[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties":3,"chapter-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-10":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Really Am Not Neglecting My Duties",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2363279,4622,"Chapter 10","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-10",10,"\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng stood before the Northern Town Surveillance Office, beside him stood the Deputy Grand Secretary Lu Diaoyang, and behind them stood the officials of the Three Judicial Departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli, Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate; Wang Zhigao, Minister of Justice; Li Youzi and Luo Fengxiang, Left and Right Ministers of the Court of Judicial Review; court ministers alongside Zhu Xixiao, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Feng Bao, Director of the Eastern Depot, together formed the tribunal for this joint trial of the Three Judicial Departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Justice handled criminal cases nationwide, the Censorate oversaw disciplinary investigations, and the Court of Judicial Review reviewed and corrected verdicts; the Three Judicial Departments convened as one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To welcome His Majesty’s arrival, the Northern Town Surveillance Office had undergone an unprecedented cleaning: windows gleamed, desks were spotless, even the corners had been scrubbed with pig-hair brushes, and sandalwood incense was lit—this once grim and foreboding office now glowed with sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun sat in the back hall; as Emperor, he must sit in the center of the front hall if he were to preside—then who would preside over the trial?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong was brought out from the Imperial Prison, escorted by two Senior Judicial Officers clad in crimson robes and flying-fish uniforms; even inside the courtroom, they held the prisoner, shackled and manacled, without the slightest slack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Zhu Xixiao had only one demand: no incident whatsoever must occur within the Northern Town Surveillance Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bang! Accused Wang Zhanglong, confess at once—who ordered you to assassinate the Emperor in the Qianqing Palace?!” Zhu Xixiao, as the presiding official in his own jurisdiction, naturally led the interrogation; he slammed his tiger-chime gavel, his voice thunderous and commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong knelt on the ground, seemingly terrified by the gavel, trembling as he said: “Commander, this humble subject merely entered the palace to steal a few items—how could I have attempted assassination? I beg Your Excellency to investigate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Present the physical evidence!” Zhu Xixiao shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two weapons used in the assassination were brought forward: a short dagger meant for the Emperor, and a long, razor-sharp huan-shou sword that had wounded Zhang Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plank from the Emperor’s bed had been removed; a hole from the dagger’s thrust remained visible. After Zhu Yijun rose, Zhang Hong ordered Zhang Jing to dismantle the plank and replace it with a new one, sending the original as physical evidence to the Three Judicial Departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao sneered: “You brought weapons into the palace and went straight to the Qianqing Palace. When Zhang Hong apprehended you, I was present myself—where were your stolen goods? Surely you didn’t find everything in the Qianqing Palace unworthy? Iron evidence lies before you—how dare you lie?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong’s eyes darted, and he shouted from his knees: “This humble subject is a soldier of the Qi family army!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was foolish and believed a villain’s words—that palace eunuchs ordered me to assassinate the Emperor to scare him, to teach him his place!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense!” Zhu Xixiao sneered loudly. “Bring the witnesses!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several witnesses were brought forward one by one to identify Wang Zhanglong, painting a detailed portrait of his life as a hired servant in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong was a gambler, bankrupted by losses and deeply in debt to the gambling den; the den’s owner and managers, when summoned to testify, trembled so badly they could barely stand—how had they ended up in the Imperial Prison?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Embroidered Uniform Guards had indeed lost much power, but only in court; to gambling den owners, they were the Emperor’s elite guards—entering the Northern Town Surveillance Office meant entering the Imperial Prison, reserved for the gravest traitors deserving extermination of nine clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong had to repay his debts, or debt collectors would corner him; he had planned to castrate himself and sell himself into the palace for money to recover his losses, and after inquiries, found a way in—when he heard of a big job, he took it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng sat calmly; he had reviewed the case files—the Embroidered Uniform Guards still operated with their trademark speed and precision, and every case they handled was ironclad; Commander Zhu’s every word was as solid as a nail driven home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Jiajing reign, when Lu Bing was Commander, the Embroidered Uniform Guards’ power was so great even the Eastern Depot had to yield to them, and they enjoyed the Jiajing Emperor’s deep trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few dared impeach Lu Bing for abusing power or framing innocents; even the most nitpicking censors could only say, “Lu Bing excels at pleasing his superiors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a secret police force specially tasked with the Emperor’s dirty work, being merely accused of flattery was already a high compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Embroidered Uniform Guard had seventeen offices, each with a full complement of 1,120 men—totaling 19,040 authorized personnel; only those in the Northern Town Surveillance Office with investigative authority were called “Tiji.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their peak, there were never more than six hundred Tiji, yet they were always professional, Kanchengjiezhaoliya .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiji wore bright yellow, reserved exclusively for the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiji’s investigative prowess remained intact, but after Lu Bing’s death, within just a dozen years, their status declined steadily—who could compete with eunuchs who lived closer to the Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao slammed the tiger-chime gavel again: “Who told you to impersonate a Qi family soldier? Confess truthfully—any further lies will bring severe punishment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong, his lie exposed, knelt weeping: “It was Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch, who told me to say this! He said to pretend I was a Qi soldier, then frame Chen Hong—he promised me wealth and rank, saying even if caught, the Eastern Depot would handle me, and they’d get me out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, Your Excellencies—it was truly Feng Bao who told me to say this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, several ministers murmured among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao indeed had motive: to smear Qi Jiguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Jiguang was under Zhang Juzheng’s patronage; if Qi fell, Zhang would fall with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng were political allies, but Zhang Juzheng was first and foremost a civil official, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, the Chief Grand Secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong sought to seize power from the Directorate of Palace Affairs—did Zhang Juzheng, as head of the civil officials, not desire the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao, as the palace’s Grand Eunuch, could use this to chastise and pressure Zhang Juzheng, forcing him to investigate the Qi family army’s involvement, interrogate the instigator, and compel Zhang to align with the eunuchs—ultimately dragging Chen Hong and Gao Gong into the scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao indeed had motive: risking his own life and the Emperor’s to see Chen Hong and Gao Gong dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun, seated in the back hall, glanced at Feng Bao—just as he expected, testimony incriminating Feng Bao had emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I lack the audacity,” Feng Bao said calmly, shaking his head. “The assassin failed. I nearly died trying to survive. If the Emperor had truly perished, I’d be a stray dog without a master—only death awaits me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun turned to Zhang Hong: “Zhang Hong, go out. Say you are Feng Daban—let him recognize you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong obeyed, stepped out of the back hall into the front, flicked his fly-whisk, and raised his voice: “You vile wretch, falsely accusing others—when did I ever speak such words to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong looked up and cried out: “Grand Eunuch Feng, save me! You promised me wealth and rank—why is this different now?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong inwardly sighed—had Wang Zhanglong denied ever seeing him, or claimed ignorance, it would have drenched Feng Bao in filth. He shook his head: “Look at me—when did I ever promise you wealth?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday, when you led me into the palace!” Wang Zhanglong insisted, still staring upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong stepped forward, crouched slowly, and sneered: “I only put on this crimson robe yesterday—you did see me yesterday. I am the eunuch who arrested you! Open your dog’s eyes and look closely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong finally recognized him—the shadowy figure from last night. His face turned ashen; he struggled, but the two Senior Judicial Officers held him down tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All ministers have seen—he speaks nothing but lies,” Zhang Hong said, returning to the back hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still refuse to confess?!” Zhu Xixiao slammed the gavel again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhanglong, his lie exposed, finally confessed truthfully: he only knew that those in crimson robes were senior eunuchs—he had mistaken the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun narrowed his eyes at Left Censor-in-Chief Ge Shouli; when Zhang Hong left the back hall, Ge’s index and middle fingers had unconsciously tapped the armrest of his chair. After Wang Zhanglong’s mistake was revealed, Ge’s tapping grew faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Censor-in-Chief was a third-rank official, head of the censorial corps—could he not even control his nerves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the court ministers present, only Ge Shouli belonged to the Jin Party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong, Teng Xiang, Meng Chong, and other eunuchs were also brought from the Eastern Depot to the Northern Town Surveillance Office for further interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Hong, you claim it was the former Chief Grand Secretary Gao Gong who ordered you?” Zhu Xixiao asked the question everyone awaited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong, during his period of disfavor, had suffered greatly—his cheeks sunken, eyes hollow. He knelt weakly: “Indeed, it was Gao Gong who ordered me. I have proof!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough lies!” Ge Shouli leapt to his feet, slamming the table. “Grand Secretary Gao is upright and honorable—he managed maritime trade, fortified borders, pacified Diannan, subdued the southern frontier, and subdued the western barbarians—he is a pillar of the state! How dare you slander him?!” He pointed at Chen Hong, eyes blazing with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister of Justice Wang Zhigao pulled Ge Shouli’s sleeve: “Why so hasty, Grand Censor? Let us see his evidence first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong stared at Ge Shouli—this man who once bowed low and addressed him as “Elder Chen” now dared to berate him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong sneered at Ge Shouli: “I have a handwritten letter from Gao Gong, delivered to the palace via the Caihu Camp. I recognize his handwriting—it was delivered by his relative Li Shi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I face death—why would I lie? Li Shi, Gao Gong’s relative, still resides in the capital. Bring him in, and you’ll know the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You corrupt ministers, relying on Viceroy Wang Chonggu, monopolizing the Altan Khan’s trade, plundering at will—you will all pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing power was worse than death; if he had a chance to rise again, he would take it. If exposed, he would die—but as a eunuch, he had only adopted a few sons. What did he fear? He would drag others down with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is the letter?” Zhu Xixiao frowned; the Eastern Depot’s case files mentioned no letter or Li Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong blinked: “Buried beneath the jujube tree behind the latrine in the corridor house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked at Feng Bao—how could such critical evidence be unknown to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao sighed: “Your Majesty, when Chen Hong entered the Eastern Depot, he refused to speak, only seeking death. I learned of Gao Gong’s involvement only from Meng Chong and Teng Xiang. Even in death, Chen Hong refused to let me claim any credit. I dug up the ground yesterday, but time was too short—I found no evidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall send men immediately to retrieve the written proof.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong knew he was doomed—he would never hand evidence to Feng Bao. Feng Bao had failed to protect the Emperor and lost trust; how could Chen Hong let him succeed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Shouyou, take two hundred Tiji and arrest Li Shi. Luo Bingliang, accompany Grand Eunuch Feng to retrieve the letter,” Zhu Xixiao hesitated briefly, then ordered Senior Judicial Officer Luo Bingliang to go with Feng Bao—better to avoid complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Censor, won’t you come along?” Deputy Grand Secretary Lu Diaoyang reminded Ge Shouli. “This case is being handled by the civil court. The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot have sent men—should you not go, the Tiji and the eunuchs might collude to frame Gao Gong—he’ll be ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang, hands clasped, suddenly asked: “Grand Censor, if you don’t mention it, is it because you know Li Shi still resides in the capital—or because you know this letter truly exists?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli rose, swept his sleeves: “Nonsense! I shall go with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter was quickly retrieved; the Ministry of Justice, the Northern Town Surveillance Office, and the Eastern Depot each had handwriting experts; representatives of all factions gathered around the letter to examine its script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before sunset, Li Shi was captured and returned. Entry into the capital required a travel permit; non-residents had to declare their destination and host. The Five City Military Command had officers specifically assigned to verify and recheck such permits—so even if someone fled, tracing them was easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shi was dragged in by Tiji, his legs trembling so badly he could barely kneel—he collapsed on the floor, shaking: “Commander, hear me out… I returned to the capital after being dismissed by Elder Gao, forced to seek kin. I… what crime have I committed to be thrown into the Imperial Prison?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ming Code strictly forbade slavery; to circumvent it, elite households registered servants as “family members.” Thus, Li Shi’s claim of returning to kin after dismissal was plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Northern Town Surveillance Office and Ministry of Justice officials placed the evidence before the court and bowed: “Commander—the letter is forged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Chen Hong cried out in shock, struggling to break free from the eunuchs’ grip, but two held him firmly to the ground. He thrashed and shouted: “I know Gao Gong’s handwriting better than my own! It cannot be fake!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli exhaled in relief, clapped his hands together: “I knew someone was framing him! Grand Secretary Gao is upright and righteous—he would never do such a thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2298,"2026-06-21T07:55:54.218Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","59d8fef724f1cd15c1f4d65bf71ad7c60fb3043fdac9b076c4e5adc2fe3a227f","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-11","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-9",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-cover.jpg"]