Tang Chen: Starting from the Xuanwu Gate Incident

Chapter 28 Why Not Eat Meat Porridge

As soon as Shen Ce and the ministers left, the head eunuch, Anan, bowed and entered the inner chamber.

"It has now been determined that Zhang Huaisu, the Imperial Household Officer and the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, has committed multiple serious crimes, including embezzlement of funds and leaking secrets. These crimes involve... high-ranking officials of the court." Anan paused here and looked up at Li Er.

"explain."

"General Changsun Shunde, the Left Valiant Guard".

Li Er tapped his fingers incessantly on the table, hesitated for a long while, then suddenly turned around and asked, "Anan, what do you think should be done?"

Zhang Anan was Li Er's trusted eunuch, so he naturally knew the prince's intentions. Now that the situation had stabilized, it was indeed inappropriate to punish his trusted general. Furthermore, Changsun Shunde was the crown princess's cousin, making the situation even more difficult to handle.

Ananda replied in a low voice, "Your Highness, the new dynasty has just been established; it is not advisable to wage a major war..."

Li Er nodded, and after a long silence, said, "Pass on my message to Changsun Shunde: those who benefit the country should share the treasury with me; why should I be accused of embezzlement?"

"Give him another ten bolts of silk; you shall personally deliver the decree."

"promise"

Shen Ce was of course unaware of all this. After his audience with the emperor, the heavy burden in his heart was instantly lifted, and he felt indescribably happy, his steps even becoming lighter.

Having gone to great lengths and taken such a risk, at least I have a clear conscience.

As for Zhang Huaisu, he really didn't take him seriously. He had no desires or wants, so what could Zhang Huaisu do to him?

Seeing Li Er's actions earlier, I must have been deeply moved. If it weren't for Wei Zheng, who was a tough nut to crack, I really wouldn't have dared to do this. After all, everyone wants to hear nice things.

As soon as I stepped out of Xiande Hall, I looked up and realized it was past noon. I had been busy all morning and hadn't even had a bite to eat. Just as I was about to go find something to eat, I heard a voice coming from outside the wall.

"Brother Shen, how have you been?"

At this moment, Wen Wuyin had taken off his official robes and was wearing a tribute hat, a black martial-style outfit, and a jade pendant hanging at his waist, which looked quite valuable.

Before he knew it, Wen Wuyin had draped his arm over his shoulder, chuckling, "Brother Shen, I'm efficient, aren't I? That Steward Qian hasn't even been dragged into the official residence yet, and he's already spilled the beans about when he and his wife consummated their marriage..."

Would you like to listen?

Shen Ce rolled his eyes. If he wanted to hear it, he could just go to Pingkangfang and pry open the door. That way he could hear it clearly. Why did you have to tell me? It just sounds weird.

Although Wen Wuyin's words were a bit rough, he handled things properly. He originally just wanted to find an unrelated censor, but he didn't expect to find a powerful figure.

I just saw Eunuch Zhang rush back. He must have been waiting here with the evidence. He's someone worth befriending.

A pound of top-quality tea and a pleasant overnight stay in Pingkangfang were promised away.

Back in the main hall, the clerks would have already found a shady spot to rest by now, but when he entered, he found a scene of bustling activity. Some were filing documents, others were copying books, and some were even squatting on the ground under the scorching sun, constantly wiping the blue bricks in the courtyard until their beards were visible. They were still kneeling on the ground wiping incessantly. The reason was simple: two of the six chief clerks were missing, and Chief Clerk Qian was nowhere to be found.

The lower-ranking officials were terrified. This new superior was far too troublesome, and they were afraid that this young man would take them by the throat and cost them their livelihoods.

Shen Ce let them do as they pleased, pretending not to see them, and walked straight ahead.

Pushing open the door to the Registrar's Hall, two scribes stood on either side, meticulously reviewing memorials.

Upon seeing Shen Ce enter, the two bowed and then buried themselves in their work.

"Recorder Wan, I'm pushing my own work onto you. Do you have any complaints?"

Wan Jigang continued working, but managed to look up and reply, "It's alright, it's alright. It's just that I'll miss half an hour of sleep at noon. It's nothing serious."

"My lord, is there something urgent? I was delayed quite a bit this morning, and there are many memorials piling up."

The meaning couldn't be clearer: I'm doing your work, don't bother me if you have nothing to do. Wan Jigang thought to himself, this superior official has sent a group of officials to the Dali Temple in just three days since taking office. He is a real jinx. He made up his mind that from now on he would only talk to him about official business and nothing else, unless he received another scroll.

"I heard from Censor Wen that your family of six is ​​crammed into two small rooms, and you have nothing of value except for writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Why don't you learn from Manager Qian and occasionally leak a piece of information? Your life would be much easier than it is now."

Seeing Shen Ce's serious question, Wan Jigang abandoned his joking thoughts, rubbed his sore wrists, straightened his official robes, stood up and said solemnly, "This humble official is a scholar."

"Scholars naturally have the integrity of scholars. Even if my family starves to death, I would never stoop to stealing money and grain."

Shen Ce rolled his eyes: "You tell me what happened yesterday when you made such a blatant accusation that the Six Ministries embezzled funds without any evidence."

Wan Jigang's eyes widened in surprise, revealing a look of disbelief, as if to say, "You've already used a scheme, and you won't even let me talk nonsense? I've lived a life of poverty, and I don't want to die on a broken wooden stick."

"Lord Shen, I have an elderly mother in her sixties and young children to support. My whole family depends on this meager salary. I cannot die."

So you're just talking nonsense?

"After all, it's better to die for a fellow Daoist than for me," he said, then put on an expression that said, "Come and investigate me if you dare."

Seeing that he was somewhat hunched over, Shen Ce couldn't bear it and said, "You've worked hard these past two days. Tomorrow is the fifth day of the month, so finish your business today, go home and rest for a day."

Wan Lushu's eyes were strange. Although the day off was supposed to be for officials like us to go home and bathe, who could bathe all day? With such a meager salary, where was there any room for rest?

Seeing the lively atmosphere, and having overcome his initial fear, he found a crescent-shaped stool, sat opposite Shen Ce, and said with a smile, "Sir, you don't seem to be from a peasant family?"

Shen Ce scratched his head: "I started going to war with the Crown Prince when I was fifteen years old and rarely came home."

Wan Jigang nodded: "That's it. My eldest son is about the same age as you, and he works as a scribe in Chang'an. If he dares to bathe for more than a quarter of an hour on his day off, I will go in with a stick to serve him."

"On days of rest, Cold Food Festival, Winter Solstice, Double Ninth Festival, etc., my brother and I would set up a writing stall outside the neighborhood gate to write petitions and family letters for our neighbors. If we were lucky, we could also get jobs copying books and earn quite a bit of copper coins."

"Does a ninth-rank official in the capital have to hold such a concurrent position?" He turned to ask Liu, the registrar, who was writing furiously, and received the same answer.

For a moment, Shen Ce also felt like he had become someone who didn't know what was good for them.

Seeing that Shen Ce was in a daze, Wan Lushi mustered up his courage and asked, "Lord Shen, may I pass on the books you gave me today to others? So that my family may have more means of making a living."

Shen Ce was puzzled: "Since it's given to you, you can do with it as you see fit."

Before Wan could answer, Liu, the registrar, approached him with a fawning smile and said, "Lord Shen, is Censor Wen free today? My home is not far from the capital. Could you ask him to make a trip there as well? I would also like a scroll."

Shen Ce: ? ? ?