Chapter Seventeen: Advancing Through Retreat

Page (1/3)

Upon hearing these words, the six officials from the disaster-stricken region were shaken to their core. They silently pondered: they had assumed the life-saving silver was provided by the court, never expecting that it was donated solely by Chancellor Wei. This meant that they were now bound together with Chancellor Wei, sharing fortune and misfortune. Most likely, they had already been closely watched by the hostile factions opposing Chancellor Wei. If they were to lose such a powerful patron, wouldn’t they be like fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others?

Thinking this through, the six exchanged glances, quickly understanding one another. They immediately knelt and raised their voices in unison, “Your Majesty, we earnestly beseech you not to permit Chancellor Wei to resign and retire!”

Xiao Ceyun was well aware of the stakes. If he agreed to Wei Changlong’s resignation now, it would look like he was discarding someone who had just poured all his wealth into aiding the court’s disaster relief efforts. News of such treatment would spread, and who would then be willing to serve the court wholeheartedly? With Wei Changlong’s example set so starkly, it would be difficult to find anyone willing to dedicate themselves entirely to the court’s service again.

“No more persuasion, ministers! I absolutely will not allow Chancellor Wei to resign! Wei is a loyal servant to the nation and devoted to the people. Having him remain in court to assist me in governing is a great fortune for our Great Yao Dynasty! Besides, Chancellor Wei is in the prime of his life, with much more to accomplish. To say he wants to retire now and enjoy his remaining years is premature; he should wait several more years.”

Wei Changlong’s reply was sincere but firm: “Your Majesty, I am truly exhausted in both body and mind; it is difficult to continue bearing this burden…”

Before Wei Changlong could finish, Xiao Ceyun’s face darkened with displeasure as he loudly reprimanded, “Chancellor Wei, do not speak further! Regarding your resignation, I will not allow you to mention it again! I absolutely refuse you permission to retire!”

At this moment, Cheng Qianyou stepped forward respectfully and said, “Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the reason Chancellor Wei insists on resigning is due to the recent generous donation of a large sum of silver for disaster relief. This was a great act benefiting both nation and people. Yet, unexpectedly, he was falsely accused by Grand Tutor Song and Minister Kang of fabricating counterfeit silver. In truth, neither Grand Tutor Song nor Minister Kang contributed any effort to the relief work, instead choosing to slander the man who made a great contribution. Their actions likely stem from unwillingness to see Chancellor Wei rewarded for his merits, resorting to malicious slander. It is because of this that Chancellor Wei has become disheartened and no longer wishes to toil for court affairs, thus contemplating retirement.”

A chilling smile curled on Xiao Ceyun’s lips. His eyes, deep as the ocean, slowly spoke in a dark tone: “Minister Cheng speaks rightly. Chancellor Wei’s performance in this disaster relief was outstanding, earning him first-class merit. Such a loyal and benevolent minister devoted to the nation and its people—how could I allow any treacherous villain to defame him so wantonly?”

Regarding Song Hanlin’s accusation that Wei Changlong dared to produce counterfeit silver, Xiao Ceyun secretly believed it without doubt. After all, with Wei Changlong’s blatantly ambitious nature, what would he not dare to do? Perhaps in a few years, even the supreme throne itself might be within his grasp!

Now that affairs had reached this point, punishing Song Hanlin moderately would be wise. It would teach him the consequences of incompetence and alert him to the formidable strength and methods of his rival, Wei Changlong. Only by learning from this defeat would he avoid underestimating his opponent in the future.

Xiao Ceyun then cast his gaze downward at the resentful Song Hanlin. “Grand Tutor Song, you once emphatically accused Chancellor Wei of fabricating counterfeit silver and hiding official funds. Yet now, numerous officials have come forward to testify that the silver they received was genuine. Do you still dare to insist that Chancellor Wei produced fake silver?”

Standing in the court, Song Hanlin was overwhelmed with regret. He knew he was now utterly defenseless. When first told that the transported silver was counterfeit, he should have decisively seized the shipment, reported immediately to the Emperor, and assigned the Court of Justice to thoroughly investigate. Instead, he chose to personally lead an investigation, which captured no fox but only brought trouble upon himself.

At this point, lacking solid evidence or witnesses to support him, there was no hope of overturning the verdict. Helplessly, Song Hanlin bowed his head and confessed with a trembling voice, “I have nothing to say.”

Page (2/3)

Xiao Ceyun’s expression grew grave. “In that case, Grand Tutor Song’s crime of slandering a loyal minister is confirmed. But considering your advanced age and your former role as my teacher who once guided me, I shall spare you the death penalty, though you cannot escape living punishment. You are hereby relieved of your post…”

“Your Majesty!” Before Xiao Ceyun finished, Kang Qilu abruptly interrupted without regard, shocking everyone present. Even Bi Zifu turned around in surprise to look at Xiao Ceyun, who immediately fell silent, his face darkening further.

Seeing this, Bi Zifu quickly scolded, “How dare you, Kang Qilu! To rudely interrupt the Emperor is lawless and insolent!”

Only then did Kang Qilu seem to awaken from a trance. He knelt on both knees, “Your Majesty, I atone for my sin! I spoke recklessly and offended Your Majesty’s dignity, violating court etiquette. Please punish me severely!”

Xiao Ceyun’s face was as cold as still water, his gaze icy enough to freeze. “Enough. Kang, what is it that you wish to say by interrupting me?”

Kang Qilu steadied himself and took a deep breath before saying, “Your Majesty, the entire matter of accusing Chancellor Wei of secretly producing counterfeit silver was solely my own fabrication. I lied to Grand Tutor Song, deceiving him. Under my influence, he then helped me slander Chancellor Wei in court. In truth, I alone am the mastermind behind all these conspiracies!”

Song Hanlin was stunned, eyes wide in shock as he looked at Kang Qilu.

Kang Qilu glanced at Song Hanlin with a warning look and gently shook his head, signaling him not to speak further. Song Hanlin, as Grand Tutor, held great power and was the only person capable of rivaling Wei Changlong in court. If Song Hanlin were dismissed and investigated because of this, Wei Changlong would then dominate alone, wielding power over the court. At that time, the entire court would be at his mercy.

“Oh? Is that so…” Xiao Ceyun narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking in a low, authoritative voice, “Grand Tutor Song, is the situation truly as Kang Qilu describes?”

Song Hanlin’s heart felt gnawed by thousands of venomous insects, unbearably painful. Slowly, he turned his gaze to Kang Qilu.

Kang Qilu held his breath and stared intently at Song Hanlin, his eyes betraying unmistakable nervousness. He gave Song Hanlin a slight nod.

Song Hanlin gritted his teeth, suppressing the pain that nearly made him faint, and barely whispered one word through clenched teeth: “Yes.” Though soft, the word seemed to exhaust all his strength.

Upon hearing this, Kang Qilu’s taut nerves finally relaxed slightly, and a faint expression of relief appeared on his face. Yet this smile lasted only a moment before giving way to endless despair and remorse.

Page (3/3)

Song Hanlin slowly turned away, unwilling to look at Kang Qilu again, fearing he might lose control and break down. Head lowered, his voice choked with emotion, he said, “It was my momentary folly, believing Kang Qilu’s slander, becoming bewitched, and daring to slander Chancellor Wei…”

Wei Changlong raised an indifferent brow, glancing at Song Hanlin and Kang Qilu as if watching a play.

Xiao Ceyun’s face darkened. “If that is the case, it seems the Grand Tutor truly has grown old and his mind is failing. Very well, considering your past merits, I shall spare your life for now. You may return home for three months of rest, with the hope that this time will help you regain your clarity. As for Kang Qilu…” He shifted his tone sharply, his piercing gaze locking onto Kang Qilu beside him. “Slandering a senior minister is an unforgivable crime! Guards, seize him and drag him out! Execute him publicly at once! All male heirs in his household shall be executed; all female relatives shall be demoted to court courtesans to serve as rewards for the army!”

Kang Qilu was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place, dumbfounded. After a long moment, he seemed to awaken from a dream and began kowtowing desperately, begging, “Your Majesty, have mercy! I admit my guilt. Please spare my family! I do not mind dying, but my family is innocent…”

Though Kang Qilu was pale with fear, tears streaming down his face, the Emperor’s resolve was firm and unmoved.

“Your Majesty, please spare my family…”

At this moment, fear of death was overshadowed by deep guilt and remorse over dragging his family into his downfall.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to show mercy to my family…”

Two soldiers approached Kang Qilu, grabbing him without mercy and dragging him from the hall. His mournful cries gradually faded away.

Xiao Ceyun then slowly turned to look at Wei Changlong standing below, his tone cold and icy: “Chancellor Wei, I have severely punished that treacherous official who dared to slander you. Do not mention resignation again!”

A faint, bitter smile appeared on Wei Changlong’s face, as if harboring many unspeakable grievances. He took a deep breath and slowly said, “Your Majesty, I am now old and frail. I only wish for my children to be near, to share the joys of family. Unfortunately, my son is stationed on the frontier, and my youngest daughter is practicing asceticism in a remote temple. My longing for them surges like a tidal wave, uncontrollable. My son could return to the capital at once to reunite, but my daughter’s place is far and harsh, and I do not know when I will see her again… Since Your Majesty will not permit me to retire, I respectfully request leave for some time, so I may visit that humble temple and see my beloved daughter. I hope Your Majesty will grant this favor.”