boyutpedia Chapter 162 The Heart of the Emperor
Chapter 162 The Heart of the Emperor
After taking care of Wen Qian, Duan Zhi'an went directly to the Ministry of Justice.
It was midday, but no one in the Ministry of Justice was resting.
The Crown Prince and Minister Cao of the Ministry of Justice are taking stock of the Wen family's assets.
The vermilion lacquered wooden files were piled up like mountains, and the investigation books were already filled to the brim.
Ning Zhi stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the detailed map of the Wen family's businesses.
After checking them one by one, he pulled out a land deed and asked, "These shops had business dealings with the Wen family last month, but they weren't registered in the register. What does this mean?"
Lord Cao glanced at them and replied, "None of these shops are involved in weapons trading, and the managers are not members of the Wen clan, so I did not include them."
Ning Zhi lifted his eyelids and lightly tapped his knuckles on the cover: "But Father Emperor said that anyone involved is an accomplice. Is Your Excellency protecting someone?"
Lord Cao quickly explained, "This humble official had absolutely no intention of covering up or condoning such behavior."
"I know that Your Excellency is upright and honest. But now those officials in the court are speaking directly against me. If I don't rectify the court, how can I silence the public's criticism?"
"So, according to Your Highness..."
"Killing a few is no problem."
His tone was calm, and with just one sentence, the blade was already at the door.
Lord Cao was startled, and hesitated for a moment: "But... most of them are just minor local officials..."
"The Wen family is cunning; how do you know they won't use this as a shield, sir?"
Lord Cao lowered his head and remained silent. After a moment, he cupped his hands and replied, "I will immediately allocate manpower, and we can clear out 80% of them in three days."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly heard the door creak.
A cold wind accompanied the sound of footsteps as Duan Zhi'an stepped into the office.
Lord Cao bowed and said, "This humble official greets the Grand Tutor."
Ning Zhi smiled and asked, "Teacher, why did you come so suddenly? Is there something you need to tell me?"
Duan Zhi'an stepped forward slowly and casually said, "Your Highness will be setting off for Chuizhou tomorrow to investigate a corruption case. With such heavy official duties, I came to see if I could be of any help."
He casually flipped through a few account books and said slowly, "I've long heard that the Wen family has many businesses, but seeing them today is still quite surprising."
Lord Cao replied, “Indeed, since the time of the late emperor, the Wen family has had several branches that have married into the merchant family. Now, their businesses are spread throughout various prefectures. If we were to add their ancestral property, it would take quite some time to investigate.”
Duan Zhian smiled enigmatically: "I'm afraid some of these deals aren't out in the open."
Ning Zhi's gaze sharpened, and he asked, "What does the teacher mean?"
Duan Zhian said unhurriedly, "Most of the transactions between merchants are shrouded in mystery; what appears to be legitimate business may not be genuine. Especially those places where people seek pleasure and entertainment, we should investigate them carefully."
Ning Zhi frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "What you say is absolutely right, teacher. I will remember it."
Duan Zhian nodded slightly: "Since I can't help in any way, I won't cause any more trouble."
"Grand Tutor, please take care." Lord Cao responded respectfully.
Ning Zhi also walked to the door, gathered his sleeves, and called out softly, "Teacher."
Duan Zhian stopped in his tracks.
"Is there anything else, Your Highness?"
Ning Zhi smiled and spoke as usual: "I have heard that women love fragrant things the most, and the sachets made outside are far inferior to the ones you make yourself, Master... I would like to go to the Grand Tutor's Palace to get a few, if that is possible?"
Duan Zhi'an asked jokingly, "Which woman does Your Highness intend to give it to?"
"Naturally, it's for Chi Yu. We're getting married soon, and I'll be leaving the capital for a while. I should express my feelings before I go. I'm sure Lord Chi will be happy."
Duan Zhi'an pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Your Highness is now considering the overall situation and has thought things through thoroughly. You can go and get it at any time."
"Thank you teacher."
Duan Zhian nodded and slowly walked down the steps.
Ning Zhi watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowed, a sense of unease rising within her.
He turned and instructed, "Lu Fang, go to Zuiyin Tower, take the things I told you to do earlier, and put them in the secret box in the hidden room. Be quick."
"Yes."
Lu Fang accepted the order and withdrew quickly.
The winter sun was weak, and the cold wind cut into our faces.
Duan Zhian left the Ministry of Justice and walked slowly along the palace road.
The golden bricks and cold stones were silent, except for the soft rustling of the wind as it blew the hem of a robe.
He gazed at the darkening sky, a vague sense of unease rising in his heart.
Today, Ning Zhi's words already carried a hint of imperial authority, making it unnecessary to follow his lead in everything.
This was something he had been hoping for.
But for some reason, there was a touch of... bitterness.
All the ancestors of the Duan family were pillars of the dynasty, adhering to the motto "Teaching the emperor is the way, assisting the ruler is the responsibility".
Every step he took in his life was like a game of chess, all aimed at supporting the crown prince and stabilizing the overall situation of the country.
Unlike his father and elder brother's ruthless methods of teaching, he not only taught Ning Zhi to distinguish loyalty from treachery and to seek profit and avoid disaster, but also how to spread virtue and kindness, and to extend benevolence far and wide.
But those disgusting and sordid things—
He secretly paved the way, suppressed rumors, and concealed his murderous intent, never letting Ning Zhi be tainted in the slightest.
He thought that perhaps in this way, Ning Zhi would become a wise and enlightened ruler in the future.
There's no need to be ruthless.
There is no need to be bloodthirsty.
Unlike all emperors in the world, he didn't have to ascend the throne amidst bloodshed and turmoil...
But today's Ning Zhi has no compassion whatsoever.
The reason for exterminating local officials was probably just to replace them with their own people.
He appeared calm on the outside, just like the Xuanzheng Hall, but behind the curtain, there was a storm brewing.
Pulling himself back to reality, Duan Zhian spotted a figure in the distance.
He stood at the end of the palace road, dressed in black, with a tall and handsome figure and frost-like eyebrows and eyes.
He composed himself, stepped forward and bowed: "What a coincidence, to run into Your Highness in such a vast palace."
Xiao Hengzhi did not respond.
Duan Zhian then said, "Judging from Your Highness's expression, are you upset about your marriage to Miss Wen Yin?"
"..."
Xiao Hengzhi then raised his eyes: "If the Grand Tutor intends to use this to mock me, there is no need for that."
"Oh? Could it be that the Prince persuaded the Empress Dowager to call off the marriage?"
"No need for the Grand Tutor to worry, I have other methods."
"Does Your Highness intend to kill us to silence us?"
"So what?"
Duan Zhi'an shook his head and chuckled: "If Your Highness wanted to, you would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?"
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Duan Zhian said softly, "...If Your Highness truly does not wish to marry, I do have a plan."
Xiao Hengzhi raised his eyes: "The extermination of the Wen family is a foregone conclusion. The Empress Dowager is determined to protect Wen Yin. I have tried to persuade her several times but have failed. Do you have a solution?"
Duan Zhian raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
Xiao Hengzhi looked away and said coldly, "Speak, what are your conditions?"
Duan Zhian leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
Xiao Hengzhi frowned slightly and asked, "Are you arranging for me to do things for you?"
“No one dares to make a move against a noble family. But for the prince, it’s just a small matter.”
"I have no grudge against him, and besides..."
"No enmity, no grudge..." Duan Zhi'an interrupted slowly, "but neither have we shown any kindness nor favor, have we?"
Duan Zhi'an tightened his cloak and smiled, "Your Highness, rest assured about the Empress Dowager. I already have a plan. I'm just waiting for Your Highness's approval."
"Ha." Xiao Hengzhi chuckled. "With such a teacher, no wonder the Crown Prince turned out the way he did..."