Xuanqing Guard

"I know many of you look down upon the Xuanqing Guard. You call them Black Skins, Running Dogs, Loyal Dogs... You believe they act outside the law, which greatly harms the Dynasty, and that the lack of supervision will eventually make them too powerful to control."

"But how many years has the Xuanqing Guard been established? Isn't it almost as long as the founding of the Dynasty? And when have they ever truly become uncontrollable?"

"On the contrary, there are some who, holding high positions in the Temple Hall, draw salaries yet do nothing, and even go so far as to take advantage of their power to amass wealth, making their clans flourish and their halls teem with guests."

"But how many of their businesses would truly dare to be placed openly on our Monarch and Ministers' table, like this Wuliangye? I fear most are concealed away, terrified that I might find out, am I wrong?"

These words of the Emperor fell uneasily on the ears of Ye Lansheng and the others on his right. He was clearly directing his remarks at them, using the cases of the Xuanqing Guard and Wuliangye as examples for comparison—this implication was anything but right!

But the Emperor had no intention of letting Ye Lansheng or the others explain. He motioned with his hand to interrupt those who were about to rise, and continued: "Earlier there was the private trafficking of military equipment, then the collusion and smuggling between local officials and licensed shops. And now, even the household of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue has become phenomenally wealthy, with the sons of the house exhausting their wits to cling to the roots of the Dynasty and drain its nourishment, even going so far as to plot and provoke discord. Truly beyond imagination."

The Emperor waved his hand, and several eunuchs entered in single file from outside the hall, each holding a dossier freshly stamped, and placed them on the tables before Ye Lansheng, the others, and Wen Mingju, before leaving again. Next came the urgent rustling of dossiers being hastily read inside the hall.

The scene fell silent. The Emperor lifted his wine bowl, intending to drink, but at his lips he only sipped a little, inhaled its aroma, and set it down—a look of keen interest as he gazed at Ye Lansheng and the others on his right.

On the left sat Pang Ban, hands on his knees, his gaze fixed on his nose, his nose turned inward, as motionless as a statue, utterly expressionless—none could tell what he was thinking in his silent reverie.

After a while—since the dossier was thick, it was unrealistic to finish it at once—earlier, when Pang Ban went to audience, Yang Jian listened as he read, so he gleaned the gist quickly. Now, Yang Jian had no intention of letting Ye Lansheng and company read at leisure.

Thus Yang Jian spoke: "The Empress is yet unaware that the junior relative she has always so greatly favored could actually be this ruthless. If she were to know, I can scarce imagine how furious she would be."

No names were spoken, but all who read the dossier knew exactly to whom the Emperor referred.

Ye Lansheng's hand holding the dossier trembled slightly. Not from fear, but from rage. Were he not forcibly suppressing himself, he would likely be gnashing his teeth audibly. The others beside him also wore hard expressions—they all understood that this round, they were sure to lose.

Each thought himself a chess master; but now, it seemed they were merely chess pieces. Laughably proud of their cunning, only to be manipulated by a single woman.

This was even more humiliating for Ye Lansheng and the others than being trodden into the ground by Pang Ban. For a time, they all gnashed their teeth but did not know how to answer the Emperor's words. Their hearts in disarray, their previous composure was lost.

"To frame the Deputy Thousand Households of the Xuanqing Guard, to incite strife between the Xuanqing Guard and the Ministry of Justice, and ultimately, to conceal the truth, to poison one's own younger brother and attempt to shift the blame onto Prince Shou, who aided the Xuanqing Guard in the arrest—tsk, tsk. Ma Xuanlin, you are the Minister of Justice; tell me, what crime is this?"

Ma Xuanlin's face could no longer maintain composure; his brows twitched in fury. When the Emperor questioned, he quickly rose and bowed: "Your Majesty, such a grave offense, if proven, is a capital crime. The condemned should be executed by Waist Slash, and his family members exiled a thousand li outside the border to die in servitude."

"And what if this person was already the remnant of a major crime? And how should those who sheltered him be dealt with?"

"By law, shielding a criminal who conspires evil is punished as being equally guilty."

"Very good. In that case, would this dossier then serve to conclude your previous impeachment of the Xuanqing Guard?" Yang Jian asked with a smile.

A brief silence. At last Ye Lansheng had no choice but to respond: "That shall conclude it. We have wronged Lord Pang and the Xuanqing Guard. Not only did we fail to discern the truth, we were also deceived by artful misdirection. We humbly beg Your Majesty's punishment."

As Ye Lansheng took the lead, the five Ministers beside him all rose from their seats and knelt to plead guilty.

It wasn't just Yang Jian whose eyelids flickered slightly. Even Pang Ban and Wen Mingju, watching impassively on the left, raised their brows as well. The same thought crossed their minds: They admit their mistake readily enough.

But if one were to be strict, the matter would end with Qin Wenhe, and it was impossible for Ye Lansheng and the others to be convicted solely for their earlier impeachment. Lacking discernment and being misled—these, in the end, amounted merely to "blunder" and "miscalculation," not true crimes. With a kneel and a confession, all could be brushed aside simply.

As the saying goes: Rumor spreads with a single mouth; refutation runs itself ragged.

Yet Ye Lansheng had more to say: "To make up for this oversight, I humbly beg Your Majesty to hand over Qin Wenhe and his associates to the Ministry of Justice for public execution, to set a clear example for all."

"Oh? Make up for the oversight?" The Emperor paused: "It will recover your reputation, and without harming the atmosphere. A win-win—quite good. Very well, I shall have the Xuanqing Guard transfer the prisoners to you. Send Zhao Kai to supervise the public execution."

Yang Jian, unhurriedly, appeared to agree with Ye Lansheng's suggestion.

To transfer the Qin Family to the Ministry of Justice for public execution and widely publicize it would effectively remove the shadow of the Xuanqing Guard, making the whole case seem like an internal self-purging of the Government Office system. A textbook bug hunt stance—it might even enhance their reputation instead of damaging it.

Is it not said that the minds of scholars are fiendishly clever? A moment ago, all were colleagues; now, instantly, someone had become the sacrificial victim for preserving one's own good name. Who ever really cared whether the Qin Family lived or died? They were less cared for than even those murder specialists of the Xuanqing Guard, who at least understood to shoulder the blame when trouble arose, seldom pushing others in front to escape disaster.

But suddenly, Emperor Yang Jian mentioned a name—Zhao Kai—which at once made Ye Lansheng and the others' faces less than pleasant. Especially Minister of Justice Ma Xuanlin, who seemed about to speak several times but forcibly held back.

Beside him, Pang Ban still wore a blank face, but Wen Mingju next to him allowed a slight smile. Zhao Kai? He was an old acquaintance! For Zhao Kai, like himself, had once served as an Imperial Guard. Only, Wen Mingju was now in the Ministry of War, Zhao Kai in the Ministry of Justice. They had both previously served as Vice Ministers.

Wen Mingju's promotion came by virtue of Xu Hong's elimination. And now, it seemed Zhao Kai would be promoted too.

"As Your Majesty says. To have Zhao Kai oversee the public execution is the most fitting arrangement." Ye Lansheng nodded, agreeing with the Emperor's words. A hint of bitterness flashed in his eyes. He knew that Zhao Kai was the price named by the Emperor—a non-negotiable one.

After Ye Lansheng spoke, Minister of Justice Ma Xuanlin could only echo his assent—he knew even more clearly that once Zhao Kai presided over such a public and reputation-building matter, his fame and influence would entirely surpass the current Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. When the Emperor pushed, a swap in the two Vice Ministers would not be impossible.

A tremendous loss!