The Blood Crown - Chapter 85

Everyone eagerly awaited the imperial decree, and finally, it arrived.

This imperial decree was like a sharp sword, giving Zhao Fuyi the courage to act. Without delay, he personally led his troops to attack the Governor’s Mansion. While the inhabitants of the mansion were still in their beds, they found themselves surrounded.

Yan Sikong was not present at the scene that day, but according to Feng Ye, they confronted the guards of the Governor’s Mansion. Ge Zhong loudly protested, claiming that without the imperial decree, no one had the right to accuse him. Fortunately, they were prepared; Zhao Fuyi produced the imperial decree, which stated unequivocally that anyone involved in the rebellion case with Liang Wang, regardless of rank or status, could be apprehended and interrogated if the evidence was conclusive.

Zhao Fuyi dispatched soldiers to search the Governor’s Mansion thoroughly. They found several letters exchanged between him and Liang Wang, and even some rare treasures gifted to his son by Liang Wang.

The Governor’s Mansion was completely sealed off by Zhao Fuyi, with no one allowed to enter or leave without permission, and no one was allowed to disturb anything within the mansion. Ge Zhong was taken back to the Inspectorate for interrogation.

Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang were busy with the case, while Yan Sikong and Xu Kai were busy gathering evidence. Zhao Fuyi did not show favoritism to any faction in the court, and Liang Guang, being from the Hanlin Academy, had connections with the literati. They had some reservations due to Xie Zhongren, but they would not turn a blind eye, especially if they could deal with Ge Zhong. This was an opportunity too good to miss.

Fortunately, Xie Zhongren was far away in the capital, beyond their reach, so their reservations were somewhat diminished.

It was said that Ge Zhong was infuriated to the point of spitting blood upon seeing those letters in prison. He vehemently denied them, claiming someone had forged his handwriting to frame him.

They spent a day and a night comparing the letters with Ge Zhong’s handwriting but couldn’t find any significant differences. Moreover, the fact that Liang Wang spared him without killing or imprisoning him was highly suspicious. Although Ge Zhong claimed they were once good friends and Liang Wang spared him out of old friendship, it was no longer convincing.

Yan Sikong and Xu Kai continued to compile various charges against Ge Zhong, including his false reporting of military provisions, which was also seen as evidence of his collusion with Liang Wang. The Inspectorate also received several anonymous letters accusing Ge Zhong of corruption and dereliction of duty. This case was like a snowball rolling downhill, unstoppable once it started.

As soon as news of Ge Zhong’s arrest reached the capital, it caused a sensation. The court was already exhausted from dealing with consecutive disasters, uprisings, and rebellions. This news was the last straw, causing turmoil in both the court and the country.

Taking advantage of the situation, Yan Zilian’s faction brought up old grievances. He instructed the Imperial Censors to submit memorials, condemning Wang Shengsheng and Mei Jue. They claimed that Wang Shengsheng framed Cai Zhongfan, leading to Cai Zhongfan’s demotion, and then supported his own disciple Mei Jue to enter the Ministry of Works. This allowed Ge Zhong to rise through the ranks and become the governor. The chaos caused by Liang Wang’s rebellion stemmed from this. Although the accusations did not directly mention Xie Zhongren, all the arrows pointed straight at him.

Xie Zhongren naturally wouldn’t sit idly by and instructed his own faction of Imperial Censors to roll up their sleeves and enter the fray.

The Imperial Censors engaged in a war of words, escalating to mutual accusations. The court was filled with smoke and mirrors, lively and chaotic.

Yan Sikong had long anticipated this. Yan Zilian’s faction and Xie Zhongren’s faction would spare no effort to cut down each other’s supporters and weaken each other’s influence whenever they had the chance. In the end, Xie Zhongren would have to abandon Ge Zhong to save himself.

Yan Sikong wished he could personally interrogate Ge Zhong, but unfortunately, it was not his turn. He could only try to influence the situation indirectly through Liang Guang. At present, Ge Zhong couldn’t produce any evidence to defend himself, so his prospects were grim.

Although Feng Ye was tasked with monitoring and guarding the Governor’s Mansion, he was not very interested in Ge Zhong’s case. Recently, he had received a letter from Feng Jianping, and the Wala had already gone to war. He must be worried about Feng Jianping’s safety and the outcome of the battle.

During a meal together, Yan Sikong also inquired about the situation of the Feng family’s army.

Feng Ye sighed, “The mountains are high and the rivers are far. I cannot be by my father’s side, nor can I receive timely reports on the war. It’s agonizing.”

Yan Sikong comforted him, “King Jingyuan has been fighting against the Wala for many years with few defeats. Trust him.”

“… My father’s health is not as good as before.” Feng Ye sighed with bitterness in his tone.

“Fortunately, he has successors.” Yan Sikong paused for a moment. “Actually, I have always wanted to know…”

“What do you want to know?” Feng Ye asked.

“That day, we promised not to hide anything from each other.”

Feng Ye realized, “You want to ask about my eldest brother, don’t you?”

Yan Sikong nodded.

Feng Ye’s gaze dimmed momentarily. “When we have no more trivial matters to worry about and can have a heart-to-heart over wine, I’ll tell you about what happened back then.”

Yan Sikong raised the vegetable and egg soup with a smile. “Then I’ll drink a bowl in anticipation.”

Feng Ye smiled as well.

“By the way, any progress on the Ge Zhong case?” Feng Ye asked.

Yan Sikong squinted slightly. “The evidence is as solid as a mountain. I think he won’t escape death.”

“What’s the situation in the court?” Feng Ye inquired.

Yan Sikong shared what he had just learned with Feng Ye. “Ge Zhong was promoted by Xie Zhongren, so he’s bound to be implicated. His teacher won’t miss this opportunity.”

“If we can drag that eunuch down with him, it would be worth Ge Zhong’s life,” Feng Ye remarked coldly.

Yan Sikong shook his head. “Xie Zhongren enjoys the emperor’s favor too much. It won’t be that easy.”

“Honestly, killing Ge Zhong would be a relief for everyone. Just his false reporting of military provisions alone would warrant his death several times over,” Feng Ye said in a low voice.

“Even a hundred deaths wouldn’t be enough,” Yan Sikong added quietly.

Under the coordination of Yan Sikong and Xu Kai, the charges against Ge Zhong piled up one after another, nearly too numerous to record. As a provincial governor, he couldn’t possibly be innocent, and now, it was just a matter of the wall collapsing and everyone pushing.

As Yan Sikong expected, the trial lasted for a month, and for that month, the court was in chaos. The emperor was also displeased. To appease public anger and calm the emperor’s wrath, there was no room for Xie Zhongren to protect Ge Zhong anymore. He had to show impartiality and fairness, ordering them to handle the case justly. So Zhao Fuyi proceeded to arrest Ge Zhong’s two sons and nephew as well.

At this point, Ge Zhong had almost no chance of turning the situation around.

Yan Sikong was grateful to Yuan Mao for overseeing the punishment of Ge Zhong, this despicable villain. If it weren’t for Liang Wang’s sentimentality towards him or his self-inflicted death, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang regretted that Liang Wang had already passed away without leaving any evidence. What they wanted was this lack of evidence, so Ge Zhong could go to the underworld and “prove” his innocence to his old friend.

However, as a high-ranking official, Ge Zhong couldn’t be hastily judged and punished in Jingzhou. The emperor ordered the confiscation of Ge Zhong’s assets and instructed Zhao Fuyi to escort Ge Zhong, his sons, nephews, and other relatives associated with the rebellion back to the capital for retrial by the Three Law Offices. The purpose was twofold: to review whether Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang’s judgments were consistent and to decide how to convict these people.

Those being escorted back to the capital were all major criminals. Emperor Zhaowu had issued an edict, stating that major criminals must be punished, and no mercy would be shown to accomplices.

Before the army prepared to return to the capital, Yan Sikong volunteered to help Liang Guang write up Ge Zhong’s charges. Since he had personally collected and organized evidence for multiple charges, even though he hadn’t participated in the trial, he was still very familiar with the case. This charge was to be submitted to the Three Law Offices and the emperor. Normally, such trivial matters should be handled by clerks, but he was afraid Xu Kai would compete with him for this task.

Feng Ye was always by his side and very perceptive, so this was his only chance to see Ge Zhong in private.

Fortunately, Liang Guang agreed to his request.

Carrying ink and paper, Yan Sikong concealed his trembling hand in his sleeve as he entered the cell where Ge Zhong was being held.

More to come in the next chapter~ (End of this chapter)