Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 168 Kang Family's Illegitimate Son, Xiao Qinyan, is Apprehended
In the fourth year of the Hongwu reign, in early June, the summer heat was just beginning to intensify.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, the sandalwood incense rose gently from the incense burner. Qingyun lowered his eyes and stood respectfully to one side.

Several important officials of the court, including Han Zhang, Gu Tingye, and Wei Ling, were seated here, arranged according to their rank.

Not long ago, Zheng Qingtian, the magistrate of Qiantang County, was arrested by Gu Qianfan.

This person refused to confess, insisting that he was an honest official who was framed and that the Imperial City Guard wanted to force a confession through torture.

Yang Zhiyuan, the transport commissioner of Liangzhe Road, had been secretly investigating the affairs of the Maritime Trade Office since the beginning of last year.

He originally intended to personally submit a memorial impeaching the emperor.

Upon learning of Zheng Qingtian's arrest, they specially presented evidence that he had illegally lifted the maritime ban, secretly allowed Southeast Asian merchants to enter the HZ market, and bribed officials in various prefectures and cities in Jiangnan.

With irrefutable evidence, Zheng Qingtian had no choice but to admit it.

He admitted that he had profited nearly one million strings of cash from the Maritime Trade Office over the years, and that several officials in charge of affairs in Jiangnan, including Liu Tongpan of Hangzhou and Wang Zhifu of Xiuzhou, had accepted bribes from him.

From small gold, silver, and jade artifacts to large suburban farms

“The prosperous Jiangnan region is the easiest place for corruption to hide. For a mere county magistrate to be so audacious, I’m afraid he has an even bigger backer behind him!”

Han Zhang, with a serious expression, cupped his hands and said.

Zhao Han sighed softly and looked up at him. "Gu Qianfan has led the Imperial City Guard to search Zheng Qingtian's residence. Apart from calligraphy, paintings and antiques, a total of 470,000 taels of silver were seized."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingye couldn't help but take a deep breath.

“If a county magistrate’s family has such wealth, and the assets of these officials involved are confiscated, I estimate that the national treasury will gain at least four or five million strings of cash.”

Sheng Changbai stood to the side and nodded in agreement.

"I have granted Wang Anshi the authority to act expediently, and wherever he goes, it will be as if I were personally in charge."

"Yang Zhiyuan served as Wang Anshi's deputy, assisting in sorting out case files."

Wang Anshi was stubborn and resolute; once he made up his mind, nothing could sway him.

Qi Heng is calm and meticulous. Although he is somewhat naive in his actions, as the young master of the Duke of Qi's mansion and the adopted daughter of the Empress Dowager, many officials have to be wary of him.

Gu Qianfan was decisive and impartial, while Yang Zhiyuan was familiar with the administration of officials in Jiangnan.

With the four of them each fulfilling their duties, the affairs of Jiangnan were not able to cause any major disturbances.

Shen Shiqi's gaze darkened slightly. He had two legitimate sons, both of whom had achieved official titles, but their abilities were not outstanding. They were only fit to be minor officials.

Therefore, he has devoted most of his energy to his son-in-law, Qi Heng.

Ever since Qi Heng took up his post in Jiangnan, he had been secretly keeping an eye on the movements of the Jiangnan officialdom. Several times, he wrote letters and sent them to Qi Heng by express courier, giving him advice on how to act.

However, Qi Heng is also a stubborn person and has his own rules for doing things.

About an incense stick's time later.

Han Zhang and the others left the hall, leaving only Zhao Han and Wei Ling there.

Wei Ling stepped forward, bowed, and said, "There is something I would like to ask Your Majesty's opinion before making any decisions."

Zhao Han raised an eyebrow slightly. "Speak."

“The day before yesterday, after court, when my carriage was traveling on the Imperial Street, a child of about twelve or thirteen years old blocked my way.”

"I noticed that although his clothes were simple, he did not look like a beggar asking for money on the street. Upon asking, I learned that his name was Kang Yan and he was an illegitimate son of the Kang family."

"The Kang family?" Zhao Han's interest was immediately piqued. "Is it Kang Haifeng, who was dismissed from his post by the late emperor?"

Wei Ling nodded repeatedly, "That's right."

He said that his stepmother was mean-spirited and disliked his stepmother the most. A few years ago, she forced his sister to marry Prince Kang as a concubine, and now she is setting her sights on another sister.

"He asked me to help him find an opportunity to join the army, even if it's just starting as a lowly soldier. I was quite moved by his earnest words."

"It is truly remarkable that someone so young can have such ambitions."

Zhao Han raised her hand and touched her chin.

Wang Ruoyu frequently beat and scolded her concubines, especially Su Xiaoniang, who was favored by Kang Haifeng and had given birth to two daughters and a son.

Ever since she sent Kang Huier to the Kang Prince's mansion as a concubine, Su Xiaoniang and her two children have harbored a deep hatred for Wang Ruoyu.

If the legitimate son in a family is incompetent, it is the illegitimate son who can achieve great things.

Wang Ruoyu is probably in a worse state than Madam Wu of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Han said slowly, "Kang Haifeng was originally the Secretary Assistant. During his mourning period, he had an affair with a maid in his household. He was impeached by the censors, and the late emperor was furious and dismissed him from his post, but his merits are still there."

"The Kang family ancestors were also diligent and conscientious civil officials."

"If he truly has this ambition, you should guarantee that he will enter a martial arts school and receive some training."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ling bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. After entering the martial arts academy, I will ensure that he progresses based on his own abilities and will not give him any special treatment."

Zhao Han nodded slightly. "Go ahead, you can handle this matter as you see fit."

After leaving the palace, Wei Ling went straight to the Temple of King Wu Cheng.

The establishment of martial arts schools in the Great Zhou Dynasty was fraught with twists and turns.

In the third year of the Qingli era, Fu Bi, Fan Zhongyan and others advocated for the establishment of a martial arts academy at the Temple of King Wucheng, which specialized in teaching military strategy, horsemanship and archery.

However, due to the deeply ingrained preference for civil officials over military ones, the program not only faced opposition from court officials but also had no one willing to enroll, leaving Emperor Renzong with no choice but to abolish it.

After Zhao Han ascended the throne, he ordered the reopening of martial arts schools, still located at the Temple of King Wu Cheng, and expanded their scope.

Anyone who is twelve years of age or older and has a clean family background, regardless of whether they are the son of an official or a commoner, can register to take the exam, and those who pass can be admitted to school.

In a few years, when the national treasury is full, martial arts schools can be established in each prefecture.

"My lord, should we send someone to inform the young lady of this matter?" Wei Ling's servant asked softly from behind.

Wei Ling nodded. He already knew about Wang Ruo's repeated attacks on Wei Shuyi.

Helping Kang Yan stemmed from genuine pity for his background, for having to find a way out for himself at such a young age.

Secondly, he wanted to find someone to help him and Wei Shuyi vent their anger. If Kang Yan were to become successful in the future, the first thing he would do would definitely be to take revenge on Wang Ruoyu.

Hanlin Lane, the Prince's Mansion.

In the backyard flower hall, Old Mrs. Wang's prayer beads spun rapidly in her hand, while Wang Shiping frowned deeply; both mother and son looked worried.

Wang Shizhuo, the prefect of Xiuzhou, was a member of the Wang clan and the highest-ranking member of the clan outside of his own family.

Old Mrs. Wang had originally hoped that one day he would be transferred back to the capital, and that he and his cousin Wang Shiping would work together in the court, so that the Wang family might be able to prosper again.

Now things have gotten complicated; it's gotten into the case of the Maritime Trade Office.

"Shiping, is there any way to turn this matter around?" After a long silence, Old Mrs. Wang turned her head and asked.

Wang Shiping raised his hand and frowned. "With the Emperor personally overseeing this case, who would dare to cover it up?"

"After asking around, I learned that he received a full five thousand taels of charcoal tribute from Zheng Qingtian last winter."

Every winter, many officials would present money to their powerful patrons under the guise of gifting them charcoal for heating; this was known as "charcoal tribute."

Summer also includes ice offerings, as well as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the birthdays of officials and their wives.

"He also helped find a market for the goods that Yu Nianfan brought in in Xiuzhou, and he took a 30% cut of the profits."

“He didn’t mention a single word about these things to me in his letters.”

"He's really blinded by greed. I had kindly advised him before that the current emperor is not as benevolent as the late emperor, and that he should be more restrained." "But he agreed verbally, while secretly he had already started colluding with Zheng Qingtian."

After saying this, Wang Shiping looked up at the sky and sighed. Wang Shizhuo has fallen. Who knows when the Wang family will produce another official of the fifth rank?

Many of my father's former students and associates have begun to distance themselves from our family.

Seeing the old lady's depressed look, he added, "My son doesn't know yet whether this matter will affect our family."

"You weren't involved in anything in Jiangnan, so what does it have to do with our family?"

"Mother, don't forget that ever since our family moved to the capital, every year during festivals, Shizhuo has sent you a lot of things under the pretext of showing filial piety. These things must have been mixed with the money he embezzled."

"If the Imperial City Guard finds out about this, my son might be accused of knowingly accepting bribes despite his corruption."

Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Wang suddenly raised her eyes and began to quickly calculate in her mind.

How could she have forgotten about that!
"Shiping, quickly call your wife over and take inventory of the storeroom."

"Before the Imperial City Guard finds out about these things, we must take stock of the gifts Shi Zhuo sent and hand them over voluntarily so that we can distance ourselves from them."

Then, Old Madam Wang instructed her trusted nanny to take out the private savings she had accumulated over the years, knowing that the money from the manor's public funds would mostly not be enough to make up for it.

In an instant, the entire Wang family was in a flurry of activity, and Kang Yuan'er, seeing this, was filled with rage.

The family is already tightening their belts, and now they have to spend so much money again. How will she survive in the future?
The Sheng family is currently at the height of its power, yet they don't even bother to help the Yue family.

Kang Yuan'er grew angrier the more she thought about it, and like her mother, she began to harbor resentment towards the Sheng family.

A few days later, at the Kang family's residence.

In a small courtyard on the east side, this is where Su Xiaoniang and her children lived.

Su Xiaoniang is only in her early thirties this year. She has a good figure, a well-maintained pretty face, and is very charming. Like Wei Shuyi, she has a gentle and obedient appearance.

The only difference was that her slightly upturned eyes held a greater sense of vigilance and hatred.

"I wonder if General Wei will help," Su Xiaoniang said, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she prayed silently.

Kang Yan clenched his fist and said, "Don't worry, little mother. Even if General Wei doesn't help, I can think of other ways. I will never let you suffer from Wang Shi's torment for the rest of your life."

“It doesn’t matter if I suffer some grievances, I’m worried about your sister right now. Am I supposed to just stand by and watch Zhao’er be pushed into the fire pit by that poisonous woman?”

At this point, Su Xiaoniang's eyes reddened slightly.

On the day Kang Huier was forcibly sent to the Kang Prince's mansion as a concubine, she cried and begged Kang Haifeng, but Wang Ruoyu locked her in a room, saying that she was ungrateful and was ruining her daughter's bright future.

Only after the die was cast were the mother and her two children released.

Kang Yan looked at Su Xiaoniang, his face showing a worry and scheming that were beyond his years. Just as he was about to speak, Su Xiaoniang's trusted maid came running over.

“Young lady, young master, General Wei is meeting with the master in the front hall. I overheard him saying that he wants you to go to the martial arts school.”

"The old lady looked very unwell."

Su Xiaoniang's eyes widened as she stared at her in disbelief, "Martial arts?"

Although she didn't understand the affairs of the imperial court, she had heard of martial arts. Children who could get in would have the opportunity to join the army and make a future, which was much better than joining the army directly.

Kang Yan exhaled a heavy breath and bowed to Su Xiaoniang.

"Son will go to the front hall and kneel to thank General Wei!"

"Go quickly!" Su Xiaoniang said, quickly straightening his clothes.

With no hope of his legitimate son Kang Jin entering the Imperial Academy, his illegitimate son Kang Yan, whom he utterly despised, went directly into the martial arts academy.

In the front hall, Wang Ruoyu was clutching her handkerchief tightly, so angry that she almost ground her teeth to powder.

Kang Haifeng, on the other hand, kept stroking his beard and smiling, thanking Wei Ling repeatedly.

He secretly thought to himself that there was no hope of being reinstated to his original position. If his illegitimate son could be successful in the future, he would no longer have to live at the mercy of Wang Ruoyu and the Wang family!
If Wang Ruo dares to speak disrespectfully to her, she can simply nail her to the door and lock her in, or even divorce her!
Kang Haifeng felt increasingly pleased with himself.

-

In the fourth year of the Hongwu reign, at the end of July, in the Jiangnan region.

Under torture by the Imperial City Guard, the officials involved confessed that Xiao Qinyan, the prefect of Suzhou and military governor of Pingjiang, had close ties with Zheng Qingtian and secretly accepted land, houses, and silver.

Today, under Wang Anshi's orders, Gu Qianfan led his men to Suzhou to arrest Xiao Qinyan.

"This case concerns the governance of officials in Jiangnan, and even more so the foundation for the implementation of the new laws. There is no room for error."

"Lord Gu, the Emperor has entrusted you with this case, which shows that he trusts you exceptionally much. The evidence is irrefutable, so you must remember not to bend the law for personal gain." Wang Anshi looked at him meaningfully.

Having worked together in Jiangnan for several days, both Gu Qianfan and Qi Heng were already aware of Gu Qianfan's background.

Even if he doesn't reveal it, Xiao Qinyan will definitely bring it up when he is brought to justice.

"Rest assured, Lord Wang, the Imperial City Guard only looks at the evidence, not personal relationships."

"Moreover, my surname is Gu, and my father, Gu Mingjing, serves in the Northwest Army."

“Go!” Wang Anshi patted him heavily on the shoulder.

As night fell, the Xiao residence in Suzhou was brightly lit.

Knowing he had nowhere to go, Xiao Qinyan had already dressed himself and was waiting for Gu Qianfan's arrival in the main hall.

He had already written several letters to the capital seeking protection, but unexpectedly the government took the case very seriously.

It was explicitly stated that anyone who dared to petition for leniency would be demoted and sent to a remote post at best, and dismissed and investigated at worst.

Yes, if we can't even handle the case of the Maritime Trade Office properly, how can we expect those powerful and wealthy families who have been entrenched for many years to cooperate?

At this moment, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, and after the gates of the Xiao residence opened, Gu Qianfan's figure gradually appeared before him.

Xiao Qinyan took a deep breath and stared intently at him, "After many years, my son and I have finally met again."

Holding the document, Gu Qianfan said coldly, "Lord Xiao, I have been ordered to arrest you. Do not mention the words 'father and son' again."

"Fan'er..."

When Gu Qianfan was born, Xiao Qinyan originally named him Xiao Fan.

After their divorce, Gu Shuniang renamed him Qianfan, a name derived from the poem "Looking South of the Yangtze River - After Combing My Hair".

After washing and dressing, I lean alone against the river-viewing tower. A thousand sails pass by, but none of them are the one I seek. The setting sun casts a gentle glow on the flowing water, and my heart breaks on the white duckweed-covered isle.

The meaning behind this was already clear to Xiao Qinyan, who had studied poetry and literature diligently since childhood.

Xiao Qinyan sighed softly, "I had my reasons for what happened back then. Don't you really care about our father-son relationship at all?"

Gu Qianfan sneered, suppressing the hatred in his heart.

"Your predicament? Did someone tie a courtesan to your bed?"

"When you abandoned us, mother and son, did you ever think of the bond between father and son? My mother died in sorrow, my maternal grandfather, an old man, outlived his son, while you were celebrating your wedding night and currying favor with the powerful!"

“The past is gone, and I don’t want to bring it up again.”

"If Lord Xiao is wise enough, he should confess his crimes sooner rather than later. If he insists on resisting, I will show him no mercy whatsoever!"

After saying that, Gu Qianfan waved his hand, and the Imperial City Guards behind him headed straight for the Xiao family's study, storeroom, and other places.

Xiao Qinyan slowly closed his eyes. "When you have time, go to your grandfather's grave and offer him some incense."

"My grandfather was Gu Shenyan!"

(End of this chapter)