Chapter 200: Downwind

Su Wu, Wei Xiang, Xu Wei and others returned to Su Wu Manor, sitting together in a circle, the atmosphere so solemn it was almost suffocating.

Su Wu's gaze swept over his companions' faces, his voice low yet firm: "Now the court is thrown into chaos by the faction of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian; we have remonstrated many times to no effect, and the Sovereign seems deceived. If we do not take decisive action, the Great Han is in peril. After much thought, only a death remonstration might awaken the Sovereign and let him see the true face of these villains."

His eyes revealed resolve, evidently having cast aside life and death.

To have him retire like Huo Qubing and the others is not his nature.

Wei Xiang slammed the table, rose, his face full of indignation: "Lord Su is absolutely right! As subjects who eat the sovereign's bounty and serve his loyalty, with trouble at court, how can we retreat? Though a death remonstration is perilous, for the court's clarity and the Great Han's mountains and rivers, even if we are smashed to pieces, I will spare nothing."

Xu Wei also rose slowly, his expression solemn, giving a slight nod.

"Both lords, I share your view. These past days I too have lain awake, watching the court's disorder, my heart filled with anxiety. A death remonstration might be our last chance to awaken the Sovereign and root out villains; I am willing to face danger alongside you."

Su Wu looked at his two companions, a warm current rising in his heart.

He rose slowly, clasped his fists, and bowed to Wei Xiang and Xu Wei.

"With your help, it is my fortune and the court's fortune. Tomorrow we will go together to the palace to remonstrate unto death before the Sovereign. If we succeed, it is a blessing; if not, we will have no guilt before the Great Han or the Sovereign."

Having spoken, the three exchanged smiles, their expressions showing both composure before the unknown and trust in each other.

Afterwards they began to carefully discuss the details of the death remonstration, including how to state the crimes of Chen Wenjin and others, how to draw Liu Ju's attention, and what arrangements to make should they encounter mishap.

This death remonstration is more perilous than promising, but for the sake of inner justice and the court's future, they have readied themselves for any outcome, awaiting tomorrow's audience with the Sovereign to launch this life-or-death "battle" against the faction of Chen Wenjin.

On the eve of the confrontation, Su Wu Manor was brightly lit.

Su Wu paced back and forth in his study, brow furrowed.

Tomorrow's court confrontation concerns the future of the court and the fate of the Great Han.

The stack of evidence in his hand was gathered by him, Wei Xiang, Xu Wei and others through countless hardships, each sheet bearing their devotion to justice.

"Chen Wenjin, Li Xiangtian, your crimes will soon be exposed to all under heaven; I, Su Wu, will surely eradicate these two tumors from the court and restore clarity to the Great Han."

He inwardly resolved, his eyes firm as torches.

Yet a worry quietly rose in his heart: he fretted whether the evidence was sufficient, and feared that the wavering ministers at court might be duped by the Chen Wenjin faction.

But soon he shook his head, dispelling these distracting thoughts, firmly believing justice would triumph over evil.

Wei Xiang and Xu Wei also remained awake, gathering together to whisper strategies for the next day.

Wei Xiang said solemnly: "Tomorrow at court will surely be a fierce battle; the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction will certainly struggle desperately, and we must not let our guard down."

Xu Wei nodded in agreement: "Yes, these days we have run about gathering evidence and contacting loyal officials at court, all for this moment. We must believe that, united, we will surely see the villains receive their due punishment."

They harbored both hope for victory and apprehension about unknown variables, yet for the court's justice they had readied themselves to give their all.

Meanwhile, in Chen Wenjin's manor.

Chen Wenjin sat in the chief seat, his face grim, constantly turning a jade pendant in his hand, his eyes betraying a hint of unease.

"How dare Su Wu and his ilk be so bold, thinking they can topple us? Humph, do they think those so-called proofs will suffice?"

Though he put on a brave front, facing the impending showdown he still felt a pang of anxiety.

Li Xiangtian paced beside him, beads of fine sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Chancellor, we may have run into serious trouble this time. Su Wu and his allies are so well prepared, and some ministers at court are beginning to resent us—what are we to do?"

Chen Wenjin fiercely threw the jade pendant to the floor, gnashing his teeth: "What is there to fear? We have cultivated influence at court for years, with many allies. Tomorrow at court, if we hold our formation, rally our partisans to speak for us, and find ways to slander Su Wu and company, we might yet turn defeat into victory."

After a long night, the court finally witnessed the direct confrontation between Su Wu and company and the faction of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian.

At the early audience, Su Wu wore court robes, his demeanor solemn, stepping forward first.

He held up a thick stack of evidence with both hands and proclaimed loudly: "Your Majesty, today I risk death to remonstrate, possessing solid evidence exposing the heinous crimes of the Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian faction—throwing the court into chaos, forming cliques for personal gain, and corrupt extravagance!" This

As these words fell, the court erupted in an uproar; officials whispered among themselves, their gazes turning to Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian.

Chen Wenjin's face changed abruptly, but he quickly composed himself, giving a cold snort: "Su Wu, do not spout blood! With just a few sheets of paper you seek to slander us—utterly absurd!"

Li Xiangtian also said: "Your Majesty, Su Wu and the others, having been impeached by us, bear a grudge; this is clearly deliberate retaliation, fabricating lies to disrupt court order."

Su Wu's gaze was steadfast, showing no fear, as he displayed each piece of evidence in hand:

"Your Majesty, please look: this is their account of colluding with unlawful merchants in the southern development project, receiving huge bribes; that is their private appointment and dismissal of officials, correspondence installing their partisans. Item after item, the evidence stands like a mountain!"

Wei Xiang and Xu Wei also stepped forward, adding: "Your Majesty, we too have gathered related corroborating evidence that can confirm Lord Su's words are not false."

Liu Ju sat upon the Dragon Throne, his expression solemn, carefully examining the evidence.

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian felt uneasy inside, yet outwardly feigned composure, secretly signaling their partisans to speak for them. For a time the court split into two sides, arguing without cease.

Just as the situation reached an impasse, Zhang Tang suddenly stepped forward.

Su Wu and company felt a sudden tension, unaware of what he intended by stepping forward at this moment.

Zhang Tang's expression grave, he said: "Your Majesty, I have pretended to ally with Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian during this period in order to gather evidence of their crimes. Now that the truth is fully revealed, I am willing to testify for Su Wu and company."

As he spoke, he presented further key evidence, rendering the crimes of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian utterly indefensible.

Seeing the turn against them, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian grew furious from shame.

Chen Wenjin pointed at Su Wu and company, shouting: "You rebellious ministers and treacherous sons, even if you had more evidence today, you could never hope to overthrow us!"

Li Xiangtian also shouted wildly: "Your Majesty, this is rebellion; they must be severely punished!"

Moreover, Wei Zifu and Princess Liu Xijun, who had been specially invited to attend the court assembly, stood nearby, their eyes full of anticipation and worry.

Yet Liu Ju sat upon the Dragon Throne, his expression ever calm as water, showing neither surprise at Su Wu and company presenting evidence nor anger at the crimes of Chen Wenjin and company.

He merely listened in silence, occasionally sweeping his gaze over the officials below, yet never uttering a word.

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, though uneasy inside, seeing Liu Ju's lack of reaction, actually mustered courage to continue sophistry, seeking to confuse the audience.

Their words grew heated, attempting to sling the filth back onto Su Wu and company; the court fell into turmoil, each side clinging to its own version, arguing without cease.

Su Wu and company were filled with anxiety, occasionally looking to Liu Ju, hoping he would administer justice and severely punish the villains.

Yet Liu Ju remained silent, as if the fierce disputes at court had nothing to do with him.

At last, when the debate fell into deadlock, Su Wu could no longer restrain his anticipation and anxiety; he fell to his knees with a thud and cried out: "Your Majesty, the evidence is solid; I implore you to see clearly and restore clarity to the court!"

Wei Xiang and Xu Wei likewise immediately knelt, as the upright officials throughout the court echoed the plea, urging Liu Ju to render a verdict.

Liu Ju rose slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces, yet he merely said lightly: "This matter, I have long known; dismiss the court."

Having said that, he turned and left, leaving everyone in the court staring at each other in an uproar.

Su Wu and the others stood frozen in place, their disappointment spreading like a tide.

They had thought that with the ironclad evidence in hand, they could surely bring the treacherous to justice and restore righteousness to the court, but they never expected Liu Ju to remain so unmoved.

Wei Zifu and Princess Liu Xijun were also filled with disbelief, never expecting Liu Ju to turn a blind eye to such obvious wrongdoing by the treacherous faction.

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, meanwhile, secretly let out a sigh of relief, a hint of smugness barely showing on their faces. They understood that as long as Liu Ju remained silent, they could continue to throw their weight around in the court.

As for this court dispute, under Liu Ju's silence it not only failed to be quelled, but instead made everyone's dissatisfaction and resentment grow more intense, and the gloom over the court became even heavier.