Chapter 245

Compared to Li Tianheng, a powerful regional official who holds sway over one side, Hu Buwei and others in the capital live a more agonizing life. Although after the new emperor ascended the throne he did not immediately act against them, they know that the fall of the raised executioner's blade is not far off.

Hu Buwei, although he attends court punctually every day, is merely a human backdrop. After the new emperor ascended the throne, as expected, he immediately appointed the former Crown Prince's Grand Tutor Zhou Ruiyuan as Left Chancellor; once Zhou Ruiyuan became the chief minister, he naturally became the object that court officials vied to curry favor with. Although Hu Buwei wanted to pay a visit to this high-ranking official who stands below one and above ten thousand, he understood clearly that Zhou Ruiyuan would not easily forget his memorial that had thrown him into a well and crushed him; even if he went, he would only be inviting humiliation. The fate of the Hu family is like a small boat tossed by wind and rain in the vast sea, not knowing when a sudden wave will capsize it.

Former close colleagues have also cut off contact; since the new emperor ascended the throne, he and the Minister of Personnel Shi BuChui have had no further communication. Both played a major role in the incident years ago when Zhou Ruiyuan was demoted, and their situations are similar. The current situation is extremely sensitive; a slight misstep could earn one the label of forming a faction for personal gain. Hu Tianxiong has been away for many days, yet still no news of his son has arrived. Li Tianheng's de facto control over Xichuan as a separatist regime is now a fact; the court is sharpening its weapons and feeding its horses, preparing to suppress the rebels. Moreover, from that side comes a proclamation issued by Li Tianheng, accusing the Crown Prince Long Yelin of plotting to usurp the throne, being unfilial, and slaughtering his brothers… it seems to list a total of one hundred and eight charges, and the proclamation is said to have been written in the own hand of Prince Long Yefang.

Hu Buwei's greatest worry is his son; sending his son to Xichuan for training was his decision. This was a retreat he prepared for the Hu family, thinking that if circumstances changed, at least his son would be far from the core of the political storm and perhaps avoid being affected. Now it seems that when the world truly changes, no corner of Dakang can escape the turmoil. The latest news about his son was brought back by Liang Da Zhuang, and Hu Buwei has imagined various possibilities.

As part of Xichuan, Qingyun will inevitably be affected by this rebel uprising stirred up by the Li family. Even before the Li family raised troops and declared independence, Li Tianheng already knew Hu Xiaotian's identity, which is why he had Hu Tianxiong bring this couplet to him. Given Li Tianheng's scheming, he would not fail to foresee the impact of this turmoil on himself. Hu Buwei even believes that Li Tianheng's decision to rebel has been brewing for a long time; if he truly cared about this in-law family of his, even without leaking any word to him, he should have beforehand annulled the marriage pact, for only that could possibly lessen the impact on the Hu clan. But Li Tianheng has done none of this, not because he couldn't think of it, but because he simply does not care whether the Hu family lives or dies. Perhaps his son has already fallen into Li Tianheng's hands; although the Hu and Li families had a marriage pact beforehand, Hu Buwei now feels he has lost his value, the new emperor will not reuse him, and may even strike him down. Hu Buwei sadly thinks: if his son is already under Li Tianheng's control, then his son's future fate is closely tied to his own future position at court; if he himself loses power, his son will lose his last value in Li Tianheng's eyes; but if he can still hold steady as Minister of Revenue, then Li Tianheng will use his son as a hostage to coerce him into serving Li Tianheng.

Hu Buwei sees the situation clearly; the latter has no possibility at all. He only hopes his son can escape Qingyun before Li Tianheng acts, to the ends of the earth. Wherever he goes is fine, as long as he does not return to the capital. Actually, finding an ordinary family's daughter and living out a peaceful life would not be unhappiness; how could one have such an insight without having reached such adversity?

Thinking of his son's carefree demeanor, Hu Buwei's lips involuntarily curled into a bitter smile; if the Hu family meets disaster, what will become of this boy's future?

Outside the door, Liang Da Zhuang's panicked shout rang out: 'Sir… sir… big… big trouble…'

Hu Buwei frowned, opened the door and stepped out, seeing Liang Da Zhuang running over, out of breath, gasping: 'Sir… outside… outside many soldiers have come, surrounding the front and rear of the Minister's residence…'

Hu Buwei nodded, his expression remaining calm as an ancient well; in fact he had long anticipated this day, and he said calmly: 'Open the gate, welcome them, convey my order: no matter what happens, no one is to resist.'

'Sir…'

'Go quickly!' Hu Buwei shouted angrily.

Only then did Liang Da Zhuang rush off in a panic.

Lady Hu Xu Fengyi also arrived upon hearing the news, exclaiming: 'Sir, what has happened?'

Hu Buwei lifted his head to look at the sky; the sun shone brightly, the heavens were high and the clouds wide, today's weather was unprecedentedly fine, and he stroked his beard and smiled: 'What is meant to come will always come.'

Xu Fengyi took his arm and said: 'Sir, no matter what happens, I will share your fate.'

At that moment a sharp cry came from outside the gate: 'The imperial edict has arrived!'

Clad in purple palace robes, Eunuch Director Ji Feihua, accompanied by dozens of Imperial Guard troops, entered the Minister's residence in single file.

Hu Buwei led his lady and the Hu family members, all of whom knelt down.

Ji Feihua slowly unfurled the edict and recited in a piercing voice: 'By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Minister of Revenue Hu Buwei, as an official of the Revenue Ministry who oversees the court's finances, ought to exemplify scholars, set an example for officials, lead by virtue, and serve as a model for posterity. Who would have thought that, taking advantage of his position, he engaged in corruption and malfeasance, deceived his superiors and concealed from his subordinates, colluded with the Jiannan-Xichuan Military Commissioner Li Tianheng, spread false rumors, secretly plotted rebellion, and sought to overthrow Dakang; he is hereby immediately stripped of office and turned over to the Ministry of Punishments, his son Hu Xiaotian having joined the rebels and betrayed the court, likewise stripped of office, to be held until apprehended and brought to the capital for punishment; all his native and official properties shall be investigated and confiscated for the state treasury. So decreed.'

Hu Buwei knelt on the ground, his heart sunk to the depths; each of those charges on the edict would be enough to exterminate his nine kin, and this time there is hardly any chance of escape.

Xu Fengyi wept and said: 'It is a false accusation; our Hu family has been loyal and good for generations, laboring for the state, devoted to duty—when have we ever harbored rebellious thoughts? Please, Father, see clearly…'

Ji Feihua chuckled darkly: 'You can say whatever you like at the Ministry of Punishments; I, the Zajia, am only here to deliver the edict. Come! Lock up Minister Hu and his wife and take them to the Ministry of Punishments!'

Xu Fengyi shouted: 'Wait, our Hu family possesses the Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate bestowed by the former emperor; who dares to move my lord?'

Hu Buwei repeatedly gave his wife a look, for this must never be spoken of; speaking of it would only add to his guilt, and the Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate is not even kept in the Minister's residence. In fact he understands that if the new emperor is determined to punish him, producing the Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate would be of no avail.

Ji Feihua said: 'The Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate does exist, but I have heard that your Hu family's Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate was already lost in a fire; Minister Hu, if you can produce it perhaps you might escape death, but if you cannot, heh heh… that would be an additional crime.'

Hu Buwei sighed: 'Eunuch Ji, you are correct; the Hu family's Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate has long been stolen.'

'Sir!' Xu Fengyi's eyes filled with hot tears.

Hu Buwei slowly rose and said: 'Since the sovereign commands a minister's death, a minister cannot refuse to die; I believe His Majesty will grant Hu Buwei innocence.'

Hu Buwei and his wife were placed on a prison cart and taken to the Ministry of Punishments; as the cart drove out of the gate of the Minister's residence, Hu Buwei looked back, his eyes involuntarily moistening. One emperor, one minister; the new emperor has taken office and indeed first turned the executioner's blade toward this lot of them. He does not blame the new emperor for cruelty and ruthlessness; after years in office, he has long known the bloody cruelty of politics. Had the Crown Prince Long Yecheng smoothly ascended the throne, the present Dakang would be quite another scene. He blames only himself for having misjudged the situation, never expecting that the Great Prince Long Yelin would stage a comeback and successfully seize the throne.

Hu Buwei knows death is certain this time, and fears that no member of the Hu family will survive; he silently urges: 'Xiaotian, go—go as far as you can, and never come back.'

Among the crowd watching the Hu family's arrest, a pair of eyes were reddened—none other than Hu Xiaotian after his disguise. He had endured countless hardships to rush back to Kangdu, yet he was still a step late, watching helplessly as his parents were taken away in the prison cart. Hu Xiaotian several times wanted to charge out, but reason told him that doing so now would be of no avail and would only land him in the same official custody as his parents.

Gao Yuan followed close beside Hu Xiaotian; from Hu Xiaotian's reddened eye sockets and clenched fists he vaguely guessed that this boy was closely related to the captured Hu family. The lad was very sharp-witted; Hu Xiaotian never spoke of certain matters, and Gao Yuan never probed. He simply took Hu Xiaotian's hand and whispered: 'Young master, let's go.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, only then realizing that his emotions had just been overly agitated; worry breeds chaos, and if a scheming person saw his present state, there would almost certainly be suspicion. Thus he quietly withdrew from the crowd together with Gao Yuan, went to a nearby tea stall, sat down, ordered two large bowls of tea, and silently sipped while pondering countermeasures. From what he had just heard he knew that his parents had already been taken to the Ministry of Punishments to await trial; if charged with communicating with rebels and intending rebellion, the Hu family would surely be exterminated to the ninth kin. Although he holds a Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate, if he rashly went to the Ministry of Punishments it would likely be ineffective. He needs a person of considerable stature to step forward and speak for his father, so that the Vermilion Scroll Iron Certificate can exert its true effect.

Yet another difficulty faces Hu Xiaotian: although his father has a few allies in the capital, those who supported the former Crown Prince have mostly reached their time of reckoning. The situation of this group is altogether grim; even those not yet affected are each desperate to avoid involvement, so how could they speak up for the Hu family? Human sentiments are fickle, and this is especially evident in official circles. Moreover, Hu Xiaotian is not familiar with his father's social circle; the only one he can recall is the Vice Minister of Revenue Xu Zhengying, and he does not know whether Xu has also been implicated in his father's affair.

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