Chapter 30 Schemes Set in Motion

Chapter 30: Plans Laid by All Parties

Xu Wenzhi's drum protest had shaken the capital. A day had passed since the incident, and as dusk fell, the Emperor remained in the Hall of Brilliant Radiance, with the Crown Prince also present.

The Deputy Magistrate of Xishan County had written a personal letter as evidence, already offending his superiors.

If his letter-writing hadn't been discovered earlier, even if the news leaked now, those in Xishan wouldn't dare move against him for the moment.

After all, acting would only make them appear more guilty.

But with Xu Wenzhi being the only student left alive, and if unfortunately the Deputy Magistrate had been exposed long ago...

Emperor Yonghe placed the Ministry of Justice's document on the desk. The County Magistrate and the Vice-Prefect had accepted bribes to help the son of a local wealthy family cheat in the examinations.

If even the Vice-Prefect of Congzhou was involved, did the Prefect know about it?

Of the thirteen provinces of Daqi, eight were structured as prefectures. Several smaller provinces were under prefectural jurisdiction, where their magistrates held lower ranks than prefects. Only the magistrates of directly-administered provinces held the same rank as prefects elsewhere.

Congzhou was prosperous, and its Prefect was a loyal minister personally protected by Emperor Yonghe.

Given the gravity of the imperial examination matter, Emperor Yonghe couldn't remain indifferent, but how to investigate was a problem.

The court wouldn't simply dispatch envoys to the provinces at every random outcry—there wouldn't be enough personnel for that. However, Xu Wenzhi had an official's letter of accusation, so in principle, an official could be sent to Congzhou to verify the facts.

But who should be sent?

Someone of too low a rank certainly couldn't command authority—this was Congzhou, after all. Someone of too high a rank risked collusion, with officials privately aligning to downplay the severity.

Sending the Crown Prince directly... Emperor Yonghe worried that Xiao Yunlang might go too far, taking drastic measures and throwing the entire officialdom of Congzhou into chaos.

After all, Congzhou was one of the sources filling the Emperor's private coffers.

Xiao Yunlang knew his father's concerns. He glanced at the sky, growing somewhat impatient.

—It was almost time for the evening meal.

His tone carried both urgency and a hint of disdain: "Your Majesty, have you made a decision?"

Emperor Yonghe shot him a glare: "How dare you speak to Us like that!"

A cool, mocking smile played on Xiao Yunlang's lips as he ignored the remark: "You want to use me, yet fear I'll stir up Congzhou. Let me be blunt: if the Prefect of Congzhou is clean, everyone will be happy. But if he's not... then hasn't he been deceiving you all these years?"

Some days ago, Jiang Yanzhou had analyzed the court situation for Xiao Yunlang, sharing many things he had seen or heard in the Jiang family study.

One such matter was Jiang Yanzhou's discovery that the Prefect of Congzhou had maintained close ties with Jiang Linque.

What a coincidence—Congzhou was also a source of funds for the Jiang family.

The Prefect appeared to rely on the Emperor, but in reality, he had long been colluding with the Jiang family. After all, some capital offenses couldn't be committed without the backing of a powerful family.

Emperor Yonghe believed he knew about the Prefect's dealings and took the lion's share, but it was possible the Emperor only received one or two parts out of ten, while they kept the remaining eight or nine.

A loyal minister?

This Prefect of Congzhou flirted with powerful families, amassing immense wealth, while Emperor Yonghe still praised him for his unwavering loyalty. Xiao Yunlang had already had a good laugh at the Emperor's expense over this back at his residence.

Emperor Yonghe said coldly, "If you go, will it truly be because they intended to deceive Us, or will you make everyone believe that's the case?"

When a general is far from court, isn't it often the people on the ground who decide how things are reported?

"I bear no grudge against the officials of Congzhou," Xiao Yunlang said, sitting in his chair with one leg casually crossed over the other in an improper posture. "What good would deliberately causing them trouble do me?"

Indeed, stirring up Congzhou wouldn't benefit Xiao Yunlang either, as he had no personnel to install there.

After a long silence, Emperor Yonghe finally made a decision.

"We will draft an edict ordering you to thoroughly investigate the examination fraud case," Emperor Yonghe said. "You will dispatch another team to escort Jiang Yanzhou, taking a different route out of the capital. Say the Crown Princess is traveling south to recuperate."

Xiao Yunlang gave him a surprised look.

That look instantly infuriated Emperor Yonghe. What did this unfilial son mean!

If the prefectural government of Congzhou truly had problems, the number of people qualified to be involved could be counted on one hand. Having Jiang Yanzhou "travel south to recuperate" at this time, passing through Congzhou, would also test their reaction.

Having both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, representing the aristocratic families, enter the scene could also create a smokescreen, confusing the officialdom of Congzhou.

He was the Emperor; was it so hard for him to think of these things? What kind of look was Xiao Yunlang giving him!

Emperor Yonghe took a deep breath.

Xiao Yunlang straightened slightly in his seat: "I want to take a thousand troops."

Still displeased by his earlier look, Emperor Yonghe retorted irritably, "Are you going to investigate a case or wage a war!?"

Xiao Yunlang: "Look back through history—which Crown Prince, leaving the capital on an imperial mission, didn't take at least two or three thousand men? Knowing you're reluctant to give me any, asking for only a thousand is already preserving the last shred of dignity for the royal family."

Emperor Yonghe, who had been fuming, felt his anger diminish slightly upon hearing this: Indeed, in the Qi Dynasty, when Crown Princes left the capital on official business, for the safety of the heir apparent, the escort never numbered less than a thousand.

But those Crown Princes didn't have the same relationship with their emperors as they did now.

Historically, whether a Crown Prince could mobilize troops depended entirely on the Emperor's will. Yet Emperor Yonghe hadn't even assigned the Left and Right Imperial Guard units to Xiao Yunlang; the Crown Prince's household guards numbered only about seven hundred in total.

Most of them had followed Xiao Yunlang from the border to the capital.

For this trip out of the capital, the Crown Prince's residence also needed guards left behind to prevent thieves from ransacking the place. Xiao Yunlang planned to take three hundred, with the Emperor making up the rest.

Seeing Emperor Yonghe waver, Xiao Yunlang added, "They killed a Provincial Graduate just like that. Killing an unpopular Crown Prince disliked by the Emperor and blaming it on mountain bandits or robbers would be easy—after all, you wouldn't care."

Emperor Yonghe's solemn, aged face twitched: "...Granted."

This time, Xiao Yunlang was determined not only to handle the fraud case but also to directly remove the Prefect of Congzhou. The Congzhou Garrison had over three thousand troops.

While a direct confrontation with the garrison might not be necessary, it was better to be prepared.

"Also give me some Imperial Guards," Xiao Yunlang said without the slightest hesitation. "Didn't you just say I should escort Jiang Yanzhou? I'll need people to keep a close watch on him."

The Imperial Guards were considered elite troops. Few in number, but highly versatile.

Emperor Yonghe: "Ten for you."

"They've been idle for so long, who knows if their skills are still up to par," Xiao Yunlang said, sounding rather dismissive. "Twenty."

Is this a marketplace, haggling over prices!

Emperor Yonghe was furious.

By the time Xiao Yunlang walked out of the Hall of Brilliant Radiance, besides the imperial edict, he had secured a thousand troops and twenty Imperial Guards.

Xiao Yunlang wanted the Imperial Guards to give them a chance to earn merit. After completing this mission, they would all be promoted—and this credit wouldn't be attributed to the Emperor, but to Xiao Yunlang himself.

The more our own people get promoted, the better for us.

Xiao Yunlang arrived at the palace gate and, instead of entering the carriage, got right on his horse.

Emperor Yonghe's dithering had wasted a good chunk of Xiao Yunlang's time, and it was almost dark.

Although Xiao Yunlang, seeing how the Emperor was dragging his feet earlier, had already sent someone back to tell Jiang Yanzhou not to wait for him for dinner and to eat on his own, Xiao Yunlang still wanted to get back to the residence as soon as possible.

Since they weren't eating together and there was no set plan, there was no need to rush in theory. So why was he still in such a rush to get back?

Xiao Yunlang didn't know either.

Whether it was the frontier princely estate or the Crown Prince's residence, to him, they'd never been more than places to stay. It made no difference whether he went back or not when there was nothing to do.

But now, something felt different.

When Xiao Yunlang returned to the residence, he originally thought he would go find Jiang Yanzhou to discuss matters after having his own meal. Unexpectedly, an attendant spotted him, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, you're back. The young master is still waiting for you at Yan Gui Xuan."

Xiao Yunlang was taken aback.

"Didn't I tell him not to wait?"

The attendant replied, "The young master said it wasn't that late yet, so it wouldn't hurt for him to wait a little longer. Just in case you made it back in time, you could still dine together."

Xiao Yunlang gripped the reins and sat perfectly still on his horse, silent for a long moment.

The attendant stepped forward to take the horse, glancing up, puzzled. "Your Highness?"

Xiao Yunlang lowered his eyelids, said nothing, dismounted, tossed the reins to him, and strode briskly toward Yan Gui Xuan.

Jiang Yanzhou was inside the room watching a little tit pecking at food.

The little thing was round and plump, its wings still small, making you wonder if it could even get off the ground.

Lately, during shift changes and sparring practice, the guards would coax the bird into flying a few more laps, so it wouldn't forget how to fly and just end up perching all day.

After the little tit finished pecking at the fruit crumbs, it gazed up at Jiang Yanzhou pitifully, seemingly wanting more.

Jiang Yanzhou's heart melted at the look, but he held firm. "...The physician said we have to watch your portions at every meal. That's it for today. No more."

The little tit rubbed its head against his finger. "Chirp, chirp."

Before Jiang Yanzhou could cave in to the coaxing, a hand with prominent knuckles reached out and firmly grasped the little tit.

A flash of gold thread at the cuff. Jiang Yanzhou looked up in pleasant surprise: Xiao Yunlang had made it back just in time for the meal!

Xiao Yunlang weighed the little tit in his palm. "It has indeed gotten much fatter."

He handed the bird off to Feng Lan. "Take it for a couple of laps and have them serve the meal."

The little tit flapped its wings, seizing the chance to flutter up to the roof beam and loaf, but Feng Lan was too quick, snatching it out of the air and cupping it in his hands as he carried it out. "Yes."

The kitchen had the main dishes ready and waiting, and the soup was simmering. The moment the master called for dinner, it could be served up in no time.

After the attendants set out the dishes, Xiao Yunlang signaled for them to withdraw, as he and Jiang Yanzhou still had matters to discuss.

"Has His Majesty decided?" Jiang Yanzhou had been waiting to ask ever since Xiao Yunlang returned.

Xiao Yunlang nodded and recounted the palace discussions in detail.

Other than Ningzhou, the local official most deeply entangled with and best hidden by the Jiang family was in Congzhou.

Jiang Yanzhou had tipped Xiao Yunlang off about this ahead of time, hoping to see if they could use this investigation into the Congzhou exam fraud as a cover to directly oust the Prefect of Congzhou.

The Prefect of Congzhou, in collusion with the Jiang family and wealthy merchants of Congzhou, was running an illicit tea trade on the side.

Dealing in illicit tea—a state monopoly—was a capital offense.

Land and field taxes were a sensitive issue, guarded fiercely by all the great families—untouchable for now, but illicit tea was solely the Jiang family's affair. It wouldn't turn all the noble families against them. Expose this, and they could bring the Jiang family down for good, with full legitimacy.

Originally, the Jiang family's downfall would have occurred two years later. Now, with Jiang Yanzhou's knowledge of future events, Xiao Yunlang knew in advance.

Jiang Yanzhou worried the timing wasn't right.

Since it was a situation that could cost heads, and Congzhou was their territory, if mishandled, it could directly lead to a desperate, mutually destructive struggle.

"While they haven't firmly established themselves in the Grand Secretariat, if we can remove either the Jiang or Wei family at this time, it will be impossible for the aristocratic families to resist future investigations into land taxes."

After hearing this, Xiao Yunlang made a decision on the spot: "Opportunity knocks but once. This matter is in my hands; it must be accomplished."

Although Xiao Yunlang spoke lightly and with determination, he also knew this journey was exceptionally perilous. Coupled with the long distance and arduous travel, he didn't want Jiang Yanzhou to accompany him.

"At that time, we'll have someone impersonate the Crown Princess leaving the capital to recuperate," Xiao Yunlang said. "As long as he doesn't show his face or consistently wears a veil, it can be concealed. You stay in the capital, just temporarily unable to leave the residence. Endure it for some time until we return."

Jiang Yanzhou hadn't expected Xiao Yunlang not to plan on taking him and was surprised. "Why?"

He could just go directly. Why go through the trouble of finding someone to impersonate him? It was completely unnecessary for the overall situation.

Xiao Yunlang: "The hardships of travel. I'm afraid you won't be able to endure the journey."

If he said it was because of danger, Jiang Yanzhou would surely say that if the Crown Prince could risk himself, why couldn't he.

"The imperial physician takes my pulse every three days and says my health has improved. Traveling should be fine," Jiang Yanzhou reasoned from the overall situation, analyzing point by point. "Moreover, to investigate the Prefect of Congzhou, if I actually appear, using the Jiang family's name will attract his attention more. Then it will be easier for you all to act. Constantly claiming illness or hiding behind a veil, he won't believe it."

Xiao Yunlang knew Jiang Yanzhou was right.

The emperor was using Jiang Yanzhou as bait. At this time, whichever family sent a message to Congzhou would clearly indicate they had a problem.

The Jiang family wouldn't be foolish enough to hand over evidence themselves, so they wouldn't act.

With no communication of messages, then in the eyes of the Congzhou officialdom, Jiang Yanzhou was voluntarily going to recuperate. He still represented the Jiang family, not the Eastern Palace.

In principle, Jiang Yanzhou should make this trip, but...

Jiang Yanzhou was still waiting for a reply. "Your Highness?"

But emotionally, Xiao Yunlang didn't want him to share the danger.

He hadn't been like this with other advisors, probably because they all had a certain awareness. Like Xiao Yunlang himself, when one must fight, a dangerous place can also be a place of opportunity; there's no such thing as not daring to go.

With other advisors, they were like-minded individuals.

Of course, Jiang Yanzhou was too.

But other advisors, none of them would wait for him earnestly when he might not make it home in time.

Just for the chance that he could return punctually, so they could still have dinner together.

If one small thing is different, then everything becomes different.

Xiao Yunlang remained silent for too long. Jiang Yanzhou grew uneasy and set down his bowl and chopsticks, asking softly, "Did I do something wrong?"

Before fully gathering his thoughts, Xiao Yunlang instinctively refuted, "What are you talking about? Without your information, how many more years would the Prefect of Congzhou have continued his corrupt rule? How much longer would the Jiang family have preyed on the people? If even you haven't done well, then who could be considered good?"

Beneath the table, Jiang Yanzhou unconsciously twisted his sleeve.

He knew that in the modern world, he was just an ordinary person—truly ordinary, not particularly clever. Even after coming to Daqi, aside from relying on his foreknowledge to provide some information, he remained just another face in the crowd.

In terms of experience, he couldn't compare to the old foxes in the court. In terms of intelligence, he was worlds apart from people like Xiao Yunlang and Liu Hexuan.

He believed his greatest role was to provide the necessary information and then obediently watch them sail smoothly and overcome all obstacles.

But then he met Xu Wenzhi, and for the first time, he genuinely wanted to do something for these people...

Perhaps... he was overestimating himself.

Jiang Yanzhou tightened his grip on his sleeve. "I..."

As soon as he uttered a sound, Xiao Yunlang's heart inexplicably skipped a beat. He hadn't yet pinpointed the issue, but his keen intuition told him something wasn't quite right.

Xiao Yunlang abruptly cut off Jiang Yanzhou's words.

"You're right. Since the imperial physician says you can travel, then there shouldn't be a problem. I was making assumptions," Xiao Yunlang said quickly. "We'll bring the imperial physician along, pay attention along the way, and it should be fine."

Jiang Yanzhou was stunned for a moment. His crumpled sleeve loosened as he opened his mouth, still wanting to say something. But Xiao Yunlang directly took his bowl, scooped a spoonful of fish stew, and brought it to his lips, stuffing it into his mouth.

The action was so swift that not only Jiang Yanzhou, but even Xiao Yunlang himself was stunned.

His arm stiffened almost imperceptibly, but seeing Jiang Yanzhou's widened eyes and looking even more stiff, he could only pretend nothing had happened, saying calmly, "Eat first, or it'll get cold."

The porcelain spoon pressed against his lips. Jiang Yanzhou truly hadn't reacted in time. Hearing Xiao Yunlang's words, he instinctively opened his mouth mutely, took the spoon, and ate the fish stew.

His red lips parted slightly, his fair neck moved faintly as he swallowed the smooth, soft stew. The atmosphere at the table suddenly took a strange turn.

When he finally collected himself, Jiang Yanzhou's mind had no room for wild thoughts. Flustered, he reached for the spoon. "I... I'll do it myself..."

Carefully avoiding Xiao Yunlang's fingers, he took back both the spoon and bowl, lowered his head, and silently scooped another spoonful.

Xiao Yunlang's now-empty hand rested on the table. Watching Jiang Yanzhou's lowered head, he pressed his knuckles, feeling he should say something more.

"You really haven't done anything wrong. I mean it."

After being interrupted, Jiang Yanzhou felt anything he said now would be inappropriate. He could only nod hastily and without thinking.

...It felt as if the porcelain spoon still retained the warmth from Xiao Yunlang's grip.

Do practitioners of martial arts' hands always run so hot? To heat up the cool white porcelain so quickly.

Jiang Yanzhou buried his head in eating the fish stew and didn't speak again.

Hmm, Xiao Yunlang changed his mind. He could go to Congzhou.

He would definitely do a good job and ensure this body didn't interfere with any official business.

Then, in the future, Xiao Yunlang could rest assured, right?

*

Two days later, the Crown Prince was ordered to go to Congzhou to investigate the imperial examination fraud case. His deputy was the Censor-in-Chief of the Court of Censors, Wei Wuyou, along with a Vice Minister of Justice.

Since it involved the imperial examinations, it was best to have someone from the Ministry of Rites or the Hanlin Academy. After consideration, the Emperor selected the newly appointed top scholar, Liu Hexuan, who had just been appointed as a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

Those in the Hanlin Academy, even the current top scholar, typically had no real power for a long time and had to hone their skills for years within Hanlin.

But Liu Hexuan was immediately assigned to participate in the examination fraud case and could go out for practical experience. This showed the Emperor intended to use him and was willing to give him opportunities.

This was Liu Hexuan's own capability. His policy essays and responses during the palace examination greatly impressed the Emperor.

As for Wei Wuyou, the overt reason for his reinstatement was that the Emperor happened to read his new poem recently, remembered him, summoned him to the palace, and questioned him.

Wei Wuyou laid bare his thoughts, stating that his previous idleness was actually because he was unwilling to collude with certain people—implying a desire to sever ties with his family.

Emperor Yonghe still had some doubts but also some belief, since this person had previously not wanted to serve as an official, and now only had the chance to return because the Emperor summoned him.

So, even though he bore the Wei surname, the Emperor was still willing to test if he could be used.

After this trip to Congzhou, Wei Wuyou would have the experience to rightfully be assigned to a post in Cangzhou afterward.

As for how the Emperor so coincidentally read his poem recently...

Back when Jiang Yanzhou and the Prince of Jin fell into the water, a young eunuch was beaten to death. Jiang Yanzhou worried whether Shuang Quan might hold a grudge against the Crown Prince's residence because of this. It turned out he did not.

The loss of a subordinate who dared to act recklessly before he could cause greater trouble actually put Shuang Quan's mind at ease in advance and didn't affect his connection with the Eastern Palace.

For this trip, in addition, there were twenty Imperial Guards led by the Assistant Prefect of the Imperial Guards, Sui Yedao. In the end, Emperor Yonghe finally selected a group of people willing to support the Crown Prince.

Including the Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince's entourage left the capital in the morning. In the afternoon, the Crown Princess left the capital heading south under the pretext of recuperating from illness.

Inside the Jiang residence.

Jiang Linque stood in his study, holding a brush with a purple-hair tip, leisurely writing several large characters.

His brushstrokes were powerful, and his hand was steady, showing his mind was completely undisturbed.

His son, Jiang Yinhan, personally attended to the ink and brush beside him. "Jiang Yanzhou being sent to the south to recuperate at this time clearly means the imperial family wants to use the Jiang family's name. Over in Congzhou..."

Jiang Linque's brush never paused. "They are going to investigate the fraud case. The fraud case has nothing to do with Zhong Qingfu."

Zhong Qingfu was the Prefect of Congzhou.

"His Majesty is inherently suspicious. He wants to use Jiang Yanzhou's identity to see who in the capital makes a move."

Due to the imperial examination case these past two days, Emperor Yonghe strictly guarded against any messages leaving the capital. Imperial Guards were keeping watch everywhere. If they tried to send any messages, that would be creating chaos themselves.

Jiang Yinhan pondered. "If Jiang Yanzhou is being forced by the Crown Prince to help him..."

"That would only relate to the fraud case," Jiang Linque finished the last stroke, released his sleeve, admired his calligraphy, and said calmly. "After all, in others' eyes, Zhong Qingfu is loyal to the Emperor. A County Magistrate and a Vice-Prefect dared to commit fraud—deal with them according to the law. What does it have to do with him?"

Zhong Qingfu would become the local senior official assisting the Crown Prince in the investigation, demonstrating loyalty, clean and aboveboard.

Who would know he secretly colluded with the Jiang family?

Back when the embezzlement of disaster relief grain was exposed, it made them suspect a spy. They re-investigated all their subordinates. Anyone with the slightest suspicion was no longer allowed to handle core internal affairs.

As long as the business in Congzhou goes off without a hitch, there will be no issues.

As for Jiang Yanzhou, the Jiang family used his title as Crown Princess; now the imperial family uses his Jiang family identity. As long as they know the purpose, and it doesn't affect their plans, then it doesn't matter.

Jiang Linque set down the brush. On the paper before him were four vigorous, powerful characters—"Tranquility Leads to Far-reaching Goals."

Jiang Linque picked up the paper, satisfied. "While the Crown Prince is away from the capital, we'll properly settle accounts with the Wei family. His Majesty wants us to organize the cabinet regulations. Doesn't Official Wei think some of the things he wrote are utterly unreasonable?"

Jiang Yinhan bowed his head and took the calligraphy from his hand. The ink wasn't yet dry, but the characters meant to calm the mind were written with sharp, forceful strokes—more about action than stillness.