Chapter 583: The Power of a Jailer

"How did he die?" Liu Chengyou's expression shifted slightly, his countenance displeased. He detested such unexpected, uncontrollable affairs: "Can the Wude Office not even keep watch over a single prisoner?"

"Per the prison warden's report, in a moment of negligence, Wang Jingchong took his own life out of fear of punishment! This subordinate inspected the scene—he hanged himself with a hemp rope, suspended in his cell!" Zhang Dejun said.

"A man like Wang Jingchong, take his own life out of fear? Utterly laughable!" Liu Chengyou thought for but a moment, then said with certainty: "He was imprisoned for barely a day and a night, and now he's dead—there must be hidden cause within. Investigate. Get to the bottom of this for Us!"

"Yes!" Having barely returned to the hall without a moment's rest, Zhang Dejun hurried off again, appearing full of vigor.

Leaning back against the throne, Liu Chengyou closed his eyes in deep thought, a sigh escaping his breath. Still, since the man was already dead, it spared him from agonizing further. As he considered how to handle the aftermath, his thoughts grew increasingly clear.

After winter set in, the chill between heaven and earth grew ever more intense. Wearing duck down within and a sable fur robe without, one was wrapped up tightly—yet after a short stroll, he actually felt stiflingly hot, sweat beading on his back. He tugged at his outer robe, letting the cold wind seep in, and only then felt more comfortable.

Zhang Dejun arrived in haste, panting from his run. After catching his breath slightly, he reported: "Reporting to His Majesty, the matter has been investigated thoroughly!"

"Speak!" Liu Chengyou said directly.

"Through this subordinate's inquiries, it was the chief prison warden, Wang Xiong, who strangled Wang Jingchong at night, staging it to look like suicide out of fear of punishment!"

"Wang Xiong? I have some recollection of him!" Liu Chengyou's brow furrowed slightly.

Zhang Dejun explained: "Wang Xiong was originally the Capital District Commissioner of the Wude Office. After Duke Shouguo stepped down, because he refused to accept Wang Jingchong, he repeatedly clashed with him, to the point of delaying official business, and was subsequently demoted to prison warden. Later, in the marketplace, he encountered a brawl and had a leg broken. It is said Wang Jingchong sent men from behind the scenes. From that day on, Wang Xiong harbored deep hatred for Wang Jingchong! This time, when Wang Jingchong was imprisoned, he happened to fall within Wang Xiong's jurisdiction, and hatred drove him to kill!"

"Ha! A fine tale of revenge!" Liu Chengyou said upon hearing the account: "And where is Wang Xiong now?"

"Before this subordinate could make a second visit to the prison, he had already taken his own life!" Zhang Dejun replied.

After a moment's deliberation, Liu Chengyou could not help but remark: "I placed Wang Jingchong in the Wude Office prison, thinking that within the agency's walls, with his many partisans, he would be protected. I never expected it would instead harm him, hastening his demise..."

"It was also because of his usual conduct—acting wantonly, overly arrogant and domineering, offending too many people—that this calamity befell him!" Zhang Dejun said in a consoling tone. Since the man was already dead, he dared to voice his opinion openly.

Liu Chengyou nodded and said flatly: "Still a pity! A man of his standing, Commissioner of the Wude Office, yet he perished at the hands of a prison warden—truly lamentable! The power of a jailer, no more than this!"

"Additionally, there is one more matter." Hesitating somewhat, Zhang Dejun still spoke up.

Liu Chengyou merely gave a look, and Zhang Dejun immediately reported: "Along with Wang Jingchong, another person died in the prison. Upon inquiry, he was a former subordinate of Chancellor Wang of the State Finance Commission. Wang Jingchong bore a grudge against Chancellor Wang and had him imprisoned for nearly a year, originally as a frame-up. Unexpectedly, Chancellor Wang died of illness, and the matter was dropped. His cell was across from Wang Jingchong's. This subordinate believes his death was the prison warden silencing him..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou fell silent for a long while, then said softly: "Who knows how many things this Wang Jingchong did behind My back!"

"Wang Jingchong had two sons, didn't he?" Liu Chengyou ordered: "Issue the edict—let his eldest son inherit the title, reduced one rank to Marquis Ren. Let his family come collect his body!"

"Yes!"

Regardless of how Wang Jingchong's crimes towered to heaven in life, drawing the wrath of gods and men alike, since the man was dead, Liu Chengyou was disinclined to heap further censure upon him, and moreover wished to treat his offspring generously. This had nothing to do with "the dead are greatest"—it was simply that at this moment, Liu Chengyou did not wish for any further waves to rise over Wang Jingchong's affair. This was a statement of his attitude.

"Also, summon the Capital District Commissioner to see Me!"

Within the Wude Office establishment, below the chief and deputy commissioners were the circuit commissioners, among whom the Capital District Commissioner held the highest rank, permanently stationed at the Eastern Capital, followed by the various bureau chiefs and the various personal affairs and intelligence officers.

Li Shaoyou had left his post, Wang Jingchong had risen to power without appointing a deputy commissioner, and now Wang Jingchong was dead as well—leaving the Capital District Commissioner as the only one within the Wude Office capable of managing affairs.

"Your servant Zhou Can, kowtowing before Your Majesty!" Within Chongzheng Hall, the Capital District Commissioner Zhou Can made a grand obeisance to Liu Chengyou.

He felt both apprehensive and excited—this was his first time being admitted before the imperial presence, coming into such close contact with the Emperor. Previously, only the chief and deputy commissioners had possessed that privilege. Now, for him, it was fortune falling from the sky.

Zhou Can had originally been one of Wang Jingchong's confidants, quite scheming, relied upon as an advisor, repeatedly promoted until reaching the high position of Capital District Commissioner.

Liu Chengyou appraised him—no sign of roughness or rashness; he was likely a clerk by origin. The man appeared somewhat thin and frail, with two long whiskers above his lips, quite distinctive. He knelt obediently before the imperial presence, eyes lowered in deference.

"You are fully aware of what happened in the prison!" Liu Chengyou began.

At the question, Zhou Can seemed to have been prepared, responding: "This subordinate never expected Wang Xiong's hatred for Commissioner Ren to run so deep. Our negligence in failing to notice was a grave error—this subordinate begs Your Majesty to punish him!"

"Within the Wude Office now, morale is surely unsettled, and with Wang Jingchong's death, it will only worsen!" Liu Chengyou instructed: "When you return to the agency, you must reassure your subordinates, steady morale, have each return to their duties and attend to their affairs!"

"Yes!"

"Furthermore, seal off the cause of Wang Jingchong's death tightly. This is a matter of the Wude Office—resolve it internally with silence!" Liu Chengyou said in a low voice.

Zhou Can reported: "This subordinate has already ordered that all clerks and soldiers who learned of this matter be placed under control. Upon returning, I will certainly impress strict instructions upon them!"

At these words, Liu Chengyou could not help but glance at this man—he responded appropriately, with a nimble mind. This was not one famed in the annals of history, yet that did not mean he lacked ability. It stood to reason: to have gained Wang Jingchong's trust and climbed to the position of Capital District Commissioner, one could not have done so without discernment and skill.

After brief consideration, Liu Chengyou said directly: "I observe that you handle affairs with considerable competence. As the Wude Office is currently in upheaval, I promote you to Deputy Commissioner of the Wude Office, temporarily administering the agency's affairs!"

Before being summoned to the palace, Zhou Can had already sensed that perhaps his opportunity had come, and he harbored some expectation in his heart. Thus, upon hearing Liu Chengyou's words, his expression remained calm, though his tone carried a trace of excitement: "Your Majesty's trust—this subordinate bows in gratitude!"

"After Li Shaoyou came Wang Jingchong; after Wang Jingchong, who can take charge of the Wude Office?" Liu Chengyou murmured softly, glancing at Zhang Dejun beside him, his countenance once again revealing deep contemplation.

"Lord Bian, Vice Censor-in-Chief, that Wang Jingchong is dead!" Within the Censorate compound, a censor of the court division hurried in, reporting with a delighted expression to Bian Guidang and Zhao Li, who were in the midst of discussion.

"What! How did he die?" Bian Guidang and Zhao Li exchanged a glance, both revealing expressions of surprise.

"Word has it that Wang Jingchong died suddenly of illness in the night, beyond saving!" The censor laughed: "That villain's sins were grave; dying in prison must be heaven's punishment—a great relief to all!"

"Wang Jingchong was always in robust health, free of illness and calamity. How could he suddenly die of illness? There must be more to this than meets the eye!" Bian Guidang thought for a moment, then said.

Zhao Li also added: "Indeed! But now that Wang Jingchong is dead, what should we do? The evidence and impeachment memorials we prepared earlier—if we submit them now, they will likely carry little weight before His Majesty!"

Bian Guidang thought it over and said: "With Wang Jingchong dead, the Wude Office will surely fall into disarray. This time, with Wang Jingchong at the head, these lackeys acted too brazenly, earning the deep hatred of court and country alike. We can take this opportunity to memorialize, requesting His Majesty to abolish the Wude Office—or at the very least, curb its power and place it within the framework of the court..."

"Lord Bian speaks truly!" Zhao Li immediately expressed agreement with Bian Guidang's words.

"However, His Majesty has issued another edict, allowing Wang Jingchong's eldest son to inherit the marquisate—it seems to signal an end to this matter." The censor said.

"Never mind all that. We are censors, bearing the duty of oversight and the right of remonstrance—we need only do our part!" Bian Guidang said: "This time, we must seize the opportunity to earnestly urge His Majesty to restore order to the court!"

After Bian Guidang departed, Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhao Li's face flickered with a trace of unease. His expression grew grave as he sat in his seat, assuming a contemplative posture.

"Vice Censor-in-Chief, you seem to have some misgivings about this matter?" The censor had not left, and asked in a low voice.

Zhao Li glanced at him and said: "What do you think?"

The censor looked around, then leaned in and whispered: "This subordinate believes that in all things, excess is as bad as deficiency. This time, because of the ministers' joint remonstrance, His Majesty has already shown displeasure. Now that Wang Jingchong is dead, if we continue to cling to this matter and refuse to let it go, I fear His Majesty will truly grow angry. Even if we hold to public righteousness, none of us can withstand the wrath of the Son of Heaven!

The Wude Office answers directly to His Majesty. Though condemned by court officials, it is a heavy instrument of imperial power. If Lord Bian seeks to make an issue of the Wude Office's very existence, what he would be opposing is His Majesty himself! Though His Majesty is a successor sovereign, he is a founding ruler, always resolute and strong-willed—I fear he will not tolerate it! If we submit further memorials, fortune or calamity would be impossible to predict!"