Chapter 487: The Prison of Lady Rongguo Prefecture

The Great Zhou imperial palace, Qianyang Palace.

Several rains had fallen in recent days; as the calendar entered October, autumn's hue deepened—each autumn rain brought colder air, and the temperature in the Love Shenjing had dropped considerably.

The Qianyang Hall was vast and empty, now carrying a faint chill uncommon in days past; though no incense brazier was yet needed, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was attended with thicker robes, and warm tea always stood ready upon his imperial desk.

After the morning court session, he sat as usual, poring over memorials.

Jin Ling had been pacified after Jia Cong solved a major case, and the civil and military officials of the secondary capital now enjoyed calm.

Yet turmoil had stirred again in the Two Huai regions: illicit salt trading had surged once more, shrouding the region in intrigue, and the Great Zhou's salt tax collection there had become exceedingly difficult.

Lin Lin Ruhai, the Provincial Salt Inspector of the Two Huai, submitted a memorial detailing how illicit salt had grown rampant; salt smugglers, driven by greed, resorted to every means possible, their power spreading and posing serious threats.

As Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao frowned over the memorial, pondering his response, the deputy chief eunuch Guo Lin stepped quietly into the hall.

He said: "Your Majesty, by your oral command, I have monitored the recent movements of the Jia family's Eastern and Western Prefectures. Jia Cong's Eastern Prefecture has remained still—he has stayed shut within his residence since his mourning, rarely stepping out."

Jia Lady Lian of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture and his wife appear to be scheming to seize the Deng Hongchun Fur Store left by Jia She. Jia Lady Lian's trusted servant has been active in Zhen'an Prefecture, investigating the transfer documents of Deng Hongchun Fur."

But this matter has been handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard; ordinary people could never uncover its depths.

Word has come from the Empress Dowager's palace: Lady Jia of Lady Rongguo Prefecture has submitted a greeting memorial to Her Majesty.

It mentioned Jia She's death and the prolonged, unresolved succession of the Lady Rongguo hereditary title, implying she seeks the Empress Dowager's mediation."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao paid no mind to Jia Lady Lian and his wife scheming over the fur store; he only asked: "Did the Empress Dowager respond to Jia Shi's greeting memorial? Did she say anything?"

Guo Lin replied: "It is said the Empress Dowager merely read the memorial and said nothing. Today, while drinking tea with the Retired Emperor, she did not mention it at all."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled faintly. "The Empress Dowager is a wise woman—her depth far exceeds that of any inner-court lady like Jia Shi. Hereditary succession among the noble houses is state affairs; she will not speak lightly."

At that moment, the palace attendant on duty entered to report: "Your Majesty, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xu Kun, awaits outside and requests an audience, claiming urgent matters from Datong."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's spirits lifted—he had sent elite Embroidered Uniform Guard officers to Datong's frontier garrison a month ago to investigate Jia She's collusion with Datong's Guard Commander Sun Sun Zhanying in smuggling goods.

Now, with Xu Kun seeking audience over urgent Datong matters, the Guard must have uncovered conclusive results.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao set down the memorial and said sternly: "Summon Xu Kun!"

Xu Kun entered the hall, clutching a memorial, knelt before the imperial desk, and bowed in military salute: "Your servant, by Your Majesty's oral command, dispatched elite Embroidered Uniform Guard officers to Datong and has secured results. I come to report."

Guo Lin took the memorial and presented it before Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who took it, opened it, and said to Xu Kun, kneeling before him: "Speak."

Xu Kun replied: "After our officers entered Datong, they mingled among the markets, investigated trade routes, and secretly arrested three civilian merchant houses trafficking contraband."

We learned the Sun family of Datong, holding hereditary military command, has dominated the region for generations, deeply entangled in local networks, owning numerous taverns, porter houses, and shops."

According to the interrogated merchants, the Sun family's sons appear to run legitimate businesses, but secretly trade tea, salt, and iron with the northern steppes, amassing vast fortunes."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face darkened with fury; he slammed the memorial shut with a sharp crack—the hall's atmosphere instantly grew heavy and oppressive.

…

Xu Kun steadied himself and continued: "Though we probed extensively, Sun Sun Zhanying is meticulous, and the Sun family's generations of influence in Datong have created complex webs of interest; many shield and conceal their actions."

After days of searching, we found no direct proof of Sun Sun Zhanying's collusion with the northern steppes. But through interrogating the arrested contraband merchants, we obtained some valuable leads."

The Sun family has secretly acquired large quantities of tea and salt from the south, handled exclusively by Sun Sun Zhanying's third son, Sun Sun Shaorong, who publicly has no connection to his father."

Yet despite our secret investigations across Datong, we cannot locate Sun Sun Shaorong—he has vanished for nearly half a year, and his whereabouts are unknown."

The arrested merchants have repeatedly transacted with Sun Sun Shaorong; according to them, from March to May this year, Jia Lady Lian, heir of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, made two round trips to Ping'an Prefecture."

He met Sun Sun Shaorong in Datong to arrange trade routes and deliver tea and salt goods, and attended several banquets with these merchants—so they all know of this."

But whether Jia Lady Lian acted under Jia She's orders, these merchants cannot say. Moreover, rumors in the city suggest Datong's Regional Commander Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang has a tacit understanding with Sun Sun Zhanying and strongly protects the Sun family."

Xu Kun raised his head slightly, using his peripheral vision to observe Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's expression—he noticed the anger on his face had lessened somewhat, his gaze deep and contemplative.

He gathered his thoughts and continued: "In my view, Jia She once associated with Sun Sun Shaorong in the Love Shenjing. Logically, Jia Lady Lian must have acted under his father's orders."

He traveled to the north to engage in illicit trade, opened a northern route with the Sun family, and together father and son used Deng Hongchun Fur to acquire tea, salt, and iron, smuggling them north for enormous profits."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked: "Have the merchant witnesses secretly arrested in Datong been transported to the Love Shenjing?"

Xu Kun replied: "When we sent our report, the prisoners were already en route. By current estimates, they will arrive in the Love Shenjing within three days."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao gave a faint, cold smile: "Jia Lady Lian's smuggling of contraband to the north borders on aiding the enemy. Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest him immediately, interrogate him rigorously, and obtain concrete evidence."

Xu Kun's expression stiffened: "Your servant obeys!"

At that moment, Xu Kun's heart surged with excitement. With years of experience in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was certain Jia Lady Lian acted under Jia She's orders—Jia She was the true mastermind!

Once Jia Lady Lian was imprisoned, a pampered scion of a noble house could never withstand the Guard's tortures—he would spill everything like beans from a bamboo tube.

The Lady Rongguo Prefecture's hereditary lord, head of the great Jia family of the Love Shenjing, greedy for profit, smuggling contraband to the north, aiding the enemy, even suspected of colluding with foreign powers.

If Jia Lady Lian confessed, Jia She's crimes would be confirmed—only confiscation of property and removal of the title awaited the Lady Rongguo Jia family.

Xu Kun could almost smell the thick scent of blood…

The Ningrong Jia family alone held two of the Eight Dukes among the Four Princes and Eight Dukes. Even though the Ningguo branch had been confiscated and stripped of its title three years ago, only the Lady Rongguo Jia family remained standing.

Yet the Lady Rongguo Jia family had once produced two generations of Dukes, rendered extraordinary service to the state, and still wielded considerable prestige, remaining pivotal among the Four Princes and Eight Dukes.

Now, it would be his hand that confiscated their property and stripped their title—this affair would shake the court and stun the realm!

At that moment, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's fearsome might would terrify all officials, overshadowing the suddenly risen Court of Inquiry!

At that moment, his own prestige as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would soar to new heights, securing his career path.

Just as Xu Kun basked in his ambition, a deep, inscrutable voice came from above:

"Xu Kun, perhaps your speculation is correct—Jia Lady Lian merely acted under Jia She's orders to smuggle contraband to Datong. But Jia She is now dead; there is no one left to confirm it."

"The Retired Emperor granted Jia Cong a marriage alliance, yet Jia Cong, despite his father's death, was granted an exception to the mourning period. He upheld filial piety, observing the full three-year mourning—both I and the Retired Emperor find his filial devotion commendable, a model for our noble houses."

"Jia Cong has rendered me many services. I do not wish his great filial act to be tainted by unsubstantiated accusations, violating our state's foundational principle of governing through filial piety…"

"Whether Jia She was the mastermind is now unprovable, but Jia Lady Lian's involvement is undeniable—he cannot escape guilt. Do you understand my meaning?"

…

As Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao spoke these cryptic, obscure words, the hall's atmosphere froze. Guo Lin, standing beside the desk, felt a chill rise in his heart.

As the Emperor's trusted eunuch, he naturally understood the Emperor's hidden calculations.

Xu Kun, who had risen to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard through daily dealings with treacherous, perilous affairs, was no fool—he understood the Emperor's implication instantly.

The fervent, reckless ambition that had surged within him moments before was doused like a bucket of ice water, vanishing as swiftly as tide receding.

Xu Kun's mind flashed with insight—he grasped the Emperor's deeper meaning.

Jia Cong was the Emperor's most valued young minister, and the Emperor had always distrusted and feared the Four Princes and Eight Dukes.

Yet the Retired Emperor, for reasons unknown, had granted Jia Cong a marriage to the third daughter of the Zhen family of Jin Ling—the Retired Emperor's foster mother, Lady Zhen, hailed from the Zhen family, and the Zhen family's second daughter was married to the Prince of Beijing.

The Zhen family of Jin Ling was deeply entwined with the Retired Emperor and also closely linked to the Four Princes and Eight Dukes—how could the current Emperor approve this marriage?

Jia She's sudden death provided the Emperor with the most honorable pretext to override mourning rites and grant Jia Cong the marriage. The state's rites state: if a father commits one of the Five Treasons, the son's mourning rites are revoked by law to punish grave crimes, and if no son remains to bury him, it serves as a warning.

If the Embroidered Uniform Guard proved Jia She committed a crime nearly equivalent to treason, then the Emperor's use of Jia She's death to override mourning rites and allow Jia Cong to observe three years of mourning to display filial piety would become hypocritical.

At that point, how could the Emperor face the Retired Emperor who had granted the marriage? The court and realm would erupt in criticism, staining the Emperor's reputation as ignorant and incompetent.

At that point, not only would he lose his position—he might soon find himself executed on some pretext.

Xu Kun swiftly grasped this reasoning, drenched in cold sweat. Had the Emperor not hinted, and had he acted on his own impulse, he would surely be dead.

He spoke solemnly: "Your servant understands Your Majesty's intent. Your Majesty's care for your ministers is evident to heaven and earth—it moves me deeply. The Embroidered Uniform Guard will enforce the law impartially, never convicting without evidence."

"Jia Lady Lian, as a son, exploited his father's store to commit contraband acts—violating filial piety and breaking the law. He cannot escape guilt. Your servant will enforce the law impartially!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at Xu Kun and smiled faintly: "You are diligent and capable—I will remember. Investigate this case with utmost care and fairness. Now go."

Xu Kun bowed and exited the hall; the sweat still damp on his back chilled instantly in the palace's gusting wind.

He recalled the scene within the hall—Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to conceal Jia She's crimes while rigorously investigating Jia Lady Lian, seemingly out of consideration for Jia Cong.

But Xu Kun, having spent years in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had seen too many dark schemes—he did not believe the Emperor's punishment of Jia Lady Lian alone was leniency toward the Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

The strategy behind this could not be so simple. Jia Lady Lian was the eldest legitimate son of the Lady Rongguo main house, the heir to the title; now, with his crime exposed, his status as heir was ruined, his succession impossible.

By convention, if the main house could not inherit, the second house would continue the line.

But as Xu Kun considered this, a memory struck him—he shuddered involuntarily and halted mid-step.

As Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with countless secret agents and informants, he knew every unusual event in the Love Shenjing.

Now he suddenly recalled: days ago, a Company Commander had reported that Jia Jia Baoyu, the second house's legitimate son of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, had insulted the Retired Emperor. The Emperor had dispatched the Imperial Clan Court to issue a reprimand and summon him for questioning.

It was said Jia Zheng, under pressure, punished his son Jia Jia Baoyu severely by family law. The incident quickly spread through the city, becoming a scandalous topic—the young man's reputation was ruined.

Xu Kun now realized: Jia Jia Baoyu of the second house was the only other legitimate son eligible to inherit, besides Jia Lady Lian of the first house—and this had occurred just days ago.

The Emperor knew full well Jia She harbored hidden crimes and likely despised him; he probably would not allow his title to pass smoothly, but lacked a legitimate reason.

Had the Emperor already devised a plan then—using Jia Jia Baoyu's insolent words to have the Imperial Clan Court publicly disgrace him, thereby destroying the second house's claim to succession?

And today, with my evidence proving Jia Lady Lian's involvement in smuggling contraband and suspected collusion with foreign powers, the first house's claim is also severed.

If my guess is correct, the Emperor's scheming is unfathomably deep—terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Xu Kun could not help turning to look back at the towering, solemn Qianyang Palace behind him—a chill ran through his bones.

…

In Qianyang Hall, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao watched Xu Kun's retreating back and said to Guo Lin: "Convey my oral command: summon Minister of War Gu Yan and Marquis Shi Ding to court."

The palace edict was issued; within only twenty minutes, Gu Yan and Shi Ding hurried into Qianyang Hall.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao handed them the Embroidered Uniform Guard's report: "Examine this memorial. Datong's Guard Commander Sun Sun Zhanying's son is implicated in contraband tea, salt, and iron trafficking."

Datong's Regional Commander Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang is suspected of shielding him—this is no minor offense. Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang has received great imperial favor, risen through the ranks over nearly twenty years in Datong, yet shows no gratitude."

Datong is one of the Nine Frontier Garrisons, a critical barrier against the remnants of the northern steppes. If the commanders of Datong's border troops engage in aiding the enemy, the consequences are grave. If proven, I will show no mercy!"

Gu Yan and Shi Ding were seasoned officials, shrewd and experienced.

The memorial mentioned the Embroidered Uniform Guard had secured witness testimony implicating Sun Sun Shaorong in contraband trafficking.

Gu Yan recalled clearly: when Sun Sun Shaorong last lingered in the Love Shenjing, he was denied even a nominal post in the Ministry of War—his background was limited.

Without his father Sun Sun Zhanying's backing, he could never have dared or possessed the capability to lead contraband trafficking on the northern frontier.

Shi Ding, after reading the report, was even more shocked—his focus was not on Sun Sun Zhanying, but on Jia Lady Lian's involvement.

Shi Ding privately feared: Jia Lady Lian's involvement in smuggling tea, salt, and iron along the Nine Frontiers was nearly treasonous—the Lady Rongguo Prefecture faced imminent ruin.

Emperor Jia Zhao, after observing the two men finish reading the memorial, said solemnly: "I summoned you here to deliberate on measures to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

I have planned to mobilize one thousand troops from the Divine Machinery Camp to march north, joining another thousand soldiers from the Liaodong Firearms Camp, under the command of Marquis Liang Liang Chengzong, who will select capable officers to assume garrison duty in Datong.

I have also issued an edict to the Five Military Commissions and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to send envoys north to Datong to proclaim the imperial decree, dismissing and interrogating Datong's Commandant Sun Sun Zhanying, and secretly investigating suspicions of collusion involving Datong's Regional Commander Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang. What do you two think?"

When Gu Yan and Shi Ding heard these words from Emperor Jia Zhao, both were startled—His Majesty's response to this matter was unexpectedly swift and ruthless.

It differed greatly from his usual cautious deliberation when dealing with military affairs in past years.

……

Minister of War Gu Yan, who had long assisted Emperor Jia Zhao in overseeing state military affairs, felt this change even more acutely.

He silently marveled: ever since that young man from Lady Rongguo Manor emerged, he had accomplished numerous extraordinary and astonishing feats.

His series of actions had exerted an undeniable influence on His Majesty, and that influence was now gradually manifesting…

Since ascending the throne, although His Majesty possessed exceptional political acumen, his lack of power within the military made his control over armed forces far weaker than that of the Retired Emperor.

This was the root reason His Majesty feared the old meritorious families—the Four Kings and Eight Dukes—whose military influence, rooted in the founding of the state, was deeply entrenched and immensely potent.

During his time as crown prince, lacking any military foundation, he could not afford to let the power of these meritorious nobles constrain imperial authority.

For over a decade since his ascension, he had steadily weakened the old nobles' military power through a combination of suppression and conciliation, always proceeding cautiously, never rushing.

Thus, the emperor and the meritorious nobles existed in a delicate balance of mutual decline and rise.

Any disturbance within the military could easily shatter this equilibrium, and restoring it would demand tremendous effort.

Therefore, what Emperor Jia Zhao most feared was any upheaval within the military, especially when officers abused power for personal gain or conspired with foreign enemies.

In the past, he had handled such matters with extreme caution, fearing that excessive measures might provoke backlash within the ranks.

Last year, when Gu Yan was appointed Inspector-General of Nine Provinces and patrolled the northern borders, he uncovered corruption among troops in Ping'an Prefecture, Datong, and imprisoned a deputy commander of the frontier garrison.

But before the deputy commander could fully confess, he died mysteriously in prison. Although His Majesty later punished several military officers involved, he dared not expand the investigation further.

For Datong's frontier troops were a vital force against the remnants of the Mongols beyond the passes; any excessive purge might trigger military unrest with unimaginable consequences.

But ever since Jia Cong first championed firearms technology—improving matchlocks, developing porcelain thunderbolts, and casting new-style cannons, then using them to crush the Jurchens in Liaodong—he shattered the existing power structure of the Zhou military.

His Majesty adopted Jia Cong's proposal to build a firearms corps, establishing a new firearms unit within the Five Armies of the Imperial Capital, later renamed the Divine Machinery Camp, equipping the entire force with all new-style Zhou firearms.

After two years of buildup, the Divine Machinery Camp's strength swelled rapidly, its troop count nearing ten thousand and still expanding.

Though numerically small, the Divine Machinery Camp, armed with firearms, could annihilate conventional Zhou troops armed with blades and spears—there was no comparison between them.

Most importantly, the Divine Machinery Camp had been firmly controlled by His Majesty from its inception.

Moreover, the Ministry of Works' Firearms Division, overseen by Jia Cong, which specialized in developing new firearms, was also tightly held by His Majesty; only his most trusted confidants even knew its inner workings.

With these two decisive instruments, His Majesty no longer handled military disturbances with the same caution as before—he now possessed the firmest backing and the strongest voice when confronting military power.

As Gu Yan reflected on this, the image of that young man from the Jia family flashed in his mind; even he held the boy in the highest regard, calling him a genius of the age without exaggeration.

Gu Yan could not help but worry: Jia Lady Lian of Lady Rongguo Manor was his own brother—should his elder brother be implicated in grave crimes, he hoped the impact on him would be as minimal as possible… (End of Chapter)