The turbid waves are cleared
The web that Lin Wanru had carefully woven finally tightened suddenly during Chang Chao's visit a few days later.
Wang Quan, a censor in the Metropolitan Censorate known for his outspokenness, stepped out proudly, jade tablet in hand. His voice was resounding but contained a hint of artificial indignation: "Your Majesty! I wish to impeach Han Mingyuan, the Left Vice-Chief Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate, for three crimes!"
The entire court suddenly looked at each other with a frown, even Gu Zhao, who had closed his eyes to rest, opened them slightly. Han Mingyuan was in the limelight, having just overthrown Zhao Kai and Liu Mingde, and now someone dared to impeach him?
Xiao Jingche sat high on the dragon throne, his face calm, his emotions unrecognizable: "Speak."
"First!" Wang Quan exclaimed, "Han Mingyuan is befriending border generals and interfering in military affairs! His brother, Han Mingda, currently serving as a lieutenant in the Northern Frontier Fuyuan Guard, received only an average-to-low rating in last year's autumn military exercises. Yet, Han Mingyuan somehow managed to secure his brother's inexplicable promotion to guerrilla general earlier this year through private correspondence! Isn't this interfering in military affairs and fostering a clique?"
"Secondly, Han Mingyuan allowed his family to abuse their power and amass wealth! His mother, Old Madam Han, has purchased three farms in the suburbs of Beijing in the past six months, all for far more than the market price. The sellers are all relatives of officials who have been impeached or investigated by Han Mingyuan! If he hadn't used his power, coercion, and bribery, how could he have gotten to this point?"
"Third! Han Mingyuan has ulterior motives and is framing loyal officials! The evidence in the previous military supply case was suspicious. I'm afraid he's colluding with certain border commanders, both internally and externally, to eliminate dissidents and fabricate charges with the intention of overthrowing the government. He deserves death!"
Each of these three charges was more vicious than the last, especially the last one, "framing loyal officials" and "overthrowing the imperial power," which practically made Han Mingyuan a traitor who brought disaster to the country and the people! It also subtly pointed the finger at Wei Zheng, who had a delicate relationship with Han Mingyuan, and even Lu Qinglan, who was even closer to him.
There was an uproar in the court. Many officials were whispering to each other, their eyes flicking back and forth between Han Mingyuan and Wang Quan.
Han Mingyuan's face was as gloomy as water. He waited until Wang Quan finished speaking before stepping out of the line. He bowed deeply to the throne and spoke in a calm voice, "Your Majesty, what Censor Wang said is pure fabrication and a malicious frame-up!"
He turned to Wang Quan, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Censor Wang has impeached Han for associating with a border general. May I ask what evidence you have? Can you convict me based on a single 'private letter'? It's true that Han and my brother exchanged letters, but the content was always about family greetings, never about military promotions! My brother was promoted because he discovered a small group of Northern Di scouts during his winter patrol last year and led his troops to repel them. The commander of Fuyuan Guard reported the matter truthfully, and the Ministry of War approved it. The procedures were complete. How can you accuse me of meddling?"
"Secondly, my mother's purchase of the land is supported by deeds and receipts for cash transactions. Although the price was slightly above market value, it was because the farm had excellent canals and orchards, and the seller was eager to sell. Both parties agreed, so how could it be 'taking advantage of power to enrich themselves'? Censor Wang's allegation that the seller was a relative of an official under investigation by Han is sheer nonsense! Han impeached officials for violating state laws, so what does his relatives have to do with them? Could it be that just because Han impeached someone, their relatives can't do business with the Han family? This logic is absurd!"
"Thirdly," Han Mingyuan's voice suddenly rose, filled with awe-inspiring righteousness. "The evidence in the military supply case was painstakingly obtained by me and my colleagues from the Three Departments. Every single piece of evidence is solid. How can you just dismiss it with a single word, 'It's strange.' Censor Wang keeps saying 'framing loyal and good people.' I beg to ask, Zhao Kai and Liu Mingde embezzled military supplies and collaborated with the enemy for treason. The evidence is overwhelming. Are they 'loyal and good people?! If they are, then where is the law of Daliang? What is the meaning of the soldiers fighting bloody battles on the border?!"
His rebuttal was well-reasoned and powerful, instantly overwhelming Wang Quan. Wang Quan's face flushed red, and he hesitated, trying to refute: "You... you are making up stories! If someone wasn't behind this, how could you, Han Mingyuan..."
"Censor Wang!" Gu Zhao finally spoke. His voice was low, but it carried the authority of a prime minister. "When discussing matters in the court, evidence should be the priority. Groundless speculation is not the intention of the Censor Wang."
Xiao Jingche watched the fight with a cold eye, his mind clear as a mirror. Wang Quan's actions were undoubtedly orchestrated by someone, targeting Han Mingyuan, or even Lu Qinglan, who was behind him. He hated this kind of framing, but the growing power of Han Mingyuan and Lu Qinglan was also a major concern for him. He was happy to see someone come forward to criticize him, as a perfect opportunity to give them a warning.
"That's enough." Xiao Jingche said calmly, interrupting the two people's argument. "What Han Qing said is not without reason. Censor Wang's impeachment also requires solid evidence. This matter will be handed over to the Dali Temple for investigation. Until the investigation is completed, Han Mingyuan... will temporarily resign his position as Left Vice-Minister of the Imperial Censorate and remain in the palace awaiting investigation."
This meant Han Mingyuan was suspended! Although it was only "pending investigation" and not a conviction, this move was undoubtedly a major blow to Lu Qinglan's faction, and it also sent a clear signal to the court officials - His Majesty did not fully trust Han Mingyuan, or even the forces behind him!
"Your Majesty, I accept your command and thank you." Han Mingyuan remained expressionless, bowed, and calmly returned to the train. He knew full well that this was His Majesty's balancing act, and he also understood that the real storm had yet to arrive.
A hint of pride flashed across Wang Quan's face.
After the court session, news spread quickly. Han Mingyuan's suspension pending investigation was like a boulder dropped into a lake, stirring up an undercurrent far more turbulent than the executions of Zhao Kai and Liu Mingde. The more righteous were outraged, believing the emperor was biased and dissuading loyal officials. Meanwhile, the nobles and some officials who had been watching from the sidelines secretly rejoiced, believing the empress's rivalry had given them their chance.
The turbid waves surged, seemingly dragging the court, which had just become somewhat clear due to the severe punishment of Zhao and Liu, back into chaos.
At the same time, in the northern border, in the dungeon of the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion.
Wei Zheng personally presided over the interrogation, which had lasted a day and a night. The messenger from "Ninth Brother" was indeed a stubborn man, and ordinary tortures were unable to pry his mouth open. He would sometimes curse loudly, sometimes feign madness, and even refused to reveal the contents of the secret letter sent by the copper tube.
Wei Zheng was not impatient. He waved his hand to dismiss his attendants, leaving only two trusted personal guards. He walked up to the chained envoy, his eyes as calm as the depths of the abyss.
"If you don't speak, you'll either die or die a quick death, or hope your people will come to your rescue." Wei Zheng's voice was low, roughened by the wind and sand of the border. "But have you ever considered that the 'Ninth Brother' you are loyal to might be thinking about how to silence you forever, just like he did to Liu Mingde?"
The messenger's eyes flickered slightly.
Wei Zheng continued, "The seal on that copper tube is a secret craftsmanship of the Northern Di royal court. If it's opened forcibly, the contents will self-destruct. But I happen to know of another method that can reveal the secrets within without damaging the seal. What would Ninth Brother think if I secretly sent a copy of the rubbing, along with you, to the capital and handed it over to the Imperial City Administration, or... to the Empress? Would he think you were keeping your mouth shut, or... that you'd already betrayed me?"
Attacking the heart is the best strategy. Wei Zheng's words, like a cold awl, chipped away at the envoy's psychological defenses bit by bit. When he mentioned "Empress," the envoy's pupils suddenly shrank. Although they recovered instantly, they still didn't escape Wei Zheng's notice.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" the messenger hissed, but his tone was not as strong as before.
"It doesn't matter if you don't know." Wei Zheng stood up and instructed his guards, "Show him the other guest we 'invited'."
The dungeon's secret door opened, and a man, tortured beyond recognition but vaguely recognizable as a noble from a Northern Di tribe, was dragged in. When the messenger saw this man, his expression finally changed completely.
"You know him, right? He's a confidant of your Northern Di Zuo Xian Wang. He's much more knowledgeable about current affairs than you are." Wei Zheng's tone was calm, yet it carried a chilling pressure. "My patience is limited. Tell me who 'Ninth Brother' is and what he said, and you can live, and even become rich. If you don't..."
He paused, leaving behind endless imagination of fear.
"By this time tomorrow, if there is no answer, you, him, and this copper pipe rubbing will be sent to the capital. Then, your life and death, and the survival of your family, will be decided by 'Ninth Brother'... and the nobles of the capital."
After saying this, Wei Zheng turned away without looking at him. In the dungeon, only the desperate messenger and the dying Beidi noble remained, along with endless darkness and fear.
In the imperial court, turbulent waves surge; in the dungeons of the northern border, a battle for the hearts and minds of the people rages. On both battlefields, victory or failure hangs on a thread, affecting the future of the entire Daliang Dynasty.
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