Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 126 Interrogation 2

Li Yan stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Reporting to Censor Yang, this humble general was at the back of the ranks at the time."

I saw with my own eyes that Minister Yue's horse suddenly charged forward and collided with a Wa cavalryman.

The avalanche occurred after the cavalryman screamed.

Yang Shan asked, "Why do you think Minister Yue's horse was startled?"

Li Yan said, "This humble general believes that Minister Yue's horse was not startled intentionally."

Because deliberately startling a horse in that situation could result in the rider being buried by an avalanche.

Moreover, Minister Yue treated the Emperor Emeritus with utmost respect throughout the journey.

"I've never been negligent in the slightest, how could I possibly harm him?"

Yang Shan said, "Perhaps that's what he's betting on—pretending to die together with someone to clear his name."

Li Yan's face flushed red, and he was about to retort when Yue Qian raised his hand to stop him.

Yue Qian looked at Yang Shan: "Censor-in-Chief Yang, do you believe this was man-made, rather than a natural disaster?"

Yang Shan said: "I am not certain, but merely suspicious."

There had to be an explanation for the death of the retired emperor.

As the Censor-in-Chief, it is my duty to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Yue Qian nodded: "The Emperor Emeritus encountered trouble on his way back. I am guilty of dereliction of duty and am willing to accept punishment."

However, I absolutely refuse to admit that I deliberately caused the death of the Emperor Emeritus.

The avalanche was a natural disaster; the Oirat people's killing to silence witnesses was a conspiracy. I have a clear conscience.

Silence fell over the hall.

After a long silence, Xue Xuan asked, "Minister Yue, I have another question."

After the avalanche, you fought a fierce battle with the Oirat people and annihilated them.

Could you elaborate on this matter?

Yue Qian glanced at Li Yan.

Li Yan replied, "Reporting to Lord Xue, after the avalanche, I crawled out of the snow to count the number of people."

Then Batel crawled out of the snow, rushed to Yue Shangshu, and drew his sword to strike.

I tried to block him, and then he started fighting with me.

His men rushed at us, and we got into a melee.

Xue Xuan asked, "Why not leave any survivors?"

Li Yan said, "Lord Xue, in that situation, no one could be spared."

Batel has gone mad; he's determined to kill Minister Yue.

His men went mad too.

If we don't kill them, they will kill us.

The numbers were roughly equal at the time; if they had shown mercy, we would have been the ones to die.

Xue Xuan asked, "Was the battlefield cleaned up and evidence searched after the battle?"

Li Yan said, "It's been cleared, but the avalanche buried everything. All we can find are corpses and weapons."

The subordinate ordered his men to collect the bodies of the fallen brothers, and then threw the corpses of the Oirat people into the canyon.

Later, we were in a hurry and couldn't bring them all back.

Xue Xuan nodded and looked at Yu Shiyue and Yang Shan: "Do you two have any further questions?"

The two then asked the remaining soldiers related questions.

The answer they received was almost identical to what Yue Qian and Li Yan had said.

Finally, Xue Xuan said, "Then today's questioning ends here."

We will organize the records and submit them to His Majesty upon our return.

Minister Yue, Commander Li, you may leave.

Yue Qian stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the three chief officers, and then led Li Yan and the others out of the hall.

After walking out of the Ministry of Justice, Li Yan let out a sigh of relief: "Minister Yue, is that all?"

Yue Qian glanced at him: "That's it, what else do you want?"

Li Yan scratched his head: "This humble general thought—thought they would make things difficult for us."

Yue Qian smiled and said, "What's there to make things difficult for? We're just telling the truth, what's there to be afraid of?"

Li Yan grinned and said, "That's true."

Inside the main hall of the Ministry of Justice, Yang Shan sat in a chair for a long time without saying a word.

Xue Xuan walked to his side and whispered, "Imperial Censor Yang, are you still thinking?"

Yang Shan sighed: "Lord Xue, do you think Minister Yue's words are true or false?"

Xue Xuan said, "In my opinion, Minister Yue's words are clear and consistent, and do not seem to be false."

The guards' testimonies also matched what he said.

If it were truly fabricated, it couldn't be made up so convincingly.

Yang Shan said, "But—I feel like something's not right."

Xue Xuan asked, "Does Censor Yang think the Emperor Emeritus died too conveniently?"

Yang Shan nodded.

After a moment of silence, Xue Xuan said, "I must say something I shouldn't have."

It was indeed quite a coincidence that the retired emperor encountered misfortune on his way home.

But cleverness is not the same as conspiracy.

If it were truly a conspiracy, why would Yue Qian personally risk his life?

He could easily have sent someone else.

Furthermore, if it were truly His Majesty's instruction, why would His Majesty require us, the Three Judicial Offices, to conduct this inquiry?

Why not just press it down directly?

Yang Shan said, "It is precisely because His Majesty has allowed us to question him that I find it even more strange."

If Your Majesty truly wishes to protect Yue Qian, there is no need for such unnecessary measures.

Xue Xuan said, "Perhaps His Majesty wants to let the truth come out and shut up any gossip."

Yang Shan looked at him and sighed: "Maybe."

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Xing'an carefully reported the proceedings of the interrogation, while secretly observing Zhu Qiyu's expression.

After listening, Zhu Qiyu suddenly laughed: "That old fellow Yang Shan is quite a tough nut to crack."

In front of so many people, Yue Qian was rendered speechless by their question.

Xing'an cautiously said, "Your Majesty, Minister Yue seems to be—not speechless."

Zhu Qiyu glanced at him: "I know, I was praising Yang Shan."

Xing'an dared not respond.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "Have the three judicial departments compile the interrogation records and submit them as soon as possible."

Xing'an bowed and said, "As you command."

Three days later, the interrogation records from the three judicial departments were presented to Zhu Qiyu.

After carefully reviewing the document, Zhu Qiyu wrote a few lines: "Although Yue Qian bears responsibility for oversight, the avalanche was indeed a natural disaster, beyond human control."

The battle between Li Yan and others and Waji was a self-defense counterattack, which is understandable.

Yue Qian was fined six months' salary but retained his original position.

Li Yan and others were fined three months' salary, but remained in their original positions.

Fallen guards will receive preferential treatment in compensation.

The release of this document sparked widespread discussion both within and outside the government.

"Your Majesty is still protecting Yue Qian."

"If the three judicial departments can't find any problems, what else can we do?"

"Hmph, a six-month salary deduction, what kind of punishment is that?"

But in any case, this matter has come to an end.

A few days later, Zhu Qiyu summoned Yu Qian to the palace: "How are the preparations for the Military Academy under Junior Guardian Yu progressing?"

Yu Qian took out a thick folded document from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, this is a draft of regulations prepared by your subject in conjunction with the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Revenue. Please review it."

Zhu Qiyu took the fold book and flipped through it page by page.

The charter is written in great detail and consists of eight chapters: General Provisions, School Buildings, Instructors, Students, Curriculum, Assessment, Funding, and Supplementary Provisions.

Zhu Qiyu nodded repeatedly as he read, occasionally asking a few questions.

How are the instructors' salaries determined?

What is the standard of living for students' meals?

"Does the course schedule take into account the busy farming season throughout the year?"

After reading it, Zhu Qiyu closed the folding book: "I have read the plan. It is generally feasible, but there are a few points that I need to revise."

Yu Qian said, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qiyu said: "First, the source of the students."

The people recommended by each sanatorium must undergo an assessment.

Those that don't meet the requirements will be returned, and the recommender will be held accountable.

Yu Qian was taken aback: "Your Majesty, what is this—"

Zhu Qiyu: "I want those border generals to know."

The military academy was a place for cultivating talent.

It's not for giving favors or building relationships.

If the people they recommend are utterly useless, they'll only be embarrassing themselves.

Yu Qian suddenly realized, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

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