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When he was seated, the elderly Minister said, "Do you still remember the first case you handled when you arrived at the Ministry of Punishment?"

Gu Changjin thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, it was a theft case."

The details of that case were not complicated. An agriculturist with a speech impediment was falsely accused of theft by a few neighbors who sought to seize his land.

The mute farmer was illiterate and unable to speak. The neighbors had carefully laid a trap, leaving him unable to plead his innocence.

"Everyone said the case had both eyewitnesses and physical evidence, but your temperament was stubborn. Whenever your superiors rejected a document, you'd rewrite it. You penned over twenty versions before they all piled up on Lu Sihou's desk," Fan Zhi narrated slowly, as if sharing a family anecdote. "You didn't know, but Lu Sihou read every single document you wrote. Later, he even showed me those documents, saying how wonderful it is to be young!"

That fearless spirit of a young calf, unafraid of tigers, was something they, these seasoned officials, once possessed.

However, the daily struggles and yearly schemes had gradually worn away their youthful vigor, replacing it with cunning and calculation.

But that did not mean such spirit was undesirable.

On the contrary, it was excellent, like the vibrant sunrise compared to the setting sun. A nation where all its young men possessed such spirit would be ideal.

If only all the youths in the country could embody such vitality and determination.

Fan Zhi said, "After you and Guan Shaowei reported the case to the Emperor, the Hanlin Academy, the Ministry of Justice, the Board of Censors, and the Supreme Court all wanted to take you under their jurisdiction. It was I who requested His Majesty to place you in the Ministry of Justice and send Young Master Guan to Su Prefecture. Do you know why?"

Without waiting for Gu Changjin's response, he continued, "I was afraid that you would lose your spirit."

Guan Changjin bowed and said, "Thank you, Esteemed Elder, for nurturing me. In my view, Scholar Pan also possesses such determination."

Pausing, he added, "After leaving the Board of Censors, Scholar Pan went from one association to another to clear your name. He still refuses to admit guilt and firmly believes that justice will prevail."

Fan Zhi replied, "That boy is indeed stubborn. The Pan family's child has a headstrong nature, refusing to give up until he hits a wall."

The Pan family's child.

Guan Changjin's eyes flickered slightly as he heard Fan Zhi continue, "In this old man's life, I have only one regret, and that is towards Pan Xueliang."

Guan Changjin abruptly lifted his gaze. "What do you mean by that, Esteemed Elder? Why do you feel guilty towards Pan Xueliang?"

With his wise, weathered eyes fixed on Gu Changjin, Fan Zhi said, "If you wish to know, then continue your investigation. This old man knows you will not rest until you uncover the truth."

Picking up the chess box from the board, he coughed lightly and smiled. "Let's not talk about this case any further. Would Young Master Gu, accompany this old man to a game of chess?"

A hint of fatigue appeared on Fan Zhi's face, yet he was eagerly anticipating the game.

Gu Changjin lowered his gaze slightly, took up the Go basket, and began to guess and play the pieces.

The room quickly fell silent, with only the gentle sounds of stones landing on the board echoing through the air.

After two quarters of an hour, Fan Zhi gazed at the board for a long while before he chuckled. "They say one can discern a person's character from their chess game. Young Master Gu is indeed too kind-hearted. If you were willing to sacrifice a few pieces earlier, you would have won this match long ago instead of being locked in a stalemate with my white stones as you are now. For instance, in this move, if you had abandoned this single piece, you could have captured my ten stones. To forsake ten for one is indeed unwise."

Gu Changjin placed his stone slowly, responding, "The outcome is yet to be decided. How can Elder Statesman determine that this is a piece to be sacrificed? Even if it is a sacrificial piece, how can you be sure that it cannot find a way to survive?"

Fan Zhi was slightly taken aback.

Suddenly, a smile graced his lips, seemingly provoked by some thought.

The board gradually filled with black and white stones, until Gu Changjin made his final move.

With that one stone, the pieces that many had deemed expendable connected into an unyielding defensive line.

It was a draw.

Fan Zhi held the chess basket and, with a gentle tone, said, "Young Master Gu has remarkable chess skills. You could have won this game."

Gu Changjin replied, "For me, preserving most of my pieces and remaining undefeated is already a victory."

"Once, someone else also said the same thing to Young Master Gu," Fan Zhi put down the chess basket, his eyes showing nostalgia. "In this old man's lifetime, I've only seen one person who refused to sacrifice any piece and managed to turn a losing game around. That person chose an extremely challenging path, but he truly found a way to survive. Alas, in the end, his heart softened."

This game had drained most of his energy. He put down the basket and spoke warmly, "Young Master Gu, you should be grateful for the great flood of Jiayou 17th year. Let me leave you with a word of advice: in this court, there will always be only one person you can truly trust. You young calves mustn't trust the wrong person!"

With that, he didn't even bother to collect the chess pieces, waving his hand before lying down on the soft cushion, looking even more unwell.

Gu Changjin bowed deeply. "Esteemed Elder, take care."

After he left the cell, Fan Zhi slowly opened his eyes and smiled. "How unwilling I am, I really want to see what kind of storms this new generation can stir up."

The night gradually fell.

A carriage stopped at the Da Li Si prison, and Pei Shunnian carefully helped a man dressed in dark clothing down from the carriage.

"Your Majesty, watch your step."

Emperor Jia You spoke with a gentle expression, "Stay here, I'll go in to see my teacher myself."

Pei Shunnian bowed in response and stopped in his tracks.

Emperor Jia You's tall figure moved slowly through the dim passageway, a set of keys in hand. He personally unlocked and opened the door to Fan Zhi's cell.

Fan Zhi was lying on a soft cushion, with the chessboard still on the table. Next to it was an empty medicine bowl.

Hearing the noise outside, he lifted his gaze, then froze for a moment. Quickly, he concealed any surprise, a hint of realization and a faint smile emerging in his eyes.

Struggling to get off the bed, he performed a trembling kneeling bow.

Emperor Jia You stepped forward to help him, saying, "Teacher."

However, Fan Zhi remained seated, "Your Majesty, please be cautious with your words. This title of 'teacher' is one this guilty minister dare not accept or acknowledge."

Emperor Jia You's outstretched hand slowly retracted. After a moment of silence, he said, "Minister Meng, Minister Lu, and Minister Xu have jointly submitted a memorial requesting that the three judicial departments jointly review this case. I have agreed."