The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 15 Does the Imperial Court also have a decree on being stubborn?
Faced with the memorial submitted by Xie Xishu, the Imperial Censor, the emperor did not express his opinion directly, but instead said something quite intriguing.

"I have heard that there is a saying in the court to describe Minister Xie: 'He is lenient but not lenient, strict but not strict.'"

The emperor's words have a source. Xie Xishu, as the Censor-in-Chief, often impeached ministers and officials. He was good at being persistent and would not let go once he had a hold on to someone, as if he intended to drive them to their demise.

In contrast to him was Shen Weiyan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Although he was also the head of the judicial department, Shen Weiyan advocated leniency in applying the law, giving officials and commoners a chance to correct their mistakes.

These two men, both from the Three Judicial Offices, held diametrically opposed political views and became bitter enemies over time. An official then composed a saying based on their names, which unexpectedly became widely circulated.

Upon hearing the emperor's words, the expressions of the court officials became subtle. They all thought to themselves that the new emperor was not entirely ignorant of the court, at least he was well aware that Xie Xishu's mortal enemy was Shen Weiyan.

The emperor looked at his ministers and continued, "Minister Shen, since you are on par with Minister Xie, I would like to hear your opinion on Minister Xie's impeachment of the Crown Prince."

Xie Xishu's face flushed red upon hearing this. He had only asked the emperor to investigate the matter, but now it came from the emperor's mouth and became an impeachment of the crown prince. It was practically a accusation on the spot. However, Xie Xishu could not immediately refute it because the emperor had just mentioned Shen Weiyan, and he could not rush to speak.

This is the rule in the imperial court. Xie Xishu can use this rule to catch the new emperor off guard, and the emperor can also use the rule to make Xie Xishu suffer in silence.

Shen Weiyan stood on the other side, watching Xie Xishu's discomfiture, and stepped forward with a smile, bowing as he held his tablet and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Xie's words are utter nonsense. To dare to slander the Crown Prince based solely on a nonsensical will is treasonous. I beseech Your Majesty to punish him for this great disrespect."

As expected of a mortal enemy, Shen Weiyan immediately branded Xie Xishu with a serious charge of disrespect. Moreover, after speaking, Shen Weiyan did not return to his seat but continued to stand in the center of the hall, waiting for Xie Xishu to defend himself, showing that he was determined to continue fighting with Xie Xishu.

The emperor, of course, could not leave Xie Xishu silent, so he asked, "Minister Xie, what do you have to say about Minister Shen's words?"

Xie Xishu immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I did not impeach His Highness the Crown Prince. It was only because a court official died unjustly and the matter involved the Crown Prince that I had no choice but to submit a memorial to Your Majesty to investigate the truth and clear the Crown Prince's name."

Upon hearing this, Shen Weiyan immediately retorted, "Nonsense! Since the matter has not yet been investigated, how dare you say that it involves the Crown Prince? Does it mean that if someone dies anywhere in the world and leaves a will with the Crown Prince's name on it, it is related to the Crown Prince and His Majesty is required to investigate the truth? You are a minister of the court, not a foolish country bumpkin. How can you believe such absurd words?"

Faced with Shen Weiyan's attack, Xie Xishu said, "I, Xie Xishu, am not a fool. At first, I could not believe that such an absurd thing could happen. However, after I investigated the matter for the first time, I found that it was indeed related to the Crown Prince, so I submitted a memorial."

Upon hearing this, the emperor interrupted them, saying, "Minister Xie, do you have any evidence to support your claim?"

Xie Xishu said, "Your Majesty, I have Lu Feiwu's last will and testimonies from his personal attendant here. I hope Your Majesty will examine them."

The eunuch took the will and confession and handed it to Xia Shouzhong. Xia Shouzhong spread the letter out on the imperial table, and after the emperor finished reading it, he said:

"I find many inaccuracies in this letter, but since you, as the Vice Censor-in-Chief, have submitted this memorial, I cannot disregard it. Furthermore, this letter mentions two other court officials, who happen to be here today. I will simply summon them to the court to clarify the matter."

There were indeed witnesses and evidence, and the witnesses were even court officials.

It seems Xie Xishu was well prepared, but why didn't the emperor stop him? Instead, he wanted to confront him in court. Wasn't he afraid that the crown prince would suffer a bad reputation?
The senior officials of the Council of State Affairs finally could not stand it any longer, and Shi Donghua, the Grand Secretary, stepped forward and reported:
"Your Majesty, today is the grand ceremony of Your Majesty's enthronement. The auspicious time must not be missed. Such matters of state and worldly affairs can be discussed later."

Upon hearing this, the emperor seemed to suddenly remember that this was his coronation ceremony, and said, "I almost forgot that I still need to host a banquet for all the officials and consorts. It's getting late, and if we don't host the banquet soon, everyone will go hungry. In that case, we will postpone the discussion of Lu Feiwu's matter. What do you all think, courtiers?" Upon hearing the emperor's words, all the officials breathed a sigh of relief, and no one stood up to object, except for one person, who disagreed.

That was Xie Xishu. He took off his official hat, knelt down, bowed his head, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I risk my life to remonstrate with you. This matter involves the Crown Prince's reputation and must not be delayed."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face immediately darkened, and he sat down again, having just stood up.

All the officials in the court were baffled as to what had gotten into Xie Xishu that made him so determined to pursue the Crown Prince.

His direct superior, Deng Tong, the Commissioner of the Three Judicial Offices, could not stand it any longer and rebuked him, saying, "Xie Xishu, stop making trouble. Today is the day the emperor ascends the throne. Even if you have something important to say, you should wait until after today. Now step down."

Faced with his superior's reprimand, Xie Xishu acted as if he hadn't heard it, and kowtowed three times, saying;

"Your humble servant will remonstrate even unto death."

The moment the words "die for remonstrance" were uttered, the entire court fell silent.

These two words carried immense power, so much so that the emperor would have to deal with the matter immediately upon hearing them. Even a minister who dared to remonstrate to the death, regardless of the veracity of his words, would be forced to resign afterward. In more serious cases, they would be imprisoned and punished.

Seeing that Xie Xishu was even willing to give up his official post to insist on bringing this up now, the emperor's eyes blazed with fury, and he said through gritted teeth.
"Since that's the case, let's clarify this matter. Xia Shouzhong, go outside the hall and bring in the two people mentioned in the confession."

After Xia Shouzhong left to receive the order, the emperor continued, "The court meeting cannot delay the banquet. Minister Yu, go and give a banquet to the people and noble ladies outside the Meridian Gate. Don't let them go hungry."

Yu Shaoqing accepted the order and left. The emperor continued, "Since Minister Xie insists on investigating this matter now, you shall personally interrogate him. Whoever is involved, I will make them cooperate."

Seeing that he had driven the emperor to the point of despair, the officials in the court looked at Xie Xishu as if he were a dead man.

Xie Xishu, however, adopted a defiant stance, stood up to thank the emperor, and then waited for the witnesses to arrive.

A moment later, footsteps sounded, and Tu Chengyu saw his second uncle and a fair-skinned, well-off middle-aged man following Xia Shouzhong in.

The two men entered and first bowed to the emperor.

"Your subject, Chen Chongzhi, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Your subject, Jia Zheng, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

So this is Big Face Treasure's father, Tu Chengyu thought to himself.

When the two witnesses arrived, the emperor said, "Thank you, my dear minister, let's begin."

(End of this chapter)