Green Mountain
Chapter 202 - 157, Cage

Chapter 202: 157, Cage

Under the setting sun.

Zhang Zhuo rode his horse, occasionally trying to bump into Wang Daosheng, who calmly dodged every time.

The former was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment, while the latter was like a hidden iceberg. Unrelated as they were, they somehow came together.

Chen Ji puzzled, "Lord Zhang is usually like this..."

He refrained from saying the words "childish."

Zhang Xia gently stroked the mane of Zaozao, smiling as he spoke, "My father is usually full of official authority and seldom acts like this. It must be because he is meeting Mr. Wang that he behaves this way."

Chen Ji grew even more puzzled, "Why is that?"

Zhang Xia thought for a moment, "My father once said Mr. Wang is a gentleman. It seems that in front of Mr. Wang, he doesn’t need to be as cautious as usual. Although Mr. Wang does not agree with him, he would never harm him."

Chen Ji sighed softly, "That’s nice."

The quarrel between Zhang Zhuo and Wang Daosheng did not last very long.

Zhang Zhuo gradually quieted down, sitting on his horse, he watched the radiant sunset and sighed, "This land is picturesque, if only there could be peace everywhere."

He suddenly said, "Wang Daosheng."

Wang Daosheng turned to look at him, "Please speak, Lord Zhang."

Zhang Zhuo straightened his crimson official robe and slowly said, "I think your chances of being promoted to Minister of War upon entering the Imperial Capital are slim, so don’t hold too much hope. Currently, you seem like the best candidate, Qi Xiuping is incompetent, Yang Zhao is rash. Compared to them for the post of Minister of War, neither is your match, this is also why Official Hu dares to recommend you."

Wang Daosheng smirked, "I presume there is a ’but’ coming."

Zhang Zhuo took a deep breath, "But, Your Majesty has been ruling for thirty-one years, and the least favorite people he employs are those without weaknesses. The only saint without blemish belongs in Renshou Palace, not anywhere else."

Wang Daosheng asked indifferently, "So what should I do?"

Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice, "How about this, I’ll send you a few women, you take about ten concubines before entering the Imperial Capital."

Wang Daosheng laughed, "I am in mourning, I can neither remarry nor take concubines."

Zhang Zhuo looked up to think, and then looking down said, "Then, accept some money. I will send someone to deliver some silver, and write a few denunciatory memorials against you, presenting the evidence directly to His Majesty."

Wang Daosheng chuckled, "If so, I’m afraid I might end up in the inner prison."

Zhang Zhuo shook his head, adjusted his official hat, and brushed the dust off the white pheasant motif on his chest, "In terms of literature and righteousness, I am not your equal; in holding an official position, you are not mine. Accepting a few thousand taels of silver means nothing to His Majesty. Does His Majesty not know what his subordinates are embezzling? Of course he does, and he is not worried."

"What is His Majesty worried about?"

Zhang Zhuo turned to look at Wang Daosheng, "His Majesty only worries that when he no longer wants to use you, he cannot get rid of you."

Wang Daosheng chuckled, "All these things you mention, I don’t want to touch. In my life, I only seek to have a clear conscience."

Zhang Zhuo cursed, "Pretending to be noble. I’ve seen many scholars like you, who end their lives with nothing but the words honest and upright, but achieve nothing. If you and I worked together in the court, how much could we accomplish?"

Wang Daosheng softly said, "Pursuing results through incorrect means will never yield good outcomes. Lord Zhang, it’s too late for me to sully myself now, and I don’t have your boldness. Our political views are not aligned; it’s better not to collaborate in office."

Zhang Zhuo fell silent, and the atmosphere turned eerily still.

The younger generation followed behind, every breath held in suspense.

Zhang Zhuo suddenly sighed, "Your future positions will never surpass mine, but you might live longer. After I die, don’t let the historians write nonsense about me."

Wang Daosheng remained silent for a long time, "That is not for me to decide."

Zhang Zhuo laughed it off, "Never mind then, let them be."

Wang Daosheng calmly asked, "Are you content with that?"

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard, "What else can I do?"

He paused, then added, "By the way, do you remember Mr. Xu’s performance of ’Chopping the Good Minister’ at the assembly in the 25th year of Jianing?"

"I remember."

Zhang Zhuo asked again, "Which part do you like best?"

Wang Daosheng replied, "Ambition locked with fame’s reins, gathers many brave men; morning bell, evening drum, awakens countless fools. What about you?"

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, "Half a paper of exploits, snow over a thousand mountains! You and I like different parts of the play, indeed we are not fellow travelers, let it be!"

At that moment, the distant sound of a flute, sharp as a sword slicing through the snow, drifted over.

Chen Ji looked up alertly, spotting a man sitting in front of a carriage under the gate tower of Luocheng City, akin to a coachman yet far more transcendent.

His muscles tensed, his hand stealthily reaching for the Whale Blade, "Mr. Feng!"

As they focused, they saw the carriage parked alone by the side of the official road, engraved with a peacock pattern... Official Liu’s carriage.

Chen Ji instinctively looked towards Prince Jing, only to find him with a pale complexion and a stern gaze fixed on the carriage.

Mr. Feng, seeing them approach, slowly put down his flute and smiled, "Prince, my lord invites you to step into the carriage for a chat."

Prince Jing remained unmoved, still staring coldly at him, "Was it you who ordered the attack on Yunxi and Bai Li?"

Mr. Feng appeared surprised, "My lord must be joking. I have been listening to operas at Baiyi Lane in Luocheng City these past few days and haven’t stepped out."

Prince Jing sneered, "Do I need to present evidence?"

Mr. Feng laughed heartily, "No need, no need. Even if my lord presented evidence, I would not acknowledge it."

Prince Jing sneered, "Arrogant."

Mr. Feng glanced at the Thousand-year Army behind Prince Jing and smilingly said, "The Thousand-year Army left camp without documentation from the Ministry of War. His Majesty might not punish my lord, but someone in the Thousand-year Army will certainly bear the consequences. If I know His Majesty’s usual practice, General Wang will likely be sent to hard labor in Lingnan... and after that, it will be difficult to meet again."

Chen Ji was startled, realizing that encircling the Lu Hun Manor with the Thousand-year Army came at such a great cost.

Prince Jing spoke loudly, "General Wang."

The man holding the Royal Banner responded, "At your service."

Prince Jing ordered, "Return to camp."

"Take care, my lord."

After speaking, General Wang waved the Royal Banner, and the Thousand-year Army solemnly turned their horses southward. The clanking of the thousands of soldiers in black armor was deafening, resolute without the slightest hesitation.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Liu Gun, dressed in gray, slowly descended from the carriage with the help of Mr. Feng, while Zhang Zhuo hurriedly signaled everyone to dismount and pay respects.

However, Official Liu did not look at Prince Jing but turned to Chen Ji, scrutinizing him, "Are you Chen Ji?"

Everyone suddenly looked at Chen Ji, who no one expected had caught the attention of such a high official.

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, pulling Wang Daosheng in front of Official Liu and Chen Ji, smiling and bowing his hands: "Official Liu, I hope you are well."

Liu Gun glanced at him, "I’m no longer an official, just an old man with worries at home. Lord Zhang, don’t fear; I just want to speak a few words with this young man, I won’t harm him."

After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Zhuo finally stepped aside.

Liu Gun appraised Chen Ji again, "Are you Chen Ji?"

Chen Ji stood next to his war horse, bowing, "It is indeed me."

Liu Gun laughed softly, like a kind old man, "A young talent, bold as a calf who fears not the tiger, with a promising future."

Chen Ji did not respond.

Liu Gun asked again, "Are you married?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "No."

Liu Gun smiled, "My Liu Family just happens to have several girls of marriageable..."

Before he could finish, the Princely Heir stepped forward, interrupting with a bow, "Grandfather."

Liu Gun was not offended by the interruption, turning his smile to the Princely Heir, "Good child, you have not visited the Liu Mansion in years. Your mother used to bring you to visit when she was alive."

The Princely Heir replied, "Grandfather, I have been busy with studies; I’ll visit you more when I have time."

Liu Gun said contentedly, "Very good."

Chen Ji frowned.

So the official wife of Prince Jing was also from the Liu Family, perhaps Princess Consort Jing’s sister?

By now, the cause of the official wife’s death seemed buried in the sands of time, unmentioned. But Chen Ji, recalling the nature and methods of the Liu Family, couldn’t help wondering if there were still hidden secrets?

Liu Gun looked at Chen Ji one last time, and ultimately said nothing else. He tiredly turned to Prince Jing, "My lord, there’s no need for us, father-in-law and son-in-law, to be at such drawn swords. We haven’t seen each other for a long time, come aboard the carriage and let’s talk."

Prince Jing pondered for a moment, then turned to the Princely Heir and said, "You go back first."

The Princely Heir anxiously said, "Father..."

Prince Jing reassured him, "Go, there will be no trouble."

Still, the Princely Heir was reluctant to leave.

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "We braved the snow and traveled all day; let’s hurry home for some hot tea. Come on, let’s go."

While speaking, he grabbed the Princely Heir’s arm and walked towards the city gate, lowering his voice, "He can’t do anything to the prince under all these watching eyes. Do you really want to force the Liu Family to turn hostile? How foolish. Rest assured, the prince will be fine."

The Princely Heir then reluctantly left, looking back every three steps.

As they entered the city gate, Chen Ji couldn’t help but look back to see Prince Jing lifting the carriage curtain to board, while Mr. Feng stood beside the carriage, smiling at him.

With a thud, a man bumped into Chen Ji and passed by.

Focusing his gaze, Chen Ji saw the man lowering his hat and blending into the crowd from the market, clearly recognizing the figure as West Wind from the Spy Department.

Unperturbed, Chen Ji unfolded a piece of paper in his hand, which starkly read, "Be careful, all those sent to the Imperial Capital with secret dispatches have been killed."

Chen Ji abruptly looked up. The news of the Liu Family’s private iron forging and troop quartering could no longer be sent out. Could this Henan Province already be a prison?