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 time Han Chou had formally invited Ugly Wang to a banquet.

In the past, Wang Jianhuo would have refused immediately. As a heroic pugilist, he needed to maintain good relations with the government 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 merchants from all corners of the realm – and in even greater numbers. They couldn’t come 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 resettlement, Wang Jianhuo had acted contrary to his usual nature, refusing social invitations from former friends. This had initially made Luoyang’s merchants very nervous, thinking they had encountered an incorruptible official. However, facts proved that Wang Jianhuo was quite adaptable and not rigid about government regulations. As long as merchants 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 plummeted. Former friends thought he had become arrogant from success, while officials and merchants believed he had lost his usefulness and no longer took him seriously.

Wang Jianhuo was accustomed to such shifts in human sentiment and simply did his best to resettle as many refugees as possible.

Once the siege of Jincheng showed signs of being lifted, he became Luoyang’s most sought-after person again. At his word, money, grain, carts, and oxen became readily available, and the remaining refugees were quickly sent back to their home regions.

Although the merchants had obtained everything they wanted, one thing made them extremely nervous: Ugly Wang wouldn’t accept gifts. He refused gifts from anyone, and despite merchants 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 numerous merchants only presented gifts to the Governor as was customary. Toward Ugly Wang, they seemed to have given up trying, but they took turns toasting him, being extremely humble and courteous.

As evening approached and the banquet continued, Han Chou invited Ugly Wang to move to his study for private discussion. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

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 comes 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 me this tea disappeared years ago – no one knows where. Some 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 name it.”

“Perhaps it awaits someone with the right connection.”

“Haha, this ‘person with the right connection’ had better come soon.” Han Chou’s expression grew serious. “Brother Wang, may I address you this way?”

“Your Lordship honors me – 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 memorials directly to His Majesty? Even I, the so-called Marquis of Luoyang and Prefect of Henan, must first submit my memorials 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 slammed 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 me to select more virtuous women 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 emerging 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 means to please “the palace.”

At the same time, 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 achievement. Congratulations, Your Excellency.”

Han Chou waved his hand. “I don’t care about achievements – 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 achievement.”

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 me. I won’t beat around the bush and waste time. Let me ask directly, Brother Wang – what are you really thinking?”

“What does Your Lordship mean by this?”

“Those merchants outside – we both know they’re profiteers. Their money comes 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 something?”

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 me, Your Lordship.”

Han Chou laughed heartily and rummaged through his desk, finding two papers from the messy 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 name, 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 some gifts from what people have given me, 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 me. Luoyang doesn’t know, His Majesty doesn’t know, and even the merchants outside don’t know. They only need one word from me 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 same as those merchants? If this matter really reached His Majesty, what benefit would that bring me? Brother Chou can rest assured – in Luoyang, your reputation for ‘integrity’ won’t be affected in the slightest.”

“Since you think so highly of me, it would be ungracious for me to refuse. I’ll have to accept without ceremony.”

Han Chou immediately resumed 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 mentioned to His Majesty the various methods of the merchants. When His Majesty returns to Luoyang, I can hardly say that the Luoyang merchants suddenly changed their nature and all became 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 mentioned it, I understood completely. Rest assured, this matter is extremely simple.”

Han Chou rummaged through the pile of papers again and pulled out another sheet covered in tiny characters – densely packed names filling the entire page.

“As long as these people remain untouched, the merchants 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 time to give them a lesson and make them understand the distinctions between high and low status.”

“Why don’t you give me 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 someone will naturally come 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 me, 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 someone who had attached himself to the dragon be moved by a few merchants? 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 home with two property deeds and two lists of names. 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 merely 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.

If you are reading this on an aggregator site, do consider visiting https://tuzhitranslations.wordpress.com/ to support this translation project by leaving a comment.

← CH 359CH 361 →