Green Mountain-Chapter 722 - 576: Relentless Pursuit

Inside Renshou Palace, one could hear a pin drop.

All eyes were on the stack of bamboo paper in Changxiu’s hand. Wu Xiu took the evening paper from Changxiu, unfolded it, and presented it to the front of the veil.

The officials held their breath.

Emperor Ning did not speak immediately. The shadow behind the veil seemed to lean slightly toward the evening paper, carefully reading the words on the paper.

After thirty minutes, Emperor Ning’s voice emerged, indistinct in emotion: "Read."

Wu Xiu bowed in response, picked up the evening paper, and read to the officials: "Li’s Pawnshop has been engaged in usury for many years, with a common interest rate of nine percent per month. If a poor household is in urgent need, the rate can be as high as one and a half cents. There is a canal worker from Tongzhou named Chen Ada. In the winter of the 29th year of Jianing, he borrowed three taels of silver to buy medicine to save his mother. By last autumn, the principal and interest had accumulated to 47 taels. The Chen family sold all their fields and houses, still not enough. Li Ji sent thugs to the house day and night, and Chen’s mother died of fear and illness. Chen Ada and his wife threw themselves into the river, leaving only a young daughter who was rescued, but her whereabouts are now unknown..."

"There is a widow in the South City, Ms. Zhou, whose husband left behind a son and a daughter and five mu of thin fields. Due to owing Li Ji two taels of interest silver, the deed was forcibly taken. Ms. Zhou had no place to cry her grievance, and she and her daughter jumped into a well. Her son was beaten by Li Ji’s thugs, breaking a leg, and driven out of the Imperial Capital. Such cases amount to 27..."

"All the Warehouse Envoys and clerks in the Imperial Capital, when audited or needing to make up shortfalls, often borrow from Li Ji, using the warehouse’s grain to offset interest. Li Bing confessed that in Tongzhou West Warehouse alone, over five years, he managed more than 2,000 dans of grain..."

Meihua Ferry Crossing’s evening paper today didn’t flatter anyone but used the entire front page to publicize the dirty deeds of Li Ji’s Pawnshop, making the officials’ hearts skip a beat.

Rough calculations suggested that over the years, Li Ji’s Pawnshop had forced dozens of commoners to their deaths.

Wu Xiu’s voice paused here, secretly observing Emperor Ning’s expression. It seemed there was something more important to follow, unsure whether to continue reading.

Emperor Ning closed his eyes, gesturing the Three Mountains Technique with his hand: "Read, the city still has thousands of evening papers, whether you read or not, the public’s mouths cannot be stopped."

Wu Xiu continued, bowing his head to read: "The principal, accounts, human contracts, and land deeds of Li Ji’s Pawnshop are all supervised by the Left Imperial Censor Qi Xianzun of the Imperial Inspection Office. Most of the profit silver each year, after keeping some for operations, is taken by the Qi family..."

"In the 27th year of Jianing, Qi Xianzun took 8,000 taels to purchase a house in Xilaxi Alley and support concubines. In the summer of the 31st year of Jianing, Qi Zhenwu took 3,000 taels to redeem Liu Zhuang, an official courtesan..."

Wu Xiu finished reading and stepped aside.

The hall was deathly silent, with even the sound of breathing suppressed to the extreme.

Mr. Qi turned his head, glaring at Qi Xianzun beside him. Qi Xianzun lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes. Mr. Qi turned back to look at Qi Zhenwu kneeling on the ground. He couldn’t possibly check accounts daily, and he was unaware of these matters.

Mr. Qi only felt a dizzying whirl, not only losing the position of Left Imperial Censor but also failing to cover up the scandal. Clearly, he and Emperor Ning had reached a tacit understanding, but someone insisted on driving them to ruin.

He trembled, glancing at Chen Ji, only to see Chen Ji standing impeccably in the great hall, his gaze firm and unyielding.

Suddenly, in the silence, Chen Ji stepped forward and cupped his hands in question: "Why are the Imperial Censors, known for their integrity, silent?"

The Censors’ eyes seemed as sharp as blades, as if to carve out a piece of Chen Ji, yet they said nothing. They had heard of Chen Ji’s vengeful nature, but hadn’t expected him to hold such grudges.

Earlier, they thought Chen Ji was like Prince Jing, but now they felt otherwise. Prince Jing had never acted so relentlessly, always leaving some room for others.

The officials looked conflicted, realizing for the first time that killing with words in a newspaper could be even harsher than the impeachment memorials of the Imperial Inspection Office.

For the evening paper to be printed, writing, typesetting, and printing required at least six hours. Before Chen Ji left for the Imperial Music Bureau, everything had been arranged.

The other party knew today there would be a power struggle with the Qi family, also understood that there would be compromise and retreat in Renshou Palace, but regardless of what deals Emperor Ning intended, had no intention of letting the Qi family retreat with dignity, nor leaving himself any way out.

From now on, even if Mr. Qi remained a cabinet minister and continued to control the Ministry of Rites, with disciples and old subordinates all over the world, the loss of public support meant downfall was only a matter of time.

Ten years? Twenty years? However long the Qi family’s decline took, it was just another Liu Family in the making.

Yet at this moment, Emperor Ning spoke without joy or anger: "There is a poem on the second edition, read it as well."

Wu Xiu was startled, hurriedly picking up the evening paper again: "The poem is titled, Bamboo and Stone... Clinging to the mountain firmly, setting roots deep in the broken rocks. Despite a thousand strikes and blows, still strong and steadfast..."

He took a deep breath before continuing: "Facing winds from east, west, south, and north, unyielding."

Then he added: "Chen Chong, once again the final word."

The officials’ expressions changed. This Marquis Wu Xiang not only intended to kill but to wound the soul. Before they could think further, Mr. Qi’s body slowly slumped, eyes closed, jaw clenched tightly.

Qi Xianzun cried out in alarm: "Father? Father! Call the Imperial Physician, call the Imperial Physician!"

Renshou Palace suddenly turned into chaos, with everyone rushing forward to check, leaving only Emperor Ning and Chen Ji motionless, seemingly out of place amidst the commotion in the grand hall.

...

...

Time of one incense stick.

Over a dozen Imperial Physicians hurried in and carried away Mr. Qi, and only then did peace return to Renshou Palace.

The officials glanced at Chen Ji with the corner of their eyes, knowing well that Renshou Palace adhered to its own rules.

Now that Your Majesty intended to let the Qi family off, yet Chen Ji caused unexpected trouble, youthful exuberance indeed suggests spirited vigor, but such actions by Chen Ji also come at a price.

Your Majesty would never keep an ineffective tool, and must also provide an explanation to the Qi family.

At this moment, Chen Ji bowed towards the throne and said, "Your Majesty, the evening report was filled with nonsense and went too far, causing Mr. Qi to suffer a heart attack, which is my dereliction of duty. I am willing to hand over the morning and evening reports to the Ritual Supervision to prevent misuse by malicious individuals."

The officials exchanged a glance; Chen Ji actually chose to hand over the Meihua Ferry Crossing newspapers. Not to mention the yearly profit of ten thousand taels of silver, just the influence of these morning and evening reports was something not easily relinquished by anyone.

Yet, Chen Ji chose to relinquish it anyway.

Emperor Ning slowly said from behind the curtain, "Granted."

Just when everyone thought the matter had ended, Emperor Ning spoke again: "The Viscount Wu Xiang is still young and inexperienced, requiring further tempering. As a noble, you must not run brothels; return that which came from Meihua Ferry Crossing to whomever it came from. The salt permit trade has no Gang Register in your possession, inevitably attracting criticism. These two matters are also to be handed over to the Ritual Supervision."

Chen Ji silently bowed and said, "I, your servant, will comply with the decree."

Emperor Ning nonchalantly asked, "Do you harbor any resentment?"

Chen Ji prostrated himself and said, "I beg for Your Majesty’s grace, there is absolutely no resentment."

Emperor Ning calmly said, "You may withdraw."

The dust settled.

Chen Ji rose, slowly retreating out of Renshou Palace. He turned and left with large strides, walking out of Renshou Palace, gradually quickening his pace until he broke into a run.

In the palace path, little eunuchs passing by turned their heads, it was the first time they saw anyone running wildly in the solemn forbidden palace, disregarding all decorum.

"Hey, you..." A little eunuch just raised his hand to point at Chen Ji, wanting to loudly remind him of the ceremonial rules, but was grabbed by the wrist by another little eunuch beside him: "Are you seeking death? Don’t meddle in others’ business."

The speaking little eunuch inadvertently looked up towards Jiefan Building not far away, where an open window on the top floor seemed to silently watch this direction.

He hurriedly pulled his companion away in haste.

Chen Ji emerged from Renshou Palace, passing through Ciqing Palace and Wenhua Palace, arriving at Eastern Hua Gate.

However, upon reaching the gate, he found the palace gates already locked, only then recalling it was now the hour of the Hai. To exit the palace, he must either go through the Imperial Palace Gate or West Gate, no other gates would suffice.

As he prepared to head towards the Imperial Palace Gate, he saw Changxiu standing at Eastern Hua Gate, smilingly saying: "Mr. Chen, don’t go. The Prime Minister instructed me to wait here, leaving a door for you."

Chen Ji was taken aback, could the Prime Minister calculate even this?

Changxiu gestured for Jiefan Guard to open Eastern Hua Gate, smilingly saying: "The Prime Minister said, Mr. Chen experienced youthful defiance at the most appropriate age for it, the entire world should make way. Knowing Mr. Chen is in a hurry, please go."

Chen Ji brushed past Changxiu: "Thank you."

Changxiu stood inside the gate silently watching Chen Ji’s distant back, softly commending to the Jiefan Guards: "A shred of chivalry still survives in the world, how delightful... Forget it, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you, close the gate."

Like a gust of wind, Chen Ji dashed through before Eastern Hua Gate was fully opened, running from Dong’an Li Gate to the main street.

Passers-by, drawn by the brilliant red Qilin Embroidery, turned their heads; they had never seen someone dressed in this official robe sprinting before, those officials usually rode in carriages or sedans, dignified as they were.

Strangely, the passers-by did not find Chen Ji reckless, only that the Qilin Embroidery robe seemed out of place on a local youth.