Chapter 300: Zhao Jinming Was a Traitor

Sun Daoning personally came to Tianlaomiao today to interrogate the imprisoned official Zhao Jinming.

Chen Guanlou ordered someone to notify Zhao Jinming while inviting Sun Daoning into the Warden's office to rest and drink tea.

"My lord, I dare ask—when will the new warden assume office? Without a warden, we're like a ship without a rudder, utterly lost and terrified."

Sun Daoning sipped his tea, glancing at Chen Guanlou. "Don't you all prefer being unmanaged?"

"My lord, you jest. The warden doesn't just oversee us—he guides our work, fills gaps, helps us avoid mistakes. Without him, we're like flies without a head, making errors we never even notice. If this continues, none of us will feel safe."

Chen Guanlou spoke with genuine sincerity, fully expressing the jailers' deep longing for a new warden—this position must not remain vacant. The longer it stays empty, the fiercer the struggle among those above to claim it, and the more money will be spent.

As a result, the bribe each jailer must pay will double.

The ideal scenario: the outgoing warden resigns this morning, and the new one arrives this afternoon. Such a warden costs little, arrives without enduring multiple rounds of bloody competition, and demands far fewer bribes—plus, he won't grow greedily afterwards.

Sun Daoning set down his teacup and spoke slowly: "Previously, due to soldiers plundering the capital, the warden's post remained vacant, with no appointment made. Now that all government offices have resumed normal operations, this vacancy must no longer continue. I have already chosen a candidate for the warden's position."

"I dare ask—may I know who the new warden is?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?"

"My lord, I merely wish to prepare in advance," Chen Guanlou explained.

Sun Daoning smiled faintly, then suddenly asked, "You're calculating how much money to offer the new warden, aren't you? Don't worry—I personally approved your promotion to jailer; no one can remove you."

Ah!?

What an unexpected blessing. He hadn't realized his promotion owed anything to Sun Daoning—he'd assumed it was all due to Niu Warden's personal favor.

He immediately knelt and bowed deeply. "Grateful for your lordship's trust—I shall serve diligently and never cause you trouble."

Sun Daoning nodded approvingly. "Good. Diligent service matters more than anything. Don't waste your days scheming over bribes and connections—that's petty trickery, not the true path. With your talent, jailer isn't your limit. If you're serious, read more books—it will benefit you."

"Thank you for your guidance, my lord. When I return, I'll dig out the books I've sealed away and study hard."

Privately, Chen Guanlou didn't care whether he was promoted or not. Being a jailer suited him fine—he dealt only with jailers and imprisoned officials, both groups perfectly safe for him.

He had no desire to interact with officials in the yamen; their minds were too cunning. His secrets might easily be uncovered by some over-smart fool.

Besides, sitting in the jail all day was far more comfortable than enduring the yamen's rigid routine. Look at Young Fan—he held the jailer's post yet vanished for months at a time. The yamen's daily roll call was unavoidable.

Of course, if Sun Daoning insisted on promoting him, it wouldn't be impossible. He could still loaf around—just a different place, same lazy routine. He'd just need to spend a little extra effort managing his colleagues.

He still couldn't shake his curiosity about Sun Daoning's interrogation of Zhao Jinming, yet dared not ask. When the Six Gates constables brought Zhao Jinming out of his cell, Chen Guanlou quietly withdrew from the Warden's office and went to the eastern annex to drink tea, listening intently to the conversation inside.

As he listened, it became clear—the matter tied back to that old fox, Lu Mingchuan.

The Crown Prince's deposition was merely the prelude. The real war had only just begun.

Purges, alignment, dividing friend from foe, crushing opponents, inflating the value of imperial princes, adding weight to those eligible for the throne—the court officials were swamped.

Lu Mingchuan was among the first targets of this purge.

Though the Crown Prince was deposed, his faction gained the old emperor's favor. Those who had betrayed the Crown Prince or stayed neutral now stirred his suspicion—he feared they conspired to overthrow the throne, sever father-son bonds, or even kill the deposed prince.

The old emperor even went mad enough to believe his own decision to depose the Crown Prince had been manipulated by certain individuals.

What a shameless blame-shifting.

Public opinion had already spread nationwide. The Crown Prince's deposition had far exceeded initial estimates—petitions accusing court ministers, the Grand Secretariat, other imperial princes, even cursing the old emperor himself, rained down like snowflakes into the palace.

Regardless of status or allegiance, local officials, imperial clan members—all opposed the deposition, calling it the most foolish act in three hundred years of the dynasty. If the Great Qian Dynasty ever fell, it would fall in the forty-ninth year of Tai Xing, because of the Crown Prince's deposition.

Emperor Tai Xing was now irrevocably branded a fool—"fool" was nailed to his name, and he could never shake it off.

The old emperor could not bear it.

When Yu Zhaoan once called him a fool, he had thrown Yu Zhaoan into prison and tormented him for years.

Now, officials across the land, renowned Confucian scholars, regional princes—all were denouncing him. The Crown Prince was virtuous: studious, respectful to teachers, open to advice, and competent in governance—above the imperial average. He had nurtured this prince for over thirty years, only to depose him on a whim, even resorting to military mutiny.

What else could this be but the act of a fool?

The old emperor refused to accept the label. He believed himself wise and mighty, master of all affairs. He would not permit public opinion to spiral beyond his control.

Thus, the court launched a furious purge. Someone had to step forward to take the blame—and the more famous the man, the better he suited the role.

The Crown Prince's deposition was the court's demand; as Son of Heaven, he must honor his ministers' will.

Yes—that was the truth!

The old emperor deceived himself, trying to reverse the tide.

But the world had eyes—and would judge truth from falsehood.

Lu Mingchuan had conveniently appeared at Tianlaomiao on the very day of the mutiny, escaping the first wave of backlash—too convenient. He was surely a traitor; perhaps he had even helped orchestrate the Crown Prince's deposition. His fame in the capital made him the perfect scapegoat the emperor needed.

Everyone, including Chen Guanlou, had assumed Zhao Jinming would defend Lu Mingchuan. They were master and disciple; Zhao Jinming had always staunchly supported and believed in Lu Mingchuan.

No one expected Zhao Jinming's opening words to be a bombshell.

"True! My master publicly supported the Crown Prince—but secretly planned his deposition!"

What?

What?

Zhao Jinming had betrayed Lu Mingchuan? A disciple turning against his master?