Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Thunderclap

The following morning, Emperor Xiande presided over the autumn hunt. Unable to ride a horse himself, he prepared some rewards for the eunuchs and courtiers to compete in the hunt.

Li Jianheng struggled to climb onto his horse, kicking at it several times before managing to mount. Emperor Xiande watched him and said, "Jianheng, set an example for us all. I'm looking forward to tasting your prey!"

Li Jianheng held the reins tightly, having already instructed his attendants that even if he failed to catch anything, they should ensure he returned with a catch. With a confident departure, the entourage followed closely behind, while Xiao Chiye rode alongside him.

At the end of the vast grasslands of the Southern Forest Hunting Grounds, there was a stretch of forest that seemed to go on forever. Yellow leaves hung with dewdrops, and the hunted animals, startled by the sound of galloping hooves and shouted commands, scattered across the fields.

Li Jianheng drew his bow with effort while on horseback and shot an arrow at a rabbit. The arrow weakly pierced the ground, falling short of its target. The onlookers initially cheered blindly, but then a servant, who had been instructed beforehand, retrieved a prepared rabbit for inspection.

Li Jianheng turned to Xiao Chiye, contentedly saying, "How's my archery? My imperial grandfather taught me back then!"

Xiao Chiye sincerely replied, "I've never seen such archery skills in Lianbei."

Li Jianheng immediately laughed, saying, "You've been in Qidu for so long, haven't you forgotten how to draw a bow?"

Xiao Chiye carried only a standard bow, which paled in comparison to those used by the Imperial Guards. He responded, "Let me show you my skills as well."

Xiao Chiye drew his bow and shot an arrow into the open space ahead. The arrow was weaker than the one from Prince Chu; it couldn't even hit the ground accurately. The onlookers closed their eyes again and praised him blindly, much to Xiao Chiye's delight.

Qiao Tianya, who had been waiting impatiently behind, found the scene amusing. He said, "See that? If you don't practice diligently, people will just treat you like a fool!"

Shen Zechuan gazed at Xiao Chiye's shoulder and arm, remembering the bone ring. He couldn't help but smile.

Prince Chu soon grew weary of horseback riding, his back aching and his waist sore. It was the aftermath of his excessive drinking the night before. After wandering around for a while longer, he urged everyone to return when he thought enough time had passed.

The guards behind him hadn't even finished shooting their arrows when they rushed back with him in a gust of wind, not even venturing into the forest to the east.

Li Jianheng dismounted and knelt before the emperor. Pan Rugui counted the hunt's spoils for Emperor Xiande. The more Li Jianheng heard, the happier he became. "Your Highness! There's even a red fox with beautiful fur. Perfect for making a wind collar for you."

Emperor Xiande was delighted too. "You seem livelier here than in Qudu! Pan Rugui, give this to Prince Chu."

Li Jianheng lifted the silk cloth eagerly, only to find a bow beneath that no ordinary person could possibly draw. His interest waned, but he still said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous gift!"

Emperor Xiande chuckled and coughed slightly. "You don't like it? It wasn't meant for you to use anyway. This bow was left behind by our great ancestor. It's made of black iron and dragon tendons, weighing 120 jin. Even the Four Generals of the current era wouldn't be able to pull it back. Bestowing it upon you is to remind you to work hard constantly, to remember the hardships of our great ancestor's great endeavor whenever you look at this bow."

Li Jianheng acknowledged the emperor's words and called for someone to carry the bow away.

During the evening banquet, Emperor Xiande summoned Li Jianheng to sit beside him, leaning closely against him. This was a clear indication that could not be more obvious, but all the officials present understood yet pretended to be oblivious, for the elderly Grand Censor Hua Siqian still held equal status with Prince Chu.

When they had finished their feast and were sated with wine, bonfires were lit.

Emperor Xiande did not leave his seat all night, and neither could those seated with him. Li Jianheng was already feeling weary from sitting, yet he saw no sign of the emperor taking a break.

What was going on?

Li Jianheng shot a look at Xiao Chiye, seeking help.

Xiao Chiye, however, pretended not to notice.

With the music and dance having ended, the flames burned fiercely. Emperor Xiande suddenly straightened his robe and called out, "Minister Hai."

Hai Liangyi adjusted his robe and knelt respectfully before the emperor, replying, "This old minister is here!"

Emperor Xiande asked, "What do you intend to do today?"

Hai Liangyi bowed his head and said, "This old minister wishes to endorse the Sixth Ministry's Department of Household Affairs' Chief Censor, Xue Xiuzhuo, to have an audience with Your Majesty and present his petition!"

Hua Siqian had already sensed something amiss. He stroked his beard and said, "Why would Ren Shi say such a thing? The position of a censor is precisely to directly advise the Emperor."

"Huaxi," Hai Liangyi responded, "although that's true, Xue Xiuzhuo's memorials have repeatedly failed to reach His Majesty's desk. Perhaps it would be better for him to meet with the Emperor in person."

"What kind of memorial could fail to reach the Emperor?" Hua Siqian asked.

Emperor Xiande said, "I am also curious. Minister Hai, summon him to come forward."

Upon receiving the order, Pan Rugui exchanged a glance with Hua Siqian before stepping forward two paces and announcing, "The censor-in-chief of the Board of Revenue, Xue Xiuzhuo, requests an audience with the Emperor!"

Xue Xiuzhuo was not wearing his official robes, appearing as if he had just dismounted from a horse, slightly travel-worn. He approached without looking at anyone, kneeling before Emperor Xiande first and bowing in greeting.

"What do you have to say?" Emperor Xiande asked amidst the wind.

Xue Xiuzhuo replied, "As the censor-in-chief of the Board of Revenue, my duty is to meticulously inspect the financial records of the Ministry of Revenue. In the third month of the fifth year of Xiande, I audited the annual expenditure accounts of the previous year and found a subsidy of two million taels. Out of caution, I followed the Board's claim of 'subsidizing the thirteen cities of Juexi' and personally traveled there. After days of cross-checking with Juexi's provincial governor, Jiang Qingshan, we discovered that out of the two million taels allocated in the fourth year of Xiande, only one million five hundred thirty thousand actually reached the thirteen cities of Juexi. The remaining four hundred seventy thousand taels have vanished without a trace. In August of the same year, the Ministry of War provided military salaries for border troops, and the Ministry of Revenue allocated two million eight hundred thousand taels. One million eight hundred thousand was for the garrison in the eastern region, while one million was for the northern Great Province. However, when I traced the silver, only eight hundred thirty thousand taels remained by the time I reached Sunset Pass! These incidents, one after another, have resulted in a massive deficit in the national treasury. Where have these funds gone? Who has taken them? If Elder Councillor Hua is unsure, I have the records to present to the Emperor!"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Hua Siqian rebuked coldly. "The Ministry of Revenue conducts an audit in the presence of the Emperor every year! If there were any losses, how could the Minister of Revenue, the Cabinet, or even the Grand Eunuch in charge of the Palace Records not know, yet you alone would be privy to such information?!"

Hai Liangyi raised his head and spoke calmly, "This old minister knows! Since the second year of Xiande, the Ministry of Revenue has been providing two versions of their account books – a genuine and a fake one. What they submit annually is not determined by the Minister of Revenue, nor by you, Hua Siuzhuo!"

Amidst the crackling of the bonfire, a sudden explosion echoed like thunder, stunning the silent assembly. None had anticipated Emperor Xiande's abrupt assault.

"Hmm," Hua Siqian chuckled, slamming his hand on the table as he rose. "So you're resorting to baseless accusations? What 'Flower Party'? The entire world belongs to the emperor. I, Hua Siqian, have always acted with transparency, prioritizing the emperor! If there are any unclear accounts, bring them forward now, Zheng Guoshi. Let's settle this!"

The Minister of Revenue, Zheng Guoshi, hurriedly knelt and said, "Your Majesty, I must ask Censor Xue: if there were issues with the accounts from the fourth year of Xiande, why bring it up only now? If there truly was a problem, wouldn't he have delayed important matters?"

Xue Xiuzhuo responded swiftly, "Nowadays, provincial officials come to the capital without meeting their superiors or paying respect to the emperor. Instead, they present their name cards and rush to the Flower residence or Eunuch Pan's manor for an audience. The influence of the Flower Party is immense; who would dare not follow Elder Flower's lead?"

"I remind the inspecting censors every year to speak up if there are issues! What are they afraid of? Our Hua family's account books have been presented before the emperor, clean and clear!" Hua Siqian glared at Xue Xiuzhuo. "Yanqing, when you were appointed to serve in Yongning, do you remember who recommended you? I consider myself half your mentor, yet you choose to frame me!"

Xue Xiuzhuo lifted his head, locking eyes with Hua Siqian for a moment. He replied, "On this court, there are only sovereign and subjects, not teacher and student."

Hua Siqian turned to Emperor Xiande and asked, "Does Your Majesty believe me?"

Lowering his eyelids, Emperor Xiande replied, "I believe in the account books."

Hua Siqian laughed loudly, clasping his hands together. "Excellent! Your Majesty, during the turmoil in Qudu, it was your predecessor who ended your reign. Do you remember who supported you, who safeguarded your journey? Yet tonight, you believe these disloyal, unfilial minions?!"

Emperor Xiande raised his hand to sip his tea, finally looking directly at Hua Siqian. His eyes brimmed with disdain. "Don't you know whether it was protection or coercion?"

Hua Siqian abruptly pushed aside the table, exclaiming, "Ji Lei!"

Amidst the banquet, the Imperial Guards in brocade robes drew their swords with a sharp sound.

Hai Liangyi declared, "How dare you attempt rebellion!"

"I dare not," Hua Siqian replied. "But now that you're forcing me into a corner, do you expect me to simply wait for my demise?"

"What do you want?" Emperor Xiande said coldly. "Xi Guan!'

The Eight Banners took a bold step forward, blocking the emperor's path.

"Seize Hua Siqian for me!" Emperor Xiande ordered.

"You dare!" Hua Siqian yelled. "Xi Guan, your wife and children are currently enjoying tea in the Empress Dowager's presence. If you take another step, your lineage will be doomed! The Empress Dowager has treated you well over the years. It's not too late for you to turn back, to resist those who have misled you!"

Xi Guan had been coerced into this situation, and now, he hesitated, fearing the consequences.

Emperor Xiande spoke in a sinister tone. "Not too late? Was it too late for the former Crown Prince? Was it too late for Shen Wei? Were they not more loyal than you? They may have retreated, but did the Empress Dowager spare them? I've already instructed the drafting of an imperial edict. Should Prince Chu ascend the throne one day, a Xi woman shall become the mother of the nation!"

"Imperial decrees change like the tides, and yet you dare to indulge in such grandiose delusions!" Hua Siqian flung his sleeves aside. "The Emperor is delirious with illness! Concubine Wei is already two months pregnant; how can Prince Chu ascend the throne?"

Xi Guan'an held onto his sword, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.

Without notice, dark clouds had gathered in the sky, and the winds preceding the storm had ceased. The flags on the hunting grounds hung limp, and no one stirred.

With a grim determination, Xi Guan'an drew his sword and turned to Emperor Xiande. "Your Majesty... Your illness has reached its terminal stage."

"I gave you an opportunity," Emperor Xiande said, looking at Xi Guan'an. His smile grew wider, turning into laughter that soon evolved into a coughing fit. Supporting himself on the table, he said in a cold voice, "I came for the autumn hunt with full certainty. How could I fail to deal with all you traitors? Qi Zhuyin has already marched with the troops to aid the capital. Within two hours, they will be here! Who do you plan to kill? Hm? Who dares?"

Ji Lei suddenly spoke up, "General Qi is far away in Qidong Cang County, and all communication is handled by the Imperial Guards. Your Majesty, it's time to wake up from your dreams!"

Emperor Xiande's gaze turned fierce. "Qi..."

Pan Rugui suddenly covered Emperor Xiande's mouth, forcing him back into his seat. Surveying the crowd, he smiled slightly. "The Emperor's illness has worsened."

The legs of the assembled officials trembled. Hua Siqian looked at Li Jianheng and sneered. "Prince Chu intended to rebel right here in the hunting grounds, even bringing his bow and arrows as evidence. What are we waiting for? Kill him!"

Aside from the guards standing by, a flurry of cold steel was suddenly revealed across the entire venue.

Li Jianheng was so startled that his chopsticks dropped, and he stumbled backward, taking the stool with him as he fell to the ground. "E-Eminence! I have no ambition to become emperor!"

"Hua Siqian said, "Your Highness, do you know how to write the four characters 'bodily actions beyond one's control'?"

A thunderclap echoed in the sky.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Li Jianheng hid behind his guards and couldn't even stand up. He cried out, "I am an idle prince! How did it come to this?!"

A flash of knife light appeared before him, and Li Jianheng threw his arms over his head in fear. With a loud crash, the table in front of him toppled over. Suddenly, his collar tightened, and he was lifted off the ground.

Xiao Chiye smiled coldly and said, "Since His Majesty has bestowed upon you the Tyrant Bow, you are now the crown prince of Great Zhou! Chen Yang, help the crown prince mount his horse!"

"Xiao Er," Ji Lei drew his sword slowly, "Why must you step forward tonight, given our friendship?"

"After all these years," Xiao Chiye released Li Jianheng, "you're itching for a fight."

"Capture him," Ji Lei instructed. "As long as Young Master is safe, we can break his limbs if necessary."

Xiao Chiye shed his elaborate outer robe to reveal a tight-fitting outfit underneath. Looking around, he declared, "Whoever manages to disable me, I will not only reward them with a hundred ounces of gold but also address them as my lord."

In the silent capital, the Wolf-Rage Blade, seldom seen unsheathed, smoothly slid out, its snowy blade shimmering inches at a time, exuding a chilling menace that was palpable.

"If it doesn't sever, I'll claim his life," he said with unwavering determination.