Chapter 120: Huo Ling’s Incognito Travels: Request…

Chapter 120: Huo Ling's Incognito Travels – The Petition...

The sea’s surface had barely rippled when Song Xu already sensed the brewing storm.

His reaction was remarkably sharp—the moment the old man claiming to be the "village chief of Gao Family Village" appeared, he saw through the scheme jointly laid by Huo Ling, Wu Feng, and Ding Jinghuan.

If Song Xu wasn’t mistaken, this plan was likely led by Her Majesty, with Wu Feng and Ding Jinghuan as key participants.

The case of Gao Family Village had been buried in history for seven or eight years, yet it was suddenly unearthed and brought directly to the imperial court—undoubtedly, this was the work of the shadow guards.

Ding Jinghuan’s role was also crucial.

He was the one assigned to replace Cui Zhao, presiding over the trial at the prefectural office.

Ding Jinghuan hated corruption and judged cases with uncanny precision. With Her Majesty’s backing, even if the case involved intricate webs of interests, he would uncover the truth without fail.

As for Song Xu himself…

A bitter, helpless smile crossed his lips.

Though he, too, was an attending minister, this time he was nothing more than a bystander. Her Majesty had likely brought him along primarily to tutor the young emperor and accompany him on this journey.

Just then, Song Xu met Huo Ling’s suddenly lifted gaze.

He froze slightly, realizing he had been staring at Her Majesty for too long in his distraction, drawing her notice.

Flustered, Song Xu averted his eyes.

Huo Ling ignored his slight breach of decorum and said calmly, "This time, Ding Jinghuan’s reputation will likely spread far beyond the capital."

Song Xu steadied himself and joked, "I’d wager it won’t be long before folk plays about him start appearing in Cangzhou’s streets. Of course, those about Your Majesty’s incognito travels will be inevitable as well."

He understood Her Majesty’s ploy—a counterattack against his mentor—but there was nothing he could do but watch events unfold along their destined course.

Her Majesty had made her move; his mentor could only respond.

Huo Ling chuckled. "We’ll have to keep an eye out. If such plays emerge, I’ll take His Majesty to enjoy the spectacle."

With Song Xu’s intellect, even if he had been kept in the dark initially, he should have figured it out by now.

Six full years had passed since the new emperor’s ascension and the Empress Dowager’s regency period.

Over these six years, she had gradually solidified her power, won over key ministers, and promoted young officials, no longer as powerless as she had been at the start of her rule.

Now that her influence had grown, the presence of the Three Grand Councilors had become an obstruction.

Had Wen Shengan and Chen Haoyan been as tactful as Lu Hang, Huo Ling might have let it slide and spared them further scrutiny.

But as time passed—perhaps because her growing influence posed an increasing threat—Wen Shengan and Chen Haoyan had increased their resistance.

Some policies, clearly beneficial to the state and its people, were shot down immediately simply due to conflicting stances.

Implementation was out of the question—after months of debate, they remained nothing more than empty words on paper.

The dispute over the lightning strike in Xingtai Hall last March had only steeled Huo Ling’s resolve—

She would seize power.

Three Grand Councilors were excessive. If she wished to strengthen her authority and boost her influence in court, she had no choice but to face Wen Shengan and Chen Haoyan directly.

At that very moment, the Shadow Guards stationed in Cangzhou uncovered the Gao Village incident.

Wu Feng, the Shadow Guard Chief, received the intelligence and rushed to the palace to report.

Only after Huo Ling untangled the web of interests behind the case did Ding Jinghuan submit a memorial suggesting a visit to the Cangzhou Palace.

In the original plan, there was no Liu Shi, no Zhu Wan, nor any conflict between Wu Feng and Zhou Chenghong.

The main drama was supposed to begin with Village Chief Gao beating the grievance drum, marking the start of a commoner’s lawsuit against an official.

But as soon as Huo Ling’s party entered Cangzhou City, they chanced upon Zhu Wan.

In just one day, the court first tried Zhu Wan’s case, then Liu Shi’s, followed by Wu Feng and Zhou Chenghong arriving at the yamen—where Huo Ling lifted her veil and revealed her identity.

One case after another came in quick succession, exposing Cui Zhao’s incompetence and the Zhou family’s arrogance for all to see.

No moment could be more opportune than this.

The plan originally set for execution days later could now be advanced.

—Village Chief Gao’s lawsuit against an official became the fourth case of the day and the climax of the entire drama!

Given the far-reaching implications of this case, Ding Jinghuan did not immediately convene the court after accepting Village Chief Gao’s petition. Instead, he announced that as night had fallen, he needed to dispatch officials to thoroughly investigate the Gao Village case. The trial would resume mid-morning five days later.

Ding Jinghuan declared, “You may spread the news everywhere. When the time comes, this official welcomes all the commoners of Cangzhou City to watch the trial.”

One bold spectator, noting Ding Jinghuan’s lack of official airs, replied, “Lord Ding, the prefectural office is too small—it won’t fit so many people.”

Ding Jinghuan laughed. “Then I’ll erect a platform outside to ensure everyone can see.”

The man, surprised by Ding Jinghuan’s accommodating attitude, said excitedly, “That’s perfect! I’ll definitely bring my wife and children that day.”

And so, the matter was settled, and Ding Jinghuan smoothly took control of the Cangzhou Prefectural Office.

The sunset painted Cangzhou crimson as darkness gradually engulfed the sky. Lanterns were lit outside the yamen, their warm yellow glow pushing back the night.

The spectators, still abuzz with excitement over the day’s events, streamed out of the yamen, eager to return home before night fully descended.

In the distance, they spotted several ornate carriages hurrying toward the prefectural office.

Someone recognized them at once. “Hey—aren’t those the Cui family’s carriages?”

“Not just the Cui family. Look closely—the last two belong to the Zhou family.”

“Why are they coming to the office at this hour…?”

The reason was obvious.

Having served as Cangzhou Prefect for so many years, Cui Zhao still had a few loyal subordinates.

After Huo Ling revealed her identity, one of them slipped out to inform the Cui and Zhou families.

Clan Leader Cui and Patriarch Zhou, upon hearing the report, broke into a cold sweat, realizing disaster was imminent.

Without delay, they rushed to the yamen to plead their case.

Patriarch Zhou even brought several chests of gold and silver ingots, intending to offer them all to Wu Feng as an apology.

This wealth...

The value of the gold ingots far exceeded ten thousand taels.

Wu Feng only accepted one chest of gold ingots.

In terms of value, it was roughly equivalent to ten thousand taels.

Patriarch Zhou pleaded with Wu Feng to accept the remaining chests of ingots.

Zhou Chenghong was his only son, spoiled since childhood to the point of not knowing his limits. Having offended the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, he was probably a dead man.

Of course, given the circumstances, Patriarch Zhou couldn't hope to save Zhou Chenghong's life. He now only wished that the Empress Dowager's anger wouldn't spread too far.

But was that even possible?

Huo Ling didn't immediately dispatch troops to seize the entire Zhou family—not out of leniency, but because she was waiting for the public sentencing in five days.

As for the chest of gold ingots, Wu Feng didn't keep it for himself. Instead, he stuck to his original plan and presented it all to Huo Ling.

"This sum is perfect for setting up the Charitable Children Bureau."

A mere ten thousand taels meant nothing to Huo Ling. Even if Wu Feng had kept it all, she would have just laughed it off.

After all, it wasn't ill-gotten wealth.

But since Wu Feng wanted to use it for the Charitable Children Bureau, Huo Ling was happy to accept.

"Once we return to the capital, this Empress Dowager will allow you to enter the royal treasury and choose a suitable sword for yourself."

Wu Feng's eyes lit up—this was definitely the right move.

Any sword preserved in the royal treasury would undoubtedly be famous throughout history.

As for Clan Leader Cui and Patriarch Zhou kneeling outside the building, no one paid them any heed. If they wanted to kneel, let them—once they fainted, they could simply be carried away.

Night passed into day, and the once-tranquil Cangzhou City erupted into chaos as rumors spread.

The four cases became the talk of the town.

Storytellers in teahouses and taverns abandoned romantic tales in favor of recounting the details of these four cases.

Even theater troupes in entertainment districts debated whether to adapt the cases into operas.

Throughout the city, commoners in patched clothing talked about the Charitable Children Bureau.

Some women wiped away silent tears: "The Charitable Children Bureau is such a good idea. I wonder when it will be established… If it had existed back then, perhaps my second daughter would still be alive…"

In academies, scholars were at each other's throats over whether Miss Zhu should take over Jin Feng Trading Company, both sides digging in their heels until they nearly came to blows.

Unable to persuade one another, they agreed to write essays and submit them to the prefectural office instead.

There were also just nosy folks who cared little for the truth of the cases, only curious about the Empress Dowager and Emperor's secret visit.

Wasn't this far more exciting than the novels sold in the market?

Some were simply eager to know whether the Empress Dowager was as beautiful as the goddess Luo Shen or if the Emperor possessed a regal presence.

Alongside these rumors spread the words Ding Jinghuan had spoken in the prefectural office.

"Wonderful! Justice has finally come. This old man can finally seek justice for my wife."

Some people, after wailing in grief, hurried to the government office carrying their daughter’s spirit tablet.

Others dug out old petitions they had thought would never see the light of day, ready to demand justice one last time.

…

In just a few days, Ding Jinghuan received thirteen more petitions.

These were all cold cases—many witnesses were long gone, and due to the negligence and cover-ups of the incompetent prefect Cui Zhao, much of the physical evidence had been lost or destroyed.

No matter how capable Ding Jinghuan was, he couldn’t possibly investigate all these cases by himself.

So he roped in everyone from Song Xu to Wu Feng, even dragging Zhu Wan into it.

Huo Ling also sent Ji Xianshan over.

Books couldn’t teach what seeing suffering firsthand did—it was the best way for Ji Xianshan to grasp the hardships of the common folk.

That was also one of the reasons Huo Ling had taken him on this undercover visit.

At Ji Xianshan’s age, he wasn’t much help, but he certainly wouldn’t cause any trouble.

“Can I help too?”

Zhu Wan pointed at herself, surprised that Ding Jinghuan had called on her.

Huo Ling said, “You’ve spent years studying the *Penal Code*. If you don’t go to the government office to assist Lord Ding, wouldn’t all that time and effort be wasted?”

Zhu Wan’s eyes brimmed with tears. She nodded firmly and promised earnestly to Huo Ling and Ding Jinghuan, “Your Majesty need not worry. Lord Ding can rest assured—I will do my best to help.”

Everyone around them laughed.

Wu Mo remarked, “Miss Zhu, you’re too earnest. Lord Ding is just conscripting you as unpaid help. Why are you so moved? If anything, *he* should be thanking *you*.”

Wu Feng chimed in, “Exactly. Without our help, he’d be sleepless for weeks.”

Song Xu added, “Once this is all over, we’ll make Ding Jinghuan take us out for a feast at Zuixianju.”

Zhu Wan knew they were joking and laughed along.

Sitting at the lower seat, she clutched her chest, feeling her heart race, and thought to herself in awe: *This is truly wonderful.*

If the one on the throne weren’t Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, who’d even care if the talents of a merchant’s daughter were being wasted?

***

Five days flew by, and as expected, a raised stage was erected outside the government office.

Crowds of citizens gathered around to watch the trial.

Ding Jinghuan sat at the head and had the plaintiffs—Village Chief Gao and other villagers from Gaojia Village—as well as the defendants—Patriarch Zhou, Cui Zhao, and others—brought forth one by one.

The details of the case had long been dug up by the spies.

Following procedure, Ding Jinghuan presented the evidence and summoned the witnesses.

Patriarch Zhou, Cui Zhao, and the others were scared stiff. With the crimes irrefutably proven, they folded quickly, begging only for a swift punishment and pleading that their families be spared.

Ding Jinghuan gave the land back to its true owners, and the villagers who had been reduced to tenant farmers under the Zhou family regained their freedom.

Besides compensating each victim with a large sum of silver, the Zhou family also had to pony up extra silver to build bridges, roads, irrigation channels, and a school in Gaojia Village.

The mastermind, Patriarch Zhou, his accomplice Cui Zhao, and all the Zhou family members who had benefited from the crimes were sentenced to death to be carried out in the autumn as a stern warning to all.

Blood debts must be paid in blood.

Someone had brought several baskets full of joss paper. As the wind rose, the sky filled with fluttering paper money. Amid wails of anguish, the paper drifted back to the ground, soaked through by the belated autumn rain.

After the injustices suffered by Gaovillage were redressed, the prefectural yamen began adjudicating one or two wrongful cases daily, clearing the names of victims and ensuring that those responsible were punished.

For a time, Cangzhou was shaken, and the social climate became upright.

Meanwhile, the letter personally written by Huo Ling was rushed to the capital by express courier.

The three chief ministers left in charge of the capital were Wen Shengan, Chen Haoyan, and Cui Ming.

Zhou Ji, the Minister of Works, had remained behind to oversee the reconstruction of Xingtai Palace and did not accompany the imperial entourage to Cangzhou.

The four men were startled to receive Huo Ling’s urgent letter, fearing something might have happened to the Emperor or Empress Dowager in Cangzhou.

Wen Shengan was the first to open the letter and read it.

His face alternated between pallor and ashen hues, and he remained silent for a long time, unable to utter a word.

“What is it? Has something happened to His Majesty?” Chen Haoyan asked anxiously, alarmed by his reaction.

Wen Shengan shook his head, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and handed the letter to Chen Haoyan with a sigh. “No matter. You should read it yourself.”

Chen Haoyan scanned the letter rapidly.

When he finished reading, he staggered slightly.

“I…”

Chen Haoyan closed his eyes, his voice strained. “Minister Cui and I will prepare memorials confessing our faults at once.”

Cui Ming’s expression darkened. He snatched the letter and read it himself. After a moment, he let out a bitter laugh. “Our lax household discipline allowed His Majesty and Her Majesty to be disturbed in Cangzhou. We indeed must kneel for Her Majesty’s pardon.”

Zhou Ji, the Minister of Works, stood completely perplexed.

What exactly had the Empress Dowager written in her letter to have such a crushing impact? Chen Haoyan and Cui Ming had foregone submitting any defense entirely, immediately drafting memorials of confession and placing their fates in Her Majesty’s hands.

After Zhou Ji himself read the letter, he could only marvel privately: The Empress Dowager indeed wields masterful tactics.

Even before the reconstruction of Xingtai Palace was complete, she had already neutralized the Censor-in-Chief and the Minister of Justice without bloodshed.

With one of the Three Grand Councilors removed, the political landscape of the capital would inevitably be transformed.