Jingzhao Prefectural Office. Our counterattack begins from the prison. Those impostors pretending to be Zikuan's parents are the very first chess pieces of our plan.
The prefect of Jingzhao is a cunning fox who sails with the wind. Ever since the fire at the granary, he has clearly seen which way the wind blows. He knows that our Shu family is currently in high imperial favor and is someone he absolutely cannot afford to offend. Therefore, he is exceptionally polite to me.
"My lord Li, who is behind these two impostors? I believe you must have a good idea in your heart."
"It was the steward of the Minister of Rites' manor who ordered it."
"Very well. Submit this confession exactly as it is. However, do not present it to the emperor."
"Then to whom should I submit it?"
"To Wang Zheng, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the censorate."
He is the famously upright head of the censorate. He is even more unyielding than Zhang Hong. He dares to impeach even imperial relatives and nobles, to the death. Three years ago, he highly valued Zikuan's talent and even made a special effort to strongly recommend him. His failure to defend him when he was framed became the greatest regret of his life. This confession, which points directly to Zhang Pu, is his key to reopening the old case. He will never let it go.
This strategy is called killing with a borrowed sword. And we are borrowing the sharpest and most troublesome sword.
"This subordinate understands. I will see to it immediately."
That night Zikuan spread a list across the table.
"Ji'er. These individuals come from very wealthy families, but their scholarly abilities are mediocre. Yet back then, they all passed the imperial examination and became jinshi. Currently, they are all serving as officials in other regions. If we can find them, perhaps we can find a breakthrough."
"Good. Leave this matter to me. Uncle Fu, send messages to all our branches nationwide. Find the people on the list at all costs. Investigate their academic performance back then and their current political achievements. Report back immediately if there is any news."
"Yes, my lady. This old servant will go do it right away."
"We must inform Li Xun about this matter, to ensure Zhang Pu and the crown prince have no way to escape."
"Zhang Pu is truly audacious, to dare lay his hands on the national imperial examinations. Rest assured, you two. There is no way this prince will sit idly by and watch. We have Imperial Censor Wang in the Imperial Court, and I will send people to assist the investigation outside. With our three forces joined together, we will surely pry Zhang Pu's mouth open."
"Your Majesty, this subject has a memorial to present. This subject impeaches Zhang Pu, the Minister of Rites, for improper conduct, abuse of authority, and deliberate framing. He instigated local thugs and ruffians to slander Lin Zikuan and ruin his official reputation. May Your Majesty investigate this thoroughly."
"Your Majesty, this subject is wronged. This is sheer slander. Wang Zheng has colluded with the Shu family to frame this old subject. May Your Majesty seek justice for this subject."
"Minister Zhang has served as an official for many years and has always been clean and honest. It is absolutely impossible for him to do such a thing. Impeaching a first-rank official based on a single confession is far too reckless. May Imperial Father investigate thoroughly."
"Enough. Wang Zheng, I grant your request. This matter shall be led by the censorate. No one else from the three judicial offices is allowed to interfere."
The investigation is just the beginning. It is an opportunity I created for Wang Zheng, allowing him to investigate Zhang Pu openly and legitimately. With this opportunity, Wang Zheng can access and review all the case files from three years ago, and our counterattack has only just begun.
"County Magistrate Chen, you have two choices. First, suffer complete ruin and spend the rest of your life in prison. Second, atone for your crimes by rendering service, and testify against Zhang Pu. Once the matter is resolved, I will guarantee you a worry-free life for the rest of your days."
"I'll do it. I am willing to testify."
"Good. Excellent. That traitor Zhang Pu is finally going to show his tail. As you command, men. Arrest Zhao the Skinner immediately and in secret."
"I confess. I'll confess everything."
Zhang Pu, your day of reckoning has come.
As dawn was just breaking and the eastern sky turned the color of a fish's belly, a storm in the imperial court was brewing, and the foundation painstakingly built over many years was about to fall apart in this very storm.
Morning audience, Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Do not worry, Minister. With me here, that Wang Zheng won't be able to stir up any trouble."
"The Left Censor-in-Chief, Wang Zheng, wishes to impeach Zhang Pu, the Minister of Rites, for selling official posts, disrupting the imperial examinations, and framing loyal and upright officials. Each and every one of these accusations is a grave crime that shakes the very foundation of the state. I beg Your Majesty to bring justice to the scholars of the empire, and purge the corrupt to restore order to our great Xia dynasty."
Impeaching Zhang Pu was no surprise to anyone. What surprised them was that Wang Zheng actually raised the charges to shaking the foundation of the state. This was no mere impeachment. He was clearly out for a fight to the death.
"Your Majesty, this old subject has been deeply wronged. This is entirely Wang Zheng abusing his public office to settle a personal grudge and maliciously framing me. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for this old subject."
"Father. Minister Zhang has performed his duties with utmost dedication for years. He could never commit such a treasonous act. Your son begs Father to investigate this thoroughly. Do not listen to slanderous words and break the hearts of your loyal ministers."
"Wang Zheng, you claim to have witnesses and material evidence. Present them."
"Yes. The imperial examination is the core cornerstone for the emperor to balance the court, select talents, and consolidate his rule. Yet Zhang Pu actually treated this cornerstone as a tool to amass wealth and eliminate rivals. This is no different from undermining the foundations of our dynasty."
"Good. What a diligent and dedicated minister. What a crown prince who shares the worries of the state. Take a good look at this yourselves. Is this the doing of the loyal minister you spoke of? Is this the kind of thing you've done? Bring in the witnesses."
"It was my uncle who had me sell them to the candidates."
"I bought the exam questions. We also colluded to frame Lin Zikuan."
"Guards. Strip Zhang Pu of his office and throw him into the imperial prison. Investigate all of his faction thoroughly. No leniency will be shown."
"By your command."
To preserve royal dignity, the emperor gave the crown prince one last chance. The crown prince was confined to the Eastern Palace. Without an imperial decree, he was not allowed to take a single step out. But Li Chong's political career was already over. A crown prince who had lost the emperor's trust and all of his core faction members was no different from being deposed.