Notes on Longevity

Chapter 93 The Ministry of Revenue harbors suspicions; the Emperor and the Minister exchange insults.

After the guards took Lord Zhao away, the commander looked at Emperor Shangyuan with some confusion and said, "Your Majesty, doesn't what you're doing mean that you agreed to Lord Zhang's actions?"

"Commander Tong, do you know where Eunuch Li went?" Emperor Shangyuan did not answer the commander's question, but instead asked about Eunuch Li, whom he had not seen for some time.

"Your Majesty, I do not know." The commander was also puzzled. In the past, whether in the imperial bedchamber or the Qitian Palace, it was always Eunuch Li who accompanied the emperor, but in the past few days, it had suddenly been them.

"Because Minister Zhang's first investigation was of Eunuch Li." After Emperor Shangyuan finished speaking, he walked towards the throne again. "But I did not state my position. Today, after this man surnamed Zhao left home, I had someone escort Eunuch Li to confiscate his property. So even if I kill him now, no one will suspect Minister Zhang. Even if they do suspect him, it will only be a simple guess."

"I see, Your Majesty is wise." The commander looked at Emperor Shangyuan with admiration, his words filled with reverence.

Emperor Shangyuan smiled and said, "This wasn't my idea; it was Minister Zhang's. Although his approach might change many things, in the end I can't protect him. He's too young; how can he fight against a bunch of old foxes? By the way, is Minister Wan Baiyuan still alive?"

"Your humble servant does not know," the commander replied, puzzled.

Emperor Shangyuan nodded and said "Oh". "This old minister has been dismissed from office for many years, and he should have vented his anger enough. Go to the Ministry of Personnel and send the next transfer order to the old minister's home in Beishan County. Tell him to prepare and that it's time for him to return to the capital."

"Yes."

-

"What? Lord Zhao has been sent to the Ministry of Justice prison by His Majesty? Does the Minister know about this?" In the residence of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Song Xinji, the Vice Minister of Revenue, looked at the middle-aged man of similar age in front of him with a look of astonishment and disbelief and asked.

"I went to look for him, but the Minister refused to see anyone." This man, named Yi Ziyi, was also who had gone to Wuyue Tower today. He was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Standing before him was Wang Quande, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

"Do you think it might be that Minister Zhang informed His Majesty?" Yi Ziyi thought for a moment. They had all gone to Wuyue Tower today. But not long after they left, Lord Zhao was arrested. It was really strange.

“Probably not.” Wang Quande shook his head and said firmly, “A few days ago, His Majesty arrested Eunuch Li, who was close to the emperor, saying that Eunuch Li had colluded with officials and investigated many people. This morning, the capital prefecture took Eunuch Li to confiscate Lord Zhao’s house. However, you went to Lord Zhang’s place, so it shouldn’t be him. Even if it is, it means that Lord Zhang was responsible for Eunuch Li’s death, which means that His Majesty has made his position clear and agreed to Lord Zhang’s investigation into the cause of death of the man surnamed Qu and the person who killed him.”

"Then what do we do?" Yi Ziyi immediately became agitated upon hearing this. "We were all involved in this. If that's the case, we won't be able to escape."

"You set up a trap and invite Lord Zhang to your place. Bring plenty of men and make sure he's drunk. That way, we'll have leverage over him." Wang Quande looked at Yi Ziyi with a sinister gaze.

Yi Ziyi asked worriedly, "What if he doesn't come?"

Wang Quande said, "If he doesn't come, we'll impeach him."

Yi Ziyi asked, "How do we impeach him?"

"Next time he asks you to go, don't go. Let someone with a moderate rank go instead."

“But wouldn’t doing this be like revealing our hand to him? Wouldn’t it be the same as telling him directly about the murder?” “Don’t worry, I have a plan.”

-

"What method?" Emperor Shangyuan looked at Zhang Jinggong with suspicion.

"When we dispersed today, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites came to see me." Zhang Jinggong knelt on the ground and looked at the Shangyuan Emperor sitting on the throne in the Qitian Palace. He said, "Back then, when the Minister of Revenue murdered Minister Qu, he knew all the people involved. Although he went there, he did not do anything. He hoped that Your Majesty could leave him a complete corpse."

"What does this have to do with the method you mentioned?" Emperor Shangyuan asked.

“I think today’s events have already spread among the officials, and some of them probably guessed that it was His Majesty’s intention,” Zhang Jinggong said. Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Shangyuan interrupted him, “Get to the point.”

“Someone will definitely try to kill me again, just like they killed Minister Qu last time. If Your Majesty truly wants to punish them, please wait until I invite them back and then surround Wuyue Hall with heavy troops. That way, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop.”

Zhang Jinggong kowtowed after speaking, but the emperor flew into a rage. He stood up and walked to the table where the memorials were being reviewed. "Zhang Jinggong, do you know what you're doing? You're destroying my foundation! I regret it now! This matter doesn't need to be investigated anymore! Get out!"

"Your Majesty! Allowing woodworms to gnaw at an ancient tree is tantamount to destroying its own foundation! Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Zhang Jinggong shouted in a panic.

"Think twice about what? You've killed so many officials, where am I supposed to find replacements? Among those officials killed, do you even know if there are any military personnel among them? What if they rebel and raise an army? Tell me what to do!" Emperor Shangyuan was furious at Zhang Jinggong's words. He thought to himself, how could he have agreed to do this in the first place? It was truly absurd!
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" But Zhang Jinggong remained unyielding and insisted on finding out the truth. He knew how many officials were involved and that doing so would severely damage the Great Yan Dynasty, but temporary damage was better than lifelong pain.

"Get out! Get out of here!" Emperor Shangyuan felt he had been too good to Zhang Jinggong! Giving him such a high-ranking official position right from the start. But what was he doing? He was trying to destroy his foundation! At this moment, even before anyone else could kill him, he already felt the urge to kill him.

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Jinggong wanted to say something more.

"Get out! If you say that again, believe me or I'll kill you!" The Supreme God of the Yuan Dynasty looked very ugly. He pulled out the sword that was placed aside and pointed it at Zhang Jinggong, who was kneeling there.

"If Your Majesty can rectify this, I am willing to die!" Zhang Jinggong kowtowed again.

"Guards! Drag him out!" The Emperor was furious. He was afraid he would lose control and actually take action, so he could only let the guards outside the door come in.

After Commander Tong entered with several men, he dragged the bowing Zhang Jinggong straight out. The Emperor trembled at the sight. He drew his sword and threw it to the ground, his body shaking with rage and his breathing rapid.

After Zhang Jinggong was dragged outside the hall, Commander Tong followed him out. He helped Zhang Jinggong up, shook his head, and said, "Lord Zhang, why do you have to do this? In over a thousand years, haven't similar things happened countless times? And we've all gotten through it. You just..."

"What do you, a mere guard commander, know? An official who does not love the people, disrespect the emperor, or fear the emperor's might will surely bring about the downfall of the nation!" Zhang Jinggong was already furious with the Emperor Shangyuan, and then he was persuaded by a mere guard commander. He then launched into a tirade against Commander Tong.

At the same time, the emperor's voice came from inside the hall, "If you don't get out, I'll throw you in the Ministry of Justice's prison!"

(End of this chapter)