Chapter 22: One of Us

Zhu Di’s strike was fueled by fury and possessed more than enough force. However, he had chosen the wrong tool—a piece of inferior-quality stone—to slam against Ru Chang’s forehead. Blood splattered and skin tore, but the skull did not crack. Ru Chang simply collapsed to the ground, howling in agony.

Xu Jingchang instinctively took half a step back. He couldn't afford to get blood on himself; his crimson official robe of the third rank was not cheap. As the Chief Administrator of the Office of Transmission, he was a man who lived a proper, orderly life and couldn't afford such waste.

It was a pity, though. Had Zhu Di used a sturdier rock, he might have seen blood spray three feet high on the spot. For an Emperor to strike a minister to death in the great hall would have been a landmark event in history, something to be recorded in grand detail. It was a shame to have missed it. Xu Jingchang was entirely in the mindset of a spectator, letting his thoughts wander freely.

But the high-ranking officials of the court were currently horrified and trembling. On one hand, the mess Ru Chang had created left them speechless; on the other, Zhu Di’s thunderous rage and attempt to kill a minister in court had broken all decorum. If not handled properly, they would all become laughingstocks.

Jian Yi, the Minister of Personnel, had no choice but to step forward. "Your Majesty, please calm your wrath. I believe this road-construction case should be handed over to the relevant authorities for a thorough investigation and trial. Only by applying the law strictly can we handle this properly. As for the Minister of War, Ru Chang, I suggest he be thrown into death row to await interrogation."

Xia Yuanji immediately added, "I share that view. This matter is truly absurd. If it is indeed Ru Chang’s doing, then regardless of the consequences, even the execution of his entire clan would be justified."

Zhu Di’s anger burned hotter. He sneered, "A thorough investigation? What is there to investigate? He frequented brothels, lingered in pleasure quarters, and stole imperial construction materials to pave a road to the Qinhuai River. His lechery is a major issue, while my affairs of state are treated as trivial. Does such an official not deserve immediate execution?"

As Zhu Di’s sharp reprimand echoed, the gathered officials began to understand the situation. The looks they cast toward Xu Jingchang carried a hint of trepidation. This young brat was young in years, but his heart was truly ruthless.

Individually, officials visiting the Qinhuai River pleasure district was merely a matter of poor conduct—after all, since the fourth year of the Jianwen reign, discipline had grown lax, and the strict standards of the Hongwu era were long gone. At most, Ru Chang would have been stripped of his rank. If the road construction was simply substandard, it would have been dismissed as mere negligence by the local officials, not enough to trigger such thunderous wrath. But when these two issues were combined, they caused a miraculous chemical reaction.

It was like flaunting wealth before a miser, insulting a dictator to his face, or shouting "I love Hoshino Gen" in the middle of a gathering of his fiercest detractors. These were all acts of gross defiance, deserving of death by a thousand cuts. Zhu Di’s rage was logical, but the arbitrary execution of ministers was hard to accept.

Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji racked their brains on how to persuade Zhu Di, instinctively glancing at Xu Jingchang, only to find the lad staring at the tips of his shoes, showing no interest in the matter at all. *Whether you are struggling or embarrassed has nothing to do with me,* he thought, completely forgetting that he was the one who had stirred the pot.

Just as everyone felt helpless, the Grand Preceptor Yao Guangxiao stepped forward. "Your Majesty, allow this old subject to speak."

Zhu Di might ignore others, but he could not ignore Yao Guangxiao. "Please speak, Grand Preceptor."

Yao Guangxiao said, "Your Majesty, the construction of the imperial road involves not only Ru Chang of the Ministry of War but also the Ministry of Works and the Yingtian Prefecture. We should investigate to the end and root out all corrupt officials. This should not be left solely to the Three Judicial Offices; I suggest we allow the Embroidered Uniform Guard to participate, with a ten-day deadline to reach a conclusion. All involved officials must be severely punished. Furthermore, we must use this opportunity to rectify the administration and restrain the officials, decreeing that from now on, all acts of lechery and corruption will be punished according to the law."

Yao Guangxiao’s words had an effect. Zhu Di began to calculate. Ru Chang alone hadn't stolen materials just for the convenience of visiting a brothel—he wasn't Emperor Huizong of Song, who would spare no expense to dig a tunnel just to meet Li Shishi. There were certainly many more officials involved, or more simply put, there had been a lack of restraint over the years. The officials believed their own affairs were paramount and that the Emperor’s business could be faked. It must be said that it was this very indifference that had ushered Zhu Di into Yingtian. Yet, now that he sat on the dragon throne, Zhu Di could not tolerate such deception.

"Investigate! Investigate to the end! Do not spare a single corrupt official! The Three Judicial Offices and the Embroidered Uniform Guard will handle this together. I want results within ten days!"

The ministers named stepped forward, especially Chen Ying. He had been left humiliated after his last case involving Sheng Yong, where he failed to remove the general and instead ended up validating him. He had been nursing a grudge, waiting to make a big move. As for Ji Gang, he was even more eager to make the court officials taste his power. With these two on the case, the men from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works were unlikely to meet a good end. It was no longer a question of how many would be executed, but rather, who would be left alive?

Descending from the great hall, Xu Jingchang pondered whether he should start a betting pool on the lives of these officials—he might even make a small profit. Xu Jingchang felt wonderful. The ministers of the Six Ministries had joined forces to report him, and now two of them had already fallen. And he had even held back; otherwise, Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji would have been dragged down too. *Don't think that just because you have a friendship with my father, we are on the same side. What are you thinking? You are only my people if you listen to me.*

*Wait... who is actually on my side?* Xu Jingchang looked around; it seemed only Wu Shan remained.

"Hand the evidence you've gathered to Ji Gang. Consider it a favor. Later, I will help you plan your promotion," Xu Jingchang said confidently. "Do you want to be the Left Vice Minister or the Right Vice Minister of the Office of Transmission?"

Wu Shan was on the verge of tears. "Sir, I am worried that we have caused such a massive disaster. Who knows how many officials will be implicated? From now on, the six ministries will be at odds with us. Forget about a promotion; I don't even know if I can keep my job."

Xu Jingchang rolled his eyes. "Is it really that serious?"

Wu Shan’s face crumbled. "Sir, think about it—how many people have you offended lately?"

Xu Jingchang actually gave it some serious thought. With the Sheng Yong affair, he had fallen out with Qiu Fu and indirectly offended all the new nobles who had participated in the Jingnan campaign. With the current case, he had sabotaged the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works, offending the civil officials as well. That was not even counting Prince Han, Zhu Gaoxu, from the start. Counting on his fingers, it had only been a little over a month, and he had caused such a stir. It seemed like something worth celebrating.

"Go, get me a feast. Let’s have a meal together."

Wu Shan almost cried. "Sir, you have a noble status and a title to inherit. I am truly not in your position. I’m just a small fry; anyone can crush me!"

Xu Jingchang thought for a moment and laughed. "Don't just look at who I’ve offended. When the Mid-Autumn Festival comes around on the fifteenth of the eighth month, I’ll put in a good word with my aunt. Later, when the Eldest Prince comes to the capital, I’ll arrange for you to serve under him. With his protection, your future will be bright. Why worry?"

These words hit home for Wu Shan, whose heart suddenly blossomed with joy. "Thank you, sir! You are like a second father to me!"

"Forget it, I don't want a useless son like you. Go and prepare."

Wu Shan ran off, gleeful. Unfortunately, Xu Jingchang didn't get to eat that meal because Jian Yi sent someone to summon him. Since it was the Minister of Personnel, Xu Jingchang didn't dare be too brazen and shuffled over.

At Jian Yi’s place, Xia Yuanji was also present. Both ministers were beaming, acting as if nothing had happened in the court earlier.

"Chief Administrator Xu, you're here at just the right time. We wanted to talk to you," Xia Yuanji said with a smile. "You previously proposed supervising the various ministries, and the Emperor selected a few Hanlin scholars. We think they should only be used for consultation. To truly supervise all officials, we need a proper government body. Your Office of Transmission should take on this burden."

Jian Yi nodded. "Indeed, we were short-sighted before."

Xu Jingchang was stunned. *What is the meaning of this? You fought tooth and nail against it, and now that I’ve brought down two ministries, you’re suddenly in favor of it? Are you shameless?*

"I don't want to offend the likes of Yang Rong. They are by the Emperor's side every day, whispering in his ear. I'm afraid."

The corner of Xia Yuanji’s mouth twitched slightly. "Chief Administrator Xu, if someone of your status is afraid, we are even more so. At the end of the day, we are on the same side, aren't we?"