Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 32 The Underworld's Anti-Corruption Plan

Whoever benefits the most is the prime suspect.

If only one person benefits, then that person is most likely the real culprit.

Liu Bei felt that Yang Qiu's suspicions were very reasonable, and Wang Fu was indeed the most suspicious.

The problem is that Wang Fu is currently the most powerful eunuch. His father, brothers, and sons are all high-ranking officials, ministers, governors, and magistrates. His family has officials all over the Han Dynasty, and his power is immense.

If he were to consider his own safety, Liu Bei would really not want to participate in such a high-level game.

Ke Yangqiu mentioned 'Champion Marquis'...

Liu Bei knew how Wang Fu had obtained the title of Marquis of Champion.

In the first year of the Xiping era, Wang Fu had someone accuse Liu Kui, the King of Bohai, of plotting a rebellion. Liu Kui was imprisoned and subsequently died in prison. The Bohai kingdom was abolished.

The current emperor, Liu Hong, was able to ascend the throne because he was young and was supported by his maternal relatives. Before becoming emperor, he was just an ordinary member of the imperial clan, the Marquis of Jiedu, and could only be considered a distant relative of the deceased Emperor Huan of Han, Liu Zhi.

Liu Kui, the Prince of Bohai, was Emperor Huan's younger brother and the prince closest in blood to the late emperor...

The year Liu Kui died in prison was also the year Liu Hong officially assumed power.

Moreover, Liu Kui "committed suicide" in the imperial prison...

Since there was no concrete evidence of Liu Kui, the Prince of Bohai, plotting a rebellion, the only explanation he could have committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

In other words, at that time, there were probably too many partisans who were convicted due to the Party Prohibitions. In order to prevent the partisans from supporting Liu Kui outside, it was necessary to first accuse Liu Kui of treason to avoid the chaos that would shake the throne.

The achievement of Wang Fu was to eliminate the royal family members closest to Emperor Huan's bloodline, thus putting the emperor at ease.

Therefore, Liu Hong bestowed upon Wang Fu the title of Marquis of Champion.

But in Liu Bei's eyes, this was absolutely disgusting.

The title of Marquis of Champion must be given to a peerless hero like Huo Qubing, whose achievements surpass those of the entire army. How could it be bestowed upon a power-hungry and treacherous servant?!
How could Wang Fu, a mere eunuch, be compared to Feng Lang Ju Xu?
In Liu Bei's view, bestowing the title of Marquis of Champion upon a eunuch was far more serious than openly selling official positions.

This is an insult to the soldiers who died for their country, and an insult to the glory of the Han Dynasty for hundreds of years!

After Wang Fu, the title of Marquis of Champion became a disgrace, and no Han man wanted to receive this title anymore.

Wang Fu, on the other hand, dared to use this title himself, referring to himself as such everywhere, and was quite pleased with himself.

This matter alone warrants execution!
...They all deserve to be executed!

"Given Wang Fu's current power... how will Yang Sili deal with him?"

Although Liu Bei was a time traveler, he still had a few drops of passion in his heart and no longer used the risk as an excuse to back down.

"Since the emperor favors Wang Fu, I cannot directly imprison him."

“But Wang Fu has an adopted son, Wang Meng, the Yongle Shaofu. This man is unruly and lawless. I can find a charge to bring Wang Meng into the imperial prison for questioning.”

"However, as Wang Meng is a palace attendant, I cannot torture him severely. Therefore, you need to force Wang Meng in prison to confess that Wang Fu colluded with the Xianbei, which led to the loss of the army and the disgrace of the country."

“Even without concrete evidence, it doesn’t matter. As long as Wang Fu can be imprisoned because of this, I can eradicate this great evil and completely eliminate it.”

Yang Qiu looked at Liu Bei, implying that he wanted Liu Bei to abuse Wang Fu's adopted son, Wang Meng, in prison, forcing him to implicate Wang Fu.

So it turns out they didn't want him to be an undercover agent, but rather a prison bully?
Moreover, it's not about obtaining any evidence. Even if it's just about having Wang Meng frame Wang Fu, as long as it gives Yang Qiu a handle to put Wang Fu in prison, that's fine.

Now Liu Bei was much more at ease.

However, after thinking for a moment, Liu Bei looked at Yang Qiu again: "What if the real culprit is not Wang Fu?"

"It can only be him, and it must be him... I was present when the matter of conquering the Xianbei was proposed in court, and I personally witnessed Wang Fu instigating the emperor to launch the campaign. If the real culprit is not Wang Fu... Hmph..."

Yang Qiu glanced at Liu Bei and said, "The real culprit behind this can only be Wang Fu."

Liu Bei was silent.

Yes, it can only be Wang Fu.

"Is it easy to find fault with Wang Meng? Besides, what if she refuses to implicate Wang Fu no matter what?" After a moment of silence, Liu Bei turned the topic to the specifics of execution.

“The charges are easy to find. But if Wang Meng really refused to yield even in the face of death... then it is you who bullied a prisoner to death in prison, and it has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Yang Qiu spoke frankly: "But I have already told you all my plans to eliminate the traitors. If you are unwilling to carry them out, then I will have no choice but to kill you to silence you."

Yes, Yang Qiu had already told him his plan to eliminate Wang Fu. If he backed down, Yang Qiu would have to kill him to prevent the news from leaking out.

Then we must make Wang Meng bite Wang Fu out...

This is Yang Qiu's pledge of allegiance to him; if he doesn't cooperate, he'll die now. If he's incompetent and fails to accomplish his task, he'll spend the rest of his life in prison.

Liu Bei felt that Yang Qiu was indeed a gangster, and that he should learn from him.

"This matter is extremely dangerous. I fear that if I am imprisoned, I will not be able to return to public service. There is a musician named Zuo Ji outside the door. I would like to ask Yang Sili to take care of her."

After careful consideration, Liu Bei brought up Zuo Yuan.

"A courtesan? I noticed you were carrying Cao family horses and just mentioned Cao Mengde's official reputation, so you must have some connection with the Cao family... But you are someone who rose through the ranks by military achievements, how could you be like Cao Cao, a son of a powerful official, who indulged in sensual pleasures?"

Yang Qiu shook his head with a hint of sarcasm: "You asked me to look after that musician, is it because you intend to take her as a concubine?"

Clearly, Yang Qiu disliked all the eunuchs, and by extension, he disliked Cao Cao as well.

“Since Wang Meng is the Yongle Shaofu (Minister of the Imperial Household Department), he naturally has to receive tribute. And Zuo Ji is a tribute musician, so she should be registered in the Shaofu.”

Liu Bei looked up and stared directly at Yang Qiu, saying solemnly, "I do not intend to take her as a concubine, but rather to work with her to punish evil and uphold justice for the Han Dynasty..."

"She is a comrade-in-arms."

……

Wang Meng, Junior Chamberlain of the Yongle Emperor.

The Imperial Household Department was in charge of the royal family's finances, and Yongle Palace was the Empress Dowager's palace.

Wang Meng was essentially the Empress Dowager's steward.

The position of Yongle Shaofu was the best job in the entire Han Dynasty, because it was the easiest position in the world to make money, bar none.

The emperor's steward might have to find some excuse and reason to make money, but the empress dowager's steward could be completely unreasonable.

After all, the Empress Dowager's affairs are beyond the reach of the law and family rules, and even the Emperor has to uphold filial piety.

In addition, Wang Meng's godfather was Wang Fu, a powerful eunuch. With such a powerful godfather protecting her, Wang Meng lived a very comfortable life.

Once people are living a comfortable life, they will naturally have higher pursuits, such as taking more concubines or having more children.

Wang Meng's number of concubines has been growing rapidly in the past two years, and it is about to reach three digits.

The child has also surpassed double digits. If he can live a few more years, he will probably have a good chance of catching up with Prince Jing of Zhongshan back then.

Having more kids also brings worries.

If I lose my status in the future...

Ideally, he should be granted a marquisate like his godfather Wang Fu, so that his descendants could benefit from it.

"Your Excellency, tribute has entered the Imperial Music Bureau. Would you like to take a look?"

A subordinate came to report to Wang Meng.

In fact, the title of Shaofu should not be "Fujun" but should be "So-and-so Shaofu".

But it's different here with Wang Meng... Wang Meng's surname isn't actually Wang. If you call him Wang Shaofu, you're likely to get beaten up.

If you don't address him as "Your Majesty," you're likely to get beaten up.

(End of this chapter)