The prince is more stable

Chapter 933 Evidence of guilt
People lack courage, especially emperors.

"Though there be thousands of people, I will go." Very few people can do that.

The emperor sits high in the temple, looking down at his ministers, and he has many more people and things to worry about.

One must consider the consolidation and majesty of imperial power, grasp the changes in the court situation, check the infighting among factions, safeguard the interests of the powerful and wealthy, and also take into account the lives and deaths of the common people.

When a person's thinking is constrained by so many considerations, how can they possibly achieve the best of both worlds?

Zhao Xiaoqian had been on the throne for less than a year, and frankly, he was already very tired.

While it felt good to have great power, the heavy burden on his shoulders also made him feel extremely burdened.

Governing a country is incredibly difficult; those who haven't been in that position will never understand the feeling of being both exhilarated and exhausted.

No wonder so many incompetent rulers have appeared in dynasties throughout history. Zhao Xiaoqian actually longed for a life where he could only enjoy life and not take on any responsibilities.

Only when sitting under Zhang Xiaoyi's grape trellis, eating steamed fish made by his wife, could Zhao Xiaoqian feel a sense of relief and ease.

Sitting in front of Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhang Xiaoyi looked at his seemingly content but actually haggard face and couldn't help but sigh.

He may not understand state affairs and politics, but he could see Zhao Xiaoqian's exhaustion.

"Brother Zian, how about we have a few drinks together today? How about we get drunk together?" Zhang Xiaoyi suddenly said.

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, then laughed: "Drowning your sorrows in alcohol? I don't like doing that. Alcohol only relieves today's sorrows. When you wake up tomorrow, you'll not only be more sorrowful, but you'll also have a hangover headache. It's not worth it."

"Then... shall I accompany you to a brothel? I remember when we first met, it was in a brothel. You should like it, right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent for a long time before saying softly, "In your eyes, am I just a lecherous drunkard who does nothing but drink and seduce?"

Zhang Xiaoyi also fell silent. After a long while, he said quietly, "Before you became emperor, you already had seven wives and concubines. Doesn't that... prove anything?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and instantly lost confidence, muttering, "Am I... really a debauched man?"

Zhang Xiaoyi enthusiastically helped him bolster his confidence, nodding earnestly and firmly: "You are."

"...Besides wine and women, I must have other merits, right?"

Zhang Xiaoyi thought for a moment and said, "At least you are very generous with money. When I first met you, I only ran errands for you to buy soup dumplings, and you gave me a lot of money, enough for my mother and me to live on for a month."

Zhao Xiaoqian felt uneasy: "Your words sound like a compliment, but something just doesn't feel right..."

"Isn't he just a lecherous, drunken playboy?"

Zhang Xiaoyi sighed, "Back then, you were the heir apparent of the King of Chu, and strictly speaking, you were indeed a dissolute playboy."

After saying that, Zhang Xiaoyi laughed again: "Fortunately, you, this playboy, are different from others. You are very loyal and do not look down on poor people, which is why we can become friends."

When talking about how they met back then, Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Xiaoyi both smiled.

It seems that... the memories of the past are always easier and more enjoyable than life now, and more worth reminiscing about. Now, it's no longer the carefree days of youth.

After the two finished laughing, Zhang Xiaoyi got down to business.

"Prefect Lu Changheng of Kaifeng is very supportive of me. With the cooperation of the Kaifeng government officials, all the idlers in Bianjing have been brought together."

“Some of the tough guys who were unwilling to submit were arrested by Kaifeng Prefecture and exiled to other places. Most of the idlers who remained in Kaifeng Prefecture recognized me as their leader. Now, what I say in the streets of Bianjing carries weight, and no one dares to disobey me,” Zhang Xiaoyi said with a smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Then congratulations to Brother Xiao Yi, the big boss of Bianjing City."

Zhang Xiaoyi also laughed: "I'm just doing what you told me to do. Of course, I also want to find a way for the poor brothers in Bianjing to make a living. Running errands and doing odd jobs is not a long-term solution."

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile gradually faded, and he said, "Shi Zhongxian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, committed suicide in front of the palace gate. This matter has a very bad influence."

Zhang Xiaoyi replied decisively, "Is there anything I can do?"

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you going to ask whether things are right or wrong?"

Zhang Xiaoyi shook his head: "I don't understand any new policies or court politics. The affairs of the court are too complicated. You big shots have too many tricks up your sleeves. I can't see right from wrong at all."

"As long as I know you are a good person and a friend, what a good friend does must be right."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily.

Such simple values, and so straightforward and easy to understand.

"Although you don't understand, I need to explain it to you. Simply put, Shi Zhongxian's death was orchestrated by someone behind the scenes to deliberately ruin my reputation and force me to abandon the Fangtian Equal Tax Law. This new policy gave ordinary people a way to make a living, but it blocked the path to wealth for the powerful and wealthy landlords."

The explanation was so simple and easy to understand that Zhang Xiaoyi immediately grasped it, and then he smiled.

"Indeed, you are a good person and a good emperor. What you do must be good... If there is anything you need me to do, just say the word."

Zhao Xiaoqian also laughed.

It feels really good to not let my friends down.

It feels great to be trusted unconditionally by friends.

“I need you to mobilize the idle men of Bianjing City and reverse the current public opinion in the city. Shi Zhongxian is dead, but he was not a good person. Soon someone will tell you about some of his illegal and dishonorable deeds. You need to spread the word about this person.” Zhang Xiaoyi nodded without hesitation: “Okay, leave it to me, don’t worry.”

"In addition, someone will come and explain to you in the most simple and easy-to-understand way the court is about to implement the 'Equal Taxation Law for Fields'. Take notes carefully and then spread the word."

"The new policies I implemented despite public opposition were for the good of the people, to find a way for them to survive, and to prevent the people from starving to death. I did a good deed, yet I am still being scolded by the people. Is this fair? Therefore, I need you to change public opinion. I don't expect the people to be grateful to me, but at least don't scold me."

Zhang Xiaoyi laughed and said, "Don't worry, soon the people of Bianjing will never forget your kindness."

Zhao Xiaoqian said earnestly, "To be honest, it's a blessing that the people can be ruled by an emperor who is young, handsome, and kind-hearted. Please tell the people to cherish me and treat me well."

Zhang Xiaoyi: “…………”

These words would be very difficult to spread, and Zhang Xiaoyi was afraid that he would also be scolded.

"And one more thing……"

Zhang Xiaoyi sat up straight and said seriously, "Go on."

"...Is it worth it to demolish the house in front of your house and dig a fishpond? To be honest, my fishing skills are much better than being an emperor."

"……Do not!"

…………

Imperial City Guard, Ice Well Affairs.

Sitting in the foul-smelling, damp, and cold Bingjingwu prison, Zhen Qing frowned and covered his nose, listening to the shrill screams coming from the torture chamber, feeling extremely uncomfortable all over.

After an unknown amount of time, the door to the torture chamber opened, and Liu Dan, covered in blood, walked out.

His chubby face, which never saw the sun, was filled with excitement, and his eyes gleamed with a twisted, perverse light. As Liu Dan walked, he let out a terrifying, grotesque laugh, looking like a demon crawling out of hell.

Zhen Qing sighed silently. Although this guy was very abnormal, it was undeniable that his efficiency and methods in interrogating prisoners were truly exceptional.

"Haha, it's been so long since I've felt this good! I have to have a few drinks tonight." Liu Dan chuckled strangely.

Zhen Qing ignored his question and simply asked, "Did you get the result?"

Liu Dan chuckled and said, "I have successfully completed my mission. All thirteen of Mr. Shi Zhong's former students, clerks, and close friends have confessed."

Zhen Qing didn't care about the process; he only cared about the result: "What did they confess to?"

"Shi Zhongxian, a Jinshi in the second year of the Yuan You era, successively served as magistrate of Liang County, deputy military commissioner of Tongzhou, censor, secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, registrar of the Ministry of Revenue, and vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhen Qing waved his hand impatiently: "Get to the point, what evidence does Shi Zhongxian have, and who is his backer?"

Liu Dan's smile vanished, and he said, "Shi Zhongxian held various official positions, but he didn't embezzle much money, only about a hundred thousand taels. In that sense, he was already considered an honest official."

Zhen Qing nodded without any surprise. During his more than ten years in office, he only embezzled a few hundred thousand taels of silver. He was indeed an honest official.

The mastermind behind forcing Shi Zhongxian to commit suicide at the palace gate clearly had a well-thought-out plan in selecting the official to be sacrificed. The person who committed suicide had to have a clean record so that no one could find any fault with him. Otherwise, if he was labeled as a bad person, what would be the point of his sacrifice?
However, they probably overestimated the bottom line of the Emperor, Cai Jing, and the Imperial City Guard.

If there is no evidence, evidence can be fabricated.

In short, considering the overall situation of the court, Shi Zhongxian could not be a good person, much less a loyal minister.

If he is a loyal minister, then the emperor is a foolish ruler, and the new policy of equal taxation on the land will lack the confidence to be implemented.

Liu Dan chuckled and said, "Fortunately, in my Bingjingwu, if the officials need evidence, then there will definitely be evidence."

As Liu Dan waved his hand, a eunuch from Bingjingwu handed over a thick stack of confessions.

"The Imperial City Guard has verified that Shi Zhongxian's crimes total seven major offenses and twenty-five minor offenses. Among them, he embezzled 1.2 million taels of silver while in office, owned more than 20,000 hectares of land under the names of his family and relatives, and was involved in more than ten criminal cases, including murder cases, due to his abuse of power and favoritism while in office..."

"Upon investigation, his correspondence with his students, former officials, and close friends revealed numerous defamatory and insulting remarks against the officials. Furthermore, his family and relatives secretly traded with the Liao Kingdom, privately selling salt and iron to them. He cannot escape the crime of colluding with foreign enemies."

Zhen Qing took the thick confession, and even this cold-blooded and ruthless head of secret services couldn't help but feel his eyelids twitching.

"So many crimes, isn't that... a bit too much?" Zhen Qing frowned.

Liu Dan shook his head: "Not at all. Anyway, Shi Zhongxian is a bad person. Bad people must have committed so many crimes."

“If the three judicial departments conduct a review and re-examination…” Zhen Qing said hesitantly.

Liu Dan laughed in a grotesque way: "Let them investigate all they want. Bingjingwu has already prepared all the evidence that can be written on the confession. All the witnesses and physical evidence are complete, and the chain of evidence is fixed and locked. Trying to overturn the case is harder than turning the world upside down."

"The people's hearts are as firm as iron, and the law is as powerful as a furnace. The Ice Well Office is a furnace that can refine iron of any quality. The Emperor has personally issued an edict that evidence of guilt is required. This servant will handle it properly and will not give the Emperor any reason to criticize."

Zhen Qing finally smiled, let out a long sigh, and said, "In that case, Your Majesty can retaliate."

"Those scoundrels in the court dare to plot against the Emperor. They are incredibly audacious. This time, I wonder how many people will have to die to clear the Emperor's name of the injustice he has suffered."

The mention of dead people immediately banished Liu Dan's sleepiness, and he exclaimed excitedly, "Let them die, the more the better! It would be best to send a few living people to Bingjingwu, and this servant will certainly handle them clearly for Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)