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Mist and rain shrouded Hangzhou.
Wei Heng, flanked by a large group of Western Factory men, stepped into the residence of the tax investigation imperial envoy, his face as still as water. He wore a vermilion python robe with four claws and over it, a sleek, black satin cloak. As he moved, his garments fluttered with an undeniable air of authority!
"I did not know of the inspector’s arrival and failed to welcome you. Please, inspector, forgive my negligence..."
A plump eunuch, with a ruddy and round face, hurriedly came out to greet him, laughing and gesturing from afar even before he spoke. He, too, wore a vermilion python robe, but its grandeur felt absurd on him, comically lacking any dragon-like fierceness.
Upon seeing the man, Wei Heng’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, then he stopped and respectfully cupped his hands without expression, considering that a sufficient return of the greeting. He ignored the eunuch’s ongoing chattering smile and went straight to the point, "Eunuch Wang, let’s save the pleasantries for later. Where is Wang Dashi, the official in charge?"
The man’s face stiffened, but he didn’t dare show any hesitation or dissatisfaction and hurriedly stepped aside to gesture Wei Heng forward, "Official Wang is in the back hall checking the account books..."
Before he could finish, Wei Heng strode past him and went straight into the back hall. The Western Factory men spread out, guarding various parts of the estate with their hands on their swords, treating the imperial envoy’s guards as if they were invisible.
Seeing this, the man could neither express anger nor complaint... The internal court’s strife was far more brutal than that of the outer court.
As the director of the Western Factory, Wei Heng, after Huang Jin of the Eastern Factory had been found dead in the Bian River, had risen in both authority and seniority to become one of the most prominent figures among over fifteen thousand eunuchs of the inner court, far beyond what this favored eunuch could afford to provoke.
Wei Heng led the Western Factory men straight into the back hall and immediately saw Wang Dashi, who was dressed in plain clothes and working on the accounts.
Upon hearing the bustling footsteps, Wang Dashi calmly put down his fine brush and, pointing at the account book, told an attendant at his side, "There is an issue with this entry, you check it first. Send the rest to me later for further inspection... Alright, you all may go now!"
"Yes!"
The government officials working in the hall stood up, bowed to Wang Dashi on the platform, and then left the back hall.
Seeing this, Wei Heng, without turning his head, waved his hand and the Western Factory men who had accompanied him respectfully withdrew.
"Clang..."
The doors of the back hall slowly closed.
Wang Dashi stood up, poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to Wei Heng, sighing, "You should not have come."
Wei Heng took the tea bowl without expression and said coldly, "With such a big issue at hand, how could I not come?"
Wang Dashi invited him to sit down, "But your arrival only makes the situation more complicated..."
Wei Heng gave him a look and placed the tea bowl on the table, "What exactly is going on? Do you have any idea?"
Wang Dashi took a chair and sat opposite him, shaking his head calmly, "To tell you the truth... no, I don’t!"
Wei Heng asked, "Then why do you say my coming has made things more complicated?"
After a moment’s contemplation, Wang Dashi began, "This issue... on the surface, it targets Lu Ting, you understand this, don’t you?"
Wei Heng, puzzled, "On the surface?"
Wang Dashi nodded, "On the surface."
Wei Heng pressed, "What do you mean?"
Wang Dashi spoke softly and unhurriedly, "If it were truly just to calculate Lu Ting, there are many better ways... For instance, the new head of Lianhuan Fort in Jinling, who’s currently causing quite the stir, would be an excellent tool. Just kill him, and Lu Ting will have no choice but to head south immediately."
As he was talking, Wei Heng was drinking water. When he heard Wang Dashi finish, he spat out his drink as if scalded by hot liquid, exclaiming, "You really dare to think. If Li Jincheng dies in Jiangzhe, that man will tear the sky of Jiangzhe apart!"
Wang Dashi smiled lightly, "Do you think that just because a few commoners die, Lu Ting will laugh it off?"
Wei Heng had a sudden realization, then took a deep breath and said, "So, I came instead, and it’s always better for us to act ourselves than for him to do it personally..."
Wang Dashi shook his head slowly, speaking softly, "I just said that this was only aimed at Lu Ting on the surface, and you’ve forgotten again?"
This all too familiar demeanor and tone made Wei Heng extremely frustrated... if he had the capacity for such a feeling.
"I hate speaking with you clever people, always beating around the bush. Can’t you be straightforward? What is the issue exactly, and can you give a clear answer?"
Wang Dashi exhaled, a bit exasperated... It’s tiresome to speak with someone who doesn’t understand!
"The issue is, on the surface it targets Lu Ting!"
He decided to skip the process and go straight to the conclusion, "But in secret, it’s very likely aimed at the Chief Minister, and perhaps even at the new policies!"
This time Wei Heng understood and narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flickering within them, "The corrupt officials of Jiangzhe are still not giving up?"
Wang Dashi replied, "Hard to say, but I feel... that’s not the case!"
"Oh?"
Wei Heng opened his eyes wide, "What do you mean?"
Wang Dashi answered succinctly, "Would you kill someone and bury the body on your own turf?"
Wei Heng pondered, "Setting a false trail?"
Wang Dashi shook his head, "It’s hard to say. The incident happened too suddenly, and the adversary acted extremely cleanly and professionally. The clues I have found are too few to corroborate."
Before Wei Heng could ask, Wang Dashi continued, "Originally, I wanted to design a trap to lure the opponent to make another move. As the saying goes, ’A sparrow leaves a shadow, a wild goose leaves a call.’ If they strike again, they will definitely leave some trace... but now, you have come."
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Wei Heng smiled, "My arrival means those petty people won’t dare to act rashly anymore, right?"
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