Chapter 198 The Imperial Censor Arrives, Xu Ang Flees…
The blood-stained knife fell to the ground. Governor Xu coldly watched as Li Sima struggled to run, but collapsed helplessly, his heavy breathing stopping abruptly as he fell. His own breathing also faltered; making this decision was, in effect, forcibly cutting off his own escape route.
The guard rushed in, saw this scene, and was so frightened that he was speechless.
The general glanced at the knife and knew that Governor Xu had no way out but to flee.
"My lord, you've gone mad!" the official cried out in anguish. "Don't do anything foolish. The prime minister is your father; he'll at least spare your life. I can't escape now. I killed Li Sima; I'll take the blame. Go back to the office and wait for the investigating censor to arrive. Don't resist; just confess everything honestly."
Prefect Xu wavered for a moment, but immediately rejected the idea of surrendering. He had more than one life on his hands, and had embezzled millions of strings of cash over ten years—all of which couldn't withstand scrutiny. Moreover, there were surviving witnesses who knew the truth. His crimes of murder and embezzlement were inescapable; once convicted, he would face hanging. As for his father, he was already struggling to survive, let alone save his son. Besides, his father was eager to distance himself and wanted him to take all the blame.
“No need to persuade us anymore. Surrendering will only lead to our execution. We might as well fight back and maybe we can find a way out.” Governor Xu made his choice. He picked up the knife from the ground and handed it to the general. “Go and kill everyone in the secret room. Then send a few guards to the Chief Administrator’s residence and kill Du Min’s entire family as well.”
"Only Chief Secretary Du remains at home in the Chief Secretary's residence; the others moved to Wen County four days ago," the general replied. "Lord Meng and her entourage hired a caravan for their journey, but due to the large number of people, I dared not lead any men to intercept them."
Governor Xu gritted his teeth, "She's really a clever woman. She drove me to the brink of despair, and she ran away with her family. Let her go for now, and go get that traitor Du's head."
"Yes, sir." The general accepted the order and immediately went out.
"Sir, since you're trying to escape, you should hurry up and leave," the guard advised. "I'll take some men to stop the officials from Luoyang. You should make the most of your time and run."
"Aren't you coming with me?" Governor Xu went out and headed towards the government office.
"I'm old and not good at riding horses. I'd only be a burden if I went with you." The garrison commander stopped trying to escape. He had a premonition that Governor Xu couldn't escape. To the south was Luoyang, the eastern capital; to the northwest was Chang'an; and to the northeast was Bingzhou, a defensive city. It was almost an encirclement. Where could he escape to? He knew that Governor Xu was terrified but refused to accept his fate and was still trying to struggle in his death throes. He wouldn't play along.
Upon hearing this, Governor Xu ignored him and went back to his study in the backyard. He took out his treasured possessions, wrapped them in a bundle, and left.
"Master, it's resolved." The general came out from the room next to the study. "Are you leaving? I'll go gather the brothers."
Governor Xu nodded.
After a short while, the twelve guards of the governor's mansion gathered in the front courtyard, but the military advisor had not yet arrived with his men.
"Master, Chief Secretary Du is not in the manor. The gatekeeper said that about half an incense stick ago, the attendant of the Military Advisor came to the door, said a few words, and then Chief Secretary Du rode out on horseback." The three guards who went to the Chief Secretary's manor quickly ran back to report the news.
"Military Advisor Zhao has betrayed his master!" the general exclaimed angrily, but now was not the time to pursue this matter. He urged, "Master, let's not wait for him, let's run!"
"That scoundrel! I should have slit his throat with one stroke!" Governor Xu was furious. He dared not delay any longer and immediately ordered, "Head west into the Taihang Mountains to escape the pursuit."
A group of guards immediately rode off to escort the carriage out.
The gatekeepers didn't dare to breathe loudly, and as soon as the carriage left, they ran away too.
In the backyard, the wives and concubines of Governor Xu were unaware that the government office had been emptied and were still indulging in the fragrance of cosmetics, vying for attention.
*
In a lane, the military advisor heard the sound of horses' hooves and wheels rushing by. After the sound of hooves had faded into the distance, he quietly emerged from a corner.
Hearing the commotion, the common people and servants came out to look. When they learned that it was Governor Xu riding out with his guards, they had no more doubts. This was Governor Xu's flamboyant style, and the people of Hanoi County were used to it.
The military advisor bypassed the crowd and headed towards the governor's mansion. The mansion's gates were wide open and unguarded, allowing him to enter as if he were in an empty place. With a clear purpose, he arrived at the government office and followed the bloodstains on the ground into Li Sima's office.
"Murder!" the military advisor shouted as he ran out. "Guards! Murder! Governor Xu killed Li Sima, and he has fled in fear of punishment."
He ran and shouted as he ran back to his home. He seized his horse and went to the training ground to gather the military officers and soldiers who were training. "Prefect Xu killed Li Sima and fled with his guards to escape punishment. You all come with me to chase after him."
"Military Advisor Zhao, you can't just say things like that!" The military officer said with surprise and doubt.
"Li Sima's body is still lying in a pool of blood. What nonsense am I talking to you about? I now order you to take your weapons and follow me," the military advisor commanded.
The soldiers looked at each other, one of them picked up a weapon, and the others followed suit.
The military advisor immediately led his troops in pursuit of Governor Xu, following the direction in which he had fled.
*
Du Min arrived at the governor's mansion with the commander of the vanguard and a group of cavalry. Before he even dismounted, he saw that the front courtyard was crowded with people, who were noisily talking about someone dying.
"Who died?" The Commandant jumped off his horse. "Where is Governor Xu?"
"Sir, Li Sima died in the public office, and Governor Xu fled with his guards." The one who spoke was the son of the judicial officer. "Sir, my father went out to the countryside on official business a few days ago and hasn't returned. Was he also killed by Governor Xu?"
Upon hearing this, the Commandant immediately turned around and went out. He mounted his horse and said, "Chief Secretary Du, you stay here and oversee things. We will go and pursue Governor Xu."
"Okay." Du Min readily agreed, his task completed.
"Follow me!" the Commandant ordered, and they followed the wheel tracks and hoofprints on the ground.
Du Min tied his horse to the stone lion, strode inside, and asked, "Has anyone gone to report to the authorities?"
“He’s gone, he’s gone. Chief Secretary Du, do you know anything about my father?” asked the son of the judicial officer.
"I don't know," Du Min replied, then threatened, "Anyone involved should leave immediately and not disturb the scene."
Upon arriving at the government office, he found it packed with people. Du Min immediately dispersed the crowd on charges of obstructing official business and stealing official documents, sending away anyone who was not involved. He followed the trail of blood into Li Sima's office. The stench of blood filled the room, making him want to vomit. He took out a handkerchief, covered his nose, and hurried closer. There was a knife wound on Li's neck, blood was everywhere, and he was already dead.
Du Min went out and saw a maid helping the governor's wife out of the moon gate. Her face was full of anxiety, and her brows were filled with unease at the impending disaster.
"Chief Secretary Du, what happened? I heard from the servants that Commander Li is dead."
“You heard me right, the body is inside.” Du Min turned to the side and pointed to the public building behind him, saying, “Prefect Xu has fled to avoid punishment, and the Commandant has already led men to pursue him. Madam, let’s go back to the backyard. From this moment on, the women of the Prefect’s residence are not allowed to move around freely.”
"Impossible! It's impossible that Governor Xu killed him, and he couldn't have escaped either. I'm going to send someone to deliver a message to my father-in-law." The governor's wife didn't believe it. Xu Ang only returned yesterday evening. How could he have killed someone and fled? If he had any intention of escaping, he wouldn't have come back at all.
Du Min smiled and said, "Madam, whether or not Governor Xu killed the man is not for you to say. As for sending the message, if your father-in-law could save his son, would Governor Xu still be a fugitive? Be sensible, you are a pawn that has been discarded."
"Chief Clerk Du, what happened?" The county magistrate rushed in, looking disheveled.
"Did you come alone? Where are the judicial assistants and yamen runners?" Du Min asked, repeating tirelessly, "Sima Li is dead, killed by Governor Xu. He fled with his guards to escape punishment, and the Commandant of the Vanguard led troops to pursue him. Summon all your men and immediately seal off the governor's mansion. From this moment on, Governor Xu's family members are not allowed to leave the house."
The county magistrate was bewildered by this turn of events. Was Governor Xu about to fall? Would he be implicated?
"Where are your men?" Du Min shouted.
"We are evacuating the crowd outside," the magistrate replied.
"The person hasn't even come in, why are you rushing them? Go and call the yamen runners in." Du Min ordered. He looked at the governor's wife, whose face was ashen and who had no strength left to struggle. She turned and left.
Du Min followed, "Where is Governor Xu's study?"
"The entire courtyard behind the government office is like that, usually guarded by guards. No one except the servants can step in. We know nothing about what he did," the governor's wife said, trying her best to distance herself from the matter.
Du Min smiled and said, "If Madam manages the people in the inner quarters well, we will go to Madam to ask her questions if we have any doubts."
The governor's wife nodded and left with her maid.
Du Min stood in the courtyard, looking around. He stepped towards the side courtyard on his right, and as soon as he entered, he smelled the faint stench of blood again. He rubbed his nose, but as soon as he put his hand down, the bloody smell filled his nostrils once more. He looked around. Logically, since Governor Xu had taken all the guards away, there shouldn't be anyone left in the side courtyard. But better safe than sorry, he worried that a desperate criminal might suddenly jump out and kill him. He chose to retreat; his life was precious, and he couldn't afford to have anything go wrong.
Upon arriving at the front office, Du Min bumped into the county magistrate, who was rushing out. He asked, "Where are you going? Are you trying to escape too?"
"...Prefect Du is quite the joker. A yamen runner reports that the imperial court has sent envoys, who have already arrived at Changlan Street. I will go to greet them," the magistrate explained.
Upon hearing this, Du Min immediately understood. No wonder Governor Xu had suddenly fled without warning; it turned out that the officials investigating the case had arrived.
The streets and alleys near the governor's mansion were filled with people from half of Hanoi County. The carriages of the governor and the censor were stuck on Changlan Street, and it took the accompanying guards about an incense stick's time to clear a path.
"My lord, there are too many people, the carriage can't get through," a guard reported.
"Go and invite Imperial Censor Dou and Lady Meng to get out of the carriage. We'll walk over," the governor said.
Meng Qing had already gotten out of the carriage. Seeing that the governor and the censor had also gotten out, she walked to the carriage behind and called Cui Jin down from inside.
"Governor Yu Jian of Hanoi County greets Your Excellencies." The magistrate hurried over.
Du Min spotted several familiar faces at a glance. His second sister-in-law truly kept her word, arriving right on time with Cui Jin to publicly expose Xu Ang's crimes.
"Du Min, the Prefect of Huai Prefecture, greets you both. Governor, we meet again." Du Min said. The governor who tricked him into coming to Huai Prefecture last year has reappeared. He wondered if the governor would be punished after Xu Ang was brought to justice. He had visited Huai Prefecture several times, but he had turned a blind eye to Xu Ang's corrupt and illegal behavior.
"Prefect Xu's crimes have already resounded throughout the court. I happen to be inspecting water conservancy in Bianzhou, which is close to Huaizhou. Her Majesty the Empress has ordered me to assist Censor Dou in investigating the case," the governor explained. "I heard from the onlookers that Prefect Xu has fled? And that someone has been murdered?"
"About half an hour ago, the Military Advisor sent a messenger to my residence to report that Governor Xu had ordered him to gather men to protect him during his escape. Upon receiving the message, I immediately went to the Governor's residence to seek help from the Commandant. When we arrived at the Governor's residence, Li Sima was lying in a pool of blood, the Military Advisor was nowhere to be found, and Governor Xu had already fled with his guards," Du Min recounted. "The Commandant led his troops to pursue them, leaving me to stay at the Governor's residence."
"Go to the governor's mansion," said Imperial Censor Dou.
"Please," Du Min said, opening the way.
The governor and Imperial Censor Dou followed one after the other.
Meng Qing and Du Li followed closely behind with Cui Jin.
"Lord Meng, you're back too?" A scholar in the crowd greeted Meng Qing.
Meng Qing smiled back.
"Hey? Isn't this Prefect Cui? I heard he committed a crime and fled." A merchant in the crowd recognized Cui Jin.
"He raped Governor Xu's concubine, of course he had to run away," someone said confidently.
"I've heard that too, is it true?" someone else asked.
“It’s true. My cousin works at the Prefect’s residence. She said that Prefect Cui disappeared more than half a month ago. He probably fled because he was afraid that Governor Xu would kill him.” The woman standing at the front spoke up. She stared at Prefect Cui, spat on the ground, and cursed, “He looks like a decent human being, but he secretly commits adultery. Governor Xu should kill him.”
A disgusted "Eh!" rang out from the crowd.
Cui Jin was both angry and frustrated. He tried to console himself by not arguing with such ignorant people. He lowered his head and quickened his pace. The governor's mansion, which he used to despise, had now become a cage that sheltered him.
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Author's Note: There will be another update at 12 o'clock.
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