Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

The chapter describes the aftermath of the removal of a high-ranking official, Wang Gongchen, which shocked many and overshadowed the New Year celebrations. Xuan Ma's appointment as Prime Minister was seen as a beacon of hope, but the fall of Wang Gongchen led to widespread mourning and petitions for his release, with anger directed towards Wen Yan Bo for his alleged role in the downfall. Wang Ning An, the true mastermind, remained unfazed by the chaos, as he had loyal soldiers, many of whom were disabled from past battles, guarding his estate. He was focused on financial matters, particularly concerning exchange notes and the potential collapse of the royal bank due to overissuing. As tensions rose, Wang Ning An confronted Wang Gongchen in captivity, revealing the latter's embezzlement and exploitation of disaster victims. Wang Gongchen, initially defiant, began to panic as Wang Ning An laid out the evidence of his corrupt practices, including the manipulation of state grain supplies and land acquisition following a disaster. The chapter ends with Wang Ning An pressing Wang Gongchen to confess.

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