into the right family, but the true power brokers of the court were chosen from among the most exceptional minds in the empire. How could they possibly compare? Let alone Wang Zifeng or Su Wenyun—even Tang Jingze leaves them in the dust!
Ji Fu took the memorial and left Chuigong Hall. He had his godson, Xie Bao, prepare a fire basin and burn the document immediately.
Before tossing it into the flames, Ji Fu hesitated. Ensuring that no one was around, he carefully unfolded the memorial and read its contents.
His eyes widened in shock. The next moment, he hastily threw it into the fire.
The empty palace hall echoed only with the crackling flames. Ji Fu patted his chest and murmured, "That nearly scared me to death." Then, more seriously, he muttered, "Wang Zifeng is truly remarkable."
After years of maneuvering within the imperial palace, Wang Zhen had strategically befriended figures like Ji Fu and Li Xiaoren—those closest to the emperor. Now, his efforts were paying off.
Ji Fu sent his godson, Xie Bao, out of the palace with a letter for Wang Zhen.
As Wang Zhen read the contents, he smiled faintly. He brought the corner of the letter close to a candle flame, watching as the fire consumed it.
Who would have thought that by the narrowest margin, Yu Chaosheng had nearly been appointed Minister of Revenue in addition to his position as Minister of Justice?
The next day, the emperor issued an edict promoting Yu Chaosheng to Assistant Minister of the Palace Secretariat, overseeing the Jiangnan Silver Pull Division. Though still second-rank, his authority expanded significantly. By placing the Jiangnan Silver Pull Division under Yu Chaosheng’s control, the emperor subtly weakened Wang Zhen’s power.
After serving Emperor Kaiping for thirty-two years, court officials quickly grasped the implications.
Yu Chaosheng was the prized student of Left Prime Minister Xu Bi, a prominent figure of the Xu faction. By elevating Yu Chaosheng, the emperor was strengthening the Xu faction. Meanwhile, the Jiangnan Silver Pull Division was Wang Zhen’s stronghold—everyone knew he came from the illustrious Wang clan of Langya and was a native of Jinling. The emperor’s move simultaneously curtailed Wang’s power while bolstering the Xu faction, demonstrating masterful political maneuvering.
Su Wenyun had already returned to the capital. Upon hearing the news, he sneered, "If His Majesty truly wanted to elevate the Xu faction, why not simply remove Wang Zifeng from the Ministry of Revenue altogether? He holds the rank of a first-rank minister and still oversees the treasury. Tsk, is that appropriate?"
The minor officials were bewildered.
The self-assured high-ranking ministers believed they had deciphered Zhao Fu’s intent—that he was suppressing the Wang faction while elevating the Left Prime Minister’s faction.
Only the emperor’s closest confidants understood the deeper meaning behind his actions.
Yu Chaosheng himself knew that although he had been promoted, this was not the promotion that was expected.
In a quiet study, teacher and student sat together, listening to the rain pattering against floating duckweed.
After a long silence, Xu Bi exhaled deeply. "I have lost to Wang Zifeng."
Yu Chaosheng lowered his head. "It was my mistake. I miscalculated."
Xu Bi chuckled. "You take the blame too easily. But in a match against Wang Zifeng, you are not yet his equal. I spent an entire year raising his status and expanding the Silver Pull Division’s influence to a point where even the Emperor could no longer tolerate it—yet he still managed to turn the situation around. I heard he visited Chuigong Hall a few days ago. Who knows what he said?"
Yu Chaosheng flushed with shame, unable to reply.
For the first time, he felt a deep sense of frustration.
He and Wang Zhen had been part of the same imperial examination cohort—he had placed second, while Wang Zhen was the top scholar. He was even older than Wang Zhen by several years. Yet, his mentor still claimed he was unqualified to compete against Wang Zifeng.
His chest tightened, his fingers trembled. He struggled to suppress his emotions.
Xu Bi glanced at him and said, "Shame can be a powerful motivator. You came from a humble background, so your education and experiences were naturally inferior to his. But time is long. The last prodigy from an aristocratic family who carved his name into the merit stele, only to be condemned for eternity after his death—do you know who that was?"
Yu Chaosheng asked, "Who?"
Xu Bi took a sip of tea and smiled. "Zhong Taisheng. Perhaps, Wang Zifeng will be the next Zhong Taisheng."
In August, Tang Shen received an imperial edict summoning him back to the capital.
Before leaving, he finalized all matters concerning the Silver Pull Division. Just before his departure, he received an invitation.
The Marshal of the Western Expedition, Li Jingde, had invited him to a private meeting.