A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 15.2

The man in blue was the son of the Left Prime Minister, Xun Xian, named Xun Shutai. He passed the Imperial Examinations this autumn and became a principal official in the Ministry of Revenue. Xun Xian and Chen Yuanqing were not on good terms and often avoided each other, but their sons were able to converse and had become close friends.

Chen Linjun returned the salute. “I am accompanying my younger sister.”

Xun Shutai pulled Chen Linjun to a less crowded area, looked around, and lowered his voice. “The refugee crisis in Cangnan has becomes an immediate problem. The Memorial co-signed by the Censorate has already been submitted. Tonight is clearly an inquiry and accountability session for Minister Yao of the Ministry of Works and the Xuanping Marquis Residence. Why are you rushing to attend? When you are the center of attention, you should avoid it if possible!”

Chen Linjun clasped his hands behind his back. “Since it is an inquiry, how can we avoid it?”

Xun Shutai was exasperated. “I consider you a close friend, so let me speak frankly. Don’t be offended, but you must hear this. What does a clan with no names on the family register count as family? What does the evil done by the Cangnan Chen clan have to do with the Xuanping Marquis Residence? Everyone says the Xuanping Marquis was expelled from his ancestral home because he followed the current Emperor and opposed his clansmen, but what is the truth? Does your family want to go through the same ordeal that the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence went through years ago?”

What was the truth?

The truth was that the Duke of Zhenguo, He Niangong, was a distinguished general whose achievements overshadowed the sovereign. The late Emperor feared him, and treacherous officials, under the pretext of ‘clearing the sovereign’s side,’ framed him. The Duke of Zhenguo’s residence braced themselves, waiting for the Imperial Edict for the execution of their entire family.

Chen Yuanqing arrived with a decorated sedan chair and, with a wedding contract, exchanged the Duke’s only daughter, He Yunzhou, out of the gates of death.

A married daughter was not included in the extermination of the whole family, but the Chen clansmen feared being implicated. They found an opportunity to send Chen Yuanqing away and forced He Yunzhou to commit suicide on her wedding night.

Fortunately, the old master of the Chen family was alert and rushed back to intervene.

Ultimately, the clan took advantage of the crisis, seizing and dividing half of Chen Yuanqing’s family assets. After this usurpation, they expelled him from the family register.

The events of that year were ruthless and unforgiving, but now they were seeking protection and dragging others down with them.

“Duke He, a military strategist of his generation, met such a tragic end. You should learn from that!” Xun Shutai spoke earnestly, with true sincerity. He subtly gestured toward Chen Liangyu. “Linjun, this blood tie was severed long ago. Do not harm your true blood relatives for the sake of people who are not related to you.”

The implication was to think more for Chen Liangyu. If the Xuanping Marquis Residence was not cleared, let alone the position of Crown Princess, if the Marquis Residence suffered misfortune, she would become the daughter of a criminal. At that time, she might be exiled or forced into prostitution.

The Imperial Banquet began. The official of the Ministry of Rites led the officials to their seats.

Music and dance filled the air, and wine cups were exchanged. Yet, no one noticed that one seat at the back was empty.

The censors of the Censorate clustered together, their faces devoid of the joy of the New Year’s Feast, instead exhibiting the solemnity of having lost a father.

These civil officials were filled with indignation, criticizing current affairs and pointing out deficiencies. They were known for their fiery debates, and it was even worse after the wine started flowing at a banquet.

During the feast, the year-end financial report of the Ministry of Revenue was reviewed, and as expected, it was over budget.

Minister of Revenue Su Chasan’s temples were turning white, and his brow remained furrowed. The national treasury had been heavily depleted in recent years. As the one in charge of the court’s finances, every year when Emperor Xuanyuan inquired about the accounts, it was a time of shame for the old man.

He lifted his robe and knelt, saying to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, half of the national treasury’s funds have been allocated to the front lines. This year, the large-scale renovation of the Yanzhishan Palace also contributed, so the budget overrun is inevitable. This old subject advises that the Crown Prince’s new tax be temporarily postponed. Next year, we should increase the tax by one-tenth. Once the crisis is over, we can implement the new policy.”

The Crown Prince slammed his wine goblet down. “Military expenditure has been immense these years, and we have already increased taxes by twenty percent. Which family among the common people is not tightening their belts to live? Now that the war is over, if we do not focus on recovery and instead increase taxes again, how will the common people survive?”

Mentioning the common people immediately lit the fuse for the Censorate.

Jiang Xiantang, the Censor-in-Chief, led the censors to exert pressure on Emperor Xuanyuan right there at the Imperial Banquet.

“The common people are indeed suffering! Your Majesty, your subject has a matter to report concerning the plight of the people, which brooks no delay.” Jiang Xiantang held the co-signed memorial in both hands, and the censors followed suit, kneeling in a large group.

This was already the third co-signed memorial from the entire Censorate. The vague replies to the previous two had clearly angered this batch of firecrackers, forcing them to brave the Emperor’s displeasure by submitting the memorial at a New Year’s Eve Banquet.

A censor stepped forward, presenting an even thicker stack of memorials, and vehemently denounced, “Your subject Zhao Xingli reports! After the Chen clan migrated to Cangnan Prefecture, they massively exploited the people’s wealth, controlling temples and money lenders to encroach upon civilian land. According to my summary, the Chen clan seized over 40,000 mu of dry land and over 20,000 mu of rice paddies in Cangnan Prefecture, along with countless civilian assets. They accumulated wealth from the common people and then lent it back to them, charging interest. When the common people could not pay the principal and interest on time, they could only use their houses and fields as collateral. During my investigation, I also found that although the Chen clan has no official titles, through their children’s marriages and in-laws, they control the prefecture government, the army, salt and iron, river transportation, businesses, money lenders, temples, grain, and other military, political, and civilian affairs, making them the true rulers of Cangnan Prefecture.”

“The number of refugees in Cangnan Prefecture is increasing daily. Many people have lost their land, forcing them to sell their children and daughters. They wear the clothes of cattle and horses and fight with dogs and pigs for food. Outside the Imperial City, the refugees have become a disaster, and countless people have frozen to death! With baskets hanging on both ends of a pole, they carry their children, Your Majesty, they are your subjects!”

Jiang Xiantang’s forehead veins bulged, and his temporal arteries throbbed. He was practically shouting.

“Your subject, along with all the censors of the Censorate, petitions for the removal and investigation of Yao Fucheng, the Governor of Cangnan Prefecture, Zhao Zhouqing, the Chief Clerk, and all other local officials! Your subject impeaches Yao Chong, the Minister of Works, and Chen Yuanqing, the Marquis of Xuanping, for enabling their clansmen to rely on their influence to exploit the people’s wealth. Their crime is punishable by death. We ask for Your Majesty’s Holy Judgment!”

After walking down the palace path, Chen Liangyu left the brightly lit halls far behind her.

The music stopped.

She mounted her horse and galloped without pause toward the Sixteen Guards Yamen.

She had given instructions that morning, and now soldiers were assembled in the open space in front of the Guard Yamen’s main hall. They wore long sabers at their waists and light armor, and the ribbons tied to their sabers fluttered in the wind.

Most of them looked excited.

The Sixteen Guards had not been greatly valued by Emperor Xuanyuan. For years, they had been scraping by, picking up tasks rejected by the Imperial Guards. Over time, they had become the errand runners for the Imperial Guards, living with their tails between their legs.

But even living humbly did not guarantee a peaceful life. They were constantly worried that the Sixteen Guards might suddenly be disbanded.

Everyone had been resentful for a long time. They were finally seeing significant action.

Just as their long sabers and armor were about to rust, Chen Liangyu had ordered two hundred guards to assemble and await orders before Shen hour. But everyone was too eager and had already geared up. They dreamed of finally turning things around and regaining their dignity!

The galloping horse came to a halt at the entrance of the Sixteen Guards Yamen. Chen Liangyu rushed in like a gust of wind, heading straight for the armory.

“In a moment, surround the Marquis Residence and seal it tight! Not a single rat is allowed out!”

The soldiers shouted in unison, “Yes!”

Gao Guan waddled his plump body to follow.

“Commander, the men are assembled. What are we doing tonight?”

He grinned, thinking that connections had their advantages. Relying on her father was fine, as long as it brought legitimate assignments to the Sixteen Guards.

“Arresting people.”

“Where are we arresting people? Who are we arresting?”

Chen Liangyu put on her silver light armor and grabbed a long saber to wear.

“The Xuanping Marquis Residence. The Cangnan fugitives.”

“Alright!” Gao Guan clapped his hands and shouted to the fully armed soldiers outside, “Go to the Xuanping Marquis Residence to arrest fugitives!”

A cold crow flew over the courtyard. The crowd went from excitement to astonishment, then looked at each other, speechless.

Gao Guan also sensed something was wrong. His brain took a moment to catch up. “Isn’t the Xuanping Marquis Residence your home?”