The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 402 The Torment of Waiting, The Boots Finally Landing

If we're talking about the hottest topic in the imperial court lately, it has to be the "Daily Roll Call Report" produced by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics—oh no, I mean the Official Gazette.

This "rectifying the source" department is even more diligent than a crowing rooster, checking on people every day without letting up, never missing a day, and striking with precision.

The official gazette has only been published for two issues, and someone has already been "honored" twice.

This person was directly promoted to "key target for investigation after being dismissed from office".

As one of the driving forces behind this strike, Shin Hang-se has been extremely busy lately.

Why? We need to appease people!
After all, if he doesn't attend court again, he'll be getting a "demotion package" for the third time.

Which of these successful candidates didn't study hard for more than ten years, losing half their heads, before finally getting to their current positions?
It hasn't come easily to where we are today!

Now, to make them lose their positions would be like throwing away most of their life's efforts into a pit, wouldn't it? Of course they wouldn't want that!

If the imperial court wants to increase taxes and make the gentry pay money, it will just mean paying a little more silver.

But if you go head-to-head with the imperial court, you'll lose your secure job!
What's even more infuriating is: why are we the only ones singled out when everyone else is boycotting court?

This is clearly unfair! I'm not having it!
Chu Qiujian stared at his own name on the official gazette, his teeth itching with anger: Why is it that this old fox Shen Xingshi is always jumping around behind the scenes, but he himself isn't on the list?

That day, Shen Xingshi invited Chu Qiujian and several other fellow sufferers who had been "re-entering the palace" to a high-class restaurant, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, now is a critical time for the court to be dismissed!"

"As long as we hold on, the imperial court will eventually have to give in."

"But if we back down, all our previous efforts will have been for nothing!"

“I believe that no one wants to see their efforts go to waste, and no one wants to stand by and watch those ‘oppressive policies’ take root.”

Chu Qiujian stared at the spotless hem of Shen Xingshi's official robe, listening silently, but cursing inwardly: "You make it sound so easy, how come I've never seen your name in the official gazette?"
If you're so capable, try making the list and getting reported every time, then see if you'll still be laughing!
The others at the table remained silent, exchanging glances, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Shen Xingshi had no choice but to continue making empty promises: "Everyone, our situation is currently excellent!"

"If anyone were to go to court now, it would be like a thousand-mile dike collapsing due to an ant hole!"

"I can assure you all that if we just persevere a little longer, the future will be absolutely bright!"

At this moment, an official surnamed Wang suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

"Brother Shen is right! Now is the time to test our endurance!"

"The imperial court cannot remain empty forever!"

"As the sage said: 'Life is what I desire, and righteousness is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I will give up life for righteousness!'"

"We are all scholars who have studied the classics; how can we bow our heads at this time? What does losing our official positions matter? What we want is our ideals!"

Hearing these impassioned words, Chu Qiujian cursed inwardly:

You actually dare to say losing your job is nothing? Bullshit!

"You think you're so high and mighty? If you want to uphold justice, go do it yourself. Don't drag us down with you!"

But all he could say was, "Brother Wang is right! Let's continue the suspension of court tomorrow! We'll treat that official gazette like it's nothing!"

After a hearty meal and drinks, everyone went home, tipsy and unwell.

Once everyone had left, Shen Xingshi, who had just been "drunk and confused," immediately sobered up and, holding his brother Wang's hand, said:
"Brother Wang, we are so grateful to you for stepping forward and setting the pace today!"

At this moment, Brother Wang had lost his earlier bravado and solemnly said, "It's not easy for me to play the bad cop; there's a price to pay. Don't forget what we agreed on."

Shen Xingshi solemnly guaranteed: "Don't worry, within six months of the end of the court session, I guarantee you a promotion and a raise!"

The two said their goodbyes and left while they were talking.

On his way home, Shen Xingshi felt as if he were carrying two bags of rice on his shoulders, and his heart felt as heavy as if he were carrying several large stones.

This strike is like walking a tightrope high in the air; one wrong step and you'll fall flat on your face. It seems to be getting more and more difficult to handle.

The promises the Third Prince made seemed increasingly appealing, but the Third Prince himself felt increasingly uncertain about them.

Those who were persuaded to stay today, will they really keep their promises and withstand the enormous pressure of losing their positions? Won't they go to work tomorrow?

The next morning, Shen Xingshi became increasingly worried and personally went to the homes of several key individuals to check on them.

Walking down the street, he suddenly noticed that there were many more sedan chairs on the street.

Looking at those sedan chairs, but unable to discern anything about them, he could only shake his head and laugh at himself, realizing he was being paranoid and suspicious of everything.

To his relief, those colleagues he was worried about were all staying at home and none of them were on duty.

This truly delighted Shen Xingshi!

But just as he was planning to fool someone else that afternoon, a well-informed colleague brought back a bolt from the blue:
The Ministry of Personnel issued over a hundred official documents in one go, drawing two hundred assistant officials from various prefectural offices to come to the capital for training and development.

Second-ranking officers in remote areas are required to take up their posts within two months!

The assistant officials in Zhili and the four provinces of Hebei and Shanxi, which are close to the capital, must take up their posts within a month!

Upon hearing about the Ministry of Personnel's action, Shen Xingshi's hands trembled, and he felt a buzzing in his head.

He then suddenly realized that the sedan chairs that had suddenly appeared on the street were probably people secretly going to board them!

Although these assistant officials held low-ranking positions in the government office, they were generally not given important responsibilities.

But they were skilled workers.

He could bring them over and they'd be ready to jump right in and take over the work. Although he didn't know their backgrounds, one thing was certain:
These people have been eagerly anticipating a move to Beijing, and this transfer is like a hungry wolf finally getting a meat bun.
After all, anyone who comes from a formal position in one of the Six Ministries can be promoted one rank once they are assigned to a local post. Who wouldn't cherish such a good opportunity?

The arrival of these "backup plans" made it easier for the imperial court to take decisive action against those who did not perform their duties.

The news will surely cause widespread panic!
What should I do next?
Perhaps we should meet with the Third Prince and discuss this with him.

Shen Xingshi's guess was absolutely correct.

The arrival of these assistant officials was clearly a "reserve" for the anti-court movement.

As soon as the news spread, the previously steadfast camp was like a hornet's nest that had been poked, buzzing and many people couldn't sit still!

Chu Qiujian was at home sighing and yelling at his wife:

"The establishment of the Bureau for Rectifying the Source and the creation of regulations for rectifying the source are all for the purpose of having a legitimate reason to deal with those of us who have refused to attend court."

"And that so-called 'pillar of the nation' training program is just to send people they don't like to remote areas so they can avoid seeing them and getting annoyed."

"With this plan in place, I think there won't be many people who dare to get angry anymore."

"As for the assistant officials transferred from various prefectures, the purpose is also very clear: to replace us."

"With the Crown Prince launching three attacks simultaneously, those who had suspended court are basically unable to withstand it."

Faced with Chu Qiujian's sighs and lamentations, his wife said bluntly, "Since you know they can't win, why are you still staying at home and stubbornly holding on?"

"If you don't go on duty today, this will be the third time you've been reported."

"If we demote you and send you to a remote area to train you up properly, making you some kind of junior officer, then your life will be over."

"Our whole family will suffer and endure hardship with you, even if we have to starve!"

Chu Qiujian scratched his head and said helplessly, "But if I go on duty now, won't I become a traitor despised by everyone!"

"How am I supposed to face anyone after this?!"

His wife couldn't help but scold, "Chu Qiujian, you're such a blockhead!"

"Don't you think about it? Even if you become a traitor, in other people's eyes you are still the same person. But once you are demoted or even dismissed..."

"Will anyone still care about you after that?!"

"Think about it!"

"If you are exiled to a remote place, you will be too ashamed to face anyone."

"You won't be able to see him even if you want to!"

Chu Qiujian was taken aback by his wife's words and asked, "You mean I should go to work?"

"Of course we should go. How much does it have to do with our family if officials and gentry have to pay taxes together?"

“I had someone calculate it, and our family pays at most a little over one hundred taels of silver a year.”

"Just be frugal at home."

"But if you are dismissed from your post, believe me, the money spent on bribes and favors will be several times more than this. At that time, who will remember that you contributed to the overthrow of the court?"

Chu Qiujian's wife said, "Go to your shift."

"If anyone runs into you, just say you're going to get something."

Although Chu Qiujian was still somewhat uneasy, he finally made up his mind to go and check on his duty room.

After being bombarded with questions by his wife, Chu Qiujian finally wavered.

He sneaked towards the duty room, feeling as if the eyes of passersby were mocking him, as if the word "traitor" was written all over his face.

The people around him seemed to be mocking him.

But when he arrived at the duty room, he found that his four colleagues were sitting there, even though it was quiet.

However, when he pushed open the door to the duty room, he saw four colleagues sitting upright in their respective positions—

Everyone pretends to be working diligently, but in reality, they're all just killing time and slacking off.

Upon seeing Chu Qiujian, the four exchanged knowing smiles, none of them revealing anything.

Looking at his four smiling colleagues, Chu Qiujian's last trace of hesitation vanished completely.

He very calmly clasped his hands in greeting to his four colleagues.

Just then, someone shouted loudly, "The Bureau of Investigation and Verification is conducting an inspection. All officials are requested to perform their duties and refrain from wandering around unnecessarily."

Hearing the shout, Chu Qiujian breathed a sigh of relief—he finally made it!
This time, there's no need for a "glorious demotion" in the official gazette. I'm not too late!

According to the official gazette from the Bureau of Rectification and Purification, I will not be demoted this time.

The people from the Zhengbenqingyuan Division came and went quickly, only taking attendance and noting down the list of absentees.

But as soon as they left, the atmosphere in the duty room immediately became lively. Someone chuckled softly, "I wonder which idiot will get demoted and reprimanded today?"

Hearing this, Chu Qiujian felt a mix of emotions. The "sacrifice for righteousness" that he once cherished had become a synonym for foolishness in the eyes of others.

(End of this chapter)