Watching Zhang Jun retreat into his study, seemingly casual yet almost like he was fleeing, Su Cen stood in place, frowning in deep thought. This case was indeed problematic.
The moment the Lu Family Village was mentioned, Zhang Jun’s expression shifted. And when he brought up the ghost servant and the Mountain Goddess, there was a flicker of fear on Zhang Jun’s face that he couldn’t conceal. It was clear he remembered the case, but for some reason, he was unwilling to talk about it. What could possibly exist in that village that would strike fear into someone like Zhang Jun, who had faced countless treacherous terrains?
Could Chen Guanglu’s subsequent retirement and disappearance be tied to this case as well?
As these thoughts churned in his mind, Su Cen made his way into the rear hall. By this time, others had already arrived, busy categorizing and sorting reports sent from various regions. Just as Su Cen entered, he overheard someone grumbling, “Another report about the same case—three or four submissions already. This is like sprinkling salt in the crotch—pointlessly irritating. Don’t they consider how much effort it takes us here in the capital to verify all this nonsense daily?”
Su Cen cleared his throat, and the person immediately fell silent, looking sheepish as they greeted him, “Lord Su.”
Having spent half a year in the capital, Su Cen had become more attuned to social dynamics. With a light smile, he asked, “Which case has you so frustrated?”
The man exhaled in relief and placed the document on the table with a smile. “It’s from Yangzhou. They keep sending the same thing every few days. I have no idea what they’re trying to accomplish.”
Su Cen picked up a pile of cases to review and added the report to the top of his stack. “I’ll take a look and see what it’s all about.”
Initially, Su Cen intended to review the cases in the rear hall, but the incessant chatter and movement around him grated on his nerves. Deciding to relocate, he carried the files back to his study. There, he first opened the window to let in fresh air, then moved Song Jiancheng’s orchids into the sunlight. Only after stretching and brewing himself a cup of tea did he settle down to work.
Those orchids were notoriously delicate—too cold, too hot, too dry, or too wet, and they’d wither. Su Cen often felt that Song Jiancheng had left the orchids behind just to torment him. After all, it wouldn’t do to neglect or kill something left in his care. Still, of all the plants in the world, why orchids? He had to treat them like royalty, tending to their every need, much like how he had to deal with Li Shi.
The thought made Su Cen chuckle. Li Shi’s temperament was indeed much like these orchids—aloof and arrogant, demanding careful handling. You couldn’t oppose or provoke him. And if you somehow offended his “imperial will,” well, you wouldn’t be getting out of bed anytime soon.
His cheeks reddened at the thought, and he cleared his throat, carefully watering the orchids as though performing a sacred ritual.
When he returned to the desk and spread out the documents, the faint fragrance of orchids wafted in, mingling with the aroma of tea, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
The first report he opened was precisely the one the man had called “pointlessly irritating.” Straightening his posture, Su Cen began to read carefully. He wanted to see if it truly was as troublesome as claimed.
As he read word by word, his brow gradually furrowed. Reaching the end, he flipped back to check the official who had submitted it.
Yangzhou’s Chief Recorder, Feng Yiming.
Could it be that Feng Yiming was just some greenhorn?
But as a Chief Recorder of Yangzhou, he was at least a fifth-rank official. Considering the imperial examination system was now the main path to officialdom, anyone who rose to such a position should at least be a Jinshi graduate. Surely he wouldn’t write a memorial that poorly, right?
Yet this particular memorial was utterly disorganized. A verbose and rambling piece that, when boiled down, simply reported a murder on a courier route. The victim’s identity and the location were both vague, and there was no mention of the investigative process. The conclusion? A single line: Suspected case of revenge killing.
No wonder someone had been cursing earlier—how could such a report be properly reviewed and registered?
After reading it through again and finding nothing of value, Su Cen picked up his brush and wrote “Pending Review” on the document. He set it aside separately.
By the time the sun dipped low in the sky, Su Cen had finished reviewing the remaining cases. Stretching to relieve the tension in his shoulders, he carefully moved the orchids back inside, locked the door, and left the office. By then, he’d already forgotten all about that initial case.
Su Cen never expected to hear Feng Yiming’s name again—this time, during a court assembly.
The Imperial Censor of the Huainan Road had formally impeached Feng Yiming, accusing him of corruption and bribery. Specifically, he was alleged to have accepted bribes from salt smugglers and turned a blind eye to their operations, leading to rampant illegal salt trade. The evidence was reportedly comprehensive, and all that remained was for the young emperor to give the word, and Feng Yiming would be sent to prison.
The more Su Cen listened, the more off it seemed. Setting aside how a lowly seventh-rank censor managed to gather evidence of bribery against Feng Yiming, his speech—articulate and thorough—didn’t sound like something an obscure minor official could pull off.
Sure enough, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel stepped forward to add fuel to the fire: “In past years’ performance evaluations by the Ministry of Personnel, Feng Yiming showed little to no achievement during his tenure. He has also clashed repeatedly with his superior, the Governor of Yangzhou, over various policies. Furthermore, his shortsightedness and indecisive nature make him ill-suited for such an important post. Yangzhou is a vital economic hub, accounting for the majority of the nation’s tax revenue. Feng Yiming is clearly not up to the task.”
Su Cen thought to himself: It’s exactly as they say—where there’s skill, there’s always someone better. First, the Imperial Censor delivered a devastating critique, thoroughly discrediting Feng Yiming. Then, the Vice Minister of Personnel stepped in with a more measured yet equally damning assessment, sidestepping accusations of corruption and instead targeting his competence and character. Finally, the emphasis on Yangzhou’s significance sealed the argument: Feng Yiming had to be removed, no matter what.
Who had Feng Yiming offended to warrant such a thorough takedown?
Su Cen couldn’t help but recall the memorial Feng Yiming had submitted a while ago. At the time, he’d been focused solely on the case details and hadn’t paid much attention to where it had occurred.
There’s a saying: With ten thousand strings of coins at your waist, ride a crane to Yangzhou. Renowned for its vibrant nightlife and romantic allure, Yangzhou was also celebrated for its immense wealth and commercial prosperity, earning it the title of “the richest under heaven.” Merchants from all over the Great Zhou gathered there, and its bustling affluence rivaled even Chang’an. Yangzhou alone contributed six or seven-tenths of the Huainan Road’s tax revenue.
The Su family, merchants for generations, naturally wouldn’t overlook such fertile ground. Their largest branch of tea houses was located in Yangzhou. Furthermore, the Yue family’s main cloth shop in Jiangning was nearby, and Su Cen’s eldest brother was currently stationed in Yangzhou, dedicating himself to managing the family’s branch operations.
The prosperity of Yangzhou was undeniable, but it was also a place prone to troubles—like the ongoing fierce dispute between official and private salt traders, with Yangzhou as the main battlefield.
Judging from the Imperial Censor’s impeachment, it seemed Feng Yiming was inclined to side with the private salt traders. If he truly was involved with them, could that previously vague case really be as simple as it appeared?
Su Cen couldn’t help but glance in Li Shi’s direction. The figure sat upright and unshaken, exuding confidence. Su Cen had always known that Li Shi aimed to abolish the Salt Monopoly Decree. By allowing private salt trading to proliferate, Li Shi sought to undermine the official salt market, pressuring the state-sanctioned salt merchants to voluntarily relinquish their monopoly. Was Feng Yiming’s collusion with private salt traders orchestrated by Li Shi? In this situation, would Li Shi choose to protect Feng Yiming or abandon him?
It was well-known that official salt was protected by the court, with the Salt Monopoly Decree implemented by the imperial government itself. Private salt trading, on the other hand, was illegal and had been suppressed for generations. This issue went far beyond Feng Yiming—it was clearly an attempt to force Li Shi to take a side. Would he support the official salt system or the private salt traders? The state’s dignity or his own agenda? Su Cen couldn’t help but be curious about how Li Shi would respond.
Li Shi’s hand, which had been lightly tapping the armrest of his chair, paused. He touched the ring on his finger, smiled faintly, and said, “What a coincidence. I happen to have received a memorial as well.” With that, he casually handed a document behind him. An attendant stepped forward to take it. Li Shi instructed, “Come, read it for everyone.”
The attendant unrolled the document and began to read:
“Your servant Feng Yiming, Chief Recorder of Yangzhou, submits this memorial at the risk of my life… I accuse Xue Zhi, Governor of Yangzhou, of colluding with Commander Cao Ren, Salt Transport Commissioner Qiu Jisheng, Deputy Governor Zhang Luan, and Imperial Censor Liang Jiexing, as well as Yangzhou’s salt merchants, of committing sixteen heinous crimes, including corruption, abuse of power, murder, exploitation, and deceiving the imperial court… Heaven bears witness, and justice must prevail. Your servant begs Your Majesty to punish these treacherous officials and restore order to Yangzhou’s administration. I offer my life and will never regret this plea…”
By the time the attendant reached the end, his voice trembled, and the memorial almost slipped from his hands.
The court, which had been abuzz moments before, now fell into dead silence.
This memorial from Feng Yiming was no ordinary impeachment—it was a death petition. A desperate appeal, leaving no room for retreat: Either I die, or they fall.
Even Su Cen stood frozen in place, caught between admiration for Feng Yiming’s courage and shock at the content of his accusations. If Feng Yiming’s claims were true, then from the Governor to the Imperial Censor, from civil officials to military officers, there wasn’t a single honest person in Yangzhou’s government.
After allowing the court some moments to recover, Li Shi finally broke the silence: “What do you all think?”
The officials who had been eloquently speaking earlier now found themselves at a loss for words. At last, the Vice Minister of Personnel cautiously stepped forward and said, “Feng Yiming may have acted too rashly. Knowing that he’s guilty, he’s lashing out like a mad dog. If what he says were true, wouldn’t Yangzhou have revolted long ago?”
Li Shi nodded thoughtfully. “Then send someone to investigate. The truth will come out soon enough.”
“Your Highness,” a Counselor stepped forward, “I have long heard that Feng Yiming and Governor Xue Zhi are at odds. Their mutual accusations likely stem from personal grudges.”
“Oh?” Li Shi raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Another official promptly stepped forward and said, “I, too, have heard of this. Feng Yiming and Xue Zhi are both natives of Huating County in Songjiang Prefecture. Now that they are colleagues in Yangzhou, their longstanding political disagreements have bred deep resentment over the years, which has culminated in today’s situation.”
Li Shi asked, “Then, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?”
“This matter is neither too grave nor too trivial,” said Li Qiong, the Minister of Personnel, finally stepping forward to mediate. “Since it stems from old grievances, neither of their accusations can be taken at face value. A fitting resolution would be to dock both their salaries for six months and compel them to reconcile, working together for the benefit of Yangzhou’s people.”
“Very well,” Li Shi nodded. “I approve your proposal.”
Su Cen, watching the composed and unshakable figure ahead of him, couldn’t help but feel admiration. Turning force into leverage, and dissolving conflict without confrontation—this man, if removed from the court and placed in the martial world, would undoubtedly be a top-tier master.
After the court session, Su Cen was just about to leave when someone lightly patted him on the back. Turning, he smiled. “Your Highness.”
Li Shi looked at him with a smile in his eyes. “In a rush to head back?”
Su Cen replied, “I bought two jars of seasonal osmanthus wine yesterday but didn’t drink because I had to attend court today. Qu Ling’er is eagerly waiting for me to return.”
“Young as you are, your fondness for alcohol is remarkable,” Li Shi said as he clasped his hands behind his back, walking forward. “Not today. Come with me somewhere.”
Su Cen frowned. “But Ah Fu has already prepared the side dishes to go with the wine.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Su Cen regretted them. As expected, Li Shi tilted his head and instructed Qi Lin, who was following behind, “Lord Su seems reluctant to part with his wine and food. Go help him finish it so he won’t worry about it.”
Qi Lin, holding his sword, bowed and responded affirmatively.
Su Cen felt like crying. It wasn’t just about not letting him eat—the prince had sent someone else to enjoy his wine and food! Was there no justice left in the Great Zhou?
Meanwhile, outside the Hanyuan Hall, a few ministers watched Prince Ning’s departing figure as he descended the Dragon Tail Paths. Li Qiong, the Minister of Personnel, asked, “Weren’t we told Yangzhou was under control? How could another memorial have surfaced?”
The Vice Minister of Personnel, hands clasped behind his back, shook his head. “I’m puzzled as well. After the last time, when a few memorials managed to slip through, Xue Zhi and his group fortified their defenses. The relay stations leading to the capital are tightly secured. Nowadays, not even a fly can escape from Yangzhou, let alone a memorial. How could Feng Yiming’s memorial reach Li Shi?”
Narrowing his eyes, Li Qiong studied the ethereal figure ahead and said coldly, “We’ve been tricked by Li Shi.”
“What?”
“There was no memorial from Feng Yiming. He fabricated it to scare us.”
“This…” The counselor was momentarily stunned. “But how did he know we planned to impeach Feng Yiming today?”
Clenching his teeth in frustration, Li Qiong replied, “What can’t that old fox figure out?”
“What do we do now?”
“Why the rush? Yangzhou is still in our hands, isn’t it?” Li Qiong leisurely descended the Dragon Tail Paths. “He went through all this effort just to save Feng Yiming, but in the end, we’re back to square one. Feng Yiming alone is of no value. Even if he
sends an imperial envoy to investigate, Yangzhou is a place where we hold all the cards. What tricks could he possibly pull there?”
T/N: forgot to post yesterday (>﹏<)
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")
