Chapter 1189: The Furious Zhao Kuangyin

The three Han Lingkun brothers—Han Lingjun was the second, serving as a Clerk in the Ministry of War, and was the highest-ranking member of the Han clan in the capital. Upon learning that his nephew had committed an offense, his first reaction was shock, his second was anger, and when he learned the cause of the matter—that the man killed was Chang Kan—fear followed.

This was a serious matter. If it had been an ordinary person, some maneuvering and money might have made the problem go away, but this was precisely someone who could not be easily placated.

After calming down, Han Lingjun didn't even go to the Luoyang prison—he came directly to the Duke of Rong's mansion to seek an audience with Zhao Kuangyin. In this situation, aside from Zhao Kuangyin, he couldn't think of anyone else who could lend a hand and ease the matter. What gave him some reassurance was that Zhao Kuangyin did not refuse to see him.

In the inner hall of the Duke of Rong's mansion, a maidservant served hot tea. Zhao Kuangyin sat upright and gestured to Han Lingjun: "Drink your tea, calm your nerves!"

Han Lingjun was in no mood to savor tea at this point. He had barely settled into his seat before he couldn't help but rise, cupping his hands: "Duke Rong, things have come to this, beyond recovery. My nephew is young and though he is unworthy, I earnestly beg you to extend your aid and save Sanlang's life!"

"Sanlang is my nephew as well—if something has happened to him, I naturally will not stand by and do nothing!" Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin first gave an affirmative stance.

However, his next words still made Han Lingjun's heart tighten: "I already know of this matter—it is quite troublesome! He was reckless as well. If it had been a brawl with injuries, there would be room to maneuver, but now, in broad daylight, in public, using a lethal weapon to kill a man—how easy do you think it will be to clean this up?"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin express difficulty, Han Lingjun, who had just barely taken his seat, stood up again and said urgently: "My elder brother died young, and his line has only this one remaining blood descendant. I beg you to take pity and not let his line die out!"

Hearing this, a trace of emotion appeared on Zhao Kuangyin's resolute face. He rose and helped Han Lingjun up: "I know! I know! If Deshun's line were to end, how could my heart bear it?"

Han Lingkun had indeed fathered quite a few children, but of his three sons, only Han Qingxiong had grown to adulthood—effectively an only son, doted upon with boundless affection. Otherwise, the succession of the title would not have fallen to him.

"What is the attitude of the Luoyang prefectural office?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.

Han Lingjun replied: "He is temporarily held in custody, and the trial will be held tomorrow! Governor Murong is stern, and Chancellor Li of the Ministry of Justice is difficult to approach with personal appeals. If the case goes to trial and a sentence is passed, I fear he cannot escape death!"

"Return to your residence first. I will handle this matter myself—I will find a way!" Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath and spoke to Han Lingjun as steadily and calmly as he could.

Not receiving a definite answer, Han Lingjun was somewhat unwilling and wanted to press further, but a glare from Zhao Kuangyin made him dare not say more.

With a sigh, Zhao Kuangyin spoke in as comforting a tone as he could manage: "Han Deshun may have passed away young, but Zhao Kuangyin is still here. I shared decades of friendship with him. Even if you had not come to inform me, I would not stand idly by. Return to your residence for now and let me think. Remember—do not take any further actions!"

"Yes!" Han Lingjun was helpless as well. He sighed mournfully, cupped his hands in farewell, and took his leave.

After Han Lingjun left, Zhao Kuangyin could no longer maintain his composure. He slammed his hand hard on the table, his voice unable to contain his anger: "That fool—where did he get the nerve!"

At that moment, a young lad stepped out and bowed to Zhao Kuangyin: "Father!"

The newcomer was Zhao Kuangyin's second son, Zhao Dezhao. Though young in years, he was steady and measured, reserved yet cultivated, and much beloved by Zhao Kuangyin. Seeing his son, Zhao Kuangyin gestured for him to sit beside him, then remarked with feeling: "The Han family's beam above is crooked, so the beam below is uneven as well!"

The "beam above" in Zhao Kuangyin's words did not refer to Han Lingkun, but to his father, Han Lun. In earlier years, as the father of a meritorious official, he had resided in Luoyang and, like Guo Rong's father Chai Shouli, was the sort who flaunted himself ostentatiously and ran wild, bringing considerable disgrace upon the Han family.

This was also something Zhao Kuangyin disliked. Now that Han Qingxiong had committed an offense, it naturally drew his displeasure and transferred blame, making him feel that the Han family was unfortunate.

Looking at his father, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but ask: "Father, now that Uncle Han has come to beg you of his own accord, and you have agreed, can this matter be peacefully resolved?"

"Peacefully resolved? How could it be peacefully resolved!" At the mention of this, Zhao Kuangyin could not help but lose his temper: "Setting aside everything else—the Chang family has lost their legitimate son. How could they be willing to let it go? Would they not seek revenge? Could they let the Han family's Sanlang escape with his life? Even if both sides could reach a private compromise, this is a case involving a human life—are the laws of the court and the penal code of the Great Han mere decorations?

The Luoyang authorities have already taken over the matter, and the man is already locked in prison. Can this matter still be made small? I fear that right now, everyone high and low is watching this case. Once it reaches His Majesty's ears, how do you think it can be peacefully resolved?"

Hearing this, Zhao Dezhao fell silent for a moment, then said hesitantly: "Is the matter so serious?"

"A man's life was taken!" Zhao Kuangyin suppressed his anger: "In all these years, which case involving a human life has been easily brushed aside? The Ministry of Justice accepts the case, Dali reviews it, and every single one bears His Majesty's vermilion endorsement—you can see how seriously it is taken.

For common folk, matters of human life are treated this way—how much more so for you pampered sons of privilege? What I fear is that His Majesty will not only refuse to let this go easily, but will make an example of it to warn everyone high and low. In recent years, among the scions of meritorious families in the two capitals, there have been many reckless and wanton deeds—His Majesty has long been dissatisfied!"

"If that is so, is the Han family's Sanlang in great danger?" A look of gravity flashed across Zhao Dezhao's face.

Zhao Kuangyin took a sip of tea and said with certainty: "If the case is judged and sentenced according to normal procedure, as Han Lingjun said, it is highly likely he will be sentenced to death in court!"

"Governor Murong is not a man of iron and stone—could he not show leniency?" Zhao Dezhao asked: "That Chang Kan was known to be sharp-tongued and extremely caustic. If he had not hurled vicious words, would Han Sanlang, reckless as he is, have been driven to kill him in anger?"

"Regardless, that he killed a man is an indisputable fact. He has violated the laws of the state, and by law, he must pay with his life!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "Moreover, even if Governor Murong showed mercy and reported it up to the Ministry of Justice, would Chancellor Li, the emperor's maternal uncle, let it pass easily? Chang Kan was still one of his men. Furthermore, if there were the slightest bending of the law, would that not give people ammunition? Would the Chang family not raise a fuss? If it came to that, the matter would become even more unmanageable!"

Hearing this, Zhao Dezhao could not help but sigh. Looking at his father, he asked: "The matter has become a dead end—since you have promised Uncle Han to find a way to save the man, how will you go about it?"

"I must take action before the Luoyang prefectural office passes its sentence!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

Meeting Zhao Dezhao's gaze, Zhao Kuangyin said with some helplessness: "For this matter, aside from His Majesty, no one else would be of any use. Only His Majesty can suppress the Chang family's discontent. I only wonder if this old face of mine can move His Majesty to show leniency beyond the law?"

Hearing this, Zhao Dezhao thought for a moment, then said: "Father, His Majesty governs with strict law and rarely shows leniency. If you go to plead, will it anger His Majesty?"

To this, Zhao Kuangyin fell silent. After a long while, he sighed: "Regardless, I must do something to reduce the punishment. Even if it means stripping him of rank to commoner, exiling him to the frontier to do hard labor—at least it would leave your Uncle Han a line of descendants!"

Regarding this matter, from the moment he learned of it, Zhao Kuangyin had already resolved in his heart that he must intervene. Even setting aside his close relationship with Han Lingkun, this also represented a question of political stance. Right or wrong, when the Han family was in trouble, he had to show his support—otherwise, who would remain steadfastly gathered under his banner?

Even though Zhao Kuangyin was well aware that in a situation where he had no justification to stand on, this carried political risk. Offending the Chang family, or even the Guo family, was not a major problem—what he feared was incurring Emperor Liu's displeasure.

"You and Defang had better behave yourselves from now on as well—focus on your studies and martial training, and don't go out causing trouble!" Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned and admonished Zhao Dezhao.

"Yes!"