Chapter 1648: Father and Son, Divergent Views

"Has the case been fully reviewed? Have all those involved been arrested? You yourself said it isn't over yet — so what crime is there to determine?"

"Besides, Xin Zhongfu and the others are seasoned officials well-versed in criminal matters — how can they investigate but not pass judgment? Has the Criminal Code once again revealed some omission that makes it inapplicable to this case?" Facing Liu Yang's request for instructions, Emperor Liu said calmly.

As he spoke, Emperor Liu fixed his gaze on Liu Yang: "Could it be that your heart has softened? That you harbor misgivings? That you've been influenced by those old ministers, making so-called prudent considerations, unwilling to let the scope of this matter expand?"

Faced with Emperor Liu's blunt questioning, Liu Yang hesitated slightly, nearly furrowing his brow as he asked in return: "Your son presumes to ask — Father, do you intend to take down and prosecute every official connected to Lu Duoxun?"

Though the question came with some hesitation, Liu Yang's attitude was candid, his eyes fixed steadily on Emperor Liu, hoping for an affirmative reply.

In all these years, Liu Yang had rarely confronted Emperor Liu so directly. After meeting his gaze for a moment, Emperor Liu smiled faintly: "Why not?"

Liu Yang drew a deep breath and said: "You just said yourself that within the court, factional strife is always unavoidable. Lu Duoxun has served in many posts and been chancellor for years — his ordinary social interactions are beyond counting. I believe that not all those connected to him are his private partisans.

Once a great purge begins, wrongful accusations are hard to avoid. It will not help stabilize hearts and minds, and it will inevitably harm the unity of the court. I believe that officials seriously implicated should naturally be punished according to their crimes under the law; as for the rest, there is no need to extend the net of guilt too wide!"

Liu Yang had so firmly stated his position, even to the point of defying Emperor Liu's will — yet there was no trace of anger on Emperor Liu's face.

Gazing at Liu Yang with a calm, unruffled look, he casually picked up a memorial from the imperial desk and said slowly: "The state has prospered for so many years, the court has been tranquil for so many years — day by day, who knows how many problems and contradictions have accumulated.

The Hexi case, the bandits in the northwest, the deteriorating public order everywhere — these are all concrete manifestations. We cannot only see the bright and glossy side; the problems hidden behind it are what deserve even more attention. We must never forget to remain vigilant.

Contradictions upon contradictions, problems without number — but in the final analysis, they are problems of people. Including the earlier adjustments of regional governors and the transfers of frontier commanders — all were part of a process of adjustment.

And after all these years, the court itself likewise needs adjustment — to the point where a cleansing has become necessary! This is governing the state, and it is also treating an illness. Do you understand?"

Liu Yang's brow furrowed even more tightly. He was beginning to understand — Emperor Liu intended to use this opportunity to rectify the court officials and purify the atmosphere of the court.

"As for whether it will have an impact — there's even less need to worry. The court will not cease to function for the loss of one Lu Duoxun or a few hundred officials. Never mind a few hundred — even a few thousand, tens of thousands, so what? Can the realm ever lack men willing to be officials?" The coldness in Emperor Liu's words was startling.

However, his tone softened, and Emperor Liu sighed lightly: "I am actually well aware that this only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. The fundamental problem does not lie here — and to treat the root would truly mean digging at the very foundations of the empire..."

If the earlier words were something Liu Yang could still understand, then this final sigh left him somewhat puzzled. He wished to ask, but Emperor Liu had no interest in elaborating. He waved his hand: "Still, you are the Crown Prince. Since you've raised the matter, there's no need to deliberately expand it. Handle it as it should be handled!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Emperor Liu's concession made Liu Yang start in surprise. Recovering himself, he hurriedly rose and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty is wise!"

In all these years, occasions when Liu Yang could persuade Emperor Liu were truly rare. Seeing his somewhat agitated manner — even his form of address had turned formal in private — Emperor Liu couldn't help but wonder inwardly whether he had been suppressing Liu Yang too harshly.

He raised a finger in a gesture, signaling Liu Yang to sit down. A thought flashed through his mind, and he asked: "What has Zhao Pu been busy with lately?"

With Lu Duoxun fallen, how could Zhao Pu be unaffected? Seeing Emperor Liu ask, Liu Yang said: "Recently, Chancellor Zhao has continued as usual to lead the officials in handling state affairs — even more diligent, more down-to-earth, more meticulous than before. He has also forbidden his subordinate officials from discussing the Lu Duoxun matter."

Hearing this reply, Emperor Liu couldn't help but smile: "This Zhao Zeping — he certainly knows how to stay steady! But then, if he couldn't stay steady, he wouldn't be himself."

"Has he made no inquiry at all regarding the Lu Duoxun case?" Emperor Liu asked again, as if to confirm.

Liu Yang shook his head: "Not only that — among the officials who submitted memorials impeaching and denouncing Lu Duoxun, not one has a particularly close relationship with Chancellor Zhao, including the trusted subordinates under his command!"

"Zhao Pu!" Emperor Liu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a long sigh. After the sigh, a slight smile curled at the corners of his mouth. He instructed Liu Yang: "A pillar minister like Lu Duoxun has been taken down — how can he, the Chief Chancellor, remain so composed, so aloof from the world?

Didn't you say Lu Duoxun refuses to confess? I won't fault Xin Zhongfu and the others any further. Give them some assistance — let Zhao Pu personally conduct the interrogation and see. The one who best understands a man is always his opponent. These two old adversaries meeting under the present circumstances — I imagine they'll have no shortage of things to say to each other!"

Somewhat understanding Emperor Liu's intent, Liu Yang thought it over and nodded in agreement.

"Excellent, truly excellent!" After Liu Yang left, Emperor Liu sat there murmuring to himself, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.

Standing nearby, Yan Tuo heard this and, seeing that Emperor Liu's mood had improved, took the initiative to ask: "Does His Majesty have any instructions?"

Glancing at him, Emperor Liu pointed toward the direction of the palace hall and said: "Have you noticed any change in the Crown Prince?"

Hearing this, Yan Tuo's eyes rolled for a moment, then he replied humbly: "Your servant has mortal eyes and a dull mind — I truly cannot discern it!"

"He dares to remonstrate with me directly, to state his own attitude and views!" Emperor Liu said calmly: "He has passed thirty — it's time he had his own opinions! The Crown Prince of the Great Han needs this kind of responsibility. What I want is not a docile heir who only nods and says yes. I have always worried that his utter obedience to me would breed a timid, weak character — but now it seems I was overthinking.

Excellent, truly excellent..."

Clearly, Emperor Liu was quite satisfied with his Crown Prince.

The place where Lu Duoxun was held was the Ministry of Justice's main prison — what the common folk called the Heavenly Prison. Of course, for a minister like Lu Duoxun, being imprisoned naturally meant the imperial prison.

Presumably out of respect for the power and status he had held before his imprisonment, compared to ordinary cells, Lu Duoxun's quarters were far cleaner and tidier — without so much of the cold dampness, without those grim and terrifying instruments of torture. There was even a window through which one could see the sunlight beyond the walls and hear the chirping of insects in the shade of the trees. Only the guards were stricter, the patrols more frequent, and what accompanied it all was nearly endless silence.

"Someone! Bring me a brush, bring me paper! I must submit a memorial to His Majesty!" The hoarse shouts echoed repeatedly through the prison corridor. Lu Duoxun, hair disheveled, clad in prison garb, gripped the bars and bellowed a few more times.

"Prison guard! Prison guard!"

Perhaps fearing that Lu Duoxun might truly ruin his voice, after a while the guard on duty finally responded, walking over slowly, his footsteps unusually distinct in the silent passage.

The man who came was a middle-aged man with rough skin and a slight stoop, wearing a jailer's uniform. Apart from a blade at his waist, his hands were empty.

Through the bars, the jailer gave Lu Duoxun a bow: "Chancellor Lu, please don't make things difficult for us underlings. Just stay put and save your strength!"

Tomato

"I want to submit a memorial to His Majesty — bring me paper and a brush!" Lu Duoxun stared at the jailer, urging him.

"Chancellor Lu, why put yourself through this? Even if I were to provide you paper and brush, once you've written, how could it reach the emperor's ears? Your cell is completely sealed off — we underlings aren't even allowed to leave and go home..." The jailer sighed.

Hearing this, Lu Duoxun sneered twice: "So there really are traitorous villains plotting against me! Among the charges leveled against me is that of deceiving the sacred ears — and now that I have words to submit above, the path of speech is blocked. Do you not fear being called to account another day?"

These words rather frightened the jailer, who hurriedly said: "Chancellor Lu, this has nothing to do with me!"

Lu Duoxun laughed twice more, his emotions not nearly as agitated as he appeared. Appraising this jailer, he asked with interest: "You jailers are petty men, short-sighted, accustomed to trimming your sails with the wind and kicking a man when he's down. I am now fallen into prison — why do you still treat me with such respect?"

Seeing that Lu Duoxun had calmed somewhat, the jailer couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and replied with a smile: "Though your servant is mediocre in ability and insight, having worked in the prison for some time, I've always been quite interested in the stories of those who came before. I once heard at a bookshop the tale of dead ashes rekindling, and I still remember it. Chancellor Lu may have fallen on hard times for now, but who can say that one day you won't, like Han Anguo, become ashes that burn again? How would I dare offend you?"

"Haha!" Perhaps the jailer's words were pleasing, Lu Duoxun laughed loudly twice and said to him with feeling: "I never imagined that a lowly petty clerk could possess such insight — truly rare!"

"I wouldn't dare!" said the jailer. "And so, I beg Chancellor Lu to exercise a little patience — who knows, perhaps a pardon edict may yet arrive?"

Lu Duoxun fell into deep thought, and the perennial aggressiveness in his eyes faded. After a long while, he sighed softly: "Since you know the tale of dead ashes rekindling, do you also know the power of a jailer?"