Chapter 80: Rumors

Liu Shimin did not know the intent behind Zhu Youxiao's question, but serving a monarch was like lying beside a tiger—he answered cautiously, "His Highness Prince Hui is quite intelligent."

"Intelligent?"

Zhu Youxiao looked up toward the door, a faint smile appearing on his face, and said, "Indeed, my sixth brother has always been very clever. This time he has done me a great service. Tell me, how should I reward him?"

This question was naturally not directed at Liu Shimin, and Liu Shimin did not answer.

In the main hall of the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Xu was dozing off with his chin propped on his hand.

Zhang Guoji already knew that Zhu Xu was 'acting recklessly,' but he was helpless to do anything about it and could only go and beg forgiveness from Her Majesty the Empress afterward. Right now he was truly drowsy and no longer wanted to manage anything.

Zhang Heming, the one on trial, had instead grown calm. The longer the time dragged on, the more it showed that His Highness Prince Hui did not have enough evidence in hand, and the more room he himself had to maneuver.

It was the two officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review who were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, glancing at the outside from time to time. They had already sent five or six men out, and not a single one had returned.

The main hall of the Ministry of Justice looked the same as ever, but in truth they were all rabbits in a cage—able to hear and speak, yet knowing nothing of the outside world.

After another half an hour or so, a Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard ran into the hall and knelt on one knee before Zhu Xu, saying, "Reporting to Your Highness, the Censorate did not find the person who wrote the memorial."

Of course they wouldn't find him—Wang Shaohui was already my man, Zhu Xu laughed inwardly.

Hearing this, Zhang Heming let out a sneer and said, "Your Highness, the charge of framing the Empress is no longer sustainable. I wonder what crime Your Highness intends to charge this official with now?"

Zhu Xu pretended to be stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Liao Tianyong and said, "Quick, tell him!"

The corner of Liao Tianyong's mouth twitched. He had long been flustered beyond measure, and at this moment he had no mind to be used as Zhu Xu's pawn. He clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness, the defendant now has no crime to try."

Zhu Xu was taken aback, looking at him with some surprise, and said, "So... the trial is over?"

Liao Tianyong's heart was in turmoil, but he steeled himself and said, "For the time being, that is so."

Zhu Xu looked left and right, and seeing that no one raised any objection, he looked back at Liao Tianyong and said, "Then what do we do now?"

Liao Tianyong forced himself to think for a moment and said, "Your Highness, we can only remand the prisoner for the time being and await a later trial."

Zhu Xu nodded and said approvingly, "Mm, you've done well. I will put in a good word for you before my imperial brother."

"Men, take the prisoner away!"

Zhu Xu slammed the gavel and shouted loudly.

Immediately two yamen runners stepped forward to escort Zhang Heming away. Zhang Heming let out a cold laugh and shook them off, saying, "I can walk myself. I would like to see what crimes you can fabricate against me. When this official sees the Emperor, I will report clearly to His Majesty about a prince meddling in government affairs and framing a high minister of the court!"

Zhu Xu would not bother arguing with him over such matters. He walked out from behind the case table and said to Zhang Guoji with a smile, "Duke, shall we head back as well?"

Zhang Guoji sighed inwardly, stood up, and said, "As Your Highness commands."

Zhu Xu exited the main gate of the Ministry of Justice, boarded his sedan chair, and unhurriedly made his way toward the palace under a group of guards.

The two officials in the main hall of the Ministry of Justice, as well as Zhang Heming who had been taken to the prison, soon learned what had happened. Their expressions all changed drastically, and they hated Zhu Xu to the core—yet the hearing had gone 'smoothly' all the way through, and they could find no excuse to pick fault, nor any time to coordinate an internal and external response!

And not long after Zhu Xu left the Ministry of Justice, a rumor quietly began to spread through the capital.

"Have you heard? The wealth confiscated by the court was all sent into the palace?"

"It wasn't sent—it's said that the various offices wanted to embezzle it, and His Highness Prince Hui seized it and sent it to the palace."

"That's nothing. I heard a piece of news—apparently the court saw how wealthy the people are this time, wasn't satisfied, and wants to confiscate again!"

"It's not just because of that—it might also be to make up for the deficits of the various offices."

"Not good—I need to hurry back and hide away what little savings I have."

"Where in the capital is still safe? Better move somewhere else quickly."

"There's no chance of that—the offices are all on alert, and who knows, they might act tomorrow."

"I remember—there seems to be a Huitong Trading Company that escaped last time. It has very deep backing."

"Really? Quick, go back and find out!"

At the same time, on the tallest tavern on Vermilion Sparrow Avenue, a horizontal plaque appeared, with large characters written in regular script: Huitong Trading Company, connecting all under heaven.

Signboards were also erected at every intersection, with all kinds of slogans—they were simply everywhere, springing up like bamboo shoots after rain.

Not far from the eastern gate entrance of the capital, a large stone stele was erected, with large characters reading: Huitong Trading Company, the safest trading company under heaven.

Beside a relay station, a wooden sign was hung high, its oversized characters visible from afar, reading: Huitong Trading Company, your only safe choice.

In this day and age there were no billboards and no various restrictions—give a little money, and there were plenty of people in the capital willing to help with such matters.

Zhu Xu sat in his sedan chair, with Cao Wenzhao walking beside it. As they went along, Cao Wenzhao said, "Your Highness, everything has been spread."

Zhu Xu nodded with a beaming smile. This time, the Huitong Trading Company could not help but become famous. He also felt a slight relief in his heart—with silver in hand, there was no panic in the heart, and from now on he could afford to be more generous in doing things.

"There is one more matter." Cao Wenzhao stepped closer and lowered his voice.

Sensing something unusual in Cao Wenzhao's tone, Zhu Xu leaned toward the window and said, "Speak."

Cao Wenzhao glanced around and said in a low voice, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard did not conduct any confiscation, and nothing has come out from that side either."

Zhu Xu's eyes narrowed at once, and he sat back, lost in thought. Toward Luo Sigong, that old fox, he had always been extremely vigilant, never daring to touch him lightly. But this time it was Luo Yangxing who had come to his door—what exactly was he plotting?

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Don't move for now. Let's wait and see what Luo Yangxing has to say."

Cao Wenzhao nodded and said, "Then, shall I go and sound him out?"

"No need—just wait," Zhu Xu said.

As the two were talking, they arrived before the palace gate. A young eunuch came running over in a panic, shouting urgently in a shrill voice, "Your Highness, hurry! Her Majesty the Empress has been waiting anxiously."

Hearing this, Zhu Xu felt a bit flustered himself. This time, he reckoned, his imperial sister-in-law would not let him off easily.

He stepped down from the sedan chair, his eyes darting about. Though he had a plan in mind, now that he was truly facing her, he was afraid Empress Zhang might really use her 'methods' on him. He still lived in the palace, and even the single restriction of being barred from leaving the palace would take half his life.

He also knew he could not avoid it, so he walked along while conversing with the young eunuch: "How is my imperial sister-in-law's mood?"

The young eunuch hastily said, "Your Highness, this time you have stirred up great trouble. Take this path—that way is all blocked off."

Zhu Xu nodded, thinking to himself that a pregnant woman must not be provoked. When he reached Kunning Palace, he would have to seize the initiative first.

"Ouch! Imperial sister-in-law, it hurts, it hurts..."

The moment Zhu Xu stepped across the threshold of Kunning Palace, Empress Zhang reached out and grabbed his ear, yanking him over with force.

"So you know it hurts! Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused!" Empress Zhang held his ear, her face pale with anger, flames of fury blazing in her eyes, and scolded him with the frustration of a teacher whose pupil would not learn: "You little mischief-maker, you've turned the entire court upside down! Now all the court officials are crowding Jingyang Palace—tell me, what did I tell you today!"

Seeing that Empress Zhang still held a stick in her other hand, Zhu Xu grew greatly alarmed and said hurriedly, "Imperial sister-in-law, don't be angry, don't be angry! Hear me out! Hear me out!"

Just as Zhu Xu stepped inside, Zhu Youxiao walked over from not far away.