Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 236 Terrible

The eunuch Huang entered the inner palace but did not approach to disturb them. Instead, he stood silently to the side to serve them.

On the throne, the emperor, dressed in white robes and a red sash, leaned against a pillow, his face appearing unusually thin. In fact, the emperor had been suffering from illness for some time, coughing and unable to sleep all night. He had just begun to recover when the case in Daming Prefecture came to light.

But having been emperor for decades, even in his weakened state, his eyes remained clear and bright, radiating the unique majesty of an emperor. It was precisely because of this that the emperor was able to immediately order the imperial guards to arrest the officials of Daming Prefecture after the eunuch Huang "escaped back" to the capital.

The official of Daliang picked up the tabloid and examined it closely, finding the articles quite unique. He looked at Wen Zhengchen and said, "This tabloid comes from the common people, but it's clear that someone has been secretly involved to achieve this result."

The official said that someone was secretly involved, referring to Wang Yan.

Wen Zhengchen bowed and said, "In my humble opinion, the Imperial Envoy Wang is merely a writer; not a single article in the tabloids has received his guidance."

The official calmly said, "Isn't it because of this tabloid that the affairs of Daming Prefecture were exposed to the public?"

Wen Zhengchen's face was solemn: "That's not the case."

The Emperor listened carefully to Wen Zhengchen's insights.

“It’s not because of the tabloids, but because of the people,” Wen Zhengchen pointed to the tabloids. “It’s not that someone is using the tabloids to do things, but that the tabloids have written about the plight of ordinary people. A pound of lotus root charcoal costs only three coins, yet it has attracted the covetousness of others.”

“A small coal mine almost cost the entire village its life.”

"It's just a clay stove, something ordinary people use for heating and cooking, yet it's subject to people's schemes and plots."

“Those who made lotus root charcoal and clay stoves, which saved the lives of many poor people, were also falsely accused.”

“The tabloids wrote the facts and were resented. If the writer hadn’t been a scholar, he would have been imprisoned long ago.”

"So it was the people who brought all this together."

"It made us realize that Daming Prefecture could no longer accommodate an ordinary citizen."

Wen Zhengchen liked the tabloid and didn't want it to be branded with such a crime.

If tabloids become a tool, they can no longer exist, because if they are attacking Prefect Liu today, they may turn their attention to the imperial court tomorrow.

The government would not allow such things to circulate among the people.

The emperor seemed to be deep in thought: "Is that so?"

The eunuch beside him had already lit the lotus root charcoal and presented it, along with the clay stove, to the emperor.

"Put it down and see how long it burns."

Then the Emperor instructed the eunuch to offer him a seat and handed the account book in his hand to Wen Zhengchen: "Take a look at it too!"

A small clay stove was placed to the side. After the official finished approving the document and Wen Zhengchen sorted out the accounts, the lotus root charcoal was still burning.

"You said they call it Buddha Charcoal?"

Wen Zhengchen responded, "The Xie family, who made this lotus root charcoal, only wanted to use Buddhism to preserve it. Otherwise, someone would soon interfere with the lotus root charcoal trade and make it as expensive as charcoal, to the point that ordinary people could no longer afford it. Although the Xie family deceived the world, it was out of a kind heart."

"What a fine excuse! What state has my Great Liang reached? Those who want to do good can only resort to lies." The Emperor's eyes gradually turned angry.

After a long pause, he spoke again: "If I were to put you in charge of the border market, would you be willing?"

It wasn't specified which market it was, but the one that's about to open is the one in the Northwest.

Wen Zhengchen rose and bowed: "Your humble servant will do his utmost to manage the border markets for the court, even if it means sacrificing his life."

"I don't want you to die," the Emperor said, "I just want you to serve the court well and stop those people from using the border markets for personal gain." After saying this, the Emperor paused.

"I once trusted Liu Heng, but he has disappointed me greatly."

Wen Zhengchen continued, "Such treacherous officials should be executed."

The Emperor waved for Wen Zhengchen to leave. Once everyone had stepped out of the hall, the Emperor finally couldn't help but cough violently.

The eunuch Huang hurriedly stepped forward and patted the emperor's back. Beneath his palm, the body hidden under the wide dragon robe was thin and bony, and the eunuch Huang was immediately filled with sorrow.

Once the Emperor had calmed down, Eunuch Huang advised, "Your Majesty should not overwork yourself like this. Just leave those matters to the ministers."

The Emperor took a deep breath: "Someone submitted a memorial saying that the turmoil in Daming Prefecture was caused by factional strife and framing. Fortunately, I still have a righteous minister to consult."

Wen Zhengchen had offended both factions, but he was a rare upright official, and the emperor believed his advice. Moreover, it was a fact that lotus root charcoal cost three coins per pound. Even if someone wanted to deal with the Liu family, they couldn't possibly focus on a single piece of lotus root charcoal and trick the Liu family into falling into their trap.

Therefore, the Liu family's disloyal intentions are genuine.

"I thought it was a mutual understanding between ruler and subject."

Eunuch Huang could tell that the Emperor was extremely disappointed. It wasn't just because the generals of Daming Prefecture were smuggling goods, but also because they had developed disloyal intentions.

"So be it," the Emperor said. "Now that things have come to this, I can no longer spare them."

The Emperor was helped to rest by the eunuch Huang, and the palace servants who were serving in the elegant study spread the news they had heard.

When Xie Shumi received the news, it was already late at night. After reading it, he threw the note into the charcoal brazier and burned it.

"Father," Xie Chengxin asked in a low voice, "Is there no room for maneuver?"

Privy Councilor Xie shook his head with a stern face: "His Majesty may spare Liu Heng's life out of consideration for his many years of service, but that's all." It all depends on whether Liu Heng will rebel against the Imperial Guards.

If they resist, the entire Liu clan will be eradicated.

Xie Chengxin, who is twenty years old this year, has long been assisting Xie Shumi in handling government affairs. Before Huang, the eunuch, came to the capital to report the news, they had not yet discovered any signs of anything being done against Prefect Liu...

In other words, this matter suddenly escalated, leaving the Liu family with no chance to turn the tables.

They were caught completely off guard.

If it was just a coincidence, that would be one thing, but if it was deliberately orchestrated, Xie Chengxin dared not think too deeply about it. Today it's Liu Heng, but who will it be tomorrow?

Xie Chengxin tentatively asked, "Father, would you like to secretly lend a hand again?"

Xie Shumi sighed: "If... your grandfather were still alive, he could naturally find a way, but since your grandfather suddenly passed away, there are still people in the Dali Temple watching this case."

Even if your sister is betrothed to the prince, our family still needs to be careful.

Xie Chengxin nodded. Actually, there were some things he didn't know either, only vaguely sensing them, after all, his grandfather's death was too sudden. He had tried to ask his father about it, but was sternly reprimanded by his father.

Despite having many doubts and questions, he was able to keep them to himself.

“My son just thinks it’s a bit too scary,” Xie Chengxin said. “Liu Heng is an old fox. Even if Wang Yan went to Daming Prefecture, he shouldn’t have taken him down without making a sound.”

"And it's not just the Liu family... our family also suffered considerable losses."

"The Xie family of Daming Prefecture is probably doomed. We originally wanted to rely on them to control the trade in the border market, but that's no longer possible. We'll have to find another way."

"My son had someone inquire about the situation and found out that the Xie family of Daming Prefecture had fallen to such a state because of a ghost marriage."