Prime Minister

Chapter 193, Section 192: [The Sick Tiger]

The capital city, the imperial palace, the imperial study.

"This Xue Huai..."

The emperor placed the secret report sent by Fan Dongyang on the table and said with a half-smile, "He does have some skill."

Although he did not show any signs of elation, the several important officials present knew that the emperor was already very pleased.

Fan Dongyang was well aware of the emperor's intentions. He had just set off from Yangzhou when he sent a secret memorial to the emperor by fast horse. The most important purpose of this secret memorial was to confirm the details of the Lianghuai Salt Case to the emperor, proving that Xue Huai and others had not deceived the emperor and that Xu Guanlan and other corrupt officials and gentry had indeed embezzled state funds.

He was about to return to the capital with nearly ten million taels of embezzled silver, enough to solve the court's current difficulties and allow the emperor and his ministers in the imperial study to have a happy and carefree New Year.

"Your Majesty possesses a wise and discerning eye, and can recognize talent."

Ning Hengzhi spoke first, speaking calmly and without a doubt: "In the past, when Xue Huai was young and inexperienced, he was put in charge of the salt administration. I was worried that he was too young and impetuous and lacked experience. But after reading Vice Minister Fan's report today, I realize that Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision and has made the right choice in appointing people. I am far inferior to you."

Not to be outdone, Second Grand Secretary Ouyang Hui quickly added, "The scope and depth of the corruption involved in this case are unprecedented in the past century since the founding of the dynasty. Xue Huai, with swift and decisive action, cleared up the clues amidst the chaos, and within just a few months, he eradicated the ringleader, the enormous amount of embezzled funds of which shocked the court and the public. Moreover, his handling of the aftermath was clear and organized, and his salt administration reform laid the foundation for future tax revenue increases. If it weren't for Your Majesty's discerning eye and exceptional promotion of such a capable person, how could such a groundbreaking effect have been achieved? Your Majesty's ability to recognize and appoint talent is truly admirable!"

Minister of Rites Zheng Yuan also praised: "Now nearly ten million taels of silver have been transferred into the national treasury. Not only has last year's deficit been made up, but there is also a surplus to replenish the treasury to meet the country's needs. This is all thanks to Your Majesty's unique wisdom. Officials and people of Lianghuai all praise Your Majesty's benevolence!"

For a time, the Imperial Study was filled with the sounds of praise for the Emperor.

The emperor listened quietly, his face still bearing that ambiguous smile, but his heart was filled with satisfaction.

These high-ranking officials' flattery was just right, neither exaggerated nor detached from the facts. Xue Huai was indeed a capable minister, but without his exceptional promotion, appreciation, and trust, could Xue Huai have become the third-ranked scholar at sixteen, the Assistant Magistrate of Yangzhou at nineteen, and the Imperial Commissioner for Inspecting Salt Administration?

The emperor believed that many people in the court could achieve what Xue Huai had accomplished, but they simply lacked the opportunity.

However, what pleased the emperor most was the record of his private conversation with Xue Huai in Fan Dongyang's secret memorial.

"I am willing to be the ice-cold brush in Your Majesty's hand, to dispel the deep-seated ills of this turbid world!"

This was Xue Huai's resolute reply to Fan Dongyang at the time. The phrase "turbid world" still revealed a bit of youthful vigor and naivety. Other important officials, including Shen Wang, would not have described it in such a way in front of Fan Dongyang, who represented the emperor. If the glorious Great Yan was a turbid world, wouldn't the emperor be a foolish ruler?
Fan Dongyang did not help Xue Huai cover it up, and the emperor was not angry about it. Xue Huai had brought him many surprises over the past year. Most importantly, his investigation of the Lianghuai salt case brought real income to the national treasury and allowed the emperor to legitimately intervene in the salt administration. Therefore, the so-called corrupt world was just a manifestation of the young man's loyalty and integrity in the emperor's eyes, which made it all the more precious.

At this moment, the imperial study gradually quieted down, and the emperor said gently, "You gentlemen have spoken too much. This matter is of great merit to the court and beneficial to the country."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

The ministers bowed again in unison.

The Emperor's lips curled into a slight smile as he leisurely said, "My lords, Xue Huai previously reported in his memorial that Chen Yan, the governor of Jiangsu, had obstructed his investigation of lawless powerful clans. This matter concerned the stability of Jiangsu, so I put it aside at the time. Now, Fan Dongyang has confirmed in his memorial that this did indeed happen. What do you think should be done?"

Upon hearing this, the warm atmosphere in the imperial study instantly froze, as if a sudden frost had descended.

All eyes involuntarily turned to Grand Secretary Ning Hengzhi.

The Jiangsu governor, Chen Yan, was Ning Hengzhi's classmate and fellow townsman; their relationship needs no further explanation.

A glint flashed in Ouyang Hui's eyes. During this time, he could feel the emperor's coldness towards him more and more. Although he had little hope of advancing further, he did not want to do as Ning Hengzhi wished. Even if it was just to annoy the other party, it would at least relieve some of the frustration in his heart.

Grand Secretary Sun Yan, standing behind him, immediately stepped forward, bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty, Chen Yan, as the Governor of Jiangsu, is a high-ranking official who governs a region on behalf of the Emperor. He should be working diligently to serve the people. However, instead of repaying the Emperor's favor, he colluded with treacherous officials such as Xu Guanlan and Liu Fu, and openly mobilized troops to besiege the Imperial Envoy. The nature of such behavior is far more heinous than ordinary corruption. If it were not for Xue Huai's upright character and Your Majesty's great blessing, the efforts to rectify the salt administration in Lianghuai would have been ruined!"

All the officials in the hall held their breath, sensing that the situation had suddenly escalated.

Shen Wang glanced at Ouyang Hui thoughtfully.

After the cheating scandal in the imperial examinations, Ouyang Hui and Sun Yan remained silent for a long time. Shen Wang could understand the former's frustrated and indignant feelings, but he did not think that it was a good choice for the latter to step forward at this time.

It is virtually impossible to shake Ning Hengzhi's position by attacking Chen Yan, and the emperor may not even genuinely want to punish Chen Yan.

The Emperor sat upright on his throne, turned his gaze to Ning Hengzhi, who had remained silent, and asked, "What does the Grand Secretary think of what Minister Sun has said?"

The pressure is immense, all resting on Ning Hengzhi's shoulders.

Ning Hengzhi calmly stepped forward, his face showing no sign of panic or anger, but rather a profound and solemn reverence. He bowed deeply and said, "This old minister begs for forgiveness!" Before anyone could react, Ning Hengzhi straightened up and said gravely, "Your Majesty, Chen Yan is my contemporary, known for his competence, and he was quite virtuous when he first took office in the region. However, this old minister never expected that after holding a high position for so long, he would resort to embezzlement and bribery, and even commit the grave crime of obstructing the imperial envoy. This is due to this old minister's foolishness and negligence, which has failed His Majesty's grace and trust. I humbly beg Your Majesty to punish me."

The emperor remained silent, seemingly considering Ning Heng's words.

Seeing this, Ning Hengzhi changed the subject and said calmly, "However, although Chen Yan is guilty of harboring evil gentry, his troop deployment... According to investigation, Xue Huai did not reveal his identity as an imperial envoy at that time, and the conflict had not yet occurred. Chen Yan only wanted to force Xue Huai to give up arresting Liu Fu. At that time and place, his selfishness led him to commit a foolish act, but this old minister dares to guarantee that Chen Yan had no intention of rebelling against the emperor."

Shen Wang sighed inwardly. The word "muddle-headed" was well used. Even if Chen Yan's career ended because of this, it was better than being accused by Sun Yan of mobilizing troops to besiege the imperial envoy.

Ning Hengzhi continued, “Your Majesty, although Chen Yan’s actions were foolish, he was not entirely without merit during his nearly seven years as Governor of Jiangsu. He made contributions in dredging the Grand Canal, rectifying the abuses of the grain transport system, quelling floods, and resettling displaced people. This time, he made a mistake, perhaps because of his excessive power and long-term residence in a prosperous and wealthy region, and failed to resist the corrupting influence and temptations of local powerful figures, leading to his downfall and loss of integrity, which is truly regrettable.”

The emperor pondered for a moment and asked, "What do you think should be done with Chen Yan?"

Ning Hengzhi cupped his hands again and earnestly said, "I believe that if Chen Yan's crimes of embezzlement and perverting the law are verified, he should be removed from his post as Governor of Jiangsu, all his ill-gotten gains should be confiscated and turned over to the public, 30% of his family property should be confiscated and put into government custody, and the remainder should be left for his family to make a living."

The Emperor frowned slightly and said, "Prime Minister, Chen Yan is, after all, a second-rank official. Is this punishment too harsh?"

Ning Hengzhi remained unfazed and immediately changed his tune, saying, "Your Majesty is benevolent, and this matter concerns the dignity of the court. I have indeed failed to consider things thoroughly. Chen Yan has done a good job in controlling the floods and bringing peace to the people, and this is not a heinous crime. Perhaps he could be demoted to the position of Left Assistant Administrator of the Guangxi Provincial Administration Commission. This would both maintain the dignity of the court and demonstrate Your Majesty's leniency."

The Left Assistant Administrator of Guangxi Province was a third-rank official, while the Governor of Jiangsu Province was a second-rank official. Although the official rank was only two ranks lower, the difference between these two positions was like heaven and earth.

Regardless of regional wealth or actual power, the difference between the Governor of Jiangsu and the Left Vice Commissioner of Guangxi was beyond the measure of official rank; this was a clear and explicit demotion.

The Imperial Study was completely silent.

After a long silence, the emperor finally spoke and said, "Granted."

"Your Majesty, there is still one thing I do not understand and would like to ask Grand Secretary Sun for advice."

Ning Hengzhi did not give up, his calm tone revealing a hint of coldness.

The emperor nodded slightly.

Ning Hengzhi turned to look at Sun Yan, who was on high alert, and said calmly, "Since Scholar Sun is neither the chief official of the Three Departments nor was he ordered to review the examination papers, how dare he make such a presumptuous statement as 'Chen Yan mobilized troops to besiege the Imperial Envoy'?"

Ouyang Hui's heart tightened instantly, while Sun Yan's expression changed drastically.

At this moment, the emperor's eyes gradually became deep and unfathomable.

Sun Yan quickly defended himself, saying, "Prime Minister, I was merely making a reasonable deduction based on Xue Huai's previous memorial, and I was not speaking recklessly."

"I see."

Ning Hengzhi remained expressionless and said, word by word, "I thought that Scholar Sun was making unfounded accusations and using this as an excuse to spread rumors. This move would not only make all officials feel fearful and insecure, but also have the suspicion of stirring up trouble and sowing discord between the emperor and his ministers. Since it is just the scholar's speculation, then I have misunderstood. Please forgive me, scholar."

After hearing this, Sun Yan trembled and broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to look at the emperor behind the imperial desk.

Ouyang Hui's face turned slightly pale. Since Xue Minglun was investigated, Ning Hengzhi had been silent for too long and made too many concessions, causing Ouyang Hui, Sun Yan and others to gradually forget how many ministers had been driven out of the court by Ning Hengzhi in the past.

This Grand Secretary has only temporarily sheathed his claws, not lost the ability to defeat an enemy; all his concessions are solely due to the Emperor's favor.

Just as he said, on the surface he was trying to exonerate Sun Yan, but in reality he was wielding a sharp and precise blade to pierce the heart!
At this moment, the emperor stared at Sun Yan and coldly rebuked him: "As a Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet, instead of offering advice and assisting the emperor, you frame your colleagues with baseless speculations! Such nonsense is either foolish or malicious. If all officials followed your example of making baseless accusations, wouldn't the court become a place of infighting? You should reflect on your actions!"

Sun Yan was drenched in sweat and repeatedly apologized.

At the beginning of the year, he had already displeased the emperor in the imperial examination case. He originally wanted to make amends for his mistake, but today Ning Hengzhi seized on the opportunity and struck back, crushing his last hope with just a few words.

The other senior officials had different expressions. Regardless of their thoughts, one thing was already a foregone conclusion.

Sun Yan's path to becoming a Grand Secretary...

It has come to an end.

(End of this chapter)