novelapdf 103. Fall from grace
103. Fall from grace
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and hurried footsteps echoed on the bluestone path in front of the Ministry of Rites in the capital. Zhang Chengming, holding a memorial to the throne, walked solemnly toward the palace gate. The evidence he concealed in his sleeve was enough to stir up a storm in the court.
The morning court bells echoed over the Forbidden City as civil and military officials entered the main hall in turn. Zhang Chengming stood in the queue, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Zhou Wenyuan in front of him. The Vice Minister of Rites appeared unusually composed today, chatting and laughing quietly with the officials beside him, completely unaware of the impending storm.
"If you have something to report, speak now; if not, the court may adjourn—" The eunuch's shrill voice echoed through the hall.
Zhang Chengming took a deep breath and stepped forward: "Your subject, Zhang Chengming, Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy, has a memorial to present."
The emperor on the dragon throne nodded slightly: "Speak."
"I hereby impeach Zhou Wenyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites, for three crimes," Zhang Chengming declared loudly. "First, he committed malpractice in the imperial examinations, abusing his power to provide favors to the sons of wealthy merchants in Jiangnan; second, he colluded with test-takers, instructing his retainer Liu Rumo to forge examination papers; third, he embezzled and perverted the course of justice, accepting enormous bribes."
An uproar erupted in the court. Zhou Wenyuan's expression changed drastically, but he quickly regained his composure: "Lord Zhang is making baseless accusations; do you have any evidence?"
Zhang Chengming took out a memorial and evidence from his sleeve: "This is Liu Rumo's handwritten manuscript, which is completely identical to the handwriting of the model essays circulating in the examination hall; this is the account book between the Zhou family steward and Moyunzhai, recording the details of money transactions; in addition, there are the testimonies of several students involved in the case."
The eunuch presented the evidence before the emperor. Zhou Wenyuan knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, please be wise! This is all a frame-up! Zhang Chengming and I have a long-standing feud; this is deliberate revenge!"
At this moment, Censor Li Zhen also stepped forward and reported: "I also have a report to submit. An investigation has revealed that Zhou Wenyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites, has close ties with江湖 (jianghu) forces, and his retainer Liu Rumo is actually a traitor to the Seven Absolutes Manor. Zhou Wenyuan knew this but did not report it, instead giving him an important position."
This sudden assist caught Zhou Wenyuan off guard. He looked up abruptly, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.
The emperor reviewed the evidence, his face gradually darkening: "Minister Zhou, what is your explanation?"
"Your Majesty, this is a frame-up! Zhang Chengming has close ties with the Seven Absolutes Manor. This so-called evidence must have been fabricated in collusion with them!" Zhou Wenyuan stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Your Majesty, this is a frame-up! Zhang Chengming has close ties with the Seven Absolutes Manor. This so-called evidence must have been fabricated by him in collusion with the Seven Absolutes Manor!"
Zhang Chengming remained calm: "Your Majesty, whether I colluded with the Seven Absolutes Manor is easily determined through investigation. However, the evidence against Lord Zhou for ordering the gunmen and accepting bribes is conclusive. If Your Majesty still has doubts, you may summon the students involved for a face-to-face confrontation."
"Granted."
Soon, several students were brought to the main hall. Faced with irrefutable evidence, they had no choice but to admit to the cheating and identify Zhou Wenyuan as the mastermind.
Zhou Wenyuan, his face ashen, knelt on the ground, stammering, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty was momentarily confused..."
Just then, a young eunuch hurried into the hall and whispered a few words in the ear of the chief eunuch. The chief eunuch's expression changed slightly, and he quickly went to the emperor's side to report.
After listening, the Emperor's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhou Wenyuan: "Just now, the Ministry of Justice found several secret letters exchanged with the Imperial Guard in your residence, Minister Zhou. Minister Zhou, what are you secretly plotting with the Imperial Guard?"
Zhou Wenyuan trembled; this turn of events was clearly unexpected. He opened his mouth, but ultimately bowed his head in dejection: "Your Majesty... has nothing to say."
"Remove Zhou Wenyuan from his post as Vice Minister of Rites and imprison him in the Imperial Prison to await trial. This case will be jointly tried by the Three Judicial Offices, and all those involved must be thoroughly investigated." The emperor issued the decree, his voice filled with anger.
After the court session, Zhang Chengming returned to his residence and immediately wrote a letter, ordering his trusted confidant to deliver it to the Seven Absolutes Manor by fast horse.
Meanwhile, Lin Mo was watching his disciples practice swordsmanship in the manor's training ground. When the messenger arrived, he unfolded the letter, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Master, just as you predicted, Zhou Wenyuan is trying to accuse Lord Zhang of colluding with us," Elder Mo whispered from behind.
Lin Mo crumpled the letter in his palm: "He's desperate. However... the Ministry of Justice's sudden search of the Zhou residence and the discovery of his secret correspondence with the Imperial Guards was unexpected."
Elder Mo frowned: "Could it be that the Imperial Guards killed him to cover their tracks?"
"It doesn't seem like it." Lin Mo shook his head. "If it were to silence him, Zhou Wenyuan would be dead by now. It's more like someone is trying to use this opportunity to weaken the power of the Imperial Guard among the civil officials."
Who could it be?
Lin Mo looked towards the capital: "There are quite a few people in the court who want to deal with the Imperial Guard. It could be other princes, or it could be... the Emperor himself."
That night, deep within the prison, Zhou Wenyuan huddled on a straw mat, looking dejected. Suddenly, a slight noise came from outside the cell door, and a dark figure silently appeared inside.
Zhou Wenyuan looked up in horror: "You...you've come to save me?"
The shadowy figure chuckled softly: "What does Lord Zhou think?"
"Did the Third Prince send you?" Hope ignited in Zhou Wenyuan's eyes. "Tell His Highness, I will never betray him..."
The shadowy figure slowly drew a short blade: "Lord Zhou, you know too much."
Zhou Wenyuan's face turned deathly pale: "Wait! If I die, the evidence of the Third Prince's collusion with the Imperial Guards will be exposed! I already..."
His words trailed off. The dagger pierced his heart with pinpoint accuracy, and he stared wide-eyed at the man in black before him in disbelief.
The shadowy figure whispered in his ear, "You think you're the only one who had a backup plan?"
Just as the man in black was about to leave, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the prison. The figure in black paused, then quickly disappeared into the shadows.
"Quick! Someone's breaking out of prison!"
The torchlight drew nearer, accompanied by a rapid thud of footsteps. The shadowy figure cursed under his breath, forced to abandon his attempt to ascertain Zhou Wenyuan's fate, and fled through the dark window.
Moments later, the jailer found Zhou Wenyuan lying in a pool of blood and quickly summoned the jail doctor. After treatment, Zhou Wenyuan miraculously survived but fell into a coma.
When the news reached Seven Absolutes Manor, Lin Mo pondered for a long time: "Zhou Wenyuan isn't dead...that's interesting."
"Master, what should we do next?"
"Let's wait and see," Lin Mo said calmly. "Zhou Wenyuan's coma is more troublesome for some than his death. Let them worry first. We've achieved our goal—the Inner Guard's influence among civil officials has been weakened. Next, it's the military's turn."
He walked to the window and looked out at the training ground in the distance. There, a batch of newly improved military equipment was being tested.