Chapter 20: Minister Ru's Little Hobby

Chapter 20: Minister Ru’s Little Hobby

A stone was slipped inside the memorial and sent into the palace. Xu Jingchang silently calculated, waiting for the fish to take the bait.

“Old Wu, do you think His Majesty will come this morning or this afternoon? How about we bet a banquet on it?” Xu Jingchang asked.

Wu Shan, still buried in paperwork, complained sulkily, “Forget the banquet. How about we bet on listening to music at Qinhuai? To be honest, I can’t focus on work anymore.”

Xu Jingchang rolled his eyes wildly. “You’re hopeless.”

Wu Shan sighed bitterly, “You know what I’m like. I really haven’t seen much of the world.”

Xu Jingchang snorted, “Fine, just wait. Soon you’ll see a whole new world.”

No sooner had he spoken than footsteps sounded outside, rushing into the Office of Government Affairs. Xu Jingchang looked up and saw Zhu Di arriving with Yao Guangxiao.

He quickly stood to greet them, puzzled. Why was Yao Guangxiao with Zhu Di, and why had they come so fast after he sent the stone to the palace?

“Xu Jingchang, today when Master Yao entered the palace, his sedan chair carrier twisted his ankle nearby and almost caused Master Yao to fall. He told me that you sent two stones into the palace again. What’s going on? Explain it clearly now.”

Only then did Xu Jingchang understand. The poor-quality construction had nearly harmed Yao Guangxiao.

Zhu Di was venting for Master Yao, likely worried about palace spies, which explained the urgency.

“Your Majesty, if I may suggest, don’t rush. Just cite the damaged street as the reason and have the Ministry of Works quickly come up with a plan. Find out where the problems lie, how much it will cost, and draft a proposal. When the Ministry reports back, I will explain it to Your Majesty.”

“No!” Zhu Di cut him off decisively. “I hate riddles. Speak plainly. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Xu Jingchang was helpless. “Your Majesty, this matter is complicated. It can’t be explained in a few words. It’s really better to ask the Ministry first.”

Zhu Di was about to press further when Yao Guangxiao suddenly said, “Your Majesty, this old servant thinks you should just listen to Xu Tongzheng for now and attend to your affairs. This isn’t a big matter. I’ll stay here and have a good talk with Xu Tongzheng.”

Zhu Di rolled his eyes. He truly respected Yao Guangxiao—this man was his teacher.

“Very well, Master Yao stays here. I shall take my leave.”

After Zhu Di left, Yao Guangxiao smiled as he sat down. “Xu Tongzheng, ever since I ate your Xu family’s vegetarian meal, I find all others lacking, even those in the palace. Prepare another feast for me this noon.”

Xu Jingchang sighed. “Master, that vegetarian meal is difficult to make. Last time I treated you and you helped me out. Now that I’m treating you again, are you going to lend your hand once more?”

Yao Guangxiao glared at him. “Boy, don’t take advantage of me. I just helped you persuade His Majesty away, digging a pit so the Ministry of Works might fall into it. You’re quite ungrateful—offended you just now, and now you want to settle accounts with the Six Ministries. You’re really spiteful.”

Xu Jingchang said, “Master, you really see through everything. This meal is on me.”

In the afternoon, Xu Jingchang accompanied Yao Guangxiao for tea, washing down the oil they’d eaten.

Xu Jingchang casually said, “Master, since the stones were originally mine to deliver and you discovered the problem, though by coincidence, why not say together that we both found it? What do you think?”

Yao Guangxiao couldn’t help but laugh, “You little rascal, why not just say I told you to do it?”

Xu Jingchang’s eyes widened. “As you command!”

Yao Guangxiao was speechless. He was thoroughly entangled by Xu Jingchang. The old monk was very clever—Xu inviting him in meant the matter was too big for one person to handle.

It was probably more complicated than just the Ministry of Works’ problem.

“Can you tell me exactly what you discovered, how you’re so sure? I advise you not to make too many enemies unless you have a way to leave no trouble behind.”

Xu Jingchang chuckled, “That depends on how they respond and whether Your Excellency helps!”

Hearing this, Yao Guangxiao was stunned. Watching the officials’ responses and relying on his help—this boy was quite confident in himself.

They chatted until evening, about to leave for their homes when Zhu Di hurried back with a memorial in hand.

“Master, this is the Ministry of Works’ repair plan. They actually already knew. It’s all because that blundering Jianwen left these mistakes behind. He took the Ministry’s funds for grain requisition and military conscription just to fight me. Yet he failed to even maintain the streets under his nose. Truly shameful. With such skills, how could he be my match? Haha!”

Clearly, Zhu Di was very pleased with the Ministry’s explanation.

Xu Jingchang blinked. “Your Majesty, how much did the Ministry request this time?”

“180,000 taels,” Zhu Di smiled. “I brought their budget memorial. It’s very clear. They were going to submit it in the next few days. After the reprimand, the officials really put in effort. Things are much improved compared to before.”

Xu Jingchang flipped through the memorial and handed it to Yao Guangxiao, who scanned it and then said, “There seems to be no loopholes. His Majesty should approve the Ministry’s plan. Next is to have the Ministry of Revenue allocate the funds, recruit laborers, and gather stone materials.”

Zhu Di frowned slightly. “What do you mean? Is there more to this? Master, you two talked all day—what exactly did you discuss?”

Yao Guangxiao glanced at Xu Jingchang, silently telling him it was time to reveal the mystery.

Xu Jingchang looked at the time. “It’s about time. Your Majesty, gather a few guards. I will lead you to a place.”

Zhu Di saw Xu Jingchang’s secretive manner and his curiosity was piqued. He instructed the Embroidered Uniform Guard commander Ji Gang to lead a few men along with Xu Jingchang, Yao Guangxiao, and Wu Shan straight to the teahouse.

Now a regular, Xu Jingchang took them directly to the third floor, reserving the entire level overlooking the street below.

The evening lights glowed amid the revelry. Soon, officials from various government offices began arriving in droves.

Wu Shan pointed from the window, heart pounding. This was no longer just Xu Jingchang and himself—His Majesty and Master Yao were here too. Couldn’t these people keep it under control?

This was courting death in the most reckless way!

But soon, Wu Shan fell into despair. Among the crowd, he recognized several familiar faces.

“Last time you were here, and now you again! Are you all holding court on Qinhuai River?”

The more Wu Shan thought, the angrier he got. Just officials, yet they came here every day. Why was he so different?

Determined to drag others down with him, Wu Shan’s eyes bulged, scrutinizing every unfortunate soul caught in this trap.

Within half an hour, he had noted over thirty names.

Watch and see—the color on Zhu Di’s face deepened until it looked like burnt pot bottom, his fury nearly exploding.

Never mind the road repairs, just the fact that so many officials came to drink on Qinhuai River enraged Zhu Di beyond measure.

He recalled that under Zhu Yuanzhang, officials worked themselves to exhaustion and dared not frequent such places.

That dissolute Jianwen had truly corrupted the nation’s standards, indulging the civil officials and turning the entire realm upside down. The capital was in such a state—it was infuriating.

“Ji Gang, round them all up and throw them into the prison!” Zhu Di shouted angrily.

Ji Gang was tall, with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes, sharp as a hawk. He immediately agreed and was about to move out.

Xu Jingchang said nothing. It was good to expose them all.

But Yao Guangxiao stopped him. “Do not take risks yourself. First scout and see how many officials are here. Deal with it tomorrow at court.”

Ji Gang looked at Zhu Di, who suppressed his rage. Knowing Yao Guangxiao feared Jianwen’s remnants might harm him, he nodded. “Yes, follow the Master’s advice.”

Ji Gang left. Zhu Di was about to return to the palace when suddenly a sedan chair passed by below.

Wu Shan’s expression changed instantly.

“Whose is it?” Zhu Di asked.

Wu Shan glanced at Xu Jingchang, who clearly didn’t care about subtlety. “Just say it, you can’t deceive the emperor.”

“It’s Minister Ru’s.”

“Ru Xiang? He comes to a place like this?” Zhu Di was greatly surprised. He hadn’t expected this scholar of the Way to have such broad tastes.

A little later, Ji Gang returned.

“Your Majesty, I have investigated. There are as many as fifty people, nearly all departments represented.”

Zhu Di ground his teeth. “I won’t mention others, but what about Ru Xiang? Is he here for amusement as well?”

“Yes, and he brought along…”

“Brought who?” Zhu Di pressed.

“One of Qi Tai’s concubines,” Ji Gang’s voice was low, but everyone present changed expression. Even Xu Jingchang was amazed—he hadn’t expected Minister Ru to have also fallen into Chancellor Cao’s little vices.

(End of Chapter)