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If one were to compare Wang Yun and Yuan Wei before, Yuan Wei had always held the upper hand. Wang Yun often had to gauge Yuan Wei's attitude to adjust his own approach in handling affairs. But now—did Wang Yun still need to observe Yuan Wei so closely?
Now, Wang Yun was truly experiencing the benefits of controlling the Imperial Secretariat. No wonder the Yuan family's disciples and former subordinates were spread throughout the land. The Imperial Secretariat had long been subtly manipulated by the Yuan family. How could the officials appointed through the Secretariat not have countless ties to the Yuan family?
But now, the Imperial Secretariat was under Wang Yun's control. Naturally, he couldn't help but think: 'If I could maintain control over the Secretariat like the Yuan family did, wouldn't the officials of the empire someday bear the surname Wang?'
So, when Yuan Wei sighed nostalgically over their earlier tea, Wang Yun maintained a smile on his face, but inwardly, he scoffed. Times have changed. Did Yuan Wei really expect him to still obey his every word like before?
Moreover, hadn't Yuan Wei recently pushed through the appointments of numerous local officials via the Secretariat without consulting him, his supposed partner? Now that Wang Yun held the Secretariat, was he still expected to prioritize the Yuan family's interests above all else?
What a joke.
Wang Yun smiled and said, "If the Grand Tutor enjoys this tea, why not take some back with you…" But there was no follow-up—no order to prepare any, no further action. He simply sat there with a faint smile.
Wang Yun pretended not to catch the underlying meaning in Yuan Wei's words, treating the matter as purely about tea. On the surface, this seemed like feigned ignorance, but in reality, it was a clear statement of his current stance.
Yuan Wei chuckled but did not respond.
Ask for tea like a beggar?
Even if it were tea from Master Ge, it wasn't worth Yuan Wei lowering himself to beg for it! In this empire, if the Yuan family wanted something, others would deliver it to them without question. Since when did the Yuan family ever need to plead for anything?
Besides, Wang Yun wasn't really talking about tea. He was saying that now, if the Yuan family needed something from him, they would have to play by the rules of the gentry—offering something in exchange, whether favors or resources. The days of Wang Yun obediently doing the Yuan family's bidding were over.
You want something, Yuan Wei?
Then come and beg me for it!
Did Yuan Wei really expect Wang Yun to still jump at his every hint like before?
Hmph.
Yuan Wei's mood was indeed sour. In the past, out of respect for the Wang family of Taiyuan, he had sometimes personally visited Wang Yun's residence to discuss matters instead of always summoning Wang Yun to the Yuan mansion. Of course, part of it was also because the Yuan mansion drew too much attention, and some things were better kept out of sight…
But even so, for the head of the Yuan family—a lineage that had produced Three Excellencies for Four Generations—to personally visit was already an immense gesture of respect. Yet now, not only did Wang Yun fail to appreciate past favors, he even acted high and mighty, forcing Yuan Wei to openly plead for assistance.
This was simply…
As Yuan Wei looked at Wang Yun's smiling face, anger churned within him.
Back when Wang Yun was serving as Imperial Censor under the Excellency over the Masses, hadn't the Yuan family extended a friendly hand to him?
Yuan Wei's expression remained unchanged, still smiling as he said, "Today, we enjoy this fine tea—we ought to thank those who planted it in the past."
Of course, Yuan Wei wasn't referring to thanking Master Ge. Since Wang Yun had used tea to make a point, Yuan Wei followed suit, using the same metaphor to remind Wang Yun of the past.
There had been a time when Wang Yun offended Zhang Rang, one of the Ten Attendant Eunuchs during Emperor Ling's reign. Zhang Rang found an excuse to arrest Wang Yun and throw him into prison. Fortunately, a general amnesty soon came, and Wang Yun was released and reinstated. But Zhang Rang, never one to let grudges go, soon found another excuse to imprison Wang Yun again.
At the time, since Wang Yun was a prominent figure among the reformist gentry, his unjust imprisonment drew widespread attention. The reformist faction, adhering to the principle of opposing whatever the eunuchs supported, not only ensured Wang Yun's well-being in prison but also allowed colleagues and friends to visit him while lobbying for his release.
The Grand General He Jin, the Grand Commandant Yuan Wei, and the Excellency over the Masses Yang Biao jointly petitioned the emperor, pleading for Wang Yun's pardon. In their memorial, they wrote:
"…Wang Yun, specially selected for his duties, has punished traitors and pacified the loyal, bringing peace to the region within months… We, though unworthy of our positions as the Three Excellencies, dare not remain silent. We humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant Wang Yun a fair hearing, that his loyalty may be recognized."
It was a rare moment of cooperation between the imperial in-laws and the reformist faction. After reading the memorial, Emperor Ling commuted Wang Yun's death sentence—though he remained imprisoned pending retrial.
That winter, another amnesty was declared, but due to Zhang Rang's interference, Wang Yun was excluded. The Three Excellencies—He Jin, Yuan Wei, and Yang Biao—continued petitioning until, the following year, Wang Yun was finally released.
Thus, regardless of Yuan Wei's motives at the time, the fact remained: Wang Yun owed his life to Yuan Wei's intervention.
By mentioning gratitude toward the planter of the tea, Yuan Wei was subtly reminding Wang Yun of this debt.
Wang Yun's smile froze for a split second before quickly returning. "The Grand Tutor speaks wisely. Indeed, we must thank the heavens, the earth, the sunlight, and the rain alike."
Wang Yun did not deny Yuan Wei's past help, but he also pointed out that there were many things to be grateful for—implying that Yuan Wei's so-called favor was just one among countless others. His meaning was clear: I've reached this position thanks to many factors, not just you. And really, how significant was your contribution compared to the forces of nature?
It wasn't that Wang Yun was ungrateful. Over the years, he had already followed Yuan Wei's lead on many matters. Moreover, regarding Dong Zhuo, Wang Yun had initially opposed him only because Dong Zhuo monopolized all the credit, leaving Wang Yun with nothing—how could that not provoke anger?
But now, after careful maneuvering, Wang Yun had gained Dong Zhuo's trust and seized control of the Imperial Secretariat—a position he could never have obtained by blindly obeying Yuan Wei.
And now, Yuan Wei came to him, expecting repayment for past favors? How could Wang Yun accept that?
It wasn't that Wang Yun wanted to side with Dong Zhuo. But returning to Yuan Wei's fold would not bring him greater political gains…
Yuan Wei listened to Wang Yun's words, nodded, then tilted his head back with a hearty laugh, as if greatly amused. Wang Yun joined in the laughter, and the two appeared perfectly harmonious—though only they themselves knew the truth behind their smiles.