Chapter 94 Chapter 94 Imperial Study. ...
Imperial study.
The table was piled with files on the third prince's treason case.
Half of it contained the final review records from the Three Courts. Two weeks had passed since the capture of the 8,000 private soldiers. The Ministry of Justice had verified that the Third Prince had been selling border intelligence to the Xiongnu in exchange for funds to support his private army, and had framed Duke He for treason. At the joint hearing by the Three Courts, the Third Prince confessed without hesitation. Therefore, the Three Courts concluded that the evidence was conclusive and warranted a conviction.
Treason has always been punishable by the death of nine generations of the clan. However, the Third Prince was already a member of the royal family, his mother had passed away, and he had not yet married, so the nine generations of the clan were not subject to extermination. The final recommendation of the Three Judicial Officials was to remove the royal jade disc and execute him in the autumn. Jing'an Marquis Wu Hai, who secretly assisted him, was punished according to his crime: the male members were beheaded, and the female members of his family and servants were exiled.
The files had been sent to the Imperial Study, awaiting only the Emperor's approval before the crimes could be announced. But Emperor Chengde sat at his desk, unmoved.
He buried his face in his hands, looking exhausted.
As soon as the files from the Three Judicial Departments were delivered, he went to the Ministry of Justice's prison to meet the son whom he had once placed high hopes on.
Serious criminals were locked up in the deepest reaches of the prison, dark and damp, without sunlight. Especially in late June, during the height of summer and the plum rains, the cold, hard tiles often seeped through, bringing with them snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Even prisoners who had lived a life of luxury wouldn't be able to endure much longer, even if they weren't tortured much.
It took the three judicial officials three days to sort through the files, and the Third Prince spent three days in prison. When Emperor Chengde came to see him, he was lying on the grass with his eyes closed, his face pale. In just half a month, he had become emaciated. His gray prison uniform was stained with blood, whether from torture or insect bites.
Emperor Chengde glanced around and found that in the cramped cell, besides the straw, there was only a bowl of turbid water and half a bowl of yellow rice.
With two squeaks, a mouse came out of the hole in the corner of the wall and slipped past the bowl of rice.
Emperor Chengde suddenly felt a little sorry. But thinking of his son's rebellious act, his face darkened and he asked disappointedly, "Why did you hide your own troops? Even now, you still refuse to confess?"
Hearing Emperor Chengde's voice, the third prince opened his eyes, looked around, and his gaze suddenly stopped when he looked at Emperor Chengde.
Disbelief, surprise, uneasiness, guilt... A variety of emotions overlapped in his eyes. Zhu Yongding's eyes began to turn red. Then he staggered to the edge of the knife door and grabbed Emperor Chengde's shoes.
"I'm so sorry, son." He choked up. "Uncle... Wu Hai always said that you were healthy, the Empress was favored, and my sixth brother was intelligent. If my sixth brother grew up, I'm afraid there would be more trouble. My son was young at the time, and he believed Wu Hai's words over and over again, which led to a big mistake."
After all, he was the child he had raised. Seeing him weeping bitterly, Emperor Chengde sighed, "You shouldn't have… I didn't allow Wen Shen to take up a government position, and I allowed you to participate in government affairs in advance. Wasn't that just paving the way for you? Of my four sons, the Grand Tutor only accepted you as his disciple. Don't you understand my expectations of you?"
"It has come to this. I only ask that you, Father, leave me with an intact body and bury me beside my mother." Zhu Yongding lowered his head. "I have failed you in this life. If there is an afterlife, I will be your filial son again."
Emperor Chengde stared at him.
After a long while, Emperor Chengde stamped his feet suddenly and turned to leave. When he reached the end of the row of cells, he turned around and glanced at Zhu Yongding's back.
The prisoner's clothes were stained with blood and he looked emaciated.
"I will do my best to help you." Emperor Chengde said this and left the Ministry of Justice prison.
In the dark shadows, Zhu Yongding stood motionless, with a strange and ferocious smile on his face.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor has arrived." The old eunuch's voice startled Emperor Chengde from his reminiscence. He looked up and saw a thin figure outside the door.
Emperor Chengde exhaled and said, "Let him in."
The door of the imperial study opened, and the Grand Tutor walked in slowly and bowed.
"Why do we still care about these empty formalities between you and me?" Emperor Chengde said in a familiar tone, "Achen, sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Grand Tutor sat down opposite Emperor Chengde and asked, "I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me here?"
Emperor Chengde handed him the files sent by the Three Judicial Departments, his face gloomy. "It is beyond doubt that Ding'er is harboring private soldiers. In addition, he is also accused of framing the He family and colluding with relatives of the emperor. Now the court officials have all petitioned me to convict him as soon as possible."
He complained, "That old man from the Ministry of Justice has already submitted three memorials, and the Dali Temple is also waiting for my approval. Ah Chen, what do you think about this?"
The Grand Tutor knelt again and said, "Your Majesty, I have failed to teach properly and have not fulfilled my responsibilities as a teacher. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
"What does this have to do with you?" Emperor Chengde waved his hand, motioning him to stand. "I still believe in your character. I let Ding'er become your disciple because I had high hopes for him. It's a pity that he's such an unpromising child."
Although the title of Grand Master was an honorary one, he was the teacher of all the literati in the world. The crown princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty would worship him as their teacher. In addition to learning calligraphy, this move also helped them to win over the literati and prepare for their future ascension to the throne.
By doing this, Emperor Chengde had already hinted at his intention to establish a crown prince.
The Grand Tutor raised his head, but kept his eyes downcast, not looking directly at the emperor. "I heard that the private soldiers' affairs were first discovered by Commander Shen and Uncle Wen. Do they have any opinions?"
He intentionally or unintentionally emphasized the three words "Wen Guojiu", but Emperor Chengde did not notice and just scratched his head in annoyance.
"No, Wen Shen injured his hand and has been recuperating at home. After Shen Qing submitted the evidence, she stopped asking about the case. However, the Queen advised me a few days ago, asking me to consider the relationship between father and son and give him a lighter sentence."
This was Jiang Wan's special instruction. Emperor Chengde was very suspicious, and because of Wen Shen's relationship with the Sixth Prince, His Majesty always felt that he was framing him - especially since the old emperor favored his own son.
Jiang Wan's original plan had been to avoid Wen Shen instigating this case. However, when He Wanrong was arrested, she had no choice but to resort to risky tactics to save her life. Fortunately, the evidence of private soldiers training was irrefutable, and Zhu Yongding had personally admitted it. Furthermore, the Wen family had been well-behaved over the years, so Emperor Chengde didn't suspect a factional dispute.
The Third Prince had already endured countless criticisms. If Wen Shen followed suit, it would likely arouse the Emperor's suspicion. If he pleaded for the Third Prince, it would appear he was ignoring the greater good and the rules of state. Therefore, it was best to keep quiet, and Shen Jianqing felt the same way.
The queen was different. She was a member of the harem, the emperor's wife, and the third prince's biological mother. It was understandable that she gave a few words of advice from an emotional perspective, and she perfectly dispelled Emperor Chengde's suspicions.
After hearing Emperor Chengde's answer, the Grand Tutor picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea with standard and elegant movements.
He covered his mouth with his left hand with his sleeve, and the fingers of his right hand unconsciously clenched the teacup, his white fingers turning red from squeezing too tightly.
"The ruler and his subjects, high and low, all obey the law. This is called great order. [1] I understand your majesty's love for his children, but if the law is not obeyed for the sake of one person, then where is the dignity of the laws of the Great Zhou?" said the Grand Master.
Emperor Chengde hesitated: "But..."
The Grand Tutor changed the subject, "But Your Majesty, according to the law, treason is punishable by death. However, the law also stipulates that those who confess and repent can have their crimes reduced by one level. The penalty of execution is reduced to a commoner and exiled to the Western Regions. If Your Majesty grants exile, it will preserve the father-son relationship and comply with the law, so it can satisfy both parties."
Emperor Chengde stared at him closely and said, "My dear, you still understand me."
The Grand Tutor still kept his eyes downcast, but a hint of a smile crossed his lips. "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has failed in his conduct, and I bear the responsibility. How about allowing me to redeem myself and make meritorious contributions, and then teach the Sixth Prince for Your Majesty? I promise to teach diligently, and if there are any more mistakes, I am willing to commit suicide and make amends."
The dark clouds in Emperor Chengde's eyes dissipated, revealing a somewhat satisfied expression: "Thank you for your hard work, Achen."
A gust of wind blew in through the window of the imperial study, and the young eunuch outside took a look at the sky.
Thick clouds blocked the sunlight, and the copper sheets on the corners of the eaves made a rustling sound in the wind.
After a cup of tea, the Grand Tutor opened the door and emerged. The young eunuch graciously offered him an oil-paper umbrella: "Sir, it looks like it's going to rain soon. This umbrella will keep you dry."
"Thank you." The Grand Tutor smiled cheerfully and took out his paper umbrella. A damp breeze blew through the hall, carrying the fragrance of bergamot. Fearing it might get wet in the rain, he removed the jade pendant and placed it close to his body.
The young eunuch glanced at the jade pendant from the side and saw that it was a pink rabbit.
——————
Qingjiangju.
Jiang Wan was inspecting various shops. The case of Zhu Yongding's private army had finally been concluded. The imperial edict stated that according to the law, he should be executed, but considering his honest confession and repentance, his crime was reduced to a lower level, and he was only demoted to a commoner and exiled to Yumen Pass.
Marquis of Jing'an Wu Hai instigated the prince to commit treason and was executed at the Meridian Gate, his property confiscated, and his entire family exiled to Lingnan. The Minister of Personnel, who assisted in collaborating with the enemy, was stripped of his official position and his descendants were banned from politics for three generations.
After hearing the news, Jiang Wan made a special trip to the Ministry of Justice's prison, paid some money, and asked them to take better care of Wu Qiushi. After all, the latter had helped her once, and although as the legitimate daughter of the Jing'an Marquis's mansion, she couldn't be redeemed, it would be good to see her suffer less.
Duke He's injustice was cleared, and He Wanrong was released. She was given the former Duke's Mansion to live in, and all of her confiscated property was returned. As compensation, Empress Wen even granted her a wish.
Under Jiang Wan's curious gaze, He Wanrong's cheeks flushed slightly, and she covered her mouth with a handkerchief: "Wanwan, the Queen Mother agreed to choose an auspicious day for my marriage. I am going to be your sister-in-law."
Everyone was happy, the case finally settled, and Jiang Wan finally had time to pay attention to the shop. Fortunately, the several shopkeepers in Lin'an were reliable, and with Hua Qingzhi helping to manage the shop, things didn't get out of hand.
After the industrial restructuring was completed, Qingjiangju's daily total revenue topped the handicraft industry, and in recent days it has even been catching up with the three largest domestic merchants.
Merchants in the Great Zhou dynasty held a low political status, but becoming an imperial merchant granted them the title of a fifth-rank official, elevating their status and allowing them to access more resources and clients, as well as the right to trade abroad. One of Jiang Wan's goals in coming to Lin'an was to obtain the status of an imperial merchant and sell porcelain to the Western Regions.
However, since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, all imperial merchants have been in the fields of salt, iron, mining, and money shops. There has never been a precedent for a porcelain merchant to become an imperial merchant.
She remembered the promise she made to Aigu outside the ancient city of Loulan three months ago.
If there is no precedent, then make it.
[1] From Guanzi
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