Chapter 423: with translation of chapter title

Emperor Jing Sheng appears.

Imperial Workshop Sword and Gold Plaque, also a symbol of imperial authority.

The core function of the Imperial Sword is "summary execution" and "acting at one's discretion".

Under the Da Han Empire system, the holder of the Imperial Sword enjoys the privilege of "strike first, report later," but the sword's might also comes with clear limitations:

First, rank limitation: the Imperial Sword directly affects officials of third rank and below; when facing higher-ranking officials or nobles, its deterrent power drops sharply.

Second, domain limitation: the Imperial Sword is primarily a military authorization, mainly for "summary execution," not for daily administration or inter-departmental dispatch.

Imperial-bestowed Gold Plaque, Emperor Jing Sheng.

The gold tablet represents the emperor himself, meaning its holder has the authority to command all quarters and to require all officials in the court to cooperate.

The gold tablet's effectiveness is not limited to military affairs; it can also cover political, judicial, personnel, and virtually all other domains.

Imperial Workshop Sword and Gold Plaque, also referred to as Sword and Gold Plaque, in the Da Han Empire, Shenjing City.

Jia Jing, Shenjing City.

Jia Jing's expression tightened slightly as he took the gold tablet, examined it carefully, weighed the pros and cons, and asked meaningfully:

Our dynasty's Gold Plaque.

Xia Shouzhong.

Gold Plaque, Imperial Workshop Sword, State Duke, also His Majesty.

As far as he knew, the Imperial Sword gold tablet had only been bestowed upon princes during the Taizu era, and had not appeared again for a century.

Emperor, official.

His Majesty.

none.

Jia Jing frowned slightly, falling silent for a moment.

Holding the Imperial Sword gold tablet has both advantages and disadvantages for him; the advantage is naturally a great increase in authority, enabling him to act on the emperor's behalf in any matter, righteous and proper, with freedom to advance or retreat.

Powerful minister, military authority, Sword and Gold Plaque.

As for why Emperor Jing Sheng gave him the gold tablet at this time, it's probably because he was overly worried about his safety, and concern leads to confusion.

Emperor Jing Sheng, the imperial reverse scale idiom, authority.

After a moment's thought, Jia Jing believed the benefits ultimately outweighed the drawbacks; after all, what he intended to do would only drive him further apart from the court officials, so he didn't fear their harsher criticism!

Powerful minister, lonely minister.

Jia Jing.

"Your Majesty's trust leaves this official truly at a loss as to what to do!"

State Duke, His Majesty, Da Han Empire, state and altars.

State Duke, assassination, rebels, strong crossbows in the army, Regiment Camp, Shenjing City.

Imperial City Guard, Five City Military Command, I, the Duke, personal troops.

"With the manpower of the Imperial City Guard and the Five City Military Command, plus my personal troops, we could sweep away all petty troublemakers, but it's already night—no time for large-scale mobilization!"

If Emperor Jing Sheng hadn't given this gold plaque, he would have considered sending troops directly to suppress the whole city.

After all, having been ambushed, how could one not strike back fiercely!

But now, with the Imperial Sword gold tablet and authority to command the Imperial City Guard and the Five City Military Command, mobilizing troops again would be inappropriate!

Because concentrating heavy troops at night and marching toward Shenjing City would easily cause panic and be mistaken for a mutiny!

Just as the two were speaking, Zhu Que hurried over holding a case file.

My lord, Senior Grand Secretary Zhang, Jiangnan, Ren Family, Chen Family, Zeng Family, Huang Family.

"The Chen and Huang families have been raided by Senior Minister Gong; the Ren and Zeng families have also been dealt with heavily by him. These people, led by the Ren family, have already come to Shenjing City to operate over a month ago."

Zhu Que unfolded the case file, lowering her voice somewhat, yet every word was crystal clear:

Ren Family, hundreds of officials, forcing the palace.

Xu Zhuo, silver, news, connection, Jiangnan.

New Policies, Senior Grand Secretary Gong.

Faction case, court, officials.

Zhu Que turned a page of the case file and continued:

"Seeing the situation getting out of hand, the Ren family changed their tactics."

Senior Grand Secretary Zhang, my lord.

Senior Grand Secretary Zhang.

Faction case, officials, testimony, linked clues.

My lord, His Majesty, military authority, Twelve Regiment Camps, Shenjing City.

My lord, His Majesty, faction case, lack of a leader for the New Policies, unstable army morale, Shenjing City.

Xia Shouzhong.

Strong crossbow, armor, Imperial City Guard.

Zhu Que glanced at Jia Jing, saw him nod slightly, and said:

Strong crossbow, armor, State Repair Duke's Manor, Plain Marquis Manor, Shi Guangzhu, Jiang Zining.

Strong crossbow, armor, Liaodong, Southeast, Liaodong Garrison, Southeast Military Garrison.

Liaodong, Southeast, court, border pass, His Majesty, border generals.

Muddy the waters, Shenjing City, New Policies.

Imperial City Guard, Ren Family head Ren Bo'an, Liu Baynv, Senior Minister Fang Congzhe.

Xia Shouzhong, face full of shock at that moment, asked instinctively:

Is Fang Ge Lao also colluding with the rebels?

Zhu Que nodded and said:

"Correct. The leader of this squad that assaulted and killed the lord was none other than Liu Ba'nü's confidant. According to his confession, the Ren family possesses a copy of the 'Chronicles of Official Conduct', which specifically records the corruption, bribery, and illicit deeds of court officials; they use it to blackmail officials into doing their bidding."

Moreover, Fang Ge Lao is greedy and lustful; back when he served in Jiangnan, he once forcibly took another man's wife, and this affair was recorded in the 'Chronicles of Official Conduct'.

Ren Bo'an has since used this to remotely control Fang Ge Lao and dominate the court. Furthermore, according to their confession, Fang Ge Lao's entry into the cabinet this year was also orchestrated behind the scenes by Ren Bo'an using the influence of the Jiangnan gentry, so that there would be someone in the imperial cabinet to speak for the Jiangnan scholars.

Xia Shouzhong fell silent at once upon hearing this, his face growing solemn.

He is the inner minister beside Emperor Jing Sheng Di, having weathered many storms, yet hearing such a secret still made his heart shudder.

This assault actually involves current cabinet ministers, the Jiangnan gentry, court officials, frontier generals, and even a 'Chronicles of Official Conduct' capable of shaking the court and the populace—this matter drags in too many parties and is of immense consequence.

He said nothing more, merely turning his gaze to Jia Jing, waiting for him to make a decision.

Jia Jing's face was expressionless; after a moment's thought, he asked:

"At this moment, is Liu Ba'nü still at the Fang manor? And where is the 'Chronicles of Official Conduct'?"

Zhu Que bowed and replied:

"Liu Ba'nü is still at the Fang manor! As for the whereabouts of the 'Chronicles of Official Conduct', only Ren Bo'an and Liu Ba'nü know; nobody else is aware!"

Jia Jing's expression hardened; he decisively said:

"If that's the case, what more is there to say? There's no time to lose—let's go seize them now. Those lying in ambush haven't returned yet; we mustn't let them notice something's amiss, flee, or destroy the evidence, or else catching them will be even harder."

Saying this, he turned his gaze to Xia Shouzhong and said in a low voice:

"Inner minister, take your men to ransack the Pingyuan Marquis's manor and the Duke of Works' manor; be sure to gather evidence and let no one slip through!"

"This humble servant obeys!" Xia Shouzhong bowed.

Jia Jing then said to Zhu Que:

"Have someone deliver the case files to the palace, immediately muster the elite troops, and we'll head straight to the Fang manor."

Saying this, with no further delay, they descended the small slope, leading their retinue swiftly toward Shenjing City.

"Giddyap!"

In the distance, the heavens grew dim; layer upon layer of dark clouds pressed down, forming a leaden barrier that hung heavily over Shenjing City.

The edges of the black clouds rolled with dark-red embers, as if an invisible wildfire were burning along the horizon, or like congealed blood hanging low.