CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 59: CAST OUT

"This Li Wencai is truly audacious, daring to defy royal law so blatantly just less than a hundred miles outside the Capital; he truly deserves death!" Emperor Jin exclaimed in anger.

"Your Majesty," Lu Qing was not intimidated by the sound of things being thrown, and he spoke to Emperor Jin, "Li Wencai has committed numerous atrocities in Qingshui County, lining his pockets and oppressing the common people; he indeed deserves to die.

However, a mere seventh-rank county magistrate could never have the prowess to cause such storms; his success naturally comes from the protection of higher-ups.

This time, I also learned that during Li Wencai’s tenure as the County Magistrate of Qingshui County, corruption and injustice were rampant, causing countless families to be destroyed because of him.

Each time his misconduct was reported to the State Mansion, they would raise it high only to drop it gently, turning major issues into minor ones, and minor ones into nothing.

What I just presented is a record made by Li Wencai himself, detailing not only how much grain he stole from the government granary during his term but also the taxes he embezzled, as well as the expenses he had for bribing other court officials over the years.

He even inquired extensively about the private preferences of other officials to curry favor and tempt them.

I believe that the disaster in Qingshui County, although the main culprit appears to be Li Wencai, he is merely a pawn.

According to Li Wencai’s accounting records, not only the Prefect of Congzhou had monetary dealings with him over the years but also the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, He Zhigao, and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Luo Yushu."

"Enough," Emperor Jin suddenly interrupted Lu Qing, "what you said, I will issue an edict tomorrow, beheading Li Wencai in public to serve as a warning to others.

All those in the Qingshui County Government who were involved with him will be dealt with as accomplices.

Then remove the Prefect of Congzhou from office and investigate the tax accounts of Congzhou over the years.

You have been toiling outside for days; this matter pleases me greatly, so go and take a rest."

"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate." Lu Qing remained in his previous posture, unmoving, as if he hadn’t heard the hint of dismissal in Emperor Jin’s words, "Without the protection of powerful backers, a mere seventh-rank official would not dare to be overly arrogant and reckless in extorting just outside the Imperial City.

The freeze of three feet is not a result of one day’s cold; the disorder in Qingshui County is likely just the tip of the iceberg.

If we only deal with Li Wencai and the Prefect of Congzhou, it might alert the foe without effectively solving the problem at its root!

The big names from the court mentioned in those account books are numerous, and Li Wencai even spent a fortune to buy exotic female slaves just to present them to Lord Luo, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel—"

"Enough, no more!" Emperor Jin knitted his brows in displeasure, glancing at Lu Qing standing below, "It’s merely one accounting book, all recorded by Li Wencai himself, how can it be verified if it is true or false?

Did he say he sent gifts, then he did? If based on one man’s words, I summon a grand inquiry against numerous esteemed court ministers, wouldn’t it chill the hearts of the old ministers who have followed me through hardships?!

Enough, considering your devotion to serving me and caring for the people, I’ll pretend I haven’t heard your occasional inappropriate words here, as there are no outsiders, and you must not bring this up again. This matter ends here!"

"No, it cannot be." Unexpectedly, although Emperor Jin’s tone was already unkind, Lu Qing refused to yield, going even further, "According to what I know, Li Wencai studied under Prince Yi and claimed to be his disciple publicly.

Everyone inside and outside the court knows those connected to Prince Yi can easily catch the favor of Duke Yan, ascending easily in the future.

I believe the issue of factions and cronyism in the court is intensifying and is the effect of actions by the higher ranks, Your Majesty only dealing with minor details may—"

"Enough!" Emperor Jin slapped the desk, rising angrily, sweeping a pile of memorials off the desk with a wave, "Duke Yan followed me through life and death, accomplishing great feats; without his life-threatening help several times in the past, I wouldn’t be where I am today, nor would Jin Country!

Such a meritorious old minister cannot be defamed by just anyone!

I kindly reasoned with you just now, telling you not to arbitrarily suspect my heroic ministers based on a small official’s singular account, so why do you insist on contradicting my will?

If I were to take a random booklet now and write you as a traitor, would it mean you’re truly a traitor?!"

Lu Qing’s golden mask caught the light from the South Study Room, hiding his eye sockets almost completely in shadows: "Your Majesty speaks irrevocable words that hold weight. If you say it is, then it is."

"You—!" Emperor Jin appeared infuriated, his hand pointing at Lu Qing trembling slightly, clutching a Jade Ganoderma Paperweight from the desk, seeming ready to throw it at Lu Qing.

A eunuch nearby quickly stepped forward, imploring softly, managing to take the paperweight from Emperor Jin’s hand.

"If it weren’t for you uprooting a poison from Qingshui County, I wouldn’t have spared you, you reckless one with no sense of propriety!" Emperor Jin scolded, panting loudly, pointing at Lu Qing, then feeling it wasn’t enough to vent his anger, "Have him beaten and driven out of the palace! Without further imperial summons, he is not to enter the palace on his own accord!

And do not let me hear anyone dare to slander meritorious ministers again!"

Zhu Yu seemed taken aback; having observed Lu Qing for days, she always thought he was skillful, shrewd, and difficult to read, but today his stubbornness and obstinacy in the palace were something she had never seen before.

Since Emperor Jin had spoken, the guards originally standing outside the South Study Room entered in file, raising their rods to push Lu Qing and his group out.

The scene got a little chaotic, and Zhu Yu got caught in the middle, stumbling a long way until they were near the palace gate, realizing only then that somehow Lu Qing and the runes had maneuvered her to the front without leaving traces.

The palace guards, strictly following Emperor Jin’s orders, kept swinging their rods from behind to drive them out, though Zhu Yu hadn’t been hit at all.

Thus, the four were pushed through the palace gates, and the guards who had been forcing them out so fiercely moments ago immediately withdrew their rods.

The leader even cupped his hands towards Lu Qing: "Lord Imperial Censor, it was difficult to disobey the imperial command earlier; please forgive us for the offense!"

"No matter." Lu Qing brushed off his clothes, his voice still calm.

The previously clean-shaven eunuch also followed them out, smiling as he squeezed forward outside the archway: "Lord Imperial Censor, you were a bit unperceptive today!

The Holy Emperor clearly can’t bear to hear criticism of Duke Yan, couldn’t you see?

You saw how the Emperor’s anger was rising, yet he ultimately didn’t hit you with the Jade Ganoderma Paperweight. Can you guess why?

Do not blame an old servant for speaking out of turn, but that Jade Ganoderma Paperweight was a birthday present from Duke Yan to the Holy Emperor, and he keeps it on his desk every day. What kind of sovereign-minister relationship is this!

You were doing well with your assignments, the Holy Emperor was satisfied before, so why did you become unperceptive on this matter, causing him to get extremely angry?

Earlier, just having you beaten out of the palace with rods was already leniency, don’t ever bring up inappropriate matters again, or else this old servant won’t have the ability to protect you every time in front of the Holy, do you understand?"