Chapter 220 – Court Session

That night, Xu Chun hardly slept, asking if there was news from the port at the slightest sound. Xie Yi knew he was young and inexperienced, having discovered corruption under his governance without realizing that where there was power, corruption would inevitably breed, much like how shadows followed light.

Xu Chun and Sheng Changtian had been working day and night for years, each doing the work of several people. Whether it was the schools, factories, or naval bases, any other official tasked with such projects would have counted their success in decades.

Yet, these young men, driven by nothing more than a surge of passion, had achieved such significant accomplishments. With insufficient checks and balances, the emergence of corruption was unavoidable. As a ruler or superior, if one focuses their energy on major endeavors, they had to temporarily overlook the maggots gnawing like ulcers on their bones.

This was why he had called Xu Chun back to the court. He had been in the local area, his vision confined to that small world. Now, the discovery of the nest of corruption served as a warning to him. Managing subordinates was always far more difficult than handling affairs. Balancing various interests, sharing benefits among subordinates while controlling their greed required experience.

Xie Yi pitied Xu Chun, noticing that he couldn’t concentrate. He simply took out a copy of Zizhi Tongjian and began recounting historical anecdotes and stories about some of the dynasty’s famous officials.

Xu Chun hadn’t read with Xie Yi for a long time. Seeing Xie Yi’s gentle demeanor and patience, not forcing him to recite or lecture him, but slowly narrating old tales, he found himself listening intently. The two leaned against the Luohan bed, both tall and leggy, making it somewhat cramped. Xu Chun stretched his legs, boldly placing them on Xie Yi’s, muttering, “Brother Jiu, you’re an emperor, this Luohan bed is too small, it’s too frugal…”

Xie Yi replied, “This was what I was accustomed to using… tomorrow, have the Office of Manufacturing make a bigger one to replace it. If you like any particular style, talk to Su Hua or An Yanian.”

Curious, Xu Chun asked, “You haven’t changed your bed since your ascension to the throne?” He slowly raised his leg, draping it over Xie Yi’s waist. Originally leaning against Xie Yi’s chest, he now slightly lifted his head to look at Xie Yi.

Xie Yi continued looking down at the book page, his long, slender eyebrows and black crystal-like eyes carrying a hint of melancholy. Hearing Xu Chun’s words, he lifted his eyelids to glance at Xu Chun, saying nothing.

His silence piqued Xu Chun’s interest even more. “It must be true then? Brother Jiu didn’t pay attention to this, did he?”

Xie Yi admitted, “Indeed, I didn’t pay attention; they’re all the same.”

Xu Chun was excited. “I’ll pick a bed for Brother Jiu, I guarantee it’s sturdy and comfortable. Just the yellow rosewood bed from Nanyang, Brother Jiu doesn’t like extravagance, so we’ll get a canopy bed. Hang a gauze curtain when it’s hot, it’ll be quite cool.”

Xie Yi gave him face, “As long as you like it. The bed in the flower pavilion, the phoenix-tail bed, is also good; you can change that one if you like.”

Xu Chun responded indifferently, “Hmm, the one in the flower pavilion… I forgot…” He hugged Xie Yi’s waist tightly, his arm hanging behind Xie Yi, slowly feeling along the vertebrae of Xie Yi’s spine. “Brother Jiu, do you prefer hard beds? How about you come to my place and sleep on my soft bed?”

Xie Yi replied, “…either way is fine.”

But Xu Chun said, “Brother Jiu often had trouble sleeping before. It might have been because this bed was too hard, and it came with a jade mat. Although comfortable in the heat, it’s still hard. Adding a little soft mattress underneath would be better… hehehe, just like in operas, high beds, soft pillows, beautiful women, they’re the most destructive to heroes’ ambitions.”

Xie Yi held onto his mischievous wrist, “Wait.”

Xu Chun’s face still had a flush. “Brother Jiu…” His voice carried a touch of coquettishness. Xie Yi chuckled, “Someone has come outside, there should be news.”

Xu Chun immediately sat up, his eyes clear and bright, listening to the commotion outside. Indeed, Wufu softly reported from outside the tent, “Your Majesty, the Dinghai commander has arrived.”

Xu Chun hurriedly called out, “Quick, please invite him in.”

He busily straightened his robes, and amidst the flurry, he even buttoned up Xie Yi’s collar. Then, he put on his shoes and walked out.

Dinghai was indeed outside, reporting, “We’ve captured everyone, and the ships have been seized. Third Master Sheng is interrogating them overnight, fearing that Your Majesty and the Marquis would be worried, he ordered me to report back to the palace.”

Xu Chun sighed in relief, then asked, “Did you capture any recognizable commanders?”

Dinghai shook his head. “I don’t recognize them, they seem to be of low rank. But they recognized Third Master Sheng.”

“From what Third Master Sheng questioned them, they appear to be former confidants of General Qin. After General Qin returned to the capital, they probably felt neglected by the Marquis and harbored resentment. And because our men went on military expeditions and earned military merits, they’ve been promoted every year. They always suspected they were lacking in military supplies, which is why they colluded inside and out to embezzle goods.”

Xu Chun was furious. “I have always treated them equally!”

Dinghai explained, “The Marquis’s personal guards have always been those brought out from the palace. They didn’t know, thinking you only used your own people… not trusting them.”

Xu Chun was speechless. “…” There was no defense for this.

Xie Yi comforted him, “Generals naturally use their most trusted men as bodyguards, moreover they themselves must know the difference between them and the personal guards. This is merely an excuse after the fact, to alleviate their guilt and attempt to escape punishment. Don’t fall for it.”

Xu Chun asked, “What else did you find out? How many people were involved?”

Dinghai replied, “I only listened for a moment before Third Master Sheng sent me to report back to the palace. I only heard them mention the main source of the goods, which started last year.”

“It seems they felt the Marquis gave many benefits to General Helan’s border troops, yet they received none. Therefore, they vaguely misled Third Master Sheng’s subordinates, saying that those goods were left over, and then asked if the Marquis hadn’t instructed them?”

“Therefore, Third Master Sheng mistakenly believed that the Marquis and General Helan had prearranged this. The cargo from the entire fleet of more than ten ships, compared to the cargo list, appeared to be insignificant, scattered and few. They were very careful, taking less of each item separately, and didn’t dare to tamper with the military equipment. Third Master Sheng was busy, so he failed to notice.”

“This time, it was unexpected that anyone would dare to offer such a high price for the guns. They originally worried it could be the Jin people, but later they found out it was Fujian merchants, so they became reassured. They were told that it had been dismantled in the factory for so long, and it could be produced soon, similar to before. But whenever we produce something, the price inevitably falls, so it was better to sell it now while it was still valuable, to make a big profit…”

Xu Chun commented, “It’s the accumulation of small amounts, growing bolder, a dike breached by an ant hole…”

Xie Yi laughed, “Such a high price, all in cash, it’s no wonder they dared to defy the world. Even spies may not have been able to come up with so much money for bribery.”

Xu Chun glared at him. “Is the Emperor blaming this minister for fishing for information?”

Xie Yi said seriously, “If someone can be moved by wealth today, tomorrow they might retreat and lose their sense of integrity and loyalty. This trend cannot be allowed to grow; it must be nipped in the bud and dealt with strictly.”

Xu Chun said, “They’re all full of excuses, I’m afraid they won’t implicate many people. Alas, it’s a pity that Big Brother He hasn’t returned from Yangzhou, otherwise, we could ask him how to handle the interrogation.”

Xie Yi said, “He should be back in a few days. Once he and Zi Xing return to the capital, have them both conduct the investigation, it will be fairer. It will also save you from Jing’an Bo picking on you, saying you favor your own people.”

Xu Chun said, “I do bear responsibility for this matter. Your Majesty should punish me as you see fit.”

Xie Yi said, “Failure to supervise properly? Haven’t you discovered it in time? The Ministry of Revenue can’t even hold accountable the deficits in the prefectures and counties, how could it be your turn for this little foreign trade smuggling? Let’s first investigate thoroughly. You deal with the matters within your own army.”

Xu Chun said, “Qin Jie probably won’t let this go easily.”

Xie Yi said, “He should be more afraid of being implicated now.”

Xu Chun was taken aback. Xie Yi looked at him and smiled faintly. “Marquis Linhai, you’re in the Emperor’s heart, what are you worried about?”

Xu Chun was silent.

Xie Yi reached out to pull him. “Rest, I’ll vouch for you. Once this news spreads, Jing’an Bo will likely send you gifts first, and Qin Jie will come to explain himself, their first priority will be to distance themselves from the matter. You haven’t entered the court much, you don’t understand what it means to curry favor… what it means when the wall collapses and everyone pushes.”

After thinking about it, he laughed again. “Tomorrow you’ll also be attending court. Once you enter the court, every matter you encounter daily will be bigger than yours. Learn from the cabinet ministers who remain calm as mountains, and you won’t be like a chicken in a panic.”

Xu Chun was preoccupied with thoughts of how to question the case clearly when he returned the next day and how to deal with Qin Jie. He didn’t pay attention to Xie Yi’s teasing. Xie Yi could only pull him into the tent, but then he took out the peach blossom fan from the bedside to admire together, and thus they regained their spirits.

The next day, Xu Chun was also due to attend court. Early in the morning, after accompanying Xie Yi for breakfast, he changed into his brand new First Rank Marquis court attire. Xie Yi was very pleased with his martial appearance, personally adorned him with a jade pendant, and then ordered Pei Dongyan and others to escort him out of the southern East Inner Palace Gate in a carriage, circling around to the front at the Meridian Gate for court.

This was Xu Chun’s first proper participation in a grand court assembly, and he was quite curious. Coupled with the comfort he received from Xie Yi the previous night, he had forgotten the frustration of the night before. It wasn’t until he got out of the carriage at the Meridian Gate and saw all the ministers waiting to attend court.

Seeing Xu Chun get out of the carriage, many people came forward to bow and chat with him. He was somewhat surprised; many officials, some familiar and some unfamiliar, came up to bow to him. As he walked, many greeted him with smiles.

“Marquis, hello.”

“When did the Marquis return to the capital?”

“Marquis, my father’s birthday is this month, I hope the Marquis will grace us with your presence. An invitation has already been sent to the Duke’s residence.”

“Marquis, the Ministry of Works has some matters we’d like to consult you about, I wonder when you’re free?”

He could only bow and socialize all the way. Unexpectedly, his modest attitude attracted even more greetings, one after another. Fortunately, Fang Zijing called out to him, stopping the officials who wanted to chat. He finally got a break, somewhat flustered, walking over. Fang Zijing pointed and instructed him, “Up ahead are the offices for the Military Affairs Department and the Cabinet officials awaiting court. Next time, don’t pay too much attention, just come straight in after getting out of the carriage.”

Xu Chun wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead. “I didn’t expect… so many officials I didn’t recognize… Didn’t they say that the literati officials despise me?”

Fang Zijing laughed. “You’re currently in the spotlight, everyone wants to seek favors and make money from you. Besides… even if they’re going to impeach you for a serious crime right away, they can still greet you with a smile. That’s the essence of being an official.”

Xu Chun couldn’t help but laugh, but then he heard someone call him in an unfriendly tone, “Xu Yuanlin, I heard you slandered me again at Tientsin Harbor?”

Xu Chun turned his head and saw Li Meiyan staring at him with a dark face. He involuntarily shrank his neck. Not good! He had forgotten this case! How did Lord Meiyan return to the capital! Wasn’t he supposed to be inspecting river works? Why didn’t Brother Jiu remind him!