Chapter 115: The Ministry of Justice in Dire Straits

Zhao Han, who had already gone home to rest, heard Zhang Guoji's summons and hurriedly dressed before rushing straight to the Zhang residence.

Back when Zhu Xu had pretended to be a reckless fool and confiscated the Shuntian Prefecture's treasury, Zhao Han had already made inquiries—even learning of the relationship between His Highness Prince Hui and Her Majesty the Empress. Since the Empress's own father was summoning him, how could he dare delay?

Arriving at the Zhang residence gate, seeing Zhang Guoji in full official robes, and hearing the steward explain the matter, he flew into a rage: "Duke, the Ministry of Justice is overstepping its authority! I shall impeach them tomorrow without fail!"

Zhang Guoji waved a hand. He was barely past fifty, his face carrying a cold expression. "Vice Minister Zhao, come with me and see whether my properties can earn any leniency from the Ministry of Justice."

"Leniency?" Zhao Han—whether feigning or genuinely angry—thundered: "The Duke need not stand on ceremony with them! I'll return at once to muster my constables. If they dare act rashly, this official is not one to be trifled with."

Zhang Guoji said nothing more and directly seated himself in his sedan chair.

Zhao Han wasted no words either. With a wave of his hand, he led his men back toward the Shuntian Prefecture yamen.

In the main hall of the Huimin Merchants' Association, Ministry of Justice constables were ransacking chests and cabinets everywhere. Xiao Yong and He Yunshan were pressed to one side by the constables, both with faces ashen.

Ever since they had latched onto the noble in the palace and cooperated with that patron, they had earned no small amount of silver—yet today, without warning, the Ministry of Justice had sealed their premises.

Xiao Yong's chest heaved with rage. He sneered coldly at Liao Tianyong, the Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Justice who had brought the men, and laughed scornfully: "Search all you like! Before tomorrow is out, you'll be bringing everything back exactly the way you took it!"

Liao Tianyong looked at the two men and smiled faintly: "It seems the two of you escaped a calamity last time. And now you've got over two hundred thousand taels in ready silver."

He Yunshan's expression remained calm. He said to Xiao Yong: "Brother Xiao, no need to get worked up with them. They're nothing but pawns. When the reckoning comes, it won't stop with him."

"Oh?" Liao Tianyong looked at He Yunshan with interest: "Though Xiao Yong is the chairman of this association, the one actually running things is you, isn't it? Tell me about your master—give me a scare, and let's see if the Ministry of Justice can bear it."

Xiao Yong gave a cold laugh: "Someone like you isn't worthy to know!"

Liao Tianyong looked at the two men, knowing he'd dig nothing out of them. He raised his voice to the constables coming and going: "Search thoroughly for me! All account books, gold, silver, jade—every valuable thing—seal it and take it back!"

"Yes!" The constables answered in unison.

"Who dares!"

Suddenly, a great shout rang out from beyond the door. The next moment, Zhang Guoji walked in with a dignified bearing and an expressionless face.

Liao Tianyong had seen Zhang Guoji before. His heart jolted, but he quickly plastered a smile on his face and stepped forward with raised hands: "This humble official greets Duke Zhang. Might I ask what business brings the Duke here so late at night?"

Zhang Guoji glanced at the chaotic hall, then turned to Liao Tianyong with a cold gaze: "I remember you. You were the one in the Ministry of Justice main hall that day, weren't you?"

Liao Tianyong's face showed respect, but inwardly he was on maximum alert: "Yes, Duke. The Duke still hasn't said what brings him here so late at night."

Zhang Guoji clasped his hands behind his back and said coldly: "Your Ministry of Justice has seized my properties. Can I not come to see for myself and ask the reason?"

Liao Tianyong's face stiffened at once. His mind raced: "The Duke misunderstands. This isn't a seizure—someone filed a report that eating this association's goods killed a man. This humble official had no choice but to come investigate on orders."

"The Ministry of Justice's reach is far too long!"

Zhao Han gave a cold snort. Equally clad in official robes, he barged in with the Shuntian Prefecture constables.

Liao Tianyong looked at Zhao Han arriving with his men, murderous intent written all over his face, and grew even more flustered. He raised his hands: "Vice Minister Zhao, what do you mean by these words?"

Zhao Han sneered: "Your Ministry of Justice surrounded the workshop east of the city before, and now you've sealed this merchants' association. If this official sees correctly, all of this falls within the Shuntian Prefecture's jurisdiction. Since when did the Ministry of Justice get so eager to handle cases on our behalf?"

Liao Tianyong and the other Ministry of Justice officials had anticipated someone might come to stop them—but they never expected that not only would a Duke Zhang show up, but Zhao Han of Shuntian Prefecture would also arrive with fully armed constables, looking ready for a fight.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He glanced at Zhang Guoji, then at Zhao Han: "Vice Minister Zhao may have misunderstood. Since the Ministry of Justice received a report, we naturally cannot sit by and do nothing. Once the facts are verified, the case will of course be transferred to Shuntian Prefecture."

"No need. Shuntian Prefecture is taking over right now." Zhao Han waved his hand, and the constables charged in, snatching the items from the Ministry of Justice constables' hands and shoving the men aside.

Liao Tianyong felt his scalp go numb. If Shuntian Prefecture was going to use force, with a Duke Zhang present, a mere Vice Bureau Director like him had no power to resist! The man sent back quietly to report had not yet returned, and his mind churned with thoughts.

"This commoner greets Duke Zhang, greets Vice Minister Zhao." He Yunshan and Xiao Yong ran over with delighted faces and bowed deeply to the two men.

They were genuinely excited. Previously they had only known their patron came from the palace—they never imagined it would be Her Majesty the Empress herself. Now the Empress's own father, Duke Zhang, had personally come forward!

Duke Zhang nodded slightly to the two men: "From now on, do good business. If anyone dares cause trouble without cause, you may come directly to my residence to find me."

The two were overjoyed—this was as good as latching onto Duke Zhang's coattails, and with the Empress in the palace besides.

"Yes, Duke!" The two said in unison, exchanging glances with barely concealed excitement in their eyes.

Zhang Guoji's gaze shifted back to Liao Tianyong, his voice icy: "This official—must I personally escort you back to the Ministry of Justice?"

Liao Tianyong's face turned sallow. He could neither leave nor stay.

Zhao Han looked at Liao Tianyong: "Men, escort this official back. Also, ask the Ministry of Justice's officials to provide a proper explanation—otherwise, they can await tomorrow's impeachment memorial."

Shuntian Prefecture had turned out in full force, naturally outnumbering Liao Tianyong's men, and there was no way to truly come to open blows. He glanced at Zhang Guoji, gritted his teeth, and said: "Duke Zhang, this humble official takes his leave."

Zhang Guoji nodded faintly, watching Liao Tianyong lead his men away.

Zhang Guoji and Zhao Han offered Xiao Yong and He Yunshan further words of reassurance before leaving a contingent of men behind and departing.

"Vice Minister Zhao, thank you for tonight." Walking out of the Huimin Merchants' Association, Zhang Guoji said to Zhao Han with a smile.

Zhao Han wore a flattered expression: "The Duke is too kind. This is this humble official's bounden duty."

Zhang Guoji also knew that His Highness Prince Hui's business needed Shuntian Prefecture's protection, so he deliberately courted favor: "Her Majesty recently bestowed some fine items. Next time I come out, I'll bring a few pieces for Vice Minister Zhao as thanks."

Zhao Han naturally caught the implication beneath Zhang Guoji's words and hurriedly said: "This humble official thanks the Duke for his generosity. Should there be any command, I shall obey without fail."

Zhang Guoji smiled with satisfaction and boarded his sedan chair.

With this matter settled here, over at the Ministry of Justice, lamps blazed bright.

Wang Ji listened to Liao Tianyong's report, his face dark and dreadful.

He had never imagined that behind that workshop and merchants' association stood Zhang Guoji—and probing further, it might well be Empress Zhang, or even the Emperor himself!

Ming emperors were mostly an eccentric lot; nothing they did would surprise anyone. Wang Ji sat in his chair, his expression shifting endlessly.

He had done this to create a stir and divert those people's attention at the court assembly, buying time for *** Xing. But if he offended yet another group—especially those in the palace—it would not be worth the loss.

Wang Ji suddenly stood up, his expression stern: "I'll go to the Zhao residence. You call the two Vice Ministers back. Wait until this official returns before we discuss further."