Chapter 118 A Casual Fist Kills a Master: Shen Wanqing left the palace one day, and the next day the Crown Princess had Aisin Gioro and her two sisters-in-law all...
Shen Wanqing left the palace the day before, and the next day the Crown Princess summoned Aisin Gioro and her two sisters-in-law to Yuqing Palace. What they talked about is unknown, but that very night several fast horses left the capital.
Officials must act with proper justification. If the delivered timber is not what was ordered and such a sophisticated method is used, there must be more than one or two people causing trouble below.
From the Imperial Household Department to local officials, and then to procurement officials and merchants, they were all arrested one by one and beheaded one by one, ensuring that no one was innocent except those who escaped.
But this was just an angry outburst. To be legitimate, one must have evidence. Otherwise, even if someone is convicted now, this matter might be brought up again someday and become a handle against oneself.
In order to get to the bottom of the matter, the Ministry of Works, the Imperial Household Department, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, and the Court of Judicial Review all sent people.
The matter is serious, but the construction schedule for several mansions cannot be delayed. However, this was something Yu Lang deliberately brought up, so he can't back down now. If he does, the blame might be thrown on him tomorrow.
In order to balance both ends, Yu Lang had no choice but to ask Shen Wenyuan, who had already been promoted to garrison commander in the patrol battalion, to come. The patrol battalion was originally responsible for the safety of the canal transport from Tongzhou to the capital. Now the problematic timber was in the warehouse next to the Tongzhou dock, so it was reasonable for the battalion to send someone to intervene.
In addition to Baoshan and Lao Mi, there were also the cavalry captains and leaders directly transferred from the Zuo Ling. The cavalry captains followed Shen Wenyuan, while the leaders were in charge of several projects.
Yu Lang also learned from Shen Wanqing how to make the best use of people. There is no one who cannot be used. As long as you are capable, you can do it for me. If you do a good job this time, you will be rewarded. If anyone messes up for me at this time, then get out of here and go cool off somewhere else.
Yu Lang was busy for two months, like a spinning top. During that time, the Crown Princess had already given birth to the eldest prince in Yuqing Palace, and he had only investigated half of it. Whether he could continue to investigate the remaining half depended on the Crown Prince's decision. He then entered the gates of Yuqing Palace.
Yu Lang had not come to Yuqing Palace for two months, and the Crown Prince, who used to summon him every three to five days if he didn't see him, hadn't summoned him even once.
How could Yu Lang not know about this incident while on official business? Before Shen Wanqing even entered the palace to see the Crown Princess that day, Yinreng already knew everything. But he shouldn't have known, or rather, even if he did, he should have pretended not to know.
The Six Ministries are the six ministries of the imperial court. Yu Lang is a senior official in the Ministry of Works. During his tenure, he encountered a case of embezzlement involving the passing off of inferior goods as superior ones. He had his superiors to report to, from the Ministry of Works to the Imperial Household Department, then to the Court of Judicial Review, and even the Censorate. It was none of his business as the Crown Prince getting involved.
When Yulang discovered that the timber was not right, he did not choose to turn a blind eye. The fact that the Imperial Household Department and the Commander's Office were able to send people to guard the warehouse the next day indicated that Emperor Kangxi had given his approval.
Since he's given his approval, then the investigation should proceed as planned. As long as the matter doesn't lead back to the Crown Prince, Yu Lang shouldn't have been informing him about it. Now that he's here, he'll naturally catch everyone, including those from the Crown Prince's faction.
"Your subject Yulang greets the Crown Prince."
"Get out of here, get out of here! If you keep acting like this, you'd better get the hell out of here."
It has been six years since Yu Lang started working at Yuqing Palace. Doesn't Yinreng know what kind of person he is? The bigger the matter, the more respectful he becomes. You would never see Lord Yu like this when there is nothing to do.
Yinreng also found this matter disgusting. Putting aside any brotherly affection, the fact that the emperor had bestowed titles and established residences upon adult princes who had already come of age and started families, even though there was already a crown prince in the palace, was unprecedented in all the years since the emperor entered the pass.
After all, the current emperor was still young when the late emperor passed away, and his brothers only gradually moved out of the palace many years later. Although they were also granted the title of prince, the significance of that was completely different from what is happening now.
The way those servants are behaving now is not only disregarding the Emperor's favor, but also showing no respect for me, the Crown Prince.
They weren't afraid of any trouble arising from any mishaps during the construction of the palace, and they didn't care how the crown prince would get along with his brothers if the palace wasn't completed.
Before leaving the palace, they were all bald princes. They were brothers, but after leaving the palace, they not only received titles and their own residences, but also the command posts assigned to them by the emperor from the Upper Three Banners.
The two princes each received ten, and the princes each received eight. These were all real households, and from then on, they would be the masters of these people.
Furthermore, when the titles of nobility were conferred, the emperor had already assigned them to the Lower Five Banners as lords. This meant that as long as they left the palace, they could develop their own power and influence by relying on their titles, official positions, the bannermen under their command, and their status as lords.
From now on, they will not only be brothers but also ruler and subject. In fact, Yinreng will be the ruler who is confined in Yuqing Palace and constantly hindered, while they will be the subject with unlimited potential.
In ordinary times, this conferment of titles and the allocation of fiefdoms would have meant sending the adult sons out of the family home. Those with ability could go out and explore the world, while those without would live off their titles and their fathers' inheritance.
But the bulk of the family fortune and the entire empire belongs to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, and has nothing to do with you in essence. In a few decades, you will be considered collateral branches or distant relatives. Look at all the members of the imperial clan in the capital and Shengjing; the good ones are old princes, and the bad ones are just idle members of the imperial clan, like generals receiving imperial favor.
They say they all share the same ancestor, but who actually shares the same ancestor with you? If you say that to outsiders, who will listen to you?
So it wasn't just Emperor Kangxi who was generous; the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, also wanted to act gracefully and generously. At the very least, he wanted his younger brothers who had left to feel that he, the Crown Prince, could tolerate them, so they wouldn't leave the palace with a belly full of resentment and then try to find fault with him in the future.
But reality is often harsh. Before the Prince's and Beile's mansions were even completed, the main pillars were replaced with inferior ones. And the person in charge of this project was none other than one of the Crown Prince's trusted ministers. It's disgusting to even think about.
However! No matter how disgusted he was by those audacious servants below him, Yinreng was still a little angry about Yulang's choice this time.
After all, he had specifically chosen this position of Director of the Construction Department for Yulang, hoping that Yulang could gain experience and merit in this position so that he could be promoted within the Six Ministries in the future. Now that this has happened, it will have to be delayed for several years.
"Do you know how many people are envious of me for getting this position for you? Lingpu alone has come to me more than once to cry and complain that I have only favored you these past few years and have forgotten about others."
"Your Majesty, I know how you feel about me, which is why I felt I had to expose this."
“You are the Crown Prince, and will be the Emperor in the future. In recent years, there have been many rumors of corruption in both the court and among the common people. The reason why no one is investigating is simply because no one has caused a major disaster. But if we wait until a major disaster occurs before trying to find a way to remedy the situation, I think it will be too late by then.”
In the past, being deceived was one thing, but now that they're embezzling right under our noses and we're pretending not to know, it's tantamount to tacit approval for them. They'll only become bolder and bolder in the future.
If the princes' palace is poorly built, it's only the princes who suffer; at worst, it can be repaired. But what if next time the money for repairing river embankments, dredging waterways, or disaster relief is embezzled? The world belongs to all the people. If the common people don't live well, even if the crown prince successfully ascends the throne, can he truly hold onto power?
"Do you know that you've gotten yourself involved in this mess and will never be clean again? Even my men won't think you're doing this for the country and for me. They'll just say behind your back that you're using their blood to smear your official hat and using their heads to curry favor and claim rewards from me."
"But I was already being targeted by them."
Despite the serious atmosphere, Yu Lang couldn't help but look up and smile at Yinreng. Sometimes, the person who stabs you in the back isn't necessarily an enemy; those in the same social niche might even want to devour Yu Lang alive.
Who told this kid to be so arrogant? Who told him to keep standing in front of the Crown Prince like this? Good family background, good looks, good ability, married a Han Bannerwoman and still making so much money, and so charming and good at pleasing the Crown Princess, why does he get all the good things in the world?
Since we can't beat you, we'll destroy you. Embezzling money in the construction of the imperial family's residence won't cause a major disaster, but you, Yulang, as the Director of the Construction Department, will certainly be punished.
Even if the Crown Prince wants to protect you, it will take at least a few years. Once you're gone, are you worried about no one replacing you? As for Yu Lang's resurgence a few years later, that's a matter for later. Times change, and by then the Crown Prince might have someone more capable and better-looking. You, Yu Lang, are nothing.
On the night of the incident, Yu Lang and Shen Wanqing argued and refused to admit that the incident was directed at them, but they could already sense the malice lurking in the shadows.
Since that's the case, Yu Lang made up his mind and looked up at Yinreng again: "Your Highness, they were the ones who wanted to attack me first. Even if I give in, they won't appreciate my kindness. So it would be better to use me as a knife to cut down these dead branches completely."
Yu Lang was willing to take the fall, but it was Yinreng who couldn't bear to let him go. He had paved a smooth road for Yu Lang's future, but now that he was about to jump into the pit, Yinreng remained silent for a long time with a dark face.
“Your Highness, please don’t look at me like that. My son is already two years old. I’m not the little guard who just entered Yuqing Palace anymore. This little storm is nothing. If I can’t even handle this, how will I be able to shoulder the important responsibilities you’ve entrusted to me in the future?”
"You're asking for important tasks? You're incredibly shameless and arrogant! Who told you I was going to entrust you with important tasks?"
Yinreng was amused by Yulang's words, but after his anger subsided, he had to calm down. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "Tell me what exactly happened. Let me know just how many people under my command have been dragged into this."
"The inferior timber used this time was transported from the Miao region in the southwest. The official sent by the Ministry of Works colluded with the imperial merchants in charge of timber procurement and local officials to deceive their superiors and buy the timber from the local headmen at a low price."
“After it was bought, it was not transported to the capital. Instead, it was sold to wealthy merchants and gentry families in Jiangnan at an unusually high price. Then, it was transported to the capital with a core of ordinary pine wood and an outer layer of nanmu wood.”
"Originally, I didn't plan to use this method. I just wanted to use nanmu wood to pass off inferior wood as superior wood. However, the layers of exploitation were too severe, and in the end, I couldn't even spare the money to buy inferior nanmu wood. That's why I had no choice but to come up with this method."
"There were also local officials in the southwest who treated the local Miao chieftains as barbarians. They didn't pay the agreed amount of silver, and the chieftains were unwilling to hand over the timber. It was only after the local officials led the Green Standard Army stationed there to rush into the mountains, kill more than a dozen people, and forcibly take the timber out."
Actually, those in the capital who got involved in this matter didn't intend for it to escalate this much. It was just a matter of taking a little money, or asking their subordinates to refrain from such a strict investigation. A single word could be worth several thousand taels of silver; there was nothing they wouldn't do if it didn't cause serious harm.
Those who wanted to take advantage of the situation to bring Yu Lang down had the same idea: to gain some benefits themselves and remove Yu Lang, a thorn in their side, so that everyone would be happy.
The problem is that this matter wasn't handled by the officials in the capital. It involved the Imperial Household Department, the Ministry of Works, Yu Lang, a senior official in the Ministry of Works, down to the junior officials and clerks, then to the clerks and imperial merchants working under the clerks, and finally to the local officials, prefects, magistrates, local gentry, and mountain chiefs.
Nobody wanted to be taken advantage of; everyone was thinking, "I'm only taking this little bit; such a large palace costs so much money, why would they need my little bit?"
You give a little, I give a little, and by the time it reaches the actual timber merchant, he can't even afford the transportation costs for the people who bring the timber into the mountains.
Given the current situation, the task still has to be handled by the merchant, and if he doesn't do it well, the master above will blame him. No wonder he's resorting to underhanded tactics. Your Highness, please bear with it and don't use real nanmu wood. What kind of wood is it? As long as it can hold up the house beams, that's fine.
"Who are the people we've found out about?" Yinreng paused, then added, "I'm asking about the people on our side."
"Lord Suo's two sons, Algishan and Gerfen, and the brother-in-law of the Crown Princess's brother Fu Dali, both of them were his subordinates who took money from this."
"So there are others who took more than just silver. Who is it?"
"Ling Pu, Lord Ling."
“The officials and merchants sent down by the Imperial Household Department were involved in every step of the process.”
"Besides them, there's the boss, Mingzhu, and..."
“Your Highness, in the capital, we are all clearly defined by who we belong to. Even if Lord Mingzhu’s retainers wanted to visit him, they wouldn’t let me in. But it’s not like that outside the capital.”
"It's true that everyone serves their own master, but there's also face and affection among officials in the same court. Many people are still related by kinship, hometown, or birth year. It's just that they are serving different masters now, and who knows when things will change."
When it came down to the bottom, personal interests and career prospects were the most important things. When interests were at stake, even if they were on opposing sides, they could cooperate temporarily. Along with this ship of timber, it wasn't just the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince Zhi's faction that were dragged into this mess; Prince Yu and several councilors also had dirty hands.
Several of the emperor's close advisors, whom he had personally promoted, had their disciples and sons implicated. They had all accepted bribes, and if things were taken seriously, none of them could escape the consequences.
That's why Yu Lang had to come to the Crown Prince about this matter. The Crown Prince wanted to use him as a tool to severely punish the rampant corruption in the court, so the investigation had to continue. Corruption and factionalism are inherently intertwined; suppressing corruption would naturally reduce the number of people forming factions for personal gain.
If the Crown Prince doesn't want to or is unwilling to rashly shake the current situation, Yu Lang can naturally stop immediately. In any case, a scapegoat has already been found to cover things up, and Ling Pu and Suo'etu know that they are not to be trifled with after he has caused such a big commotion. If they want to stop, they can stop.
Here's the thing: Yu Lang hadn't spent the night in Yu Qing Palace for a long time. Today, he was staying to guard the gate for the Crown Prince, and Lord Yu didn't stand on ceremony at all. He found a sheltered spot with few people, plopped down on the ground, and sat down casually.
Inside the study, accompanying the Crown Prince, was Delin, while He Yuzhu stood guard with Yulang on the porch outside the door. He Yuzhu looked at Yulang with some helplessness, wanting to say something several times, but then he didn't know how to begin.
"Does Eunuch He think I look like a petty person who sows discord? Now that I've gained favor with the Crown Prince, I wish I could drag everyone around him down."
"Lord Yu is not that kind of person."
"You're too kind, Eunuch He. It's written all over your face."
"This servant knows that you want the Crown Prince to be well, but why do you have to offend everyone?"
He Yuzhu found a step lower than Yulang's and sat down. The two had worked together at Yuqing Palace for several years, and He Yuzhu did not want Yulang to ruin his future because of this matter.
"Grandpa He thinks my life is full of happiness and good days, right?"
"If Lord Yu's future isn't considered good, then this servant doesn't know what is."
Yu Lang shook his head. He was currently enjoying great success, and everyone only saw his glory, but no one saw how many people were hoping for his downfall.
Yu Lang's willingness to become a weapon this time is for the sake of the Crown Prince, but even more so for his own sake.
Since I can't get involved in your various factions and cliques, and you're all eyeing me with hostility, I might as well make things difficult for all of you. By stirring you all up trouble, I can reshuffle the deck and find my true place.
Having been away from Yuqing Palace for a long time, Yulang was a little too tired to withstand the heavy night dew. At the crack of dawn, Gao Laixi delivered a cloak to him, and he wrapped himself in it while guarding the Crown Prince's gate.
Until the door was opened from the inside, Yinreng walked up behind Yulang, who was huddled up in a ball and completely unrecognizable as the audacious and outrageous man who had spoken so arrogantly in front of him yesterday, and kicked him in the butt.
"Let's go, come with me to Father Emperor and get scolded."
"Yes, Your Highness, this servant thanks you for your kindness."
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Yu Gouzi: They're all dead! They're all dead!
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