Chapter 68 Negotiation
The group returned to the Governor's Mansion in a grand procession, but only the Crown Prince, Sima Jun, and Wang's father and son were sitting in the meeting hall.
The interrogation was merely a formality. Sima Jun said the Crown Prince's personal trial was merely a scare tactic. Every profession has its own specialties, and Zhang Su was even more adept at interrogating people. He quickly handed the confession to the Crown Prince.
The prince did not read it, but just spread the confession on the shore and looked at Wang He gently.
The four people present knew the truth very clearly, but they did not reveal it and maintained a fragile sense of decency among themselves.
"What does the prince mean?" Wang Han asked.
The prince picked up the confession on the table and said, "It's late, and I've been busy all day. I don't need to read this confession. Please ask Wang Pushe to do it for me."
After he said that, he handed the confession to Wang Heng.
Wang Hao glanced at it quickly and said, "Nonsense, Your Highness, please don't read it."
He then tore the confession into pieces.
This move surprised everyone, including the prince.
The prince stood up suddenly.
Sima Jun said calmly, "The confession Wang Pushe tore up was only a draft, so it won't be a problem. The original copy with the fingerprints hasn't been delivered yet."
It was Wang Han's turn to have his expression slightly stiffened.
"Oh." The prince breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, it doesn't matter if I tear it up."
Wang Han knew he had been tricked by the Crown Prince and Sima Jun, and his expression turned cold. Having come to this point, he no longer cared about protocol. He assumed the airs of a high-ranking official and shouted, "What are the Crown Prince and His Majesty planning? Why don't you just tell me?"
The Crown Prince said, "There is indeed something I would like to discuss with Wang Pushe. Cheng Yu has committed a grave offense, and the Crown Prince of Changyang is in mourning and cannot perform his duties. As the Crown Prince, I must eventually return to the capital, and it is not convenient for me to deal with the affairs of Jingkou. The current governor must be appointed. I have pondered this matter for a long time today, and Ziheng mentioned General Zhu Yue, who I think is a good choice."
Sima Jun said, "When the Marquis of Changyang was alive, he highly regarded Chu Yue's talent and even went so far as to go against my father and forcefully bring Chu Yue to the Northern Palace. The Northern Palace is teeming with talent, and Chu Yue has managed to stand out among the officers, becoming the Yingyang General. His talent is unquestionable. Furthermore, Chu Yue is Xie's son-in-law. Now that such a major incident has occurred in the Northern Palace, the people are in a state of panic, and Xie's family is needed to rally them. Therefore, Chu Yue is the perfect choice."
The prince nodded and looked at Wang Hao: "What do you think, Wang Pushe?"
Wang Han looked at his nose and did not answer immediately.
In the final analysis, the reason why people have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation is that the Wang family is mostly composed of scholars, and there are no military generals with military achievements to match.
But even so, he didn't want the prince to take advantage of this.
"General Chu is indeed young and promising. However, since we're talking about rallying people's hearts..." Wang Hao said slowly, "I think it would be better to just use a member of the Xie family. Prince Xie is the only son of Marquis Changyang, and has accompanied him on numerous campaigns. He is the perfect choice for the position of Governor of the Northern Palace. Although he is in mourning, he must take over due to urgency. Now is the time for him to step forward and shoulder this important responsibility."
After saying this, he sighed, "Marquis Changyang spent his entire life in the military, ultimately sacrificing his life for his country. It's a heroic act. If the Crown Prince appoints an outsider to lead the Northern Court, Marquis Changyang will probably not rest in peace. Countless men in the Northern Court are loyal to the Xie family. If the generals are dissatisfied and trouble flares up, it could be another mutiny."
The prince said calmly, "I have considered Wang Pushe's proposal, but Prince Xie also has something to say."
After he said that, he asked someone to call Xie Xiao from outside.
Wang Han's gaze settled. Everything that had happened today had been planned out, something he hadn't anticipated.
The prince said, "Thank you, General. Please repeat what you just said."
Xie Xiao agreed and said, "I have long admired the Prince of Yuzhang and would like to join the Jiangzhou Army and serve the Prince."
When these words were spoken, not only Wang Han was shocked, but even Sima Jun was surprised.
He had just arrived with Wang Han and had no idea that the prince had such a plan.
"General Xie, do you know what you are talking about?" Wang Han asked, "Handing over the Northern Palace to someone else?"
Xie Xiao's expression was astute. "Our ancestors strengthened the Northern Prefecture to defend against the powerful barbarians and protect Jiankang. The Northern Prefecture is the most important of all prefectures, and the position of Governor of the Northern Prefecture should be held by a capable person. However, I am young and inexperienced, and I am not up to the task. I heard that the Crown Prince wants to appoint General Chu as the head of the Northern Prefecture, and I am delighted. With General Chu's ability, he will surely be able to revitalize the Northern Prefecture."
Wang Hao sneered and said, "General, are you sincere in what you said? If I were the Marquis of Changyang, I would be heartbroken to learn that my descendants were so cowardly."
Xie Xiao's face flushed red and he clenched his fists.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince advised, "Wang Pushe, you are too serious. Those things are in the past. There is no point in talking about them. What matters most is the present."
"Wang Pushe was wrong." Xie Xiao trembled suddenly. "Back in the battle of Kuaiji, it was because I didn't know how to judge the situation and rushed forward recklessly that I fell into a trap. My father has already taught me with his own life: showing off one's courage will lead to death."
His eyes were red as he continued, "Indeed, Wang Pushe is not my father, and he doesn't know what he expected of me. Wang Pushe is also not a military commander, and he doesn't know the weight of the title of governor. Wang Pushe called me a coward, and I have no way to defend myself. But this is my own path, and I've made up my mind, and I won't turn back."
After he finished speaking, he turned to the prince and bowed, "Please grant me your blessing, Prince."
The prince sighed softly, stepped forward to help him up, and patted his trembling shoulders.
"As the ancients said, knowing shame is the beginning of courage. It's not easy for a young general. I agree."
After he finished speaking, he said to Sima Jun, "Ziheng, go back and check for vacancies in the army, and then report to the outer military department."
Sima Jun looked at Xie Xiao and agreed.
Then, the Crown Prince smiled at Wang Hao and said, "Even Xie has agreed to appoint Chu Yue as the governor of the Northern Palace. So, Wang Pushe should agree to it. After all, this is the Northern Palace's own decision."
Wang Hao's face was cold as he said, "Military and national affairs are not to be trifled with! I will report this matter to His Majesty and the Queen Mother!"
"In that case, let's get back to the military and national affairs," the Crown Prince said. "Ziheng, go and present the fingerprinted confession. I will discuss with Wang Pushe who should be punished."
Wang Hao was about to speak when Wang Zhi suddenly started coughing.
He stared at Wang Han and winked.
Although Wang Heng was impatient, he still left temporarily under the pretext of going to the toilet.
"Father, please think twice about what happened tonight!" When they reached a secluded place, Wang Zhi pulled Wang Han aside and advised him.
He had just glanced at the confession and was horrified. There was no Wang Han's name on it, but the words "Wang Zhi" were everywhere.
"Is the position of Northern Governor worth my son's life?" He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "They dare not do anything to my father, but if they use my son to control my father, it will only bring harm and no benefit."
Wang Han's face turned pale and he said nothing.
"I know I'm angry," Wang Zhi said. "But there's still a long way to go. Who says Chu Yue will have smooth sailing once he takes over the Northern Palace? We have plenty of ways to bring him down in the future."
Wang Han looked at him angrily. "Useless thing! If you hadn't messed things up, would I have been outmaneuvered later? In the future, what can't be done today? You still expect to be able to accomplish it in the future? Wishful thinking!"
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