Chapter 15: The Courtroom Is Also a Realm of Human Affairs

Chapter 15: The Court Is Also a World of Human Relations

“Tongzheng, this is Wang Qin’s confession.”

A wise man does not stubbornly resist. Once Wang Qin was captured, he immediately confessed everything.

Xu Jingchang took from Wushan a confession not too lengthy, but its contents were shocking: Qiu Fu had embezzled nearly two hundred thousand taels of silver from the national treasury.

This was an enormous crime; stealing even a single tael could mean death.

Qiu Fu was truly audacious, relying on his merits to act recklessly.

This confession, once handed to Zhu Di, would inevitably lead to Qiu Fu’s execution or at least his demotion from duke to commoner.

The saying goes that revenge should not wait until the next day—Qiu Fu’s arrogance would finally be repaid!

Xu Jingchang stood up immediately and began to leave, but just as he reached the door, he stopped abruptly and returned to his seat. Wushan, puzzled, wanted to ask why, but Xu Jingchang waved him away, signaling for him to exit.

Left alone, Xu Jingchang recalled Yao Guangxiao’s words: the four-year Jingnan campaign was grueling for Zhu Di, who lost many generals and faced numerous close calls. Qiu Fu had shielded Zhu Di with his life, forging a bond deeper than that of ruler and subject—more like sworn brothers.

Reflecting inwardly, Xu Jingchang wondered if his mere kinship ties could rival such a bond.

Even if he were justified, could he topple Qiu Fu in one fell swoop?

The Jingnan had just succeeded, and Qiu Fu was the foremost living martial hero—if Xu Jingchang struck him down now, how would Zhu Neng and the others react?

Even killing a donkey after it’s done its work isn’t so hasty.

The court is like the martial world, but the martial world is not just about fighting—it’s about human relations and worldly wisdom...

Xu Jingchang deliberated carefully for an hour, deciding not to meet with Zhu Di. Instead, he summoned someone and said, “Go to Marquis Sheng Yong of Licheng’s residence at once and deliver a message: the Tribunal of the Three Departments will only judge right and wrong. Our Ming dynasty has its own laws and justice. He should have no fear.”

His subordinate left promptly.

Meanwhile, at Sheng Yong’s mansion, a scene of gloom and sorrow reigned. Surrounding Sheng Yong were his four sons, led by his eldest, Sheng Zhen, all quietly weeping. Other descendants attended outside.

Sheng Yong was nearly seventy, a veteran general without question.

As early as the Yuan dynasty, he had pledged loyalty to Zhu Yuanzhang, initially serving under Deng Yu, later pacifying Liaodong, earning numerous military merits.

When the Jingnan began, he first served as deputy to Geng Bingwen, then followed Li Jinglong. After Geng’s death and Li’s defeat, Sheng Yong took command and fought fiercely against Zhu Di for several years.

The Yan army suffered heavy losses under him. Zhu Di’s most trusted confidant, Zhang Yu, was surrounded and died exhausted in battle.

Another general, Tan Yuan, also fell to Sheng Yong.

Though these men were Zhu Di’s close aides, the new Jingnan nobility loathed Sheng Yong, wishing to tear him apart and scatter his bones.

But killing requires cause. After Xu Jingchang slapped Qiu Fu, enraged, Qiu Fu planned to immediately eliminate Sheng Yong to vent his anger.

He seized on Wang Qin’s case to accuse Sheng Yong of false charges with treasonous intent.

“Father, it was Yan soldiers who abducted innocent women and committed crimes. You went to save them but were wrongfully accused. Does the Ming dynasty no longer have justice or law?” Sheng Zhen said angrily. “I won’t accept this—I will go beat the drum of public complaint to clear your name!”

“Silence!” Sheng Yong shouted, tears in his old eyes. “Foolish child, what use is that? Since ancient times, how many have suffered injustice? Besides, I am a fool to oppose His Majesty, having slain his trusted generals; no matter what, I cannot survive. If you call for justice, you risk dragging yourself down with me.”

Sheng Zhen and the others exchanged glances, their sorrow deepening.

“Father, must we just watch them twist facts and slander the innocent?”

Sheng Yong sighed deeply, helplessly. “History favors the victors. I have long seen the truth. I am old now, almost seventy, and I shall die without regret. Yet I once commanded hundreds of thousands of troops, and now I must fall to petty officials wielding pen and sword. A soldier may be killed, but never shamed. When General Li Guang died by his own hand in despair, I finally understood his feelings.”

At these words, Sheng Yong stood furiously, strode to the desk, grasped his sword, and was about to take his own life.

His sons were horrified, rushing to hold him back, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Why do you do this? If I do not die today, I will still suffer humiliation and torture in the Ministry of Justice tomorrow. Whether I die now or later, what difference does it make?”

The sons looked at one another, knowing their father spoke truth, yet how could they watch him perish?

The entire Sheng family wept bitterly, their cries filling the air.

At that moment, a messenger from Xu Jingchang arrived.

“Marquis of Licheng, the Tongzheng has entrusted me to tell you to trust that the Ming dynasty still holds justice and law. The Tribunal of the Three Departments judges only right and wrong.”

Sheng Yong was shaken, greatly surprised.

Had it been anyone else, he might not have believed it, but Xu Jingchang’s status was special. Could he truly offer protection?

“Father, no matter what, Xu Tongzheng is the Empress’s nephew, grandson of the Prince of Zhongshan. Recently, he even rebuked Qiu Fu openly—everyone in the court knows this. Father, why not trust Xu Tongzheng this once?”

Sheng Yong looked at his sons, tears streaming down his cheeks. Of course, he did not want to die, but could one man, Xu Jingchang, turn the tide?

...

“I am Xu Jingchang. This is my official card. I have come to pay respects to the Duke of Qi.”

The gatekeeper of the Qiu residence recognized the young man immediately, as if seeing a ghost.

Everyone knew the Duke’s most hated man was this Tongzheng, Xu Jingchang. Were it not for Xu’s powerful connections, their feud would have long since erupted. Now the Tribunal targeted Sheng Yong, not Xu Jingchang, so how dare he show up at the Qiu gates?

Though surprised, the gatekeeper dared not conceal the matter and hurried inside to inform Qiu Fu, who was chatting with his son Qiu Song.

“I’ve fought all my life, yet I was blinded by a goose. I didn’t expect that thief Wang Qin still had a trick up his sleeve!”

Qiu Song pondered a moment, then said, “Father, why don’t we set a fire, find any corpse, and claim Wang Qin, unwilling to take credit, killed himself in anger?”

Qiu Fu frowned, “That might work, but the key is Chen Ying—can he convict Sheng Yong?”

Qiu Song said, “I have heard of his skill. That old curmudgeon Sheng Yong is surely doomed.”

Qiu Fu continued, “Killing Sheng Yong is only the first step. Next come Ping An, Mei Yin, and their commanders. We must replace them all with Jingnan veterans. After four years of hard fighting, we cannot keep these stumbling blocks.”

As father and son spoke, the gatekeeper returned, reporting Xu Jingchang’s arrival.

They were all astonished.

Qiu Song growled, “Father, that brat has the nerve—throw him out!”

Qiu Fu hesitated, then said, “Let’s meet him. After all, he is the Empress’s nephew. I also heard that Master Yao is close with him.”

Reluctantly, Qiu Song invited Xu Jingchang in, and they faced each other.

Qiu Fu said coldly, “Xu Tongzheng, today is the Tribunal of the Three Departments. I am going to the Ministry of Justice to observe. If you have business, speak quickly.”

Xu Jingchang smiled, “Duke of Qi, forcibly abducting women is a serious crime, but these were misdeeds of lower soldiers. His Majesty arranged the Tribunal to avoid misjudging meritorious generals—this is respect for achievements. You should be reassured and not interfere with the trial.”

Qiu Fu’s face darkened sharply. “What do you mean? Are you trying to stop me?”

Xu Jingchang laughed, “You, Duke of Qi, command thousands of troops like a ghost in the field. How dare I stop you? But I hold a confession here. If you stay, I will present it to you with both hands.”

“A confession? What confession?”

Xu Jingchang smiled and handed it over. Qiu Fu glanced through it, then his hands trembled. The man who never hesitated before thousands of soldiers now showed fear, sweat beading on his temple.

“How—how did you get this?”

Xu Jingchang smiled, “I can only assure you it is authentic. I do not wish to be your enemy, but I beg your leniency—do not utterly destroy us.”

After speaking, Xu Jingchang turned and left.

Qiu Fu sat there stunned, silent.

Qiu Song was terrified, thinking, “Father, is this brat bluffing to scare you?”

Qiu Fu shook his head, “The amounts here are precise to the last fraction. This is no fabrication.”

“Then what do we do?” Qiu Song was dumbfounded.

Qiu Fu clenched his fist and struck the table hard. “What can we do? Nothing at all! Your old man is finished, felled by this brat!”

(End of chapter)