Chapter 400: The Blame Is Chen Guanlou

The rebel leader, the Great Ming King, is about to be transported to the capital.

Where to imprison him became the focal point of debate.

Every department involved now scrambled to assert its presence, seeking to impress the old emperor. The stronger the presence, the smoother the funding requests—and the higher the amount they could secure.

What is a "clear water office"?

An office with no presence is a "clear water office"—one with personnel but no funds, sitting idle day after day.

The Dalisi, the Ministry of Justice, the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard joined forces to eliminate the meddling Dalisi. What business is it of theirs?

Next came the clash between the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard refused to yield: the Great Ming King must be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, where he would learn a harsh lesson—why the flowers are so red.

The Ministry of Justice immediately objected.

The Great Ming King is to be publicly executed by a thousand cuts. To that end, he must be kept plump and healthy, and given no chance to commit suicide.

The Imperial Prison has a dark history—suicides among prisoners are common. If the Great Ming King enters the Imperial Prison, he may well kill himself before his public execution. How then will we answer the people? How will we answer His Majesty?

The Heavenly Prison is different.

In recent years, the Heavenly Prison has improved its management, introducing many heartwarming programs, emphasizing humanity, offering spiritual encouragement and comfort to prisoners, drastically reducing suicide rates, and effectively preserving the court's dignity and the rule of law's Dixian.

For the sake of public execution and to demonstrate the court's power to all under heaven, the Great Ming King must be imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. No other prison is suitable.

The Imperial Prison? Ha, get lost.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard flew into a rage, drawing their blades.

The Ministry of Justice seized the moment to attack the Embroidered Uniform Guard: a bunch of brutes, always resorting to violence. Anyone who enters the Imperial Prison barely survives. The Great Ming King must not die in prison. The Imperial Prison is a tomb for him. How could a rebel destined for public execution by slow slicing be locked in a tomb the moment he arrives in the capital?

The two sides quarreled fiercely.

Is the Great Ming King really that important, to spark such fierce competition?

Whether the Great Ming King matters is secondary; the real issue is the power struggle between departments. If the Ministry of Justice can outmaneuver the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it will gain immense prestige—everyone will praise the Ministry of Justice, and funding requests will be met with greater confidence and speed. The Ministry of Revenue will pay out more readily.

All six ministries were pleased to see the Embroidered Uniform Guard humiliated. They dug up every dark chapter of the Imperial Prison's history, concluding that the Heavenly Prison was the only suitable place to hold the Great Ming King.

After careful consideration, the old emperor approved the ministers' recommendation. The Imperial Prison was indeed too dark—its methods too brutal, too bloody, unsuitable indeed.

The Heavenly Prison's methods are gentle; it is perfect for holding the Great Ming King.

Next spring, when the weather warms and flowers bloom, the Great Ming King will be publicly executed by slow slicing to offer his blood to heaven, praying for favorable winds and rains.

Surely, heaven will be pleased with the Great Ming King's blood.

In the end, the old emperor made his decision: the Great Ming King will be imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison.

The order trickled down through the ranks until it reached the Heavenly Prison.

Lei Yucheng, long absent, appeared and summoned Chen Guanlou: "The Great Ming King is arriving soon. The higher-ups have decided to imprison him in the Heavenly Prison. Have you received the notice?"

"Your Excellency, I have received the official document. This is a major matter!"

"Who says not? Since becoming prison warden, I've never faced such a huge case, such a critical prisoner—zero experience."

"Chen Jail Clerk, do you have a specific plan?"

"I leave it entirely to Your Excellency's instructions."

Lei Yucheng gritted his teeth—he could not retreat now. Superiors might inspect at any moment. If they asked him questions and he had no answers, his position as warden would be over.

"The Great Ming King must be imprisoned in the Jia-class cell block."

"Your Excellency, might you reconsider? The Jia-class cell block holds only convicted officials." Chen Guanlou tried to decline—the Great Ming King was a hot potato. If he could avoid it, all the better.

Lei Yucheng firmly opposed. Of the three cell blocks, only the Jia-class gave him the most confidence. Though he despised Chen Guanlou and wished him dead, when trouble came, he still needed Chen Guanlou to take the burden.

He snapped: "No need to reconsider. I've researched this—previous rebels held in the Heavenly Prison were all kept in the Jia-class cell block. Chen Jail Clerk, I know your abilities. You must quickly draft a plan. Whatever you need, name it—I'll ensure everyone cooperates."

"Above all, the Great Ming King's safety is paramount. He must not be given any chance to commit suicide. Everyone above is watching this case. The Great Ming King is in the Heavenly Prison—no mistake can be made. Otherwise, both of us will lose our heads."

Chen Guanlou: …

His face darkened, his heart heavy.

"Your Excellency, this is difficult!"

"Difficult or not, you must do it. Imprisoning the Great Ming King in the Heavenly Prison was hard-won through fierce argument by several Ministry of Justice officials. The Imperial Prison next door is practically weeping with envy. Don't be ungrateful. You have many men under you. The Great Ming King has no three heads or six arms—he's physically weak. Can't your men keep one man in check? The Heavenly Prison has held every kind of prisoner—why can't it hold one rebel?"

Lei Yucheng's words made perfect sense.

Chen Guanlou bared his teeth: "Since Your Excellency has decided, then the Jia-class cell block shall take on this urgent duty to imprison the Great Ming King. I will personally select a cell for necessary modifications to ensure he doesn't die once locked in."

"Not just alive—he must be well-fed. His Majesty has set the date: next spring, to execute the rebel and offer his blood to heaven for good harvests. So when he walks to the execution ground, he should look like a normal man."

Chen Guanlou felt a headache coming: "Your Excellency, this demand is too high."

"You're so clever, full of ingenious plans—I'm certain you can manage. I trust you."

"Your Excellency overestimates me."

"Chen Jail Clerk, don't undervalue yourself. Many praise your wit and ability. A mere Great Ming King won't stump you. Don't forget—he was captured by the Marquis of Pingjiang. You and the Great Ming King surely have much to discuss. Talk more—it won't hurt."

Lei Yucheng grinned happily, delighted to see Chen Guanlou suffer.

What a heavy burden!

So capable—he ought to bear the burden.

At this moment, Lei Yucheng no longer resisted the task; he even thanked the Ministry of Justice officials for securing the Great Ming King for them. Ha ha ha…

If Chen Guanlou fails and the Great Ming King dies in prison—well, he won't. Chen Guanlou isn't that incompetent, nor that unlucky—he's got decent fortune.

Thus, Lei Yucheng was at ease!

The task is Chen Guanlou's, the credit is his—perfect!