Chapter 210 – Hotly Contended

“Zhuang Zhuangyuan has been rescued.”

Xie Yi raised his eyes to look at Qi Luan, who was reporting below him. “And then?”

Qi Luan answered honestly, “Later, His Excellency sent me first to report to Your Majesty that these things happened, and that he wouldn’t be able to arrive on time tonight. He took a detour to the bookstore and asked Your Majesty not to wait too long.”

Xie Yi: “…”

He glanced at Su Huaibei, who smiled and said, “I’m sure there will be further reports soon. His Excellency must have been worried that you would be waiting in vain, so he sent Guard Qi ahead to report. It’s curfew now, so I’ll send someone to inquire about the situation.”

Xie Yi mused for a moment and said, “Since it was a fire thunder explosion, it must have alarmed the military office. And with Zhuang Zhuangyuan missing, first send word to the commander of the military office and the governor of Jingzhao. If anyone reports a disappearance, make a show of looking for them, but just cover it up. There’s no need to alarm the military and civilians. This matter must not be spread around, and the scope must be controlled.”

Su Huaibei hurriedly replied, “Yes.”

Xie Yi said, “Have Fang Zixing send people to take care of it. Don’t dispatch eunuchs.”

Su Huaibei understood that this was to avoid suspicion and prevent those below from guessing that the order came from the palace. He quickly agreed.

Sure enough, after a while, Pei Dongyan also arrived and personally reported the events of the night in detail. Only then did Xie Yi feel relieved. He asked, “How many people did you send with Zhuang Zhizhan to Yangzhou?”

Pei Dongyan replied, “This kind of thing is suitable for the dark guards. Dinghai arranged for four skilled men to follow him. His Excellency dispatched a steamship, which has already set sail.”

“It’s not enough,” Xie Yi said.

Pei Dongyan was surprised. “It’s just picking up a woman. Forget about the Tiger Guards, even we from Fengxiang could handle it.”

Xie Yi said coldly, “Picking up a woman is enough, but searching homes and dealing with the aftermath isn’t—how can I tolerate such deceit against the emperor?”

“Their ‘death remonstration’? Who do they think they are? Do they deserve it?” Xie Yi sneered.

Pei Dongyan fell silent.

Xie Yi pondered for a moment and said, “Su Huaibei should go and pass down the decree immediately, telling He Zhiqiu and Fang Zixing to set out for Yangzhou right away, taking the imperial edict to find the Yangzhou governor. Surround the entire Zhuang clan, leaving no one from the direct or collateral lines behind. Gather up some ready-made charges like bullying the locals, exploiting tenant farmers, smuggling, and usury. Raid the Zhuang family, seize their estates, sell the slaves, and bring back the money for the academy. The head of the clan and Zhuang Zhizhan’s grandfather will be sentenced to death. As for the adult males, the officials shall detain them and decide on their punishment. Those found guilty shall be sentenced accordingly, and those found innocent shall be released.”

He sneered, “He Zhiqiu will handle it himself. As long as the Zhuang family is surrounded and searched, the complaints from the people will immediately pile up on the imperial envoy’s desk. Of course, Zhuang Zhizhan can assist. As for Zhuang Zhizhan, say that he was the first to report it. He denounced his own grandfather, demonstrating filial piety for the sake of loyalty to the emperor. This is commendable. Promote him a level, and give him some trifles like a jade ornament. Have Fan Mukun draft an edict.”

Su Huaibei sighed inwardly. It was said that relatives should conceal each other’s misdeeds unless they were treasonous crimes. Zhuang Zhizhan denouncing his clan, although not punished according to the crime of deceiving the emperor but merely by confiscating property, this decree promoting him would isolate him from the scholarly community. How could anyone still be willing to associate with him? Outsiders didn’t know he was forced to make a desperate plea; they would only think he was heartless and ungrateful for denouncing the grandfather who had raised him and helped him become a zhuangyuan. The reputation of being shameless and lacking integrity would stain him for life.

The emperor was kind and hadn’t discussed crimes like treason and exterminating nine generations of a family for years. The Zhuang family really angered the emperor. Although it hadn’t reached the point of executing nine generations, the last time such heavy-handed measures were taken was against the Fan family…

Indeed, Xie Yi hadn’t vented his anger yet. He threw the brush back onto the table, feeling very unhappy. He said to Pei Dongyan, “Next time you encounter something like this, directly arrest everyone on the opposite side. Xu Chun may be foolish and unable to see clearly, but you guys are following suit? What is his identity? Since there are those who dare to offend him, you should arrest them all and question them one by one to avoid future troubles. Now you’re making me clean up after you.”

Pei Dongyan broke out in sweat, knowing that the emperor was very displeased. He confessed, “It’s my fault.” But he secretly grumbled. Hadn’t they been told to listen to everything Linhai Hou asked them to do? His Excellency only told them to snatch the person, and at the time, they didn’t know it was the zhuangyuan. The emperor was upset because his plans were disrupted.

He thought of a way to remedy the situation. “Should I go and arrest those few people from the Zhuang family now?”

Xie Yi said, “They’ve already reported to the authorities. Wouldn’t arresting them now startle the snakes? Let them stay in the capital for now, and let them search.”

Xie Yi instructed, “Go back and keep a close watch on him. Has he settled down in the bookstore? It’s been a while since anyone stayed there, right? Things might not be fully prepared. Be careful. When he wakes up tomorrow, let him come to the palace. Don’t let others intercept him again.”

Pei Dongyan and Su Huaibei quickly realized that the last sentence was the most important. They hurriedly agreed.

The next day, when Xie Yi returned from court, he saw Xu Chun, dressed in fine clothes and looking spirited, waiting for him to have lunch. He was in a much better mood. “Hasn’t anyone from the Five-City Military Office disturbed you?”

Xu Chun said, “No… Nine Brother, did you take care of the aftermath for me?”

Xie Yi sneered. “They actually drew a portrait and gave it to the Jingzhao Prefecture. The governor there only said they would investigate carefully and kept the portrait.”

Xu Chun asked excitedly, “What about the portrait? Was it accurate? Let me see it.”

Xie Yi said, “I ordered it destroyed. What’s the use of keeping it? It couldn’t capture even a fraction of your appearance.”

Xu Chun was disappointed. “You didn’t even save it for me to see. The Jiangdu Zhuang clan seems to have talent. Just one glance and they could draw a portrait.” He then eagerly pulled out the “memorial of the deceased” from his sleeve and handed it to Xie Yi. “Look, I saved all the good stuff for Nine Brother to appreciate.”

Xie Yi took it and said, “Why bother reading this kind of thing and dirty your eyes.” As he spoke, he opened it and skimmed through it, praising, “It’s a well-written article. No wonder Zhuang Zhizhan has a belly full of bad water, yet he can still spout morality and righteousness. It turns out to be a family tradition.”

Xu Chun leaned over and pointed to a sentence for him to read, smiling. “Look, this is cursing me and Wu Yinggong. ‘The remnants of the previous dynasty, seizing power, the warlords are arrogant, covering the sky with one hand.’ This refers to the Fang family, right? Hahahaha. This ‘idle scions advancing through luck, abusing military merit, privately communicating with foreigners, using public resources for private gain, seeking revenge for personal reasons’ refers to me. ‘Failing to pacify foreign invasions while failing to maintain internal peace, enriching the country may not stabilize the people, moral standards are inverted, and great chaos is about to arise.’ They actually want Zhuang Zhizhan to commit suicide! ‘Promoting purity and punishing opportunists, clarifying righteousness and eliminating traitors.’ The Zhuang clan has had only one zhuangyuan in a hundred years. How could they view him so lightly?”

Xie Yi passed the memorial to Su Huaibei. “Take this to He Zhiqiu as evidence in court.” Then he said to Xu Chun, “There’s no need to read this kind of thing. Beneath the noble intentions lies a stomach full of filth. They’re not looking down on him; they’re using this to exchange for a thousand years of glory and a hundred years of wealth. How could anyone think that such a young zhuangyuan would die in protest if he wasn’t forced to? Even if someone guessed, if the scholars were moved by righteous sentiment, they wouldn’t speak out. It’s always been a way to pressure the emperor throughout history.”

Xu Chun looked at Xie Yi. “Nine Brother, aren’t you afraid? From what I read in this article, ten points elaborately discussed the harm of Western learning, and it seemed quite reasonable. I even doubted my own actions, wondering if I was really causing trouble for Nine Brother, violating the principles of propriety and becoming a sinner for a thousand generations…” He thought about the grand titles they had given them. Although he laughed it off, he still had some doubts.

Xie Yi said, “What’s there to fear? These people, who attack each other for personal gain, are mostly fame-seekers and talkative fools who mislead the country. Not worth mentioning. They themselves are not upright. Remember what I taught you. You don’t have to follow their argument to refute them. Directly attack their foundations. A large clan like the Zhuangs, with various members, would it be hard to find evidence of them bullying the locals? Moreover, Zhuang Zhizhan isn’t a fool. He’s been in court for four years. If he couldn’t see that dying in protest wouldn’t work on me and still went ahead and died, then he would have wasted his position as a zhuangyuan.”

“The debate between Eastern and Western ways and the controversy over body and function won’t likely end in my reign. Perhaps it will continue to be debated. I don’t know if I’m right now, but I only know that if we don’t keep up with the times and fall behind in the world, becoming weak and impoverished, then the destruction of our country and the extinction of our race might be imminent. Establishing schools, training troops, and manufacturing weapons are essential tasks that cannot be delayed for a single day. These people are content with their ignorance and unaware of the global situation. There’s no need to pay attention to them.”

He looked at Xu Chun. “Scholars who die in protest and warriors who die in battle. Honest and straightforward ministers are indeed rare. Ministers who dare to remonstrate with the emperor often risk their lives to do so. They are generally loyal and righteous. I’ve always been cautious about killing and warned myself not to punish people for their words. As the emperor, I need a line in my heart.”

“But, from the perspective of imperial tactics, what’s truly useful is only ‘army remonstration.'” He looked at Xu Chun.

Xu Chun was startled. He felt that Nine Brother said this sentence with particular seriousness, as if it had a deeper meaning. He instinctively avoided the topic. “It’s rare to see Nine Brother today. Let’s not talk about these annoying people anymore.” He showed him the monthly roses on the table. “This is a new variety cultivated by the Hongnong Academy. They picked a basket full and presented it to me. I’m passing it along to Nine Brother.”

Xie Yi smiled slightly, as if seeing through his evasion. He laughed. “What’s special about this monthly rose? Its color is indeed particularly bright, and the flower shape is very round.”

Xu Chun introduced it carefully. “This is a hybrid from the Netherlands. It successfully grafted with our local variety. The flowers are especially fragrant, and the thorns are particularly few. The flowering period is long, the flowers are large and numerous. One branch can have several buds. Most importantly, because it’s probably from abroad, local pests are useless against it. It’s particularly easy to plant. Look, I’ve already had them plant it immediately. Send thirty pots into the palace first for Nine Brother to give as gifts.”

Xie Yi: “…”

Xu Chun grinned mischievously. “When the ministers receive the gift, Nine Brother can mention that it’s a new variety cultivated by the Hongnong Academy. That will open up sales. The Hongnong Academy finally has a profitable product. Your Majesty should support it. Once it becomes popular, it can be distributed to the various prefectures and counties and ordered to the flower farmers to try planting it. It’s another source of livelihood.”

He said, rather pleased with himself, “Who says Western learning is all harmful to the country and the people? Doesn’t this count as beneficial to the country and the people?” He complained, “Nowadays, everyone in Jinhaiwei can eat refined rice and wear silk and cotton clothes. This is considered a crime? Must they say I’m robbing people of their livelihood? When I read the classics in the past, it said that a virtuous ruler’s governance is for the people to have enough food and clothing. Why is it considered a crime now that the common people can afford cotton cloth and refined rice?”

Clearly still indignant about the memorial, Xie Yi comfortingly reached out and held his wrist. “Don’t mind these things. As long as you have a clear conscience, it’s fine.”

Xu Chun immediately clasped Xie Yi’s wrist in return, their skin touching. How could he bear to let go? He moved upward, his face heating up. “Nine Brother, why don’t you rest longer during the noon break?”

Xie Yi said, “I’m fine. I can just give an order if I don’t want to discuss matters. But do you have time in the afternoon? The Linhai Hou Mansion should be bustling with visitors. You were intercepted last night when you just arrived in the capital. If you’re free in the afternoon, that would be very rare.”

Xu Chun’s face showed some regret. “In the afternoon, I’m going to see Prince Shunping. Su Linyu said the prince is sick and invited me to visit him. We were classmates at the Imperial Academy, so I should go and see him.”

Xie Yi said, “Mmm, I vaguely remember hearing from the Imperial Clan Department once. I’ve ordered the imperial doctors to treat him carefully, but I heard that his heart is severely depleted. It needs to be treated slowly.”

Xu Chun was surprised. “At such a young age, how could his heart be so depleted?”

Xie Yi said, “There must be some hidden troubles that can’t be revealed.”

Xu Chun looked at Xie Yi without finding it strange, thinking that it was probably related to the incident with Shun Prince. He didn’t say anything, only changed the subject and chatted with Xie Yi. “Speaking of the imperial clan, there are quite a few excellent juniors now, right? I heard that Jinkuo Junwang Xie He is in charge of the Military Affairs Office. You haven’t seen this junwang much, have you? Your Majesty, tell me about him? We’ll be colleagues in the Military Affairs Office in the future.”

Xie Yi said, “He’s a collateral relative, two years younger than I. Mature and serious, he doesn’t talk much. Originally, there were many imperial relatives, and I didn’t pay much attention to him. But last year, I heard that the ancestral mausoleum was damaged by rain. No one from the Imperial Clan Department wanted to take on the job, so they pushed him forward. As a result, he handled it very efficiently. All the accounts were in order, and he could answer every question I asked. He really did the repairs himself. He’s a reliable worker. Later, I gave him a few internal affairs of the imperial clan to handle, and he did them very maturely. There’s no one from the imperial clan in the Military Affairs Office. If the imperial clan has any objections, I chose him.”

Xu Chun nodded. “I see.”

Xie Yi said, “There aren’t many capable people in the imperial clan. For example, the eldest daughter of Keqin Junwang, Chunhe County Princess, eventually chose the Nong family. They are currently performing the six rites.”

Xu Chun was surprised. “The Nong family? Is it Nong Dage or his younger brother? Which junwang’s daughter is Chunhe County Princess?”

Xie Yi saw that he genuinely didn’t remember and smiled faintly. “The one who recommended herself to you in the lotus courtyard last time, Xie Xiao’s sister. How could you forget in just a few days? I heard that it was actually Nong Anbang, the second son of the Nong family, who sought her hand in marriage. But in the end, County Princess Chunhe took a fancy to the elder brother. She wants to become the future Guangyuan Wangfei. I heard that Guangyuan Wang has already approved it. In a few days, the Imperial Clan Department should have an edict coming up for my approval.”

Xu Chun thought of the eager county princess from that day. He hesitated. “Is Nong Dage willing?”

Xie Yi said, “Nong Siji personally went to Keqin Junwangfu in the capital to meet her. He should be satisfied. That’s why he allowed the envoy from Yizhou to convey his intentions—From the perspective of the court, the marriage of Nong Shizi and an imperial clan girl is indeed the best choice. Nong Shizi is also making a statement, of course. County Princess Chunhe is talented and beautiful. Among the girls of the imperial clan, she’s also exceptionally outstanding.”

Xu Chun, seeing that Nong Siji agreed, had nothing more to say. He only said, “That county princess does indeed seem talented and beautiful, bold and dignified.”

Xie Yi laughed. “But from a single meeting, how could you know? I think she knew that Nong Shizi was on good terms with you and wanted to borrow the power of the Nong family and yours. Fortunately, her vision is indeed good. She didn’t choose Nong Anbang. Nong Anbang must be furious. With his elder brother marrying an imperial clan girl, he won’t be able to marry another imperial clan girl easily.”

Xu Chun said, “After these few years, he still hasn’t given up?”

Xie Yi said, “In matters like this, until the end, who knows who will win?” He looked at Xu Chun, thinking: This is just the beginning. My dear, you’re like the sun at noonday. So many people want to borrow your power, and so many people are envious and want to overthrow you and take your place. This is the capital, the center of power, where storms rage and the crown prince is undecided. And you’ve finally officially entered the arena of fame and fortune.

Thinking that everything started because of him, he felt a bit guilty toward Xu Chun. He personally poured him a bowl of soup. “Drink the soup. In a few days, when you officially enter the Military Affairs Office, you’ll be hotly contended for. Your so-called Nong Dage will also come to the capital to welcome his bride and get married. I’m afraid it will be difficult for me to see you.”