The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 18: Memorial

Chapter 18: Memorial

“Who are you, daring to seize memorials so brazenly!”

Xu Ying had exchanged for the Record of Virtuous Officials and was reviewing the people she needed to avoid. Before she could read many pages, Xu Lang requested an audience. Xu Ying temporarily set aside the Record of Virtuous Officials to meet with Xu Lang.

After entering and paying respects, Xu Lang went straight to the point: “Your Majesty, since General Xia has gone to Chang’an, the task of revising military regulations falls to me. Unfortunately, despite multiple revisions, there are still imperfections. Could Your Majesty assign more personnel to assist?”

Xu Ying had few people around her and often borrowed staff from government offices. “Since this involves teaching soldiers songs, there’s no need to be overly formal. Clarity and simplicity are most important. You could also inquire about who currently excels in musicfor artistic matters, don’t be constrained by status. Have Zhou Jin retrieve all files from the government offices. Whoever you select can be assigned.”

Zhou Jin was the Governor of Youzhou.

Xu Lang had been waiting for this permission. Smiling, she accepted the order and prepared to visit the governor later, intending to access Meng Jie’s file.

At that moment, Sun Wanyun, who was organizing memorials nearby, suddenly spoke: “This servant oversteps. Please forgive my impudence, Your Majesty, Your Highness. I know someone in Youzhou skilled in music.”

This caught Xu Lang’s attention. Thinking another talented person would be helpful, she immediately turned to Sun Wanyun. “Who? Speak freely.”

“Reporting to Your Highness, Meng Jie of Taiping Lane is renowned in Youzhou for his music. He is always invited to play the qin at banquets. In terms of musical talent, no one in Youzhou surpasses him.”

What a coincidence.

A flicker of surprise crossed Xu Lang’s eyes as she glanced at the woman in palace attire beside the desk. Adorned with emerald leaf patterns at her waist, her posture was straight, her slender frame relaxed like a willow, though trembling sleeves betrayed her nervousness.

Sun Wanyun had mustered all her courage to speak before the Empress and Princess, her heart pounding. Her desperate desire to rise above her station overshadowed fearshe had to seize this chance to showcase her skills and make herself indispensable to the Empress.

Worried Xu Ying might not know, Xu Lang explained: “Your Majesty, Taiping Lane is where exiled disgraced officials reside.”

Disgraced officials?

Disgraced officials were goodno fear of controversy, only fear of no controversy.

Xu Ying slightly raised her eyebrows and feigned a sigh. “With our current shortage of personnel, we must utilize whoever is available. There’s no need for excessive restrictions.”

With Xu Ying’s support, Xu Lang felt reassured. She smiled slightly, cupped her hands, and said, “As you command, Your Majesty.”

Xu Lang left the Azure Wave Study with Xu Ying’s decree and sent someone to Taiping Lane to summon Meng Jie. However, the messenger returned alone. A palace attendant reported: “Your Highness, the guards at Taiping Lane said Meng Jie assaulted Young Master He’s beloved maid and is involved in a murder case. He has already been imprisoned.”

Xu Lang’s jaw dropped in shock.

In reality, exiles varied in status. Though all lived in Taiping Lane under guard, those who managed bribes could live relatively normal lives except for mandatory labor like mining or farming. Meng Jie belonged to the latter category.

Xu Lang struggled to connect Meng Jie with assault. “Is this true?”

“Young Master He’s indictment remains at the government office. It’s said Meng Jie hasn’t confessed, so the authorities dare not close the case hastily.”

Youzhou was remote. Governor Zhou Jin had been assigned there after offending officials in the capital due to his political naivety. Fearful of schemes, he cautiously appeased everyone and handled matters with extreme care.

If a case was closed without the prisoner’s confession, and a subsequent governor reopened it, all involved officials would be held accountablehence Zhou Jin’s reluctance to conclude the case.

Xu Lang frowned. “Retrieve the record book for this case.”

As a maid turned to leave, Xu Lang suddenly changed her mind. “Never mind. Unresolved record books cannot easily leave government offices. Fetching it might cause reluctance. I’ll go myself to avoid delays.”

She was determined to investigate what kind of person Meng Jie was and how he had gotten into such trouble.

While Xu Lang investigated Meng Jie, Xia Chenglie and his group arrived in Chang’an.

Xia Chenglie reined his horse at the courier station entrance, raised the decree Xu Ying had given him, and declared loudly: “By the Emperor’s order, henceforth local officials’ memorials shall not go to Chang’an but proceed directly to Youzhou. Those who disobey will be executed!”

Officials inside peered out, confused by the commotion. Before they understood, Xia Chenglie waved his hand. Soldiers surrounded carts carrying memorials, restrained the couriers, and forcibly seized the wooden boxes.

The couriers turned pale. The stationmaster rushed over just as Xia Chenglie seized the memorials, stumbling in fright until two couriers caught him.

Steadying himself while clutching his chest, the stationmaster trembled as he pointed at Xia Chenglie. “Who are you, daring to seize memorials so brazenly? Do you know this is tantamount to rebellion?”

Xia Chenglie sneered, his eyes mocking. Brandishing Xu Ying’s token, he sternly said, “By the Emperor’s Golden Decree, who dares disobey!”

The stationmaster, angered by Xia Chenglie’s disrespect, shouted, “Chang’an is the capital! Even the Emperor cannot act so recklessly! Put down the memorials and come with me to see Minister Liu! Let’s see if he permits this! Now!”

Hearing the stationmaster show no respect for the Empress and repeatedly mention Minister Liu, Xia Chenglie’s eyes turned cold. Rage surged as he drew his sword and slit the stationmaster’s throat, silencing him forever.

Blood sprayed onto Xia Chenglie’s face, tracing crimson lines that made him appear terrifying.

Unfazed, Xia Chenglie scanned the officials darkly. “This is the fate of those who defy the decree.”

Instantly, all officials held their breaths.

Xia Chenglie assigned soldiers to replace the original couriers. Simultaneously, courier stations nationwide received the decree. Those who defied warnings and secretly transported memorials were dealt with.

Not through Chang’anstraight to Youzhou.

The Empress, who had yet to confront officials directly, struck her first shocking blow.

Learning of Xia Chenglie’s seizure of Chang’an’s courier station, Zhang Yu recalled his letter to the Empress, dread deepening.

Was the Empress abandoning Chang’an permanently, or teaching a lesson to officials who ignored her?

If the former, her decisiveness was unprecedentedno ruler had ever dared abandon the capital since the dynasty’s founding.

Zhang Yu hastily wrote to Xu Ying, detailing Chang’an’s developments to prove loyalty, hoping for leniency if purges occurred.

Another in Chang’an also struggled. Liu Xu had scoured the imperial clan roster repeatedly but found no suitable successor.

Prince Ning was arrogant and stubborn, unfit to govern.

He considered a meek candidate from Prince Qin’s line, but upon learning the prince was raised by women and relied entirely on his mother’s decisions, Liu Xu immediately crossed out the nametoo risk of maternal interference.

Next, Prince Wu’s line offered mediocritypassable for maintaining stability but lacking excellence. Investigating character revealed debauchery: indulgence in wine, women, and even coercing subordinates to offer their wivesutter absurdity.

Liu Xu closed the roster and sighed heavenward. “Is there no one among the imperial clan who surpasses Xu Ying?”

An attendant serving ink reminded, “My lord, you’ve forgottenthere is still Prince Yan.”

Liu Xu waved dismissively. “Prince Yan drifts like a wild cloud, detached from worldly affairs. He rejected two invitations to govern in Chang’an. We must find another worthy ruler.”

“With governance in a woman’s hands, the nation approaches crisis. However disinterested, Prince Yan must be urged to salvage the dynasty’s century-old legacy. Surely he won’t watch it decay under a woman.”

Liu Xu pondered Prince Yan’s name. By all metrics, he embodied a wise ruleronly hindered by apathy toward governance. Persuading him would require effort.

As he deliberated, a servant rushed in: “My lord, Official Li urgently requests an audience.”

Liu Xu headed to the reception hall. Before fully entering, Official Li hurriedly accosted him, grasping his official robes. “Minister, disaster! The Empress sent Xia Chenglie to seize courier stations, kill the stationmaster, steal memorials, and order local officials to send memorials directly to Youzhou, bypassing Chang’an!”

“What?”

Liu Xu’s face shifted dramatically.

No longer hesitating, Liu Xu declared, “To the Assembly Hall! We’ll draft a joint petitionurgently request Prince Yan’s intervention. Any delay, and the dynasty will be ruined by that young girl!”

Compliant officials rerouted memorials to Youzhou without protest. Those defying orders and secretly contacting Liu Xu ended up deadXia Chenglie’s efficiency was evident.

Within days, Youzhou’s courier station overflowed with memorial-filled boxes. Sun Wanyun, originally tasked with sorting them, was overwhelmed and required additional help.

Furious, Liu Xu submitted a memorial accusing Xu Ying of disregarding laws and traditions, listing her contempt for ancestral customs, and demanding her immediate return to Chang’an.

Most officials dared not criticize as harshly. Lower-ranked officials, still wary from previous reprisals, cautiously wrote variations of “The northern campaign concludedwhen will Your Majesty return to Chang’an?” urging her return.

Xu Ying cherished Liu Xu’s memorial most, holding it fondly and sharing with Sun Wanyun: “Lookthese vigorous characters, eloquent prose, brimming with Minister Liu’s fury! It’s as if he’s scolding me in person.”

Sun Wanyun glanced up, inwardly marveling: “The Emperor’s magnanimity is astoundingto tolerate Minister Liu’s insolence with such openness is truly admirable.”

Unaware of Sun Wanyun’s admiration, Xu Ying happily made an exception for Liu Xu, writing in the margin: Noted.

—

Author’s Note:

I considered taking a day off, but seeing your comments motivated me.

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided nutrient solutions from 2023-04-05 20:50:22 to 2023-04-06 20:22:04~

Thanks for nutrient solutions: ふ (1 bottle).

I’m deeply grateful for your support and will keep striving!