Chapter 490: Half-Alliance

A group of eunuchs from the Eastern Depot and Jinyi Wei flooded the Imperial Prison, using the investigation into the death of the prison cook Liu Dafa as an excuse to search the entire facility.

Wang Zhen took the opportunity to remove two traitors he had uncovered.

They were all planted by the court's upright faction.

Pan Hong's cell was now heavily guarded.

Guo Jing walked in slowly, holding a handkerchief to his nose; as soon as he stepped into the cell, he frowned in disgust and ordered the jailers: "Clean up this filth on the ground at once."

The jailers hurriedly agreed and went to fetch brooms.

Pan Yue and Pan Yu stepped forward together, blocking Pan Hong's front, glaring at him.

Guo Jing snorted coldly, his voice shrill: "Ungrateful fools—if it weren't for the Zhangyin's direct order, I wouldn't set foot in this stinking cell."

He glanced around and asked: "Where's Yin Song?"

"Here I am, here I am," Yin Song hurried in, smiling brightly: "I didn't expect Wang Zhangyin to move so fast—I just went back to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to fetch something, and ended up trailing behind Eunuch Guo."

"Now that Physician Yin has arrived, take these two fools outside," Guo Jing said meaningfully: "This is the Imperial Prison, not a child's game."

Yin Song agreed, stepped forward, pulled Pan Yue and Pan Yu aside, then slipped a vial into Pan Hong's hand and whispered: "My lord, these are Abstention Pills. Take one every two days—there are three inside. I'll bring another bottle in five days."

Pan Hong froze: "Such pills exist?"

Yin Song: "They do—as long as you don't crave food, you'll be fine."

With that, he pulled Pan Yue and Pan Yu away.

Pan Yue turned back to glance at his father, then followed Yin Song; only when they reached the prison's outer gate did he ask: "Did you threaten Wang Zhen? Does that mean we can pressure him further—to settle my father's case?"

Yin Song gave him an approving look: "Clever. I've already threatened him."

Pan Yue's eyes lit up: "So he agreed?"

Yin Song: "He didn't say yes, and he didn't say no. Wang Zhen is slippery—he'll wait to see what the Emperor decides."

Pan Yue lowered his gaze: "I have two friends I haven't approached yet—one's father is a Physician of the Ministry of Justice, the other's is a Censor of the Censorate. I'll beg them for help."

Pan Yu immediately added: "I'll beg my friends too."

After a moment's thought, Yin Song said: "Even if it's unnecessary, more hands mean more strength—ask them all."

Pan Yue instantly asked: "Who are you thinking of asking, Second Senior Brother?"

"Of course someone currently in the Emperor's favor," Yin Song said smugly: "Did you think the idea of threatening Wang Zhen was mine?"

"Then who…?"

Yin Song tilted his chin forward, gesturing: "Xue Shao."

Pan Yue turned and saw Xue Shao standing quietly at the street corner; seeing the three emerge, he smiled faintly and nodded to them.

Pan Yue hurried forward and bowed in thanks.

Xue Shao said: "It may not succeed. My uncle says that if this fails, we must make a choice."

Pan Yue: "What choice?" Xue Shao: "Either submit a memorial denouncing factional strife and urge the Emperor to investigate collusion between officials in the Six Ministries, the Censorate, the Jinyi Wei, and the Eastern Depot—or else fall silent, submit a memorial urging the Emperor to prioritize spring plowing, and transfer Lord Pan to the Court of Judicial Review prison."

Pan Yu immediately protested: "No choice needed—it's obviously the first option! The second? My father will spend the rest of his life in prison! In there, he's at their mercy—he won't even know how he dies."

Pan Yue's face darkened, but he pulled Pan Yu back and said tightly: "Lord Xue wants us to pay to redeem him afterward?"

Xue Shao nodded: "Though clumsy, it's not a bad strategy."

He continued: "The Emperor has grand ambitions—not only to audit the submitted ledgers, but also to investigate newly opened silver mines. The empire's tax revenue: Jiangnan alone accounts for thirty-seven percent. Beyond regular taxes, there are corvée labor, donations, and miscellaneous levies; officials and gentry are exempt from labor and partial donations and levies, and wealthy merchants also refuse to serve."

"They don't want to serve themselves, nor do they want their families or relatives to serve—so the extra corvée, donations, and levies fall entirely on ordinary people."

"As I traveled through Jiangnan, everyone spoke of its wealth, yet ordinary folk struggle to survive," Xue Shao said: "The Emperor must know this too—hence his intent to fill the treasury through silver mines and private salt."

Pan Yue fell into a daze, murmuring: "They just paid so much to cover part of the deficit—they'll surely feel they've given enough and refuse to surrender silver mine profits… My father has become a pawn in this factional struggle—like a tug-of-war, whoever pulls harder drags him over, with no control at all; whether they win or lose, he'll still fall…"

"Exactly," Xue Shao said: "If factional strife continues, Lord Pan will be the first sacrificed."

Pan Yue clenched his fists, eyes red: "Does the Emperor not know this?"

Xue Shao paused, sadly: "To those in power, if one life's sacrifice secures the greater good, they won't hesitate."

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Pan Yu's eyes also reddened: "I thought he was a good Emperor—he pardoned my little sister and sent her away early to avoid disaster…"

Pan Yue's nails dug into his palm, his voice cold: "Because sending her away costs him nothing—it soothes the Mu family and wins their loyalty."

He sneered: "Emperors are truly heartless!"

Xue Shao whispered: "The fact he went to this trouble makes him more sentimental than most emperors."

Pan Yu, still indignant, opened his mouth to curse the Emperor again, but Pan Yue grabbed his arm.

He said gravely: "If my father is moved to the Court of Judicial Review prison, how certain are you the court will allow us to pay for his redemption?"

Xue Shao: "Eighty percent."

Pan Yue gritted his teeth: "Fine—then send my father to the Court of Judicial Review prison."

Xue Shao asked: "Should we ask Lord Pan first?"

Because if it were his uncle, his uncle would rather die than redeem himself.

Pan Yue lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, then raised his eyes with renewed resolve and waved his hand: "No need—I'll decide."

He bowed deeply to Xue Shao, his voice steady: "Thank you, Young Master Xue."

Xue Shao quickly returned the bow: "It's my duty."

He paused, then added: "Don't be too pessimistic—these two options are the worst-case scenarios. Before that, I'll push further—perhaps Wang Zhen will retreat further and end this factional struggle himself."

Pan Yu muttered: "Even if Wang Zhen agrees, will the Emperor?"

Xue Shao: "That depends on how cruel the Emperor's heart is."

In Xue Shao and Xue Xuan's view, this was indeed a rare opportunity.

(End of Chapter)