Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 88 : Imperial Preceptor

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The refreshing breeze came blowing gently, and the chilly night made one cold with fear. 
Xiao Chiye’s earlier intent to kill was largely dispelled by this “Er-lang”. He stayed silent for a long while, bathed in this pleasant coolness as he calmed himself. 

Shen Zechuan looked back again at Ge Qingqing. Without looking the least bit flustered, he said, “Transporting this many silvers is not something that can be achieved in a short time. No matter how thorough he is, he can’t deceive the entire world. Gather some men tonight to head out of the city. First, head to Qinzhou and make detailed inquiries along the way. Record down all the business transactions of the major goods in the past two years from Juexi to the Northeast, then send someone to give me a detailed account.” 

Ge Qingqing had been heavyhearted with worries after receiving the news. But when he saw how unperturbed Shen Zechuan was, he could not help but feel a little relieved and composed himself too. 

“Chen Yang.” With his robe hanging off his shoulders, Xiao Chiye motioned, “Take them to the Interpreters Institute in Qudu first. Get a batch of medium-grade horses and affix their tags to the official writ of arrest for the notorious bandit leader. Say that the bandit is on the run in Juexi. It’s not convenient for the Imperial Army to head out of the city to pursue and apprehend him; thus this task is entrusted to the Imperial Bodyguards. I’ll personally make a trip to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice tomorrow morning to submit a report.”  

The city gates were already closed, and they could not leave the city arbitrarily. The Imperial Bodyguards were also involved in the important tasks of conducting raids and arrests of criminals, and they usually had to report to the Ministry of Justice and Chief Surveillance Bureau whenever they had to leave the city for fieldwork, then waited for the official approval in reply. By doing this, Xiao Chiye was giving Ge Qingqing a reason to take the men out of the capital and to excuse him from being subsequently called to account by the Ministry of Justice. 

Ge Qingqing immediately left upon getting his order. Chen Yang threw on his robe and led the way, and both men left the residence ahead of the others.     

Xiao Chiye led the flimsily-dressed Shen Zechuan back by the hand. When he stepped through the door into the room and saw that Shen Zechuan was still deep in thought, he said, “What happened to Teacher is no doubt connected to Xue Xiuzhuo. But since he’s willing to transfer him away, that means Teacher is still of use to him. He won’t act rashly and kill Teacher. There are too many secrets hidden in the Xue’s Residence. I have to think of a reason to get a special search-and-arrest warrant from His Majesty.” 

“To deploy the Imperial Army, it has to be a major case where the evidence is irrefutable. So we still have to rely on the Imperial Bodyguards for the probe today.” Shen Zechuan did not sit back in his original seat. He knew that resting would prove to be hard tonight, seeing as it was already late, so he poured himself a cup of strong tea. However, he only took a sip and gave the rest to Xiao Chiye. 

Xiao Chiye drank it all and said, “Xue Xiuzhuo is cautious in everything he does. He would not even accept the ‘ice respect’2 those officials outside the city offered him upon their return to the capital. In all the time during his tenure as the Chief Supervising Secretary, the imperial censors from the Chief Surveillance Bureau all regarded him as the most uncorrupted official. He rarely gets impeached. So I’m afraid it’ll be hard for even the Imperial Bodyguards to find a reason to investigate him.”  

“Investigating him openly with great fanfare will inadvertently alert the enemy.” Shen Zechuan fiddled with the teacup and deliberated it over the bitter aftertaste of the tea. “He’s out in the open, while we are hidden in the dark. As long as we keep the pawn Xue Xiuyi concealed, we are still the party on the offensive. Matters outside the palace is not an issue, but we have to be even more careful when it comes to affairs within the palace. His intent to kill His Majesty has already been ignited, and he has the help of Mu Ru and Fengquan. He knows every one of His Majesty’s moves and actions like the back of his hand. Under the circumstances, we have no option but to guard against him.”