The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 164 I Believe In Fate
Although Tang Shen was unable to rescue Mei Shengze and Wang Xiao from the Ministry of Justice’s prison, he still made a personal visit. Unfortunately, before he could even see them, he was stopped by an official.
"Tang daren, the prison of the Ministry of Justice holds only major criminals and offenders. Without an official order from the Minister or the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, I cannot open the gates for you," said the Left Vice Minister of Justice with a smile.
Tang Shen had anticipated that he might not be able to meet them on this visit. He looked at the square-faced official, then saluted formally. The official did not dare be discourteous and immediately returned the courtesy.
Tang Shen said, "We serve the same court, and surely Gao daren also has many close friends. Mei Lingfu and Wang Daiyue were my fellow classmates and are my dearest friends. Daren, you should understand my sentiments. If they have truly committed grave crimes, they must not be shielded. But as officials of Great Song, they, too, have bodies given by their parents—how can they be casually trampled upon?"
His implication was clear: he hoped Gao daren would show them some care and ensure they were not subjected to torture.
The Vice Minister thought to himself: Even if you say this, they will still be punished as needed. In fact, they had already been tortured. Mei Shengze and Wang Xiao, both scholars raised in comfort, could hardly endure such suffering and had already confessed to some matters, which had been documented and sent to the Minister's desk.
Outwardly, he smiled and said, "Naturally, Tang daren need not worry."
Tang Shen let out a deep sigh, flicked his sleeves, and left.
After the death of the Liao Emperor, Zhao Fu immediately dispatched reinforcements to the Northwest, hoping to take advantage of Liao’s internal chaos and deliver a decisive blow. With the war intensifying, urgent military reports arrived in Shengjing daily. Even Tang Huang and Yao San sensed the tension gripping the city.
During dinner, Tang Huang curiously asked, "Brother, have we won another battle?"
Tang Shen replied, "Where did you hear that?"
"Everyone's saying so! The Liao Emperor is dead, and their nobles are fighting over the throne. They don’t even have time to focus on the war. We’ve won several battles already, and we might even conquer Liao this time!"
Tang Shen sighed helplessly. "I told you not to listen to the rumors in the streets. Winning battles is true, but conquering Liao? Tell me, if we conquer Liao, what will we do with it? The Liao people are nomads, their land is vast grassland with only a few major cities. If we take Liao, all they need to do is pack up their tents and disappear into the wilderness. Should we chase after them? Manage that endless grassland? Maybe in the future, but not now."
Tang Huang, no longer the naïve village girl she once was, suddenly understood. But she caught on to the key point, "So, we really won?"
Tang Shen smiled. "Yes, we really won."
Tang Huang couldn't suppress her joy.
Even someone as sharp as Tang Huang could sense the shift in Song-Liao relations and rejoice. In the imperial court, Zhao Fu’s delight during morning court sessions was evident—his happiness dancing in his raised brows and the corners of his eyes.
After the military reports were delivered, Zhao Fu asked in a calm voice, "Do my esteemed ministers have any further matters to report?"
The generals, having spoken their part, shifted their gazes toward the civil officials.
At the front of the ranks, Left Prime Minister Xu Bi held his jade tablet, his eyes lowered toward the golden bricks of the hall, silent. Behind him, the other ministers followed suit. Most of Xu Bi’s aged, calculating face was hidden behind his tablet, making it impossible even for Zhao Fu to gauge his thoughts.
They waited for a full fifteen minutes. No official stepped forward.
Zhao Fu raised his hand. "Then court is dismissed."
The chief eunuch, Ji Fu, drew out his voice and proclaimed, "Court is dismissed!"
Xu Bi remained looking at the ground, but his peripheral vision was fixed on his left rear. On the high platform, the emperor departed. Once Zhao Fu was gone, Xu Bi suddenly lifted his head, his gaze sharp, landing on Yu Chaosheng, standing two places behind him.
Yu Chaosheng felt a chill as if struck by that piercing stare. His scalp tingled, his lips moved, but he couldn’t utter a word.
Xu Bi said nothing. Following the protocol of dismissal, he was the first to leave. Back at Qinzheng Hall, he summoned a government worker and instructed him to bring the Minister of Justice, Yu Chaosheng.
The government worker left swiftly, but half an hour later, he returned alone. "Daren, the Minister of Justice has entered the palace to see His Majesty."
Xu Bi paused, then smiled, stroking his beard with a sigh. "So, he is not entirely beyond saving."
That afternoon, the prison gates of the Ministry of Justice opened, releasing four prisoners.
Mei Shengze and Wang Xiao stepped out of the prison as if in another world. The sunlight stung their eyes, leaving them dazed. Tang Shen had already sent men to retrieve them, while the other two officials of the Silver Pull Division were taken by Wang Zhen’s men.
Mei Shengze and Wang Xiao were taken to the Ministry of Works, where they had a brief meeting with Tang Shen.
Upon seeing Tang Shen, their eyes reddened, and their throats tightened.
Mei Shengze choked, "Jingz Ze…"
Tang Shen interrupted, "No need to say more. You were released because His Majesty ordered you back to Youzhou for reassignment. You must leave the capital quickly to prevent any complications. I only came to see you briefly to ask one thing—while in prison, did you reveal anything?"
The two fell silent.
Shame overwhelmed Mei Shengze. He gritted his teeth, unable to respond.
Wang Xiao, older than them by a few years, sighed deeply. "A disgrace… When Ling Fu and I were captured in Youzhou by Yu Chaosheng, we swore on our journey to the capital that we would take our secrets to the grave. But in the end, we spoke. I revealed the matter regarding Qiao Jiu."
Mei Shengze admitted guiltily, "I also gave up some things, including Lin Xu’s connections with Qiao Jiu and others."
Tang Shen was silent for a moment, then asked, "Were you injured? Let me see."
Both men forced bitter smiles and shook their heads.
Wang Xiao said, "The prison wardens of the Ministry of Justice have countless ways to make you suffer unbearably, to feel like you are trapped in the deepest hell—without leaving a single visible wound. The injuries cannot be seen, and I do not wish to recall those moments. I can only say we have failed Jing Ze, and we have failed Minister Wang."
By now, both knew Yu Chaosheng had arrested them to target Wang Zhen.
Mei Shengze asked, "Was Wang daren implicated?"
Tang Shen replied, "No."
"Huh?" The two exchanged a glance. "How is that possible? Then how were we released?"
Tang Shen shook his head. "I don’t know either. Time is short—leave for Youzhou immediately."
After ensuring their departure, Tang Shen rushed to Qinzheng Hall to seek answers from Wang Zhen. He also needed to report how much information had been revealed, to prevent further complications.
Inside the palace corridors, just as Tang Shen turned a corner, he nearly collided with someone.
He looked up in surprise.
Yu Chaosheng also seemed startled to see him.
The two men stared at each other before Tang Shen bowed. "This lower official greets the Minister of Justice."
Yu Chaosheng replied, "Tang daren, no need for formalities."
Tang Shen was perplexed. He still couldn’t understand why Yu Chaosheng had suddenly let go—why he had not only released Wang Xiao and the others but had also refrained from moving against Wang Zhen. If the prisoners had kept silent, that would be one thing, but they had confessed. Why had Yu Chaosheng done nothing?
Just then, Yu Chaosheng spoke first. "Tang daren, you seem to be in a hurry. Do you have urgent business?"
After a brief pause, Tang Shen answered, "I seek an audience with the Left Senior Grand Secretary."
Referring to Wang Zhen.
Tang Shen asked, “Daren, are you leaving the palace?”
Yu Chaosheng replied, “Not quite. I am going to see the Left Prime Minister.”
There was nothing more to be said between them, so Tang Shen prepared to take his leave. However, Yu Chaosheng suddenly remarked, “There is something rather interesting—six years have passed, yet Tang daren has remained unaware of it.”
Tang Shen grew wary and looked up. “Oh? What matter? Please enlighten me, daren.”
“When I returned to the capital, I was assigned to serve in Qinzheng Hall. At that time, you were still a chamberlain and also worked in Qinzheng Hall. Interestingly, whenever I went there, I would always happen to run into you in various places. Unfortunately, you never noticed me, but I certainly noticed you.”
“There was such a thing?” Tang Shen was surprised—he hadn't expected Yu Chaosheng to bring this up.
“There was indeed.” Yu Chaosheng's expression turned reminiscent. “By my count, it must have happened at least a dozen times.”
A dozen times in six years didn’t sound like much. But considering that for two of those years, Tang Shen had been absent from Qinzheng Hall, having been assigned to missions in Cizhou and Youzhou, and that Yu Chaosheng had also been busy with official duties, making it unlikely for him to be there every day, the number was quite significant. After all, even though he and Su Wenyun both served in Qinzheng Hall, Tang Shen could count on one hand how many times they had run into each other—perhaps only twice.
Yu Chaosheng continued, “Yet the last two times, we have encountered each other directly, no longer just passing by. Tang daren, do you believe in fate?”
Tang Shen was skeptical. He did not quite understand what Yu Chaosheng was implying with this conversation.
Yu Chaosheng smiled. “I believe in fate.” Then, he added, “The Left Prime Minister is urgently awaiting me. I shall not say more—farewell.”
Tang Shen, full of unanswered questions, cupped his hands in salute. “Take care, daren.”
Yu Chaosheng strode off toward the Left Prime Minister’s office. Tang Shen watched his departing figure for a long moment before finally turning toward Wang Zhen’s office.
But it was in vain—Wang Zhen was not there. He had gone to Chuigong Hall for an audience with the emperor.
An hour later, Wang Zhen returned. The moment he stepped inside and saw Tang Shen waiting, he paused in his tracks.
One man stood in the room, the other in the courtyard.
Wang Zhen glanced up and smiled faintly. “So, you’ve seen Mei Shengze and Wang Xiao?”
Tang Shen strode forward. “I have. You just returned from Chuigong Hall? Did Yu Chaosheng make his move?”
Wang Zhen shook his head. “No. The Xingzhou case is of great importance. Although the court is currently preoccupied with the Northwest war, the Xingzhou case cannot be overlooked. As Left Senior Grand Secretary, it is my duty to follow its developments closely. Now that there’s been some progress, I naturally had to report it to His Majesty.”
Tang Shen was momentarily taken aback. “...Huh?”
Seeing the confusion on Tang Shen’s face, Wang Zhen was suddenly in an excellent mood. He reached out and lightly touched Tang Shen’s cheek. “Little Junior Brother, haven’t you always known? I intend to use the Xingzhou case to severely weaken the Xu faction.”
“But now is hardly the time to talk about that. Regarding the Silver Pull Division—His Majesty did not hold you accountable?”
A look of bewilderment crossed Wang Zhen’s face. “Something happened with the Silver Pull Division?”
“...”
“Speak—how exactly did you force Yu Xianzhi to refrain from using the Silver Pull Division incident to accuse you of monopolizing power and hiding the truth from the masses!”