Chapter 586

Lin'an.

Translation: "Lin'an."

Early autumn rain had just ceased; the bluestone paths inside the palace walls were slick and reflective, and the air was filled with the lingering sweetness of osmanthus on the verge of fading, mingled with a deeper, ineffable oppression.

Early autumn rain had just ceased. the bluestone paths inside the palace walls were slick and reflective. the air filled with the lingering sweetness of osmanthus on the verge of fading. mingled with a deeper, ineffable oppression.

The Prime Minister's residence, a secret chamber.

Translation: "The prime minister's residence, a secret chamber."

Prime Minister's residence, a secret chamber.

The candlelight was deliberately kept low, illuminating only a corner of the desk.

Translation: "The candlelight was deliberately kept low, illuminating only a corner of the desk."

Qin Hui sat alone in the Grand Tutor's chair, his fingers unconsciously rubbing a freshly delivered urgent military report copy.

Translation: "Qin Hui sat alone in the Grand Tutor's chair, his fingers unconsciously rubbing a copy of an urgent military report that had just been delivered."

Grand Tutor's chair

The above briefly describes the situation northwest of Yancheng: Yue Fei's remnant forces broke out, seemingly joining forces with the Northern Watch bandit army, and at the foot of Mang Mountain they defeated the Angelic Guard, openly defying the imperial edict and issuing treasonous words.

Above briefly describes the battle situation northwest of Yancheng: Yue Fei's remnant forces broke through, apparently joining with the northern bandit army, at the foot of Mang Mountain they crushed the Angelic Guard, boldly 'defying the edict', and also issued 'treasonous words'.

Yancheng

Angelic Guard

defiantly 'resisting the edict'

'treasonous words'

Now line translation: "It briefly described the situation northwest of Yancheng: Yue Fei's remnant forces broke out, seemingly joining with the Northward Aspiration rebel army, and at the foot of Mangshan they crushed the Angelic Guard, defiantly 'resisting the edict', and issued 'treasonous words'."

Check we included all parts.

Every word and sentence is shocking.

Translation: "Every word, every sentence, was shocking to behold."

But Qin Hui's face showed little surprise; instead, there was a… strange calm.

Translation: "But Qin Hui's face showed little surprise; instead, there was… a strange calm."

Even deep in his eyes lay a hint of relief, as if a burden had been lifted.

Translation: "Even deep in his eyes lay a trace of relief, as if a burden had been lifted."

The door was pushed open silently.

Translation: "The door was pushed open silently."

No announcement, no footsteps.

Translation: "No announcement, no footsteps."

A figure wrapped in a dark blue cloak slipped into the room like a ghost, then closed the door behind them.

Translation: "A figure wrapped in a deep blue cloak glided inside like a phantom, then closed the door behind them."

The candlelight flickered slightly.

Translation: "The candlelight flickered slightly."

The visitor lowered their hood, revealing an ordinary face belonging to a middle-aged clerk.

Translation: "The visitor lowered their hood, revealing an unremarkable face belonging to a middle-aged clerk."

It was indeed Zeng Tu.

Translation: "It was precisely 'Zeng Tu'."

Or rather, it was some kind of entity wearing Zeng Tu's skin.

Translation: "Or rather, some kind of entity wearing Zeng Tu's skin."

His gaze was empty, lacking the warmth and emotional fluctuations of a living person, staring fixedly at Qin Hui.

Translation: "His gaze was empty, lacking the warmth and emotional fluctuations of a living person, fixed directly on Qin Hui."

"He has rebelled."

Translation: ""He has rebelled.""

Zeng Tu's voice was dry and flat, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself.

Translation: "Zeng Tu's voice was dry and flat, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself."

"As expected." Qin Hui set down the report, leaning forward slightly, "What should we do now? His rebellion could stir unrest among the foolish masses and the obstinate in the army."

Translation: ""As expected." Qin Hui set down the copy, leaning forward slightly. "What now? His rebellion could stir unrest among the foolish masses and the obstinate in the army.""

His rebellion could stir unrest among the foolish masses and the obstinate in the army.

"No problem."

Translation: ""No problem.""

Zeng Tu walked to the candlestand, extended his pale finger, and lightly tweaked the wick.

Translation: "Zeng Tu walked to the candle stand, extended a pallid finger, and lightly tweaked the wick."

The flame suddenly flared for a moment, casting half his face in shifting light and shadow.

Translation: "The flame suddenly flared for an instant, casting half his face in shifting light and shadow."

"Rebellion must be punished by law."

Translation: ""Rebellion must be 'punished by law'.""

"History needs an accounting."

Translation: ""History needs an 'accounting'.""

"People's hearts need to be awed."

Translation: ""People's hearts need to be 'overawed'.""

He spoke word by word, each one falling like a cold stone.

Translation: "He spoke each word with a pause, each one striking like a cold stone falling."

"The Fengbo Pavilion is ready."

Translation: ""The Wind-and-Wave Pavilion is ready.""

Upon hearing the three words 'Fengbo Pavilion,' Qin Hui's pupils contracted imperceptibly.

Translation: "Upon hearing the three words 'Wind-and-Wave Pavilion', Qin Hui's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly."

That was a pavilion beside a remote prison under the Imperial City Guard, originally nameless.

Translation: "It was a pavilion beside a remote prison under the Imperial Court Directorate, originally nameless."

Sometime unknown, this name began to appear in certain secret transmissions, carrying an ominous sense of fate.

Translation: "Sometime ago, this name began to appear in the most secretive transmissions, carrying an ominous sense of fate."

It seemed as if that place was destined to be the end of certain stories.

Translation: "It seemed as if that place was destined to be the endpoint of certain stories."

"Where is the prisoner?" Qin Hui pressed, "Yue Fei himself has fled to Mang Mountain—could it be…"

Translation: ""And the prisoner?" Qin Hui pressed on. "Yue Fei himself has fled to Mangshan—could it be…""

"There will be a 'Yue Fei'."

Translation: ""There will be a 'Yue Fei'.""

Zeng Tu cut him off, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Translation: "Zeng Tu cut him off, tone leaving no room for doubt."

"A person who looks enough like him, is willing enough to confess, and can be publicly executed as Yue Fei before the world."

Translation: ""One who looks enough like him, is enough to 'confess', and enough to be executed lawfully before the world as a 'Yue Fei'.""

Qin Hui understood instantly.

Translation: "Qin Hui understood instantly."

"A double."

Translation: ""A double.""

Just as the earlier 'death from illness' of Chao Gai, and like many officials and generals who 'unexpectedly' died or 'suddenly had a change of heart' at critical moments.

Translation: "Just as Chao Gai had previously 'died of illness', just as many officials and generals had 'unexpectedly' died or 'suddenly seen the light' at critical junctures."

The Iron Crow Army specializes in this.

Translation: "The Iron Crow Army excelled at this."

"Evidence?" Qin Hui cared more about this.

Translation: ""Evidence?" Qin Hui cared more about this."

Without solid evidence, it's hard to convince the masses and to complete the final 'conviction' and 'judgment'.

Translation: "Without solid proof, it would be hard to convince the masses, hard to finish the final 'conviction' and 'judgment'."

Zeng Tu took two items from his sleeve and gently placed them on the desk.

Translation: "Zeng Tu took two items from his sleeve and lightly placed them on the desk."

One was a folded, slightly soiled piece of cloth, faintly showing ink marks.

Translation: "One was a folded, slightly soiled piece of cloth, faintly showing ink marks."

The other was a tiny, pallid bone whistle, and a sheet as thin as a cicada's wing, a black feather gleaming with a metallic cold light.

Translation: "The other was a tiny, pallid bone whistle, and a sheet as thin as a cicada's wing, a black feather gleaming with a metallic cold light."

"Wang Jun's 'handwritten' confession, and the secret correspondence fragments he 'risked his life' to submit, exchanged with the Northern Watch bandit chief Chen Wen."

Translation: ""Wang Jun's handwritten confession, and the document he 'risked his life' to submit, along with fragments of secret correspondence with the Northward Aspiration rebel chief, Chen Wen.""

Zeng Tu pointed to that cloth.

Translation: "Zeng Tu pointed to the cloth."

"The handwriting is Yue Fei's; the content discusses how to hold the court hostage and divide the land."

Translation: ""The handwriting is Yue Fei's. The content discusses how to hold the imperial court hostage and divide the land.""

Qin Hui picked up the cloth and examined it closely by the candlelight.

Translation: "Qin Hui picked up the cloth and examined it closely by the candlelight."

The ink traces, brush strokes, and even certain unique writing habits… were identical to those seen in Yue Fei's memorials and their annotations.

Translation: "The ink traces, brush strokes, and even certain unique writing habits… were identical to the Yue Fei memorials and replies he had seen."

It was as if it had flowed directly from Yue Fei's own hand.

Translation: "It was as if it had flowed straight from Yue Fei's own hand."

He felt a deeper chill inside, but his expression remained unchanged.

Translation: "He felt a deeper chill inside, but his expression remained unchanged."

"This… is enough to settle the ironclad case."

Translation: ""This… is enough to settle an ironclad case.""

"As for this," Zeng Tu pointed to the bone whistle and black feather, "it is a 'token'. From the Northern Watch army, it contains 'dark energy' that can contaminate the mind of anyone who touches it, making them frenzied and irritable, or dazed and obedient… it is ironclad evidence of 'colluding with evil spirits and practicing sorcery'."

Translation: ""As for this," Zeng Tu gestured to the bone whistle and black feather, "it is a 'token'. From the Northward Aspiration army, imbued with 'yū energy', it can contaminate the mind of anyone who touches it, making them frenzied and irritable, or dazed and obedient… it is ironclad proof of 'colluding with demons and practicing sorcery'.""

Qin Hui carefully touched the black feather with his fingertip.

Translation: "Qin Hui carefully touched the black feather with his fingertip."

A chilling, slick sensation shot through him instantly, as if tiny ice needles pricked his skin, making him jerk his hand back and filling him with a sense of disgust.

Translation: "A chilly, slick sensation shot up at once, as if tiny ice needles pricked his skin, making him jerk his hand back with a surge of nausea."

"This… is very good." He steadied himself, "But how can we make it appear 'reasonable'? And how can we get that 'Yue Fei' to confess?"

Translation: ""This… is very good." He steadied himself, "but how can we make it appear 'reasonably'? And how can we get that 'Yue Fei' to confess?""

"Wang Jun is already under control."

Translation: ""Wang Jun is already under control.""

Zeng Tu's tone remained calm.

Translation: "Zeng Tu's tone remained flat."

He will 'confess and report', and at an appropriate time he will 'discover' these evidences.

And that 'Yue Fei'...

He paused, his hollow gaze directed at some point in the void, as if receiving some information.

He will 'confess'.

At Wind-Wave Pavilion, before the eyes of all, or in the necessary 'record'.

He will admit everything.

Colluding with the enemy, plotting rebellion, practicing evil arts... all the charges you need.

Qin Hui fell silent for a moment.

He was not one to be soft-hearted and lenient, yet such an interlocking scheme, employing means beyond human capacity, still made him feel insignificant and chilled, as if caught in the gears of a colossal inhuman machine.

But soon, this chill was replaced by a stronger desire and sense of security.

As long as this greatest 'trouble', Yue Fei, is resolved in this way, his position, the peace faction's course, and even the... 'Heaven's Will' behind it, will be secured.

'What do you need me to do?' Qin Hui asked.

'Push forward.'

Zeng Tu spoke concisely.

'Complete all procedures as quickly as possible.'

'Censors impeach, the Ministry of Justice accepts, the Emperor issues an edict... so that the news of 'Yue Fei's arrest' spreads throughout the realm as swiftly as possible.'

'Then, at Wind-Wave Pavilion, hold a 'just' trial.'

'Finally, carry out the execution openly.'

'Time,' Zeng Tu emphasized, 'must be fast. We must finish all this before that 'genuine article' at Mang Mountain gains a foothold and creates a greater impact.'

'What we want is not a living rebel Yue Fei.'

'But a 'criminal general Yue Fei' nailed to the pillar of shame, his verdict sealed after death.'

'Using his 'death' to end all 'stories' about him, to quell all 'variables' arising from him.'

Qin Hui nodded slowly.

He understood.

This is not merely a political purge.

This is a... ritual.

A ritual used to 'correct' history, 'pacify' the rules, 'harvest' some kind of power.

And he and the False Song Imperial Court are the executors placed openly in this ritual.

'I understand.'

Qin Hui sat upright, his face returning to its usual inscrutable expression.

'The impeachment memorial will be submitted tonight.'

'I'll greet the Ministry of Justice side.'

'As for the Emperor... lately his health is poor, his spirit unsettled, making him most receptive to 'public opinion' and 'solid evidence.'"

Zeng Tu gave a slight nod, seeming satisfied with Qin Hui's efficiency and 'insight'.

'Good.'

'Remember, the 'smoothness' at Wind-Wave Pavilion concerns the larger picture.'

'It also concerns... your sought-after 'long-lasting peace and stability.'"

Having said that, he pulled his hood back over his head, his figure blending into the candlelit shadows as he slipped out of the secret chamber soundlessly.

As if he had never appeared.

Only left behind on the desk were those few 'evidence items' emanating an ominous aura, and a lingering faint chill in the air.

Qin Hui sat alone in the dimness, motionless for a long while.

He looked again at the copied military report, at the characters 'Yue Fei defies the edict'.

Then his gaze shifted to the forged confession and the strange token.

At the corner of his mouth, a cold arc slowly emerged, completely shedding any pretense.

'Yue Fei, Yue Fei...'

A low, almost murmuring voice echoed in the secret chamber.

'You won at Salt City, you won against the Jin barbarians...'

'But you cannot win this 'trend', you cannot win this 'fate'.'

'Wind-Wave Pavilion...'

'Is where your 'fate' should meet its end.'

He reached out, carefully gathering the cloth strip, bone whistle, and black feather, placing them into a prepared brocade box.

His movements were gentle, as if handling a fragile treasure.

The next day.

At the Approaching Peace court, a sudden uproar arose.

Several officials jointly submitted a memorial impeaching the former Huai Xi Regional Commander Yue Fei for 'losing the army and disgracing the nation', 'holding troops self-importantly', 'colluding with northern bandits', 'harboring treacherous intentions', and earnestly asked the Emperor to investigate thoroughly.

Almost simultaneously, the Minister of Justice received 'solid' personal and material evidence, claiming that Yue Fei's subordinate Wang Jun 'righteously killed his kin', came forward to denounce the commander's numerous treasonous acts, and presented crucial evidence.

Emperor Zhao Zhe, who rarely ventured out, after continuously receiving flurries of impeachment memorials and 'ironclad evidence', flew into a rage on his sickbed, issuing a stern order: have the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Punishments, and Censorate conduct a joint trial, investigate this case swiftly, and ensure the truth comes to light!

Another day passed.

Without detailed interrogation, and without giving the so-called 'prisoner' much chance to defend himself.

An edict that shook the world then issued from the Approaching Peace Huangcheng, at the utmost speed, sent to all prefectures, posted at every city gate and market:

'The traitorous minister Yue Fei has recently been apprehended and brought to justice!'

「After investigation by the authorities, the crime is proven beyond doubt; it is so heinous that bamboo slips would not suffice to record it! 」

「In order to uphold the law and rectify court discipline, it is set that three days later, beside the Wind-Wave Pavilion, the execution will be carried out openly and lawfully, to warn others who might follow suit! 」

The news spread like a plague.

Wherever it went, there was shock, uproar, doubt, grief and indignation, bewilderment… all kinds of emotions surged as dark undercurrents within the territory of the False Song.

Yet, in a remote, gloomy corner deep within Huangcheng,

That Wind-Wave Pavilion, whose name had just been remembered by the world, stood silently in the bleak autumn sunlight.

Outside the pavilion, armored soldiers stood stiffly; the atmosphere was stern and lethal.

Inside the pavilion, there was not a single person.

Yet it seemed as if an intangible, despairing shackle was gradually forming there.

Waiting for the one who was about to be pushed forward as the "protagonist".

Also waiting for the gaze of the world.