Chapter 604: A Stepping Stone That Paves Great Zhou

He Du Yaoguang has floated in the court for twenty years; there is no storm he hasn't seen.

His own son‑in‑law is the Grand Preceptor's only son, the future Prince of Jin; Chen Yan also holds great power, with ten thousand under the three of them.....

At this hour they arrive together, escorting a criminal to the gate; if it were only to ask "how should he be dealt with," it would be excessive to mobilize troops.

Inside, there must be a deeper scheme!

Chen Yan heard this, was first stunned, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his brows full of admiration, his tone carrying just the right amount of flattery: "Truly worthy of the Grand Minister of Justice!"

"Indeed, nothing can escape your keen eyes!"

Yuwen Ze also quickly agreed, his face beaming with smiles, his tone sincere and a touch reverent: "Yes! Father‑in‑law, the chief officer who commands the prisons, your insight is truly sharp and wise!"

"Both of you, cut the flattery!" Du Yaoguang raised his hand and lightly tapped the two, a half‑smile at his mouth, clearly not fooled by the compliments.

He restrained his smile, his eyes full of curiosity, his body leaning slightly forward, his tone solemn: "No outsiders here, speak plainly!"

Even without thinking, it must be the Grand Preceptor's chief's idea....

Outside the Shufang, the evening wind rose again at an unknown time, the copper bells on the eaves chimed, the delicate sounds drifted in, yet could not drown out Yuwen Ze and Chen Yan's voices.

The two exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding in their eyes.

Immediately, Yuwen Ze stepped forward, standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Chen Yan, and together declared loudly: "The son‑in‑law and A Xiong wish to invite father‑in‑law; three days later beneath the Solitary Willow Tree, we will personally execute Du Duo Yi!"

"Execute?"

Du Yaoguang was first stunned, clearly not expecting the two's request to be this.

His fingers unconsciously brushed the onyx‑banded hook at his waist, his mind racing through the pros and cons.

The Solitary Willow Tree is the execution ground for major criminals within Chang'an; three days later, if the Grand Minister of Justice himself, the head of the Jing Zhao Du Clan, personally executes, its deterrence will far surpass any punishment.

Thinking of this, Du Yaoguang couldn't help but chuckle lowly, his laugh carrying a hint of understanding, a hint of helplessness, and a hint of praise: "You really have a fine calculation!"

"Using me to quell the discontent of noble families!"

His words laid bare the truth.

Chen Yan was not the least bit flustered; instead he smiled calmly, his expression open, his tone confident: "Uncle Du, what are you talking about?"

"This is all for the millennial foundation of Great Zhou!"

"Father‑in‑law sacrifices personal ties for the country, and will surely be recorded in history!" Yuwen Ze nodded heavily, adding promptly, his tone full of earnestness: "Then the people will praise your impartial law‑enforcement, and noble families will dare not dispute any more!"

"This, both public and private, is a boon to the state and the people!"

Du Yaoguang listened quietly to their words, his heart swelling with countless emotions.

No wonder the Grand Preceptor constantly told A Ze to accompany Chen Yan for training.

The two's back‑and‑forth, each line a perfect set, was truly impressive!

This move, too, was indeed lofty.

In that instant, Du Yaoguang deeply grasped the meaning of "one who stays near vermilion turns red, one who stays near ink turns black"....

He still must let the eldest son have more contact with Chen Zhuguo!

He was silent for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping over the three, finally resting on Du Duo Yi's lifeless body on the ground.

A flash of complex emotion crossed his eyes: pain, regret, but mostly resolve.

Then, pursing his lips in a light smile, his gaze turned to Yuwen Ze, his tone inquisitive: "And how shall we deal with the other Hedong Pei Clan youth?"

The Pei Clan youth he meant was, of course, Pei Min, the Household Staff Officer who conspired with Du Duo Yi.

The Hedong Pei Clan is also Chen Yan's wife's family.

Yuwen Ze heard this, his smile widening, and hurriedly replied: "Father‑in‑law, rest assured, A Xiong has already consulted Uncle Pei…."

He paused, then said with measured cadence, "Elder Pei will also go personally to execute! No leniency whatsoever!"

"Good!"

Du Yaoguang slammed the table hard, his voice booming, carrying an unquestionable resolve.

He rose, his back straight, clad in moon‑white cloud‑brocade formal wear, which under the lamp shed a few rays of dignified righteousness.

Then, his eyes blazing at Yuwen Ze and Chen Yan, he proclaimed with lofty righteousness: "This concerns the state of Great Zhou; I have no right to shirk! Duty compels me!"

Facing the eldest son's straightforward career path, and the temptation to leave his name in history.....

Du Yaoguang had no reason to refuse!

Du Duo Yi lay limp on the cold Blue Bricks, like a puddle of mud stripped of every bone.

The moment consciousness returned, he felt his whole body icy, even his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

The words just spoken still echoed in his ears; Du Yaoguang's resolve and Yuwen Ze's coldness all signaled his fate.....

He was never a wanted criminal...

But a meticulously plotted piece, a sacrificial pawn to intimidate noble families and stabilize the court, a stepping stone paving Great Zhou's millennial foundation!

Du Duo Yi's lips were raw from coarse cloth, yet he could not summon any strength.

The once‑brash confidence, the carefree swagger across Chang'an, the lofty authority of the Huazhou Chief Historian, all now turned to bubbles.

Staring at the flickering copper lantern glow above, the dim yellow light stung his eyes, yet no tear could be shed.

His face ashen, skin as pale as rice paper, those eyes once full of ambition now held only dead, desolate hopelessness, not even a thought of struggle remained.

Du Duo Yi knew that from the moment he was escorted into the Shufang, his life had already reached its end......

Even the lingering ties of the Jing Zhao Du Clan were cut cleanly by his own hand.

Having achieved his aim, Yuwen Ze's solemnity faded, replaced by a perfectly measured respect.

He stepped forward, bowed his fist to Du Yaoguang, his voice clear: "The son‑in‑law and A Xiong will await father‑in‑law beneath the Solitary Willow Tree three days hence!"

Du Yaoguang gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the lifeless Du Duo Yi on the ground, his eyes unmoved.

Chen Yan, seeing this, turned and waved to Hou Mo Chen Xiao, ordering: "First take Du Duo Yi away!"

Hou Mo Chen Xiao stepped forward, his cold eyes falling on Du Duo Yi, showing no mercy.

He gave a slight nod to Chen Yan and Du Yaoguang, responding in a deep voice: "Yes."

Immediately, he signaled the embroidered‑cloth messenger of the Zhuque Guard behind him to step forward.

The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, lifted the limp Du Duoyi, dragging the heavy iron chain, and walked out of the Shufang.

The clattering of the iron chain dragging on the ground faded gradually, finally disappearing into the night, leaving only Du Yaoguang, Chen Yan, and Yuwen Ze in the Shufang.

Outside, the evening breeze rose again, the copper bells at the eaves chimed, shattering the brief silence in the Shufang.

Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze exchanged an unspoken glance.

Immediately, Chen Yan stepped forward, a hint of smile on his face, his tone as relaxed as if speaking of a trivial matter: "By the way, there's a small thing I'd like to ask Uncle Du's opinion on…"

Du Yaoguang raised an eyebrow, his fingertips idly rubbing the paperweight on the An Tou, and looked up at him with interest: "Tell me, then!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, a faint deep light flashing in his eyes, his smile hiding a hint of calculation and resolve: "My younger nephew and A Ze have discussed, the Imperial Academy, besides the examination appointments…"

"We still must allocate a certain number of recommendation slots for the Six Surnames of Guanzhong and the outstanding offspring of the meritorious noble families,"

"After all, a one‑size‑fits‑all approach easily turns good intentions into bad outcomes…"

When those words were spoken, Du Yaoguang was first stunned, then shook his head, gazing at Chen Yan with emotion, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and could not help but sigh: "You youngster really knows how to get things done!"

"No wonder the Grand Preceptor holds you in such high regard!"

The Imperial Academy is Great Zhou's talent selection and storage ground; after it switched to a graduation exam that selects the best for official appointments, children of humble families can, through talent, leap like carp over the dragon gate!

Now Chen Yan's proposal to allocate recommendation slots to the Six Surnames of Guanzhong and the meritorious nobles, while appearing to champion the aristocratic families' interests, is actually balancing court power…

By using the Human Heads of Du Duoyi, Pei Min, and Yao Hongnian, he intimidated the treacherous aristocrats, and by offering recommendation slots he appeased the law‑abiding nobles and families—combining reward and threat with truly clever tactics.

Moreover, he left no stone unturned, having considered every aspect!

He reduced resistance as much as possible, running parallel to the early Han commanderies and kingdoms, a method with a strikingly similar effect…

First, he sought to have all parties accept the system to the greatest extent, rather than imposing it by force…

Chen Yan, hearing this, quickly nodded, his smile becoming a bit more modest, his gaze still sharp: "May I ask what Uncle Du thinks?"

"Then I'll mediate between you two!" Du Yaoguang laughed aloud, his tone light, raising his hand to tap Chen Yan, his eyes full of admiration, "You mischievous little rascal!"

Those words counted as an acceptance.

Chen Yan felt a surge of joy, immediately bowed and clasped his fists, his tone sincere: "Then thank you, Uncle Du!"

"Hahaha!"

Du Yaoguang burst into hearty laughter, his bright laugh echoing through the Shufang, diluting the earlier murderous atmosphere.

Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze exchanged a glance and then laughed loudly together.

The three of their laughs intertwined, in this night carrying a hint of triumph and an unspoken understanding.

Outside, the evening breeze grew even gentler, the copper bells at the eaves still chimed.

The copper lamp's glow in the Shufang flickered, stretching the three shadows long, casting them on the ancient scrolls on the walls, somehow evoking a sense of a fateful convergence…