Chapter 21: with translation of chapter title

He thought this was actually an opportunity, just right to probe the sentiments of several ministers.

Wenyuan Pavilion Grand Scholar

Chen Tingjing

Jing Sheng Di

"Announce!" Jing Sheng Di adjusted his instrument, sat back at the desk, and said in a deep voice.

Marquis of Zhao

Later, the other Grand Academicians together with Niu Jizong, Duke Zhao and others also arrived at Qian Qing Gong.

Wuying Hall Grand Scholar

"Minister Li, how is the investigation into the incident where the legitimate son of Duke Cheng, while a slave, committed murder in Shenjing City the other day?"

The reckless behavior of aristocratic youths in Shenjing City was not in itself an unusual matter, and did not require Jing Sheng Di's personal intervention.

However, this time the legitimate son of Duke Cheng, by chance, as a slave, killed two scholars of the Imperial Academy who had earned merit, and was reported by the current imperial censor, causing a stir throughout the court and the realm.

Upon learning this, Jing Sheng Di ordered Grand Academician Li Guangdi of the Wuying Hall to conduct a thorough investigation and rectify the capital's security.

"Your Majesty, the matter has been fully investigated; the legitimate son of Duke Cheng, Yang Rong, has committed numerous offenses in Shenjing City, directing his household's vicious slaves to repeatedly assault and cause deaths."

"The victims' families repeatedly reported to the authorities but no one dared to intervene; the offices of Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Military Administration, among other agencies, took no action, allowing the perpetrators to act with impunity, lawless and unrestrained."

"It was not until this incident that Your Majesty personally issued an order, finally bringing them to justice; now they openly confess to the criminal facts!"

Li Guangdi's words were filled with indignation, clearly showing his profound abhorrence of the aristocratic youths' deeds.

Li Guangdi's words also caused several ministers present to wear stern expressions, and Prime Minister Chen Tingjing even knelt down on the ground directly.

Xu Ding

"As Prime Minister, I am responsible for failing to notice such villains in the capital; I accept the blame and ask Your Majesty to punish me!"

Han Dynasty

"We mishandled affairs, allowing such a heinous case to occur in Shenjing City, disturbing the sacred hearing; we ask Your Majesty to punish us!"

Ministry of Justice

His gaze was distant; he did not speak, only glanced again at the kneeling Duke Zhao, Xu Ding, and after a while said:

"This matter has set the scholarly community ablaze, and I have 'the fortune' to hear of it; Shenjing, a place of utmost virtue, yet harbors such lawless offenders!"

"The Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Military Administration cannot resolve it; the people have grievances they cannot lodge, suffering with nowhere to appeal, simply because Duke Cheng's power is great!"

"Only because the scholars raised their voices could this case be fully uncovered, restoring justice to the learned!"

"But how many more instances are there in Shenjing of powerful aristocrats and officials abusing their positions, acting lawlessly in secret, with the common people having no voice to complain, no one to rely on, and I remain unaware? Looking across the realm, how many such cases exist?"

Five Military Governor's Office

"Some say I am too harsh on subordinates! But shouldn't these corrupt officials, wicked clerks, and law‑defying nobles be rigorously reformed?"

"If we are not stricter, will they still have any reverence in their hearts? If we do not reform the bureaucracy, will they still cherish the Da Han Empire's realm?"

Jing Sheng Di's tone was grim; he then looked at the kneeling Duke Zhao, Xu Ding, and, with a shift in his voice, asked with a pressing intensity:

Inspector General of Nine Provinces

Wang Ziteng

"Since Minister Li has already uncovered the facts, and Yang Rong indeed committed the crime with conclusive evidence, he should naturally be sentenced according to the laws of the Da Han Empire. As for Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Military Administration covering up his crime and neglecting their duties, they too should be prosecuted under the law."

"Seeing Xu Ding evade the serious issues, Jing Sheng Di's expression darkened slightly as he turned to Li Guangdi and said:"

Baohen Hall Grand Scholar

Jingnan Lineage

Bashang Daying

Also Bashang Grand Camp appears many times. Add:

Your Majesty! According to Da Han Empire law, Yang Rong should be sentenced to death. Duke Cheng's lax education of his son and improper family conduct make him inextricably linked to this matter; he should be immediately removed from office and placed under investigation!

Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Military Office have derelicted their duties and neglected their responsibilities; the chief officials should be immediately detained at the Great Justice Temple, with the Censorate rigorously investigating past grievances, and any proven misconduct will not be tolerated!

Zhang Tingyu, standing nearby, glanced at Li Guangdi, apparently not expecting him to speak so bluntly and showing no fear of offending anyone.

One must know that Duke Cheng is a core figure of the Jingnan meritorious noble lineage, wielding real power, commanding the Bashang Daying forces outside Shenjing, and is a confidant of the Grand Emperor.

Earlier, Duke Zhao, under pressure from Jing Sheng Di, did not voice any remonstrance about dealing with Duke Cheng, but Li Guangdi directly said that Duke Cheng should be removed from office and placed under investigation.

However, in recent years the Grand Emperor's side has taken continuous actions, and indeed some have gone too far!

Although the present Holy Emperor is somewhat impatient in temperament, he is still a wise ruler.

"Hmm, such a disposition does conform to legal principles!" Jing Sheng Di thought for a moment and said:

"What about the opinions of the others?"

Zhang Tingyu, Chen Tingjing, and Gong Dingzi all voiced their agreement.

Niu Jizong felt a stir in his mind; a year ago he was recalled to the capital by Jing Sheng Di, appointed Left Deputy Governor of the Five Military Governor's Office, overseeing Jingying's military authority, making him a trusted martial minister of Jing Sheng Di.

He glanced at Jing Sheng Di's expression and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe Grand Scholar Li's words are reasonable; Duke Cheng's son has committed murder, and his household has been exercising tyranny in Shenjing for more than a day, so they should have been removed from office and placed under investigation long ago!"

"I recommend the Nine Provinces Inspector Wang Ziteng to serve as the Bashang Daying Military Governor! Since Wang Ziteng patrolled the borders, he has been upright and clear, adept at commanding troops, and has achieved much, making him well suited for this role!"

"Wang Ziteng?" Jing Sheng Di smiled faintly, yet did not speak immediately.

"Your Majesty, that is not advisable! Wang Ziteng comes from a civil official background, has never experienced the battlefield, has never commanded troops, and his abilities are insufficient for such a great responsibility!"

Duke Zhao, Xu Ding, is a Jingnan meritorious noble, and naturally cannot accept the founding lineage seizing the Bashang Daying's military authority.

One should know that outside Shenjing there are only Jingying and Bashang Daying, each with one hundred thousand troops.

If the founding lineage were to completely seize them, it would be equivalent to being in Jing Sheng Di's hands, and how could the Grand Emperor's side's ministers still plot a restoration!

Grand Scholar Gong Dingzi of the Hall of Preservation and Harmony, seated nearby, also echoed:

"Your Majesty! Indeed it is improper! Removing Duke Cheng from office is appropriate! But Bashang Daying still needs proper pacification; Wang Ziteng lacks military achievements, and may not gain the recognition of those soldiers and generals.

Gong Dingzi raised a practical issue: even if Duke Cheng were removed, it does not mean that simply replacing the Bashang Daying's Military Governor would allow complete control over those one hundred thousand troops.

After all, most of the generals in the great camp belong to the Jingnan lineage, and are unruly and ungovernable.

Wang Ziteng, being a civil official for a single term, finds it hard to command the masses; forcing it might backfire and end up harming Wang Ziteng.

Jing Sheng Di's face tightened for a moment, realizing he must not act too hastily!

This time, being able to strip the Duke of Cheng of the military command of Bashang Daying is already decent; wanting to seize Bashang Daying immediately, however, is impossible.

Thus, he said in a deep voice:

"Hmm! Then first follow Li Qing's suggestion, dismiss the Duke of Cheng pending investigation, his son Yang Rong's crime is unforgivable, execute him today! Shuntian Prefecture and the Five City Military Office's shielding and inaction are truly hateful; all commanding officers should be thrown into prison for questioning!"

"This matter is discussed up to here for now; next we will discuss another matter."

"Xia Shouzhong, announce that Feng Ziying has an audience! Send the victory report for the Elder Councilors to circulate."