Chapter 136: Liu Yijing Gets Trapped

Zhu Youxiao also looked at Wang Guozhen; he hadn't expected Wang Guozhen to step forward at this moment.

The expression on Zhu Youxiao's face turned somewhat grave as he turned his head to glance at Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing standing on the other side.

It seemed the Donglin Faction was prepared to fight with everything this time — actually letting Wang Guozhen step forward. This was a heavyweight figure.

"What does my beloved minister wish to say?" Zhu Youxiao said slowly as he looked at Wang Guozhen, his tone extremely calm.

In fact, Wang Guozhen had already said some things just now, but those words had been shrouded in mist and fog, never pointing directly at the crux of the matter.

The meaning of Zhu Youxiao's words now was obvious — he was telling Wang Guozhen to stop beating around the bush and say whatever he had to say plainly.

Wang Guozhen was somewhat embarrassed; he was accustomed to speaking this way. But since His Majesty had already asked, he naturally could not delay any longer.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke: "Your Majesty, your minister believes this case has indeed reached the time when it must be resolved. But with the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard taking the lead, your minister believes that is improper. This case truly should be thoroughly investigated, but it should not be thoroughly investigated by these men of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Hearing Wang Guozhen's words, Zhu Youxiao's face darkened. He looked at him expressionlessly and asked slowly: "Should it be handed to the Censorate then?"

Hearing these words of Zhu Youxiao — especially that trace of displeasure in his tone — everyone present wore somewhat awkward expressions, especially the men of the Donglin Faction.

Because this affair had started going wrong precisely at the Censorate.

Everyone knew that His Majesty had initially trusted the Donglin Faction. After the case came out, His Majesty had handed it to the Donglin Faction at the very first opportunity. In order to choose a suitable person, His Majesty had even specially consulted Gao Panlong and Yang Lian at the time.

Gao Panlong had put forward a strategy of turning big matters into small ones and small matters into nothing, which had not pleased His Majesty, so that time His Majesty had not used Gao Panlong.

Yang Lian was different. He had spoken eloquently before His Majesty, arguing that the case of colluding with Li Ruzhen should be handled severely and strictly. So His Majesty had handed the case to him — but what was the result?

Not only had Yang Lian failed to handle it severely and strictly, he had even investigated and produced a case of Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot committing false accusation. How could His Majesty take that?

The confessions and evidence produced by the Eastern Depot's investigation were all false — were what you investigated and interrogated true then?

The matter had suddenly become impossible to control. It was from that point that things took a sharp turn for the worse, and the case was once again handed back to the Eastern Depot.

In the end, Wei Zhongxian rolled the case up like a snowball, making it bigger and bigger, until now it could drag everyone in.

If one were careless in handling it, a great disaster would inevitably result.

Hearing His Majesty's words now made it clear — His Majesty no longer trusted these men of the Donglin Faction.

Otherwise, His Majesty would absolutely never have spoken such words. This signified that His Majesty was already very angry.

Wang Guozhen, however, remained unruffled. Though his face showed some embarrassment, his heart was extraordinarily calm.

Being an official, being an official — how could one be an official without thick skin?

Being scolded a few times by one's superior and letting the spittle dry on its own was an essential skill.

"Your Majesty, since personnel of the Censorate are implicated in this case, it is no longer suitable for them to participate in its adjudication. On the Eastern Depot's side, Wei Zhongxian, Eunuch Wei, is also implicated, so he too is unsuitable to adjudicate this matter. This is a major case, and so it should be handled all the more seriously and rigorously — to restore clarity to the innocent, to mete punishment to the guilty, and to manifest the Son of Heaven's fair and benevolent virtue."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Guozhen. He had to admit that the Donglin Faction did still have some capable men — only, these men always believed themselves to be all-around talents.

Take Wang Guozhen before him, for example. This man was a logistical talent. Managing supplies, transporting grain and fodder — he was extremely skilled in such matters.

But there was one thing: he was no good at marching to war or training troops, and his partisan bias ran deep. Perhaps this was also a common ailment of the Donglin Faction.

Now he could also see Wang Guozhen's ability. He had started from the point that two implicated persons should not serve as chief adjudicators, directly excluding Wei Zhongxian as well.

With Wei Zhongxian and the Eastern Depot gone, a new suitable person naturally had to be proposed.

If he were to forcefully push Wei Zhongxian forward now, he would inevitably incur the opposition of all civil officials throughout the court. Even Liu Yijing's side would not agree.

Zhang Yingdao's move just now had already dragged Liu Yijing into a trap.

If Liu Yijing did not wish to continue, then he would inevitably step forward to oppose Wei Zhongxian.

Moreover, Liu Yijing would afterward cut ties with Zhang Yingdao, telling everyone that he had merely been betrayed by Zhang Yingdao, that he still stood within the civil official camp, and had not wallowed in the mire with Wei Zhongxian.

In this way, Liu Yijing could stabilize his base. If he were to wallow in the mire with Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Youxiao estimated his camp would fall into chaos in an instant.

Because Liu Yijing's camp was originally a coalition camp; its centripetal force was not that strong. It was merely the product of a brief period of fusion, and Liu Yijing would certainly never become its leader — he had no way to command everyone.

So making Wei Zhongxian the chief adjudicating official for this case would inevitably invite opposition from both court and country.

Although Zhu Youxiao could force it through, he would not do so.

If he caused all the civil officials to become estranged from him, then how could he handle matters in the future?

Some people could oppose me, but I absolutely could not let everyone oppose me.

So Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Guozhen and said softly: "Then whom does my beloved minister recommend?"

After Zhu Youxiao asked this question, the atmosphere in the entire great hall froze once again.

Everyone looked at Wang Guozhen, wanting to see whom he would recommend.

Liu Yijing had even already prepared to step forward and oppose it.

In Liu Yijing's view, Wang Guozhen would inevitably want to take this case into the hands of the Donglin Faction. That way, they would be able to handle the matter properly.

But in fact, everyone knew that once this case fell into their hands, how it was handled would be their affair. If he himself wanted to intervene, it would basically be impossible — how could he allow such a thing to happen?

The case could not be handed to Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot, but it absolutely could not be handed to these men of the Donglin Faction either.

"Your Majesty, since this case involves many parties and carries great influence, your minister believes that a senior minister of the court should serve as chief adjudicator, assisted by the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, the Eastern Depot, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to thoroughly and completely investigate and adjudicate this case."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Wang Guozhen. He had to admit this proposal was very fitting.

Whether he had thought of this method himself or someone else had given him the idea, there was one thing Zhu Youxiao knew — he did not like this method.

But Wang Guozhen had clearly already considered this point: since he could not make His Majesty like it, he would make His Majesty choose something he could accept.

Though His Majesty might not necessarily like this idea, neither was it so unacceptable.

Having a senior minister serve as chief adjudicator, with the others as deputy adjudicators — including men of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard — could be considered giving face to this emperor, while also expressing his own intent: that they did not want to favor anyone, they only wanted to adjudicate the case clearly.

But this approach was not yet enough. Zhu Youxiao needed to see who the chief adjudicator they recommended was.

"Then regarding the choice of chief adjudicator, does my beloved minister have a suitable person to recommend?" Zhu Youxiao asked once again.

"Your Majesty, your minister believes that since so many offices are being mobilized, and those being adjudicated include the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, the Military Commissioner of Liaodong, and the Governor of Guangning, the chief adjudicator of this case must be someone of deep seniority and high prestige, renowned far and wide, capable of commanding respect. Therefore, your minister recommends Grand Secretary Han of the Grand Secretariat." Wang Guozhen said with a solemn, earnest expression.

The moment this proposal was made, Zhu Youxiao nearly slapped the table in admiration.

Bringing out Han Kuang — at this moment it truly could not have been more fitting!

In terms of status, Han Kuang was a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat; his qualifications for adjudicating this case were absolutely sufficient.

At the same time, Han Kuang's entanglement with the Donglin Faction ran quite deep, so he would not go for the kill against the Donglin Faction. What he wanted was merely the allegiance of some Donglin men, so giving it to him was no problem — still better than having them done to death by Liu Yijing and his ilk.

So for the Donglin Faction, Han Kuang was the most suitable candidate.

Upon hearing this candidate proposed by Wang Guozhen, Liu Yijing's expression instantly turned extremely ugly.

Sure enough, none of these people were easy to deal with—his relationship with Han Kuang was now quite delicate. Liu Yijing sensed that after being set up by Zhang Yingdao, Han Kuang's gaze toward him had already been off.

If he opposed this proposal now, Han Kuang might completely break with him. For Liu Yijing at this moment, that was absolutely not a consequence he could bear.

But if this case were given to Han Kuang, that would be tantamount to letting him win over the Donglin Faction. If the Donglin Faction all pledged themselves to him, then what would Liu Yijing have left to contend with him?

This move was truly too vicious. Liu Yijing looked at Wang Guozhen. How had he never noticed before that this Wang Guozhen had such ability? Had he grown some skills?

Zhu Youxiao watched the ministers below with their varied expressions and forced himself to hold back a laugh.

Every one of these old fellows truly had their own tricks, and they understood each other extremely well—one could say every move struck a vital point.

Now it was Liu Yijing's turn to be in a difficult spot.

Just moments ago Liu Yijing had held the upper hand, yet in only a brief instant, offense and defense had reversed.

"Do all of you, my beloved ministers, have any objections to this proposal?" Zhu Youxiao continued asking.

At this moment, he was nothing but a tool. Once they finished speaking, he had to ask this one line.

So Zhu Youxiao dutifully asked.

After these words came out, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works Zhao Nanxing was the first to step forward, directly saying: "Your subject believes this matter is feasible. Grand Secretary Han is deeply esteemed and widely respected, his reputation spreading throughout court and country. He has always been just and strict, and regarding treacherous villains and petty schemers, one could say he sees through them as clearly as watching fire. Entrusting this case to Grand Secretary Han for adjudication could not be more fitting! Your subject concurs!"

If one were to ask who hated Liu Yijing the most right now, it would undoubtedly be Zhao Nanxing.

He had become Liu Yijing's target the moment he came up and had been schemed against terribly. Now that he had a chance to retaliate, he naturally would not show any mercy. So Zhao Nanxing spoke these words with resounding force.

The moment Zhao Nanxing's words fell, Gao Panlong, who stood off to the side, also stepped forward and spoke with equal resounding force: "Your Majesty, your subject believes this plan is excellent. With a Grand Secretary presiding over this case, it will surely convince the masses and quell discussions both inside and outside the court. After all, Grand Secretary Han is deeply esteemed and highly respected—all at court and in the country hold him in profound admiration and submit to him wholeheartedly."