Chapter Thirteen: A Lost Cause

Another day passed swiftly. By the early morning of the next day, after attending the routine court assembly, Liu Wensou, the current Deputy Censor-in-Chief, intended, as usual, to return directly to the Censorate to oversee official matters.

“Lord Yongling, please wait a moment.”

A sudden call halted Liu Wensou’s steps as he was about to board his carriage. Hearing this familiar voice, Liu Wensou, known for his incorruptibility, furrowed his brows slightly but was powerless to resist. He quickly turned and, bowing politely toward the source of the voice, said, “Greetings, Second Prince.”

It was indeed Zhao Guangyi who had called him. Returning the courtesy with a slight bow, Zhao Guangyi smiled and said, “Brother Yongling, I’d like to inquire about something. How is the investigation progressing regarding the illegal case of Prince Li Renyou, the former Crown Prince’s Vice-Minister, which our Kaifeng Prefecture handed over to your Censorate?”

“Pardon me, Your Highness,” Liu Wensou replied courteously. “This case is currently being investigated and verified by Inspector Chen Kuxian of the capital. He has not yet reported any developments to me, so I am presently unaware of the progress.”

“I see,” Zhao Guangyi’s expression showed slight disappointment but he quickly amended his tone. “No matter. I happen to have some free time today. Why don’t we go together to the Censorate and hear directly from Inspector Chen about the investigation?”

“What do you mean, Second Prince? Are you trying to exploit Li Renyou’s case for some ulterior motive? I haven’t heard that this matter involves other court officials. Besides, if I recall correctly, Li Renyou was a subordinate of the previous dynasty’s Chancellor Fan Zhi and had no dealings with your nemesis, Minister Zhao. Why would you single him out like this?”

A series of questions flashed through Liu Wensou’s mind, but having served under five dynasties, he was neither anxious nor curious about Zhao Guangyi’s intentions. Smiling, he said, “Very well. Please, Your Highness, ascend the carriage first. I shall lead the way in my chariot to the Censorate for a face-to-face inquiry.”

Zhao Guangyi nodded with a smile, led a few trusted attendants back to his carriage, and Liu Wensou, assisted by his servants, mounted his own. He rode ahead, leading Zhao Guangyi back to the Censorate, all the while pondering Zhao Guangyi’s true purpose.

However, events soon unfolded in unexpected ways. Upon arriving at the Censorate, Zhao Guangyi indeed summoned Chen Kuxian, patiently listened to him recount the investigation into Li Renyou’s oppression of the people resulting in deaths, and then urged Chen to expedite the case and convict Li Renyou to appease public anger.

“Deputy Censor Liu, I am Lvqiu Shunqing,” one of the six chief inspectors of the Censorate, suddenly appeared at the door, his tone urgent as he demanded an immediate audience. Liu Wensou, caught off guard, snapped irritably, “What’s the rush? Don’t you see I have a guest? Hold your tongue for now; we shall discuss this later.”

“Lord Yongling, please do not be so dismissive,” Zhao Guangyi intervened gently. “If your subordinate is this anxious, it must be of utmost importance. Let him enter and speak first.”

Since Zhao Guangyi had spoken thus, Liu Wensou dared not refuse. Turning to Lvqiu Shunqing at the door, he ordered, “Come in. Speak at once.”

“Thank you, Deputy Censor.” Lvqiu Shunqing hurried inside, saluted both Zhao Guangyi and Liu Wensou, then with a face full of anxiety said, “Deputy Censor Liu, this is grave. A member of the imperial family has been involved in corruption, accepting bribes, and shielding corrupt officials — a severe violation of the laws of our great Song!”

Liu Wensou’s expression changed instantly, a foreboding feeling rising in his heart. Zhao Guangyi decisively asked, “Who? Which royal dares to behave so recklessly?”

Lvqiu Shunqing hesitated, glanced at Zhao Guangyi, then cautiously said, “Pardon me, Your Highness, I dare not speak his name in your presence.”

“Speak!” Zhao Guangyi snapped angrily. “Fear not. If you have solid evidence, even if it means accusing my own flesh and blood, so be it!”

“Then… I will speak boldly.” Lvqiu Shunqing braced himself. “With due respect, Your Highness, it is indeed your own kin — the Crown Prince’s eldest son and your nephew, Zhao Dezhao.”

“Dezhao?!” Zhao Guangyi's face showed disbelief. He rose abruptly and shouted, “Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I know Dezhao — he is simple and honest, loyal and upright. He would never commit such deeds!”

Lvqiu Shunqing did not argue; instead, he silently produced an official document with both hands raised respectfully. “Your Highness, this is my formal accusation against the Crown Prince’s eldest son. Please examine it.”

Zhao Guangyi stepped forward swiftly, snatched the document, and after reading it carefully, his expression darkened rapidly — from disbelief to shock, then grinding his teeth in fury, his hands trembling with rage.

Sensing the moment was ripe, Lvqiu Shunqing then produced a brocade pouch sealed with a ribbon. “Your Highness, this contains the gold given as bribes to Wang Zuo, the supervisor of the Great Grain Warehouse. I have sealed it with official stamps. Please inspect.”

Putting down the document with a grim face, Zhao Guangyi reluctantly handed it to Liu Wensou. Upon examining it, Liu Wensou saw that Lvqiu Shunqing’s accusations implicated Zhao Dezhao in accepting bribes and shielding Wang Zuo and his son, who were involved in illicit grain sales. An internal storm raged within Liu Wensou.

“I’ve been deceived! The Second Prince is ruthless. He wants to eliminate his nephew but won’t dirty his own hands. Instead, he set a trap for me, forcing me to enforce the law impartially, making me the villain while he profits from the shadows!”

Though Liu Wensou saw through Zhao Guangyi’s true intent, he kept a composed face and feigned contemplation before asking Lvqiu Shunqing, “Inspector Lvqiu, can you guarantee the truthfulness of your accusations? Do you realize that even the slightest falsehood in such charges amounts to treason?”

“Rest assured, Deputy Censor. I stake my life on the truth!” Lvqiu Shunqing bowed respectfully. “If any part of my petition is false, I am willing to bear the guilt of deceiving the sovereign!”

Liu Wensou nodded calmly. Zhao Guangyi’s face was ashen as he growled, “Where is that little bastard? Bring him to me at once!”

“Your Highness, Wang Zuo has already left.” Chen Kuxian, who had reported the case before, spoke cautiously. “After morning roll call, he went out claiming to have official business.”

“Send someone immediately to find him! Tell him to come to me at once!” Zhao Guangyi roared in fury.

Chen Kuxian groaned, “Pardon me, Your Highness, he did not say where he went. Kaifeng is vast; where should I look?”

“Inspector Chen.” Liu Wensou took over calmly, “I will think of a way to find him. For now, arrange for the arrest of Wang Zuo and his son. Do not involve yourself further.”

“As you command, Deputy Censor.” Chen Kuxian was immensely relieved and promptly agreed, casting a grateful glance at Liu Wensou upon leaving. Chen was not foolish; he understood the gravity of the case and appreciated Liu Wensou’s effort to distance him from it, given his lack of powerful backing.

Driven by anger and a sense of duty to uphold the imperial dignity, Zhao Guangyi remained at the Censorate to pursue the investigation. By midday, Wang Zuo and his son were summoned and interrogated at the Censorate. Zhao Guangyi openly sat in the main hall, personally overseeing the trial.

At first, Wang Zuo and his son protested their innocence vehemently. However, Lvqiu Shunqing produced irrefutable evidence of their bribery. Meanwhile, previously coerced clerks from the Great Grain Warehouse and rice merchants confessed to the illegal grain sales, leaving Wang Zuo and his son speechless and cornered.

Seizing the moment, Zhao Guangyi slammed the table and thundered with a double meaning, “Confess truthfully. If you cooperate, I will spare your lives; at worst, you will be exiled. If you stubbornly resist, I will ensure your heads fall, and your entire family suffers!”

Wang Zuo, a seasoned corrupt official overseeing the national granary, immediately grasped the implication — continued defiance meant death and family retribution, while confession promised exile, even negotiable as to the location. For instance, a certain dwarf bandit was exiled from a lawless county to the wealthy Jiangzhou rice-producing region.

Understanding Zhao Guangyi’s hint and realizing their guilt was confirmed, with their backers like Zhao Pu unlikely to intervene, Wang Zuo bit the bullet and bowed his head, saying, “Your Highness, spare us. I am willing to confess truthfully.”

With that, Wang Zuo began to confess fully, admitting to allowing his son to steal grain and acknowledging that he had bribed Zhao Dezhao through Li Kedu with a golden inkstone, as well as attempting to bribe Lvqiu Shunqing.

Zhao Guangyi’s heart leapt for joy at the smooth progress, though his face grew angrier, pounding his chest and cursing repeatedly, “Accursed whelp! The reputation of the Imperial Elder Brother has been utterly destroyed by this scoundrel!”

Unlike Zhao Guangyi’s raging fury, Liu Wensou remained composed and calmly asked Wang Zuo, “Is there anything else to confess?”

“Yes.”

To Liu Wensou’s surprise and Zhao Guangyi’s delight, Wang Zuo added, “Later, the Crown Prince also asked me to introduce him to other grain warehouse supervisors, hoping to open one or two grain shops in Kaifeng to facilitate business.”

Liu Wensou closed his eyes in resignation. Zhao Guangyi, who had suspected this earlier, laughed joyfully and feigned outrage, “Such wicked intent! A prince of the imperial family daring to hatch such schemes is beyond forgiveness!”

Even Liu Wensou nodded silently, thinking bitterly, “The Crown Prince is truly disappointing. As a prince, taking bribes alone is bad enough, but colluding with corrupt officials to embezzle the national granary is hopeless — a rotten timber beyond repair.”

At this moment, Zhao Guangyi spoke again, filled with indignation, “Lord Yongling, time is of the essence. Since it has come to this, we can no longer preserve the royal face. Let us go at once to the palace to report this to our elder brother, urging him to do what is right and punish this disgraceful royal.”

Glancing at Zhao Guangyi, Liu Wensou had already made up his mind: “No hesitation. Although it’s obvious the Second Prince is behind this, he now holds undeniable evidence. If I delay or refuse, I risk implication and the ruin of my lifelong honor. The Crown Prince is beyond saving; I might as well grant the Second Prince a favor.”

After weighing the pros and cons swiftly, Liu Wensou nodded and said, “Your Highness is right. We must immediately proceed to the palace and report this matter to His Majesty!”

Overjoyed, Zhao Guangyi quickly ordered the already confessions-bound Wang Zuo and his son to be escorted along with Lvqiu Shunqing, the case’s initial reporter. Together with Liu Wensou, they set off in carriages toward the imperial city, arriving directly at the main gate, Xuande Gate, seeking an audience.

Unexpectedly, as they awaited summons from Zhao Kuangyin, a carriage suddenly rushed toward the gate. Only when imperial guards hurried to intercept did it halt. Zhao Dezhao, disheveled and reeking of alcohol, jumped down, anxiously calling out, “Imperial Uncle! Imperial Uncle! Deputy Censor, wait!”

Frantically shouting, Zhao Dezhao staggered to Zhao Guangyi and Liu Wensou, quickly asking, “Imperial Uncle, Deputy Censor, you’re all here? Is this about the Great Grain Warehouse case?”

“How dare you ask such a question!” Zhao Guangyi retorted angrily. “Tell us, what did you do while investigating that case?”

“I did nothing wrong,” Zhao Dezhao answered confidently and self-righteously. “I have always conducted investigations impartially, without negligence or corruption.”

“You little bastard, I’ll kill you!” Zhao Guangyi’s fury exploded as he rolled up his sleeves, moving to slap his nephew. But Zhao Dezhao was nimble, dodging behind Liu Wensou, pushing him forward as a shield while panicking, “Imperial Uncle, have mercy! Let’s talk calmly.”

“Your Highness, please calm down,” Liu Wensou finally spoke, reminding, “This is the imperial city gate. Please observe proper decorum.”

Reluctantly, Zhao Guangyi lowered his raised hand. Zhao Dezhao quickly supported Liu Wensou’s advice, “Imperial Uncle, Deputy Censor is right. Calm down. Let’s discuss this back at the Censorate or the Kaifeng Prefecture. Don’t make a spectacle here.”

“Silence! Wretch! Prepare to die!” Zhao Guangyi roared angrily. At that moment, a eunuch hurried out from the palace, raising his voice: “His Majesty commands that the Second Prince and Deputy Censor come to court.”

“I want to see the Emperor too. Deputy Censor, you are a veteran of five dynasties; please bring the young prince along,” Zhao Dezhao pleaded earnestly.

Liu Wensou nodded silently in agreement. Zhao Dezhao then turned to Lvqiu Shunqing with a forced smile and remarked, “Inspector Lvqiu, one never knows a person fully. I truly didn’t expect this from you.”

“Your Highness, pardon me. I don’t understand what you mean,” Lvqiu Shunqing forced a smile, uneasy.

Zhao Dezhao smiled and suddenly added an even more bewildering remark: “Inspector Lvqiu, rest assured, before the Emperor, I will do my utmost to protect you from death. To survive, your only chance is to confess fully and truthfully before my father. Otherwise, you may not even have the chance to plead guilty honestly.”

“What do you mean by that?” Lvqiu Shunqing was genuinely confused.

Liu Wensou and Zhao Guangyi exchanged a glance. Liu Wensou’s mind was full of doubts, while Zhao Guangyi’s heart grew uneasy, a dreadful premonition suddenly arising…