“Who will read the memorial today?”
Bai Yuyang said: “None of us will read it today. We’ll let the officials from the Court of State Ceremonial read it on our behalf. This is also the Cabinet Elder’s intention.”
Yang Lun nodded and walked toward the duty room door, then turned back after a few steps: “After impeaching Deng Ying, will you petition for the Three Judicial Offices?”
“Naturally.”
Bai Yuyang coughed once. “This person cannot be left to internal palace investigation. Even if we can’t activate the Three Judicial Offices, we must at least get him to the Ministry of Justice.”
Yang Lun was about to ask more when a palace servant knocked on the Duan Gate outside: “Gentlemen, the Five Phoenix Tower is about to ring its bell.”
“Understood.”
Bai Yuyang responded and stood up, saying to Yang Lun: “Let’s enter the court.”
A whip cracked against the ground, and after the explosive sound, the officials entered the court.
At the red steps before Fengtian Gate, the cold wind made the court robes flutter loudly, almost drowning out the ceremonial music from the Bell and Drum Department.
Imperial Guard troops held up five parasols and four round fans, ascending the red steps from east and west. Soon after, Emperor Zhenning’s procession arrived. The whip cracked again below the steps, and the Court of State Ceremonial called for officials to enter their ranks. The civil and military officials advanced in parallel lines, majestically stepping onto the imperial road.
Deng Ying saw Yang Lun in the civil officials’ main ranks. When they encountered censors responsible for monitoring conduct, neither dared exchange more than a glance, their eyes meeting briefly before looking away.
After the ceremony of one bow and three kowtows, an official from the Court of State Ceremonial stepped forward to report the names of officials arriving to give thanks or departing to request leave.
The wind was strong that day, and the Emperor had no interest in receiving these people, only ordering them to kowtow outside Wu Gate. After the Court of State Ceremonial official withdrew his report and He Yixian waited for the Emperor to inquire about border matters, the Minister of War intended to report personally about the shortage of military funds in the Northwest. However, seeing that the Court of State Ceremonial official had already raised the Cabinet’s memorial, he did not make his oral report, only handing over his memorial to the attending official before retiring to the ranks.
Seeing the Ministry of War withdraw, the Court of State Ceremonial official called out “Clear the way!”
He announced: “Your Majesty, the Cabinet has a memorial. This subject will read it on their behalf.”
Emperor Zhenning nodded.
He Yixian immediately called out loudly: “Read!”
The court official lifted his robe and knelt, unfolding the memorial.
A speck of swallow wing ash fell at Deng Ying’s feet.
He lowered his eyes to look at that speck of ash.
The official’s proper voice entered his ears, each word clear and resonant, like stones falling from above, each one hitting Deng Ying with solid impact.
“Upon investigation, the Chu Mountain and Lake Dan academies together possess over 1,700 mu of school fields, all granted by Emperor Taizu in the fourth year of Hechong. Now these have been privately seized by Palace Eunuch Deng Ying of the Directorate of Ceremonial. In two years, he has appropriated 30,000 jin of grain, and countless livestock, poultry, and fish. This has caused frequent student grievances at Hangzhou’s private schools, and the Chu Mountain and Lake Dan academies can no longer continue. This action disrupts local educational administration at present and greatly defies the former Emperor’s benevolent way under heaven…”
The entire memorial wasn’t long; even with the Court of State Ceremonial official’s measured delivery, it took less than half a cup of tea to read.
After the reading, the court official returned to the ranks. No one spoke below the red steps, not even a cough could be heard.
Emperor Zhenning said: “Bring the memorial up.”
Deng Ying presented the memorial on the golden platform, the eyes of all civil and military officials following his ascending figure.
Emperor Zhenning raised his hand, took the memorial, and spoke sideways to the Han general between the door pillars: “Take him away.”
The armed officer responded immediately, escorting Deng Ying down from the golden platform.
The Emperor examined the memorial on his throne, then suddenly called out to Yang Lun.
“Minister Yang.”
Yang Lun stepped out of the ranks and knelt, kowtowing as he responded: “Your subject is here.”
Emperor Zhenning raised the memorial toward him. “Why didn’t you sign with your fellow officials from the Ministry of Revenue?”
Yang Lun prostrated himself and said: “Your subject once blocked the investigation of southern school fields under the pretext of ‘approaching autumn examinations.’ Now that this matter has come to light, your subject cannot avoid suspicion and thus was not worthy to sign with the Cabinet. Before this case is cleared, please allow your subject to await punishment outside court.”
Emperor Zhenning gave a short laugh. “So you’re resigning from court.”
Yang Lun kowtowed and said: “Your subject wouldn’t dare.”
Emperor Zhenning said: “These words are false. Elder Bai is too ill to handle Hangzhou matters, and you choose this time to await punishment outside court? This is neglecting your duties and deeply betraying my favor.”
“Yes, your subject acknowledges his crime. Your subject spoke wrongly, please punish me, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhenning then called Bai Yuyang out of the ranks.
“Minister Bai, I see your name is also on this joint memorial. Has the Ministry of Justice discussed its proceedings? Who will be questioned?”
Bai Yuyang said: “In reply to Your Majesty, Fu Bainian in the Ministry of Justice prison needs to be re-examined. Additionally, the Hangzhou Prefecture Magistrate and Transport Commission clerks all need to be sent to the Ministry of Justice.”
Emperor Zhenning was silent for a while, then tapped his throne and said: “Too many.”