Chapter 1454: The Twenty-Four Ministers' House About to Fall

Snow filled the sky, drifting over the Western Capital, white flakes falling with a soft rustle, seeming to swallow up the already dim winter light. Beneath the accumulated snow, the palace city was pure white, yet heaven and earth remained gloomy.

Emperor Liu carried his own aura. Whether his mood could move heaven and earth or summon ghosts and spirits was uncertain, but Chuigong Hall was always shrouded beneath his imperial might.

"These people certainly have no lack of audacity!" The hanging oil lamp silently cast its bright glow, illuminating Emperor Liu's dignified countenance. His lips moved slightly, his tone carrying reflection and mockery—but no anger.

Standing at attention in the hall was Wang Yinwu, the Commissioner of the Wude Office who had assumed his post only half a year ago. He was reporting to Emperor Liu on the river works corruption case discovered during the Crown Prince's inspection tour.

Earlier, Liu Yang had submitted a memorial requesting that the Wude Office participate in the investigation, and Emperor Liu naturally had no reason to refuse. The appointed Wang Yinwu was especially proactive, personally traveling to Henan to supervise his subordinates' inquiries.

Wang Yinwu had been transferred from Hexi to the capital, rising in one stroke to become the head of the Wude Office. For him, this was a leap in his official career—both a stroke of fortune and a challenge.

However, compared to his predecessor Li Chongju, his ability might not have been far inferior, but his seniority and prestige fell short by no small margin. Even within the Wude Office itself, more than one clerk outranked him in experience and reputation, and those who did not accept him were even more numerous. Of course, the reason Emperor Liu used this Wang Yinwu, aside from his merit in locating the brothers Liu Yang and Liu Fang, might precisely have been his relatively weak reputation.

His performance after assuming office could only be described as steady and unremarkable. He showed no overly aggressive initiatives, nor any eagerness to establish merit quickly, and there was nothing rash in his handling of affairs. The proverbial "three fires of a new official" were not lit even once.

Perhaps aware of his own shortcomings, over the full six months Wang Yinwu only quietly familiarized himself with the personnel of the Wude Office, absorbing information from all sides, adapting to the new environment, the new position, and the new pressures.

This kind of conduct, to a certain extent, won Emperor Liu's approval. If Wang Yinwu, having suddenly risen to high position, had become complacent and arrogant, not knowing his place, then he would not have lasted long as Commissioner of the Wude Office, nor would he have been able to secure as good an ending as Li Chongju.

The requirements for the Commissioner of the Wude Office perhaps were not outstanding ability; by comparison, temperament clearly mattered more. Regardless of what intentions Emperor Liu harbored in dismissing Li Chongju and replacing him with Wang Yinwu, maintaining the stable operation of the Wude Office was essential. In this regard, this man had done reasonably well—at least he knew some measure of restraint.

Therefore, this river corruption case was counted as the first major case Wang Yinwu had personally handled since his rise to power. Perhaps the six months of adjustment had also made Wang Yinwu feel that it was time to let his voice as Commissioner Wang be heard.

If one spoke only of administrative ability, Wang Yinwu was indeed not lacking. After all, he had grown up within the Wude Office system, rising from a lowly detective clerk, with roughly twenty years of service experience in the Wude Office—truly rich in experience.

The river defense corruption case was one that both the Emperor and the Crown Prince were watching, and all the judicial organs involved treated it with exceptional seriousness. With the Wude Office named to participate in the investigation, how could they not exert themselves? Under Wang Yinwu's personal supervision, once the Wude Office put its strength into it, the matter was quickly investigated and clarified.

Because Emperor Liu was paying attention to this matter, the moment the results came in, Wang Yinwu hurried back to Luoyang to report personally to Emperor Liu. On the surface, this reaction seemed somewhat excessive, even fawning, but perhaps this was precisely where Wang Yinwu was clever.

After hearing his report on the case, Emperor Liu's reaction seemed somewhat strange—strange in that it was too calm. Compared to the Crown Prince Liu Yang's angry reaction, not a trace of displeasure could be seen on Emperor Liu's face. He treated it with complete indifference, even able to let out a thoughtful sigh with equanimity.

Many things are like this—without investigation, there are no problems; once investigated, nothing can be hidden. The Great Han had invested so much manpower, wealth, and resources in water conservancy and river works. One could imagine that not every cent was spent where it should be. That some people had their hands in the till was only normal.

In the past, people had been dealt with, but so long as projects were completed and the court's expected goals were achieved, some matters were overlooked with one eye open and one eye shut—as long as things were not done too egregiously, and were kept sufficiently secret, not exposed by accusations or blown out of proportion.

But the Huazhou case was clearly a group of audacious individuals colluding with some foolish officials, deceiving those above and misleading those below. They actually dared, shortly after the river had burst and caused disaster, to cut corners on river works and line their own pockets, committing crimes right in the face of the wind. One could only call them reckless, blinded by greed, and ignorant of death.

Their luck was also terrible—they were reported to the Crown Prince and caught red-handed. Under such circumstances, there was no way to salvage anything.

This was a typical case of Ministry of Works officials, local government clerks, and river management personnel colluding for private gain. Many people were implicated, but none held particularly high positions—they were all personnel connected to the Huazhou river defense project.

Those who truly reached a certain status rarely reached out their hands in such matters, nor did they dare to. Truly clever people were clever in knowing which bottom lines could not be touched. There might be exceptions, but such people never went far—they would be exposed sooner or later.

And precisely because of this, when the matter came to light, it was all the more thought-provoking and alarming. A mere bunch of low- and mid-level officials dared to collude so brazenly, disregarding national law and harming the interests of the state and its people. While astonished at their greed and audacity, one could not help but reflect—had the governance of the Great Han's officialdom developed problems?

Perhaps it was tacit understanding. Emperor Liu had also considered these things, and only when making such deep reflections did his expression turn somewhat grave.

"The principal offender, Zhang Jin, has already been imprisoned by the Ministry of Justice. The Court of Judicial Review has begun examining the implicated officials one by one. The Henan circuit has simultaneously arrested the relevant clerks. None of the accomplices will escape!" Wang Yinwu continued his report.

Zhang Jin, a secretary in the Water Bureau, was the greatest mastermind behind this case. He was the grandson of the late Duke of Yuguo, Wang Zhang. Whether by birth or otherwise, he was among the rising stars of the court—yet he had fallen over such a matter, disgracing his family's name. In the eyes of such people, the Yellow River's floods seemed like a golden opportunity for profit—only it was black-hearted money, money made from national calamity.

"Zhang Jin!" Emperor Liu's gaze was cold as he murmured: "Young in years, but not lacking in audacity. I read the memorial—this man was transferred from the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of Works less than five months ago, was he not?"

"Yes!" It was Li Fang who answered Emperor Liu.

Emperor Liu could not help but sneer: "He really did seize a golden opportunity to get rich!"

"From a distinguished family, descendant of a meritorious official—the court gave him protection and favor, and this is how he repays it?" Finally, Emperor Liu slammed the memorial onto the imperial desk, demanding coldly.

Emperor Liu was imposing even without anger, let alone when he lost his temper. For a moment, no one dared to speak. Li Fang and Wang Yinwu both remained silent, and Wang Yinwu kept his head bowed even lower. It was his first time seeing Emperor Liu like this. On ordinary days when he had audiences, even if not genial, the Emperor was at least calm as still water. Having truly experienced it once, he now understood what "majesty like a prison" meant—even though it was not directed at him, he still felt his heart tremble with fear.

"If I remember correctly, Wang Zhang had only this one grandson! His property and reputation were basically to be inherited by Zhang Jin. Was he short of money? What kind of fine clothes and delicacies required risking his head by scheming for profit in river defense projects?" Emperor Liu looked at Li Fang and asked, hoping for an answer.

Li Fang dared not remain silent. After thinking for a moment, he said steadily: "Once greed arises in such people, they become blinded by avarice, with no scruples—trampling national law and poisoning the people. To them, perhaps it is just a trivial matter!"

"Hmph!" Emperor Liu coldly snorted out a single syllable. After pondering for a moment, he turned his gaze to Wang Yinwu: "What about the Prefectural Administrator of Huazhou? Is this man without problems?"

Wang Yinwu clasped his hands and said: "According to the investigation, the Prefectural Administrator of Huazhou indeed did not participate. He was merely muddle-headed and deceived by his subordinate, the vice prefect."

"Heh!" Emperor Liu reacted immediately: "What a fine muddle-headed official! Such an official is equally detestable! Back then, which muddle-headed official was it who selected him?"

Emperor Liu's gaze carried strong aggression as he stared directly at Li Fang and ordered: "Remove this Prefectural Administrator from his post!"

"Yes!" Although he felt the prefectural administrator was somewhat unlucky, Li Fang had no surplus sympathy for him and immediately acknowledged the order.

"As for this case, the Wude Office need not continue its involvement. Transfer all case files to the Court of Judicial Review and let them handle the follow-up matters!" Emperor Liu said.

"Yes!" Wang Yinwu dared not utter a single word of objection. Moreover, ending the mission at this point was just right.

"Draft an edict, sent directly to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review—all implicated personnel are to be strictly investigated and severely punished, with no leniency whatsoever!" Emperor Liu said calmly.

How many people this case would implicate was unknown for now, but one thing was certain—among the twenty-four ministers of Qianyou, another family was about to be cast utterly into the abyss.