The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 147 The Twelfth Month Of The Lunar Year

In the eleventh month of the thirty-third year of Kaiping, a heavy winter snow fell in Shengjing.

Thick, dense snowflakes, like goose feathers, drifted down from the sky, blanketing the capital in a silvery-white coat. The snow continued for three days, and by the final day, the roads had become nearly impassable. The government mandated that every citizen clear the snow from their rooftops to prevent collapses.

In previous years, this task had been the responsibility of the Ministry of Works, which collaborated with the Shengjing government to oversee the snow-clearing efforts.

This year, Tang Shen had become the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. He summoned the official in charge of the task and asked, "How many households are there in Shengjing?"

The official replied smoothly, "There are ninety-six thousand registered households."

Shengjing was the capital of the Song Dynasty. Although the official referred to "registered households," in such a large city, unregistered households were impossible to hide. The ancients favored large families, and assuming an average of five people per household, this would amount to half a million people. In reality, Shengjing had over a million inhabitants.

Tang Shen carefully instructed the official to ensure that this year's snow-clearing task was thoroughly carried out. By the time he returned to the Ministry of Works' residence, the snow had stopped. Tang Shen arrived home but did not find Wang Zhen there.

The Ministry of Works had recently been busy with the construction of Chengqing Palace, and Tang Shen was swamped with work. However, everyone knew that the busiest person in the entire court at the moment was Wang Zhen, the Department of State Affairs’ Senior Grand Secretary of the Left.

Wang Zhen oversaw the Silver Pull Division in both Youzhou and Shengjing. Recently, the emperor had issued a decree to convert the Ministry of War's Military Silver Exchange Bank in thirty-six provinces into the Great Song Silver Banks. From then on, they would no longer serve only the military but also the common people.

Towards all worldly affairs, the emperor only needed to issue a decree, which might seem simple and effortless. However, implementing the few words on that decree was an incredibly difficult task.

The bloodshed that occurred in the Revenue And Expenditure Department five years ago served as a cautionary tale. Now, the Silver Pull Division had to avoid repeating past mistakes while striving for perfection. Even with the support of all the officials, it still required a great deal of effort from Wang Zhen.

It was the depths of winter, and as the officials prepared to take their New Year's break, most of the Silver Pull Division's tasks were postponed until the following year.

Yu Chaosheng, the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, was currently working in the Ministry of Justice. As the Minister of Justice, he was responsible for overseeing the submission of all criminal cases from across the country to Shengjing by the end of the year, to be stored and reviewed in the Ministry of Justice's archives.

Yu Chaosheng was busy with internal affairs when an official hurried into the room, holding his official hat. Yu Chaosheng stopped speaking and looked up. The official knelt and reported, "The Senior Grand Secretary of the Left from the Department of State Affairs has arrived."

Everyone in the room was startled.

Yu Chaosheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly stood up and went out to greet Wang Zhen, who was entering the Ministry of Justice.

Yu Chaosheng approached and bowed, "This lower official, Yu Chaosheng, greets Wang daren."

Wang Zhen was dressed in the official robes of a first-rank official, holding a white folding fan in his right hand. Although it hadn't snowed in the past few days, carrying a fan in such weather might seem like an affectation. For anyone else, it would have appeared pretentious, but for Wang Zhen, it seemed perfectly natural, without any hint of incongruity.

The officials of the Ministry of Justice inwardly remarked, "Wang daren is truly extraordinary," but none of them showed it outwardly.

Wang Zhen closed the fan with a snap, his slender fingers twirling the fan's ribs before pointing the handle toward Yu Chaosheng.

Wang Zhen's voice was gentle, "Last year in Youzhou, you mentioned that you liked the fan I was carrying. I've brought it for you today. Do you like it?"

Yu Chaosheng was completely taken aback. He quickly searched his memory and recalled the incident.

Last year, Wang Zhen and Yu Chaosheng had traveled to Youzhou on official business. Although they each had their own carriages, there were times when they had to be alone together. The journey from Shengjing to Youzhou was long, and Yu Chaosheng and Wang Zhen had known each other for a long time. This so-called knowing each other often refers to having heard of the other's great reputation for a long time but never actually meeting them in person. Yu Chaosheng felt somewhat awkward, so one day, when the two were dining at a relay station, he casually complimented Wang Zhen, saying, "Wang daren, this fan is exquisite. The calligraphy on it seems to be your own work. The characters are strong and clear, with a natural elegance. Truly excellent."

To think that Wang Zhen had remembered this! Yu Chaosheng had no choice but to reach out and accept the fan, inscribed with Wang Zhen's own calligraphy. He even had to express his gratitude, "I never expected you to remember this, Wang daren. I am deeply grateful."

Wang Zhen smiled, "Shall we go inside to talk?"

Yu Chaosheng stepped aside, "Please."

The two entered Yu Chaosheng's office, while the other officials of the Ministry of Justice exchanged glances but dared not follow. Shortly after, the Vice Ministers of Justice heard that Wang Zhen had arrived and hurried over to pay their respects.

Soon, only the three highest-ranking officials of the Ministry of Justice, Wang Zhen, and an obscure fourth-rank official from the Silver Pull Division, Lin Xu, remained in the room.

Yu Chaosheng personally prepared tea for Wang Zhen. He had many speculations in his mind and had already guessed Wang Zhen's purpose for visiting.

But Wang Zhen did not mention any other matters. Instead, he spoke about calligraphy and the tea in his hand. Yu Chaosheng's thoughts began to waver. He even started to wonder if Wang Zhen's visit was truly just to socialize.

Wang Zhen gently stirred the tea with the lid, his tone calm, "It has been fourteen years, hasn't it?"

Yu Chaosheng thought for a moment, "Indeed, it has been fourteen years."

Wang Zhen sighed, "How time flies."

Yu Chaosheng sipped his tea in silence.

Wang Zhen continued, "Do you remember the day we rode through the streets after being named on the imperial examination honor roll?"

Yu Chaosheng smiled, "It has been fourteen years. My memory is hazy."

Wang Zhen looked at him deeply and smiled slightly.

As Yu Chaosheng observed Wang Zhen's calm and composed demeanor, a wave of helpless resentment surged within him. But it was a futile resentment, powerless and fleeting, quickly discarded by its owner.

For jealousy is the most useless of emotions.

Fourteen years ago, in the fourth month of the nineteenth year of Kaiping, he had been named the second-place scholar in the imperial examination, riding through the streets alongside the top scholar and the third-place scholar.

A hazy memory?

How could it be hazy!

That year, after leaving Jiying Hall, the three of them followed the white jade dragon vein all the way to the palace gates. It should have been the most glorious moment of his life, yet from the emperor who had named him the second-place scholar to the citizens of Shengjing waiting outside the palace gates, not a single person's eyes reflected his presence.

Everyone only saw the top scholar standing at the forefront. Yu Chaosheng engraved that person's name deep in his heart.

Wang Zhen, Wang Zifeng.

Now he had reached forty, but every scene from that year was still vividly etched in his mind. How could he ever forget!

Yu Chaosheng smiled and said, "Speaking of which, daren and I were once fellow classmates. It's just a pity that shortly after the procession, only a year later, I left Shengjing and did not return for many years."

Wang Zhen replied, "I remember, you went to Jiangnan as a military commander."

"You still remember that? Yes, I first went to Qiantang as a commander for half a year, and later I was transferred to Xingzhou."

"How long has it been since you last visited Jiangnan?"

"It's been about three years."

"Next year might be a good time to visit again."

Yu Chaosheng was stunned and looked up at Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen's expression was calm. He smiled at Yu Chaosheng with a deep gaze and said composedly, "The Jiangnan Silver Pull Division is probably still waiting for you to take charge."

Yu Chaosheng opened his mouth but remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I am well aware, but the Ministry of Justice is extremely busy. Next spring might be a bit rushed."

"Rushed?" Wang Zhen glanced at the Vice Ministers of Justice sitting below and asked with concern, "Has the Ministry of Justice been very busy lately?"

The Left Vice Minister, a close confidant of Yu Chaosheng, immediately chimed in, "Reporting to daren, all the cases from the entire year have been submitted to the Ministry of Justice. We are currently swamped with work."

Wang Zhen asked, "Is it because you are rushing to archive everything before the end of the year that you are so busy?"

At this point, both Yu Chaosheng and the Left Vice Minister realized they had fallen into Wang Zifeng's trap, but neither could refute it. They could only widen their eyes and honestly reply, "...Yes."

Wang Zhen smiled, "It has been a long time since you last visited Jiangnan. You must miss it dearly. I have been to Qiantang a few times myself. Why not visit Jinling this time? Jinling and Qiantang each have their own unique charm."

With that, Wang Zhen stood up, ready to leave with Lin Xu.

Yu Chaosheng had originally not planned to get involved with the Jiangnan Silver Pull Division. At the very least, he intended to delay matters to make things difficult for Wang Zhen. This was something he had long agreed upon with his mentor, Xu Bi. Since they could not change the inevitable establishment of the Great Song Silver Bank, they would drag it out as long as possible.

Xu Bi had told him, "Delays breed complications. There will always be those who do not wish to see the Great Song Silver Bank come to fruition."

Thinking of this, Yu Chaosheng stood up and said urgently, "Daren..."

"Yu daren." Wang Zhen suddenly stopped and turned around, his gaze slightly cold. "Is there something else?"

Yu Chaosheng's lips moved, but in the end, not a single word came out.

Wang Zhen smiled, "Xian Zhi, you and I are fellow scholars from the same examination year. We haven't had a proper conversation in all these years. How about we share a meal together after you return from Jiangnan next spring?"

"Yes."

Wang Zhen left the Ministry of Justice almost having single-handedly charged in.

Soon, it was the twelfth lunar month.

On the ninth day of the twelfth month, as the officials' holiday approached, Tang Shen was busy trying to complete the tasks for Chengqing Palace before the New Year while also overseeing the snow-clearing efforts. However, Wang Zhen was even busier than him, often returning home in the dead of night or simply staying overnight at the office.

By the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, after four days apart, Tang Shen finally saw his senior brother again.

Tang Shen's heart stirred, but before he could speak, Wang Zhen pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Don't speak. It's late. Let's rest together."

"...Alright."

As soon as he touched the bed, Wang Zhen fell into a deep sleep. Tang Shen gazed at his elegant and refined features, feeling a pang of sympathy. Five years ago, when he had told Wang Zifeng about the contents of that memorial, he had never imagined things would turn out like this.

His senior brother had exhausted himself for the Silver Pull Division. This was the greatest task he had undertaken for the emperor and the most significant contribution he had made to the Great Song Dynasty. He did it for the sake of future generations and the long-lasting prosperity of the people.

Tang Shen let out a long sigh and also fell asleep.

The next day, after the morning court session, Wang Zhen was busy again, and Tang Shen went to the Ministry of Works. Shortly after arriving, a government officer came to report that an old acquaintance had come to visit.

Tang Shen raised an eyebrow, "An old acquaintance? From where?"

The government officer replied, "Reporting to daren, the person is from Qinzhou and seems to be a cavalry captain."

Tang Shen was surprised: A cavalry captain from Qinzhou? He knew someone like that?

A cavalry captain was a sixth-rank military officer, a local military official.

Tang Shen said, "Bring him in."

"Yes."

Before long, the government officer led a middle-aged man in. The man kept his head down, his eyes fixed on the ground, making it difficult for Tang Shen to see his face. Tang Shen found his figure somewhat familiar and said, "Who are you? Look up."

Only then did the cavalry captain dare to raise his head.

Their eyes met, and Tang Shen exclaimed in surprise, "Xu Hui?"

Xu Hui forced a bitter smile and said, "This lower official, Xu Hui, Cavalry Captain of Qinzhou, pays his respects to Tang daren."

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 148 I Was Lying To You

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 146 Because You Are Wang Zifeng!