Chapter 1457: Between Brothers

By the time Zhao Dezhao returned to the study, Zhao Kuangyin was still sitting there, as if he hadn't moved for a long time. His expression was grave, his gaze deep, and the drunkenness on his face had long been startled away by his own brother.

"Father!" Zhao Dezhao took a cup of hangover tea from a servant, approached and personally placed it beside him, then called out in a low voice: "Fourth Uncle's matter—I'm afraid it's rather troublesome!"

Zhao Kuangyin snapped back to attention, looked at his beloved son, sighed once more, gestured for Zhao Dezhao to sit down, and then said: "Troublesome as it may be, he is still my own brother, your own uncle. How could I possibly abandon him?

I'm just somewhat disappointed. Kuangmei was raised reading the books of the sages and studying the laws of the Great Han, and yet—knowing the law, he breaks it; cultivating virtue, he betrays it. How could he have fallen so low!"

After all, he was his own uncle, so Zhao Dezhao didn't feel it appropriate to casually criticize Zhao Kuangmei. He only said: "As the saying goes, 'one who touches ink becomes black.' Fourth Uncle's nature is still good at heart—he was merely misled by that Zhang Jin and inadvertently ran afoul of the law!"

Even as he said this, Zhao Dezhao himself felt his words lacked conviction. He quickly suppressed the faint unease in his heart: "In your view, can Fourth Uncle's matter be resolved? Will Zhang Jin really drag him into it?"

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head, his attitude unclear—whether he didn't know or had no way out was hard to tell. After thinking it over, he said: "In the end, he has violated the law of the land. Even if it doesn't fall within the Ten Abominations, it is still extremely serious—especially now that he's entangled with that wretch Zhang Jin.

His Majesty's application of the law is strict and severe. Even in ordinary times, I fear it would be hard to win leniency. Moreover, the Huazhou case has now stirred up such a commotion—storm clouds over the whole city, rumors flying everywhere—the situation has become even harder to predict.

As for Zhang Jin, he is a man already condemned to death. There's no guarantee he won't bite and drag your Fourth Uncle out. And even if he doesn't need to implicate him—those two silver mines—do you think the court won't uncover them?"

"If so, isn't Fourth Uncle truly in danger?" Zhao Dezhao's expression turned grim.

"Let me think, let me think carefully!" Zhao Kuangyin's thick brows knitted together, deeply vexed.

In fact, Zhao Kuangyin had already anticipated this in his heart—even if Zhao Kuangmei managed to survive this ordeal, he would likely still shed a layer of skin. Of course, the thought of giving up and not intervening never crossed Zhao Kuangyin's mind.

Although Zhao Kuangmei was different from Zhao Kuangyi—being only his half-brother by a concubine—Zhao Kuangyin still held deep affection for him, compounded by the responsibility of "the eldest brother is like a father."

Even if Zhao Kuangmei's actions had violated the law of the land, as long as there remained any room for redemption, there was absolutely no reason to abandon him. And even if there weren't, he would still raise his voice.

Governing a family is not like commanding an army—personal feelings often outweigh public justice. The world is not lacking in people who are utterly selfless, but those ultimately remain the minority, and even those few are not necessarily moved purely by public spirit. It has nothing to do with fairness—only human nature.

Zhao Kuangyin was a very clever man. Before Emperor Liu, he conducted himself with proper ministerial deference, and in daily life he observed morality and propriety. Yet even so, he had his private motives and personal thoughts. Having rendered so many meritorious services for the Great Han, protecting his own blood brother—in his view, this was absolutely justified, at least without blemish to his personal virtue.

His attitude was resolute, but how to resolve the trouble Zhao Kuangmei had stirred up still gave Zhao Kuangyin considerable headache. For all his pondering, he could hardly find a comprehensive solution.

Seeing his father's distress, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but remind him: "Father, why not ask Third Uncle for his opinion?"

At these words, Zhao Kuangyin felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. His worried expression eased slightly, and he immediately said: "How could I have forgotten Kuangyi! Go to his residence at once, in person, and invite him here!"

Zhao Kuangyin did have some idea of things—on matters like this, Zhao Kuangyi would clearly have more solutions than he did, and a more flexible mind, having spent years governing and enforcing the law.

The dusk grew ever darker, and snow began to fall again. Fluttering snowflakes shrouded the night sky, leaving no trace of warmth to be felt. Zhao Dezhao went to the Guangyang Earl's residence—and, unsurprisingly, did not find Zhao Kuangyi there. Then, without pause, he hurried to the Luoyang Prefectural Office, where he finally found him.

By the time Zhao Kuangyi arrived at the Rongguo Duke's residence, covered in snow and cold, the night had already grown deep. He was still wearing his official robes, having had no time to change. The three of them sequestered themselves in a room, dispensed with pleasantries, and had Zhao Dezhao lay out the situation directly.

After hearing the account, unlike Zhao Kuangyin's furious reaction, Zhao Kuangyi's response was far calmer—though even the fragrant tea before him no longer smelled sweet.

The teacup landed on the table with a crisp sound. Zhao Kuangyi knitted his brows: "How could he be so foolish! He simply doesn't know what's good for him! Knowing the law and breaking it—that's a crime one degree heavier. And at a time like this, I fear another degree must be added on top!"

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head. His emotions had evidently already settled, and he looked at Zhao Kuangyi: "Since the matter has already occurred, Kuangmei came to me, and I have already reprimanded him.

Because of the Zhang Jin case, so many things have been dragged out, and it has only grown more intense. Kuangmei is clearly deeply implicated. Though he hasn't been exposed yet, we still need to find a way to help him through this crisis!

I have racked my brains for a long time and truly have no complete solution, which is why I've called you here to consult."

Zhao Kuangyi showed no sign of refusing, but the more he thought, the colder his expression grew, and the more he pondered, the worse his mood became. He was both angered by Zhao Kuangmei's illegal acts and anxious with mixed feelings, fearing the matter might affect himself.

Zhao Kuangyi was now a rising political star, riding the crest of success, ascending swiftly. As the Prefect of Luoyang, he had already entered the core of the Great Han's power structure. In less than a year, he had achieved no small accomplishments—remarkable political results. As the chief official of the capital's premier prefecture, making achievements had always been difficult, yet Zhao Kuangyi had done it. He had authority, he had reputation—this was Zhao Kuangyi's capability.

Therefore, for Zhao Kuangyi, the next two or three years were the most critical period for climbing the peak of his official career. At such a pivotal juncture, for Zhao Kuangmei to make such a mistake—he genuinely feared this matter might affect him.

"Kuangyi, you have always been quick-witted. Do you have a way to save him?" Seeing Zhao Kuangyi lost in thought for a long time, Zhao Kuangyin spoke up, and Zhao Dezhao also looked at him.

If there was one person Zhao Dezhao respected most, it was unquestionably his father, Zhao Kuangyin. However, if it was admiration or even fear, it had to be this Third Uncle, whose office grew ever larger and whose reputation spread ever wider.

Zhao Kuangyi raised his eyes, looked at the father and son, pondered a moment more, then shook his head bluntly: "If you want him to get through this safely, abandon that hope. His entanglement of interests with Zhang Jin runs too deep. Even if, as he claims, he didn't participate in the Huazhou case, the silver mines and the timber—those two items alone are enough to convict him.

The influence of the Huazhou case is spreading ever wider. In all this time, over a hundred officials of various ranks have already been taken down, and there's still no sign of it ending.

Throughout the court and beyond—the Hall of State Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, even Chuigong Hall—perhaps they are all just waiting for more people to be implicated!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin nodded: "It is precisely because I considered all this that I find it so hard to handle!"

After this analysis, Zhao Kuangyi's thinking seemed to become clearer. He looked at Zhao Kuangyin and said in a tone of certainty: "We can only break the deadlock with extraordinary measures! Tomorrow, have Kuangmei surrender himself at the Luoyang Prefectural Office. I will personally escort him to the Ministry of Justice to turn himself in, have him confess all his crimes fully, and plead for a commuted sentence! With Second Brother and me here, even if he is sentenced, there will be some consideration!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but feel somewhat displeased, and hesitated in a rare manner: "If so, wouldn't Kuangmei's future official career be ruined?"

Zhao Kuangyi's tone was somewhat cold as he countered: "Second Brother, do you think this matter can be kept hidden? Since it cannot be hidden, taking the initiative to confess may yet earn some leniency!

He is not the only one involved. If someone else beats him to it, or if the Three Judicial Offices investigate and uncover it themselves, then the situation will be utterly beyond recovery!"

Zhao Kuangyin fell silent, and Zhao Kuangyi continued: "This political storm has grown ever more intense. His Majesty has only issued directives regarding the Huazhou case—he has yet to give any statement on the other related cases!

And the Three Judicial Offices, including the Wude Office, are clinging on so tightly—why? This storm cannot be easily quelled. Kuangmei is caught in the vortex; if he wants to save himself, he can only find a different path!

If one breaks the law, one must receive due punishment. To try to completely escape the sanctions of the law can only end in disappointment, or even facing a more severe situation! Even if there were means to shield him, they would only bring endless troubles in the future!"

Zhao Kuangyi had already spoken plainly and thoroughly, but precisely because of this, Zhao Kuangyin found it difficult. Perhaps understanding the conflict in Zhao Kuangyin's heart, Zhao Kuangyi continued: "This political storm was triggered by the Zhang Jin case, and Zhang Jin himself is now of little account. Among those implicated in his crimes, besides the relevant officials, who are the majority? Seventy or eighty percent are sons of meritorious nobles.

Now Zhao Pu is chancellor. His attitude toward the meritorious nobles—I need not elaborate. The Hall of State Affairs will certainly not sit idly by this time. I can guarantee that those involved will find it extremely difficult to extricate themselves easily.

What is especially to be feared is that in recent years, His Majesty has received no few memorials advising restrictions on the meritorious nobles. What His Majesty's attitude is—can Second Brother guarantee that?"

At these words, Zhao Kuangyin's expression immediately shifted between light and dark—clearly, he too felt the pressure.

In fact, there was another way. The root of the matter seemed to lie entirely with Zhang Jin. If the source of this trouble were eliminated, perhaps there would be more room to maneuver. And as it stood, there were likely no few people who wanted Zhang Jin dead.

However, Zhao Kuangyi did not raise it, nor was he willing to raise it, because he knew full well that too was a method that would leave endless calamity in its wake. If people like them dared to break the rules, then the unfathomable Emperor Liu might well step in himself. If that happened, in the end, the ones implicated might not be just Zhao Kuangmei.

On this point, Zhao Kuangyi, who understood the stakes all too well, would absolutely not do it.

"After this matter, Kuangmei may suffer punishment, but that is what he deserves. He ought to receive some lesson—otherwise, how could this serve as a warning? Given his character and these deeds, he is no longer fit to serve as an official at court!" Zhao Kuangyi continued: "As long as we are here, we can still secure wealth and honor for our sons and nephews. Anything more—it is neither convenient nor appropriate to do!"

"Let it be so then!" Zhao Kuangyin was ultimately persuaded and agreed to Zhao Kuangyi's opinion.