Liang Fang and Wang Zhi had several things in common: they were both “roundworms” in Wan Zhen’er’s belly, thinking and doing what Wan Zhen’er did and being loyal to her; they were clever, cunning, and skilled in flattery, deeply loved by her; and they were both eunuchs. However, as disabled individuals, they did not feel dejected, but had ideals and ambitions, persistently pursuing desires and enjoyments beyond sexual love, such as power.
Between the two, Wang Zhi was more outstanding.
When the Emperor established the Western Factory Brocade Guard, Wang Zhi, who had followed Wan Zhen’er since childhood and become her trusted and capable assistant, obtained the position of Chief Eunuch. To repay Wan Zhen’er’s kindness and promotion, Wang Zhi implemented the principle of repaying a drop of kindness with a spring of water. For his master Wan Zhen’er, he was willing to take significant actions that would make people uneasy, such as launching trials, fabricating charges, persecuting loyal officials, capturing targets from royal mansions to the common people.
He probably went a bit too far, and Wang Zhi’s reputation was not good.
It was widely spread: “Today people know of Eunuch Wang, but not of the Emperor.”
These rumors were eagerly repeated by some, parroted to the Emperor. The Emperor just listened but paid no attention, treating them like a dog’s bark. How could one believe others’ words so easily? Everyone loves to stir up chaos – except for Wan Zhen’er.
The Emperor’s love for Wan Zhen’er had become obsessive.
People say that lovers’ intelligence equals zero. The Emperor’s intelligence was probably negative. Towards Wan Zhen’er, he always felt like he was in the throes of passionate love, unable to be happy without her. The Emperor stubbornly held onto his truth, believing that only Wan Zhen’er truly loved him, and no one was as good to him as she was.
Therefore, he turned a blind eye to all of Wan Zhen’er’s faults.
Wang Zhi was Wan Zhen’er’s dog.
With devoted followers and capable assistants, the small followers also needed to develop. Their main task was to do undercover work, or crudely put, “eating inside and climbing outside.” This was directed at people outside of her.
