Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 94 : Raging Waves

All votes and comments are much appreciated :)

—————

Wei Huaigu was sent to prison to be placed on trial, while Yang Cheng of the Provincial Administration Commission of Juexi was also apprehended by the Imperial Bodyguards and taken to the imperial prison. This was a major case in the year of Tianchen, and the entire court of civil and military officials was watching. Shen Zechuan moved very quickly. From the confession submitted by Yang Chen, he found out that Wei Huaigu had been reselling military provisions for profits ever since the fourth year of Xiande. 

Using his position as the Minister of Revenue, Wei Huaigu would buy military provisions from Yang Cheng each time he supervised the handling of the military provisions. Then he resold it at a higher price to Xi Hongxuan, who then separately sent these military grains via sea and land towards the Six Prefectures of Zhongbo and Xuhai to make a huge profit off them. In this way, he split the land tax among the commoners’ fields in the thirteen cities of Juexi and let the common folk down there bear the tax.

“Since you’ve already been doing this for so long, then why was it only this time that you were pricked by your conscience into reporting Wei Huaigu through the relay report?” Shen Zechuan looked through Yang Cheng’s confession.   

Yang Cheng had been in the imperial prison for a few days. He lowered his head and said, “This time, moldy grains were used to fill it up; it’s not the same as before. Libei is going to fight a war. These grains would be the poison that causes the death of the soldiers at the frontier pass if they were sent over. I was afraid that something bad would really happen to the Hereditary Prince of Libei.” 

There were no other people at the sides of the table. Xiao Chiye, who was sitting in the shadows, said out of the blue, “You are so certain that these foods will reach the mouth of the Hereditary Prince?” 

Yang Cheng shifted his arms uneasily. His lips turned pale as he said, “That’s what I was afraid of. Although I’m greedy for wealth, I don’t want to cause anyone to lose their lives.” 

“Don’t be afraid.” Shen Zechuan cast a glance at Xiao Chiye and softened his tone at Yang Cheng, “This place may be the imperial prison, but this is a case that is personally supervised and tried by His Majesty. If you have anything to say, you can voice them all out here.” 

The contrast between both of them was stark. Yang Cheng gulped down his saliva. He was already a little dazed from the non-stop interrogation all night. He muttered, “I didn’t know it. I didn’t—”   

“What didn’t you know? Shen Zechuan asked gently. 

“I didn’t know that something would really happen to the Hereditary Prince of Libei…” Yang Cheng began to choke with sobs as he spoke. “I didn’t know… I was worried the Libei Armored Cavalry would suffer a defeat because of this and let the Biansha Cavalry assault their way in once again.”   

Xiao Chiye bent over slightly, his body like a vicious beast whose shadows loomed over Yang Cheng’s face. He said in a frosty voice, “So you know this batch of military provisions can lead to the defeat of the Libei Armored Cavalry. Yet you still had them sealed and loaded up the carriages. You deserve to die.” 

Yang Cheng grew terrified under Xiao Chiye’s gaze. Stumped for words, he cried incoherently, “Your Lordship… I plead guilty. I, I deserve to die…”

“You won’t die.” With compassion brimming in his expressive, upturned eyes on his jade-like handsome face, Shen Zechuan said, “The main perpetrator is Wei Huaigu in this case. He used his position to coerce you, and there was nothing you could do. I understand these difficulties of yours. His Lordship understands it as well. Yang Cheng, you entered government service in the era of Yongyi. You have been an official in Juexi for half of your life, and you have made your way up to the post of Assistant Administration Commissioner. You are a capable man, as assessed from the Qudu’s inspection. Now that Jiang Qingshan has left Juexi to be transferred to Zhongbo as a provincial governor, the position of the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Juexi will be vacant. Going by age and experience, you will be the first choice for recommendation when the Ministry of Personnel is deliberating over it. You see, your future was supposed to be bright, and yet you forfeited it all for that bit of money. It’s not worth it.”