Chapter Twelve: Poised for Action

The morning after Wang Zhaozuo’s bribery, Zhao Dezhao arrived early at the Censorate. Without attending the morning assembly, he went straight to the temporary detention yard to check on the interrogation of the employees from the Great Hong Rice Company.

By the time he arrived, the interrogation had concluded. The officials involved, including Lü Qiu Shunqing, were sprawled asleep in the hall, clearly exhausted from the previous night. Out of gratitude, Zhao Dezhao stopped the guards from waking Lü Qiu Shunqing and instead roused his own attendants, Malai Fu and others, bringing them outside to question them.

“How did the interrogation go?”

Only when they were out of earshot did Zhao Dezhao ask Malai Fu about the case. Malai Fu, sporting dark circles under his eyes but visibly excited, replied, “Your Highness, the interrogation is almost complete. Although the rice company’s owner refuses to confess, his steward was less tight-lipped. After a good beating, he revealed everything, admitting that the official grain bearing the court’s seal came from the Great Ying Granary, and named several accomplices working there.”

Malai Fu continued to describe the process: the rice company owner was cunning and adamantly denied that the official grain came directly from the treasury, insisting it was civilian grain mistakenly received. But Lü Qiu Shunqing, experienced in such matters, isolated the owner and soon broke the others, obtaining evidence of collusion between the Great Hong Rice Company and officials at the Great Ying Granary to steal and sell official grain.

Later that night, after arresting the implicated officials, Lü Qiu Shunqing quickly extracted from them that the mastermind was Wang Zhaozuo’s beloved son. However, the officials did not implicate Wang Zhaozuo himself in the theft. Time constraints had also prevented Lü Qiu Shunqing from summoning Wang’s son for questioning.

Having carefully explained the situation, Zhao Dezhao was pleased when Malai Fu, by chance his informant, volunteered, “Your Highness, there is one more thing I think you should know. During the interrogation, Censor Lü Qiu left the Censorate briefly.”

“When did he leave? How do you know?” Zhao Dezhao asked urgently.

“At about halfway through the second watch of the night, Lü Qiu sent men to the Great Ying Granary to make arrests, and we paused for a rest.”

Malai Fu answered truthfully, adding in a low voice, “Though Your Highness had not instructed me, I cautiously kept a close eye on Censor Lü Qiu. After his attendants whispered to him, he excused himself to use the latrine and quietly slipped out the back door for a while before returning to continue the interrogation.”

“Half past the second watch?” Zhao Dezhao calculated the time and realized Wang Zhaozuo had ample opportunity to continue his schemes after bribing him. Delighted, he patted Malai Fu’s shoulder and said, “Well done! You’d better always be this sharp. Go home and collect two strings of cash as a reward. Serve well in the future, and I’ll guarantee you a bright career.”

The former auxiliary policeman Malai Fu was overjoyed and thanked Zhao Dezhao profusely. Just then, a group of guards escorted a young man dressed as a dandy into the yard. Malai Fu quickly explained, “Your Highness, these men were sent by Censor Lü Qiu to make the arrests. That young master should be Wang Zhaozuo’s son.”

Upon confirming the young man’s identity, Lü Qiu Shunqing—who had always been obsequious toward Zhao Dezhao—approached, respectfully bowing and warmly asking, “Your Highness, have you been informed about the interrogation? Would you like me to report the process?”

“I have already asked,” Zhao Dezhao smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Censor Lü Qiu. In such a short time, you’ve managed to uncover the complex case and obtain solid evidence. I truly admire your skill.”

“Your Highness flatters me. I’m unworthy,” Lü Qiu feigned humility, then suggested, “Since the main culprit has been apprehended, perhaps you would like to interrogate him personally? I can take notes for you.”

To Lü Qiu’s surprise, Zhao Dezhao decisively shook his head with a smile. “No need, Censor Lü Qiu. I heard you didn’t sleep last night and must be exhausted. Why don’t you go home and rest? I will handle the interrogation alone.”

“You want to try the case by yourself?” Lü Qiu was shocked.

“Why? Are you afraid I’ll steal your credit?” Zhao Dezhao smiled candidly. “Don’t worry; once I solve this case, I will acknowledge your contributions in my memorial to His Majesty and request you be generously rewarded.”

“Your Highness misunderstands. I only wish to assist because you lack experience in interrogations. I have no desire to take credit,” Lü Qiu hastily explained.

“That’s alright; experience comes with time,” Zhao Dezhao laughed. “Thanks to your groundwork, the truth is nearly uncovered. I’ll use this case to hone my skills. You’ve worked hard; please rest.”

Lü Qiu hesitated, but Zhao Dezhao was resolute. Not daring to contradict the eldest son of Zhao Kuangyin, Lü Qiu finally bowed out reluctantly, inwardly sneering, “If you want to try it alone, fine. I’m curious what tricks this yellow-haired boy can pull.”

After leaving the yard, instead of returning home to rest as instructed, Lü Qiu chose a room in the rear yard of the Censorate to rest while secretly assigning men to monitor Zhao Dezhao’s interrogation.

Events unfolded unexpectedly. By noon, Lü Qiu’s informants reported that Zhao Dezhao had already finished the Great Ying Granary case. Lü Qiu hurriedly asked, “How did Your Highness conclude the case?”

“Wang’s son is innocent and was released on the spot,” his subordinate reported. “Your Highness discovered that Wang’s son was not involved in the theft. It was the granary clerks who used Wang’s name to intimidate others. So Your Highness released him immediately and handed the other culprits to the Court of Judicial Review for sentencing.”

Lü Qiu was amazed that Zhao Dezhao ended the case so swiftly, and he was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he exited the Censorate through the back door, eagerly went to the Kaifeng Prefecture, revealed his identity, and requested to see Zhao Guangyi. He was quickly admitted and informed Zhao Guangyi of Zhao Dezhao’s findings.

Only then did Lü Qiu report an important detail: “There is one more matter. Yesterday night, Wang Zhaozuo met me outside the back door of the Censorate and tried to bribe me with a package of candied melon seeds. I confiscated it but did not make my position clear—only promised to think about it.”

“Good move. Right now, you must not reveal your stance. The more ambiguous, the better,” Zhao Guangyi nodded approvingly, then smiled. “I didn’t expect him to show his true colors so quickly. I worried this nephew, new to office, wouldn’t corrupt so fast trying to make a name for himself. Yet in a few short days, he’s already greedy, accepting bribes and abusing power.”

“Your Highness must be short of money,” Yao Shu sneered. “Married at thirteen, four years with only a salary as the Guizhou Defense Commissioner and little else—how could he afford the pleasures of brothels and entertainment districts?”

Zhao Guangyi smiled knowingly, agreeing that his nephew’s rapid corruption was likely due to his meager income. Then he asked Chen Congxin, “Have you found out what Wang Zhaozuo gave my nephew?”

“A golden inkstone inlaid with jewels,” Chen Congxin replied with a smile. “Wang had it custom-made last month at the Tang family gold and silver shop, probably intending to present it to Minister Zhao. The sudden incident worked to our advantage.”

“Excellent!” Zhao Guangyi was delighted. “What do you suggest we do to inform His Majesty?”

“Your Highness, I think there’s no need to rush,” Chen proposed. “Although Your Highness has concluded the case, he has not yet submitted a report to the court or the Censorate. We should patiently wait for him to do so, thereby confirming his corruption, and then expose the truth.”

“Secondly, we should cast a long line to catch a big fish,” Chen added with a cold smile. “Your Highness closing the case so quickly might be an attempt to curry favor with Minister Zhao. If we can gather more evidence on this, there may be even greater surprises.”

“Wise words,” Dou Cheng quickly agreed. “If the Emperor learns that even his son is corrupting himself to please Minister Zhao, resentment toward Minister Zhao will surely deepen.”

Zhao Guangyi nodded decisively, then instructed, “Lü Qiu Shunqing, immediately return to the Censorate and keep close watch on my nephew. Once he reports the case, we must learn exactly what he says.”

Lü Qiu eagerly agreed. Zhao Guangyi then sneered, “Take some jade pendants with you. Liu Wensou is a crafty old fox, impossible to bribe. Target the clerks and assistants around him.”

He continued, “Also, Wang Zhaozuo might approach you through your connections. Accept his gifts as evidence.”

Lü Qiu solemnly promised to obey. Zhao Guangyi nodded approvingly, then told Chen Congxin, “I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.