Chapter 36: Entering the Capital Without Ascending the Throne, First Questioning the Old Dynasty

After the Emperor died, there was no cheering in Capital City.

This city is too large, and too weary.

A million people had been suppressed within the high walls for too long; the moment the city gates swung wide, what surged out first was not joy, but bewilderment.

Outside the Southern Gate, the Emperor's corpse lay in a pool of blood, the Imperial Jade Seal cracked with a fissure.

The Wen Jun Army did not take advantage of the chaos to enter the city and plunder.

The first military order Jiang Che issued was to sheath the blades.

"Those who enter the city and disturb the people shall be beheaded."

"Those who plunder shall be beheaded."

"Those who use the name of the Wen Jun Army to settle private grudges shall be beheaded."

The three military orders were posted at the city gate, and Chen Shanhe personally led the Northern Garrison Army to patrol the city.

Several surrendered Imperial Guards who took advantage of the chaos to rob the people's grain shops were beheaded in the street.

Once the fresh blood fell, Capital City truly quieted down.

The common people discovered that this army from the Northern Border had truly not come to plunder Capital City.

Jiang Che did not enter the Imperial Palace.

He went first to the Heavenly Prison.

The Heavenly Prison was dark and damp, holding many officials who had submitted memorials advising against the Lu'an Blood Sacrifice, as well as scholars, merchants, and commoners who had privately hoarded the Wen Jun Book.

When the prison door opened, those inside still thought they were about to be dragged away for execution.

Until they saw Jiang Che.

An old man with white beard and hair, leaning against the wall, said in a trembling voice: "Young Master Jiang... where is the Emperor?"

Jiang Che said: "Dead."

Silence fell over the prison.

Then, someone burst into loud weeping.

Not for the Emperor.

But for those who had finally waited for the dawn.

The old man's name was Gu Chongming, a veteran minister of three reigns, who had once served as Grand Preceptor.

Before the Lu'an Blood Sacrifice, he had submitted three memorials of life-risking remonstrance in the Imperial Court and was thrown into the Heavenly Prison by the Emperor.

Jiang Che personally helped him out.

Gu Chongming looked at him and suddenly asked: "Young Master, will you ascend the throne next?"

The officials around all turned to look at Jiang Che.

This was the question everyone wanted to ask.

The Emperor is dead.

The Royal Family of Great Yin has lost virtue, and Capital City has been breached.

Who will sit upon that Dragon Throne?

Jiang Che fell silent for a moment, then said: "Not yet."

Gu Chongming frowned: "A nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day."

Jiang Che looked at the sunlight outside the Heavenly Prison.

"A nation cannot be without law for a single day."

"And even less can it be without justice for a single day."

He turned and gave an order: "Issue the command: seal the archives of the Grand Secretariat, the Ministry of Household, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Justice."

"All who participated in the Lu'an Blood Sacrifice, the Heavenly Gate Pact, framed the Jiang Family, or betrayed the Northern Border must not escape, not one."

Chen Shanhe clasped his fist: "Yes!"

Gu Chongming stared blankly at Jiang Che.

"Young Master, you intend to question the Old Dynasty first?"

Jiang Che nodded.

"The Dragon Throne is there; it cannot run away."

"But the dead who wait for justice have already waited too long."

That afternoon, the Wen Jun Army took control of the Six Ministries.

The Wan Tong Merchant Association sent an Accountant to audit the funds and grain of the Ministry of Household, while the History Camp was responsible for organizing the evidence of crimes.

Lin Xiaoman stepped into the Imperial City for the first time, a stack of blank registers in his arms.

He saw the towering palace walls, and his palms were covered in sweat.

Jiang Che asked him: "Afraid?"

Lin Xiaoman nodded, then shook his head.

"Afraid. But I want to record them all."

Jiang Che said: "Then record them."

"Record them clearly."

"If anyone in the world forgets later, let them open these and look."

Within three days, notices were posted all over Capital City.

For officials of the Old Dynasty, origin does not matter; only evidence of crime matters.

Those without guilt shall remain in office.

Those with guilt shall be imprisoned awaiting trial.

Anyone with knowledge may strike the drum to cry out their injustice; the Wen Jun Army has established a public court outside Zhuque Gate.

On the first day, the drum sounds rang from dawn until dusk.

Some accused an Imperial Censor of taking bribes.

Some accused imperial relatives of forcibly seizing fields and residences.

Some accused the Imperial Guard of capturing commoners for sacrifice.

Others held up tattered, bloodstained robes to accuse the Zhenbei Marquis Manor of an unjust case from three years ago.

Jiang Che sat in the public court, hearing cases from morning until deep night.

Xie Tingxue stood beneath the corridor eaves; watching his complexion grow ever paler, she finally could not help but say, "Your injuries have not yet healed."

Flipping through the case files, Jiang Che said in a low voice, "I know."

"Then why not rest?"

Jiang Che lifted his head, looking at the commoners kneeling in full numbers outside the hall.

"They have knelt for too long."

"If I cannot even sit upright, what talk is there of 'Wen Jun'?"

Xie Tingxue fell silent.

A night Wind blew across Zhuque Gate.

This Imperial City, long accustomed to imperial processions, for the first time placed a public court before the common people.

The Old Dynasty began to be turned over, page by page.