Prime Minister.

Chapter 9 009 [One After Another]

It was nearly 3 PM when I left the Hanlin Academy.

Li Shun, the attendant, led the horse over. Xue Huai mounted the horse and said calmly, "Let's go back to the manor."

"Yes, Master."

Li Shun agreed and pulled on the reins, leaving the refined and elegant Hanlin Academy.

This time, Xue Huai didn't appreciate the scenery of this era; he kept reconstructing the whole story in his mind.

Leaving aside the disputes among the high-ranking officials in the court, let's just talk about the corruption case that suddenly broke out in the Yangzhou riverside dike that was built ten years ago. Xue Huai gradually analyzed the situation.

This summer, the Yangtze River flooded. According to Liu Huaide, the four prefectures of Wuchang, Yuezhou, Jiujiang and Yangzhou were the most severely affected. In particular, the two prefects of Yuezhou and Yangzhou had both submitted memorials to the court, confidently stating that the dikes were stable and there would be no problems. However, the dikes collapsed overnight, and people died. The land of fish and rice was turned into a vast expanse of water.

Such severe flooding must be thoroughly investigated by the imperial court to determine whether it was due to the cruelty of nature or negligence on the part of someone, resulting in such widespread suffering.

From the beginning of August to the end of October, over a period of nearly three months, some officials have already paid the price for this.

But the emperor felt it wasn't enough.

The reason is simple: those arrested so far are only some mid- to low-level officials. Not to mention whether their lives and property can quell public resentment, the most important thing is that even if all these people's property is confiscated, it will not be enough to fill the court's deficit!

A major flood not only required the imperial court to spend a large sum of money on disaster relief, but also led to a significant reduction in this year's tax revenue, as the Jiangnan region has historically been the most important source of tax revenue for the imperial court.

The emperor was furious and the court intensified its investigation. Just then, the Ministry of Works discovered old files from ten years ago and set them on fire, directly targeting the late Xue Mingzhang, the Minister of Justice.

Thinking of this, Xue Huai suddenly remembered what Liu Huaide had said at the Xue residence: "I ask you, have you been assisting Chen Quan in compiling 'A Study of the Taihe River Works' these past few months?"

These past few months...

What a coincidence?
During the summer floods in the south, he was transferred to assist Chen Quan, a lecturer, in compiling the "Study on the Taihe River Works". Then, Chen Quan assigned him to compile the fourth volume, which contained water conservancy data within the Jiangsu Provincial Administration Commission, including water conservancy facilities in Yangzhou Prefecture, which is adjacent to the Yangtze River. He was also entrusted with organizing and keeping the relevant archives in the Hanlin Academy.

A few months later, when the imperial court thoroughly investigated the water conservancy projects in the south, the Ministry of Works revealed serious problems with the dikes along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou, which had been built ten years earlier.

The relevant files stored in the Hanlin Academy disappeared, and Xue Huai became the person directly responsible.

If Xue Huai had died in the Jiuqu River that day, Liu Pingshun's accusation would have made the cause and effect of this corruption case clear.

It is said that ten years ago, when Xue Mingzhang was serving as the prefect of Yangzhou, he pretended to be an honest official who was dedicated to serving the people, but secretly he made a lot of money. The seemingly solid dike along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou was actually a hollow structure. When Xue Huai was sorting out old files, he saw through the deception and discovered that his father, whom he was so proud of, was actually this kind of person. In desperation, he could only hide and destroy those files.

Perhaps because his conscience was troubled, and also to protect his deceased father's reputation, Xue Huai chose to end his life.

Little did he know that the Ministry of Works' Censorship Office still had an old file, for as the saying goes, "The net of Heaven is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it."

In the original timeline, the final outcome should have been that Xue Mingzhang and his son Xue Huai's crimes were exposed, the Xue family was raided and exterminated, and all their property was confiscated.

The entire court praised the emperor's wisdom, while the people cursed the remains of Xue Mingzhang and his father, while also feeling grateful that there were still many good officials in the court, and that corrupt officials like Xue Mingzhang would eventually get what they deserved.

Thus, everyone was happy.

"Ah……"

Xue Huai subconsciously wrapped his clothes tighter around himself, barely managing to ward off the chill in his heart.

The scheme wasn't actually that complicated. The person who set it up only needed to do three things: first, get Xue Huai involved in the scheme beforehand; second, uncover the scheme at the right time; and third, destroy the files without Xue Huai's knowledge.

As for Xue Huai himself, it would be best if he could commit suicide out of fear of punishment. If he dares not face death, given his past performance and current situation in the court, he should not be able to turn the tide.

Xue Huai stared coldly at the buildings along the roadside, beginning to ponder a deeper question.

Who is the mastermind behind this scheme?

Analyzing the timeline, it's clear that the mastermind intentionally brought Xue Huai into the scheme during the summer floods this year. This means that the mastermind foresaw that the emperor would thoroughly investigate the matter, indicating that he was a close advisor who understood the emperor's thoughts very well. Secondly, he needed to use Xue Mingzhang to divert attention and cover up the real culprit.

Who was the former prefect of Yangzhou?
The name "Han Yi" popped into Xue Huai's mind. This man was currently a criminal, apparently imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail, due to the poor flood control in Yangzhou Prefecture this year.

Could it be that the mastermind behind this scheme was trying to protect Han Yi?
Xue Huai had a feeling that things weren't that simple.

The reason is simple: although the prefect of Yangzhou was not an insignificant nobody, Han Yi in Xue Huai's memory was over fifty years old. At that age, he was still a fourth-rank prefect, and he had virtually no hope of entering the central government. This meant that he either had no connections in the court or did not hold a high position in any faction.

Is such a person worth the effort and months of planning by those who orchestrated this scheme just to exonerate him?

Not to mention that Xue Mingzhang was a trusted minister of the emperor during his lifetime, and he died young, which is regrettable because he could not fulfill his duty as a subject to the emperor. Using him to divert attention is not afraid of the emperor's wrath.
In short, what Xue Huai saw was only the tip of the iceberg.

Chen Quan may know some inside information, but he is clearly just an outermost pawn. Xue Huai doesn't want to alert the enemy yet. He needs to gather enough information and have a general understanding of the whole situation before deciding on the first step.

Before this, he could only react to each move as it came and seek some assistance in advance.

Just as Xue Huai was pondering whether to go to the Shen residence immediately, Li Shun's voice suddenly came from ahead: "Young Master, someone is waiting ahead."

Xue Huai looked up and saw a kind-faced middle-aged man standing not far away, with two servants behind him, all watching Xue Huai in unison. Li Shun stepped aside and whispered, "Young Master, that's Steward Xu from the Grand Minister's residence."

Grand Minister of Works?
Xue Huai's heart stirred, and he then leisurely dismounted.

This place is not far from Dayong Ward, and it is the only way to enter the ward.

The three men stepped forward, and the middle-aged man bowed and said, "Greetings, Editor Xue. I am Xu Cheng. I have been ordered by the Grand Minister of Works to invite Editor Xue to my residence for a chat."

His attitude was quite humble, as if he was afraid that Xue Huai would not agree. This was understandable, since everyone knew that Xue Huai had a cold and aloof temperament. In the past, he rarely took the initiative to visit Xue Minglun, the Minister of Works.

Li Shun looked worried. He knew his young master's temper well. If he rejected the other party without any mercy this time, it would probably sound even worse if word got out.

However, neither of them expected that Xue Huai would calmly reply, "The Grand Minister of Works has given the order, how dare Xue Huai disobey? Please ask Steward Xu to lead the way."

Xu Cheng quickly replied with a beaming smile, "Yes, sir. Editor Xue, please."

The Ministry of Rites was located in the northern corner of Andingfang, just two streets away from Dayongfang.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, a magnificent mansion appeared before them. It had a three-bay, five-bay black lacquered gate with tin rings and seven rows of door studs. On both sides were clean brick walls with interlocking joints. Under the eaves were brick carvings with swastika patterns. In the southeast corner, there was a ceremonial gate for carriages and horses to enter and exit.

Xu Cheng led Xue Huai through the side gate, past the hanging flower gate, and through the covered corridor into the main hall, Chengyun Hall.

Xue Huai kept his eyes straight ahead and walked steadily.

Inside the main hall, Xue Minglun, the Minister of Works, sat in the main seat, his warm gaze falling on the young man whom he called "my family's finest talent."

Xue Huai's figure was still as graceful as a bamboo in the wind, and his features were still as delicate as a fine ink painting, but the sharp edge of his former self had been concealed.

He used to be like a pottery kiln with a dim fire burning, his eyes so bright that even the clerks bowed their heads. Today, however, he is like a celadon vase holding plum blossoms in the cold, his clarity revealing a serene air.

As their eyes met, Xue Minglun caught a glimpse of the scrutiny hidden in the young man's eyes—a look he was all too familiar with. Twenty-five years ago, when he first entered the Ministry of Works to inspect river works, he had also used that same look to gauge the depth of Shangguan's character.

His intuition was accurate; Xue Huai was indeed sizing up the Grand Minister of Works, who was known as the chief minister's right-hand man.

The middle-aged minister wore a dark cloud-patterned silk robe and a black satin vest without rank badges; his casual attire could not conceal the majesty of someone who had long held a high position.

The deep furrows on his square face bore the marks of thirty years of ups and downs in his official career; when he lowered his eyes, the nasolabial folds resembled the marks of a ruler; when he raised his eyes, his gaze was refined and profound.

"This humble official pays his respects to the Grand Minister of Works."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully, his robe remaining perfectly still.

“Jing Che, why bother with formalities?” Xue Minglun smiled, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. “Ming Zhang and I share the same bloodline, so you can just call me Uncle.”

"National and family etiquette have their own established norms," ​​Xue Huai insisted. "As long as the rules of etiquette are upheld, the social order will be clear. How could I dare to be presumptuous?"

"It makes sense."

Xue Minglun nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with Xue Huai's answer, and no longer insisted that he change his mind. He pointed to the side and said, "Sit."

Xue Huai responded and took his seat.

The servant offered fragrant tea and then respectfully withdrew.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Minglun slowly said, "Four days ago, you met Princess Yun'an at the Green Green Villa?"

This question puzzled Xue Huai slightly.

The reason he accepted Xu Cheng's invitation instead of turning away was simply because the timing of Xu Cheng's appearance was very precise.

He had just resolved a crisis at the Hanlin Academy, and the other party was waiting for him on the only way, which shows that Xue Minglun's information channels were extremely smooth, and he was very likely a key figure hidden in the fog.

Upon entering the Minister's residence, Xue Huai calmly waited for Xue Minglun to steer the conversation toward the corruption case in Yangzhou. Unexpectedly, the other party was more concerned about his relationship with Princess Yun'an.

Is this important?
Xue Huai was suspicious, but replied calmly, "I have never seen her before. I was rescued by the guards of the princess's residence this time. I will thank Princess Yun'an in person if I have the opportunity in the future."

Xue Minglun smiled faintly: "That's how it should be."

Is this over?

Xue Huai secretly complained, but the other party's next words set off alarm bells in his mind.

“Gu Heng’s actions today were not at my behest; his impeachment of Ming Zhang was an act of his own volition.”

"I just learned what happened at the Hanlin Academy. Someone must have set you up."

"Jing Che, you've been wronged."

(End of this chapter)