Wang Jianhuo received an invitation sent by Han Chou, the Prefect of Henan. One was a commoner, the other an official – both were among the most prominent figures in Luoyang, yet they rarely interacted. This was the first ti Han Chou had formally invited Ugly Wang to a banquet.
In the past, Wang Jianhuo would have refused imdiately. As a heroic pugilist, he needed to maintain good relations with the governnt but couldn’t get too close. Now, however, he was working for the Emperor and couldn’t show a cold face to local high officials.
The banquets at the marquis’s residence were always renowned for their luxury and abundance, typically starting at noon and lasting until the third watch, ensuring everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
The guests included not only local officials but also rchants from all corners of the realm – and in even greater numbers. They couldn’t co empty-handed; all had to present gifts that were displayed on the spot, competing in splendor and novelty, with the Prefect personally judging their quality.
Today’s gift-giving occasion was the full-moon celebration for one of Han Chou’s grandsons, but the real guest of honor was Ugly Wang.
Since taking charge of supervising refugee resettlent, Wang Jianhuo had acted contrary to his usual nature, refusing social invitations from forr friends. This had initially made Luoyang’s rchants very nervous, thinking they had encountered an incorruptible official. However, facts proved that Wang Jianhuo was quite adaptable and not rigid about governnt regulations. As long as rchants were willing to contribute money and effort, he largely turned a blind eye to their secret land acquisitions and slave purchases.
During the Emperor’s siege at Jincheng, Ugly Wang’s status had plumted. Forr friends thought he had beco arrogant from success, while officials and rchants believed he had lost his usefulness and no longer took him seriously.
Wang Jianhuo was accustod to such shifts in human sentint and simply did his best to resettle as many refugees as possible.
Once the siege of Jincheng showed signs of being lifted, he beca Luoyang’s most sought-after person again. At his word, money, grain, carts, and oxen beca readily available, and the remaining refugees were quickly sent back to their ho regions.
Although the rchants had obtained everything they wanted, one thing made them extrely nervous: Ugly Wang wouldn’t accept gifts. He refused gifts from anyone, and despite rchants trying every possible avenue to make him accept their offerings, whether openly or secretly, all were seen through and returned unchanged.
A person who refused gifts yet could communicate directly with the Emperor made everyone lose sleep.
It was under these circumstances that Ugly Wang received the Prefect of Henan’s invitation.
At the banquet, the nurous rchants only presented gifts to the Governor as was customary. Toward Ugly Wang, they seed to have given up trying, but they took turns toasting him, being extrely humble and courteous.
As evening approached and the banquet continued, Han Chou invited Ugly Wang to move to his study for private discussion.
Han Chou was corpulent, his face flushed red from drinking, breathing heavily with his belly rising and falling like a bellows. He first offered his guest tea, saying, “I don’t know where this cos from – I don’t understand such things. They say it’s very expensive, though the taste isn’t particularly special. But it has miraculous effects for sobering up.”
Wang Jianhuo tasted it and praised, “Indeed quite good.”
“Alas, the tea remains but the person is gone. The one who originally gave this tea disappeared years ago – no one knows where. So say bandits killed him, but who knows? In any case, the tea supply is about to run out. It’s strange – my hall is full of distinguished guests, yet not one knows the origin of this tea or can even na it.”
“Perhaps it awaits soone with the right connection.”
“Haha, this ‘person with the right connection’ had better co soon.” Han Chou’s expression grew serious. “Brother Wang, may I address you this way?”
“Your Lordship honors – it’s this commoner’s privilege.”
As Marquis of Luoyang, Han Chou enjoyed being called “Your Lordship” and smiled, “Brother Wang is too modest. We should have grown closer long ago. Really, we all live in Luoyang – why haven’t we had more contact before?”
“There are distinctions between officials and commoners…”
“Ah, but you’re no longer a commoner! Though you don’t yet hold an official title, how many people in the realm can submit morials directly to His Majesty? Even I, the so-called Marquis of Luoyang and Prefect of Henan, must first submit my morials through the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs or the Chancellor’s Office. I can’t compare to Brother Wang’s ascent to heaven in a single step.”
Wang Jianhuo’s face didn’t easily form smiles – he could only twitch the corners of his mouth. “The path to heaven is not easy to walk. One who ascends in a single step will sooner or later fall in a single step. This commoner lives in constant fear and trembling, taking no pride in it but considering it perilous instead.”
Han Chou slamd his hand heavily on the table. “You’ve spoken absolutely correctly – serving the ruler is like accompanying a tiger, truly difficult. Look at this – I painstakingly found a peerless beauty for His Majesty, sent her to his side, yet His Majesty turned around and gave her to a favored subject. Sigh, I truly have grievances I cannot voice, but what can I do? Can a subject complain? I can only continue to serve with all my heart. Fortunately, the palace understands my complete loyalty and has instructed to select more virtuous won from good families in Luoyang to prepare for the imperial harem’s selection.”
“The palace?” Wang Jianhuo was not an official after all and didn’t understand these newly erging titles in official circles.
“That refers to His Majesty’s birth mother. She doesn’t have an official title yet, but becoming Empress Dowager is inevitable, so we temporarily refer to her as ‘the palace.’ With a loving mother’s heart, the palace hopes to embrace grandchildren soon and even more hopes for Great Chu to establish its grand lineage quickly. Therefore, she has issued orders for nationwide selection of beauties, with Luoyang receiving the most attention – we must provide half of all the selected maidens.”
Wang Jianhuo understood clearly in his heart that this was a quota Han Chou had fought for himself. Unable to please the emperor, he tried every ans to please “the palace.”
At the sa ti, this was also a subtle hint: while Wang Jianhuo could reach the emperor’s ear directly, Han Chou also had ways to ascend to heaven in a single step.
Wang Jianhuo cupped his hands. “This is indeed a great achievent. Congratulations, Your Excellency.”
Han Chou waved his hand. “I don’t care about achievents – as long as the palace is satisfied and His Majesty is pleased, that’s enough. Honestly, our branch of the family has lived in Luoyang for generations. We have no other ambitions except hoping to remain steadily in Luoyang, serving His Majesty loyally and working for the court.”
“Luoyang’s wealth surpasses all under heaven – this is all Your Lordship’s achievent.”
Han Chou laughed heartily, then suddenly put away his smile. “There’s still a banquet outside, yet I’m having an honored guest drink plain tea here – how rude of . I won’t beat around the bush and waste ti. Let ask directly, Brother Wang – what are you really thinking?”
“What does Your Lordship an by this?”
“Those rchants outside – we both know they’re profiteers. Their money cos easily, so naturally they’re generous with gifts. They really have no other intention beyond seeking peace of mind. Yet you keep them at arm’s length. Is it because you think it’s too little, or are you afraid of sothing?”
Wang Jianhuo pondered silently.
Han Chou smiled. “I can understand. When first taking office, no one wants to make mistakes or leave any leverage for others to use, especially when working directly for His Majesty. There are people watching you everywhere – who knows which one might report to His Majesty. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t dare accept gifts carelessly either.”
“You truly understand , Your Lordship.”
Han Chou laughed heartily and rummaged through his desk, finding two papers from the ssy pile and pushing them before Wang Jianhuo, placing them side by side.
By candlelight, Wang Jianhuo looked down to see two property deeds bearing his na, with addresses – one in the capital, one in Linzi, separated by thousands of miles from west to east.
“These are…”
“Two small residences, completely inconspicuous and not worth much money. I selected so gifts from what people have given , consider them housewarming presents. Right now they’re stored in the houses – you can send people to inspect them. This matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and . Luoyang doesn’t know, His Majesty doesn’t know, and even the rchants outside don’t know. They only need one word from saying that you’re reliable, and they’ll all feel at ease.”
Wang Jianhuo was still deep in thought.
Han Chou’s expression grew slightly cold. “Brother Wang, you won’t accept gifts from others, and you won’t accept mine either? Do you think the gift isn’t valuable enough, or do you think I would leak secrets? Am I the sa as those rchants? If this matter really reached His Majesty, what benefit would that bring ? Brother Chou can rest assured – in Luoyang, your reputation for ‘integrity’ won’t be affected in the slightest.”
“Since you think so highly of , it would be ungracious for to refuse. I’ll have to accept without ceremony.”
Han Chou imdiately resud his smile. “I regard Brother Wang as my own brother, and I hope we can support each other in the future.”
“There is one difficult matter.”
“Please speak, Brother Chou.”
“I once ntioned to His Majesty the various thods of the rchants. When His Majesty returns to Luoyang, I can hardly say that the Luoyang rchants suddenly changed their nature and all beca good people. I’ll have to…”
“I understand, I understand.” Han Chou laughed even more heartily. “I’m not afraid of you imposing conditions – I’m afraid of you not speaking up at all. As soon as you ntioned it, I understood completely. Rest assured, this matter is extrely simple.”
Han Chou rummaged through the pile of papers again and pulled out another sheet covered in tiny characters – densely packed nas filling the entire page.
“As long as these people remain untouched, the rchants of Luoyang are at your disposal. Even I need to find a few troublemakers to deal with – not related to whether they sent gifts or not, but because these people are too arrogant and have forgotten their place. They truly think money can buy anything. It’s ti to give them a lesson and make them understand the distinctions between high and low status.”
“Why don’t you give a list of the ‘troublemakers’ as well? That would make things even more convenient.”
Han Chou was startled, then burst into laughter. “Good, good! I knew your reputation for having friends throughout the realm wasn’t earned in vain. I don’t have a ready list on hand. Let’s go drink first – after the banquet ends, you will definitely be able to get one.”
The two walked out together, and Wang Jianhuo said quietly, “The property deeds are still missing fingerprints, aren’t they?”
Han Chou winked. “Brother Wang, don’t be hasty. Tomorrow soone will naturally co to handle this matter. Youshould also send trusted people to inspect both locations early. Whatever else is needed, just speak up – I guarantee Brother Chou’s satisfaction.”
“If gifts from the marquis still can’t satisfy , then my appetite would be larger than the heavens themselves.”
Han Chou laughed so hard his eyes nearly closed. Everyone said Ugly Wang had been difficult to deal with lately, but that was because his status had risen – how could soone who had attached himself to the dragon be moved by a few rchants? It still required his personal intervention.
Wang Jianhuo wasn’t completely satisfied. After leaving the study, he whispered to Han Chou again, “Regarding the selection of consorts, do we have enough candidates?”
Ugly Wang was trying to curry favor with the future Empress Dowager – this made Han Chou feel even more secure. “Anyone Brother Wang sends will definitely be selected. Five spots – how about it, is that enough?”
“One will suffice.”
After the banquet ended, Wang Jianhuo returned ho with two property deeds and two lists of nas. He examined them by lamplight, then stored them close to his body.
Combined with the large amount of evidence he had previously collected, it was enough to turn Luoyang upside down. Wang Jianhuo didn’t care about his own situation – he only worried about one thing: whether the Emperor had the resolve to act on this matter.
Though rely a heroic pugilist, Wang Jianhuo understood all too clearly that the Emperor was far from omnipotent. Very often, the Emperor had even more concerns than ordinary people.
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