Chapter 613: Not Much Time Left

Chapter 613: Chapter 613: Not Much Time Left

Jiang Cheng was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this, but vaguely sensed he had touched upon a key point, so he hastily pondered it over in his mind.

Pang Ban did not keep him guessing and continued, "The timing of the past major wars against the Barbarian Race was never quite like this time."

"You mean this time we discovered their movements in advance and forced the Barbarian Race to act?"

"No, no, Jiang Cheng, we’ve discussed before the situation inside the Imperial City, remember?"

"Sir, you mean those matters regarding the seven Princes..."

"Exactly. These past two years Your Majesty has continually allowed the Princes to act at will; now each Prince possesses his own faction. What do you think Your Majesty’s intentions are by doing so?" Pang Ban made his point clear.

"You mean Your Majesty will entrust the implementation of the policies to tighten money and grain to the Princes? This..." Jiang Cheng wanted to say, "That’s inappropriate," but he ultimately held back.

Pang Ban did not explain the rationale to Jiang Cheng, nor would he tell him that the Emperor had been taking potent, damaging drugs to sustain his vitality. Though the news had not spread outside, Pang Ban knew clearly the Emperor didn’t have much time left; this was indirectly confirmed by Pang Ban sensing the chaotic aura and Soul fluctuations emanating from the Emperor.

With so little time left, naturally affairs become more urgent. And at a crucial moment like this, military affairs happen to arise as well—two fronts at once. It’s risky, but it will test who has the greatest Ability.

With Pang Ban’s guidance, Jiang Cheng understood, but he was not as certain as Pang Ban.

"You needn’t overthink it. Your Majesty’s intentions are not for us to dwell on; just do your own job, observe more, act less recently. Watch your hands as well as your mouth—inspect the cities under your rule, don’t keep your gaze fixed on the Imperial City. Xuanqing Guard must not become entangled in these matters."

"Please rest assured, sir. I will strictly follow your teaching and never get involved in these affairs."

Pang Ban nodded. He trusted Jiang Cheng, and was confident in the Jingdong and Jingbei Governors—both had followed his lead for years. Only the Jingnan Governor, Liao Chengfeng, was becoming more unpredictable; he’d have to watch further.

"But have Black Water keep the information flowing. Our eyes can’t openly look at the Imperial City, but we must keep our inner eye closely attentive. Especially to those officials, including all the Princes—watch them as closely as possible. But also be careful not to expose yourself. Understood?"

"Understood, sir."

Jiang Cheng received his order and departed, while Pang Ban took the document Jiang Cheng had just presented and carefully examined it again.

Unlike the straightforward words he’d spoken to Jiang Cheng, Pang Ban’s heart was churning far more violently as he looked at the document than he had shown before.

What is Bai Changqing afraid of? This is crucial.

Bai Changqing, respected as Minister, possessed both authority and status among the highest ranks in the Jingjiu Dynasty. Besides the Emperor, how many could strike fear in him?

He himself, Pang Ban, might count as one; if Yang Yansi were still in power, he’d be another. As for the rest... Ye Lansheng, perhaps? And coincidentally, this time Bai Changqing was obviously avoiding Ye Lansheng—the very person he’d always followed for years.

Pang Ban, though rarely speaking in the Temple Hall these years, had kept both his eyes and ears open. He remembered how Bai Changqing and the five ministries other than the Ministry of War had always clustered around Ye Lansheng, advancing and retreating together countless times, thus granting the Civil Servant Group decades of dominance in the Temple Hall.

What happened to suddenly make Bai Changqing distance himself from Ye Lansheng? What could prompt him to disregard Ye Lansheng’s opinion and choose self-preservation?

Pang Ban first didn’t believe that Ye Lansheng would deliberately harm Bai Changqing—there had never been personal or interests-based grudges between them.

Second, Bai Changqing was no fool; he wouldn’t react so drastically for some vague, unclear matter. He must be certain something will happen, hence this urgency.

It certainly wouldn’t be a trivial concern, or Bai Changqing wouldn’t act this way. But... what could it be?

Pang Ban pondered for a long time but could not pinpoint any likely cause. Finally he let it go for now, calling out toward the door, "Send Bai Mian in."

There was a reply from outside. Soon, a middle-aged man in a white robe knocked and entered. He was the leader of Pang Ban’s informants, the one who had arranged for surveillance on Shen Hao.

"Sir, you summoned me?"

"Yes. Has there been anything noteworthy from Ye Lansheng lately?" Pang Ban asked as he slid the document Jiang Cheng had submitted over to the man.

"Reporting, sir, Ye Lansheng’s recent actions have not been particularly unusual. He has been meeting privately with subordinates, always at their respective residences. The specifics remain unclear for now." He answered as he took the document and quickly read through it.

After finishing, the man Pang Ban called Bai Mian spoke in a low voice, "Sir, it’s true Bai Changqing has rarely had dealings with the top officials at the Temple Hall recently. But aside from that, there’s no other action. Still, this analysis is quite interesting."

"Heh, don’t get ideas. You won’t get access to that channel. I’m showing you this so you’ll pay attention to it. Watch those Civil Servants, don’t miss any sign."

"Understood, sir."

"Also, what is the status of the Princes?"

Bai Mian’s complexion was not actually pale; rather, his skin was dark and weathered, a sign of frequent travel. "Bai Mian" had once been a nickname, now used by only a few.

"Reporting, sir, all seven Princes have been restless since Your Majesty decided on a southern military direction. They have shifted much of their focus from the Civil Servants to the Military. Guest Elders under the Princes are now visible at Government Offices related to the Four Major Armies’ Governor’s Mansions. It’s unclear yet how many were successfully recruited.

Additionally, several Princes have secretly expanded their personnel, all trained to ’Inner Guard’ standards. Some have almost five hundred people already."

"Heh, none of them are easy. Who appears weakest at the moment?"

"Comparatively, the Seventh Prince Yang Shu has recruited the weakest force, but he is strongest regarding silver coins. According to our covert investigations, the ’tea’ business among Imperial Merchants has already come under his control."

Pang Ban shook his head. "Money alone is of little direct use. Yet being weak may not be a bad thing; at least if Your Majesty wishes to balance the contest, he would help adjust the Princes’ power levels to a roughly equivalent footing."

Bai Mian probed, "You mean the Seventh Prince will benefit greatly?"

"Yes. Most likely, very soon."