Chapter Fourteen: The Shield Cracked

Hu Weiyong’s words, about to be spoken, were instantly caught in his throat. The choking sensation was unbearable, nearly suffocating him. His entire being was stunned and bewildered. This was the second time today that he was utterly dumbfounded.

What did he just hear? Liu Bowen actually kept copies of all his letters? Was this man seriously deranged? What kind of idler, with nothing better to do, would keep copies of all correspondence? Why on earth keep backups of letters one has written?

“Earl Chengyi kept copies of all his letters? What could be the reason for this?” Hu Weiyong displayed a measured look of puzzlement and asked aloud.

Liu Bowen smiled at him gently. “Though I am old, ailing, and lacking in ability, I still have a modest literary reputation. I have always hoped to someday publish a collection of my works. It would be impossible to write everything anew, so the best course is to keep records of all correspondences and writings through the years, to compile them into volumes later.”

Damn!

Hu Weiyong was completely blindsided. He had calculated every possibility but never expected this. Though he was educated, he was no orthodox Confucian scholar; the title of a clerical official fit him best. He never imagined that these serious scholars had such an unusual habit!

Seeing the faint smile on Liu Bowen’s face, Hu Weiyong felt not only the bitter pain and indignation of his scheming being utterly exposed but also the crushing humiliation of being intellectually outmatched and scorned.

Having passed the imperial examinations during the Yuan dynasty—how impressive was that? Being one of the Four Talents of Jiangnan—so what? What was the use of all that? Did he dare to compete in governance?

As Prime Minister, Hu Weiyong felt his defenses break down.

“Fortunately, Earl Chengyi has such a commendable habit. If the records are indeed as he says, it will prove his innocence and prevent him from suffering wrongful accusations,” Hu Weiyong forced a sincere smile and cupped his hands toward Liu Bowen.

His thoughts shifted swiftly; he did not believe Liu Bowen would dare lie at this moment. Since the matter was true, it meant his lethal move against Liu Bowen had utterly failed. At this point, it was best not to press further, lest he drag himself into trouble and lose both his cause and his position.

“Prime Minister Hu is a loyal man. Thank you for your effort. And it is fortunate that this old man had such an idea, which, though accidental, has worked in our favor,” Liu Bowen said with a knowing smile.

After seeing the three incomplete letters, Liu Ji understood everything clearly. Though outwardly calm, he was secretly sweating from the shock, realizing he had just narrowly escaped a life-or-death crisis, orchestrated by none other than Hu Weiyong.

This man’s heart was truly venomous! Despite his submissiveness, he was still intent on striking a fatal blow!

“A pure person proves their purity; a corrupt one proves their corruption. Moreover, with a wise ruler overseeing from afar, no one will be wronged...” Hu Weiyong, seemingly oblivious to the implication in Liu Bowen’s words, sincerely replied, even praising the emperor as well. Anyone who could hold such a position must have a thick skin indeed...

Half an hour later, a royal eunuch brought the items Liu Lian rushed home to fetch and presented them to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Taking them, the emperor invited Liu Bowen and Hu Weiyong to examine them together.

Comparing the aged paper and ink of the preserved letters with the fragments, the words matched perfectly. As Liu Bowen had said, these were polite reply letters—expressing gratitude for Liao Yongzhong’s gift but politely refusing and returning all the presents intact.

“This is strange. If the letters are indeed legitimate, why did the Liao family burn them at the Office of the Commander of the Imperial Guards? And only partially burned too,” Zhu Yuanzhang said, puzzled.

Hu Weiyong’s heart pounded wildly.

“Perhaps we should summon the Liao family to ask their motives,” he said with righteous indignation.

“Maybe in a panic, they tried to destroy key evidence to lessen Liao Yongzhong’s guilt and mistakenly included these insignificant letters,” Liu Bowen interjected, smoothing things over as if nothing was amiss.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced subtly at Liu Bowen. No wonder he was later hailed as the “Zhuge Liang of the tripartite kingdom” and “the unifier of the realm,” even rumored to possess the power to sever the dragon veins of the land. Though a scholar with lofty ideals, his mind was remarkably quick.

While many accolades were exaggerated, the fact that such legends persisted spoke to his genuine merits.

“Mr. Liu’s explanation is reasonable. We shall consider the matter settled,” Zhu Yuanzhang agreed, following Liu Bowen’s lead.

“Prime Minister Hu, please attend to your duties. The Secretariat is busy and cannot do without you,” the emperor said.

Hu Weiyong bowed and took his leave, maintaining a composed expression as he distanced himself from the Wuying Palace. Only then did he exhale deeply, a chill running through him as a gust of wind blew.

His inner garment was soaked with sweat.

The experience was terrifying. This time, the fox was not caught, but he had surely made a mess of things.

By all rights, his scheme had no flaws. So why, at the last moment, did the emperor suddenly change his mind and spare Liu Bowen? Moreover, the emperor knew he was behind the scenes manipulating this matter.

Fortunately, the emperor chose not to investigate further, letting the matter drop. Had he probed deeper, Hu Weiyong feared the consequences would not be favorable.

With this thought, he straightened his back.

To strike iron, one must first be strong oneself.

The emperor’s restraint was not merely magnanimity. The greatest reason was that Hu Weiyong was undeniably talented and efficient, indispensable to the emperor. Without him, the Secretariat could not function.

As long as he maintained this, his position was secure—the prime ministership was his to keep.

The only regret was that he remained the Right Prime Minister, while the Left Prime Minister post was still vacant.

Now, only Liu Bowen and Li Shanchang had the ability and qualifications to become Left Prime Minister.

Whichever one took that position would surpass him, relegating Hu Weiyong to Deputy Prime Minister.

The thought was deeply unpleasant.

He had hoped to eliminate Liu Bowen this time, yet had instead granted him a reprieve. The emperor now even addressed Liu as “Mr. Liu.”

Though Li Shanchang had returned to his hometown, he was far from idle. Taking on the immense responsibility of constructing the capital city, he labored relentlessly—primarily to build merit and return to the Secretariat as Left Prime Minister.

These swirling thoughts vexed Hu Weiyong.

As for whether the mishap would implicate Cao Xiu, Right Commander of the Imperial Guards, Hu Weiyong did not dwell on it. Regardless of Cao Xiu’s fate, he could no longer rely on him for matters. Moreover, Cao Xiu’s relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang was unusual; the emperor likely would not punish him severely, and if he did, it would be superficial at best.

...

Only Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen remained in the Wuying Palace.

After a pause, Liu Bowen knelt once more before the emperor.

“Mr. Liu, do you wish to express gratitude for the life-saving grace?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked, his mood evidently good.

“It is indeed to thank Your Majesty for your great mercy, and also to speak some matters to Your Majesty...” Liu Bowen replied.

...

“Tut, tut, tut, Third Prince, what’s wrong with you?

Why did Father punish you?

You, the model student of the Grand Hall, why did you get beaten too?

Why did Father beat you but not me?

Does Father enjoy the feeling of his shoe soles striking you?

Ah, it’s been so long since Father hit me—I really miss it!”

At the Prince of Jin’s mansion, Prince Yan Zhu Di circled around Third Prince Zhu Gang, scrutinizing him and making a series of mocking clucking sounds, clearly reveling in the moment.