The Case File

More than two months had passed since the shocking assassination attempt at the grand wedding. The Three Judicial Offices finally, and with great difficulty, submitted a final case file. The gist of it was that the documents held by the assassins were forgeries, their true identities were unknown, and aside from one who was captured alive, all the others had died after the incident. The sole survivor had also bitten his tongue and committed suicide after interrogation. For now, it could only be ascertained that these people came from the northern border commanderies and were possibly refugees. It was speculated that they harbored resentment toward the imperial court and had thus deliberately chosen the princess's grand wedding to carry out the assassination as an act of revenge.

As for Investigating Censor Li Huan's impeachment of the Military Governor of Tangshan for harboring a fugitive, the Censorate had reviewed the case and ordered the Court of Judicial Review to re-examine it. It was verified that Yueqi Colonel Xiang Guihai was formerly a family slave of Su Xie, the magistrate of Qingzhou, and his original name was Hai Liang. He had gotten into a drunken brawl with a stableman named Feng Tai and had accidentally beaten the man to death. Hai Liang hid Feng Tai's body in a haystack and fled overnight. After the incident, Feng Tai's family reported it to the authorities. However, Su Xie was unwilling to let a family scandal become public. He privately sent people to pay compensation to Feng Tai's family to withdraw the lawsuit, hastily closing the case without issuing a warrant for the escaped slave.

After receiving the blood money, Feng Tai's family moved to Yichuan. Feng Tai's son, Feng Daxing, became a merchant. While traveling with a merchant caravan to Tangshan Commandery, he happened to see a colonel leading a team for inspection at the city gate. He found the man extremely familiar and recognized him as the escaped slave Hai Liang, who had beaten his father to death. Fearing the man's current power and influence, he did not dare to say a word.

In the caravan was a merchant named Shi Bolao, who was on good terms with him. Seeing his gloomy expression, he asked him what was on his mind. Feng Daxing told him the old story truthfully, wanting to report it to the authorities and avenge his father. Shi Bolao advised him that the border army's influence here was immense, and even the government officials couldn't control the soldiers. It would be better to submit an anonymous report to the local Investigating Censor. If someone was willing to handle it, that would be for the best. If no one paid it any mind, their caravan would be returning soon anyway, so they wouldn't bring trouble upon themselves.

After receiving the report, Investigating Censor Li Huan sent people to Qingzhou and Yizhou to investigate and inquire, obtaining witness testimonies. He then submitted a memorial of impeachment, exposing the case. After it was re-examined and confirmed by the Court of Judicial Review, it was presented to the Emperor for his review.

The two case files lay on the Emperor's desk. Setting aside the facts of the cases for a moment, the difference in competence was like heaven and earth. On one side, an Investigating Censor had managed to uncover a twenty-year-old case based on mere traces. On the other, two princes and the elite officials of the Three Judicial Offices had worked together for nearly three months, only to let the culprit bite his tongue and commit suicide.

Although the Emperor wasn't exactly the brilliant and diligent type, he had been a monarch for so many years that he could at least distinguish between genuine effort and a perfunctory job. Looking at these two case files, he was both disappointed by their lack of ambition and angered by their incompetence. His temples throbbed with fury, and he said to Liang Jiang with a grim face, "Summon Chiming to the palace." After a pause, he added, "Have Old Third come as well."

When Wen Chan entered the palace, Wen Zhuo had already arrived. He gave her a somewhat shy nod. "Greetings, Elder Sister."

"Hello, Sanlang." Wen Chan nodded with a smile. "It's been a while. You've grown even more handsome and tall."

Looking at his intelligent and clever son and daughter, the frustration in the Emperor's heart eased slightly. He instructed, "Both of you, sit down and talk. There's no need for formality in the family."

On his order, Liang Jiang handed the two case files to them to read. Wen Zhuo would not be granted his own manor until next year and was still studying in the palace. He only occasionally joined the Emperor to learn about political affairs, so he read every word with great care. Wen Chan, on the other hand, was clearly more experienced. A few glances were all she needed to understand what was going on. She singled out the assassination case file and said to the Emperor, "This case has no clear beginning or end, so it was bound to be difficult to investigate. The Three Judicial Offices have already done their best. Your daughter was already prepared for this in her heart, so Father Emperor really need not worry too much."

Wen Zhuo looked up at her, a hint of disapproval in his eyes. But as they exchanged the files, Wen Chan tugged on the hem of his robe, signaling him to not say more.

"You don't have to make excuses for them," the Emperor said coldly. "How was it that Li Huan could cross two prefectures and get to the bottom of a twenty-year-old case? The grand Three Judicial Offices can't even keep watch over a single criminal. It's no exaggeration to call them wine sacks and rice bags. With such people occupying high official posts, what hope is there for redressing injustices and upholding fairness and integrity!"

'Li Huan was able to find the truth because the truth was right there, just waiting for him to pick it up,' Wen Chan thought. In her past life, when she had sent people to investigate Xiang Guihai, she had unearthed this old case. She just didn't have the opportunity to use it then. This time, it was the perfect chance to bring it to light. The merchant caravan that traveled to and from Tangshan Commandery was her own people, and Feng Daxing was just a pawn in the game. Li Huan's actions had simply followed the path they had laid out in advance, leading him step by step to the truth.

"Father Emperor, calm your anger. Every loss brings a gain. Isn't Censor Li, with his sharp insight and sound judgment, precisely the kind of talent Father Emperor is looking for?" Wen Chan smiled faintly. "Since things have come to this, and the assassination case cannot be investigated further anyway, why not put it to use?"

The Emperor raised his brows. "What's your idea? Let's hear it."

Wen Chan, however, first glanced at Wen Zhuo and asked with a slow smile, "Sanlang, can you guess?"

Their eyes met for a moment. Wen Zhuo said tentatively, "The border commanderies are filled with refugees and fugitives, almost becoming lawless lands. Even a fugitive can enter the army and become an officer. This shows the rot runs deep. Officials should be dispatched to each commandery to survey the population, recompile the household registers, and allow the refugees to settle down locally."

The Emperor was silent in thought. Wen Chan continued where he left off, "The population on the border is complex, comprising soldiers, common people, refugees fleeing famine, naturalized foreign tribes, and criminals exiled for their crimes. In such a chaotic place, the court's decrees are nothing more than empty words. For now, the generals guarding the border still fear imperial authority, and the Investigating Censors still dare to speak impartially. But if a mere group of self-organized assassins can make it to the foot of the Son of Heaven, should someone with ill intentions secretly plot a rebellion, who would be able to discover it?"

"Right now, not only do the border commanderies fail to pay taxes, but their military provisions also rely on support from the imperial court. If we can use this opportunity to gather the refugees, clean up the ethos of the border commanderies, and further reorganize the border defenses and military-agricultural colonies, we can lay a foundation for a hundred years of stability for the Great Qi."

The Emperor asked, "Who can undertake this responsibility?"

Wen Chan said, "The matter of appointments is beyond your daughter's knowledge. I ask Father Emperor to discuss it with the esteemed ministers of the court and make a decision after a recommendation is made."

Wen Zhuo, however, rose resolutely, took a step forward, and knelt properly before the Emperor, saying in a clear voice, "Your son requests this assignment, willing to share Father Emperor's burdens! I ask Father Emperor to send me!"

The Emperor: "..."

He looked at the handsome and spirited Wen Zhuo, gratified that at such a young age, he had the ambition to serve the country—truly his own son. Then he considered that he had just grown up and lacked experience, and he was reluctant to let him go to that harsh and cold land. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should agree, and he subconsciously looked toward Wen Chan.

Wen Chan said, "To be honest with Father Emperor, I actually want to go too."

At this, the Emperor had no time for sentimental thoughts and immediately flew into a rage. "Nonsense! You are a princess of the state, how can you put yourself in danger? Get this idea out of your head right now. Sanlang is one thing, but you absolutely cannot go!"

'If you want to open a window, you must first propose tearing down the house. This method really works.' Wen Chan smiled at Wen Zhuo, who shot her a grateful glance, and replied in a drawn-out voice, "Yeees—Your daughter understands—"

The Emperor: "...You'd better understand!"

Wen Chan put away her slightly casual smile and said seriously, "In Father Emperor's eyes, only the Imperial City is the safest place. But under the vast heavens, there is no land that is not the king's. Whether it is the Northern Border or Jiangnan, all within the four seas is inherently the domain of the Wen Clan. What place is there that I cannot go?"

The Emperor was stunned for a moment.

Wen Chan said, "When the day comes that Sanlang transforms the chaotic borderlands into cities where the people can live in peace, at that time, your daughter is willing to leave the capital on Father Emperor's behalf, to see with my own eyes the vast lands of the Great Qi."

Flattered and cajoled from all sides by the brother-sister duo, the Emperor had already forgotten what he was initially angry about. After sending them away, riding a wave of heroic spirit that he didn't know the source of, he commanded grandly, "Summon the heads of the Three Departments for an audience, and tell Pei Rusong to attend and draft the edict."

Before she reached the palace gates, she ran into Pei Rusong accompanying Yuan Shuye from the direction of the Central Secretariat. The two men stopped and bowed. Wen Chan ordered her eunuch to stop her palanquin and also nodded in return. "You two are busy with official duties, there is no need for such ceremony. Please, proceed."

Pei Rusong's eyes met hers for a fleeting moment. He saw her give a slight nod and knew that all was well. He then closely followed Yuan Shuye and left.

It was not until the evening, when the lamps were lit, that Pei Rusong was finally allowed to return home. The two of them dismissed the servants and sat facing each other under the lamplight, one eating while the other kept him company. At a time like this, no one bothered with the rule of not speaking during meals. Pei Rusong said directly, "Today, His Majesty was clearly determined to make a move on the northern border commanderies. Yuan Shuye saw Your Highness and probably guessed that Your Highness had a hand in this matter. Furthermore, His Majesty intends for the several princes to each take charge of a region, so his attitude was rather positive. My father's side is also in favor. Palace Attendant Su only said he needed to go back and think it over carefully. His Majesty ordered them to draw up a plan as soon as possible."

Wen Chan asked, "In your opinion, what are the chances of this matter succeeding?"

Pei Rusong said, "I, for one, feel that this matter isn't about success or failure. As long as we start, even if we only achieve one part of it, it will serve as a deterrent to the high officials on the frontier. Otherwise, if the problem of the refugees is delayed any longer, it will sooner or later brew into turmoil."

Wen Chan nodded. "Although the root cause of the refugees does not lie here, if we can temporarily alleviate the crisis and buy some more time for the court to free up its hands to solve the problems of money and grain, it will be a partial success."

"There is just one thing," Pei Rusong reminded her. "Princes forging ties with border generals has always been a taboo for kings throughout the ages. This time, it was His Majesty who initiated it, and it is directed against the border generals. His Majesty may not see any issue now, but there's no guarantee that someone won't use this to stir up trouble in the future. At that time, I'm afraid we might repeat the mistakes of the past..."

"I've thought about this too." Wen Chan pondered. "Especially today, when Wen Zhuo volunteered and Father Emperor didn't immediately agree, I was worried he might overthink it."

"But on second thought, he was the same way with Lu Shuo back then. Others thought he was being wary of a meritorious official, but he genuinely felt the border was unsafe and thus didn't want him to go to the battlefield so early."

"Compared to most emperors, His Majesty is already quite kind and soft-hearted. For princes and grandsons of the Imperial Family, being suspected by the monarch is inevitable from birth. If one always fears slander and criticism, retreating at every step, in the end, won't one just become a mediocrity amidst brocaded splendors? And what good would such a person be for the nation if they became emperor?"

"No matter who it is, to ascend to the great throne, one must either have the cunning to avoid suspicion or the ability to shatter suspicion. They must possess at least one of the two." She gazed at the flame and said in a heavy tone, "My imperial father already ascended the throne through luck. If a second one gets there by luck, the Wen Family's fortunes probably won't last many more years."