Chapter 314: Accompanying the Imperial Carriage with a Censor in Tow

Seeing Liu Chengyou looking at him with an inquiring gaze, Li Shaoyou immediately spoke up: "Liu Xin is both an imperial uncle and a military governor of a province. Even if he has committed offenses, if Your Majesty wishes to act swiftly, it should still be done in an open and upright manner..."

"If I issue an edict to arrest him, is that not open and upright enough?" Liu Chengyou interrupted before he could finish, questioning him.

"That is not what I mean, Your Majesty." Li Shaoyou said unhurriedly, bowing once more: "I merely feel that at present, we cannot act rashly. We need justification and evidence, verified proof. Otherwise, if word spreads, it may not bode well for Your Majesty's reputation, and could easily cause others to feel uneasy, harboring suspicions toward the court."

"Furthermore, the Empress Dowager and the assembled ministers will also need an explanation. Moreover, throughout the Xuzhou command, is the imperial uncle the only one guilty? His subordinate officials and staff, using his influence to commit crimes and oppress the good and honest, are too numerous to count. Under the Zhongwu Army's jurisdiction, there are still several thousand yabing guards, among whom are not a few officers and soldiers who aided the imperial uncle in his misdeeds. To avoid unrest, this must be handled with care..."

As Li Shaoyou spoke, Liu Chengyou's expression had already become quite calm: "Your words carry deep meaning! Others — what others?"

"Still, your consideration of matters has become increasingly thorough. The matter of Xuzhou — you've likely already given it much thought!" Liu Chengyou stared at this cousin of his.

Li Shaoyou bowed and replied: "When His Majesty commands, I dare not fail to consider it carefully and deliberate thoroughly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou's mindset was completely settled. He raised his hand and made a gesture for Zhao Yanjin to withdraw. After thinking for a moment himself, he clenched his fist loosely and instructed Li Shaoyou: "I understand your meaning. Next, take the crimes of Liu Xin that you have investigated and itemize them for me one by one, collect and fix the evidence. You want it open and upright? Then I'll give him a fair and aboveboard reckoning!"

"Yes!" Li Shaoyou answered promptly.

"Zhang Dejun!" After Li Shaoyou withdrew, Liu Chengyou only pondered briefly before calling out in a cold voice.

"Here."

"Notify everyone — the palace eunuchs, female officials, and guards on duty before me — keep your mouths tightly shut!" Liu Chengyou's tone was exceptionally severe.

The latter half of the sentence needed no explanation. Zhang Dejun shuddered and hurriedly acknowledged.

"Summon Censor Zhao Li!"

"Yes!"

Alone in the chamber, Liu Chengyou casually picked up a memorial sent from the Eastern Capital, concerning the transport of grain and funds in Hedong. Unfortunately, Liu Chengyou found it hard to muster any interest. With a somewhat complicated mood, he paced around the room a few times, walked to the window lattice, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and calmly gazed at the spring scenery outside, tinged with green. His eyes gradually turned cold and resolute.

On this journey south, besides handling the funeral arrangements for Liu Zhiyuan, Liu Chengyou had also harbored the intention of dealing with Liu Xin. He had long heard of his imperial uncle's misdeeds in Xuzhou, but had hesitated on the severity of the punishment. However, after arriving in Xuzhou and conducting this investigation, he came to realize just how deep his uncle's depredations ran.

In fact, by this point, Liu Chengyou's resolve was firm enough — Liu Xin was to be punished severely. A chicken needs to be slaughtered from time to time, and this imperial uncle of his was likely the heaviest chicken of all.

Zhao Li withdrew from the emperor's traveling residence and returned to his own quarters, his steps hurried, his expression carrying a hint of excitement. Among the censors accompanying the journey, he held the highest rank and enjoyed the emperor's greatest trust. As Liu Chengyou increasingly valued the supervisory system, he, a key figure of the Censorate, found himself riding the spring breeze.

In fact, on this journey south to Xuzhou, Zhao Li had secretly been planning to accomplish a great deed. The Censorate's authority, besides needing the emperor's support, also required them to make a big stir to establish their name. And conveniently enough, the target Zhao Li had chosen was also Liu Xin.

In resuming oversight of the prefectures and circuits outside the capital, the Censorate had put in real effort, starting with the prefectures near the capital. But surveying all the prefectures, only Xuzhou had this many troubles. In recent days, it wasn't just the Wude Office investigating Liu Xin — censors in Xuzhou were also secretly observing the people's condition and gathering evidence.

And Zhao Li — although he had previously been singled out by Liu Chengyou in Luoyang for his courage in remonstrance and boldness in speaking frankly — this time, with the intent of going after Liu Xin, his heart was in truth extremely uneasy. The more comprehensive the information he received, the more he understood the situation in Xuzhou, the more terrified he became. He believed that if he dared to impeach Liu Xin, this imperial uncle would absolutely dare to have him seized, subjecting him to brutal torture and harsh punishment.

Still, fear was fear, but his resolve only grew firmer. After all, this was a chance to become famous throughout the realm and shake the court — for a remonstrance official like him, such an opportunity was rare. Of course, he had also discerned that the relationship between the Son of Heaven and his uncle Liu Xin was hardly amicable.

But today, the last shred of hesitation in Zhao Li's heart was snuffed out. One audience with the emperor, and Liu Chengyou had given him a reassurance pill. Somewhat to Zhao Li's surprise, the Son of Heaven also intended to deal with Liu Xin.

"Your Excellency." A young investigating censor, summoned by order, arrived to see Zhao Li full of vigor.

"Have the collected materials been organized?" Zhao Li asked with considerable authority, looking at his young subordinate.

Upon the question, the censor immediately produced several bound documents and presented them respectfully to Zhao Li: "I dared not neglect my duty. After my subordinates and I organized them, there are ten items in total!"

"Mm!" Zhao Li took them, glanced through briefly, and praised: "A jinshi graduate — your penmanship is truly excellent!"

"Your Excellency flatters me!" The young censor clasped his hands. Quite modest indeed — no wonder Zhao Li kept him at his side.

Seeing Zhao Li buried in the documents, a trace of worry surfaced on the young censor's spirited face. He clasped his hands and said: "Lord Zhao, these ten items listed — every one a grave crime, all pointing at the Xuzhou Military Governor. But after all, he is an imperial relative, His Majesty's own uncle. This... this..."

Raising his head and looking at the young man, Zhao Li said calmly: "What, are you afraid?"

The censor did not conceal his fear, replying: "These past few days, as we walked among the people, probing for information, we have already drawn the surveillance of the prefectural troops. My subordinates now dare not even go out."

Facing this, Zhao Li did not mock him. He merely picked up the documents in his hand and asked: "You are honest, and fear in one's heart is only natural. But have you all forgotten Vice Censor-in-Chief Bian's admonition — to speak impartially and truthfully? His Majesty's instruction also requires us not to avoid the powerful and influential!"

The censor fell silent, merely bowing his head very low.

Seeing this, Zhao Li wore a slight smile and asked: "I entered officialdom quite early, yet my life has been one of wasted years. Four months ago, I was merely a lowly resident censor in the Western Capital. Now, by imperial grace, I have been given charge of an entire censorate court. Do you know why?"

The young censor was startled, then clasped his hands and said: "I have heard something of it, Your Excellency. It was because you once directly petitioned the Son of Heaven, impeaching the illegal conduct of Shi Hongzhao, the Western Capital's garrison commander, and won His Majesty's appreciation. Among the three courts, there is no one who does not admire Your Excellency's loyalty, integrity, and daring!"

Zhao Li's face bore a hint of self-assurance, as if recalling that moment of self-recommendation when his status was low. He said leisurely: "At that time, I nearly lost my life."

"This time, I still hold the same resolve! For nothing else — for the officials and people suffering in Xuzhou, to restore peace and clarity to Xuzhou!" Zhao Li's face was full of righteous indignation.

"Lord Zhao is a man of high principle!"

"Heh heh!" Seeing the young man so solemnly taken in, Zhao Li smiled faintly, then said in a relaxed tone: "But the outcome may not be as severe as imagined."

"What do you mean by that?"

Zhao Li shook his head but did not explain.

After dismissing his subordinate, Zhao Li immersed himself once more in reviewing the reported details. After a long while, he straightened up, took a few deep breaths, as if regulating his emotions, then with a grave expression picked up his brush and wrote with swift, vigorous strokes.

What fell from his brush became several hundred words of impeachment.