The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 064 Attendant Secretary Part 1
August 27, the Imperial Guards escorted Zhang Feng and his party back to the capital to await trial.
Setting out from Cizhou, after traveling about two-thirds of the way, they reached the newly constructed official road. Zhang Feng and the others, with their hands bound by iron chains, were imprisoned in a carriage surrounded by golden wheat fields. Xu Linghou, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, rode his horse next to the prison carriage and said to Zhang Feng, "Zhang daren, look, this is the official road you built through embezzlement. You have served as an official for more than 20 years. We passed the imperial examinations the same year. Why would you go this far?"
The character for 'profit' has a knife by its side. (TN: This is often used as a metaphor, indicating that the pursuit of profit or gain often comes with hidden dangers or risks. The "knife" symbolizes harm or danger that can accompany the quest for advantage, implying that profit and peril are closely linked.)
Zhang Feng, disheveled and unkempt, stared at the sky as if he could no longer hear Xu Linghou's words.
Three days later, the Imperial Guards returned to the capital, and Zhang Feng, along with more than a dozen other officials, was thrown into the Court of Judicial Review prison. That day, Wang Zhen personally delivered the ledger to the palace. Upon seeing it, the emperor was enraged and ordered the Court of Judicial Review to thoroughly interrogate Zhang Feng and the other corrupt officials to uncover the mastermind behind them.
At this time, Yuan Mu, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, who had been sent to Youzhou to oversee the construction of the official road, also returned to the capital. He sat in Qinzheng Hall of the Secretariat, took out a jar of high-quality Biluochun tea, and invited the two Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Works to enjoy it with him. In the main hall, the three most senior officials of the Ministry of Works sat around the table, and Yuan Mu personally poured the tea after brushing his sleeves. He took a sip and sighed in satisfaction.
"This is truly good tea! Life is short, and every day we live is one day less. We should not waste the opportunity to enjoy such fine tea."
Li Yude, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, held the tea cup in his hands and blankly stared at Yuan Mu. Beside him, the Right Vice Minister, Xie Cheng, lowered his head in silence, saying nothing.
Two days later, Su Wenyun, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, led soldiers to storm the Ministry of Works and arrested Xie Cheng.
The entire court was stunned.
The next morning, during the imperial court session, Yuan Mu was greatly astonished. He immediately stepped forward and pleaded guilty to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I have failed in my duties, allowing my subordinate to commit such acts of corruption and lawlessness! The official road in Cizhou is a matter of great importance to the people and an eternal legacy. The torrential rains of the Jing River washed away the bridge, claiming the lives of nearly a hundred craftsmen. I am guilty beyond forgiveness. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
In the Zichen Hall, only officials of the fourth rank and above could attend the morning court. After Yuan Mu finished speaking, Li Yude and several other officials of the Ministry of Works also stepped forward and said, "The officials of the Ministry of Works all failed in our oversight. We ask Your Majesty to punish us!"
Zhao Fu, seated on the throne, quietly observed the officials pleading guilty. After a long silence, he smiled faintly and asked Left Prime Minister Ji Wengji, "Ji qing, what do you think I should do?"
Ji Wengji stepped forward and said, "Xie Cheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, embezzled funds, leading to the collapse of the Jing River bridge and the deaths of nearly a hundred people. His crime is unforgivable. However, Minister Yuan was in Youzhou at the time, and though he failed to properly supervise his subordinates, it was not intentional."
Zhao Fu nodded, "Ji qing speaks wisely. Yuan qing, you were overseeing the construction of the official road in Youzhou for me. I should reward you for your service. But if I reward you, how can I face the spirits of the nearly one hundred craftsmen and officials who perished? So, let's call it even, shall we?"
Yuan Mu raised his jade tablet, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
"What a grace!" In the next moment, Zhao Fu's tone changed, and with a cold snort, he struck the floor of the Zichen Hall with his words, causing the officials to hold their breath. Zhao Fu let out a few cold laughs and said, "Let's call it even for the Jing River incident. But Yuan Mu, tell me, where were you three years ago during the southern snow disaster, when Xie Cheng was committing corruption and lawlessness?"
Yuan Mu felt a deep sense of despair, knowing he couldn't escape this trial.
Indeed, the emperor had sent three of his trusted officials to Youzhou, Cizhou, and Ningzhou not just to investigate the embezzlement of funds for the official road, but to uncover the corruption that occurred during the snow disaster in the south three years ago.
Three years ago, Jiangnan experienced a once-in-a-century snowstorm, freezing tens of thousands of people to death. The court allocated funds for disaster relief, but it was like a drop in the bucket. That winter, the land of the south was filled with barely clothed destitute. When spring arrived, the melting snow revealed the bones of the dead. Local officials reported the death toll and the number of missing persons to the court, shocking the entire empire.
The following spring, Zhao Fu personally went to the Temple of Heaven to pray for the people and issued an edict of self-reflection.
And just a few months ago, Zhao Fu ordered Tang Shen and Su Wenyun to search the Hanlin Academy for records in order to investigate this case of embezzlement.
Yes, the snow disaster was not just a natural disaster, but also a man-made one. It was not just a hundred craftsmen who died that time, but tens of thousands of innocent citizens!
Su Wenyun secretly investigated the case and found some clues, quietly arresting several local officials. He kept the matter under wraps and did not report it to the court, so the mastermind remained unaware. After rigorously interrogating the corrupt officials, he eventually uncovered that a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Works was involved in the embezzlement case during the snow disaster. The official had to be of at least the third rank.
There were only three officials in the Ministry of Works above the third rank: Minister Yuan Mu, Left Vice Minister Li Yude, and Right Vice Minister Xie Cheng. Zhao Fu sent his trusted men, Wang Zhen, Su Wenyun, and Song Xun, to the north to investigate who among them was the true mastermind. The collapse of the Jing River Bridge happened coincidentally, but Su Wenyun's fortune was so absurdly good that not only did he capture Xie Cheng, but his accomplishments also doubled.
The phrase "For a general's success, countless bones are buried" was a grim reality as the nearly hundred souls who perished in the icy waters of the Jing River became stepping stones on Su Wenyun's path to success.
In the Zichen Hall, Zhao Fu furiously rebuked Xie Cheng and scolded the entire court. Xie Cheng was now imprisoned, leaving Zhao Fu to direct most of his anger toward Minister Yuan Mu.
Yuan Mu knelt with a thud and pleaded with Zhao Fu: “Your Majesty, I failed in my duties. My sins are unforgivable! Please remove me from office and punish me. I am too ashamed to face Your Majesty or the people!”
Immediately, a scene of a loyal minister begging for punishment played out in the Zichen Hall.
Zhao Fu coldly scolded Yuan Mu for a few moments more, during which Yuan Mu wept bitterly, mourning the refugees who had died in the snow disaster three years ago and the citizens who had drowned in the Jing River. He repeatedly cursed himself for his poor judgment of character.
After some time, Zhao Fu relented, saying, “Enough, enough. This matter isn't entirely your fault, Yuan qing.”
Yuan Mu, on the verge of tears, cried out, “Your Majesty!”
“Six months of your salary will be docked. Go to Youzhou and don’t return to the Ministry of Works until the roads are constructed.”
“I accept the punishment!”
After this display of a loyal minister and a wise emperor, Yuan Mu stood up and rejoined the court officials.
Following the punishment came the rewards. The chief eunuch, Ji Fu, stepped forward and read the imperial decree: “Under Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor bestows favor. Su Wenyun, Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is promoted for his sharp judgment and exceptional courage. He is now appointed as Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, retaining his post as Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, effective immediately.”
Su Wenyun stepped forward from the ranks of judicial officials and loudly declared, “I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace.”
Ji Fu continued, “Under Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor bestows favor. Minister of Revenue, Wang Zhen, loyal and capable, is granted fifty taels of gold and thirty bolts of fine silk.”
Wang Zhen said, “I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace.”
“Under Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor bestows favor…”
After rewarding the entire investigative team that had gone to Cizhou, Zhao Fu announced the end of court, and the officials dispersed.
Today, Tang Shen was on duty in the palace, recording the daily proceedings as the chamberlain. When Zhao Fu returned to Chuigong Hall, Tang Shen, along with two junior chamberlains, followed him closely, keeping their heads down and remaining silent. Tang Shen did not ask why he alone had not received a reward for his service in Cizhou.
Once they arrived at Chuigong Hall, Zhao Fu shuffled through the memorials piled on his desk and joked, “Ji Fu, look at these memorials. Reading them every day gives me such a headache. I’m getting old, my eyes are blurry, and I can’t handle this many memorials anymore.”
Ji Fu immediately smiled and said, “Your Majesty is blessed with heavenly fortune and eternal life. You will never grow old.”
Zhao Fu laughed and scolded, “That mouth of yours always spouts such nonsensical flattery.” Then, looking at the chamberlains seated nearby, he turned to Tang Shen and asked, “Jing Ze, what do you think?”
Tang Shen immediately stood up and respectfully replied, “Your Majesty works tirelessly day and night, ensuring the people live in peace. Your strength and vigor are unparalleled, so how could there be talk of old age?”
Zhao Fu smiled, glanced at a memorial, and casually set it aside.
“Jing Ze, you’ve learned to speak like a eunuch.”
Sensing Zhao Fu’s good mood, and knowing some of the inside story, Ji Fu’s eyes twinkled as he softly said, “It seems Your Majesty has grown tired of this servant.”
Zhao Fu burst out laughing, “So you’re feeling wronged now.”
Ji Fu put on a pitiful face, as if too aggrieved to speak.
After their laughter subsided, Zhao Fu looked at Tang Shen and said earnestly, “Jing Ze, do you blame me for leaving you out when I rewarded the officials today?”
Tang Shen replied, “I would never dare. Serving Your Majesty and easing your burdens is my honor.”
“But I can’t let you go unrewarded,” Zhao Fu said, signaling to Ji Fu, who immediately stepped forward to read another imperial decree: “Under Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor bestows favor. Tang Shen, court chamberlain, sharp of mind and eloquent in speech, has earned the Emperor’s favor. He is hereby promoted to Fourth Rank, serving as an attendant secretary in the Secretariat, effective immediately.”
Although Tang Shen had anticipated this promotion, hearing the decree still caught him off guard. Flooded with emotions, he reflected on all he had experienced over the past year. Finally, he looked up, feigning a dazed and delighted expression, and gazed at Zhao Fu. With a choked voice, Tang Shen said, “Your Majesty…”
Zhao Fu smiled and said, “Jing Ze, why haven’t you accepted the decree yet? Do you not want this reward?”
Tang Shen quickly bowed and said, “I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace!”
After accepting the decree, Tang Shen returned to his seat among the chamberlains. Zhao Fu addressed him once more, “I’m assigning you to Qinzheng Hall, but this is also a bit out of my own personal motive. Look at these memorials from local officials. One writes, ‘The loquats in Lingnan are ripe, and my longing for Your Majesty is deep.’ What is the point of informing me about such trivial matters? And this one—so full of flowery rhetoric that it makes my head spin, only to end up as a birthday blessing two months early. If you go to the Qinzheng Hall, you’ll understand my intentions when reviewing memorials and concisely convey their essence to me, won’t you?”
Now that Zhao Fu had spoken, Tang Shen could no longer remain seated. He rose again and said, “I will certainly fulfill your mandate.”
Zhao Fu looked at Tang Shen and suddenly said, “I will miss you, Jing Ze.”
When these words were uttered, both Ji Fu and the other two court chamberlains in Chuigong Hall glanced enviously at Tang Shen.
Zhao Fu’s remark was half in jest and half genuine. On one hand, Tang Shen was one of the few hardworking young officials, having spent the past year by Zhao Fu’s side and becoming attuned to his thoughts. Moreover, Tang Shen was the junior brother of Wang Zhen, who was one of Zhao Fu’s closest confidants, which had earned him Zhao Fu’s favor in connection. Thus, Zhao Fu spoke sincerely.
But on the other hand, precisely because Tang Shen was so outstanding among the young officials, Zhao Fu also wanted to win his loyalty and ensure his allegiance.
As expected, Tang Shen, moved to tears, replied, “I am willing to give my all for Your Majesty until the end of my days!”
Zhao Fu smiled with satisfaction.
In the evening, the emperor went to the Immortal Ascension Platform to cultivate. Half an hour later, Su Wenyun, the newly appointed Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works and Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, entered the palace to seek an audience with the emperor.
Tang Shen and Su Wenyun met at the door of the Immortal Ascension Platform. The eunuch went inside to announce Su Wenyun’s arrival, leaving Su Wenyun standing at the entrance, exchanging glances with Tang Shen.
Su Wenyun smiled and said, “I heard that this morning, Tang daren was promoted to fourth rank and appointed an attendant secretary in the Secretariat. Congratulations.”
Tang Shen bowed slightly and replied, “Thank you, Su daren. I also congratulate you on your promotion to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.”
Su Wenyun's bright gaze lingered on Tang Shen for a long while before he said, “Ever since I returned from Cizhou, I’ve been pondering one thing. Tang daren, had someone really broken into the posthouse that night and killed us in your room, who do you think would have taken our corpses back to the capital to claim the credit?”
Tang Shen replied, “What hasn’t happened needn’t concern Su daren.”
Su Wenyun stared at Tang Shen for a while before saying, “You’re starting at Qinzheng Hall from tomorrow on. I’ll be waiting for you there.”
With that, Su Wenyun entered the Immortal Ascension Platform.