Yinshan Record

Chapter 314 Submitting a Memorial in His Name: No Other Choice
Elder Qin and the others exchanged pleasantries and greetings again before departing.

The group arrived quickly and left quickly.

This left the group of secret agents in the yamen looking at each other, their hearts filled with mixed feelings.

It was Commander Shi who first came to his senses. Although he was filled with mixed feelings, he still called his subordinates back to their posts and returned to the Hall of Affairs with Su Che.

There was also Wang Jian, the Chief Secretary, sitting inside.

Wang Jian sat upright in the main seat, his face ashen. Su Che's methods of attacking his soul had long since been withdrawn, but Wang Jian could not muster any strength. He just sat there listlessly in the chair, his eyes lifeless, as if his spine had been ripped out.

"Brother."

Su Che put the completed duel notice aside.

"I apologize for the offense."

"Easy to say, easy to say..."

Wang Jian's voice was low and deep. He felt a bitter thirst in his throat, but he didn't have the strength to pick up the teacup and take a sip.

"The disappearance of the Prince of Wuling and his sister-in-law is of great importance. We must come up with a solution, otherwise we will be unable to explain ourselves to His Majesty and the Xie family of Chen Commandery."

Su Che looked at Wang Jian and said, "As you just saw, Cizhou is a mixed bag of people, unlike Jiankang, which is a model city. The Censorate and the Imperial Guards are ultimately the government's forces, so we should cooperate sincerely."

Wang Jian gave Su Che a deep look, but said nothing.

“Your Excellency, I believe that since your brother is the trusted chief secretary of His Highness the Prince of Wuling, and your sister-in-law is also absent, we should, both morally and logically, take your brother as our leader and follow his lead.”

Shi Chibao, who had risen to his current position, was naturally insightful and quick-witted, and immediately agreed.

"What Li Xing said is absolutely right. In terms of family background, Chief Secretary Wang comes from the Langya Wang clan; in terms of rank, he is the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Wuling. Chief Secretary Wang is most suitable to be in charge of this matter. The Censorate should be in charge, with the Imperial Guards assisting..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jian glanced at Shi Chibao.

Given the current situation, could he really command the Imperial Guards? Su Che's intention was clearly to make him take the blame.

"Su Che, you..."

Young Master Su picked up the challenge document next to him and flicked it lightly with his finger.

Wang Jian glanced at him, and finally lowered his head.

"The Prince has gone missing. Such a serious matter cannot be concealed from the court. We must report it to the court immediately. How about this: please have my brother draft the document now, and have the Chief Justice and I sign it together, and we will report it together!"

"I don't write."

Wang Jian shook his head.

This document must not be written under any circumstances. If it is written today, I will be the first person held responsible when the court holds me accountable in the future.

The illustriousness of the Langya Wang clan lies within the Langya Wang clan itself; I am merely a branch that has spread from this great tree.

If I agree, I'll probably have to be made a scapegoat.

But if you don't agree...

Wang Jian lowered his head and realized that he had suddenly lost the courage to look at Su Che.

"Then please have my brother write a letter in the name of the Censorate, instructing our Imperial Guard to say that the Prince of Wuling is currently recuperating at his residence and should not cause us any further trouble. Do you think you have any other choice now?"

Su Che's words were like a sharp knife, piercing straight into Wang Jian's chest, sending chills down his spine. "Chief Secretary Wang."

Shi Chibao looked at the dejected young nobleman and said slowly, "The imperial court sets up the Censorate and the Imperial Guard in the local areas, intending to check and balance each other. Moreover, in addition to our two families, there is also the Jingye Division, which can also reach the emperor directly."

"After the former chief officer of the Cizhou Jingye Division, Military Advisor Liu, returned to the capital, the court has not sent a new chief officer. That's why we have time to discuss how to make a comeback. If these things are reported to higher authorities, none of us will be able to escape."

Shi Chibao's words made Wang Jian feel even colder.

According to his original plan, the disappearance of the Prince of Wuling should be thoroughly investigated, but Su Che should take the blame.

The Su family of Duling has indeed gained some prestige in recent years, but it is still far inferior to the Wang family of Langya.

If we follow Su Che's instructions, whether we submit a memorial admitting our mistakes or send a document to the imperial guards to cover them up, once these things come to light, the blame will fall squarely on our heads.

Moreover, besides the Censorate and the Imperial Guards, there is also the Jingye Division. Can I really block everyone in Cizhou from reporting this to higher authorities?
"Actually, the most urgent task is to find His Highness; as for everything else, there is room for maneuver."

Su Che's voice was like a devil's: "Brother, why don't you write a memorial and send it up first? When you find His Highness, it will be your credit."

Shi Chibao chimed in, "That's right. The Prince of Wuling himself wanted to wear the white dragon robe, which had nothing to do with the Chief Secretary. You were in Jiankang at the time, so there was no way you could offer advice or restrain him, right?"

Wang Jian remained silent, his brows furrowed.

“The matter cannot be kept secret no matter what. Not to mention the court, what about your sister-in-law, Lady Xie of Chenjun? Can you not give Lady Xie an explanation?” Su Che looked at Wang Jian: “If you write it down today, you can still keep the initiative in your hands. But if someone else exposes it later, all the blame will be placed on your shoulders.”

"Okay, I'll write."

Wang Jian looked at Su Che and said, "But you, the Imperial Guards, must do your utmost to find His Highness."

What are you looking for? It's right here in my Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden, it's just that it's become possessed by a demon.

"Don't worry, my brother. In a few days, I will surely return to you the Prince of Wuling, complete and whole."

There's no problem with it being whole, but we can't guarantee its mental state.

Shi Chibao had already arranged the writing implements on the table.

Wang Jian looked at the tallow candles in the hall, which were already more than half burned. The dripping wax traces looked like a tangled mess of hemp, making it hard for him to breathe.

The chief secretary of the Prince of Wuling sighed, rubbed his wrist, and began to write a memorial.

"Your humble servants, Wang Jian, Prefect of Wuling; Shi Chibao, Commander of the Imperial Guards of Cizhou; and Su Che, Deputy Commander of the Judicial Bureau, report that upon investigation..."

Wang Jian was indeed an expert in officialdom. His calligraphy was as fluid as a dragon, and even this lengthy memorial was written with a single stroke of his pen.

There's nothing else to it, except that Prince Bailong of Wuling disguised himself as a fish and secretly went to the countryside to investigate. The Imperial Censorate and the Imperial Guards have lost track of him, and they are currently drawing on manpower to search for him from all sides.

As for the disappearance of Madam Xie and the fact that Prince Wuling had met Su Che, not a single word was mentioned.

Wang Jian already carried the small seal of the Chief Secretary of Wuling County, and Shi Chibao also brought the large seal of the Imperial Guard. After the two of them used their seals, Commander Shi picked up the memorial.

"Su San, if this memorial goes through, I'm afraid I'll..."

Wang Jian let out a long sigh, as if he had lost all his strength.

"Brother, we have no other choice."

In short, Chief Secretary Wang seemed to have aged considerably, and he sighed as he sat down in his chair.

(End of this chapter)