Chapter 992

In the third year of Hongjing, on the seventh day of the third month, Wei Yuan, Regent Prince of Western Jin, Prince of Wei, Minister Plenipotentiary for Southern Military Affairs, and Military Governor of Dingxi, submitted a memorial stating that he had seized a chest of letters proving collusion between Jin officials and Zhao Guo from Zhao’s internal agents. The evidence was irrefutable; those implicated were to be executed and their clans exterminated under both Tang Law and Jin Law.

Wei Yuan had already arrested and imprisoned all the corrupt officials from the eight southern commanderies, awaiting only trial and execution. But these offenders implicated many high-ranking court officials, so Wei Yuan petitioned for their simultaneous severe punishment.

Attached to the memorial was a list of implicated officials and accomplices, totaling over a thousand names!

Among them, the most were former disciples and associates of the Left Chancellor—eighty-seven in total. Forty-two were linked to the Right Chancellor; all other senior court officials who opposed Wei Yuan were implicated, ranging from two or three to dozens each. Not a single person connected to Wei Yuan was named.

This brazen, unmasked maneuver left the entire court stunned.

In the Western Jin Administrative Hall, the Prince of Jin had summoned fewer than ten senior officials; only two of the Six Ministries’ Ministers were present. Besides the official seats, Prince Chu was also in attendance, seated aside to observe.

At the center of the hall, a video was now playing.

In the morning mist, an ancient-style mansion still slumbered in peace—white walls, dark tiles, quiet and serene. Suddenly, a large troop of soldiers burst from the mist, surrounding the mansion in an instant. The heavy main gate was smashed open by a single blow from an officer’s hammer, and countless soldiers leapt over the high walls to storm inside.

Inside the mansion, any retainer or guard who dared utter a word was immediately cut down by swords. The steward, who pointed his finger at the officer’s nose and shouted, “What are you?” had his arm severed, then was impaled through the shoulder by a spear and nailed to the wall.

Moments later, dozens of elderly masters, young lords, concubines, and secondary wives were dragged out from various courtyards. The officer held a roster and called out names one by one. Those named were dragged to separate prisoner carts and taken away on the spot.

A middle-aged, pudgy young master cried out, “No punishment for high officials!”—and received a brutal lash across the face. An elderly man with white hair, trembling, shouted, “I was a Metropolitan Graduate in the First Year of the Great King’s reign!”—and was kicked to the ground.

Several concubines and ladies who screamed and rolled on the ground received whips before they could cry out twice. Fortunately, Qingming soldiers maintained strict discipline, striking only fleshy areas with measured force. After a few lashes, every woman instantly became reasonable and calm.

Finally, every person in the mansion was taken away, leaving only a few soldiers to guard the premises. These soldiers methodically sealed every room with official wax seals, without touching any property.

The video ended here.

The Left Chancellor stepped forward, knelt, and said: “That was Wei Yuan illegally mobilizing troops to raid the mansion of Vice Prefect Mutianyan of Xingrong Commandery! Wei Yuan is audacious and lawless! He openly arrests imperial officials—that is rebellion! Your Majesty, issue an edict to punish him! I am willing to personally lead troops to suppress him!”

At that moment, Minister of Personnel Xu Gong suddenly spoke: “Wei Yuan, as Regent Prince and Minister Plenipotentiary for Southern Military Affairs, has authority to execute any official below the level of Commandant upon verified evidence, and only needs to report to court for Commandants. He has merely arrested a Vice Prefect—no overreach has occurred. What we must now determine is whether the evidence is genuine.”

The Left Chancellor was startled, glancing at Xu Gong, his mind racing.

All eyes turned to the lacquered wooden chest placed at the center of the hall—the chest containing the letters proving collusion between Jin’s local officials and Zhao Guo, submitted by Wei Yuan along with the memorial.

At that moment, Commander of the Nine Gates Lu Zhongzhi stepped forward: “Regardless of whether these letters are forged, even if one or two are genuine, they must be thoroughly verified through a joint tribunal of the Three Departments before any arrest or sentencing. I believe—”

Xu Gong let out a cold laugh: “What do you believe? That we should strip Wei Yuan of his Regent Prince title?!”

Lu Zhongzhi’s broad, dignified face darkened to purple. He ignored Xu Gong’s sarcasm and addressed the Prince of Jin: “He must be stripped of his Regent Prince title and brought back to the capital for trial!”

Xu Gong clapped his hands: “Commander Lu, what courage! Since you’ve made this proposal, you must take responsibility. Please raise your own troops and go capture Wei Yuan yourself! As Commander of the Nine Gates, I’m sure Wei Yuan won’t dare cut off your head!”

Lu Zhongzhi could no longer contain himself: “Xu Gong! The Prince hasn’t spoken yet—how dare you blather like this?!”

Xu Gong sneered: “Indeed, the Prince hasn’t spoken yet—how dare you blather like this? The Prince is benevolent and unwilling to speak plainly, but I am willing to relieve His Majesty of this burden and lay it bare! Don’t think that because someone sits above you, you’re immune. If you’ve got the guts, go to Qingming and see if Wei Yuan dares kill you!”

Lu Zhongzhi sneered: “I never thought the Xu family had become Wei Yuan’s lapdogs!”

“The Xu family…” Xu Gong drew out the words.

Lu Zhongzhi’s face paled. He immediately raised his hands toward heaven and said solemnly: “I spoke rashly just now—I beg the Immortal’s forgiveness!”

He waited a moment. When no response came from the air, he finally exhaled in relief.

Finally, the Prince of Jin spoke: “Wei Yuan’s scheme is vast, his resolve absolute, and he has given me ample benefit. I know that my living these few extra years has displeased some of you. But there’s no help for it—I’m still alive, so you must endure it.”

The court officials fell silent. The Prince of Jin now seemed once again the calculating, decisive monarch he had been at his ascension. Prince Chu felt a chill run down his spine; his robes were soaked in sweat without his noticing.

The Prince of Jin scanned the hall and continued: “I wonder—when even the Zhao-Li Immortal Ancestor has personally intervened to orchestrate this across Zhao Guo, when Wei Yuan might as well have announced to the world that this matter concerns his Dao path—why, if you’ve moved to obstruct his path, are you now tossing the problem back to me?”

Of the nine senior officials present, all but three fell silent.

The Left Chancellor said: “This matter concerns the court’s dignity and Your Majesty’s honor. If we ignore Wei Yuan, we risk disillusioning scholars across the land!”

The Prince of Jin sighed softly: “Hmph. Disillusioning scholars across the land… I hear this phrase nearly every year. I remember when you first said it to me—you were just a junior censor. Now look at you: the pinnacle of ministerial power, owning thousands of acres and mansions.”

The Left Chancellor’s expression didn’t change: “Those are all rumors! If Your Majesty doubts me, send men to search my home. Whatever is found, I will surrender it all to the state treasury.”

The Prince of Jin said coolly: “Stop spouting pretty lies no one believes. I’ve managed to live a few extra years—I intend to enjoy them. Time is precious. I won’t waste it on your empty words. If you can’t offer something useful, sit quietly to the side. If you don’t want to sit, leave.”

The Left Chancellor stared in shock, then silently bowed his head and returned to his seat.