Catching Monsters

Chapter 580 Loyalty to the State, Not to One Ruler

Jiang Yun had heard of Tang Yizhi from the Ministry of Works; it was said that he had been a diligent official in the Ministry of Works.

Some time ago, after Minister of Works Zhao Yuming died from Gu poison, he smoothly took over and became the new Minister of Works.

Miao Yuanxing, from the Ministry of Rites, is a senior figure in the ministry.

"They didn't say what happened, but they looked a little anxious and asked me to come and ask you, brother, what exactly happened."

Jiang Yun slowly picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. You should not inquire too much about it. Go back to your residence and rest. We will have news soon."

Seeing that Jiang Yun was unwilling to say more, Xiao Jingzhi did not press the matter further.

Jiang Yun quickly excused himself, saying he still had official business to attend to, and saw Xiao Jingzhi off.

After seeing Xiao Jingzhi off, Jiang Yun quickly found Qi Da and said, "Immediately send men to guard the vicinity of the residences of Lords Tang Yizhi and Miao Yuanxing, awaiting orders and ready to arrest them at any time."

Upon hearing the names of these two officials, Qi Da's pupils contracted slightly. He was all too aware of the weight these two officials carried in the Zhou court.

If there's something wrong with the two of them...

Thinking of this, Zidane couldn't help but gasp.

Soon, the torture in the prison resumed, and You Guangcheng finally couldn't take it anymore.

Jiang Yun also arrived upon hearing the news. He strode in from outside, while You Guangcheng sat slumped on the ground, his skin almost completely unscathed.

This form of torture involves heating boiling oil, then using a finely crafted, sharp knife to peel off a layer of skin before pouring the hot oil over it.

This is just one form of torture that You Guangcheng suffered...

The fact that You Guangcheng has managed to hold on until now shows his strong willpower.

“Eunuch You, if you had confessed earlier, you wouldn’t have suffered so much.” Jiang Yun squatted down opposite You Guangcheng and then took out a piece of paper: “Tell me, which officials were involved, and how you planned to assassinate His Majesty.”

You Guangcheng took a deep breath and slowly said, "This matter was planned by Minister Miao of the Ministry of Rites."

"Among them were Minister Tang of the Ministry of Works and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue..."

You Guangcheng rattled off the names of numerous high-ranking officials in the imperial court, all of considerable influence.

"Why did you poison His Majesty?" Jiang Yun asked in a deep voice.

You Guangcheng sighed and slowly said, "His Majesty has recently investigated many corrupt officials. These people have many connections with us. Among them, three people from the Ministry of Works were arrested and imprisoned. I think many of them are desperate because they are afraid that the corruption case will implicate them."

"And what about you? As a palace eunuch, why are you involved?" Jiang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly: "Because you also embezzled money? And you're afraid of being implicated?"

Upon hearing this, You Guangcheng's voice was somewhat weak, but he still said, "It's not like the eunuchs in our palace have been greedy for money for just a day or two. His Majesty is still quite lenient towards us servants."

"What's your purpose?"

You Guangcheng sighed, closed his eyes, and slowly said, "Lord Miao Yuanxing came to me and claimed that if this matter succeeds and His Highness the First Prince ascends the throne, I will be a great contributor, and then the position of Eunuch Feng will be mine."

As eunuchs in the palace, they were essentially the royal family's lackeys, and they would not easily betray the emperor.

For example, a powerful eunuch like Feng Yu could only maintain his power if Xiao Yuzheng was around.

Especially the eunuchs around him, relying on the emperor's favor, even if they offended ministers, the emperor was happy to see it.

Only by doing so can eunuchs be absolutely loyal to the emperor.

However, You Guangcheng had been in the palace for many years but had never been given an important position, so he wanted to take a shortcut in this way.

Qi Da was writing his statement himself. When he heard this, he was slightly taken aback because he knew that the Crown Prince and his Lord Jiang seemed to have a good relationship and often came to see Jiang Yun.

Noticing Zidane's gaze, Jiang Yun remained calm and ordered, "Record it truthfully."

"Yes."

Then, Jiang Yun pointed to the paper placed in front of him: "Write down all the ministers you know who were involved in this matter, not a single one can be missed." Soon, a list was in Jiang Yun's hands, a total of eighteen people, basically all ministers from the civil service.

Jiang Yun wasn't surprised to see that there were no military officers on the list. After all, in the Zhou court, civil officials and military officers, while not exactly irreconcilable enemies, certainly didn't have a good relationship.

It's normal that there was no collusion between the two sides.

Jiang Yun handed the list to Qi Da beside him: "Go with Bei Si and arrest them!"

……

At the Miao residence, a torrential downpour was raging, but Miao Yuanxing sat in his study, somewhat restless. He was the one who had orchestrated this whole affair.

Now that things have been exposed...

Miao Yuanxing sat in the study with a complicated expression. Soon, footsteps suddenly echoed in the courtyard outside.

Miao Yuanxing took a deep breath, drew a long sword from the study, and slowly pushed open the door.

Outside, many Imperial Guards were already standing in the courtyard, led by Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun, wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, frowned slightly as he looked at Miao Yuanxing, who was walking out with a sword in his hand. He slowly said, "Minister Miao, I have come to invite you back to the Eastern Garrison Command. There are some things I would like to ask you."

"Your Excellency should know what this matter is about, please do not put me in a difficult position."

Miao Yuanxing took a deep breath and slowly said, "Lord Jiang, you are also a scholar. The sage said: Regardless of family or state, when a father dies, the son succeeds him, and the legitimate son is the eldest. Only in this way can family harmony be maintained and the country be at peace. Otherwise, the country will be in chaos and disaster will surely follow."

"The succession of the legitimate son to the throne is the ancestral ritual, but Your Majesty seized the throne by force, which has violated the ancestral ritual and should be corrected."

"But His Majesty now admires the Eighth Prince and regards the First Prince as nothing."

"Although I have committed a grave error, it was all in an effort to uphold the ancestral laws and rituals."

Miao Yuanxing spoke loudly, but Jiang Yun remained calm and said slowly, "Such important matters are not something this official needs to concern himself with."

"Master Miao."

Miao Yuanxing gave a bitter smile and slowly said, "I know what would happen if I went to the Imperial Prison with you."

As he spoke, he slowly raised the sword in his hand and said, "This sword was bestowed upon me by the late emperor when I served as an official in charge of remonstrance; it is called the Sword of Remonstrance."

"The late emperor once said that if there is any injustice or disrespect in the court, I can use this sword to remonstrate."

"Unfortunately, His Majesty is unable to heed my words."

"Today, I will prove my innocence with my death."

"Furthermore, this matter has nothing to do with His Highness the First Prince, and he is unaware of it!"

After saying this, Miao Yuanxing prepared to commit suicide in order to preserve his reputation.

Scholars value their reputation most.

Miao Yuanxing understood that if he were truly imprisoned and charged with plotting treason and regicide, he would be nailed to the pillar of shame.

But after saying those words, and by committing suicide, he might be able to preserve his reputation for life.

When later scholars and literati mention themselves, they will probably add the comment: "Loyal to the state, not to any one ruler."

Jiang Yun immediately stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.

No matter how hard Miao Yuanxing tried, he couldn't stab the sword into his own neck: "Lord Jiang! Let me go! You won't even let me die?"

Jiang Yun said coldly, "Lord Miao, if you die, you'll die peacefully, but I'll be in big trouble."

"If you want to die, it's simple. Once you're in the imperial prison, and His Majesty gives the word, you can choose any way you want to die."

(End of this chapter)