Chapter 895: Chaos Among In-Laws

Rongguo Prefecture, back alley.

The sky was gloomy, spring chill biting, cold winds howling as if seeping into the bone crevices, sending shivers down the spine.

Yang Hongbin, seeing Zhou Ping’s puzzled expression, said: “Friends must support each other; sometimes they must also enable each other…”

Zhou Ping heard this and grew even more confused, unable to grasp its deeper meaning.

But Yang Hongbin offered no explanation, for some things were not meant to be spoken plainly to Zhou Ping.

This morning, Siqing Wei Guanyao entered the palace to petition His Majesty, and upon returning to the office, summoned him for a private meeting.

Regarding the report on the military supply leak case, Xue Pan, as a relative of the Jia family, had originally been granted leniency by His Majesty due to Jia Cong’s leadership in the campaign.

But the Feng Yuan case in Jin Ling had already been formally filed with the Three Judicial Offices; there was now no way to conceal it, so Wei Siqing could only grit his teeth and report it.

His Majesty, upon learning the details, was furious at the Jin Ling Prefect’s corruption, and issued an edict for a full investigation and the arrest of Jia Yucun in connection with the case.

After this, His Majesty’s earlier leniency toward Xue Pan vanished entirely, leaving his intentions inscrutable—likely to result in severe punishment.

Some words, constrained by official etiquette, Wei Siqing did not state outright, but Yang Hongbin could sense their meaning.

Originally, when His Majesty ordered the investigation into the military supply leak, he had issued an edict for Jia Cong to assist, collaborating with the Dalisi to formulate the inspection strategy.

At the outset of the major case investigation, Jia Cong had worked with him to analyze the case and, through meticulous reasoning, identified Chen Ruichang as a prime suspect.

Following Jia Cong’s strategy, Yang Hongbin pursued the military supply leak case with unstoppable momentum, completing the investigation in less than half a month.

The Dalisi owes Jia Cong a debt of gratitude; yet now, having closed the case, they are sentencing his relative to guilt and planning to enter Rongguo Prefecture to arrest him while Jia Cong is away on campaign.

Even as upright as Wei Guanyao, he found this situation embarrassing—after Jia Cong returns victorious, how could colleagues face each other without awkwardness?

As soon as Wei Guanyao returned from the palace to the office, he informed Yang Hongbin of this matter; though he did not speak fully, both understood implicitly.

Moreover, it was Yang Hongbin himself who ordered the investigation into Xue Pan’s background, and he had not anticipated the consequences—he felt some guilt toward Jia Cong.

This was why Yang Hongbin personally led the arrest of Xue Pan; some matters, if to be handled properly, could not be delegated.

…

Yang Hongbin told Zhou Ping: “Take your men and secure the back alley and the east and west corner gates of both mansions to prevent Xue Pan from escaping. Wait for my signal before entering from the back alley to apprehend him.”

Rongguo Prefecture is a Duke’s residence; the first Duke of Rong was a founding hero whose merit served the state—do not treat it lightly.

Jia Cong holds dual peerages and is the commander of the campaign against the Mongols; entering Rongguo Prefecture to arrest someone requires justification, or it will invite gossip.”

He took out a formal visiting card and said: “Prince of Weiyuan is away on campaign; the acting heads of the two Jia mansions are the second branch, Jia Zheng.”

“Deliver this card on my behalf, explain our purpose, and ask him to meet me in the outer courtyard of Rongguo Prefecture.”

Zhou Ping accepted the card, startled—Director Yang was going to deliver a formal card, explain the reason, before entering to arrest—showing great respect to Rongguo Prefecture.

When the Dalisi arrested Chen Ruichang, there was none of this ceremony—intercepted on the road, shackled, thrown into prison, swift and clean.

But Zhou Ping thought again and understood the nuance: Chen Ruichang, though also a noble scion, was the chief culprit in the military supply leak, already doomed to death.

Duke Qi, Chen Yi, was old and decrepit, having sat idle for years in the Five Military Commissions.

This time, having barely secured the post of campaign commander against the Mongols, he would surely be ruined by his second grandson’s crime, never to recover.

Duke Qi’s household was in steep decline, like a grasshopper after autumn—barely able to leap a few more times; arresting Chen Ruichang required no ceremony.

But Rongguo Prefecture was entirely different: the Jia family, thanks to Prince of Weiyuan Jia Cong, had risen again like the rising sun—no one dared underestimate them.

Director Yang was also a close friend of Prince of Weiyuan; arresting someone within Rongguo Prefecture naturally demanded proper decorum—it was only natural.

…

Rongguo Prefecture, eastern courtyard.

Early this morning, after the Xia family’s mother and daughter paid their respects, Lady Wang took Baoyu to the western mansion to pay obeisance to Jia Mu; Jia Zheng had merely lingered in his study.

He had planned to wait until near noon, after the women of the inner quarters had dispersed, before going to pay his respects to Jia Mu.

But a servant from the outer courtyard reported that Director Yang Hongbin of the Dalisi had sent someone to deliver a visiting card; Jia Zheng knew Yang Hongbin well and was aware he was Jia Cong’s friend.

Yet he had no prior dealings with him—why had he suddenly come calling? Still, as a high official of the Dalisi , Jia Zheng would not be negligent.

When he entered the outer hall to receive the visitor, he saw Zhou Ping, heard his account, and was stunned.

Jia Zheng had long known his nephew Xue Pan was a wastrel; years ago, he had caused a death in Jin Ling, forcing the family to flee to the capital for safety—these past few years had been quiet, a rare peace.

Yet this nephew remained incorrigible: no trouble, and all was well; one trouble, and it would shake heaven—he had become entangled in the military supply leak case. Even if unintentional, his culpability was grave.

Thinking of his household’s youths, aside from Jia Cong’s success, the rest—Jia Lian, Baoyu, Xue Pan—none were trustworthy, each day bringing new disasters, draining his spirit.

Now the Dalisi had come to the door; the second branch was kin to the Xue family—he could not stand idle. He hurried to the western mansion’s outer courtyard to meet the visitor.

As he entered the side hall, he saw Yang Hongbin sipping tea calmly, composed and unruffled, showing no sign of having come to arrest anyone.

Jia Zheng hurried forward: “Jia Zheng is late—I apologize for keeping you waiting, Director Yang.”

Yang Hongbin rose immediately: “I am a close friend of Yuzhang—I cannot accept such formalities from a senior. I am here on official business, hence the request to meet you.”

Jia Zheng asked: “My nephew Xue Pan is unworthy, entangled in the military secrets leak case—our family’s discipline has failed, and I am ashamed. What punishment will he face?”

Yang Hongbin said: “Xue Pan introduced others who enabled Mongol spies to act. Though unintentional, the leak caused immense harm.

The law allows some leniency, yet he cannot escape guilt; but given the circumstances, he is no more than an accessory—by common standards, he should not face death, and the matter need not be irreparable.”

Jia Zheng heard this and breathed a slight sigh of relief; though mediocre in ability and accustomed to idle office duties, he was not ignorant.

He knew the northern military depots had been breached, allowing the remnants of the Mongols to seize Xuanfu Garrison and ultimately launch their southern advance.

The military supply leak case had shaken the court; that Xue Pan was entangled in such a monumental affair and still might live was a stroke of fortune amid misfortune.

His arrest by the Dalisi was his own doing—he must suffer this lesson, so he might learn the ways of the world.

Even if his sister-in-law, indulging her son, begged and pleaded for intervention, there would be reason enough to refuse.

Just as Jia Zheng felt a flicker of relief, Yang Hongbin said: “But during the investigation, we unexpectedly uncovered an old case—Xue Pan’s guilt may now be beyond redemption.”

Jia Zheng’s heart leapt—he snapped: “Has this beast committed other crimes?”

Yang Hongbin’s gaze was cold and clear: “Upon detecting Xue Pan’s involvement, we sent official documents to the three judicial offices of the southern capital to investigate his background.

We discovered that three years ago, he was already recorded as dead—he fought with Feng Yuan in Jin Ling over a maidservant, ordered his servants to severely injure Feng Yuan, who later died of his wounds.

To escape a murder charge, he faked his death and deceived the authorities; Jin Ling Prefect Jia Yucun, guilty of corruption and favoritism, has already been ordered for investigation by the Ministry of Personnel.

Do you, Master Jia, know the details of this case?”

…

After recounting the matter, Yang Hongbin studied Jia Zheng, his gaze sharp and penetrating, as if seeing through all.

Jia Zheng, hearing Yang Hongbin mention Jia Yucun, turned pale—he knew the truth all too well…

Yang Hongbin, seeing Jia Zheng’s expression, sighed inwardly—he could almost confirm Jia Zheng was involved in the Feng Yuan case.

He said: “Originally, Xue Pan’s involvement was an unintentional lapse, leaving room for mitigation.

But now that the Feng Yuan case has surfaced, his two crimes are merged, implicating the integrity of governance—his fate may now be uncertain.”

The four great families—Jia, Wang, Shi, Xue—are intermarried, generations of close ties; it is well known that when a family member falls into disgrace, kin and old friends lend aid—it is only human.

I am Yuzhang’s closest friend; I have a word I wonder whether I should speak.”

Jia Zheng, shaken from his shock, said: “Director Yang, please speak plainly—I am all ears.”

Yang Hongbin said: “The four great families—Jia, Wang, Shi, Xue—enjoy imperial favor and noble status; Jia Yuzhang stands without rival.

Now he is away on campaign, a crucial commander against the Mongols, on the brink of great achievement.

This campaign against the Mongols stems from the loss of the military depots; Xue Pan is his peer, yet entangled in the very leak case—this carries hidden peril.

If, out of familial ties, he were to intervene on Xue Pan’s behalf, the court would surely spread malicious rumors—what would His Majesty and the ministers think?”

I have heard much: though you and Yuzhang are uncle and nephew, your bond is like father and son—you have always supported him, and he has achieved what he has today.

You have served in office many years; you know the ways of the court. If Yuzhang were entangled in this, he would be vilified—His Majesty has always relied on him.

If imperial favor is damaged, it cannot be recovered; all his years of loyal service may be lost.”

…

Though Jia Zheng was rigid and old-fashioned, as the legitimate son of Rongguo Prefecture, raised among the nobility, he was far from foolish.

Yang Hongbin’s words were clear: he was warning him that if the Jia family sought to intervene for Xue Pan out of kinship,

they must not involve Jia Cong—because as commander of the campaign against the Mongols, any association with the military leak case, if criticized, would damage imperial favor, and the cost would outweigh any gain.

But the Jia and Xue families were generations of in-laws—could they truly stand idle? The most powerful in the Jia family was Jia Cong—who else could save Xue Pan?

Yang Hongbin, seeing Jia Zheng’s discomfort, guessed his thoughts instantly.

In truth, he knew Jia Cong’s character well: even if Jia Cong were in the capital, he would likely avoid this matter entirely.

Not only because Xue Pan was of the second branch, with no real kinship to the first branch, but because Jia Cong would never lightly involve himself.

More so, Yang Hongbin understood Jia Cong’s intellect; with his foresight and caution, he would never risk entanglement.

Yang Hongbin spoke these words not merely to state facts, but to plant a seed in Jia Zheng’s mind—he had deeper concerns of his own.