Chapter 387: When the Dust Settles

"Good! With the resolve of a solitary minister, there is nothing that cannot be done well!"

Jing Sheng Di's face showed enthusiastic approval, and his heart became even more convinced of Jia Jing's "well‑intentioned effort."

The onlookers such as Chen Tingjing cast bewildered, doubtful gazes at Jia Jing; Jia Jing's initiative to investigate the faction case was something they had not expected!

After all, handling such a major case would entangle countless people and have far‑reaching repercussions; not to mention that Jia Jing's reputation would be utterly ruined.

What is even more frightening is that offending so many at once means that among the punished officials, none lacks a family, in‑laws, fellow townsfolk, peers of the same age, or close friends and mentors.

They may not immediately rise to retaliate, but should Jia Jing become weak or fall out of favor, endless vengeance would inevitably follow—that is the true, boundless lingering danger!

Zhang Tingyu's ashen eyebrows twitched slightly, and a hint of doubt rose in his mind.

Could it be that Jia Zi Jie truly is a minister who serves the state with a single heart, disregarding personal gain or even his family's survival?

Is it truly Great Treason Disguised as Loyalty, his ambition so lofty that he presumptuously guessed and misread him?

If that is the case, no wonder His Majesty places such trust in him!

Having been steeped in officialdom for too long, my temperament indeed falls short of his uprightness and purity!

After all, if I were tasked with investigating such a massive faction case, I would likely cherish my clean reputation and my family's century‑long legacy, and thus would probably refuse to take this hot‑potato!

Now that matters have come to this, I wonder what His Majesty is thinking.

Zhang Tingyu, recalling this, couldn't help but quietly glance at Jing Sheng Di, only to see Jing Sheng Di also looking at him pensively.

Their eyes met, and Zhang Tingyu hurriedly lowered his head, a sudden ominous foreboding surging in his heart!

Sure enough, Jing Sheng Di, seated on the dragon throne, pondered for a moment and then said slowly:

"Zi Jie's sincere and caring heart, I accept!"

"But the court's military affairs cannot be separated from you, my dear minister, and how could I bear to let Zi Jie bear a slanderous name for me? That would be too inhumane!"

"In my view, civil matters should still be left to the cabinet ministers! Where is Minister Heng…"

Jing Sheng Di thought it over and decided that he could only be at ease by assigning this case to Zhang Tingyu.

After all, this was the only cabinet minister just now who dared to advise that the faction should be eliminated; the others, to varying degrees, did not display the same uprightness and boldness as Zhang Tingyu!

Zhang Tingyu was stunned: "..."

What does it mean??

You can't bear to let Jia Jing bear the slander, yet you are willing to let me bear it? Making such an obvious distinction??

His Jia Zi Jie's counsel to "raise a great prison" now makes me take the blame??

I just thought Jia Zi Jie's nature was pure and his great loyalty disguised as treachery, and it ends up like this?

Clearly this is a retreat in disguise, a disaster diverted eastward, a cunning heart, an eagle's gaze and a wolf's watch, Great Treason Disguised as Loyalty…

Zhang Tingyu cursed Jia Jing inwardly, then his body trembled slightly, suppressing the bitterness rising within, and slowly stepped forward, his expression solemn as he clasped his hands and said:

"I am here!"

"Minister Heng has always handled matters meticulously and seen far ahead; I deeply trust him!"

"For this cleansing of Shenjing's bureaucracy and the investigation of the faction case, I think you should handle it together with the Imperial City Office!"

"I grant you full authority: anyone who attacks the New Policies, forms cliques for personal gain, or commits corruption and perversion of the law shall be imprisoned, severely interrogated, and punished without mercy!"

Jing Sheng Di fixed his gaze on Zhang Tingyu and issued the command in a deep voice.

At this moment, faced with Jing Sheng Di's praise, Zhang Tingyu felt not the slightest joy.

He also understood why Jing Sheng Di selected him: his earlier over‑zealous behavior had marked him as one of the inner circle!

He had originally hoped to enter the Grand Temple, but now he finds himself drifting farther and farther away from it?

Zhang Tingyu's expression tightened slightly, yet he bowed without hesitation and said:

"I obey the decree!"

Regardless, once Jing Sheng Di has decided, there is no room for a minister to haggle.

Jing Sheng Di continued:

"Minister Heng, be more spirited this time; I want you to restore a bright, orderly realm to the court!"

This is what requires Zhang Tingyu to act boldly!

Zhang Tingyu bowed and agreed!

Jing Sheng Di instructed closely:

"This matter must be investigated thoroughly; not a single person should escape. For those below the third rank, actions may be taken more cheaply, paving the way for the New Policies to spread across the realm."

"Coordinate more with Minister Gong from Jiangnan, uproot them completely, but try to avoid causing wrongful cases."

"Furthermore, I will issue an explicit imperial edict: all regions are culpable, the guilt rests on me, so that Minister Heng and Zi Jie will not be blamed by others in the future."

There are two key points in this sentence.

First, assigning Zhang Tingyu to head the case means a civil official investigates another civil official, minimizing wrongful convictions.

Second, this will be made an explicit edict; ordinarily, such a large‑scale purge would not be publicly announced, as it would harm the emperor's reputation.

But with an explicit edict, it will be harder for old factions to revisit the case later, and the damage to Zhang Tingyu's and Jia Jing's reputations will be lessened.

Zhang Tingyu, upon hearing this, was somewhat surprised: an explicit edict?

Thus, I am carrying out duties by imperial decree; although as the executor I am still inevitably subject to blame, at least I have a "sacred intent" excuse that is hard to reject.

His Majesty still does protect... me to some extent!

While he was deep in thought, a voice rang out:

"Your Majesty, where does that statement come from! Issuing an explicit edict would indeed tarnish Your Majesty's sagacity; I volunteer to preside over this case, declaring all regions guilty, the guilt resting solely on me."

"I fear not the slander, but Your Majesty's saintly virtue is like Yao, your holy heart like Shun; there must be no trace of impurity!"

Jia Jing spoke with resolute determination, his demeanor eager to take the blame for Jing Sheng Di, causing Zhang Tingyu's eyebrows to twitch and his face to darken like water!

Isn't this putting him on the fire?

Jia Zi Jie, in his bid for favor, is utterly shameless; damn, truly damned!

What he did not know was that Jia Jing's words were heartfelt and sincere.

For Jia Jing now, reputation is no longer a help but a burden.

Moreover, with the future purge of the martial merits and the descent into Jiangnan, he could not have a good reputation among the court's civil and military officials.

Or if one wishes to accomplish real deeds and command more military power, one cannot be unable to set aside reputation.

Otherwise, with a fine reputation, great power, and abundant military authority, even the "Dream‑Responsive Virtuous Minister" could not contain such a "loyal minister"!

Zhang Tingyu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty! Lord Jing's words are reasonable! I, having been swiftly appointed by Your Majesty to the Grand Secretariat, am willing to cooperate with the Imperial City Office to examine this case."

"First, to relieve Your Majesty's worries; second, to clear obstacles for the New Policies! Your Majesty's saintly virtue shines brilliantly; your reputation must not be tarnished!"

Jing Sheng Di heard this and was not skeptical, but was somewhat surprised; the minister's performance and style today were indeed vastly different from before!

Especially, the tone of his speech seemed somewhat similar to Zi Jie's.

It was indeed a few degrees more understanding than before…

Jing Sheng Di's gaze softened a bit, and he nodded, saying:

"Both of you are earnest! However, my decision on this matter is already made; there is no need for further discussion!"

If a minister can bear such responsibility, how could the Son of Heaven be timid!

And to achieve a great revival, one must not look back or lack resolve!

Jing Sheng Di pondered briefly, then ordered:

"The Cabinet shall draft an edict, appointing Grand Scholar of Wenhua Hall Zhang Tingyu, bearing the title of Prince's Junior Protector, as the Minister overseeing the faction case, also overseeing the Imperial City Office and the Five Cities Military Office, to handle petitions, investigate major cases, cleanse official conduct, and act at his discretion!"

Chen Tingjing immediately raised his jade tablet and stepped forward, saying:

"I, your humble servant, receive the order!"

With this, the handling of the faction's palace‑pressing affair was essentially settled.