Chapter 1193: Two Choices

By the time Zhao Kuangyin left the Western Garden and returned to the city, dusk had deepened. Emperor Liu made a show of inviting him to stay overnight in the palace grounds, but he politely declined. On an ordinary day, Zhao Kuangyin might have had some interest—after all, opportunities to grow close to the emperor were rare—but now, with matters weighing on his mind, he could not find peace.

On the way back to his residence, seated in his carriage, Zhao Kuangyin wore a grave expression, even somewhat solemn. After that conversation with Emperor Liu, he had vaguely sensed that the fire of the "Han Chang case" seemed to be spreading toward himself—and that he had perhaps been a bit too eager...

"Father!" At the gate of the Duke of Rong's residence, Zhao Dezhao personally came to receive Zhao Kuangyin, his expression earnest as he reported: "Uncles Li, Dang, Liu, and Wang have come to pay their respects!"

"Why are they here!" Zhao Kuangyin's brow furrowed even deeper. "How long have they been waiting?"

Sensing that Zhao Kuangyin's expression was off, Zhao Dezhao said: "Less than half an hour. I've served them tea in the front hall!"

"Let's go!" Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath, waved his hand, and quickened his pace.

The Li, Dang, Liu, and Wang that Zhao Dezhao referred to were Li Jixun, Dang Jin, Liu Shouzhong, and Wang Zhengzhong. Among them, Li Jixun was the eldest and most senior. Dang Jin was Zhao Kuangyin's old comrade-in-arms, with deep friendship between them; Liu and Wang had also been his subordinates in earlier years, having gone through life-and-death situations together and been promoted largely thanks to him. They now served in the imperial army as well.

When he entered the hall, the four were sipping tea and drinking wine. Seeing them, a smile bloomed on Zhao Kuangyin's face, his demeanor open and magnanimous as he clasped his hands and said: "Why have you brothers come? Sorry to have kept you waiting—please forgive me!"

Zhao Kuangyin was their "boss," after all, so the four dared not neglect propriety and bowed together in greeting. Then it was Li Jixun who spoke: "Duke Rong, the third son of the Han family has already been sentenced to death. Surely you know of this by now. Can we really just sit by and watch Han Deshun's only remaining bloodline be cut off?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin countered: "Han Qingxiong violated the nation's laws and was sentenced according to the law. What grounds are there for reproach? What grounds for alteration? In your view, what should be done?"

As for Li Jixun and the others, it wasn't as if their relationship with Han Lingkun was particularly close—after all, they had only come to know him through Zhao Kuangyin. Their display now was mostly a way of showing their stance, expressing support for Zhao Kuangyin.

That night, Zhao Kuangyin's efforts on behalf of Han Qingxiong were not deliberately concealed; he conducted himself fairly openly. The interesting part was precisely this—though there was clearly suspicion of seeking to bend the law, many who witnessed it felt that Zhao Kuangyin was kind-hearted, loyal, and worthy of deep friendship...

In response to the question, Li Jixun answered: "Han Deshun passed away only a few months ago, and now his line is to be cut off—that's truly improper. Regardless, he was a meritorious minister of the Great Han. In the great battle at Nankou back then, he fought to the death against the enemy, was gravely wounded and nearly died, and only then did the opportunity for a counterattack come, routing the Liao army..."

"Merit is merit, fault is fault. How can a father's merit offset a son's fault? Moreover, did His Majesty and the court not reward Han Deshun's contributions? Wasn't the official position and treatment that the third son of the Han family enjoyed before all due to his father's protection?" Zhao Kuangyin fired back with successive questions.

Struck speechless by these words, the several men couldn't help casting puzzled looks at Zhao Kuangyin—this hardly seemed like someone trying to save Han Qingxiong.

Sensing their confusion, Zhao Kuangyin sighed and said: "The sentence has already been handed down. Can a settled judgment still be overturned?"

Looking over the men, Zhao Kuangyin asked: "Do you have a way, then?"

Dang Jin said bluntly: "The judgment has been passed, but doesn't it still need to be reported to the Ministry of Justice and Dali? We don't understand the law, but we know one can petition His Majesty for mercy. We're willing to submit a joint memorial to His Majesty—not seeking full pardon, only a commutation of sentence. Whether it's imprisonment or exile, we have no objection—just spare his life!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's face immediately darkened somewhat. He shot Dang Jin a glare and rebuked: "Fortunately, you haven't done so yet—otherwise, the ones facing demotion would be you!"

At this, Dang Jin was somewhat taken aback and asked blankly: "What do you mean by that?"

"Do you know where I've just returned from?" Looking around at them, Zhao Kuangyin didn't keep them in suspense and said directly: "I've just come from the Western Garden, where I had an audience with His Majesty—precisely over this matter!"

Li Jixun immediately said: "What was the result? His Majesty should at least show Duke Rong some courtesy!"

Without answering directly, Zhao Kuangyin pondered briefly, then raised his head to survey his "underlings," making them feel somewhat uncomfortable. Finally, Zhao Kuangyin said in a deep voice: "I won't be hosting you tonight. Each of you, return to your own residences. Don't involve yourselves in this matter any further, and don't speak recklessly!"

"And one more thing!" Before they could react, Zhao Kuangyin continued, his expression especially stern: "From now on, unless necessary, do not come visiting in such a crowd again!"

"It invites criticism!"

Hearing this, the men exchanged glances. Some seemed about to say something, but seeing the full authority in Zhao Kuangyin's face, they dared not argue. After bowing to him together, they took their leave.

In the study, a maidservant changed the candles. Zhao Kuangyin sat cross-legged behind a desk, pouring wine for himself and drinking alone. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

"Father!" Zhao Dezhao entered, bowing quietly.

"Have they all been seen off?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.

"Yes!" Zhao Dezhao replied: "Uncle Dang asked me to tell you—you've done all that you should. If the matter truly cannot be salvaged, there's no need to blame yourself!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin smiled: "I've always known—Dang Jin may appear rough on the surface, but inside he's shrewd!"

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao hesitated for a while, then couldn't help asking: "How did your audience with His Majesty go? Did His Majesty refuse to show mercy?"

Looking at his son, whose eyes were full of curiosity, Zhao Kuangyin sighed and said: "His Majesty invited me to dine and drink with him. The meat was even roasted by His Majesty's own hands—it tasted quite good..."

Zhao Kuangyin's answer didn't address the question. He paused, then added: "In the end, regarding this matter, he gave me two choices!"

"Two choices?" Zhao Dezhao was even more puzzled, adopting a posture of seeking instruction.

"Though His Majesty didn't say it explicitly, that was the meaning!" Zhao Kuangyin explained: "In consideration of Han Deshun's merits, His Majesty is unwilling to see his line extinguished. But the fact that Han Qingxiong committed murder cannot go unpunished—otherwise, it would be hard to win over people's hearts!

"Therefore, he offered two solutions. First: Han Qingxiong is sentenced for the crime of murder and executed in the marketplace. The title of Marquis of Wuning is not stripped, and one person is chosen from the Han family's close branches to be adopted as Han Deshun's heir.

"Second: His Majesty extends mercy beyond the law, sparing Han Qingxiong's life, but he is to be exiled to the frontier for penal service, with all titles and offices stripped..."

Zhao Dezhao was a clever man. Hearing this, he quickly understood, but a conflicted expression also appeared on his face. The difference between the two options was obvious.

Option one: the title is preserved, and Han Lingkun's line continues—but in terms of blood, it would no longer be his direct descent. Whether title or property, in the end it would benefit an "outsider." Even this was already extraordinary grace from Emperor Liu. Under the Great Han, succession to noble titles—except for the founding houses—besides hereditary reduction in rank, had another major characteristic: it was maintained on the basis of blood lineage.

Without direct lineal connection, the court would reclaim the title. If one committed a crime, the title would also be reduced or stripped according to the severity of the offense. Moreover, for title-holders, from conception to birth, offspring had to be registered and filed with the Ministry of Personnel, and there was a set system of verification. If there was deception or falsification, once discovered or reported, it was a grave crime.

After the old State Elder, Marquis of Haiyang Zhou Zong, died—because he had no surviving sons—the clan nephew he had adopted inherited only the property, while the title was reclaimed by the court. However, out of consideration for Lady Zhou and her children, perhaps Emperor Liu would show mercy in the future and bestow another title.

This was the value of noble titles in the Great Han today—the stricter the management, the more difficult the granting. The superiority in status and identity gradually became apparent with the passage of time.

It could be imagined that in the future, when the nobles of the Great Han chose their heirs, besides considerations of legitimate versus illegitimate birth, they would also have to look at the third generation...

Option two was even simpler—aside from a single life, not much could be preserved. Reduced to commoner status, exiled to the frontier for penal service, a large portion of the property would likely have to be paid as compensation to the Chang family, and the remainder would still need to support his mother and younger sister...

Zhao Dezhao pondered for a long while, then couldn't help asking: "Father, which choice do you think should be made?"

Sighing, Zhao Kuangyin countered: "What choice do you think Han Lingjun and his brothers will make?"

At this, Zhao Dezhao smiled bitterly. The Marquis of Wuning was a first-rank marquisate—this involved hereditary succession of the title. It was hard to guarantee that Han Lingjun wouldn't shift from a mindset of protecting his nephew to one of calculating interests.

If an adoption were made from the clan nephews, it could be certain that the choice would fall among Han Lingjun's own sons—after all, of Han Lingkun's two younger brothers, he was the one in the Western Capital. In that case, even if the inherited title were reduced by another three ranks because of Han Qingxiong's murder, it would still be a guaranteed income through drought or flood. Han Lingjun's family, which currently had no title, would stand to gain enormously...

Sensing the slight discomfort in Zhao Kuangyin's heart, Zhao Dezhao offered a suggestion—that before Han Qingxiong began his penal service, his household should find some women and hurry to have him produce offspring.

Though this still carried certain risks—such as whether she could conceive, or whether a son might not be born—if that were the case, the title truly could not be preserved.

After all, Emperor Liu's exceptional act of grace would not be repeated.

This was a difficult choice to make. After considering for a long time, Zhao Kuangyin instructed Zhao Dezhao: "Send someone with my name card to find Han Lingjun and have him go to the Luoyang prefectural prison!"

With that, Zhao Kuangyin also rose, ordering someone to help him remove his official robe and change into casual clothes, preparing to go out. After this whole day and night, it had been quite exhausting.