CHAPTER 419: CHAPTER 419: PINGZHOU (PART 2)

The trusted aide of the Nanyang County Princess set off towards Pingzhou with a large shipment of food and medicine.

Such a significant move could not escape the court’s notice. In fact, Jiang Shaohua had no intention of hiding it. She personally wrote two letters to the Capital City, explaining the matter to Emperor Taihe and the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

After reading the letter, Emperor Taihe sighed with relief and remarked to the nearby secretaries: "Shao Hua is smart and benevolent, decisive in her actions. I cannot compare to her!"

Having said that, he passed the letter around for them to read.

Wang Jin couldn’t help but praise Jiang Shaohua after finishing the letter.

However, Zheng Chen remarked, "This was originally something the court should do, but now it’s a commandery princess who’s doing it. What face does the court have left?"

Emperor Taihe glanced at Zheng Chen: "I initially wanted to send someone to Pingzhou, but Prime Minister Wang stopped me. He insisted that Pingzhou betrayed the court, and the epidemic was heaven’s punishment, a retribution deserved by the people of Pingzhou."

"Unable to override Prime Minister Wang, I had to let things go. Fortunately, Shao Hua contributed manpower and resources, helping me save some face."

Emperor Taihe’s words were directed at Zheng Chen, but the subtle jab in his speech was aimed at Wang Jin.

Wang Jin’s eyes showed some embarrassment, but he remained silent.

As a son, he couldn’t speak ill of his father. As a minister, he had to share the emperor’s burdens. Caught in the middle as a secretary, he found himself in a difficult position, a taste only he knew intimately.

Zheng Chen had another purpose for speaking up today: "Currently, almost all of the rebellious soldiers in Pingzhou have perished due to the epidemic, and it’s said that less than thirty percent of the surviving populace are left. I request the Emperor issue an edict to send an imperial envoy to Pingzhou to appease the people’s hearts."

Is this really about appeasing the people’s hearts, or is it clearly about grabbing credit?

Wang Jin raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zheng Chen.

Li Boyuan couldn’t hold back and spoke: "Nanyang County Princess has already dispatched people there to treat the epidemic and distribute food. Pingzhou is already stabilized. If the Emperor sends an envoy now, the Commandery Princess will undoubtedly be displeased."

The Heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, chimed in cheerfully: "Shao Hua is broad-minded, not one to fuss over every little thing. If the Emperor sends an envoy to Pingzhou, firstly, it’s legitimate, and secondly, it demonstrates the court’s leniency and forgiveness towards the people of Pingzhou."

Wang Jin’s eyebrows moved again.

Since when did Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi become so close, speaking with one voice?

Emperor Taihe, with rather soft ears, began to waver after repeated persuasion by Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi.

Wang Jin coughed to say: "Emperor, I have words that I must express. The court abandoned Pingzhou from the outset, and last year the Nanyang County Princess dispatched Doctor Sun to Pingzhou, which the court tacitly approved. Now that Doctor Sun has just made some impact in Pingzhou, if the court hastily sends an envoy, it indeed seems like a struggle for credit. It’s unseemly and could harm the sibling relationship between the Emperor and the Commandery Princess."

"Moreover, under heaven, no land isn’t the king’s, and no border isn’t his servant. Doctor Sun is originally a Senior Fifth Grade Imperial Doctor representing the court. Once the Pingzhou matter is resolved, the Emperor can reward heavily and generously."

Emperor Taihe found reason in this and nodded instinctively.

Zheng Chen squinted slightly and glanced at Wang Jin.

Wang Jin met his gaze freely.

The two exchanged sharp looks in the air.

Jiang Yi observed and suddenly laughed: "Wang She Ren is truly amusing; since returning from Nanyang County, he speaks for the Nanyang County Princess everywhere. Could it be that Wang She Ren hopes to marry into the Nanyang Prince Mansion in the future?"

Having said that, he laughed heartily, as if the joke was very funny.

Zheng Chen couldn’t muster a laugh.

Wang Jin didn’t laugh either; he said seriously: "Heir, please be cautious with your words. Such remarks aren’t funny and instead seem particularly frivolous. The Commandery Princess will come of age next year, and such comments tarnishing her reputation should not be made."

Jiang Yi faced a stern rebuke and couldn’t manage a laugh.

Wang Jin turned to Emperor Taihe: "I urge the Emperor to think thrice and not to do what will pain those who love you and delight your foes."

Emperor Taihe was silent for a moment, then smiled: "I’ve noted Wang She Ren’s words. I will consider them thoughtfully."

Then he instructed everyone to withdraw and personally took up the pen to write a letter to his cousin Shao Hua.

...

Zheng Chen and the others retreated together.

Jiang Yi, always jovial and carefree, had been mocked by Wang Jin but seemed unfazed, proactively approaching Wang Jin: "Wang the Fourth, today I was joking casually, don’t take it to heart or write a letter to complain to my cousin. Lest she gets annoyed with me."

Wang Jin tugged at the corner of his mouth: "The Heir jests. I have no correspondence with the Commandery Princess, nor am I one to stir trouble."

Jiang Yi blinked and laughed: "That’s good."

But Zheng Chen wasn’t about to let Wang Jin off and sarcastically remarked: "The Heir may be joking, but therein lies truth. The Nanyang County matters have nothing to do with Wang She Ren. Why speak for the Commandery Princess? Aren’t you afraid this will reach Prime Minister Wang, who might be displeased?"

Wang Jin retorted with a cold laugh: "This is a family matter of the Wang Family, not something for Zheng Sheren to worry about. What’s surprising today is Zheng Sheren’s words and actions."

"The fair maiden is desirable to the gentleman. Is unfulfilled desire reason enough to sow discord before the Emperor? Such actions lack gentlemanly grace."

Zheng Chen was stung by this, but showed no trace of displeasure on his face: "Wang She Ren’s words are mistaken. As a secretary, I rightfully consider the Emperor’s needs."

Li Boyuan stood by, silently observing.

Jiang Shaohua is indeed beautiful, but her nature is too fierce, and ordinary young men lack the courage to approach. Whether Wang Jin or Zheng Chen, both extraordinary youths of the Da Liang Dynasty, found themselves thwarted before Jiang Shaohua...

"Shao Hua is going to marry into the Prince Mansion with Elder Changning as a potential candidate. What’s the point in the two of you arguing here?"

Jiang Yi’s words simultaneously struck a chord with both.

Both Wang Jin and Zheng Chen fell silent.

That night, Wang Jin hesitated for a while before quietly writing a letter.

"Send this to Nanyang County," Wang Jin whispered: "Remember, don’t let anyone know about this. Even the Prime Minister’s Mansion should be kept out of it."

The long-term follower hurriedly complied.

...

The next day, Prime Minister Wang received news from the palace.

Not only the sending of letters, but the whole affair of the secretaries speaking before the Emperor and subsequent conflict was reported word for word to Prime Minister Wang.

A powerful minister controlling the court for decades certainly had eyes and ears in the palace.

Receiving the news, Prime Minister Wang was half angry, half amused: "This little brat is almost the laughing stock of the entire Capital City. Jiang Shaohua shows him no interest, yet he eagerly clings to her cold demeanor."

Jiao’s advisor beside him didn’t dare speak much.

Prime Minister Wang might scold his own son, but if anyone else dared say a word more, he would surely lose his temper.