Chapter 1938: The Foolish Son

In the afternoon, the sun shifted westward, its light shining everywhere, bringing a trace of warmth and also a stifling feeling to the heart. The main gates of the Guangyang Earl's mansion stood wide open, with household servants and guards arrayed in formation, respectfully welcoming the Guangyang Earl Zhao Kuangyi as he returned to the capital from his inspection tour. Leading the group was Zhao's wife and the second son of the household, Zhao Deming.

The Guangyang household had always maintained strict discipline, and Zhao Kuangyi's demands on his family regarding propriety could even be described as harsh. Therefore, even when faced with the enthusiastic welcome of his entire family, he wore a rigid expression, refusing to show even a hint of a smile.

Compared to his elder brother Zhao Kuangyin's thin bloodline, Zhao Kuangyi's side could be said to be flourishing—by now, he already had eight sons, though none of them were very old yet. His eldest son, Zhao Dechong, was the most favored, considered by Zhao Kuangyi to be the most like himself, and carried great hopes upon his shoulders. At twenty-three years of age, he had already been sent to serve as an official in Jinghu South Circuit, starting from the position of county vice-magistrate, carefully nurtured for the future.

Zhao Kuangyi had once served as Administration Commissioner in Hunan and possessed considerable influence there. For the sake of his eldest son's growth, he had even given special instructions to some old acquaintances still serving as officials in the region.

Compared to the eldest, Zhao Deming, as the second son, naturally received less attention. But precisely because he ranked second, he couldn't help but harbor a desire to compete in everything. And compared to the pure-hearted Zhao Dechong, Zhao Deming was far more shrewd, with much heavier scheming—though outwardly, what he displayed was more a kind of cleverness and quick-wittedness.

Zhao Kuangyi's recent trip had been undertaken on imperial orders to Guannei, to guide the advancement of tax reform in Guannei Circuit and to represent the court in hearing the circuit's plans for implementing the new tax. Even though it bordered the capital region, the round trip had consumed more than twenty days, and covered in dust along the way, even a man of abundant energy like Zhao Kuangyi felt utterly exhausted.

He had intended to rest first, but was disturbed by Zhao Deming, who followed closely behind. In the study, looking at his second son personally offering tea with a cautious expression, Zhao Kuangyi asked directly: "What is it? Speak plainly!"

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Deming wore an expression of admiration and said: "Truly, nothing can escape Father's discerning eyes!"

Zhao Kuangyi smiled, neither confirming nor denying, simply staring at Zhao Deming. Seeing this, Zhao Deming said: "Father, do you know of the great merchant Kang Ning in the capital?"

"I've heard of him. Through his connections with the court, he's made a good deal of money. Among the merchants of the capital region, he counts as someone of standing, with some prestige!" Zhao Kuangyi nodded faintly.

Zhao Deming immediately said: "That Kang Ning is not only skilled in business, but also quite generous in his dealings with people. Some days ago, hearing that the ancestral hall in his hometown was in disrepair, he took the initiative to send people with materials to Zhuozhou to repair it. When our mansion's garden was being renovated and short of hands, he sent his son to personally lead people to our door. When Mother was unwell, he specially spent a large sum to procure fine medicine and supplements..."

As Zhao Deming's introduction continued, Zhao Kuangyi's expression visibly soured at a rate visible to the naked eye. He abruptly cut off the garrulous Zhao Deming: "You praise this Kang Ning so highly before me—what is your intention?"

Meeting Zhao Kuangyi's gaze, Zhao Deming felt a flicker of panic in his heart. His eyes shifted away guiltily as he said in a low voice: "That Kang Ning has already been arrested and is currently in the prison of the Court of Judicial Review..."

Of course, Zhao Kuangyi had already heard about this matter. Chancellor Zhao, no matter where he was, always kept the court in mind, paying attention to all matters great and small in the capital and the central government, with an attitude of the utmost seriousness and never a moment of slack.

On this journey back to the capital, he had barely passed Mianchi when special messengers reported to him the important developments in the capital, which naturally included the death of the three earls and Kang Ning's arrest. And like most of the powerful and noble, what Zhao Kuangyi was more concerned about was still the Kang Ning affair.

Between Zhao Kuangyi and Kang Ning, there had naturally been no relationship in the past. He was not fond of wealth. Although he acknowledged the role merchants played in the circulation of goods, in his heart he looked down upon those so-called wealthy merchants and magnates. In Chancellor Zhao's mind, power was always paramount—how to grasp greater power and thereby realize his political ambitions was what truly mattered. As for everything else, it could hardly arouse his interest.

But the Kang Ning affair was something Zhao Kuangyi dared not take lightly. Although he had never had direct contact with the Kang family, there were certain circumstances he could glean from some of the nobility.

Therefore, even though he had never delved deeply into the matter before, after Kang Ning's arrest, Zhao Kuangyi could basically guess what kind of situation might be implicated behind this man Kang Ning.

And at present, Zhao Kuangyi had his reservations, for two reasons. The first was Emperor Liu's attitude—he had pondered it carefully, and the handling of Kang Ning always gave him an uncomfortable feeling, stirring all sorts of strange misgivings in his heart.

The second was the behavior of his second son Zhao Deming, whose words and actions all indicated that this son of his had already become entangled with the Kang family.

Seeing Zhao Deming still cautiously probing for his opinion, an inexplicable rage surged in Zhao Kuangyi's heart. He rebuked: "Tell me honestly—how much benefit have you taken from the Kang family behind my back, that you would go to such lengths to plead their case before me?"

This sudden question from Zhao Kuangyi caught Zhao Deming completely off guard. He stammered: "Father, what are you talking about? Where does this come from?"

Zhao Kuangyi stared at him with a stern gaze: "Why would the Kang family be so lavish in their attentions? And is that little bit of petty favor worth you playing such tricks before your old father?"

Facing his father's interrogation, Zhao Deming's expression wavered, and he muttered without speaking. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyi no longer suppressed his anger. He suddenly slammed his hand on the desk and demanded: "Speak!"

Panic seized Zhao Deming's heart. He knelt and said: "Three days after Kang Ning was imprisoned, the Kang family sent a chest of gold to our mansion. All they asked was to inquire about Kang Ning's case. I thought it was nothing difficult, so I..."

"Shut your mouth!" Zhao Kuangyi could no longer contain himself. He stood up, his aged eyes blazing with fury: "How dare you! What nerve you have!

A bit of gold and silver moves you? Does my Guangyang Earl's mansion lack this chest of gold? What use would it be?"

"Father, calm your anger!" Seeing that Zhao Kuangyi was truly enraged, Zhao Deming was genuinely frightened. He hurriedly rose to soothe him, afraid he might harm his health: "Your son knows he was wrong! I'll send someone to return the gold right away!"

"Foolish!" Zhao Kuangyi scolded: "What times are these? And what is the situation in the capital over this very matter?"

At this, Zhao Deming was somewhat bewildered. If he could see things clearly, he wouldn't have committed such a stupid act of chasing petty gains and forgetting himself. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyi lowered his voice, pointed north with his finger, and said: "Kang Ning was initially taken by the Palace City Office. Do you know what that means?"

Zhao Deming thought for a moment, then said hesitantly: "This... surely it's not persecution by those hounds of the Palace City Office..."

"At least you haven't been stupid to the very end!" Zhao Kuangyi rarely got this agitated. His hand waved in the air as he lectured: "This is a matter His Majesty personally inquired into. With the situation unclear, even I dare not speak rashly. What gives you the nerve to wade into it so recklessly? Do you not know what death means?"

"Father, it's... it's not that serious, is it?" Hearing Zhao Kuangyi say this, Zhao Deming's face was full of doubt, looking rather unconvinced.

Looking at this son's foolish appearance, Zhao Kuangyi suddenly felt there was nothing more infuriating in the world. He had the impulse to slap him across the face, but forcibly suppressed it.

"When you're in over your head, when the clerks and soldiers of the Palace City Office come to arrest you—then you'll know whether it's serious or not!"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyi say this, Zhao Deming finally realized that the situation might truly not be as simple as he had imagined. A flash of inexperienced panic crossed his young face, and he said nervously: "Your son knows he was wrong! But since things have come to this, and I've already made promises to the Kang family, how should I go about making amends? Please, Father, decide for me..."