The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 72: Mountain Bandits

Chapter 72: Mountain Bandits

“Big brother, it seems we’ve intercepted an inspector!”

After saying this, Lu Wei presented evidence and added: “Yu Weiwen□□, employed by a man named Feng Ci. Feng Ci privately raised assassins. Sun Zhuo, who currently serves in the Surveillance Agency, was once taken in by Feng Ci. Sun Zhuo was ordered to kill Qin Mu, bury the body in Chang’an, and erase all traces of the crime.”

Everyone gasped sharply. Even Sun Zhuo was implicatedthey actually wanted to pull Sun Zhuo back to protect Qingzhou.

Xu Ying also straightened up. Looking at this indiscriminate attack strategysacrificing Yu Weiwen to cut down Sun Zhuoit was evident how much they hated Sun Zhuo.

Sun Zhuo’s crackdown on corrupt officials accepting bribes had already made him a thorn in many people’s sides. Now that he had entered the Surveillance Agency and could monitor all officials, how could he not become their greatest threat?

Lu Wei continued: “Qin Mu’s essays were transmitted to the late emperor under Yu Weiwen’s name. The late emperor was full of praise and appointed Yu Weiwen as Scribe of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, having gained the late emperor’s appreciation, he was promoted repeatedly until he became the Linping Supervisor in charge of salt affairs.”

“Far from the imperial capital and with his uncle as chancellor, local officials didn’t dare offend him. Thus Yu Weiwen became even more reckless, arbitrarily increasing taxes and fees. When salt merchants questioned this slightly, he would charge them with provoking trouble and disrupting official duties, throwing them into prison until they paid ransom for their release.”

“When salt merchants appealed to the Retaining Courtyard for justice, who would have thought that Wang Mei of the Retaining Courtyard was in cahoots with Yu Weiwen? Not only did he ignore the case, but he accused them of slandering imperial officials and having rebellious intentions, confiscating their family properties. This forced the salt merchants to cry out their innocence and throw themselves into the river to prove their innocence.”

Xu Ying said in shock: “How did this only come to light now?”

Lu Wei replied: “Your Majesty, local officials were afraid of Yu Weiwen’s power and didn’t dare report it. I only discovered Yu Weiwen’s heinous crimes when I learned about an unidentified body excavated in Chang’an and investigated along this case.”

Xu Ying immediately ordered: “All involved personnel are temporarily suspended from their duties and must return to the capital for trial. Particularly Yu Weiwen and Wang Meiif they attempt to flee from justice, their punishment will be increased by one degree. Those who assist their escape will be punished alongside them.”

After speaking, Xu Ying turned his gaze to Liu Xu and asked: “What does Chancellor Liu think?”

Only then did Liu Xu understand why Xu Ying had asked him to perform the sword dance earlier. If he didn’t extricate himself now, the entire Liu clan would be implicated.

Liu Xu’s heart pounded wildly as he quickly knelt and said: “Your Majesty, the Liu and Yu families have never been close, only exchanging visits during festivals. I knew nothing about Yu Weiwen’s local affairs, nor would I dare shield him. I absolutely never assisted him in oppressing merchants. I beg Your Majesty to see this clearly.”

His nephew committed crimes outsideas his uncle who knew nothing about it, any investigation should focus on the Yu family, not their Liu clan.

Beside them, Lu Jian gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at Lu Wei, frustrated at his inability to meet expectations.

Who incited him to muddy the waters? He had offended both His Majesty and Chancellor Liu, being tricked into serving as a target without even realizing it, yet still proudly helping count the money!

Lu Jian weakly held his forehead in despair.

After the case of Yu Weiwen, Fang Rong from the Hall of Gathered Talents proceeded to report his findings: “Your Majesty, through observing multiple regions, this student has noted that local officials’ negligence and indolence in governance pose another major concern. As Lu Wei mentioned earlier, they rarely accept commoners’ petitions, and legal complaints require monetary fees that impoverished citizens cannot afford. Consequently, the people hold little concept of legal principles, often resorting to retaliation’an eye for an eye’through vengeful killings. This student proposes establishing official scribes in government offices to draft petitions free of charge, while promoting this service to the public to strengthen the role of law in civilian life.”

The officials considered this idea favorable and expressed their agreement.

Xu Ying nodded in approval. “Well said. Draft a detailed proposal and submit it to me.”

Next came the issue of liquor taxationspecifically, determining who should bear the tax burden. While brewing liquor was simple, controls were necessary to ensure grain supply stability. The court had long debated whether to tax the brewing households or the liquor consumers, causing liquor tax policies to change every few years.

The liquor tax was a perennial problem. Merely mentioning the word “liquor” sparked arguments among the ministers. Some insisted on maintaining the late emperor’s policies, others advocated reverting to previous dynasties’ regulations, while new suggestions struggled to break into the fray amidst accusations of “stubborn conservatism” and “treacherous remnants of former regimes.” Fresh proposals were sidelined, mere spectators to the chaos.

Xu Ying rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Wasn’t this supposed to be a birthday banquet? Why had it turned into a grand court assembly, with everyone presenting their petitions?

By the banquet’s conclusion, several matters had been addressed: the investigation of Yu Weiwen’s corrupt faction, the approval of various proposals including Fang Rong’s legal awareness campaign and enhanced oversight of local officials. Those who could develop concrete implementation plans would secure specific appointments, stirring tension among many attendees.

Sun Zhuo could no longer remain in Qingzhou and was recalled to Youzhou for investigation. The fact that Yu Weiwen had been impeached by someone without even an official post became widespread gossip among the people.

Upon returning home, Liu Xu stormed into his study and slammed the desk, demanding angrily of Lu Jian: “What is your son playing at?”

Lu Jian flinched at Liu Xu’s tone, his body tensing. He hastily bowed deeply, raising his hands in protest. “This is a grave injustice, Minister! My worthless son has clearly been manipulated by others. My loyalty to you is unwaveringhow would I dare deceive you?”

Liu Xu supported his nearly-splitting head, his vision darkening. He leaned heavily on the desk to sit down, breathing heavily through his nostrils before glaring displeasedly at Lu Jian and turning away.

“They used my nephew to protect Qingzhou, thinking everything would be fine once Sun Zhuo left. What a convenient delusion!” Liu Xu narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within.

Lu Jian hesitated slightly, covertly observing Liu Xu’s shifting expressions as the wrinkles on his forehead deepened. He ventured cautiously, “Minister, are you suggesting…”

Liu Xu lowered his brows and let out a cold laugh, his words squeezing through clenched teeth. “His Majesty is displeased about this matter, and so am I. Therefore, no one shall emerge smiling from this. If they show no mercy, they shouldn’t blame me for retaliating in kind!”

Lu Jian’s heart hammered violently in his chest. He stepped forward to grasp Liu Xu’s sleeve, urging, “Minister, please reconsider.”

Liu Xu shook him off. “You should first return home and properly question your precious son. There’s no need to visit me these coming days.”

Lu Jian rubbed his nose in resignation and departed helplessly.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yingzhong, en route to Huzhou, was startled to learn that Minister Liu Xiang’s nephew Yu Weiwen had been suspended for investigation. The court, it seemed, was on the verge of upheaval.

Although he had not been in office for long, during these days of offending people, he had gradually figured out a few tricksknowing which individuals were backed by powerful figures and could only be lightly criticized, and which ones had little influence and could be heavily denounced. Of course, the latter might still have connections in the regions, and a beating with a sack over the head was almost inevitable.

Lost in his thoughts, the carriage suddenly jolted to a halt. Zhao Yingzhong, caught off guard, was thrown against the wall, his head hitting it with a loud thud. Dazed and seeing stars, he had no time to ask what had happened when the coachman outside cried out, “Inspector, it’s badwe’ve run into bandits”

“What’s going on!”

Startled, Zhao Yingzhong lifted the curtain and saw the coachman slumped over, an arrow piercing his neck, blood gushing out. The coachman’s eyes were wide open, fixed on Zhao Yingzhong. Having never witnessed such a scene, Zhao Yingzhong let out a shriek and scrambled out of the carriage, tumbling to the ground.

Chaos erupted around him as fighting broke out, blood splattering everywhere. Zhao Yingzhong screamed in terror, crawling backward on the ground until he bumped into a corpse blocking his path. Turning his head, he recognized it as one of the guards sent by the magistrate of Jiahe County to protect him. His heart pounded wildly, as if trying to leap out of his throat.

Soon, most of the government personnel lay dead. Trembling uncontrollably, Zhao Yingzhong faced a bandit raising a sword at him and stammered, “H-How dare you! I am an inspector personally appointed by His Majesty. If you kill me, the Emperor will pursue this to the end and never let it go…”

After speaking, Zhao Yingzhong quickly covered his head. The bandit opposite him, hearing his words, hesitated and lowered his sword, turning to shout behind him, “Boss, it seems we’ve robbed an inspector!”

A burly man with a thick beard soon strode over. “What inspector?”

A skinny man jumped in front of the bearded one and pointed at Zhao Yingzhong, who was crouched on the ground. “This seems to be the guy Second Brother mentionedthe one sent by the Emperor to inspect and supervise those corrupt officials. One died in Qingzhou, and the Court of Revision was directly dispatched to investigate. If we kill this one, they might pin the Qingzhou death on us too!”

The bearded man scrutinized the cowering Zhao Yingzhong, then slapped the skinny man’s head dismissively. “Look at his cowardly demeanordoes he look like an inspector? He’s fooling you because you look stupid. Hurry up and finish them off. Let’s return to the hideout and divide the loot!”

“Don’t kill me, don’t kill me,” Zhao Yingzhong pleaded, trembling as he struggled to his feet and pulled out his transfer document. “I really am an inspector appointed by His Majesty. I’m Zhao Yingzhong, having completed my term in Jiahe County, and I’m on my way to Huzhou…”

Hearing this, the bearded man grew skeptical. He snatched the transfer document from Zhao Yingzhong and looked him up and down, his expression growing increasingly disdainful. “If a coward like this can be an inspector, then the inspectors aren’t much to speak ofno different from those useless, corrupt officials. I might as well take the job myself.”

The skinny man clapped his hands in approval. “That’s a great idea, Boss! Why not kill him and take his place as the inspector?”

The bearded man’s eyes lit up. He slapped the skinny man’s head again and laughed heartily. “You’re right! Instead of letting these incompetents put on a show, I’ll go myself and have a grand time slaughtering all those corrupt officials!”

After speaking, the bearded man raised his blade to finish off Zhao Yingzhong. Zhao Yingzhong hurriedly pleaded, “I can offer my identity to you, Great King. Please don’t kill me. I can help you infiltrate the place. Otherwise, you’ll quickly be exposed. If I’m by your side, I can assist with trivial matters. Just spare my lifeI’ll do anything you ask!”

The bearded man pondered for a moment but ultimately shook his head. “No, you corrupt officials are full of deceit. You’re surely trying to trick me. Your petty schemes can’t fool me.”

“I swear I won’t reveal your true identity, Great King. If I dare to betray you, may my lineage be cut off and I die without descendants!” Zhao Yingzhong hastily raised his hand to take the oath, placing his last hope in this desperate plea. With a slightly tearful voice, he added, “Besides, you are agile and skilled. If I deceive you, you can cut me down with a single stroke…”

The skinny man thought it feasible. “Big brother, let’s do as he suggests.”