Chapter 116: Sang Hongyang's Schemes

Sang Qian was startled by his father's sudden fury, but quickly regained his composure.

He stood up and said dismissively, "Father, why be so angry? I'm doing this for the good of our Sang family. That Xu Wei is just a nobody; even if his plan were excellent, what could it change? Only by securing this project can our Sang family gain greater profit and glory."

"Shut up!"

Sang Hongyang trembled with anger and rebuked, "Profit? Glory? For these illusory things you have abandoned human decency and conscience! Do you not realize your actions could cause massive losses to the entire Southern Great Development Campaign, wasting the painstaking efforts of countless commoners?"

At that moment, Sang Hongyang's wife and the other family members heard the commotion and rushed over.

Seeing Sang Hongyang uncontrollably furious, his wife grew deeply worried, hurried forward to grasp his arm, and spoke softly:

"My lord, please calm down and speak properly. Qian is still young; his actions are inevitably impulsive, and he made a mistake in a moment of confusion. Considering his usual filial conduct, please don't hold a grudge against him."

The other family members also gathered around, speaking in turn to plead for Qian.

"Yes, my lord, Young Master Qian merely acted thoughtlessly; he will surely reform."

"Hmph, he's grown and still doesn't understand! To commit such lawless misconduct, how could I easily let him off?" Sang Hongyang shook off his wife's hand, his anger still unabated.

"My lord, considering the young master's usual filial behavior, please spare him this once." Others continued to urge leniency.

But Sang Hongyang's mind was made up; he was unmoved and said coldly:

"This matter is no trivial affair; he must pay for his deeds. I cannot shield him merely because he is my son, otherwise how could I live up to the emperor's trust, or to the people under heaven?"

"I will personally have you taken to the Ministry of Justice to confess and accept punishment."

Seeing Sang Hongyang's firm stance, his wife grew increasingly anxious; in desperation she fell to her knees with a thud, tears streaming, and cried, "My lord, if you insist on punishing Qian, I will not live! I will die right before you!"

Saying this, she made as if to throw herself against the wall.

Sang Hongyang saw this, turned pale with shock, hurried forward to seize his wife, and said helplessly, "What are you doing? Get up, don't do something foolish!"

His wife wept, "My lord, Qian is our own flesh and blood—how can you bear to watch him punished? If you intend to sacrifice family for righteousness, then count me in as well."

Having spoken, she tried to break free from Sang Hongyang and continue hurling herself at the wall.

Sang Hongyang quickly embraced his wife, sighed deeply, furrowed his brows, and said with a face full of helplessness and conflict, "How could I not feel reluctant? Yet if the emperor learns of this, our entire Sang family will suffer. The emperor is wise and martial; he despises nepotism and corruption most. I fear that when the time comes, none of us will escape punishment."

His wife lifted her head, a flash of determination in her eyes, and said, "My lord, consider how many meritorious services you have rendered to the Great Han; you are a pillar of the court."

Seeing Sang Hongyang slightly relent, she continued:

"The emperor has just ascended the throne; now is when he needs to rely on you. How could he blame you over a petty merchant? As long as we settle this matter properly and keep it from the emperor's notice, there will be no problem."

Sang Hongyang listened to his wife's words and fell into contemplation.

He knew his wife made some sense; over the years he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Great Han and held a certain prestige in the court.

If the affair could be properly handled, perhaps he could indeed deceive heaven and cross the sea.

Even if the Son of Heaven learned of it, he would likely not pursue it deeply.

Thinking this through, his attitude finally showed a hint of relenting.

He sighed deeply and said, "All my life I have been honest and upright, devoted solely to the state of the Great Han. I had hoped you would inherit my aspirations, becoming an upright and responsible person, but I never expected you to be so disappointing. This matter, you must give me an accounting; otherwise, I will certainly not forgive you lightly."

Sang Qian saw his father's attitude ease and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He hurried to Sang Hongyang's front, knelt, and said, "Father, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have done those wrongs for my own gain. I promise you I will mend my ways and become an upright person. Please give me another chance."

Immediately afterward, Sang Qian recounted the entire sequence of events in clear detail.

Sang Hongyang gazed at his son kneeling on the ground, his feelings a tangled mix.

He recalled Qian's obedient and sensible childhood, and his heart softened involuntarily.

He shook his head and said, "Never mind, never mind. This time I will let you off, but you must remember never to repeat the same mistake. If there is a next time, even if you are my own son, I will not shield you again."

"Yes, father, I will certainly keep your teachings in mind." Sang Qian hastily replied.

Sang Hongyang waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

After everyone had departed, he sat alone in the room, his heart unable to settle for a long time.

Inside the Imperial Prison, the damp air was filled with a stinging stench of rot—a mixture of blood, sweat, and excrement that made one nauseous.

The walls were covered in moss; water dripped continually from cracks in the ceiling, the "drip‑drip" sound echoing in the silent space, adding a grim eeriness.

Sewage flowed across the floor; rats darted recklessly in the corners, emitting "squeak‑squeak" cries.

In the narrow cell, dark and damp, the cold stone slab was Xu Wei's sole refuge, stained with blotches of blood, bearing witness to untold suffering and despair.

Xu Wei curled up in a corner of the cell, his garments already torn to rags, soaked in blood and dirt.

His face was mottled with bruises, his hair disheveled, his eyes revealing deep exhaustion and despair.

These days, he has endured brutal torture by the jailers, inflicting severe trauma on both body and spirit.

Yet even so, he has steadfastly maintained his innocence, never admitting to the fabricated charge.

That day, a heavy tread approached from afar, breaking the prison's silence.

A jailer came to Xu Wei's cell door, impatiently saying, "Get up, someone wants to see you."

Xu Wei strained to lift his head, a flicker of doubt in his eyes, yet he struggled to his feet, dragging his weak body as he followed the jailer out of the cell.

In a relatively spacious interrogation room, Xu Wei saw the person who had come to visit him.

There appeared an elderly man in fine robes, of distinguished bearing, walking slowly; his countenance was stern, yet his eyes held a barely perceptible concern.

The old man approached Xu Wei, gave a slight nod, and said, "I am the Minister of Works, Sang Hongyang."

Hearing that name, Xu Wei's heart jolted. Although he was in dire straits, he also knew Sang Hongyang's position in the court was of great importance.

He strained his body, warily watching Sang Hongyang, and asked: "Lord Sang, I don't know what business you have come to see me for."