Top Scholar

Chapter 552 Anonymous Letter

After the Empress Dowager resumed eating, the hunger strike finally passed without incident, and the final conclusion was even more ingenious—the Emperor was not at fault, the Empress Dowager was not at fault either, and all the trouble was caused by Zhang Yanling alone!
It was Zhang Yanling who acted perversely, forcibly seizing farmland, colluding with lamas, engaging in forced labor and mutilation, and practicing evil magic, disregarding human life. When his crimes were about to be exposed, in an attempt to evade responsibility, he brazenly attempted to use a curse on the Empress Dowager, causing her to lose her appetite and leaving the emperor, his officials, and the people in deep anxiety!
After Zhang Yanling's crimes were announced to the world, the crimes of Guanghui Temple were also exposed. Coupled with the previous major treason case at Baolian Temple, a series of shocking scandals broke out in Buddhist temples in the capital, which thoroughly enraged the Zhengde Emperor. He immediately issued an edict ordering the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to secretly investigate all Buddhist temples in the capital, and to find out how many other disgraceful and corrupt activities were being carried out.

"Begin!" In the Donggui Hall, Su Lu finished reading the imperial edict and then gave the order in a deep voice.

"Yes!" the colleagues responded in unison.

Referring to the previous investigation report of the Dragon Tiger Class, they specifically retrieved nearly ten years' worth of monk registration, land ownership, and criminal case files from the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review, piling them up in an entire room.

Then, under Su Lu's coordination, they methodically sorted out the clues and formulated a meticulous investigation plan. For the members of the Imperial Household Department, who were taking on such a big job for the first time, it was certainly not easy... Each temple was a bottomless pit, and they had to dig out as much as possible about the temple's detailed financial situation, illegal activities, and protective umbrella without alerting the temple.

Fortunately, Su Lu bought them enough time. All they need to do in the next few months is to proceed step by step and steadily.

Meanwhile, Emperor Zhengde also rallied after the turmoil and actually started attending court again!

Although it's only a monthly court session, those ministers who haven't yet attended since New Year's Day are already quite content. In short, it's a good start, isn't it?
Ironically, Su Lu, a close advisor to the emperor, was not even qualified to attend court...

Even during major court sessions held on the first and last days of the lunar calendar, there were rank requirements for officials attending the court.

Unless summoned by special decree, only officials of the fifth rank or above in the capital, as well as officials of the censorate and the imperial secretariat, were usually allowed to attend court.

Su Lu's current position is Hanlin Compiler and Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The former is a sixth-rank official position, and the latter is a sixth-rank official position.

In fact, the emperor had already quietly promoted him by one rank, but he was still two ranks away from being allowed to attend court...

So even though today was a day of grand court assembly, he still obediently went with his elder brother to work at the Leopard Room next to the Forbidden City.

Watching the endless stream of carriages carrying high-ranking officials heading towards Chengtian Gate, the two brothers couldn't help but feel envious. Only those who could attend court were true officials in the capital; if they couldn't, how could they call themselves officials?
"I may be envious, but you spend all your time with the Emperor, what's there to envy?" Su Man couldn't help but laugh as she expressed her envy.

“First, I’m only with Zhu Shou, not with the Emperor.” Su Lu held up two fingers and said, “Second, that’s just how people are; once they’re excluded, they feel uncomfortable.”

"Then why don't you talk to Zhu Shou and ask him to promote you two ranks?" Su Man said with a smile.

“That won’t do.” Su Lu shook his head decisively, still shaking two fingers as he said, “First, I never make any demands on him. Second, even if he were to promote me to this level, I wouldn’t want to, but I have no choice because of work requirements.”

"How can you be so lecherous?" Su Man couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

Su Lu replied seriously, "I'm not lustful, but my official position must match my age and qualifications. Otherwise, wouldn't I be considered a sycophant?"

"Hehe, that's true..." Su Man laughed at his words and said no more.

The two brothers chatted and laughed as they entered the leopard house, and their journey to work at Dongguitang is another story.

~~
Outside Fengtian Gate, Emperor Zhengde held court today with a grand procession and all officials present. The emperor and his ministers performed the rituals of this grand court with utmost care.

The court assembly was all about ceremony, with tedious formalities and kneeling taking up most of the time. Even the reports were arranged in advance, full of empty rhetoric to gloss over the good situation. For example, there were reports of a bumper summer harvest, a flourishing of culture and education, and a successful suppression of bandits. In short, the situation was excellent, with absolutely no news of anything to spoil the mood.

"That's why I've never liked attending court." Zhu Houzhao listened with great boredom, yawning frequently in between, and complained to Liu Jin beside him, "It's really boring, even once a month is too much."

Liu Jin bowed and whispered, "Your Majesty, the grand court session is to demonstrate to the people the emperor's power and authority over all things. Holding it once a month is really not too much."

"Sigh, didn't they ask you to establish an emperor?" Zhu Houzhao joked casually, "Why don't you attend court in my place next time?"

"This old servant would never dare!" Liu Jin was struck dumb, almost wetting his pants in fear. If he hadn't been in court, he would have had to kneel down and perform his iron head feat again.

At this moment, Eunuch Liu could only try his best to remain calm, stealing glances at the emperor, only to see that he still had a bored expression, as if he was just talking nonsense...

"Just kidding. If I really let you, the 'standing emperor,' sit on the dragon throne, would you dare?" Zhu Houzhao chuckled, seemingly quite pleased with his prank.

Liu Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, please don't make such jokes again, or this old servant will have no choice but to kill himself."

"Don't worry, who will take care of this mess for me if you die?" The master and servant chatted casually like this until all the ministers finished reporting their cases according to procedure.

Just as Liu Jin was about to loudly announce the end of the court session, a supervising censor in charge of court etiquette rushed to the foot of the steps, knelt down with a thud, held a document high in both hands, and loudly reported: "Your Majesty! Your subject found an anonymous letter under the Chengtian Gate. The matter is of great importance, and I dare not act on my own authority!"

"Oh?" Zhu Houzhao immediately perked up, sat up straight, and said, "Read it aloud." "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!" Liu Jin disregarded court etiquette and urgently advised, "The court has strict procedures for submitting memorials. Even if there is a great injustice that cannot be reported to the emperor, one can still appeal by striking the Dengwen Drum! We must not condone this trend of anonymous petitions! If everyone follows suit, wouldn't the court's discipline be thrown into chaos?"

Zhu Houzhao was too lazy to investigate further, and finding the words reasonable, he waved his hand and said, "You're right, I'll leave this matter to you."

"Yes, this old servant will certainly handle this impartially." Liu Jin hurriedly replied loudly, then turned around impatiently and said, "Court adjourned!"

The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial loudly announced, "Court adjourned!"

Amidst the strains of the Zhonghe Shao music, all the officials knelt to respectfully bid farewell to the emperor.

The faces of Li Dongyang and other cabinet ministers were filled with deep worry, all knowing that something terrible was about to happen...

After the emperor left, the officials began to leave the court in an orderly manner according to their assigned positions.

Liu Jin, however, remained, coldly observing the censor. The censor couldn't help but shudder, and hurriedly climbed the steps, presenting the anonymous letter.

"Who did this?" As the officials walked out, they all turned back to look at the letter in Liu Jin's hand, whispering among themselves.

Even the senior ministers were no exception...

"This really wasn't Shi Cong's doing?" Li Dongyang asked Yang Tinghe in a low voice.

“I don’t know, at least he didn’t discuss it with me.” Yang Tinghe frowned. “Besides, this isn’t his style. Can’t a dignified Mr. Shi Cong find a minister who dares to submit a memorial directly? Why does he have to use this sneaky method?”

“Alas, indeed. This kind of method that only brings harm to people is not like his usual way of doing things.” Li Dongyang nodded, then turned around and urged the officials behind him, “Everyone, hurry up and leave this place of trouble.”

Everyone thought to themselves, "Does that mean no one dares to get past you?"

Upon hearing the Grand Secretary's words, all the officials quickened their pace and fled towards the Meridian Gate as if their lives depended on it...

Meanwhile, Liu Jin received the anonymous letter and let out a long sigh of relief. The reason he had disregarded the rules and stopped the emperor was simply because he was worried that this anonymous letter would accuse him!
He knew how much hatred people would have for what he had done, so he guarded all channels for submitting memorials to the emperor to avoid being reported. He never expected that despite all his precautions, this trick would slip up.

When Liu Jin opened the letter, his face turned ashen instantly—he had guessed right. Every word in the letter was like a knife, listing his crimes of monopolizing power, corrupting the government, and persecuting loyal officials. Each and every one of these crimes hit his weak spot!

What's even more despicable is that they linked this once-in-a-century drought to him, claiming that the prolonged drought was due to the presence of such a treacherous and wicked person as him in the court! They even said that to relieve the drought, his dog's head must be sacrificed to the heavens!
"This is outrageous!" Liu Jin suddenly looked up, his sharp voice breaking through the sweltering air, and his boundless rage instantly engulfed the court!

"Stop them all! Don't let a single one escape!"

Upon hearing this, his godson sons immediately shouted at the top of their lungs, "Eunuch Liu has ordered! Stop all the officials!"

"Halt! Halt!" The eunuchs, upon hearing the order, dared not delay. They immediately led the Imperial Guards out of Duanmen and forcibly stopped the officials who had just left Wumen, driving them back to the sides of the Imperial Road outside Fengtianmen.

"Did Eunuch Liu call us back for something?" Li Dongyang asked, bowing respectfully.

"Shut your mouth!" Liu Jin glanced at Li Dongyang, showing no respect whatsoever, clearly furious.

"Who wrote this?!" He stood on the imperial steps, his eyes bloodshot, his anger blazing, his shrill voice making the eardrums of all the officials ache. "Who wrote this treacherous book that slanders the court and defames loyal officials?!"

"If you're a hero, step forward! Don't drag others down with you!" Liu Jin gritted his teeth and said, "I'll count to three. If anyone doesn't step forward, we'll all be punished!"

"one!"

"..." The civil and military officials looked at each other, asking one another, "Do you know who wrote it?"

"two!"

But everyone shook their heads, and no one claimed it.

"Three!" After counting to three, Liu Jin saw that no one had stepped forward yet, so he said viciously, "Then all of you kneel down before me until someone claims you!"

P.S. This is a post I'll edit later. Please vote with your monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)