Those two words “too many” fell lightly on everyone’s heads, yet forcefully cut off Bai Yuyang’s following words.
Emperor Zhenning looked toward Deng Ying, who had been escorted down from the golden platform, and leaned forward to ask: “How many unresolved cases remain in the Eastern Depot prison?”
Deng Ying knelt and answered: “In reply to Your Majesty, thirteen cases remain unresolved, of which four were transferred from the Northern Command. These can be returned to the Northern Command during your subject’s trial.”
Emperor Zhenning asked: “What about the remaining nine cases?”
The officer released Deng Ying’s arm, allowing him to prostrate himself and beg forgiveness. “Your subject has failed Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhenning looked toward Bai Yuyang. “If even Hangzhou’s Transport Commissioner must be escorted to the capital, won’t that leave Hangzhou’s revenue offices empty? How will the new tax administration be carried out?”
As he spoke, he swept his gaze over the standing Ministry of Revenue officials and Bai Yuyang, who had stepped forward from the ranks.
Bai Yuyang hurriedly replied: “Your subject’s considerations were insufficient, but the crime of privately seizing school fields cannot be pardoned. Please allow us to investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhenning stood up, his voice rising to override Bai Yuyang’s. “When did I say you couldn’t investigate?”
“Yes, Your Majesty is wise.”
Emperor Zhenning gave a short laugh. “I’ll give you a solution.”
He walked to the edge of the golden platform, looking down at his officials.
“After the Hu and Lan cases, many official positions in various departments were left vacant. Emperor Taizu ordered that convicted officials ‘handle affairs while bearing death sentences or exile.'”
At these words, the officials exchanged glances, but bound by court etiquette, dared not discuss.
The Hu and Lan cases referred to the cases of Hu Weiyong and Lan Yu during Emperor Taizu’s reign. These two cases had resulted in the execution of tens of thousands, with nearly half the officials in various departments lost. With administrative duties suspended, the departments temporarily couldn’t function normally. Thus, Emperor Taizu ordered that convicted officials ‘handle affairs while bearing death sentences or exile.’ Many officials who had already been sentenced to death and imprisoned were brought out again, working in government offices while wearing shackles and cangues. After their work was completed, those meant to return to prison were sent back, and those meant to die were without exception dragged to the execution ground.
Bai Yuyang and others were caught off guard by Emperor Zhenning citing this precedent at this moment.
“My meaning is that the Ministry of Justice will investigate the school fields case. You may interrogate Deng Ying, but before his crimes are determined, Eastern Depot matters will still be jointly handled by Deng Ying. The same applies to Hangzhou’s revenue officials—before their crimes are determined, all will handle affairs while awaiting punishment. Do any of you object?”
No one below the golden platform dared respond.
Emperor Zhenning continued: “Since there are no objections, proceed to hear the Ministry of Revenue’s departmental discussion. Return the memorial just presented by the Ministry of War, and have the Court of State Ceremonial read it.”
This regular court session dragged on, lasting until noon before the call to “disperse” was given.
The officer handed Deng Ying over to the Ministry of Justice runners. As they exited through the right side gate of the Five Phoenix Tower, Yang Lun followed and called out to Deng Ying.
Deng Ying turned around, and both men fell silent upon seeing each other.
The Ministry of Justice runner said: “Minister Yang, we still have duties to perform, you…”
“I need to speak with him briefly.”
The runners acknowledged and stepped back ten paces.
Deng Ying turned to face Yang Lun and asked: “Do you understand His Majesty’s meaning?”
Yang Lun nodded. “I understand. His Majesty still won’t move against the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
Deng Ying said: “If you don’t implicate that batch of Hangzhou officials, I can admit to the school field crime and conclude this matter with me. But now it seems impossible not to implicate Hangzhou. Those people all went through the Directorate of Ceremonial’s channels. You need to warn the Ministry of Justice—when investigating these people, they can’t investigate too thoroughly.”
Yang Lun clenched his fist and sighed. “They won’t listen to me. Moreover, if they did listen to me, the Cabinet’s credibility among the Six Ministries would instantly be destroyed. Deng Ying, I hope you understand—Teacher may not have wanted to personally write the memorial impeaching you, but as Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he cannot watch idly as the Cabinet is publicly denounced by the Donglin faction.”
Deng Ying lowered his eyes and after a long while, nodded.
“I understand, but you must guard against the Directorate of Ceremonial turning against you.”
Yang Lun exclaimed: “What can they do? Teacher and I are proper court officials!”
“You are, but what about those under you? Your clan members?”
His voice deepened. “Wasn’t I once a proper official in the Ministry of Works? And what happened? I ended up neither human nor ghost.”
Yang Lun stared at Deng Ying’s face, momentarily speechless.
Deng Ying sighed. “Yang Zixi, please plead with Bai Yuyang not to keep me confined in the Ministry of Justice prison for too long. While I’m outside, I can still maintain some balance with the imperial prison. If the Directorate of Ceremonial counter-impeaches the officials who impeached me, your Cabinet won’t be completely passive.”
Yang Lun asked: “Would the Directorate of Ceremonial dare impeach Teacher?”
“Though Minister Bai is ill, he wrote this memorial, which means…”
“I should have written it!”
Yang Lun interrupted Deng Ying. “I should have realized—my not writing it forced Teacher to write.”
Deng Ying said softly: “It’s all the same.”
“How can it be the same? I’m still young, but Teacher is already seventy, and now gravely ill. How much more can he endure?”
“Yang Zixi, calm down. I’ve run the Eastern Depot for so long—I can’t control the Three Judicial Offices, you’ll have to find your way, but for cases that fall to the imperial prison, I’m not entirely without options.”
Yang Lun raised his head, staring into Deng Ying’s eyes. “The Eastern Depot is His Majesty’s tool to intimidate us. If you use it to save us, what will happen to you?”
Deng Ying smiled slightly. “That’s my concern.”
Yang Lun exclaimed: “Do you think doing this will force the Teacher to acknowledge you?”
“Then what would you have me do?”
Deng Ying lifted his head into the wind. “Whether Teacher acknowledges me or not, I gave up that obsession long ago. But I’m not completely without feeling. You know what’s in my heart—why say such things to me?”
“I…”
Yang Lun felt some regret and looked down at Deng Ying’s wrists, changing the subject.