Chapter 58

Two days later, Ji Weiqiu set off with his men. Finding it troublesome, he waved his hand and told them not to make a fuss. It wasn't as if Ji Su himself was seeing him off eighteen li from the palace, so there was no need for a whole ceremony at the palace gates. This trivial matter wasn't grand enough for that!

They were to assemble at the east city gate. The time was set for the hour of the snake, allowing everyone to get a full night's sleep. After breakfast, they would even have time to speak with their wives, children, and mothers, and arrive with peace of mind, not in a frantic rush.

Of course, Ji Weiqiu had his own selfish motives. Although he woke at dawn, he had slept his fill. He deliberately lay in bed for over an hour before leisurely getting up, calmly eating breakfast, and then heading out.

This time, he was leaving the capital as an imperial envoy, so the entire journey had to be open and proper. Ji Weiqiu had even managed to get a new model carriage from the Ministry of Works. The wheels of this carriage were exceptionally large, and some brilliant person had concocted a rubber-like substance from things like cotton and glue to wrap around them, making the ride particularly comfortable.

Of course, it was still a far cry from a modern car. Ji Weiqiu rested his chin on his hand, pondering for a long time the possibility of encouraging Ji Su to first launch an expedition to Eastern Europe to unlock some of the tech tree, then head to Africa for rubber. But he failed at the very first step—'What expedition? Use your brain,' he thought. 'How could no one else have thought of something I could come up with?'

People had already gone during the Late Emperor's reign. The report they brought back was that the people over there were still savages. They returned with a pile of vegetables and fruits; some were confiscated from the local tribes, while others they had gathered themselves, imitating the Divine Farmer by tasting a hundred herbs, to try and cultivate back home. After Ji Su ascended the throne, he had people continue the cultivation efforts. Otherwise, where would the sweet potatoes he ate now have come from?

It was truly tragic. Ji Weiqiu had a mind full of transmigration novels, but all his ideas were stillborn, with no opportunity to be put to use.

"Prince," someone reported from outside. Seeing Ji Weiqiu look over at the sound, Mian Li lifted the curtain and asked, "What is it?"

The man who had come was scholarly in appearance, around forty years of age. He said, "It is nearly noon. Does the Prince wish to halt for a rest?"

Ji Weiqiu's primary principle was not to inconvenience himself, so he nodded in agreement. The scholar acknowledged and went back to inform the others.

"What, resting again?" Censor Wu exclaimed upon hearing the news, angrily slapping the small table. "This incompetent fool will be the ruin of our nation!"

"We only departed at the hour of the snake, and it has barely been more than an hour!" he said with agitation, spittle flying. "And we are resting again! If we travel at this pace, when will we ever reach Huainan Prefecture?! By the time we actually arrive, I fear all the evidence will have vanished!"

The other Censor remained perfectly calm and said, "Censor Wu, please be at ease. The journey to Huainan Prefecture is not a matter of one or two days; there is no need to be anxious about this one moment. The Prince is, after all, a Prince. How can you speak of him in such a way? Be careful, lest the Prince charge you with the crime of disrespect."

That might be what he said, but that wasn't how things worked. The faster they arrived, the less time the culprits would have to clean up their tracks, and the more likely they would be to reveal their flaws! Censor Wu once handled a case where a witness was being pursued. It was only because they had traveled quickly enough to save the person just in time that they were able to use the iron-clad evidence to send that treacherous villain to the execution platform!

He turned and glared. "Censor Liu may fear the powerful, but I am not afraid! I have no wife and no children. I stand alone, having dedicated my life to serving the nation. What is there to fear!"

Censor Liu sighed helplessly. "Since you have dedicated your life to serving the nation, if you were to perish here, would your passion not be wasted in vain? Would that not be a great injustice?"

Only after hearing this did Censor Wu rein in some of his anger. Just then, a youth with refined features walked over, followed by a guard carrying a food box. Everyone had already seen him before; this was Mian Li, the Prince of Rui's personal attendant.

After paying his respects, Mian Li gestured for the guard to present the food box and said with a smile, "Greetings to you both, Censors. His Highness is considerate of your age and the fatigue from the journey, and has specially bestowed two cups of ginseng soup. Please do not disappoint His Highness's kind intentions."

Censor Liu accepted the food box and cupped his hands. "This subordinate thanks His Highness!"

Censor Wu, however, said, "I cannot accept a reward without merit! How could this subordinate be worthy of drinking something so valuable? Please ask His Highness to take it back!"

Mian Li's expression remained unchanged, his smile unwavering. "Censor Wu, you are too modest. His Highness anticipated you would say as much. His Highness says, when the sovereign bestows a gift, how can a subject refuse? Please, Censor Wu, accept it."

With things put this way—and considering that this very Prince had ordered Prime Minister Wang to be caned in open court just a few days prior—Censor Wu thought for a moment and ultimately accepted. If he refused, he might soon be sent back to the capital to face charges. It wasn't worth it for such a small matter.

Mian Li did not leave. He waited until both men had finished the ginseng soup, collected the bowls, and only then departed. There was one good thing about coming out with Ji Weiqiu: you never suffered when it came to food. The two old Censors received preferential treatment with ginseng soup, but everyone else was treated equally. Large cuts of meat were distributed, and someone was ordered to make mung bean soup with plenty of extra sugar. There was a share for everyone.

With such a large retinue and their banners flying, no reckless mountain bandits would dare to attack them. Bandits wanted money and women, not to lose their heads. The scenarios Ji Weiqiu had imagined never materialized. The afternoon was exceedingly peaceful. Not a single commoner rushed forward to cry out an injustice, nor did any beautiful widow or young maiden appear trying to sell herself to bury her father or husband.

Seeing that the sky was already growing dark and spotting a dilapidated temple ahead, Ji Weiqiu simply ordered them to make camp there. He wanted to sleep somewhere with a roof over his head. Mian Li and the other attendants rushed into the temple, tidied it up in a flurry of activity, and lit insect-repelling incense before finally inviting Ji Weiqiu inside.

The moment Ji Weiqiu entered, he saw a dilapidated statue of a mountain god. The god glared fiercely, holding a sword in one hand, its arm draped with a colored sash, poised as if treading on clouds. He took the lit incense from Mian Li, offered it to the mountain god, and laid out some offerings. Only then did he order someone to cover the statue with a silk cloth as a sign of respect.

Since they were borrowing the place to rest, they had to observe the proper etiquette of a guest.

Ji Weiqiu found it rather novel. Across two lifetimes, this was his first time spending the night in the wild. Even in his previous life, an ordinary family going camping would just do it for the day. Who would spend several thousand on a tent they would use less than twice a year? And to sleep outdoors? Didn't they know how unsafe it was? Didn't they know how much trouble it was? With that kind of money, couldn't they just stay in a small hotel?

He sat on a makeshift bed piled with straw, quilts, and silk damask. Light gauze curtains were hung around it. Half of the temple's window frame was missing, which Mian Li had covered with thin gauze. The hazy moonlight filtered in, and a sliver of the bright moon was visible. He watched for a while, then asked, "Where are the Censors staying?"

Mian Li replied, "Tents were set up along the temple walls. The Censors are all resting in their tents."

"Mm," Ji Weiqiu responded. That was good.

Zou San and that nephew of his were resting outside with the others. Ji Weiqiu lay down for a moment, then sat up again with a smile. "Since there's nothing to do, bring Zou San here."

Mian Li was surprised. "Your Highness, it is already late..."

"How could he possibly be asleep?" Ji Weiqiu said. "Just go and ask him to come."

Zou San arrived a short while later. He took one look at Ji Weiqiu's accommodations and lamented, "It's so much better in here. There are so many mosquitoes outside... It's already this cold, why are there still so many mosquitoes! I just saw a centipede, and it scared me so much I leaped right off my cot."

Ji Weiqiu teased, "You didn't bring any insect-repelling herbs?"

Zou San thought for a moment. "...I think so."

When Zou San's father said he was sending him along for experience, he meant it. He hadn't brought a single attendant, just a bundle packed and sent along with him. How would a guy like Zou San know whether he had brought incense or not? He'd seen a few bamboo tubes in his bundle, casually opened one and sprinkled the contents around, having no idea if it was the right thing.

Ji Weiqiu asked, "Are those two accountants your father arranged reliable?"

Zou San replied, "They're reliable. I call both of them 'uncle' whenever I see them."

The implication was that these two accountants were not servants of the Vice Minister of Revenue, but rather his retainers and advisors. Ji Weiqiu nodded. "In that case, call them over."

Zou San said, "...? You're making me run your errands?"

Ji Weiqiu cleared his throat. "Guard Zou, can this Prince no longer give you orders?"

Zou San was silent for a moment before resigning himself to his fate and going to fetch the men. Mian Li went to invite Censor Wu as well. Censor Wu arrived with a solemn expression, looking rather ill-tempered. Three accountants came, not two—that nephew of Ji Weiqiu's had come along as well.

Ji Weiqiu said, "Dispense with the ceremony. Censor Wu, please be seated."

There were small tables inside the temple that the attendants had brought in. With a face like frost, Censor Wu said, "May I ask what instructions Your Highness has for summoning this subject?"

He had been roused from his bed and forced to come.

Ji Weiqiu said, "Everyone present is a trusted person. Censor Wu, you are a veteran official and have handled matters like this more than once. This is the first time this Prince has been ordered to investigate a case. Tell me, how should we proceed?"

Censor Wu's spirits instantly lifted. "Replying to Your Highness, we should naturally ride for Huainan Prefecture with all possible speed. Without another word, we must first apprehend Cao Zhiyu, order him to hand over his ledgers, and at the same time, investigate all the officials under his jurisdiction!"

Ji Weiqiu was genuinely taken aback. He had always assumed that investigating a case meant he would go there, have a polite conversation, the other party would deflect without revealing the slightest flaw, and then they would slowly begin their investigation. Huh? Arrest the person first? Was that even allowed?

The man hadn't even been convicted of a crime yet!

Seeing his reaction, Censor Wu cursed him silently. Where had the imposing authority from a few days ago, when he had ordered the court caning, gone? He had struck down even a high-ranking minister without a second thought, so why be polite to a mere prefect? Just detain the man and investigate. If nothing turns up, then nothing turns up! What could Cao Zhiyu do about it? Wouldn't he still have to kowtow respectfully and thank him for his grace?

What, were they supposed to go and have tea and listen to music with Cao Zhiyu first? Should he ask the man to host a welcome banquet for them?! They needed to act with lightning speed. If the other party hadn't been thorough in covering their tracks, they could get results just by checking the ledgers! Why wait for anything else!

Ji Weiqiu nodded, then turned to the three accountants. "Did you hear that? The heavy responsibility will fall to you then."

The two retainers from the household of the Vice Minister of Revenue looked to be men of integrity. They cupped their hands and agreed, neither servile nor overbearing, their bearing elegant. But Ji Weiqiu's young nephew was different. His eyes darted about intelligently, and he immediately said, "Your Highness, this subordinate feels this course of action is most appropriate! Censor Wu is truly worthy of his title, a man of great talent!"

Censor Wu was so taken aback he was stunned. "...Are you mocking me, you young rascal?"

"Not at all!" The nephew's surname was Wenren, and his given name was Zhou. He continued, "If we go and immediately search his residence, it will certainly save us trouble if we find something. However, I feel that for someone who has risen to the position of prefect, how could he possibly allow incriminating evidence to be found in his ledgers? What we find will most likely be a set of perfectly balanced books."

Wenren Zhou continued, "Since this is Your Highness's first time conducting such an investigation, after checking the accounts, you can put on an act of 'I knew Prefect Cao was innocent,' feigning trust in him. You could even accept some of his silver to put his mind at ease. Then, we can proceed to investigate the officials under him. If the officials also turn up clean, we can observe for a while, or we could start with the servants in his household... Under a heavy reward, there will always be a brave soul!"

After hearing him out, everyone looked at each other. The two accountants waved their feathered fans slightly and smiled. "Wenren's method is a good one."

Censor Wu wondered to himself who this young man was. His methods were quite shrewd. He looked so young and refined; which powerful family did he come from? To be so proficient, had he been immersed in such things from a young age to have gained this kind of insight? He would definitely have to investigate this young man's family upon his return!

Ji Weiqiu shook his head with a smile. "This whole act of pretending to be bribed might not work..."

That was all Ji Su's fault. When Qian Zhiwei, the prefect of Jinan, had offered him silver, the grass on his grave was now three meters high. The others who had bribed the false Prince of Rui had also met with unfortunate ends. If that Cao Zhiyu were to offer him silver, wouldn't he just be presenting his head for Ji Weiqiu to chop off?

But pretending to be a fool could work!

He could act the part of a bright-eyed and clueless youth. After checking the ledgers and finding nothing amiss, he would just need to act with an 'I knew it' expression and show that he completely believed Cao Zhiyu was innocent.

For everything else, they would proceed as planned.

Ji Weiqiu then said, "Censor Wu, do you think it is necessary to find a few experts in martial arts and have them go to Huainan Prefecture ahead of us?"

Censor Wu's opinion of Ji Weiqiu had begun to change. "To be frank with Your Highness, that is precisely what this subject was thinking! Unfortunately, I have no men under my command, and furthermore..."

He did not continue, but everyone understood his meaning. In a group of over two hundred people, neither large nor small, who knew how many spies were hidden among them? A few missing people would be easily noticed by anyone paying attention.

Ji Weiqiu nodded. "Leave this matter to this Prince."

Censor Wu had originally thought this trip would be like 'accompanying the crown prince to his studies'—that not only would he have to handle the official business, but he would also have to babysit the Prince and keep him from causing trouble. But now, hearing Ji Weiqiu's arrangements felt like swallowing an immortal elixir, a feeling of satisfaction beyond words.

Ji Weiqiu glanced sideways at Zou San, tempted to send him, but after considering the danger of the task, he dismissed the idea.

He then nodded to the two accountants. "That being the case, once we arrive in Huainan Prefecture, the great task of auditing the accounts will be entrusted to you both."

The two men agreed in unison. Ji Weiqiu gestured for the others to leave, but just as they were about to take their leave, he said, "Censor Wu, please stay behind."

Censor Wu turned back. Ji Weiqiu watched until the temple door was closed, then said, "This Prince does not care for empty pleasantries, so I will speak plainly. My Imperial Elder Brother's intention this time is that we should investigate everything that can be investigated. Censor Wu, you should have some idea of what that means."

Censor Wu's expression turned serious. "Yes! This old subject will certainly not fail to live up to the Emperor's trust!"

"Good," Ji Weiqiu said. "Aside from the Huainan case, Censor Wu must also keep an eye on other matters. This is this Prince's first time handling official business, and I naturally hope everything goes smoothly. I will be relying entirely on you, Censor Wu."

Ji Weiqiu smiled. Censor Wu stared at him, momentarily stunned, and then suddenly understood his meaning. This was a request for him to keep an eye on the accompanying Censor Liu! To make sure he didn't cause any trouble! At the same time, it was laying his cards on the table, telling him that he could act without restraint, because the Prince of Rui also wanted to achieve meritorious results!

Censor Wu said with great solemnity, "This subject will certainly not fail to live up to Your Highness's trust!"

"It is good that you understand," Ji Weiqiu said. "You may go back and rest now."

"Yes!"

After sending Censor Wu out, Mian Li muttered, "If stability was the goal, why didn't Your Highness take a boat? It would have been more convenient and even faster."

Ji Weiqiu lay on his bed. After a long moment, he finally said, "Boats are fine, but there are too many potential accidents on the Grand Canal."

The route from Yanjing was mostly on official roads, with post stations at regular intervals, and garrisons stationed nearby. Even if something were to happen on the road, it couldn't be a major disaster. The retinue had over a hundred elite guards and dozens of attendants. What kind of bandits could possibly charge out and wipe out a group of nearly two hundred people in an extremely short amount of time? If they had that kind of strength, why would they bother with robbery? Going directly to Yanjing to storm the palace would be the proper path!

To remain in the desolate countryside would be a colossal waste of talent.

On the Grand Canal, however, it was a different story. Just like the last assassination attempt, how easy would it be to kill over two hundred people? Everyone relies on the boat, surrounded by a vast expanse of water with nowhere to escape. As long as the enemy could board, it would be a bloody battle of attrition. They could also use other nefarious methods—the boat could strike a reef, enter a turbulent current, capsize, break apart, or sink. It would not be strange for everyone to perish.

Ordinary people wouldn't dare, but would those who were capable of making a move be ordinary people?

And there was still a False King to consider.

Today, as he left the capital, Zhou Ruhui also departed. He was rushing to the border. The two went in different directions and parted ways after leaving the city gates. He was a stabilizing force; as soon as he returned to the border, the situation there would be settled.

As for that state letter from the Tujue... there would likely be a development by the time he returned. Nanzhu had all the time in the world to stall, but the Tujue did not. As the old Khan grew older, their internal strife would only intensify. The various princes' desire to achieve great deeds to win the old Khan's approval would grow ever more urgent. Therefore, Ji Weiqiu felt they wouldn't be able to wait much longer.

He added, "Mian Li, go and instruct Wenren Zhou that his identity cannot be kept secret for much longer anyway. Tell him to just put on the airs of an imperial relative and intimidate them a little."

The surname Wenren was too distinctive. Among these sharp-witted officials, there was no need for an investigation. With a little thought, they would know that this Wenren belonged to the same Wenren family that Princess Yunqing, from the Imperial Clan Prince's line, had married into.

Time trickled by. After confirming there was nothing else he had forgotten to arrange, Ji Weiqiu fell into a peaceful sleep. The next day, he no longer spoke of departing only after he had fully woken up. Before the sky had even brightened, he was helped into his carriage. The procession moved at great speed; they had to reach the next post station before nightfall. They should have lodged at a post station the previous night, but they had missed it because Ji Weiqiu had set the assembly time too late.

Twelve days later, Ji Weiqiu's party arrived at Huainan Prefecture. Ji Weiqiu didn't bother with any games of entering the city in disguise. He entered the city openly and headed straight for the prefectural government office. He presented the Imperial Edict in the middle of the Qingtang Hall. Cao Zhiyu, the Prefect of Huainan Prefecture, knelt below. After hearing the edict, he kowtowed and said, "This subject receives the decree."

Ji Weiqiu looked down on him from above, a provocative smile on his face, as if he had already concluded that the man was a deeply corrupt official. "Prefect Cao, there is no need to panic. We have come today precisely to clear your name. Censor Wu and Censor Liu are both experts in these matters. Prefect Cao, if you please."

After the long and arduous journey, Censor Wu had looked exhausted. But upon entering the government office, his spirits were instantly revived. He said, "I venture to ask, what are Prefect Cao's thoughts on the matter of selling offices and titles? Do you have anything to say in your own defense? Prefect Cao, please..."

Ji Weiqiu waved his hand, cutting him off. "Why make things so troublesome?"

Censor Wu, Censor Liu, and Prefect Cao all turned to look at Ji Weiqiu, only to hear him say, "Let's just directly confis... search the residence."

Everyone simultaneously thought the same thing: 'Don't think we didn't hear that you originally meant to say confiscate the property.'

Shock and bewilderment filled Cao Zhiyu's eyes, quickly followed by a flash of humiliation. "Your Highness, this subordinate is an official appointed by the imperial court. My guilt has not yet been determined, how can you search my private residence! This is against the law!"

Ji Weiqiu remained seated in the place of honor. He crossed one leg over the other with great arrogance. "If Prefect Cao is dissatisfied, then you may submit a memorial to the throne to impeach this Prince!"

"Besides, the innocent have nothing to hide! Since Prefect Cao has done nothing to wrong the court or the common people, what is there to fear from a search of your residence! Unless... Prefect Cao has a guilty conscience?"

Ji Weiqiu leisurely gestured toward Censor Wu with his chin. "Censor Wu, if this Prince wanted to search your residence, what would you do?"

Censor Wu was famously upright and unencumbered. He declared with an air of righteousness, "Your Highness is free to search. If even the slightest fraction of a coin is found to be ill-gotten gains from corruption, this subject will accept death!"

Ji Weiqiu said, "See that?"

He stared intently at Prefect Cao. The Prefect looked up at him. Never mind a search, even a full confiscation of his property would reveal nothing. Yet at this moment, his heart couldn't help but pound violently. This young Prince was utterly arrogant and had already judged him guilty of selling offices. How was he supposed to respond? He absolutely could not let the Prince continue with this belief. Everyone knew that this Prince and the Emperor were brothers born of the same mother, and that he was deeply favored by Your Majesty. If he decided that Cao Zhiyu was guilty, what would it matter if there was no evidence? If this young Prince's temper flared and he had him killed on the spot, what good would a future exoneration be?

A dead man is a dead man! What use is exoneration then!

Prefect Cao bit the tip of his tongue, steeling his nerves. He said, "This subordinate would not dare! Since Your Highness has come bearing an Imperial Edict, this subject dares not disobey! Please, Your Highness, send your men to conduct the search! It is just that the reputations of the female members of my household are important. I ask that you please do not startle the women..."

Ji Weiqiu looked at him with a malicious glint in his eyes. "But of course. After all, this is just a quick search, not a full confiscation of your property."

Soon, all of the account ledgers from Prefect Cao's residence were delivered to the government office. Ji Weiqiu said, "For the next few days, I must ask Prefect Cao to rest here in the government office... Men, go and search."

Prefect Cao's residence was surrounded, with guards posted at every entrance and exit. Under Censor Wu's direction, they even carefully searched along the base of the walls and blocked up all the dog holes.

Ji Weiqiu spoke to Censor Liu with some regret, "It's just that it would cause too much of a commotion, otherwise this Prince would have ordered men to dig a trench five or six zhang deep all around the residence, to prevent anyone from escaping through a secret passage."

"..." Censor Liu was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Highness is brilliant."

Right in front of Censor Liu, Ji Weiqiu gave his instructions to the guards: "Search the residence with the utmost care. If you encounter a cellar, you must go down to inspect it. In any artificial grottoes in the rockeries, you must use smoke to check for air circulation. All large jars and cabinets must be moved. Any books you find are to be sealed and handed over to the scribes for examination... In any case, we have plenty of time. Search one room at a time, slowly."

'Should I tell them not to shake the eggs apart? After all, it's not like they can make fake eggs in this day and age.'

But then Ji Weiqiu had another thought. "Even the eggs in the kitchen, shake every single one for this Prince!"

You never know! After all, the Ministry of Works had its geniuses—they could even create a substitute for rubber. What if some truly capable person had hidden a crucial piece of evidence inside an egg?

Listening from the side, Censor Liu cursed inwardly. This was truly ruthless! Who said this Prince was inexperienced? Just look at this—he was far too experienced! Even veteran officials weren't this vicious! He lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, is this not somewhat... improper?"

Ji Weiqiu glanced sideways at him and gave a sweet smile. "What is improper about it? Since Prefect Cao does not fear a search, then we should search thoroughly. Otherwise, how could we do justice to Prefect Cao's display of loyalty?"

"Oh, right. Censor Liu, deliver a message for this Prince," Ji Weiqiu said. "Just tell Prefect Cao to rest assured. If everything is in order, this Prince will gift him a new residence when this is all over."