Chapter 957: The Imperial Examination Fraud Case

No one could have anticipated that a mere jest over a courtesan’s favor would ignite the imperial examination fraud case.

The candidates for the examination spontaneously gathered; once someone raised the call, this mob of furious, blood-hot students surged en masse toward the yamen, stormed official residences, posted large posters, and wrote scathing essays—any official implicated in this exam, named or otherwise, found themselves on the list.

Instantly, the entire capital ignited!

Emperor Jian Shi slashed through the chaos with a swift blade, decisively dismissing Grand Secretary Hai, appointing Xie Changling as Chief Minister and Left Chancellor, granting him full authority over the case, and ordering the Three Judicial Departments and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to assist Xie Changling in a thorough investigation.

Everyone in the court understood: the original plan had been to wait until Prince Chu was executed before Xie Changling would legitimately assume the role of Chief Minister—Hai was merely a placeholder.

Now, it was merely a slight acceleration of timing.

Thus, there was no dissent within the court regarding Emperor Jian Shi’s decision. Even those who harbored resentment inwardly still outwardly acknowledged Xie Changling’s leadership and recognized his ability to manage state affairs from the Grand Secretariat.

The fraud case became Xie Changling’s first major state matter upon assuming the post of Chief Minister.

Everyone wanted to test his mettle.

Xie Changling felt pressure, but more than that, he burned with ambition. From this day forward, save for the Emperor, no obstacle remained. As the head of all ministers, second only to the Son of Heaven!

The pinnacle of civil officialdom!

He acted with ruthless speed, first setting aside the northwest. The death of the Hou Fu matriarch was unimportant; the injury of the Marquis of Pingjiang was unimportant; whether the Marquis of Pingjiang returned to the capital or whether the Emperor would override mourning—all were irrelevant.

He also firmly reassured Emperor Jian Shi, analyzing the pros and cons, insisting the fraud case be resolved first, then Prince Chu would follow. In short, the Marquis of Pingjiang must come last.

Emperor Jian Shi was deeply reluctant.

He had secretly orchestrated so many maneuvers simply to force the Marquis of Pingjiang back to the capital.

Now he was being asked to set it aside again—how could he accept it?

“Your Majesty, I promised you I would find a way to compel the Marquis of Pingjiang to return—and I shall deliver. Please grant me a little time to first resolve the current fraud case.”

Emperor Jian Shi pressed his lips tight, face stern, and after a long silence, said: “Fine. I give you time. Do not disappoint me.”

“I dare not disappoint Your Majesty!”

Emperor Jian Shi forced himself to wait, biding his time.

Xie Changling personally convened the Three Judicial Departments and the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a meeting, assigning tasks.

After the meeting, every major department mobilized, arresting people across the capital.

Officials, students, merchants—all were imprisoned in various jails throughout the city.

The Tianlaomiao prison thus experienced a surge in inmates.

The highest-ranking official held in Tianlaomiao was none other than Minister of Rites Wang Huaimin.

Next came Zhang Yulang of the Nanching Zhang family.

Zhang Yulang held only a minor seventh-rank sinecure in the yamen, never involved in duties; his daily life consisted entirely of feasting, drinking, and amusement.

He became implicated because, it was said, the exam questions leaked from his hands—and the Zhang family was in-laws with the Minister of Rites, explaining how Zhang Yulang obtained and leaked the questions.

Of course, all this remained under investigation, with no final verdict yet.

Given the scale of the case and the fact that some suspects were held in Tianlaomiao, Chen Guanlou could not avoid making several extra rounds inspecting the Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding prison blocks.

He first visited Minister Wang Huaimin.

“Is Minister Wang comfortable in his quarters?”

Wang Huaimin sat on the prison bed, calm and composed. “Thank you, Warden Chen, for your concern. I am well. Have the candidates been imprisoned in Tianlaomiao?”

“I did not expect you, trapped in prison, to still care for the safety of these examination candidates. Regrettably, they are not held here. I hear they are detained at the Dalisi .”

“The Dalisi ?” Wang Huaimin frowned slightly. “Then it is better than the ZhaoYu.”

“You speak truly. If those students were sent to the ZhaoYu, even if they eventually walked free, their examination careers would be over forever.”

Anyone who entered the ZhaoYu and survived emerged either disfigured or maimed—both conditions barred them from the imperial examinations, ending all prospects of officialdom.

The ZhaoYu was forever a destroyer of men!

Of all prisons in the realm, only Tianlaomiao maintained order, granting prisoners dignity if they paid enough.

“Aren’t you worried about your own fate? The Emperor is furious, Chief Minister Xie is personally overseeing the case, and he vows severe punishment. Once the investigation concludes, without exception, dozens of heads will fall—perhaps even yours. And it won’t end with execution; your family, even your nine clans, will be dragged down.”

Wang Huaimin snorted coldly. “I walk upright and stand straight—I have nothing to fear from investigation.”

“Your Ministry of Rites has been ransacked. A single declaration of innocence won’t save you.”

“Are you mocking me?” Wang Huaimin snapped.

No wonder he was Minister of Rites—his official authority was formidable.

Chen Guanlou shook his head. “You misunderstand, sir. I am merely urging you to think long-term. If you need anything—running errands, delivering messages—you may entrust them to me. Price is negotiable.”

Wang Huaimin narrowed his eyes, studying him, weighing his words: “I’ve long heard the Tianlaomiao warden is exceptionally skilled at making money and navigating connections—no door is closed to you. I once thought these tales exaggerated, unworthy of belief. But now I see they were not overstated. You seem confident you can act on my behalf—even confident enough to clear my name.”

“You misunderstand, sir. What am I, a man of standing? He Deheneng would I dare clear your name? The case is still under investigation; responsibility has not yet been determined. All I can do is run errands and deliver messages—if you require it.”

Chen Guanlou smiled warmly, his demeanor pleasant.

He wanted to close this deal.

Even if he failed, at least he’d earn the man’s goodwill.

A Minister of Rites like Wang Huaimin had a strong chance of escaping this case unscathed.

The Great Qian slaughtered officials ruthlessly—once the blade was raised, it showed no mercy.

But toward high-ranking bureaucrats and top-tier officials, it usually showed restraint, rarely executing them on a whim.

The Wu Xiang case was purely a matter of association—tied to Prince Jin.

Since ancient times, anyone entangled in imperial succession struggles, no matter their rank or wealth, inevitably received the nine-clan extermination package.

Those who judged guilt and determined punishment were themselves senior officials. These men, even if not acting for others, acted for themselves—should they one day fall into disgrace and become prisoners, today’s kindness might one day save them.

Thus, Chen Guanlou had confidence: Wang Huaimin stood a chance of acquittal. Even if he couldn’t escape entirely, he wouldn’t lose his head.

Unless Emperor Jian Shi intended to make an example of him, ignoring ministerial protests and insisting on beheading several high-ranking figures.

“Do I need it?”