The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 145 Charging Forward With Unwavering Resolve!
When Tang Shen had once achieved top honors in the imperial examinations and paraded through the streets on horseback, he had thought to himself that his greatest aspiration was to serve in the Ministry of Works.
After that, he entered officialdom, spending six years moving through various positions. When he was promoted to Right Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, he had even mentioned to Tang Huang, “What I truly want is to serve in the Ministry of Works.” But those were just passing words—he had never seriously believed that he would actually end up there.
Yet, fate was unpredictable. Now, he found himself exactly where he had once dreamed of being.
Attaining a third-rank position at the age of twenty-two was not entirely unprecedented during the reign of the current emperor. Wang Zhen had become Minister of Revenue at twenty-three, which was an even more shocking achievement.
The position of Right Vice Minister of Works was an interesting one. His predecessor was none other than Su Wenyun, who had just been promoted. Su Wenyun had taken the post at twenty-four, but since he had also served concurrently as Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he primarily acted on imperial assignments and rarely visited the ministry.
Now that Tang Shen had taken over, the first thing he did was move back into Qinzheng Hall.
The place remained much as it had been in the past.
After two years away, little had changed. Among the four chief ministers, only Xu Bi had been promoted from Right Vice Prime Minister to Left Prime Minister, while former Minister of Justice Geng Shaoyun had become Right Vice Prime Minister. Many colleagues expressed their amazement at Tang Shen’s return, offering their congratulations. In just one day, his residence was overflowing with gifts.
The imperial court did not prohibit officials from exchanging gifts, as long as it was kept within acceptable bounds and did not attract the scrutiny of the Censorate.
Thus, the spring of the 33rd year of Kaiping passed in an atmosphere of quiet contentment.
By summer, however, disaster struck—the Yellow River flooded.
The Fourth Prince, Zhao Jing, sent word to the capital, requesting that the court dispatch officials for disaster relief.
Having served as Right Vice Prime Minister of Works for half a year, Tang Shen finally received his first major assignment. Zhao Fu ordered him to lead a team to Jizhou to manage the flood response, while the Ministries of Revenue and War handled relief efforts for the affected population.
Tang Shen immediately set out for Jizhou.
When Tang Huang learned that her elder brother was going to manage a flood crisis, she was astonished. “Brother, since when did you know anything about flood control?”
Tang Shen raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know either.”
“Huh?”
“What do you think officials in the Ministry of Works do?”
Tang Huang was confused.
Tang Shen chuckled. “I may only have a basic understanding of flood control, but I’m the Right Vice Minister of Works, not a laborer. On a chessboard, when have you ever seen the general charging into battle while the pawns remain behind?”
This was what it meant to be a high-ranking official. This was what it meant to wield power.
In his past life, Tang Shen had been an engineering student, but that didn’t mean he actually knew how to manage floods. His knowledge was limited to news reports of summer floods and the general principles of flood prevention—diversion was better than blockage, and a well-designed drainage system was key.
But in the ancient world, such solutions were far more difficult to implement. Fortunately, with a smaller population, simply relocating people from flood-prone areas often resulted in less severe disasters than in later eras.
In July, Tang Shen and his team departed for Jizhou. He did not return until September.
When he arrived back, Wang Zhen studied him for a long moment before pulling him into an embrace, distressed. “You’ve lost weight, and gotten darker.”
Tang Shen laughed, pushing him away. “Do you know who I met in Jizhou?”
“Who?”
“Sir.”
Wang Zhen’s expression showed genuine surprise.
Tang Shen had held back this revelation for so long, just to see that exact look on Wang Zhen’s face. Now that he was satisfied, he explained, “Sir spent the past year traveling through the southern provinces, exploring rivers and mountains. But since he’s getting older, he can no longer visit every place he wishes, so he finally decided to return to Changzhou. By chance, he passed near Jizhou and, upon hearing that I was there, came to see me. He was accompanied by his two page boys, Wen Shu and Fu Qin.”
Without betraying any emotion, Wang Zhen pulled him back into his arms. “Fu Qin? Am I not Fu Qin?” (TN: Fuqin means "playing the zither," but also sounds like "father.")
Tang Shen smirked. “You play the zither, but is your music as good as Wen Shu’s?”
It was well known that their teacher’s two page boys had ironic names—Wen Shu (Book Reader) was skilled at playing the zither, while Fu Qin (Zither Player) was skilled at reading.
Wang Zhen chuckled. “So, little Junior Brother wants me to play a tune for him?” As he spoke, he pulled Tang Shen toward the study. “What would you like to hear? Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix or Longing for Each Other?”
Tang Shen burst into laughter. “All you ever think about is playing chess and plucking strings. Can’t you say something more interesting?”
Wang Zhen sighed dramatically, feigning sorrow. “Alas, you must find me dull. It’s true—I have spent my life reading books and learning the arts, while you have seen and experienced so many fascinating things. I heard, for instance, that you once sold a kind of fruit juice—sweet, sour, and refreshing. Such a thought would never even have crossed my mind.”
Tang Shen’s eyes widened. “Where did you hear that?”
Wang Zhen merely blinked, offering no answer.
Tang Shen wasn’t about to let it slide. He resorted to every trick—coaxing, threatening, even playing the seduction card—until Wang Zhen finally surrendered. He pressed Tang Shen’s face against his chest and murmured, “Enough mischief. It’s still broad daylight—are you truly so shameless?”
Tang Shen immediately behaved. “Then tell me—where did you hear it?”
Wang Zhen sighed, knowing he was doomed to be at this man’s mercy for life. Smiling, he finally confessed, “From your servant, Yao San.”
Tang Shen’s eyes widened further.
Wait—how were Wang Zhen and Yao San even connected?!
Before he could process the revelation, Wang Zhen leaned in, pressing his lips to Tang Shen’s neck. Between feather-light kisses, he murmured pitifully, “When I heard about it, I realized how dull and meaningless my life has been. Look at me—I cannot wash clothes or sweep floors, nor can I cook a decent meal. I have lived over thirty years, and looking back, I have accomplished nothing.”
Tang Shen couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this was off. If Wang Zhen claimed to be an underachiever, anyone who heard it would have every right to scoff.
Wang Zhen continued, “So you see, I haven’t seen every mountain or tasted every herb. I didn’t even know what fruit juice was until I heard about yours.”
Tang Shen finally understood. “So… you want to try fruit juice?”
Wang Zhen’s eyes lit up. He beamed. “Jing Ze, are you saying you’ll make me some?”
“…Wait, I never said that.”
“I am overjoyed!”
Tang Shen: “…”
Fruit juice wasn’t anything special. Given the production methods of the era and Tang Shen’s half-baked knowledge of making fruit vinegar, the juice he had sold in the Tang Family Village had been popular simply because the villagers had never tasted anything better.
Wang Zhen, however, had been raised in luxury, accustomed to the finest wines and delicacies. Yet, after taking a sip of the juice, he sighed in admiration. “Sweet and refreshing, with a lingering fragrance—truly delightful.”
Tang Shen was skeptical. He took a sip himself.
“Is it really that good?”
Wang Zhen kissed his forehead and said, “Because it was made by you, for me.”
After returning to the capital, Tang Shen spent eight out of ten nights staying at the Minister Residence. Their relationship was passionate and affectionate, like honey dissolving in warm oil. Wang Zifeng was remarkably good at sweet-talking, leaving Tang Shen utterly captivated. At one point, he even started doubting himself: What kind of fortune did I stumble upon to earn Wang Zifeng’s favor?
He nearly felt unworthy of him.
When Wang Zhen learned of this, he regretted it deeply.
"Everything requires moderation," he murmured, writing down the words 'patience is key’ before sighing. "When will he take more initiative... at a certain time and place?"
Determined, Wang Zhen had the phrase carved onto a plaque and hung it in his study as a daily reminder.
Tang Shen’s career was smooth, and his love life was blissful—he was flourishing in both romance and politics.
However, on the twelfth day of the tenth month in the 33rd year of Kaiping, just days after the emperor’s birthday, something changed.
That morning, as they dressed in court robes, Wang Zhen casually adjusted Tang Shen’s collar and said, as if in passing, “A few days ago, Li Jingde sent a military report from Youzhou. He mentioned a minor skirmish between Song and Liao forces. In his words...”
Tang Shen, surprised by the sudden mention of Li Jingde and Youzhou’s military affairs, asked, “What did he say?”
“He wrote: ‘The sky burned with chaotic fire as Liao arrows rained down in a dense onslaught.’ Do you know how the Song army broke through the encirclement?”
“How?”
“They charged forward with unwavering resolve, seeing nothing but the path ahead.”
From the very first sentence, Tang Shen knew—this was no ordinary military report. Wang Zhen had a deeper meaning behind his words. Grasping his hand, Tang Shen looked up and asked, “Senior Brother, what’s really going on?”
Wang Zhen lowered his gaze. A few years ago, he might have told Tang Shen, ‘Don’t ask. This has nothing to do with you.’ But now, he thought of the plaque in his study, of things Wang Quan had said to him, and of things he had said in return.
The person he loved was never meant to be someone who lived under protection.
He pulled Tang Shen into an embrace and whispered three words: “The Silver Pull Division.”
Tang Shen’s eyes widened.
“Jing Ze, this time, do not act recklessly.”
Tang Shen understood, but the urgency in his heart spread like wildfire, consuming everything in its path.
By the time morning court began, everything appeared calm.
Standing among the third-rank civil officials, Tang Shen lifted his gaze and saw Wang Zhen at the very front, beside Wang Quan. As if nothing had happened. As if there was no pressing crisis that required them to charge forward with unwavering resolve.
But just as court was about to be dismissed, Zhao Fu raised his hand, signaling Ji Fu to read an imperial decree.
Ji Fu’s sharp, high-pitched voice echoed through the grand hall.
“…Starting next year, in consideration of the hardships of the people and the successful implementation of the Military Silver Exchange Bank under the Ministry of War, His Majesty seeks harmony and unity with the common people…”
“The thirty-six Military Silver Exchange Banks under the Ministry of War are to be abolished and replaced by the Great Song Silver Bank.”
“…His Majesty decrees that the Great Song Silver Bank shall serve the people and benefit the realm.”
As Ji Fu finished reading, his hands clenched tightly around the decree, his forehead glistening with sweat.
A deathly silence filled Zichen Hall.
Tang Shen’s body tensed, not daring to breathe. No one knew how much time passed before a faint sound of footsteps broke the silence.
Everyone lifted their heads.
From a distance, Tang Shen saw a tall, lean figure step forward, standing before the assembled officials. His posture was like an unyielding mountain—proud, unwavering, and resolute.
Wang Zifeng raised his jade tablet and spoke in a clear, warm voice.
“I accept the decree.”
Since Youzhou, Shengjing, and all Military Silver Exchange Banks fell under Wang Zhen’s jurisdiction, it was only natural that he stepped forward.
Now, only the Ministry of Justice’s jurisdiction over the Jiangnan Silver Pull Division remained.
Yu Chaosheng stood frozen in place, visibly taken aback.
A moment later, another figure stepped forward from Wang Zhen’s left.
Left Prime Minister Xu Bi, holding his own jade tablet, spoke in a calm and steady voice, his expression as placid as a still lake.
“Your Majesty, I must object.”