By the time the rain stopped, darkness had already fallen. Through the clouds, a few faint rays of light lingered, soon to vanish. The ground was pockmarked by puddles, shattered by the passing black boots, reflecting the fractured sky above. Though it was clearly early summer, Qu City seemed still soaked in the rainy season, with continuous days of gray skies.
Hai Liangyi finally found a moment to himself, sitting in a grand chair sipping strong tea. Age had sapped his vigor; fatigue pressed upon him. Yet the officials bustling about and the constant flow of documents demanded his attention—rest was impossible.
“Excellency,” Kong Qiu paused from his paperwork, bowing respectfully beneath him, “the military grain debacle must be answered for by the Ministry of Revenue. Last night I submitted a petition to the Emperor requesting a joint investigation by the Three Departments. This matter cannot be delayed. Shall I begin tonight?”
Hai Liangyi stirred the tea froth, silent for a long while. He gazed out the window, then finally spoke, “Sitting too long tires me. The Emperor is still dining. Come, walk with me for a bit.”
Kong Qiu retrieved Hai Liangyi’s cloak from a small eunuch and draped it over him. The two stepped out of the office into the darkening evening. Kong Qiu held a lantern as they walked through the small garden of the cabinet offices.
“You wish to apprehend Wei Huaigu. That is correct,” Hai Liangyi said, letting the night wind refresh him. He slowed his pace. “This concerns the stability of the frontier. You must be firm with Wei Huaigu. Apply the law, nothing more, nothing less.”
Kong Qiu sensed more was coming. Adjusting his address, he said, “I understand, Master. He has grown increasingly reckless this year; someone should have warned him. Military affairs are unlike other matters of state—this cannot be tolerated.”
“The Northern King has taken up arms again, striking at Qu City,” Hai Liangyi stopped, the darkness swallowing the horizon. He stood in quiet thought, then continued. “Xiao Fangxu is the alpha wolf. For years, he fought from the North against the Hua family, ill and absent, watching Xiao Jiming exhaust himself and Xiao Chiye trapped in the capital. He placed both sons in peril. Tell me, why do you think he did it?”
Kong Qiu felt the weight in Hai Liangyi’s voice and lowered his own, “He steps back, allowing the sons to advance. The aristocratic families have long fortified Qu City; he shatters their rules from the frontier. Perhaps he could have pressed further, but he chose restraint.”
“Yet the Empress Dowager does not understand.” Hai Liangyi’s exhaustion seeped through his words. “She does not understand; Wei Huaigu does not understand; the aristocrats do not understand. Xiao Fangxu broke the rules. His retreat is not out of fear, but to honor the bond between Great Zhou and the North. Extreme actions provoke extremes. Their pursuit is like urging Xiao Fangxu to reconsider. Power struggles are inevitable, but when tied to warfare, they often forewarn disaster. Recall the Xian De years, when Zhongbo suffered defeat. The court was rife with corruption; governance lay in ruins. Now we attempt to restore order, facing obstacles both inside and out.”
Hai Liangyi coughed in the wind, refusing Kong Qiu’s support.
“The treasury has just enough to support regional relief this year. Juexi has managed two major grain crises. Stability in the North ensures stability at the frontier. The capable Jiang Qingshan is about to transfer to Zhongbo; its revival is in sight. Academia flourishes; more talented scholars emerge. The Censorate, led by Cen Yu, is competent; young talents like Yu Xiaozai rise. The Emperor no longer indulges in frivolity,” Hai Liangyi said, sorrow creeping into his voice. “I had thought the dawn of Great Zhou was near… yet I feel increasingly powerless.”
Kong Qiu’s eyes reddened. He steadied Hai Liangyi, saying, “Master, how can you speak so despondently? The Northern King is not that sort of man. With me presiding tonight, he shall not be wronged. There is still hope!”
Hai Liangyi did not rouse. How far could this frail frame of his carry Great Zhou? He was a lone support, unlike the families, unable to act recklessly, nor fully align with the North. As Grand Minister of the Cabinet, he supported Li Jianheng, forced to make choices that preserved balance—choices that could cost him his life. Yet he must act.
“The Northern King’s fury is lit. Xiao Fangxu has driven troops through the Hongyan Mountains. When the campaign ends, he will reckon with Qu City,” Hai Liangyi said, calm despite coughing. “No matter how he rages, we cannot release Xiao Chiye—not even for Princess Lu Yizhi or heir Xiao Xun. He placed his sons in danger to temper them. Xiao Jiming, gravely wounded, must now remain concealed. Xiao Chiye, renowned since youth, has been forged in Qu City for six years. Now, with edge sharpened, returning him would be like letting a tiger loose. At my age, my strength wanes. We must treat the North well, but the reins remain tight. After my death, many will accuse me of folly. Yet tell me, who will guarantee the North will not revolt? That Qidong will not revolt? Even if Xiao Fangxu endures today, will Xiao Chiye, one day commander-in-chief, endure tomorrow? Great Zhou cannot risk it. Whatever the North deserves, I will grant. Wei Huaigu dared to trade military grain—execute him by law! If anyone pleads, I will remonstrate openly!”
Kong Qiu nodded.
Hai Liangyi paused briefly, summoning what remained of his strength. “I shall send word to the Northern King to relieve him of supervisory duties. No palace eunuchs will interfere. All military affairs of the Northern Cavalry shall remain under his command.”
Kong Qiu hesitated. “Relieving him—perhaps the Empress Dowager will not consent.”
“Does Great Zhou lack an Emperor? The long-standing rule forbids the harem from meddling. She has no say. Besides, war is not for show. Sending eunuchs skilled only in flattery—what use? Wasteful, nothing more.” Hai Liangyi strode on. “Eunuchs are the Emperor’s attendants. The twenty-four offices form the inner court. Having dwelled in the deep palace, they know not human hardship, nor the ways of the sage. Even Pan Rugui, though trained in the Imperial Library, schemes against the loyal and harms the state. A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Remove the eunuch faction; give them no chance. I shall have Chen Zhen draft the memorial tonight and submit it to the Emperor.”
Fu Man came with a lantern, keeping his distance, bowing stiffly. “Excellency, the ministers await inside.”
Hai Liangyi responded tersely, giving Fu Man no warmth. Kong Qiu supported him back, and only then did he realize the extent of the Grand Minister’s frailty. Quietly, he concealed his sorrow in the dim light.
Xiao Chiye readjusted his robes and reentered the hall. This time Xue Xiuzhuo was present, seated at the far end.
“This military grain affair is grave, involving collusion between officials and merchants. If not dealt with swiftly, minor officials may grow bold, treating law with contempt,” Cen Yu said, having stepped outside for smoke, now speaking patiently. “Your Majesty, I petition that the capture of Wei Huaigu commence tonight. Secure him in the prison along with the Wei family accounts and estates, preventing transfer of ill-gotten wealth.”
Li Jianheng, exhausted from a full day and night, barely kept his eyes open. He nodded faintly. “Military grain is critical. He failed; execution or internal review by the Cabinet is warranted.”
“This case is vast; even Jiang Qingshan must remain in office pending review. The Wei family is large, influential. Acting by the Ministry of Punishments alone may take over half a month,” Xiao Chiye said, rubbing his thumb against his palm, rotating his knuckle slowly. “Similarly, the epidemic case under the Three Departments remains unresolved. To prevent similar official-business collusion, the Censorate must allocate manpower to audit local accounts. Everyone faces difficulty; resources are strained.”
“Your reasoning is sound,” Xue Xiuzhuo said warmly. “But priorities exist. The North is at war. Military grain is paramount; the Ministries will naturally prioritize it.”
Li Jianheng, slow of thought, sensed Xiao Chiye’s implication, yet Xue Xiuzhuo’s interjection left him uncertain how to respond. He looked to Hai Liangyi. “Grand Minister, your opinion?”
Hai Liangyi ignored them, pausing before speaking, “The concern is that a joint investigation may drag on?”
Xiao Chiye said, “The Three Departments’ procedures are cumbersome. Wei Huaigu, long in high office, is no ordinary man. Delay could complicate matters.”
Li Jianheng hurriedly agreed, “Indeed. The Wei family has long honored the Empress Dowager. Delays worry me that she might fall ill over this.”
“But without the Three Departments, we cannot fully investigate local grain resales,” Kong Qiu objected. “These men only dared because of Wei Huaigu’s protection. Leaving them be invites disaster.”
“I only worry about timing, not neglecting investigation,” Xiao Chiye said to Li Jianheng. “Is Qu City limited to this single process?”
Li Jianheng hesitated, then said, “For speed, let the Jinyiwei handle it. Last time, Shen Zechuan quickly dealt with Xi Hongxuan gathering pirates. Let him manage this case.”
Xue Xiuzhuo said, “Such a major case cannot be entrusted to a Jinyiwei subcommander alone. Shen Zechuan is young, limited in rank. Better assigned to Commander Han Cheng.”
Xiao Chiye glanced at Xue Xiuzhuo, smiling wryly. “Correct. Shen Zechuan is indeed unsuitable. He is young, inexperienced, and has a grudge with me. I cannot trust him with this.”
By retreating, he persuaded Hai Liangyi. Knowing Han Cheng’s familiarity with Xiao Chiye, Hai Liangyi feared he might overreach if the case were fully in his hands. Giving it to Shen Zechuan, who disliked Xiao Chiye, created mutual oversight—no tampering possible.
“Your Excellency is biased. Shen Zechuan is young, but he was chosen by Heaven and has handled difficult tasks. Further training is beneficial,” Hai Liangyi said to Li Jianheng. “Assigning the Jinyiwei is appropriate. Shen Zechuan also serves Northern Garrison; his role aligns. But seeking only speed is unwise. Though bypassing the Three Departments, their oversight remains necessary. What say you, Your Majesty?”
Li Jianheng understood Hai Liangyi was yielding, careful not to favor Xiao Chiye excessively. He immediately consented. “I shall issue the decree—investigation begins tonight.”
After two days of deliberations at Mingli Hall, matters paused for a night’s rest. Upon leaving, Li Jianheng had eunuchs carry Hai Liangyi to the palace gates for a carriage. Kong Qiu and others followed. Xiao Chiye nodded in acknowledgment and departed alone.
Kong Qiu watched Xiao Chiye’s retreating figure, sighing. “He mistrusts the Ministry of Punishments as lead; he wants to investigate with Han Cheng himself.”
Cen Yu descended the steps. “Who is Han Cheng? Choosing Shen Zechuan was correct. Does Yanqing return directly home?”
Xue Xiuzhuo followed, smiling. “Yes. These past days have been at the office compound. Tonight, time to rest; other cases await in a few days.”
Cen Yu, fond of younger talent, had trained Yu Xiaozai himself and occasionally guided Shen Zechuan. He appreciated Xue Xiuzhuo and encouraged him as well.
The three mounted their carriages at the palace gates.
Late at night, servants at the Xue mansion heard knocking. Throwing on cloaks, they went to investigate. Outside stood Jinyiwei, swords at their sides, stern-faced. Startled, the servants barely had time to speak before Qiao Tianya, leading them, pushed past with ease.
“Have you eaten? It’s still early; probably not. Tell the kitchen—we’ll prepare along with our Jinyiwei, wake the household. We’re searching the mansion.”
The steward blocked the lantern, shouting, “Sir, how can this be? No search warrant has been shown—”
“Anyone obstructing official duties, delaying an arrest, will be taken to the Imperial Prison,” Shen Zechuan said, standing at the door, his gaze dark and threatening. “Tell Xue Xiuzhuo I am looking for him.”