A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 99

After GuYu Grain Rain, the winter wheat began to flower and fill with grain.

In the palace, the Empress and Consort Shu, Zhai Yu, were both diagnosed with pregnancy.

Xie Yuan decreed a General Amnesty for the whole world. The Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Yong’an Prefecture were ordered to submit the list of names for the amnesty, and the Hanlin Academy was responsible for drafting the edict.

It is said that misfortune and fortune are linked. Just as the amnesty edict was being drafted, reports arrived that Heng Miao’s campaign against Nanzhou in the southern border was unsuccessful. Three warships were overturned at Qing’ai Bay, and he was subsequently forced back to the coast by the Nanzhou army commanded by Liu Mo. Closely following this, the censors sent to Xiling by the Supervising Censor-in-Chief, Jiang Xiantang—out of twelve sent, only nine returned.

The Censorate lost three censors but only managed to find a general idea of who was spearheading the rebellion.

During the Xuanyuan era, the great general Lu Renxi, who was stationed in Xiling, had a younger sister who was the wife of Prince Qi, Xie Xuan, during the time of the coup attempt. Later, to win over Xun Xian, the head of the civil officials in the court, Prince Qi took the tenth daughter of the Xun family as a concubine, privately agreeing with Xun Xian to make the Xun daughter Empress upon his enthronement. Lu Renxi was displeased and held back during the clash with Xie Yuan, which is why, even though Lu Renxi was executed, Xie Yuan did not exterminate his entire clan.

The person leading the current rebellion is a maternal cousin of Lu Renxi. Exploiting the widely circulated rumor that “the current Son of Heaven’s claim to the throne is illegitimate,” he claimed to possess the posthumous child of Prince Qi, referring to this person—whose identity is questionable—as the Young Master, who ought to ascend the throne.

Chen Liangyu had moved his table right next to the wooden partition separating his cell from Zhao Xingli’s. On the desk lay the second copy of the gazette and a growing stack of official documents.

These documents were all hand-copied transcripts from the Hanlin Academy.

Chen Liangyu passed the copied document through the gap in the wooden partition to Zhao Xingli. “They’ve already transcribed it, they couldn’t be bothered to copy one extra. Passing them back and forth like this. These Hanlin scholars are truly lazy.”

“Cough, cough, cough, cough…”

Zhao Xingli had not fully recovered from his cold. An extra layer of bedding had been placed in his cell. Although it was old and the edges of the blanket were stiff with grime, it was better than nothing.

“Censor Zhao, could you please stop coughing?” Chen Liangyu held up one finger. “I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since I came in.”

“I don’t wish to, either.”

Zhao Xingli read the document and slapped it shut. “What kind of Young Master nonsense is this? Have the brains of these rebels been eaten by dogs?”

To actually believe this!

Chen Liangyu said, “When the Princess Royal drafted the Myriad Officials Register, it was under the guise of rewarding land and hereditary official positions based on merit. Since it was based on merit, the contribution varies, but who would think their own contribution was less than others? And who is genuinely satisfied that their rewards were less than others? These rebel leaders in Xiling were opportunists who joined the forces during the campaign to support the Emperor. After the Emperor ascended the throne, they were given an idle post and sent to Xiling. They themselves know it’s hard to be heavily relied upon by the court again. They don’t care whether that Young Master is real or fake; they will follow whoever promises them high office and generous salaries.”

Zhao Xingli’s rough hands pinched the corner of the document, repeatedly rubbing it between his fingers, his face ashen. “Three censors from the Censorate didn’t make it back.”

The atmosphere was silent for a moment.

Zhao Xingli then said, “The war in the south is critical, and the Princess Royal is also confined to Taihuang Temple. If we send troops to suppress the rebellion, the national treasury will surely run dry. Teacher will definitely send more people to Xiling, trying to find a way to sow discord among the rebels from within. I am incompetent, locked up in prison, and unable to share Teacher’s burden.”

When the prison meals were delivered, the food for Chen Liangyu and Zhao Xingli’s two cells was brought by the jailer separately: two white steamed buns, a plate of vegetables, and occasionally some meat. Today, Zhao Xingli’s bowl had an extra pot of medicinal broth.

Chen Liangyu joked, “Finally grew a conscience?”

A few days ago, the jailer would not brew a bowl of medicine no matter how much Chen Liangyu begged, coerced, or tempted him. Seeing that Zhao Xingli was genuinely close to death, Chen Liangyu haggled with the jailer for a long time, only managing to get a bowl of hot ginger tea, half a piece of raw ginger, and a worn-out blanket.

Today, medicine was actually brewed and delivered in a pot.

The jailer, changing his usual demeanor, grinned and said, “There’s great joy in the palace, and the Emperor is granting a general amnesty. If you two esteemed officials are pardoned, please don’t hold a grudge against this humble man. I was just doing my duty, trying to make a living in the prison. If I’m not tough, those criminals won’t take us jailers seriously.”

“Sending this bowl of medicine, to put it heavily, could be considered defying an imperial edict.”

“Look at you, sir. To put it lightly, it’s also defying an edict.”

Zhao Xingli had already brought the medicinal pot to his lips, but upon hearing “defying an edict,” he hastily pushed the pot away.

He stubbornly adhered to the principles of a subject toward his sovereign, taking “If the ruler wishes the subject to die, the subject must not refuse” as his code. Since the day he heard Tan Xialing say the Emperor had forbidden medical treatment for him, he had been waiting for death. That bowl of hot ginger tea was forcefully poured down his throat by the jailer who pried open his mouth. After the hot liquid, the jailer shoved a piece of ginger into his mouth. Zhao Xingli barely clung to life by holding the ginger in his mouth all night.

The jailer was puzzled when he saw the medicine being pushed away. “This?”

“He doesn’t like to drink it.”

The jailer scratched the back of his head.

Who would enjoy drinking bitter medicine for sickness?

“You misunderstand, sir. If Minister Tan hadn’t given the word, how dare I take it upon myself to send you this medicine?”

Chen Liangyu asked, “Medicine sent by Tan Xialing?”

“Our chief didn’t say it explicitly, but that’s what it sounded like.”

Chen Liangyu pondered for a moment, then tapped on the wooden partition. “Censor Zhao, congratulations.”

“What is there to congratulate?”

“Congratulations on escaping the confines of prison and returning to the world of men.”

The fifth day of the fifth month, the Dragon Boat Festival.

There were more carriages parked outside the Chengtian Gate than usual. Today, the wives and daughters of the capital’s officials entered the palace to celebrate the festival with the Empress and the Imperial Consorts. The Imperial Kitchen and the Court of Imperial Entertainments prepared zongzi (rice dumplings), realgar wine, and Five Poisons cakes to bestow upon the officials and their families.

Chen Luan, along with the Prefect of Yong’an, Cheng Lingdian, and the Minister of Justice, Tan Xialing, reviewed the proposed list of names for the general amnesty in the Central Chancellery. It was then to be submitted to the Hanlin Academy, and after the Emperor’s review, the amnesty edict could be issued.

Chen Luan quickly scanned the list. Sure enough, Zhao Xingli’s name was not on the list for the general amnesty.

In the past, the amnesty list was drafted jointly by the Three Judicial Offices and the Yong’an Prefecture. This time, the Emperor excluded the Censorate, leading to speculation that the Emperor feared the Supervising Censor-in-Chief would show favoritism and use the opportunity to save his favorite student from the Heavenly Prison. Furthermore, Zhao Xingli had already offended the Ministers of Revenue and Works. Even if they privately knew he wasn’t guilty of a major crime, they dared not rashly add Zhao Xingli’s name.

Cheng Lingdian handed the list to a young minor official in the Central Chancellery, ordering him to take it to Hanlin Academician Grandee Gu Heng for review.

Chen Luan checked the sun and thought that Yan Nian should be arriving in the capital soon.

He intercepted the minor official, taking the list from him. He then said to Cheng Lingdian and Tan Xialing, “My sister-in-law wrote a letter a few days ago saying she was already on her way back to the capital. I’m just about to go meet her, and I happen to pass by the Hanlin Academy. I can drop it off on the way. Give it to me.” After speaking, he bowed.

Cheng Lingdian and Tan Xialing returned the bow, and then went their separate ways.

The Hanlin Academy is located in the restricted area of the Imperial Palace. Walking from the Central Chancellery to the Hanlin Academy was in no way “on the way.” Chen Luan tucked the general amnesty list, with half of it exposed, and as he walked, a person hurried to catch up with him.

“Marquis, please wait.”

Chen Luan turned around. “Supervising Censor-in-Chief.”

It was Jiang Xiantang.

Jiang Xiantang said, “Marquis, could we speak in private?”

The palace was busy today, filled with people in official robes and gold belts and women in their official noble-rank headdresses. Even so, the two men’s purple robes and gold belts stood out in the crowd. Chen Luan followed Jiang Xiantang to a shaded spot. Jiang Xiantang looked utterly distressed.

He had never asked for a favor in his entire life, so he wasn’t familiar with the process. He didn’t even think about a private visit—Chen Luan had waited in the Marquis’s Residence for many days without seeing Jiang Xiantang call, yet on this Dragon Boat Festival, right here in the Imperial Palace, a place full of the Emperor’s eyes and ears, he allowed Jiang Xiantang to drag him away in plain sight.

Chen Luan felt smoke was about to rise from his head.

He feared that by now, the Hall of Political Affairs already knew about the secret conversation between the Supervising Censor-in-Chief and the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review in the palace.

Jiang Xiantang could not openly ask Chen Luan to add Zhao Xingli to the amnesty list. He was afraid of enraging the Emperor, who might instantly have him executed.

So, he said, “Alas, it’s nothing. You may go.”

Chen Luan: “…”

He watched Jiang Xiantang’s face flush from ashen to crimson. The old man turned his back, still saying nothing.

Chen Luan said, “I heard that Censor Zhao fell ill in prison and is close to death.”

Jiang Xiantang’s body swayed, feeling a little dizzy.

How could he forget? In the sixteenth year of Xuanyuan, when Zhao Xingli was promoted to Grand Censor, the first case he investigated was the collusion of the Cangnan Chen clan with the then-Minister of Works, Yao Chongshan, to accumulate wealth, leading to the Cangnan Famine, which caused countless deaths. Many members of the Chen clan were executed.

The young man standing before him was also of the Chen clan’s bloodline.

Knowing his plea was futile, Jiang Xiantang turned and walked away with faltering steps.

“Supervising Censor-in-Chief, please wait.”

Jiang Xiantang stopped abruptly and turned around sharply.

Chen Luan said, “The court is in a difficult situation. I can put aside personal grudges for now and am willing to speak on your behalf to His Majesty. I request that His Majesty order him to proceed to Xiling to investigate all matters related to the rebels and redeem himself through service.”

“Thank you, Marquis.”

Jiang Xiantang stood motionless, watching Chen Luan stride towards the restricted area of the palace, his body stiff and his limbs cold. Chen Luan being willing to help was a good thing, but bringing up the old matter highlighted the enormous debt he owed the Xuanping Marquis’s Residence. And this debt was not something he could repay himself.

Chen Luan’s true intention lay with the Censorate.

Jiang Xiantang sighed, thinking of his own personality when he was young, which was cast in the same mold as Zhao Xingli—a reckless hothead who showed no mercy in his words or actions.

Once a person enters old age, their once-firm beliefs quietly change their appearance.

He regarded Zhao Xingli as his own son.

If the Emperor did not grant even a bowl of medicine, an insignificant cold could take a man’s life. The very custom of social favors that he had once scoffed at had become the only bargaining chip to save Zhao Xingli’s life.

In the square in front of the Hall of Political Affairs, Chen Luan coincidentally met Hanlin Academician Grandee Gu Heng and handed the general amnesty list to him. He was calculating the time to leave the palace through the Donghua Gate to meet Yan Nian at the city gate.

Gu Heng opened the list and glanced at it. “Marquis, His Majesty summons you. Please.”

It was a day off for the Dragon Boat Festival, but Xie Yuan was still buried in work in the Hall of Political Affairs.

Local memorials piled up like mountains. He reviewed stack after stack, his forehead glistening with a thin layer of sweat. Zheng Hechuan stood to the side, fanning him with a cool jade fan.

Chen Luan entered the hall and knelt.

Xie Yuan was direct and to the point. “What did Jiang Xiantang try to enlist you for?”

Chen Luan bowed his head. “Supervising Censor-in-Chief asked this subject to plead with Your Majesty on behalf of Zhao Xingli.”

“You are quite honest.”

“This subject dares not deceive Your Majesty.”

Xie Yuan raised a hand. “Grant him a seat.” The attendant immediately brought a soft stool.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xie Yuan said, “I want to hear how the Marquis of Xuanping pleads for Zhao Xingli. Could it be that without Zhao Xingli, the rebellion in Xiling cannot be quelled by anyone?”

Chen Luan said, “Of course it can.”

“Tell me.”

“With Liangyu leading the campaign to quell the rebellion, the military disaster can be eliminated in a few days.”

Xie Yuan said, “Your meaning is that I must release one of them?”

Chen Luan said, “Releasing both will be twice as effective.”

“You are audacious!”

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.” Chen Luan pulled back his robe and knelt. “This subject has one more thing to say.”

Xie Yuan let out a humph, leaning his head back against the dragon chair.

Chen Luan said, “With military matters in the south and Xiling, the stability of agriculture, sericulture, and grain taxes must also be ensured. Now the Princess Royal is at Taihuang Temple praying for the soul of Empress Huixian, and the Office of Agriculture lacks a central authority. The position of Right Chancellor has been vacant for many years. This subject request Your Majesty to appoint a Chancellor to share the burden for the Emperor.”

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly, his facial features tight and inscrutable.

He concealed his thoughts completely.

The power over agriculture and grain taxes in the hands of Xie Wenjun was indeed a problem for him. Chen Xingqian had reminded him that the Great Lin Dynasty should appoint a Chancellor. Once the power over money and grain was moved to the Central Chancellery, Xie Wenjun would only have an empty title, and there would be nothing to fear from her.

After a moment, Xie Yuan said, “You may retire now.”

“This subject takes his leave.”