Huo Wujiu was well aware that if certain words weren't spoken now, it
would be very hard to say them the next time; if some lies were admitted, it
would also be difficult to turn back.
For instance, Li Changning's case.
In the beginning, Li Changning lied to Jiang Suizhou, saying that his legs
couldn't be cured. Wei Kai also disguised as Li Changning's disciple
instead of his subordinate. He had told those lies at that time, so if he now
told Jiang Suizhou he could stand up, it would mean admitting to that lie.
Maybe he had no experience in lying, so he didn't know how to face it. It
could also be because he somehow had an inexplicable guilty conscience,
not daring to let Jiang Suizhou know the thoughts behind his deception.
In a nutshell, his strong desire to share his joy with Jiang Suizhou was
shoved back in with difficulty, as if a fishbone was swallowed and got stuck
in his throat, pricking him painfully.
And this suffering of his naturally wasn't known to Jiang Suizhou.
He was over at Xu Du's, sitting together drinking tea.
The other day, he discussed this matter with Huo Wujiu to hear his opinion.
Huo Wujiu also agreed with his risky plan, so he settled as such.
He gathered up all the original owner's connections, found one hiding in the
Ministry of Justice, and contacted him in secret. When that person knew Qi
Min would be murdered, he was quite willing to help, so that person
became the one who saved Qi Min's life today in the courtroom.
Jiang Suizhou told him to start talking when the Hou Zhu was enraged—to
spare Qi Min's life for the time being, and assuming an indignant look, to
cut the weeds and dig up the roots, ferreting out those traitors hiding behind
Qi Min.
Pang Shao and Zhao Dunting's plan was quite secretive. Even if it was their
own faction's people, there wouldn't be many people who knew. As long as
this official raised this idea, it was inevitable for these people to respond.
After all, even if caught, it would be the officials that opposed Pang's
faction, and it would only benefit, not harm, them.
As such, Qi Min's life was retained for the time being.
Afterward, another person went up on stage.
——
The courtroom was momentarily abuzz with noise.
Many court ministers agreed with the Ministry of Justice official's idea. For
a while, many of the officials knelt. All of them appealed to let Qi Min live
for a few more days and dig out more information from him before letting
him die.
The situation was very grave. The Hou Zhu was especially indecisive.
Seeing the dissatisfied kneeling court ministers, he instantly gave an order:
organize a thorough investigation on all officials related to Qi Min.
For a while, the crowd of officials dared not obey.
At this very moment, an official knelt down with a thump.
"Indeed, Your Majesty! Qi Min should be investigated, all others in the
court that have had contact with Northern Liang deserve to die!" that
official said. "But, this servant is worried. Your Majesty, please let this
servant speak!"
All the officials looked over, and saw the one kneeling on the ground was a
sixth rank official under Qi Min.
This official just passed the imperial examination a few years ago. Since
entering the palace as an official, he had always worked under Qi Min. His
relationship with Qi Min wasn't considered very close, but he still was
virtually in the same faction.
For a while, silence reigned in the court. Everyone waited for his next
words.
The Hou Zhu said, "By all means."
The official raised his eyes and looked around the court. He kowtowed,
saying, "Letters were found in Qi Min's residence. Because it was all taken
unaware, he was caught red-handed. If Your Majesty goes to arrest him now
with much commotion, there will definitely be someone taking some
precautions and destroying any incriminating evidence. By then, even if
there are spies, it will be hard to look into."
The Hou Zhu found it reasonable.
He repeatedly nodded. "Then, what does aiqing* think?"
*aiqing – an affectionate term of address of a monarch toward a subject
The official grit his teeth, raised his head and said, "In the palace, Qi Min
has several close colleagues and disciples. Even if this official does not
mention this, Your Majesty must have been aware of this as well. What
about sending imperial guards now to check these people's houses? All of
us officials will remain in the hall and will not leave until the search has
concluded."
For a while, the surrounding officials were greatly surprised.
What kind of approach was this? Treating all the courtiers like prisoners
and detaining them in the same place, before dispatching troops to search
the houses?
This was simply extremely absurd!
But everyone could tell, this boy was making a dangerous move. Knowing
that Qi Min would fall, and he himself couldn't get away from Qi Min, he
sold Qi Min's party in advance, turning the tables, ingratiating before the
Hou Zhu.
For a while, the court ministers related to Qi Min all showed concern, and
many glared daggers at this person, as if he was a traitor.
But joy painted Pang Shao's face.
He knew Qi Min's people weren't all clean. Even if the so-called colluding
evidence wasn't seized, some vulnerable points could be discovered. He
had fooled Qi Min, and used this chance to tear up his power by the roots. It
was better to cut the weeds and dig up the roots, so as to avoid those people
who still wanted to avenge Qi Min.
With this in mind, he stepped forward and said, "This servant also thinks so.
The crime of colluding with the enemy cannot be looked down upon. Your
Majesty, why not try this approach?"
The Hou Zhu, hearing that person's suggestion, was already tempted.
Hearing Pang Shao agree, he said, "Then, let's go with aiqing's suggestion."
Immediately, Pang Shao smoothly recited the full names of several officials,
all of whom always went against him, but whose vulnerabilities couldn't be
caught.
But after he finished, that official who first made the suggestion
commented, "Your Majesty, although Zhao Dunting-daren was the one who
accused Qi Min, he's still Qi Min's pupil, and although he is always on
friendly terms with Qi Min, he can't be left out."
Hearing that, Pang Shao impassively glanced at that person.
And saw that person looking up at the Hou Zhu, waiting for the Hou Zhu's
instruction.
Pang Shao coldly laughed in his heart.
Truly a person so eager that he became brainless. He himself had already
delivered his words, and he still had to interrupt. It seemed he had gone
mad from wanting to make worthy contributions and lost his sense of
propriety.
Anyway, there was no trace of his contacts with Zhao Dunting, and the only
physical evidence was those several letters framing Qi Min, which had long
been sent to Qi Min's residence. Even if an investigation was needed, Zhao
Dunting was not afraid. After being checked along with the others, it would
instead purge him of the suspicion of fabricating charges.
With this in mind, Pang Shao coldly looked at that official, and said:
"This official was careless and forgot Zhao-daren," he said. "Since they
have a master and apprentice relationship, have him investigated along with
the others."
——
The palace was thrown into chaos. The news was delivered to the prince's
residence very quickly as well.
Jiang Suizhou watched as the situation gradually shifted to the direction of
his plans, and his dangling heart gradually was laid down.
Toward sunset, the most significant news was sent in.
Letters were found in Zhao Dunting's residence.
They were actually Pang Shao's. The continuous letters, according to the
words of Pang Shao's attendant, instructed Zhao Dunting how to frame Qi
Min step by step, even telling him to send the letters Pang Shao had
prepared over to Qi Min's study with the excuse of visiting the sick.
The letters were placed in the most hidden secret compartment in the room.
All matters, step by step, all could be matched with the events of these days.
Zhao Dunting was filled with surprise seeing those letters, and immediately
cried as if wronged. But with the ironclad evidence, he had no way to
refute, and was imprisoned then and there, replacing Qi Min out.
Meanwhile, Pang Shao attempted to explain to the Hou Zhu, but the Hou
Zhu did not bother to listen even a word: he lost his temper and had people
drag Pang Shao out of the imperial palace.
Jiang Suizhou knew that since Pang Shao did not commit collusion,
although he framed a court minister, he wouldn't really receive a
substantive punishment.
However, the crack between him and the Hou Zhu would be more severe to
the extent that it couldn't be healed.
This, to Pang Shao, was a loss more grave than being punished.
Jiang Suizhou breathed a sigh of relief and instructed Xu Du to rest up, then
left his residence. He headed back to Anyin Hall.
When he passed the garden, he had the palanquin take a detour to the wine
cellar in the prince's residence. After taking two jugs of fine wine, he left.
Such a great occasion, how could he not celebrate with wine?
When he returned to Anyin Hall, lamps had been lit up all around. He
hugged the wine jugs as he stepped off the palanquin, and went straight into
the main house. But his footsteps faltered.
He stood right in the middle of the courtyard, gazing northward, only to see
the lights of Huo Wujiu's room passing through the window gauze, slightly
flickering.
Jiang Suizhou's heart faintly stirred.
How could he drink this merry wine alone?
With this thought in mind, he turned on his feet and walked toward the
light.
It had not been a day since Qi Min was thrown into the prison, when he was
let out.
Even the Hou Zhu felt guilty toward this old pedant whom he hadn't liked
since childhood. After he was released from the prison, he had him stay in
the palace first. Only after consoling him with a few words did he let him
go home.
When Qi Min arrived home, the streets were already lit with evening lights.
His whole family had been let out of the prison and had been waiting in
front of the door to welcome him. His several good friends also waited in
front of the residence. Seeing him get down from the carriage, they all came
forward to congratulate him.
They just escaped from a crisis; it was a happy occasion. After Qi Min
exchanged pleasantries with them one by one, he welcomed everyone into
his residence, inviting them to stay and eat first before going back.
The officials naturally did not decline.
Qi Min set up a feast in the house, as if congratulating everyone. He was
normally thrifty, and this time, after his house was searched, he also didn't
bring many silvers out.
So this feast was prepared quite simply. However, everyone in the feast was
his best and closest friends; all of them knew how he was.
The officials closed the doors and feasted. After everyone was full and
delirious from the drinks, their talks gradually became open.
"Today in the courtroom, I found out what a shallow person is like," an
official drunkenly said, holding a wine cup.
For a moment, everyone lost their voices, gradually quieting.
That official still continued, "Qi-daren has students everywhere. Those who
are acquainted with him, aren't they seasoned scholars? But today, the one who framed him, fanned the flames, and took advantage to plead innocence
—of all people, it's his disciple whom he tutored!"
Although Qi Min had never been a teacher, scholars always placed
importance in manners. If a student wanted to be an official, they had to
pass the imperial examination, and the candidate who passed the imperial
examination must always remember the kindness of the examiner who
recognized their worth, so they should address their own examiner as
'teacher'.
And Qi Min had been the head examiner of the imperial examination for so
many times already.
Hearing these words, silence fell.
After a moment, an official gulped down a glass of wine, and put the wine
glass atop the table with a clang.
"Dunting…! Who would have thought, the one who did this is Zhao
Dunting!"
The officials who were sitting all knew Zhao Dunting had been most filial
to Qi Min. In those years, Zhao Dunting was impoverished. He sold his
ancestors' residential land to enter the capital and take the imperial
examination, and even suffered from being robbed by thieves outside the
city. When he entered the capital, he was penniless. Qi Min came across
him just then and helped him financially, so that he could remain in the
capital and take the examination.
And, henceforth, Zhao Dunting repaid Qi Min day by day, and it was seen
by all eyes.
Hearing these words, everyone's expressions at the feast became all the
heavier. And Qi Min was silent for a long while. He picked up his
chopsticks, grabbed some food, and brought it into his mouth.
"I've never taught him. He passed the imperial examination and serves for
the imperial court. It's all his own skill and good luck," he said impassively.
"I don't count as his teacher; what he did to me also does not count as a
betrayal."
For a while, everyone heaved a sigh.
Then someone continued, "Today's matter is also good for Qi-gong*; we
discerned certain people's nature. It's a blessing in disguise."
*gong – respectful salutation for an elder
An official on the side praised, "That's right. Zhang Yan, Qi Min's
subordinate who stubbornly wanted the emperor to thoroughly investigate
Qi-daren's relatives and friends, is a dark horse."
All around, everyone nodded.
But saw Qi Min put down his chopsticks.
"He is not," he said.
The official on the side was surprised. "What Qi-daren is saying is…?"
Then saw Qi Min fix his gaze on the small cup on the table, and slowly
said:
"Today, he looked to be in trouble, but he didn't forget to drag Zhao
Dunting in. If not for him, I'd long been beheaded. This action of his, like
knowing something in advance, was to save me."
The feast sunk into silence.
"But I don't know how he knows, and who is behind him."
At this particular moment, an official slowly opened his mouth:
"Qi-daren, I'm somewhat friends with Zhang Yan. When drunk the other
day, he told me something."
Qi Min looked at him, and saw him slowly say: "He said…he wants to handle a matter for His Highness Jingwang. Whether
it's life-threatening or not, he must do it."
——
When evening came, Zhao residence was more or less seized.
The troops dispersed. Everyone in Zhao's family was either arrested or
dispersed. The thick and heavy gates were slowly shut and a seal was
affixed.
The people going in and out of Zhao residence sank into a pitch dark quiet.
At this particular moment, a few shadows drifted out on the eaves very
swiftly, like owls in the night, scurrying up the wall from the darkness. In a
blink of an eye, it disappeared into the darkness again.
These were the rearguards of Xu Du's death soldiers.
The shadows flashed a few times, and then plunged into the dark lane.
Within half an incense stick, the lane was already empty. The several people
in dark clothes had long vanished. Only several unnoticeable servants,
wearing duan da*, carried groceries from the busy street, directly entering
Jingwang Manor.
*duan da – a kind of ancient Chinese Hanfu, including top and trousers,
made of coarse cloth worn by commoners or servants
And no one noticed, beside the lane where the people vanished, there was a
seemingly endless cul-de-sac. Turn a corner there, walk a short distance,
and the stench of blood could be smelled.
There were several people who quietly hid there. Below their feet lay about
ten dead bodies, piled up into a small hill.
These dead bodies were precisely these people's doing.
Inaudible footsteps came.