Chapter 1420: The Law of the State Comes First

"This cousin of mine—after all these years of tempering at the local level, he really has grown into something. He's even working the personal connections up to the ducal mansion. Not New Year's, not a festival, and he's sending gifts, even bringing his uncle along. What is he after?" Liu Xu sighed and asked, "What did he send? Nothing like gold or silver, I hope!"

At this, the steward hurriedly replied, "Only some seafood and local products, nothing rare or precious. It seems the Prefectural Administrator was simply thinking of Your Highness and wished to express a token of his regard. Additionally, the Duke's maternal uncle left a letter!"

Following the steward's gesture, Liu Xu took the letter from atop a pile of documents on his desk, discreetly examined it, and found it unsealed. It was a letter from Geng Jixun, containing aside from some greetings, a report to Liu Xu on the political situation in his post at Mizhou, as well as some circumstances regarding cooperation with the court's new policies there.

Of course, reading between the lines, Liu Xu keenly discerned Geng Jixun's purpose in sending this letter—he wanted to move positions, preferably to be transferred back to the capital.

Speaking of it, when Geng Jixun was originally sent out to the provinces, it had been at Liu Xu's instigation. Time had flown by—nearly ten years had passed—and Geng Jixun had risen from county magistrate all the way to Prefectural Administrator of a region.

Ten years to achieve such a promotion record—in the current officialdom of the Great Han, it might not be standing out like a crane among chickens, but it certainly counted as meteoric rise. Behind it all, of course, Liu Xu's support was indispensable.

Liu Xu did not grow angry at Geng Jixun's letter, nor did he think him ungrateful. Rather, it stirred his own thoughts. As the eldest imperial prince, Liu Xu had been the first to establish his household and the first to participate in court politics.

Over these years, benefiting from his status and power, he had accumulated considerable prestige, gathered no small number of talents under his wing, and promoted many trusted confidants both inside and outside the court.

Under Liu Xu's command, there might be no shortage of capable men, but those truly worthy of trust, to whom he could bare his heart, were still comparatively lacking.

And if he were to choose people worthy of entrusting with great matters, his first instinct would still be the Geng father and son. The bond of blood always made them more worthy of closeness. Moreover, the wealth and honor of the Geng father and son, and indeed the entire Geng clan, were largely pinned on Liu Xu. In the early years, they had benefited greatly from Consort Geng Chen, but she had passed away early, and the shelf life of that favor could hardly last so long. In the past decade or more, whatever regard Emperor Liu showed the Geng family was basically out of consideration for Liu Xu's sake.

Whether to transfer Geng Jixun back to the capital—Liu Xu could not help but give it serious thought. After a long while, he looked up and instructed the steward, "Select some of the gifts previously presented by the Tibetan chieftain and send them to the Duke's maternal uncle's residence, especially those medicinal herbs and medicinal wines. Consider it a return gift!"

"Yes!" The steward bowed in acknowledgment, then hesitated slightly and said, "Your Highness and the Duke's maternal uncle are blood relatives—would this not be too distant and formal?"

At this, Liu Xu merely glanced up at him, and the steward immediately started in fright and hastily said, "This servant spoke out of turn!"

Emperor Liu's sons, influenced by him, each had their own personalities, but in conduct, speech, and bearing, they all bore more or less the shadow of Emperor Liu—much of it unconscious imitation and learning. And Liu Xu was the most similar among all the brothers.

"The date for the special examination has been set. In the next two or three months, scholars and student-officials will be arriving in the capital one after another to prepare for the exams. Keep an eye on it from the mansion. This special examination is His Majesty's grace and a great matter of state. For those scholars coming from remote borders or poor and humble backgrounds, help where you can!" Liu Xu further instructed.

"Yes!"

His brows furrowed, as if weighing whether this move was appropriate. Coming back to himself, Liu Xu added, "Don't make a big show of it. As long as we can share the court's burdens, that will suffice!"

"This servant understands!" After all, being a close attendant of the ducal mansion, though he could not deeply fathom all of Liu Xu's intentions, he still carried out his tasks without any discount.

"Your Highness, the Lady has sent word that the evening meal is ready and requests your presence!" A household servant came to report.

"Reply that I will come shortly!" Liu Xu nodded.

He sat behind the desk, thoughtfully reviewing and reflecting once more. After a long while, the corners of his mouth finally curved into his customary spring-breeze smile, and he rose to leave.

Under the night sky, the palace city was like a crouching beast—not ferocious, yet enough to inspire fear. Inside the hall, Emperor Liu, with a face full of affection, had just coaxed his tired imperial grandson Wenyuan to sleep when he heard that Zhang Dejun had come to seek an audience. He did not find it too late, and the man appeared to have something important on his mind.

Zhang Dejun had been coming to the palace with increasing frequency lately—not so much to report matters to Emperor Liu, but to maintain his presence before the emperor. Li Chongju's request to retire had served as something of a warning to him.

Of course, Zhang Dejun's reflection was not about whether he should restrain himself and keep a low profile to avoid arousing Emperor Liu's suspicions. Zhang Dejun had a very clear understanding of himself. Unlike Li Chongju, and unlike the Wude Office, the Palace City Office—he was an inner minister, a eunuch, the emperor's household servant. The only one he needed to please and serve loyally was the emperor himself.

The lesson Zhang Dejun drew was that in recent years, his relationship with Emperor Liu was no longer as close as it had once been. That faint sense of estrangement filled him with unease.

Therefore, during this period, he had become much more diligent in entering the palace daily to pay his respects and report matters. Even if he drew some small rebuke from Emperor Liu, he was as delighted as if he had eaten honey—at least he felt his relationship with the emperor was gradually recovering.

Of course, what Zhang Dejun had come to report was a major matter—at least, a life-threatening major matter to him. It was the same matter reported to Liu Xu at his mansion: the fright suffered by the eldest imperial grandson.

Compared to the report at the Duke of Qin's mansion, Zhang Dejun's report was far more detailed, with all the details front to back, including the background of the perpetrator and even his path to wealth, all investigated with perfect clarity.

It was the youngest son of the Zhu family, a prominent household south of the city. The head of the family was named Zhu Jun, who had risen to prominence only in the past twenty years. He had made his fortune selling porcelain, amassing vast wealth, while also engaging in businesses such as restaurants, transport, grain and cloth, and building materials. He had properties in all three major markets of Luoyang.

Of course, the most important thing was his deep background. The Zhu family's backing was none other than the emperor's uncle, Murong Yanchao, Duke of Luan. This connection was not difficult to uncover, and with the support of such a patron, the Zhu family enjoyed a considerable reputation among the merchant community of the capital.

As for Emperor Liu, he cared not at all which prominent household it was or what connections lay behind it. What he cared about was his grandson's safety: "How is Wenyuan?"

"Word from the Duke of Qin's mansion is that the eldest imperial grandson was merely startled and suffered no serious harm!" Zhang Dejun hastily replied.

"This Liu Xu—something like this happens and he doesn't even send word!" Emperor Liu scolded.

"Perhaps the mansion feared Your Majesty would worry!" Zhang Dejun said.

Emperor Liu nodded reluctantly, accepting this explanation, but his gaze turned somewhat dark: "Did you find anything suspicious in it?"

After a moment's thought, Emperor Liu's reaction was much the same as Liu Xu's—and it was positively murderous.

"Nothing for now. Everything currently indicates it was merely an accident. This servant will strengthen the investigation!" Zhang Dejun said. "At present, the Luoyang prefectural office has already taken the Zhu family son who offended the imperial grandson into custody. Governor Zhao attaches great importance to the matter and is personally conducting the interrogation!"

"Let Zhao Kuangyi investigate for now. The Palace City Office need not make a show of it—conduct a secret investigation only!" Emperor Liu said indifferently.

"Yes!"

"Send someone to tell Liu Xu to bring Wenyuan into the palace tomorrow to stay for a few days!" Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo.

"As commanded!"

"Zhao Pu put it well—these wealthy merchants chase profit and forget righteousness, knowing nothing of propriety. With such family upbringing, if they act this ostentatiously even in the capital, one can imagine what things are like in the provinces! The fault lies not with the vicious dog, but with the vicious master!" Emperor Liu said coldly again. When it came to vindictiveness, Liu Xu was far inferior to his father.

"This servant understands!" At this, Zhang Dejun put on a knowing look.

"What do you understand now?" Emperor Liu had no need for any courtesy toward Zhang Dejun's words.

Zhang Dejun then put on a look of foolishness and said with cupped hands, "Not to mention offending and affronting the imperial grandson—even if an ordinary commoner suffered such a fright, justice should be upheld. This servant will conduct a thorough investigation of the Zhu family!"

To this, Emperor Liu silently acquiesced.

Seeing this, Zhang Dejun further requested, "Your Majesty, should we send word to the Duke of Luan's side?"

"What word needs sending?" Emperor Liu's gaze was sharp.

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun acknowledged again. Clearly, Emperor Liu intended to observe his actions.

"Let's first see what conclusion the Luoyang prefectural office reaches!" Emperor Liu added.

"Yes!"

Zhao Kuangyi's efficiency was on full display in this matter. Early the very next morning, he came to the palace seeking an audience and reported the results of his investigation.

It was an unexpected result, and the judgment was also very clear: the Zhu family son was to be detained for three days on the charge of disturbing public order, and additionally ordered to pay ten strings of cash in compensation to the Duke of Qin's mansion.

Facing Emperor Liu's nearly icy gaze, Zhao Kuangyi naturally felt tremendous pressure, but he did not lower his head—he merely met it with a calm look. According to Zhao Kuangyi's reasoning, the case was clear in its sequence of events, and under the laws of Han, such a disposition was entirely proper.

Emperor Liu, with a cold face, scrutinized Zhao Kuangyi for a long while before silently smiling: "No wonder, Zhao Qing, within mere months of your appointment, word of your impartial and incorruptible reputation has already spread. With you governing Luoyang, why worry that the capital will not be well ordered and the people not at peace!"

"Your Majesty overpraises me! Your servant merely acts according to the laws of the state and the regulations of the court!" Even though he kept his composure outwardly, upon hearing Emperor Liu's words, Zhao Kuangyi could not help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

If it had not involved the imperial grandson of the imperial house, such a judgment would naturally have posed no problem whatsoever. But that was, after all, the imperial grandson—Emperor Liu's own grandson.

Of course, Zhao Kuangyi understood the stakes perfectly well, but he was gambling—and also showing everyone his governing style. Fortunately, though the emperor's silence had at one point filled him with dread, judging from the reaction to the outcome, he had won his bet.

"This Zhao Kuangyi—how can he handle matters this way? The imperial grandson was frightened, and he lets it go so lightly! What is he thinking?" After Zhao Kuangyi withdrew, Yan Tuo, who was attending at the side, could not help but speak indignantly.

"And what do you think this case should be judged?" Emperor Liu glanced sidelong at Yan Tuo.

Yan Tuo immediately replied: "Even if he is not executed by beheading, he must be given severe punishment. Otherwise, where would the majesty of the imperial house be?"

Emperor Liu's tone, however, turned relaxed, and he said: "They have sound reasoning and act according to the law. What more can I say? The majesty of the imperial house cannot outweigh the laws of the state!"

Yan Tuo was taken aback at these words. Noticing Emperor Liu's calm expression, he quickly caught on, and after privately weighing the matter, immediately began to flatter: "This too shows His Majesty's benevolence and magnanimity!"

"However, Zhao Kuangyi's intentions are indeed profound!" Emperor Liu's gaze was deep as he said slowly: "If this matter spreads, who in all of Luoyang would dare to fall into his hands? He gains a reputation for forthrightness while also establishing his authority. This man's ability to seize the moment is truly extraordinary..."