Prime Minister.

Chapter 18 018 [The Sacred Heart]

When Xue Huai pulled out the book "Notes on River Engineering," most people knew that Gu Heng had no hope of being brought back to life.

Gu Heng understood this as well, but his survival instinct still made him kneel down and say in a panic, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was unaware that there were omissions in the old records of the Ministry of Works. Therefore, I misunderstood Lord Xue Wensu for a moment. It was by no means a malicious slander or frame-up. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

The book "Notes on River Work" not only contains Xue Mingzhang's experience in water management, but also various details of the construction of the Yangzhou Dike. It is very easy to verify. In addition, Xue Huai had just refuted his doubts with reason and evidence. Gu Heng knew that he could no longer be stubborn, so he became even more respectful to Xue Mingzhang.

At this moment, he did not expect to be safe and sound; the best outcome would be to be spared the death penalty.

"Your Majesty, I do not believe that Physician Gu is completely unaware of the hidden truth!"

Xue Huai immediately spoke up, giving Gu Heng no room for excuses.

It wasn't that he didn't know when to stop, but rather that after more than ten years of experience in his previous life in officialdom, he had already grasped a very simple principle: in officialdom, if you don't act, you don't act; but once you do, you can't be soft-hearted and you absolutely can't give the other party a chance to make a comeback.

Moreover, this world is unfamiliar and dangerous to him. Since he has decided to do it, he must be ruthless to the end. Being fickle will only make others look down on him.

On the dragon throne, the middle-aged emperor calmly asked, "Why?"

Gu Heng couldn't help but turn to look at Xue Huai. At this moment, his eyes were extremely complicated, containing resentment, fear, and a hint of pleading.

Xue Huai naturally didn't care. He said directly, "Your Majesty, the Yangzhou dike, which my late father oversaw the construction of, has stood for ten years. During these ten years, it has withstood the impact of floods many times without any major danger. Normally, as long as the dike is maintained in a timely and effective manner, it can last for at least thirty years. I would like to cite two examples: the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Anfengtang Dam. These two water conservancy facilities were completed more than a thousand years ago and are still functioning today."

The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly: "Go on."

Xue Huai stood tall and solemnly, speaking calmly and slowly: "Your Majesty, given the sturdiness of the dike my late father built, it should not have collapsed so easily after ten years. Therefore, I can make a bold conjecture: in the past ten years, the relevant departments of the Ministry of Works have been extremely negligent in the maintenance and reinforcement of the Yangzhou dike! This explains why Physician Gu was so audacious as to try to frame a virtuous minister who has been dead for six years! He knew that if the court continued to investigate, it would surely uncover the Ministry of Works' shady dealings over the years, and at that time, even his life would not be enough to pay for it!"

A commotion arose inside the main hall, drawing the cold, stern gaze of the Imperial Censor.

"No...that's not how it is, Your Majesty, please let me explain!"

Gu Heng was completely panicked. He had no desire to resent Xue Huai anymore, because the other party had truly grasped his Achilles' heel.

No government office in the court can withstand close scrutiny, not even the prestigious Hanlin Academy, let alone a place like the Ministry of Works' Water Conservancy Department, which is lucrative.

The emperor temporarily ignored Gu Heng, who was weeping uncontrollably, and instead glanced at Xue Huai a few more times.

A few days ago, the Jing'an Division secretly reported that Xue Huai, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, accidentally fell into the Jiuqu River near the Qinglu Villa, but was rescued by Jiang Li's guards.

It is said that Xue Huai's temperament changed drastically after he regained consciousness. He seemed to mature and become steady overnight, no longer like a grumpy and obsessive mountain guard dog.

At first, the emperor dismissed this idea, believing that it was easier to change the landscape than to change one's nature. How could Xue Huai have changed his nature because of an accident?

If things were that simple, Shen Wang and Cui Shi wouldn't have been so worried these past two years.

Today's grand court session, Xue Huai's unhesitating act of stepping forward seemed to confirm the emperor's judgment. However, in the process that followed, the emperor discovered that Xue Huai had indeed changed somewhat compared to the past.

So he decided to take another look.

"What do you think was the sole reason Gu Heng framed the virtuous minister?"

The emperor's calm yet oppressive voice rang out, and Xue Huai quickly sensed the scrutinizing tone within it.

In fact, Xue Huai knew very well that his actions today had disrupted the emperor's plans, and the emperor would probably be somewhat displeased. In the emperor's eyes, this game had only just begun, and the one who had just stepped in was a pawn like Gu Heng. The main player had not even revealed his shadow yet, not to mention that the other forces were still watching.

Logically speaking, this matter needs to be brewed and fermented for a while. Gu Heng will stand at the center of the storm for a period of time until the emperor confirms that the time is right before he takes action.

Unexpectedly, at the very beginning of the game, Xue Huai jumped out and overturned the chessboard.

Gu Heng's fate was sealed, so naturally no one else would make a move.

Xue Huai's mind raced, and as he thought, he said, "Your Majesty, after much consideration, I can only think of this one possibility."

He has already achieved his goal, so there's no need to create unnecessary complications. It's more reasonable for him to return to his true self.

Upon hearing his words, regardless of what others thought, Chen Quan, the lecturer standing at the back, breathed a sigh of relief.

He was glad that he hadn't gotten involved like Gu Heng, otherwise his fate wouldn't have been much better. He was even more glad that Xue Huai hadn't dragged him into it.

However, he didn't know that Xue Huai had never forgotten him, the troublemaker. But since he hadn't directly said that Gu Heng's impeachment was very likely instigated by someone, why would he settle accounts with Chen Quan so early?
Like Gu Heng, Chen Quan was merely a pawn. Before the outcome was certain, Xue Huai had enough patience to wait quietly.

"Gu Heng".

The Emperor did not press Xue Huai further, but turned to the trembling Director of the Waterways Bureau, and said indifferently, "Why did you impeach Xue Mingzhang?" "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Gu Heng's teeth were chattering, making it impossible for him to utter a complete sentence.

A flash of malice crossed the Emperor's eyes, and he said with disgust, "Strip him of his official robes and hand him over to the Jing'an Division for thorough interrogation."

"Your Majesty, spare me—spare me!"

Gu Heng's face turned pale, and he cried out in panic, but the hall remained silent, and no one stepped forward to plead for him at this moment.

Two imperial guards stepped forward, lifted Gu Heng up, and dragged him away from the Hall of Supreme Harmony as if he were a dead fish.

"Xue Huai".

"The minister is here."

Suddenly there was no further comment. Just as Xue Huai thought that the emperor was about to give him a token praise for his actions that day, or to subtly admonish him to be patient and humble, the emperor said calmly, "You may leave."

Xue Huai was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening and bowed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

The emperor didn't look at him again, and immediately got up and walked towards the rear hall. The chief eunuch Zeng Min hurriedly called out loudly, "Court adjourned!"

This grand festival, held on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, came to an abrupt and unexpected end.

About an incense stick later, at the Wenhua Hall.

More than ten high-ranking officials in purple robes filed in, led by Grand Secretary Ning Hengzhi, with Shen Wang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, also present.

The officials bowed respectfully, and the emperor, seated behind his desk, holding the scroll of "Notes on River Works" in his hands, looked up at them and said, "No need for formalities."

"I have summoned all my ministers here to hear your opinions on this matter."

The emperor put down the scroll and said bluntly, "Speak freely, and I will not punish you for what you say."

Minister of Works Xue Minglun immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die ten thousand times over."

The emperor raised a slight eyebrow: "What crime have you committed?"

Xue Minglun said with shame, "As the Minister of Works, it would be a great crime for me to be lax in my governance."

The Emperor paused for a moment, then said coldly, “You have done a remarkable job in the Ministry of Works these past few years. I thought you could manage it well, but I never expected you couldn’t even control the four senior officials! You’re foolish! If Xue Huai hadn’t found this manuscript at home, Gu Heng would have succeeded. Not only would Xue Mingzhang’s reputation have been damaged, but I would have been implicated as well! If the world knew that the virtuous minister I personally promoted was so incompetent, where would I put my face?”

Sweat beaded on Xue Minglun's forehead, but he breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the emperor is still willing to get angry, that's fine.

He dared not argue and repeatedly begged for forgiveness.

The emperor naturally knew what this important minister was thinking. After scolding him, he said quietly, "So when you summoned Xue Huai that day, you handed him those records from the old archives of the Ministry of Works?"

This isn't hard to guess.

Xue Huai was able to defeat Gu Heng in one fell swoop today because he knew himself and his enemy. He not only had the notes left by Xue Mingzhang, but he also knew Gu Heng's trump cards very well.

He certainly couldn't do that on his own, unless Xue Minglun intervened.

Xue Minglun dared not conceal the truth and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty is wise beyond measure. I only thought that Xue Mingzhang and his son were both loyal ministers and would never engage in any corrupt practices. However... I did not expect Xue Huai to be so impatient and unwilling to exercise any restraint. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

The emperor knew he could only believe half of what he heard.

Although Xue Huai was only a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, his character was already well-known, so how could Xue Minglun not know it?

Ultimately, the Minister of Works was afraid that things might get complicated and that someone might use Gu Heng as a pawn to expose too many problems within the Ministry of Works.

Nowadays, the investigation will mostly be limited to Gu Heng himself, and at most the Water Conservancy Bureau will be added, so that the entire Ministry of Works will not suffer a shock.

Looking at Xue Minglun's respectful expression, he slowly asked, "Then who do you think forced Gu Heng to frame Xue Mingzhang?"

Though spoken softly, his words struck Xue Minglun like a thunderbolt.

(End of this chapter)