River Sea, Chaoping County, Governor’s Office.
The north wind howled for days, with a cold and biting drizzle. In the main hall, only Wu Changlin remained by the stove, savoring fragrant tea, enjoying life to the fullest.
Being the eldest legitimate son of the Jiangdong Wu Family and the Emperor of Da Wei’s brother-in-law, he held this lucrative position in River Sea. Just this port in Chaoping County alone brought in a fortune daily, providing huge revenue for the Maritime Trade Bureau. Across the land, people sought to curry favor with him, and with the Emperor’s intention, he also held local military power.
In River Sea, he was almost like a local emperor.
Wu Changlin’s mood was indescribably carefree.
A cold gust blew through, and the hurried footsteps from outside suggested they were chilled to the bone.
Wu Changlin’s confidant and clan relative from the Wu Family, Wu Qingzhi, pushed open the door, holding a folded document. He entered without bothering to warm his already reddened hands by the fire, instead eagerly handing the document to Wu Changlin, exclaiming, "Young Clan Leader, this is an official document from the Court, personally penned by Regent Geng, requesting your transfer to the Capital. Young Clan Leader, you’ve been promoted."
After speaking, he stomped his feet and then gathered around the stove to warm up.
Wu Changlin furrowed his brow, quickly opening the document to read.
Geng Songfu first praised Wu Changlin’s achievements in River Sea, showering him with beautiful words of commendation.
Finally, to recognize his merits, Wu Changlin was to be transferred to the Capital to serve as Left Deputy Imperial Censor, Standard Fourth Grade.
Although a Governor is also Fourth Grade.
But one is a local official, the other a Capital Official, so it could be considered a promotion.
"Young Clan Leader, what’s the matter?" Seeing Wu Changlin’s sullen face, Wu Qingzhi’s smile faded, and he asked.
"As I said, refer to me by my title while outside." Wu Changlin snapped coldly.
"But here it’s just me and the Young Clan Leader..."
"Hmm?"
Wu Changlin glared at Wu Qingzhi, making him swallow his words forcefully.
Wu Changlin put away the document and casually tossed it aside, saying, "This is no promotion; it’s clearly a nominal promotion but a real demotion. The Censor seems to have the power to oversee hundreds of officials, reporting directly to the Emperor, but it doesn’t hold the real power of a Governor.
In River Sea, I was the boss, but once in the Capital, I’ll have to depend on others."
"Sir, why would you say that? The Patriarch is the Minister of War, your sister is the Empress, even in the Capital, who would dare to put on airs in front of you?" Wu Qingzhi chuckled.
"Alas, you don’t understand Regent Geng’s intention." Wu Changlin sighed, having almost served three years in this position. Geng Songfu transferring him to the Capital was entirely reasonable and procedural.
"Intention?" Wu Qingzhi didn’t understand.
"Regent Geng is worried I’ll grow too powerful in River Sea. Father is the Minister of War, my sister is the current Empress, my nephew is the Crown Prince, our family is a prestigious clan in Jiangdong, and I hold the position of Governor with remarkable achievements. No one would feel safe." Wu Changlin didn’t mention one more thing; he heard there was some Jiangdong Faction in the Capital, large in number, and entangled in many affairs.
Such a foreign relative can only be subdued as long as the Emperor is young.
If the Emperor ages and the Crown Prince is still young...
Tsk tsk, it’s simply unthinkable.
"This..." Wu Qingzhi thought, acknowledging the Court’s worry wasn’t unfounded, especially with the Patriarch still commanding troops outside.
"Sir, why don’t you have a word with the Empress about not transferring you to the Capital?" Wu Qingzhi suggested.
"Foolish." Wu Changlin lightly reprimanded, "If the Court now only harbors this concern, trying to prevent future troubles, going to plead now would essentially confirm the issue. Do you want to cause trouble for the family?"
Wu Qingzhi bowed his head and saluted, saying, "I stand corrected, Sir."
"Alas, let’s stand firm till the end. Going back to the Capital isn’t bad; at least mother and sister are there, and we can often reunite." Wu Changlin voiced this, yet deep down, he couldn’t quite mask his disappointment, feeling the Court distrusted him too much.
After a long period of melancholy, Wu Changlin asked, "Right, has today’s Government Gazette arrived?"
"It should have; I’ll go fetch it," Wu Qingzhi replied.
Wu Changlin waved his hand, "Be quick about it."
Soon, Wu Qingzhi returned with the Government Gazette, his face filled with excitement.
Wu Changlin’s eyebrows twitched; what had happened? He put down the document he picked up again to check, and asked, "What is it now?"
"Sir, good news, heavenly good news, the Jin Xia Kingdom is completely destroyed." Wu Qingzhi said excitedly.
Wu Changlin was stunned, "Didn’t the previous Gazette report about Jin Xia’s surrender? Now it is completely destroyed, what does that mean?"
He took Wu Qingzhi’s Gazette and opened it to read. Instantly, he sat up, picked up the teapot to refill his cup to savor the news carefully.
The Emperor discovered Jin Xia’s plot and decisively eradicated this resisting force within Jin Xia’s borders around the Datong Pass.
"Good." Wu Changlin shouted a good word, and all previous disappointment was set aside; this was too exhilarating.
After putting down the Gazette, Wu Changlin stood up, pacing back and forth within the hall.
Wu Qingzhi confusedly asked, "Sir, are you going to return home to rest?"
Wu Changlin stopped, speaking with determination, "Immediately dispatch people to announce to the Four Marshes and Seas of River Sea. Have every county produce an article to extol the Great Wei warriors’ achievement in exterminating the Jin Xia Barbarians."
As he spoke, Wu Changlin picked up the Gazette and strode towards the outside, "Prepare the sedan chair. Such exhilarating news cannot go unshared with the Nangong Family, hahaha..."