CHAPTER 458: CHAPTER 458: WANG FAMILY (PART 1)

Bang!

With a crisp sound, a fine jade paperweight in the study of the Prince Mansion fell to the ground and broke into two pieces.

The advisors in the study all shrank their heads, silent like cicadas in winter.

The Prime Minister Wang had completely lost his usual composure, his eyes seemed to be ablaze: "Wang Yi, that useless scoundrel! He couldn’t even control the officials in the Inspector Mansion, and got reported by his subordinates! The memorial has already been sent to the Capital City! That scoundrel! That coward! How did I give birth to such a hopeless son!"

Prime Minister Wang, in his anger, even uttered curses.

The advisors exchanged glances discreetly, finally all looking towards Jiao’s advisor.

Jiao’s advisor was the most experienced and most trusted by the Prime Minister. At such times, only he had the courage and confidence to speak up to persuade the Prime Minister.

Under the pleading and trusting gaze of his colleagues, Jiao’s advisor summoned the courage to comfort the furious Prime Minister: "Please calm down, Prime Minister. This matter must be the work of a villain behind the scenes, Young Master cannot be entirely blamed..."

"He’s already forty-two!" Prime Minister Wang cursed angrily: "He’s already a grandfather, he can’t even handle embezzling a bit of silver, leaving so much glaring evidence and handle. What’s his brain filled with? Must be water!"

The memorial recorded the facts clearly, impossible to deny. It truly was stupidity!

And it wasn’t as simple as the Prime Minister claimed, just embezzling a bit of silver. Governor Wang’s appetite was considerable; just the numbers listed in the memorial were extremely alarming. Almost equivalent to half a year’s tax revenue of Da Liang. It could be deemed the greatest embezzlement scandal in Da Liang.

Thus, it’s no wonder the Emperor was furious and beyond appeasable. The court’s national treasury was empty, military spending had been cut repeatedly, and the palace had begun to reduce expenditures. Meanwhile, Governor Wang lived a life of lavishness and debauchery in Jiangnan, forming a stark contrast.

How could Emperor Taihe not be angry? The fact he didn’t directly issue a decree to punish during the court assembly today was already a gesture of honor to Prime Minister Wang.

Jiao’s advisor continued to brace himself and comfort: "The situation has come to this point, getting angry now is futile. The Prime Minister should consider how to manage this situation."

Prime Minister Wang’s face turned dark: "How can it be managed? The matter with the Great General has not calmed down, and now another scandal emerges. If I protect my son, I’ll truly be condemned by thousands. How can I maintain any dignity as Da Liang’s Chancellor?"

The advisors were shocked upon hearing the tone of the conversation, unable to remain restrained and discreet, they all lifted their heads: "What does the Prime Minister mean by this? Is he intending to uphold justice over kinship?"

"This must not happen! The Young Master is the eldest legitimate son and the most accomplished male of the Wang Family generation, nothing must befall him!"

"Precisely, no matter how angry, the Prime Minister cannot ignore the matter!"

Wang Yi indeed proved unreliable, but he was still Prime Minister Wang’s eldest legitimate son. According to the tradition of clan succession, Wang Yi was supposed to be the next Family Head of the Wang Family.

However, over the years, Prime Minister Wang’s dissatisfaction with his eldest son was evident. Many had privately speculated that Prime Minister Wang favored his intelligent and capable younger son, and might pass the Family Head position to Wang Jin in the future.

Prime Minister Wang was in good health; enduring for another ten years was not a problem. By then, Wang Jin would be ready for the great responsibility.

This matter was only conjectured privately by many, publicly no one dared to speak carelessly. Now Wang Yi caused a great disaster, Prime Minister Wang cannot ignore his son; if he intervenes, the reputation of sheltering a useless son would fall upon him, truly a dilemma.

Knock Knock Knock!

The study door was suddenly knocked upon.

At such a time, only one person would dare knock on the door.

Sure enough, a familiar voice sounded from outside: "Father, it’s me."

The advisors quietly sighed in relief. Jiao’s advisor swiftly went to open the door, and standing outside was Wang Jin.

Wang Jin’s expression was not pleasant as well, and upon entering the study, he spoke softly: "Big Brother has been jointly impeached by over ten officials, the Emperor is extremely angry. Father, how do you intend to respond to this matter?"

Prime Minister Wang’s gaze swept over, and the advisors immediately bowed and took their leave.

After the door closed, only the father and son remained, thus their conversation was more direct.

"This matter was set up by the Zheng Family and their sons," Prime Minister Wang’s face was somber, sneering: "Those officials who impeached your brother are all their men. Your brother is indeed useless, even the Inspector Mansion had their pieces implanted. Sudden exposure caught us off guard."

Wang Jin was silent for a moment, then responded in a low voice: "The defending general of Peng City, General Zhao, defected during the battle, leading to Peng City’s defeat and massacre, causing the border army to retreat to Si State. Since then, General Zhao’s whereabouts haven’t been found, I’ve always felt this matter odd."

Prime Minister Wang looked at his grave-faced younger son, with a hint of gratification in his eyes: "You’ve thought this far, it shows you’ve gained experience."

"Although there’s no evidence, this matter doesn’t require evidence. The defeat of the border army is certainly related to the Zheng Family and their sons."

Wang Jin’s eyebrows suddenly tightened, his voice full of anger: "The border army’s defeat led to thousands of civilians in Peng City dead, young men and women kidnapped, and border soldiers suffered heavy casualties. How could they do this? How could they dare!"

Prime Minister Wang sneered: "What ’couldn’t’! What ’didn’t dare’! Zuo Feng was my right-hand man. To deal with me, they wanted to cut off this arm of the Zuo Family."

"Now you see, Zuo Feng has been questioned, involving the entire Zuo Family. The Prime Minister Faction’s influence has greatly diminished. Now people dare to jointly impeach your brother."

"Xiang Zhuang’s Sword Dance is Aimed at Pei Gong. This memorial is aimed at us father and son. Your brother’s misconduct left evidence and was caught red-handed. Now, I can’t help but intervene, saving him means inviting a heap of lawsuits. Tell me, should I save him or not?"

Prime Minister Wang’s gaze suddenly became sharp, tightly staring at Wang Jin.

Wang Jin felt a tremble within.

When he was born, his elder brother Wang Yi was already married and had children. His legitimate nephew was five years older than him. He was a late-born child, deeply loved by his father. His elder brother also cared for him greatly.

Ten years ago Wang Yi went to Jiangnan to serve as Inspector. Over the years, the two brothers have kept in contact through letters, their relationship was quite good. Every year on his birthday, his elder brother would gather many valuable items and send them to the Capital City. Often, even during ordinary times, he would send money and silver for him to spend.

As brothers, he couldn’t ignore his elder brother’s life or death.

But from the perspective of the secretary, he had no sympathy for the parasitic, greedy and blood-sucking Governor Wang, and should endorse heavy and strict punishment to clear away the unhealthy trend of embezzlement and deter the Jiangnan officialdom.

His father’s kind of questioning was asking him about his stance.

After all, was he Wang Family’s Fourth Lang or the Emperor’s secretary?