[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-96":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2321918,4542,"Chapter 96: Roasting Millet, Slicing Pork, Healing the Sick, Saving Lives","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-96",96,"\u003Cp>Wei Duke Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Bangrui clutched a letter tightly in his hand, his face filled with astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! He knows the bureaucracy is rotten—those Zhu family members are to blame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To encounter such an emperor who can shoulder responsibility—no wonder he told me not to seek death; it’s not unfair, truly not unfair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Weizhi stood behind his father, urgently saying: “Father, this is an urgent message from Zhili—Hai Rui is still some distance from Nanjing; we must decide quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui is almost at our doorstep, yet Father still has the leisure to praise the emperor—it’s enough to drive one to despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Bangrui ignored his son, his eyes fixed on the Emperor’s Self-Accusation Edict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured softly: “My heart is clear, my resolve unshaken… good, good, good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son, honestly, this heroic spirit—even I cannot help but be moved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could scarcely believe this was the bloodline of Emperor Shizong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, he somewhat understood the feelings his ancestor Xu Da must have felt when serving under the Hongwu Emperor, as recorded in those family journals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the heir could never comprehend this feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Weizhi still paced anxiously behind, urging: “Father, think of this later—Hai Rui is coming, we have little time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhili learned of it—let alone Huai’an Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as soon as the imperial envoy crossed Shandong, word reached us here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Xu Bangrui grew weary of his son’s pestering and snapped: “I’m not worried—why are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You got fooled by Hai Rui and lost face, yet you still haven’t learned—always scheming to regain honor. I can’t even imagine you’re fit to try!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Weizhi, reprimanded, opened his mouth to protest but fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned away, embarrassed, muttering: “I’m thinking of the Wei Duke Mansion’s safety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Bangrui frowned at his son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had nearly struck him several times, but remembered his son’s age and held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said coldly: “Decide? What decision do you want me to make?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I follow that fool Huaining Marquis and secretly mobilize troops to ambush the imperial envoy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or imitate those civil officials and manipulate public opinion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Use your head!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you want to die, you don’t have to rush to throw yourself at it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t last time’s humiliation enough to teach you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Weizhi, still resentful, retorted: “But we can’t just sit and wait to be destroyed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Bangrui took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said firmly: “Sit and wait to be destroyed? What crime have I committed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long have I been back in Nanzhili? Even if death comes, it won’t reach me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d only returned to Nanzhili a short while ago, yet already reaped benefits for half a year—now they’re pushing him out to take the blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only has he committed no crime, he still can’t fully control the various branches of the Wei Duke Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Weizhi blinked, unable to help saying: “Father, earlier you secretly moved the Tiger-Warrior Right Guard—that was the Third and Fourth Branches…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Bangrui rose, cutting him off, coldly: “Yes, you know it was the Third and Fourth Branches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with ambiguous meaning: “If those people truly held the Emperor and the clan in their hearts, they ought to sit and wait to die—peacefully, in their beds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were brutally direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Weizhi finally understood his father’s intent—and why his father sat so calmly, utterly untroubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already prepared to sacrifice someone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, he realized: Father was Father, Wei Duke was Wei Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To casually condemn family members to death—this nearly froze his blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These weren’t distant relatives beyond the five degrees of kinship—they were flesh and blood, his own kin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, when others were away from Nanzhili, it was these uncles and cousins he relied upon—his gratitude and affection for them rivaled even that for his father!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the cold cruelty of the Wei Duke—this was the bloody, ruthless struggle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Bangrui clasped his hands in his sleeves, glanced at his son, who struggled to accept it, and said softly: “The Emperor said: Xu Bangrui, don’t seek death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned, patted his son’s shoulder, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one final phrase lingered: “You don’t want your old man to seek death, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ministry of Revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu, Minister of Revenue for Nanzhili, grim-faced, tossed the letter into the firepot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei, Minister of Rites, sat quietly beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both stared at the firepot, their pupils reflecting flickering flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if determined to etch every word into their minds, they did not blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dimming sky cast their faces in shifting light and shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither had ever imagined that after enduring the Jiajing and Longqing reigns, just as retirement seemed within reach, they would face such a sage emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a figure is rare in all of history—who could have imagined they’d actually encounter one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a virtuous emperor—could anyone else be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is the people’s blessing, the dawn of Great Ming—and for them, annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei shook his head, sighing in admiration: “On the way here, I pondered long and hard—I still can’t fathom how the Emperor reached consensus with the court officials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t a novel—the Emperor doesn’t command and everyone obeys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even for matters damaging to reputation—let alone anything that costs a single copper coin—would the Emperor be spared blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu, unenthusiastic, shook his head: “Simply coercion and bribery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The salt monopoly and maritime trade—two bones, enough for them to gnaw on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re just banding together to devour Nanzhili’s flesh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles and high officials would never willingly cut out their own flesh to carry the Emperor’s palanquin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compensation was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he knew, Zhang Siwei’s father was a salt merchant—he publicly endorsed the salt monopoly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Ziqiang’s father had just died; the Emperor seized the opportunity to override mourning rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other nobles dispatched envoys south to inspect maritime transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All manner of arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, they returned the stolen wealth—but gained advantages in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those in Nanzhili lacked the leverage to bargain with the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this not provoke rage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei still couldn’t help marveling: “Even so, this maneuvering is beyond belief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Negotiating with each official one by one—this isn’t an Emperor; this is the talent of a Grand Secretary!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t assume persuading opponents or overcoming opposition is easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the talent of a Grand Secretary, such maneuvering is impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This means the man on the throne is a monster—possessing both Grand Secretary’s skill and the Emperor’s moral authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu frowned: “Forget that—what do we do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor has this resolve, clearly unafraid of escalation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanzhili must either submit—or match his resolve with equal determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Submitting means cutting flesh; matching his resolve means gambling with life—neither choice is easy—Xu Jie just lost his gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei reminded him pointedly: “The Wei Duke Mansion and Huaining Marquis Mansion have both closed their doors—Bureau of Military Affairs couldn’t even get them to open.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was warning Cao Bangfu: these two military leaders have cowered—don’t even think of showing muscle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu sighed: “If not for that old bastard Xu Jie, how could we be in this mess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should’ve been enough to sacrifice Xu Jie—Nanjing could have bled a little to send Hai Rui away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jie, desperate to save his own skin, panicked and forced everyone to unite—only dragging them deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei shook his head: “Minister Cao, it’s not ‘we.’ I’ve only been in Nanzhili a short while; even if I took some, my crimes aren’t grave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to certain officers in the Bureau of Military Affairs who mobilized crossbows, or certain officials in the Ministry of Revenue who blocked grain shipments, I could walk away at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snapped: “Don’t use that to manipulate me—just say what you mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei nodded, leaning forward earnestly: “To escape, first understand what the Emperor wants!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Hai Rui here to kill us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu immediately realized: “The Emperor wants money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei nodded: “Nanzhili is too complex for Hai Rui to crush by force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, adding: “Even if Xu Jie were here, it would be the same!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu followed Qin Minglei’s line of thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mused: “Since the Emperor has no intention of restructuring Nanzhili’s administration or redrawing borders, he won’t try to imprison us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rather than chaos, he’d prefer Hai Rui to slowly unravel the salt monopoly and bring its profits back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei glanced at the cautious Minister of Revenue and inwardly conceded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took up the thread and added, “Hai Rui has merely seized the salt merchants’ assets—there should be enough cash on hand to meet the quota.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The current focus is on how much salt is actually produced in Nanzhili, so we can set this year’s tax quota.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give it to him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sell the future salt tax revenue to the Emperor, and with our accumulated harvests, petition for retirement!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the gecko shedding its tail—cutting losses in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu was no fool rushing into flames; once reminded, he immediately saw the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose at once: “Not just the salt tax—I can hand over the grain taxes from the last two seasons to Hai Rui too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go find Hai Rui!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei grabbed him urgently: “We don’t have enough weight. Xu Shi, the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, went to see Hai Rui and was arrested and sent straight to Beijing. We must be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bangfu halted, then slowly nodded: “You mean…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Minglei nodded: “Let Li Chunfang speak for all of us. He holds sufficient rank; if we all band together, it’ll be easier to negotiate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reaching an agreement, the two stepped out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Huai River port, someone had gotten wind of the news, and soon it spread from ten to a hundred—everyone knew Hai Rui was coming to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds gathered along the shore, straining their eyes to see afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides ordinary civilians, there were also unidentified retainers from various prefectures, standing by the docks or in private rooms of taverns, watching Hai Rui’s movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a large vessel flying the Imperial Commissioner’s banner slowly appeared in view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some civilians watched for spectacle; others waved their arms in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The retainers and constables exchanged glances, then melted into the crowd, each returning to their homes to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ship docked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On either side, the Provincial Governor’s procession signs—“Clear the Way!” and “Silence!”—were displayed, dispersing the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Embroidered Uniform Guard took key positions to prevent ambushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to disembark was Wei Chao, who led the young eunuchs away immediately, heading straight for the Prefectural Office to have the Yingtian Prefect copy the Emperor’s edict of self-reproach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie watched the eunuch’s retreating back and murmured, “He’s going to proclaim this to the whole realm? No wonder he used plain language—truly bold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui showed no expression: “This edict deserves for everyone to see—it will also show them… what the future holds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty says this is called maximizing the united front.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfamiliar terms did not hinder understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie had no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others disembarked in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie was surrounded in the center, like a puppet on strings, pushed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since seeing the Emperor’s edict of self-reproach, he understood: everyone involved would be caught—none could escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The determination radiating from those words was unshakable—unless one rebelled outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly understood why the Emperor had retreated to the Western Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had speculated the Grand Secretariat had grown too powerful, colluding with the Empress Dowager to sideline the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others thought the Emperor was simply at odds with the court and deliberately hid in the Western Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, to Xu Jie’s eyes, it was clear—it was foresight, preparation made long before this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not been so cautious, the Emperor might well have died young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had this been planned!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see no flaw in this Emperor at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruthless and cunning, yet openly righteous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unyielding and forward, yet meticulously cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply an utterly despairing opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie asked casually, “What use do you have for this old skeleton?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered whether he and his Xu family still had any chance of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie was no man to offer his neck for the axe; if even a sliver of hope remained, he would fight to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebellion? That was out of the question—they’d already traced the matter to the Marquis of Huaining and the Duke of Wei; they wouldn’t make such a colossal oversight and leave room for these men to conspire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden cicada shedding its shell? Xu Jie glanced at Hai Rui. If this were any other man, he might have played the trick of feigning death to escape—but this man was a stubborn, stinking stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, true surrender? But the Emperor seemed to hate him with a burning passion; even if he were willing to yield, he had no leverage left to bargain with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, a wave of helplessness rose in Xu Jie’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had still been at the center of power, and known this Emperor’s nature sooner, he would never have come to this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui fell half a step behind, pausing thoughtfully: “First, go to Nanjing’s Garrison Commander Zhang Jing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanjing Garrison Command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Dead!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui and Xu Jie exchanged glances, both startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jing nodded: “The Marquis of Huaining’s household issued a death notice this morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie pressed urgently: “Did you see the body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t tell me it’s some trick—burned beyond recognition or something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jing, a eunuch by origin, habitually spoke with flattery: “Master Xu, I went myself—it was Sun Shizong, no doubt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sun family claims he died of illness, but… in my view, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just the Marquis of Huaining’s house—this morning, the Duke of Wei’s household also reported the sudden deaths of family members.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he himself felt dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis of Huaining, who had just clashed with him, dying overnight was one thing—but he never expected the Duke of Wei’s house to collapse so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they frightened to death by the Imperial Commissioner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly had happened? Zhang Jing was still in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui sneered: “All of them were connected to the movements of Huai’an Garrison, Feixiong Garrison, and the Right Tiger-Warrior Garrison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their way of preserving dignity, avoiding wider entanglement—anyone with eyes could see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis of Huaining was enfeoffed during the Tianshun era, granted his title after the Coup of the Restored Gate, and had always sat at the bottom of the social hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shizong, the current Marquis, was the eighth generation, having inherited the title during the Jiajing reign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Nanjing Garrison Commander and concurrently head of the Nanjing Central Military Commission, and having held sway in Nanjing for decades, he was effectively the top military authority in Nanzhili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke of Wei, meanwhile, was the entrenched power in Nanzhili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a founding meritocrat whose family had long dominated Nanjing, no one could match their deep roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly every garrison and unit was influenced by the Duke of Wei’s household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one expected these two families to collapse so fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men could be said to have been frightened to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this wasn’t over—after all, this matter likely involved the Ministry of War as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that the Nanjing Garrison Commander also served as Assistant to the Minister of War alone was enough to drag others down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While all were lost in thought,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a eunuch suddenly rushed in and whispered two sentences into Zhang Jing’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie, relying on his seniority, slammed his hand on the table: “What could I, the Provincial Governor of Nanzhili, not hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jing startled and blurted: “Former Grand Secretary Li Chunfang wishes to meet the two Imperial Commissioners!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui and Xu Jie exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without a word, they rose simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Chunfang was from Yangzhou Prefecture, he had purchased a residence in Yingtian Prefecture to facilitate socializing and travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The residence was modest but exuded scholarly elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pavilions, terraces, and towers scattered across the grounds were painted in shades of gray and blue, giving a cold, aloof air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the upturned eaves and carved beams were not ornate, but refined and scholarly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard’s central pond, rippling with green water, an unknown plant bloomed in red and green hues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chunfang casually scattered bait, drawing koi fish to dart back and forth, stirring concentric ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, Xu Shaohu and Hai Gangfeng have arrived,” the servant announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chunfang clapped his hands and slowly rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tossed all the remaining bait into the pond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning around, he said: “Bring them in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he spoke, a voice came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am here by imperial mandate to investigate. I may go anywhere involved—no need for you to summon me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chunfang turned to see Xu Jie and Hai Rui entering together, their Shenhou  Embroidered Uniform Guards spreading like a tide to secure key positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui looked at Li Chunfang, expressionless: “According to the suspect Wang Ruyan, when he was promoted from county magistrate back to the capital, he relied on Li Shilu’s connections—and ever since, he has regularly bribed Li Shilu. Is this true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chunfang glanced at Xu Jie, then at Hai Rui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head slightly in resignation: “Hai Gangfeng, no need for such theatrics—this is truly urgent business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui, caught out at once, showed no embarrassment and spoke again: “So is it because Xu Shaohu’s pearls have moved Li Shilu, and now you too wish to turn yourself in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they had come to Li Chunfang of their own accord, he could not afford to lose the initiative in speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chunfang had excellent composure and remained unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he raised his head and stared straight at Hai Rui: “I can guess the Emperor’s intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then said solemnly and earnestly: “I can relieve His Majesty’s burdens—by dividing Nanzhili!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3025,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","999b5c720fa53ba86ca4efd115165ac1cc60f484e9b3d1e388675a3ab53218cd","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-97","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-95",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]