Tang Dynasty Swordsman

Page 110

Li Ji, thinking of the Shence Army, couldn't help but think of the Weiyuan Army. He had previously led the Weiyuan Army to rescue Fengxiang, and after returning from Fengxiang Prefecture, he naturally included many Weiyuan Army generals in his banquet guest list, especially Li Sheng, with whom he had become close friends after several visits.

—Of course, this implies that the amount of money Kang Qian offered also had to be increased, eventually reaching 20,000 coins per month.

Li Ji thought to himself that Li Sheng and Wei Yuanjun couldn't participate in this grand event and didn't need to dress up as Vajra Warriors. He wondered if they would feel regret or relief.

First, Li Ji entered the Central Court and arranged for some soldiers to guard inside and outside the Xuanzheng Hall. Then, he led his troops through the Zichen Gate and headed straight for the Zichen Hall in the Inner Court. Behind him were two generals, both wearing golden helmets and armor. One held a pagoda in one hand, and the other wielded a vajra over a foot long. In terms of appearance, they were both lighter than the vajra in Li Ji's hand—of course, they were all made of wood, so the weight difference was not significant.

The two generals were Ma Sui and Qin Huan. It was obvious that Qin Huan was quite excited to be able to participate in such a grand ceremony—Li Ji noticed that the guy had applied beard wax the night before, combed his beard meticulously, and then put it in a brocade pouch to prevent it from coming loose while he slept—Ma Sui, on the other hand, seemed to be somewhat forced into the role; although he wasn't exactly listless, he was certainly not excited either.

In fact, Li Ji had already comforted them early in the morning, saying, "Just treat it as a game." Qin Huan repeatedly said, "I dare not," but Ma Sui smiled wryly and said, "Is it easy to participate in the games of the imperial family?"

After arranging the guards inside and outside the Zichen Palace, Li Ji led two generals to stand respectfully behind the palace, awaiting Li Heng's arrival. Around mid-morning, just as dawn broke, a group of palace servants dressed as Bodhisattvas, led by several eunuchs, walked in small steps, circling the palace.

Although the so-called Bodhisattva attire was rather androgynous, many of the valiant soldiers had never seen so many beautiful women arrive in a group before. Several stared wide-eyed, leaning forward involuntarily, mouths agape, some even drooling. Li Ji said angrily, "These ignorant fools have disgraced the Northern Army!" He ordered Qin Huan to go over and kick them all sober.

A moment later, Li Yu led the princes and grandsons, all dressed in their finest attire, into the Zichen Gate. They circled around to Li Ji and the others, bowing in greeting. This was the first time Li Ji had seen Li Yu since he became the Crown Prince. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the Crown Prince looked much more mature than before, or rather—more like a wooden figure.

Only Li Shi, still unable to conceal his eccentric nature, turned around and winked at Li Ji as he passed by, seemingly trying to convey some unspoken message.

After daybreak, Li Heng, wearing a flat-topped crown and a royal robe, and holding a jade ruyi scepter, arrived in his palanquin. Behind him followed Empress Zhang's palanquin. The members of the royal family knelt and bowed in unison. Li Heng waved his hand and said, "Rise, all of you. Follow me to Xuanzheng to see the officials."

His gaze then shifted to Li Ji: "Where is Weituotian? Come quickly to protect me."

Chapter Twelve, The Great Buddha Temple

Li Heng was actually a little weak, but he still tried his best to shout: "Where is Weituotian? Come quickly to protect me!"

Li Ji sighed inwardly, but dared not delay. He hurriedly stepped forward, without bowing, but simply raised the "golden pestle" in his hand to the sky and proclaimed, "By order of the Buddha, I have come to protect the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the sages of the mortal world, to help him quell the demonic forces and stabilize the nation!" He thought to himself, "Who wrote this? How shameful..."

Li Heng said, "I would be grateful if Your Majesty could lead the way."

Thus, Li Ji, accompanied by Ma Sui and Qin Huan, led the way, guiding the emperor and empress's carriages, followed by a large group of princes and grandsons walking on foot. They bypassed the Zichen Hall, exited the Zichen Gate, and headed straight for the Xuanzheng Hall of the Central Court.

Before the Xuanzheng Hall, officials stood in rows, their robes and caps a vibrant display. Li Ji stopped before them, slammed his golden pestle on the ground, and proclaimed, "The Emperor has arrived! Your subjects respectfully welcome him!"

He thought to himself, "It seems that ever since Li Heng returned to Chang'an, he has used the excuse of illness to cancel the grand court sessions during the New Year. In the past, even when hundreds of officials gathered, there were only a few dozen people from the Council of State Affairs and a few important departments. But now there are no less than three or five hundred people here. Is this because the palace guards have become increasingly lax, and they can't find anyone with a loud enough voice to shout? Is that why Li Heng specifically chose his own general?"

This kind of "appointment based on talent" is truly "wise" of you, Emperor... Pshaw!

After he finished speaking, the officials immediately cheered and danced. Li Ji and the others quickly stepped aside, revealing Li Heng and Empress Zhang behind them. Next, it was time for the "leader" to give a speech, but Li Ji was too lazy to listen. He simply looked around, searching for familiar faces among the officials.

It is said that a few officials either disliked the emperor's devotion to Buddhism or disapproved of cosplay in the three main halls. After repeated remonstrances were ignored, they simply claimed to be ill and refused to attend court... I wonder who they are? Looking around, I saw that the prime ministers were all there, including Xiao Hua, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, the Chancellor of the Secretariat and the Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall, who refused to side with Li Fuguo.

After the prime minister came the ministers and vice ministers of various departments, but the Minister of War was the only one missing—because Li Fuguo followed Li Heng and did not join the ranks of court officials. This old eunuch was quite accurate in his self-positioning.

The six ministers and powerful vice ministers often entered the palace by imperial decree, and Li Ji became familiar with most of them. However, he took a second look at one of them—Liu Yan, also known as Liu Shi'an, the vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue and vice censor-in-chief, who had once reprimanded him and Liu Xixian in front of the Mingfeng Gate. Liu Yan was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Coinage, the Ministry of Salt and Iron, and was equivalent to the Minister of Finance.

Further on, the crowd was too dense to see clearly, but Li Ji searched and searched but could not find anyone—where had Cui Yisun gone?

Cui Youfu, courtesy name Yisun, is a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince's faction. He currently serves as a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, so theoretically he shouldn't be ranked too low... Li Shi once said that this Mr. Cui is a man who hates evil and is upright in character; Cui Guangyuan also said that his cousin is too incorruptible and it would be difficult for him to enter the Council of State Affairs—he probably fell ill.

After saying a few words, Li Heng and the Empress withdrew into the Xuanzheng side hall, removed their ceremonial robes, changed into everyday clothes, and then came out to meet the officials. Since it was a cosplay event, it couldn't be as solemn as a grand court assembly or even a sacrificial ceremony. In just a short while, several groups of monks inside and outside the hall had already begun performing the ritual of releasing hungry ghosts, and many graceful "Bodhisattvas" filed out and mingled among the officials.

Clearly, many court officials, though mentally prepared, still looked extremely embarrassed.

The emperor and empress came out to celebrate with their ministers, watching the Hungry Ghost Festival and listening to the chanting of Buddhist scriptures. Li Ji and the others simply stood to the side of the hall, like clay or wooden puppets, not daring to move freely, only able to observe coldly.

After watching for a while, just as he was getting bored, he suddenly heard a female voice behind him: "Weituotian, you've misheld the golden pestle."

Upon hearing the voice, Li Ji turned around and immediately led Ma Sui and Qin Huan to bow and greet Princess Ningguo: "Greetings."

Princess Ningguo was the one who had been married off to the Uyghurs. In fact, only Li Ji had ever seen her; Ma Sui and Qin Huan were merely imitating her and echoing her words. However, Princess Ningguo did not come alone; a noblewoman stood beside her. Princess Ningguo pointed at Li Ji and introduced him to the noblewoman, saying, "This is Li Changwei, the younger brother of Mr. Changyuan, whom I have often told you about."

The noblewoman looked Li Ji up and down, and smiled slightly: "So you are Li Erlang from Longyou, the garrison commander. I have long admired your name." She then introduced herself: "I am Hezheng."

Li Ji was taken aback upon hearing this and hurriedly bowed again, saying, "Greetings, Princess Hezheng." In his heart, he thought to himself, "Aren't you Princess Ningguo's sister? Why do you look so old... I thought you were one of the emperor's concubines."

Princess Hezheng should be a few years younger than Princess Ningguo, at most in her early thirties. However, despite her heavy makeup, she could not hide her haggard appearance and wrinkles around her eyes. Moreover, she was relatively short and plump, not as slender as Princess Ningguo. At first glance, she looked to be in her forties.

Li Shi once mentioned that although Princess Hezheng and Princess Ningguo were not born of the same mother, they had a very close relationship. When they fled Chang'an, Princess Hezheng even abandoned her three biological sons and stole her husband Liu Tan's horse to rescue Princess Ningguo. Li Shi also praised her, saying, "My imperial aunt is shrewd and capable, with the ambition of a man, comparable to Princess Pingyang at the beginning of the dynasty..." But now, Li Ji sees her as a rather delicate noblewoman, not only lacking the vibrancy of Princess Ningguo, but also appearing somewhat listless.

Could it be due to marital discord? Or postpartum depression? I almost forgot to ask, have they found her three sons yet...?

While he was still in a daze, he heard Princess Ningguo repeat her initial words: "Weituotian, you are holding the golden pestle incorrectly."

"This humble official is not a Buddhist, and I must ask the princess for guidance."

Princess Ningguo laughed and said, "Many Buddhist temples often erect statues of Weituo Tian to guard their gates, but the way they hold their vajra (golden pestle) varies. If the vajra is held upright on the shoulder, it indicates that the temple is large and can accommodate wandering monks; if the vajra is held horizontally across the chest, it indicates that the temple is small and will only offer alms to monks for one day; if the vajra is placed on the ground, it indicates that the temple is small and will neither offer alms nor allow monks to stay." She pointed to the side and asked, "Then may I ask Weituo Tian, ​​what do you think of this temple—is it large or small?"

Li Ji casually replied, "If we're talking about the Daming Palace, it's a very large Buddhist temple; but if we're just talking about the Xuanzheng Temple, it's not that big."

Upon hearing this, Princess Hezheng's face immediately darkened: "Li Ji, you must not speak recklessly, for trouble comes from the mouth!"

Princess Ningguo quickly smoothed things over, saying, "It was my fault, don't blame Changwei." She then changed the subject, asking Li Ji, "Has Changwei gotten married yet?"

Li Ji thought to himself, "Why do I have to ask everyone this...?" "Never."

"Should I introduce you to someone?" he asked, glancing at Princess Hezheng. "What about the Liu family of Hedong?"

Just as Li Ji was about to refuse, Princess Hezheng smiled and said, "If you could have Li Erlang as your brother-in-law, it would be a blessing for the Liu family. But alas..." She glanced sideways and said, "Sister, with that precious nephew around, I'm afraid Erlang will eventually marry a Cui family daughter."

Li Ji followed her gaze and, sure enough, Li Shi hurried over to pay his respects to his two aunts. After a few pleasantries, the two princesses left together. Li Shi then leaned slightly closer to Li Ji and whispered, "I just received news that unrest has broken out in Shu..."

Duan Zizhang, the prefect of Zizhou, was originally a military general who had escorted the retired Emperor Li Longji on his westward escape to Sichuan, thus gaining control of the prefecture. Theoretically, he should have been one of the Sichuan officials who should have been replaced by Li Heng. However, Li Heng's purge of Sichuan and elimination of the retired emperor's influence was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Relatively speaking, Duan Zizhang had no powerful backing and no connections, so he could be dealt with last.

However, the former military governor of Dongchuan, Li Huan, was at odds with Duan Zizhang and repeatedly petitioned for his dismissal, a matter that Duan Zizhang was well aware of. Coincidentally, Li Heng appointed Cui Guangyuan to take over Dongchuan, and Duan Zizhang took advantage of this opportunity of the transition to secretly recruit troops, seeking a chance to rebel.

Cui Guangyuan had been in Dongchuan for less than half a year when Duan Zizhang felt the time was ripe and brazenly raised the banner of rebellion. He first marched south to Suizhou and killed the governor of Suizhou, Prince Guo, Li Ju...

After hearing Li Shi's brief account, Li Ji gasped, "Does Lord Cui perhaps possess a constitution that incites... no, attracts rebellions?" Li Shi didn't understand what he was saying, but sighed, "Cui Guangyuan is truly unlucky..."

Li Ji thought to himself that this was not bad. He figured that Cui Guangyuan would suffer another defeat and then return to Chang'an in disgrace. Wouldn't that give him a chance to discuss the matter of Cui's abandonment? Especially since three consecutive military governors had all returned due to chaos, he figured Li Heng wouldn't send him out again. Given his unfortunate circumstances and bumpy career, he probably wouldn't refuse his request outright.

Hmm, isn't that taking advantage of someone in distress? Oh well, never mind.

While it's not the exploitation of others' misfortunes that's frightening, it's the exploitation of the nation's misfortunes. Sichuan was one of the Tang Dynasty's important granaries; if chaos ensued, the court would have even less surplus grain to support its army and defend against invaders. Furthermore, the Tibetans might seize the opportunity to invade Sichuan again. If Duan Zizhang were to completely degenerate and become a traitor, the Sichuan military governor Yan Wu might face a pincer attack and be unable to withstand it…

He then asked Li Shi, "What is the court's response?"

Li Shi turned his face away, his gaze sweeping over the monks, "Bodhisattvas," and "strongmen," and shook his head, saying, "At a time like this, who would dare to report this matter to the Sage? On the Sage's birthday, are we to hold a funeral at the same time?"

Prince Guo, Li Ju, was the great-grandson of Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, and by seniority, he was Li Heng's uncle. Although the bloodline was distant, he was still a hereditary prince. Now that he had been murdered, how could the court not hold a funeral for him? Li Heng was celebrating his birthday and playing cosplay. Who would dare to report the bad news at this time and risk offending the emperor?

"Moreover," Li Shi paused, then added, "it's merely a matter of ordering Cui Guangyuan and Yan Wu to assist in the suppression; how could the imperial court possibly send out any troops?"

Li Ji couldn't help but turn back and glance at the magnificent Xuanzheng Hall: "This Xuanzheng Hall still looks bright and shiny, but in fact, most of the beams and rafters are worm-eaten, and the doors and windows leak air from all sides. Who knows, one day it will be like the Hanyuan Hall the other day, with a corner collapsing, or even worse..."

Li Shi patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, saying, "We must wait some time, accumulate some money and food, and then carry out a complete renovation—at that time, Changwei must help the orphan."

Li Ji thought to himself, "If it's going to collapse sooner, it'll be better for me to find a way out. Now, dragging my crippled body around, sick but not dead, it only makes people more anxious. Besides, I'm worried about causing even greater harm to the people, so I can only continue to muddle along with this system. For now, I can't even help fix the paperwork..."

My mood plummeted, especially when I saw Li Heng's stinky, devout Buddhist demeanor from afar, which made me even angrier. I finally made it to the end of the cosplay... no, the birthday celebration.

But Li Heng's antics weren't over yet!

More than half a month later, on September 21, Li Heng personally wrote an edict, saying: "I have been granted the great cause, how dare I forget humility, and wish to set an example for myself, and also to abandon extravagance and pursue substance..."

Throughout history, imperial families have often bestowed honorific titles upon their ancestors to show respect. However, starting from the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, it became customary for officials to add honorific titles (symbols) to living emperors, piling up elaborate words, with each generation adding longer titles than the last. For example, Wu Zetian was called "Holy Mother Divine Empress," Emperor Zhongzong of Tang was called "Responding Heaven Divine Dragon Emperor," and Li Longji went from "Kaiyuan Holy Literature Divine Martial Emperor" all the way up to "Kaiyuan Heaven and Earth Great Treasure Holy Literature Divine Martial Filial Piety Proving the Way Emperor."

Well, the old man's current title is "Supreme Holy Emperor of the Supreme Way," while Li Heng himself is "Great Holy Emperor of Qian Yuan, Radiant and Martial, Filial and Kind Emperor."

Li Heng had probably been suppressed for a long time, and finally, once he had power in his hands, he began to issue orders and gradually overturned many of his father's systems. Of course, he dared not change the real systems, nor could he change them, so he could only start with some superficial things. His previous changes of changing the prefecture back to the state and changing "zai" back to "nian" are examples of this.

Therefore, this time, the system of honorific titles was directly abolished—I will no longer be called "Qian Yuan Da Sheng Guang Tian Wen Wu Xiao Gan," because "what virtue is worthy of such a title?"

If that were all, it would be considered normal practice. However, he then criticized Emperor Wu of Han, saying, "Adorned with extravagance, it is not the glorious tradition of the former kings, how can it serve as a model for all generations?" He abolished the reign title system that had been in place for more than 800 years. "From now on, I will only be called Emperor, and my reign title will only be called the first year, removing the title of Shangyuan." He also designated the month of Jianzi (November) as the beginning of the year.

Therefore, this year is no longer the second year of Shangyuan, but the "first year of the Emperor's reign," and the New Year is just two months away...

The ministers whispered among themselves, saying that the emperor was going crazy! Since the Western Han Dynasty, all dynasties have used the calendar system, with the first month of each year as the first month of the year. This sudden change of calendar will not only be inconvenient for the common people, but all departments will also have to revise their systems and change their documents. The country is already in trouble. Does the sage think we are not busy enough?

Many ministers believed that this must have been instigated by those monks, because only China had reign titles, and India certainly didn't, so they didn't intend for China to continue... As a result, numerous memorials were submitted, advising the emperor to distance himself from Buddhism and embrace Confucianism, to reject heretical doctrines and follow the methods of the former kings. However, Li Heng ignored them all, since he was hiding in the palace and could pretend not to know anything.

The only good news during this period was that the rebellion in Shu was finally quelled.

After capturing Suizhou and killing Li Ju, Duan Zizhang marched north and captured Mianzhou, thus occupying three prefectures and usurping the title of King of Liang. The imperial court issued an edict to punish him, and Cui Guangyuan and Yan Wu, the military governor of Xichuan, joined forces and within a month recovered Mianzhou and executed Duan Zizhang.

— Li Ji thought that it was probably Yan Wu's achievement. Cui Guangyuan not only knew nothing about military affairs, but had also only been in Dongchuan for a short time and had not yet established a firm foothold. How could he possibly win?

Soon, more news arrived, indirectly confirming Li Ji's conjecture. Because Cui Guangyuan was completely unable to control the Dongchuan troops, the government troops sent to quell the rebellion looted and massacred thousands of civilians in Mianzhou, turning the Fu River red with blood! Several local officials, including Yan Wu, submitted memorials impeaching Cui Guangyuan, and the court dismissed him and replaced him with Guo Yingyi.

The old gentleman didn't even serve a full year as military governor this time...

Chapter Thirteen, Dali Temple Prison

Li Ji, in Chang'an, eagerly awaited Cui Guangyuan's return so he could find an opportunity to recruit Cui Qi. Unexpectedly, one day, just as he finished his shift and arrived home, he saw a person huddled in a corner. Upon seeing him, the person rushed over, clasped his hands, and cried out, "Second Brother... Does Chief Secretary Li still remember me?"

Li Ji took a closer look and saw that the man was quite tall and strong, with a thick waist, broad shoulders, a high nose, a wide mouth, a dark face, and a thick beard—what a big man! It was just a pity that his clothes were a bit too casual. He was wearing a short shirt, but he had rolled up the sleeves and trouser legs, revealing his muscular forearms and calves. He was also wearing a hat askew, no socks, and a pair of hemp shoes on his bare feet... He looked like a complete scoundrel, a real rogue.

Upon closer inspection of the man's appearance, Li Ji vaguely recognized him and couldn't help but frown slightly—"Are you that...that Yuan Bawang?"

The burly man smirked and said, "This humble one is Yuan Jing'an, greetings to Chief Secretary Li."

Back then, when Li Ji accompanied Qingluan to Miaosheng Temple to worship Guanyin who grants children, they encountered a man chasing after Kang Lian. It was none other than Yuan Jing'an, nicknamed "Overlord".

Recalling the past, Li Ji was even more puzzled: "Why did you come looking for me?"

Yuan Jing'an said solemnly, "The Kang family is in dire straits. We have come here to earnestly beg Chief Secretary Li to save Old Hu and his son for the sake of our monthly tribute!"

Li Ji had suspected that Yuan Jing'an's pursuit of Kang Lian was merely a performance to gauge his opinion of the Hu people and decide whether it was convenient to approach him. Now, after hearing Yuan Jing'an's words, that suspicion was completely confirmed.

So he let Yuan Jing'an into the house, asked Qingluan to make him a bowl of water to drink, and calmed him down before asking him in detail what had happened to the Kang family father and son.

According to Yuan Jing'an, the Kang family did indeed suffer a terrible disaster, but in reality, it was their own doing.

It is said that Kang Qian was appointed as the acting Minister of Ceremonies for assisting in road repairs and the restoration of post stations, and was in charge of the post stations in Shannan East Road. Kang Qian himself and his youngest son Kang Lian stayed in the capital, and ordered his three older sons to go out and manage commerce. Unexpectedly, the three sons were focused on accumulating wealth, and actually embezzled the post station expenses and mistreated the post station workers, treating them like household slaves.

This naturally aroused the hatred of the postmen of Shannan East Circuit. One of them, having somehow learned that Kang Qian had a daughter and that her husband was now a general in the rebel army, reported him to the authorities.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji couldn't help but sneer: "This is their own fault." He had long anticipated that wealthy merchants like the Kang family would hed both sides—the same was true of "Millionaire Yu" in Luoyang—it's only human nature. But you made it so obvious, and someone still found your weakness, so you've brought this upon yourselves.

Yuan Jing'an shook his head and said, "Women are meant to leave home. Once they're married, they're no longer part of the Kang family. No matter how rich Kang Lao Hu is, can he really control his son-in-law? Actually, there was a deed of separation long ago, but it was lost in the chaos of war last year..."

Li Ji thought that this made sense. However, the so-called contract of separation was just a deceptive trick. If Shi Ze became too powerful and seized Chang'an again, would the Kang family still acknowledge their daughter and son-in-law? They would most likely take the initiative to cling to him.

He then asked Yuan Jing'an, "How are the Kang family father and son doing now?"

Yuan Jing'an replied, "They have all been arrested and imprisoned in the Dali Temple. Their followers have all fled with their money, and even their maids and concubines have scattered. The Kang family has been completely ruined..." As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh.

Li Ji thought to himself, "This seems to be a big deal. No wonder I said the Kang family's offerings for this month were two days late and hadn't been delivered yet... I've been thinking about Cui Qi lately, figuring out how to bring it up when Cui Guangyuan comes back, and how to devise a plan. I haven't been paying much attention to the rumors circulating in the city, and I'm so slow to realize it."

When were you imprisoned?

"First arrest his three sons who are away from home, and then three days before that, imprison them together with Kang Qian and Kang Lian."

Li Ji couldn't help but look Yuan Jing'an up and down: "Then... what does this have to do with you? What is your relationship with the Kang family?"

Yuan Jing'an shook his head: "It's nothing. We're just neighbors. I used to gamble and fight with Kang Lian all the time..." Then he raised an eyebrow: "When we were poor, we did receive some food and money from Lao Hu. So we should repay even the smallest kindness with the greatest gratitude. How can we ignore it?"

Li Ji thought to himself, "I never expected this to be a righteous thief... No, although he looks like a thief, he's not really a thief. It just means that even among the common people and gamblers, there are righteous men." He couldn't help but feel a little more enthusiastic towards Yuan Jing'an.

"Why did you come to beg me? The Kang family has powerful backers..."

Yuan Jing'an immediately interrupted Li Ji with a wry smile: "I do know, if the roads weren't blocked, why would I be begging Chief Secretary Li? I've really run out of options..."

Li Ji frowned: "That person... is unwilling to lend a helping hand?"

Yuan Jing'an asked, "Does Chief Secretary Li mean the Minister of Agriculture?" He then spread his hands and said, "He's barely able to protect himself now."

Upon hearing this, Li Ji was truly taken aback: "Yan Zhuang can't even protect himself?!"

One should not listen to only one side of the story. Li Ji first calmed Yuan Jing'an down and sent him away. Then he spent two more days inquiring about information through various channels before he finally learned that... this matter was not simple.

Since Kang Qian relied on Yan Zhuang, the Minister of Agriculture, for support, it's natural that they had financial dealings—whether these were for personal or official purposes, whether the benefits went purely to Yan's household, or whether they facilitated the operations of the Ministry of Agriculture, outsiders have no way of knowing. Therefore, Kang Qian's imprisonment will very likely implicate Yan Zhuang.

For some reason, despite Yan Zhuang's cunning, he couldn't escape this predicament and was directly detained and questioned by the Secretariat. Because the case concerned the national treasury, the court specially ordered Liu Yan, the Vice Minister of Revenue and concurrently the Censor-in-Chief, to handle the case. Upon taking over, Liu Yan immediately sealed off Yan's residence, questioned everyone involved, and audited the accounts.

Historically, when mid- to high-ranking officials were convicted, they were not handled by the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review, but were always detained by the Secretariat, one of the highest-ranking departments in the imperial court. Li Ji had no influence over that. On the other hand, Kang Youwei was in the Court of Judicial Review, where he could use his connections to get a meeting before making any plans.

We've spent so much money on this, we can't just ignore it; besides, now that Kang Qian is in jail, what if he drags us into it too?

Logically speaking, a son-in-law is ultimately an outsider, and his crimes generally don't implicate his wife's family. While treason is a serious crime, given Kang Qian's status and especially his wealth, surely if he had properly greased the palms, his entire family wouldn't have ended up in jail? Besides, although Yan Zhuang was the Kang family's backer, Kang Lao Hu wouldn't have dared to implicate him easily, so how could he have fallen into jail as well?

According to the usual procedure, shouldn't it be that Kang Shi was in trouble, Yan Zhuang lent a helping hand, and then the matter was downplayed or even forgotten? Li Ji had already become accustomed to the generally muddle-headed nature of officials in this era, so surely he wouldn't be so persistent and insist on investigating to the end?

There's a high probability that someone is trying to take down Yan Zhuang.

Yan Zhuang, a surrendered official, had no allies or friends in the court. As far as Li Ji knew, he had previously associated with Cui Guangyuan and recently with Liu Yan. Now that Cui Guangyuan was in dire straits, Yan Zhuang was like a rootless duckweed... Originally, everyone looked down on those who had surrendered, and giving them a position as Minister of Agriculture was considered a great honor, but once their term of service expired, without significant merit, they would inevitably be wiped out sooner or later, which was only natural.

However, it was unnecessary to resort to such cruel methods and to intimidate the prison so thoroughly.

As for Liu Yan, the hasty sealing of the Liu residence was probably an attempt to sever ties and avoid suspicion.

So the next day, Li Ji finished his duty early and ran to the Zhuque Gate, where he crouched in a corner and waited quietly. Not long after, he saw Li Sheng come out and mount his horse in front of the gate. He then urged his horse forward and waved to the other man, saying, "Liangqi, let's go have some wine."