"An account book of the canal grain?"
Emperor An's gaze darkened. The eunuch attending the hall quickly stepped forward, took the ledger from Qian Baokun's hands, and presented it to the emperor.
After flipping through it for a moment, he found the accounts somewhat confusing. He looked up at the kneeling man below. Anticipating the emperor's unfamiliarity with such matters, Qian Baokun proactively explained without waiting for Emperor An to inquire:
"At first glance, this ledger doesn't show major issues; the transactions are detailed. However, as the Minister of Revenue, I'm familiar with grain prices across regions.
"Before last year's floods, the price of rice in Jiangnan was fifteen wen per dou. After the floods in July, grain prices skyrocketed to two hundred wen. Yet this ledger shows prices exceeding a thousand wen per shi at the beginning of the year, which calculates to nearly a hundred wen per dou. An average laborer consumes two sheng per day, six dou per month, but the government records indicate consumption dozens of times higher..."
Qian Baokun elaborated on the inconsistencies in the ledger. Although he had only skimmed it, his years of accounting experience made him intimately aware of its problems.
Emperor An, initially perplexed, began to notice the discrepancies as Qian Baokun spoke.
"Your Majesty," Qian Baokun continued, "look at the largest grain transactions. The prices are all above market rates, and the quantities of grain stored don't match the silver paid.
"These are common tricks used by corrupt officials to falsify accounts. Just from this half of the ledger, the shortfall amounts to several hundred thousand taels of silver. Not to mention the missing sections later on—we don't even know how much more has been embezzled..."
As he spoke, Emperor An's expression shifted repeatedly.
"My son Qingran was returning to the capital on official business. After accidentally obtaining this ledger, he felt it was a thorny matter and feared someone might be using our Qian family to falsely accuse Chancellor Lu and others. He planned to investigate discreetly and report to Your Majesty once he had results. But today, when the third son of the Lu family humiliated my daughter, he revealed the matter in his anger, and that's how I learned of it."
Kneeling, Qian Baokun softly delivered the explanation he'd prepared earlier:
"I am grateful for Your Majesty's grace in allowing me to oversee the Ministry of Revenue. Fully aware of the gravity of the canal grain matter, I sought out Director Xiao. Upon learning that I had this ledger, Director Xiao suspected that the missing second half was hidden by the Lu family. Using my son's impulsive actions as a pretext, and under the guise of the Lu family's son humiliating County Princess Yiyang and my daughter, he entered the Lu residence.
"I knew this was rash and could invite criticism. But if we missed this opportunity, it would be nearly impossible to enter the Lu residence again. If they became aware of the ledger and destroyed the evidence, it would be even more troublesome. So I agreed to work with Director Xiao."
Saying this, Qian Baokun kowtowed heavily:
"I acted without authorization, causing difficulty for Your Majesty. I am willing to accept punishment; please, Your Majesty, reprimand me."
He had always been extremely cautious and had never caused trouble before.
When Emperor An saw the ledger, his attitude had already softened. Hearing that Qian Baokun had proactively approached Xiao Yan and that they were searching for evidence of embezzlement, his remaining anger dissipated further. "Did you gain anything this time?"
"A little."
Qian Baokun produced some more items, though this time the "evidence" wasn't given to him by Xiao Yan. "These are all related to the Lu family and concern the court. Please, Your Majesty, take a look."
Emperor An examined the items presented. As he read through them, his eyes narrowed, and his face grew cold and stern.
"Are these things genuine?"
"I would not dare deceive Your Majesty."
Emperor An's gaze darkened further as his eyes fell upon a list of names crossed out in blood-red ink, sending a chill through him.
Most of these names belonged to officials of varying ranks who, without exception, had met with misfortunes over the past five years.
Some had died, some were demoted, others had left the court for various reasons...
Among them were names Emperor An still remembered—officials demoted due to alleged treason. He had long known that the Lu family's dealings in court were unscrupulous and that they frequently eliminated dissenters. But he hadn't realized it had escalated to this extent.
For a moment, Emperor An felt a surge of crisis. Was this court still truly under his control?
If the aristocratic families weren't curbed, would he one day face the same fate?
"Your Majesty, Director Xiao requests an audience," someone suddenly reported from outside.
Emperor An's tone carried a hint of urgency. "Let him in."
Outside the Imperial Main Hall, Lu Chongyuan and others knelt on the steps. Their initial fervor in denouncing Xiao Yan had waned as they grew weary under the scorching sun.
As May approached, the sun became intense, and these elder statesmen were already advanced in age.
They had believed that jointly kneeling would quickly compel Emperor An to appear. But not only did he not summon them, he hadn't even sent anyone to urge them to rise.
Lu Chongyuan, who had earlier fainted and coughed up blood due to illness, now felt dizzy and his vision blurred from the heat.
Grand Preceptor Liang, also elderly, was sweating profusely and felt a momentary urge to retreat. But seeing everyone else still kneeling, and knowing that retreating now would make the aristocratic families a laughingstock, he gritted his teeth and persevered.
"Director Xiao, His Majesty is waiting for you inside," someone announced behind them.
The officials turned to see the very eunuch they were denouncing—Xiao Yan—walking calmly past the white jade platform.
Upon seeing them, the so-called "traitor" raised an eyebrow condescendingly. "Gentlemen, why are you kneeling here? Sunbathing?"
"Xiao Yan!" one hot-tempered official shouted angrily. "How dare you enter the palace!"
Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly and replied calmly, "Why wouldn't I dare enter the palace?"
"You still dare to speak!" The man glared angrily. "You led people to trespass into the Lu family, humiliated the Chancellor, ignored the laws of the court, and acted recklessly. Today, we must seek justice from His Majesty to ensure that you, this dog thief, can no longer wreak havoc in the court!"
Xiao Yan was not annoyed by these words; instead, he chuckled lightly. "Commissioner Lin speaks as if I had trespassed into your Lin family. Although I know that the Lin family has fallen on hard times these years, and most of your sons are useless, when Duke Anguo was still alive, how glorious the Lin family was. Even Chancellor Lu's father had to bow in greeting when he saw him. But now..."
He clicked his tongue lightly.
"The Lin family has become the Lu family's dog, working tirelessly to get this governor’s attention."
"You!!"
The court official from the Lin family was instantly livid, his face turning ashen.
Xiao Yan paid no attention to his furious gaze, instead casting his eyes over the others present.
"The Lu family needs to support a prince and has always regarded itself as the head of the aristocratic families, claiming to advance and retreat together with you all. But I only see you constantly cleaning up the Lu family's messes. Chancellor Lu doesn't even offer half a benefit with his words, yet he can fool you into standing up for him. Your magnanimity truly impresses me."
He looked at the oldest among them, Grand Preceptor Liang. "Grand Preceptor, you're almost seventy this year. The Liang family has only you as its pillar. If you collapse here in the palace, what will become of the Liang family?"
"In the world of aristocratic families, it's survival of the fittest. The Liang family shouldn't follow in the footsteps of the He family back then."
Grand Preceptor Liang's face instantly darkened. "Stop trying to sow discord!"
"I'm merely speaking the truth; how is it sowing discord? Grand Preceptor Liang has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Lu family, hoping that Chancellor Lu will inherit your position as Grand Preceptor so that after your passing, he can protect the Liang family descendants. But are you sure he will truly remember your support?"
Xiao Yan's voice was slightly cool. "Over a single mistake, he could abandon his once most cherished grandson to preserve the Lu family's future. If one day a real crisis arises, do you think the Liang family will be protected by the Lu family, or become cannon fodder to safeguard their interests?"
"Xiao Yan!"
Seeing that Grand Preceptor Liang's expression had changed, Lu Chongyuan shouted angrily.
Xiao Yan smiled at his furious appearance. "Grand Preceptor Liang, you'd better think carefully. Don't exhaust your efforts only to raise a wolf that bites back, wasting the Liang family's century-old foundation to make wedding clothes for others, becoming a stepping stone for the Lu family's quest for the throne."
After speaking, Xiao Yan said no more. With a flick of his sleeve, he said, "I still need to enter the palace to see His Majesty. You all can continue kneeling here. You there, go and provide shade and fan Grand Preceptor Liang, so he doesn't really harm his health."
After saying this, he turned and said, "Young Master Song, let's go."
Song Jinxiu stepped forward silently.
When Lu Chongyuan and the others heard the name "Song," they were all startled. Only then did they notice that the person following behind Xiao Yan looked somewhat familiar. Looking closely, it was none other than the eldest son of the Duke Song's household, who had previously been thrown into the imperial prison.
He had lost much weight, and his complexion had become pale. His face no longer had any of the warmth of the past but instead carried a hint of cold indifference.
Song Jinxiu lowered his eyes slightly, following behind Xiao Yan, paying no attention to the surrounding gazes. His azure robe hung loosely on his body. As he walked past the crowd, he did not pause at all. The sight of the two entering the hall made Lu Chongyuan's heart skip a beat.
"Isn't Song Jinxiu supposed to be in the imperial prison? Why is Xiao Yan bringing him into the palace?" the official from the Lin family immediately asked.
Another person nearby also said anxiously, "Lord Lu, the Song family has always been close to your Lu family. The eldest son of the Song family was also close with your third son. Xiao Yan bringing him into the palace at this time probably doesn't have good intentions..."
Lu Chongyuan immediately thought of the "evidence" that Xiao Yan had used earlier when searching for Lu Zhinnian. His face sank, and a trace of unease surfaced in his heart.
He turned to speak to Grand Preceptor Liang about petitioning the emperor again but saw that Grand Preceptor Liang was staring solemnly at the doors of the Imperial Hall, lost in thought.
"Old Liang?" Lu Chongyuan said softly, "You wouldn't really believe Xiao Yan's words meant to sow discord..."
"Of course not," Grand Preceptor Liang's eyes flickered slightly.
He knew that Xiao Yan's words were intended to sow discord among the aristocratic families and to divide his relationship with the Lu family. But those words still took root in his heart like seeds.
He had devoted all his efforts to support Lu Zhinnian, even arranging a marriage alliance between the Lu and Liang families to bind them together. Was this the right thing to do?
The Lu family had recently encountered successive troubles. Lu Qin had his legs crippled, and the Lu family's third son, whom he had the highest hopes for, had also fallen to such a state and was now missing. If he risked his life to help the Lu family and something really happened, then the Liang family...
Grand Preceptor Liang said he wouldn't listen to Xiao Yan's provocations, consoling Lu Chongyuan, but he did not refuse the little eunuch who came forward to fan and shade him.
Seeing this, Lu Chongyuan's face darkened, and he tightly pressed his lips, hating Xiao Yan to the extreme.
That dog thief—he really caused the old fellow from the Liang family to develop doubts...
=========================
When Xiao Yan led Song Jinxiu to meet Emperor An, a small stack of items given by Qian Baokun was placed beside the emperor.
Qian Baokun had already received a pardon and was standing aside. When he saw that Xiao Yan had actually brought Song Jinxiu, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
Emperor An originally intended to reprimand Xiao Yan, but upon seeing Song Jinxiu, he frowned first. "Why is he here?"
Xiao Yan said, "I originally intended to enter the palace to plead guilty, but halfway I received news from the imperial prison that Young Master Song had urgent matters and wished to see Your Majesty. So I brought him into the palace together."
Emperor An gave him a sideways glance upon hearing this. "So you know you're guilty?"
Xiao Yan respectfully said, "Trespassing into the Chancellor's residence is a serious offense. I took it upon myself to lead people to search the Lu family without imperial orders and implicated Minister Qian and his three sons. Although Your Majesty is lenient, I cannot let others say that you are biased because of me. Later, I will go to the Criminal Department to receive my punishment."
Emperor An's gaze was steady. "Do you know what crime you've committed today and what punishment it warrants?"
"Defying a superior—eighty strokes of the cane and six years of imprisonment."
When Xiao Yan spoke, it was as if the person facing punishment wasn't himself; he was extremely calm:
"Although my actions today were for understandable reasons, I cannot go unpunished for overstepping by offending the Chancellor's residence. If Your Majesty is willing to let me continue my duties, I will go to the Department of Punishments myself to receive eighty strokes as a warning to others. This way, Your Majesty can also appease the aristocratic officials and give them an explanation."
Upon hearing this, Emperor An's expression turned cold. "Insolent!"
He hadn't been that angry at first, but Xiao Yan's words poked his sore spot, causing his fury to surge. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a teacup and threw it at Xiao Yan. "You insolent wretch! I am the Emperor—what explanation do I owe them?"
They are all merely subjects; even if they come from noble families, so what? As the Emperor, why should he bow and compromise to them?!
The teacup shattered into pieces half a step in front of Xiao Yan. Emperor An's face was icy. "They colluded with southern provinces, embezzled funds intended for canal grain transport, causing countless deaths and uprisings due to floods in the south. Members of the Lu family even assassinated court officials to eliminate dissidents. How can you be guilty for searching the Lu family on my behalf?!"
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned. "Assassinated court officials?"
He instinctively looked toward Qian Baokun not far away and saw him signaling subtly. Qian Baokun said, "Director Xiao, didn't we find some items when we searched the Lu residence earlier? I've just handed everything over to His Majesty, including the account book my son obtained."
Xiao Yan opened his mouth. "Minister Qian, that account book..."
"Although the account book was found by my son, without your leadership in searching the Lu family, we wouldn't have uncovered this incriminating evidence."
Fearing that Xiao Yan might inadvertently reveal something, Qian Baokun quickly interrupted him. "His Majesty knows you went at my invitation and to purge corrupt elements from the court. That's why you led the Black Armored Guards into the Lu residence without authorization. His Majesty is wise and certainly won't blame you for this."
Xiao Yan frowned, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something. After being stopped by Qian Baokun, a look of guilt appeared in his eyes.
Qian Baokun felt even more that Xiao Yan wasn't as despicable as rumors claimed. Indeed, one must interact with someone to know their true character; he hadn't helped the wrong person after all.
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T/N: Poor Qian Baokun doesn't even know he has been tricked lol I wouldn’t want to be on Xiao Yan’s bad side
You can read ahead to chapterr 300 here
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