Sun Yisheng originally planned to head straight to the Gongtian Prefectural Yan, as Gongtian Prefecture was responsible for governing the Western Capital area, and Chen Shi had demanded an apology from Gongtian Prefecture. But then he thought, "If this matter blows up, the one who will suffer is Young Master Chen! This is a capital offense! I must inform Minister Chen Tang first!"
He imdiately rushed toward the Ministry of Revenue yan. However, as he changed direction, the Inspector who had accompanied them to the Guangji Treasury ran toward Gongtian Prefecture.
Sun Yisheng's heart sank. He couldn't stop the man.
"This is the Western Capital after all. If we were in the wilderness, I could just deal with him on the spot..."
He was startled by his own thought. He had always been law-abiding, so why did such an idea suddenly pop into his head?
"I haven't even encountered any bad people on this journey, so how did I beco corrupted?"
He had no ti to dwell on it and charged toward the Ministry of Revenue yan.
anwhile, at Gongtian Prefecture, Prefect Xia Jiuge was discussing matters with Prefectural Assistant Gao Zhihuan, Administrator Yan Qian, Vice Magistrate Gu Dangli, and others. Suddenly, the Guangji Treasury Inspector rushed in, shouting, "Lord Prefect, sothing has happened at the Guangji Treasury!"
Xia Jiuge exchanged glances with the others and smiled, as if they had already known about this.
Vice Magistrate Gu Dangli laughed, "Lord Prefect's foresight is truly divine!"
Everyone chid in with praise, each stroking their beards.
The Guangji Treasury Inspector, seeing that no one was the least bit anxious, was stunned.
Prefect Xia Jiuge smiled and said, "Don't be anxious, speak slowly. If sothing happened at the Guangji Treasury, you should report it to the Ministry of Revenue. Why bring it to ?"
The Inspector bowed and recounted how Ma Zongzhou and the others had gone to the Guangji Treasury, were violently beaten by the newly appointed Guangji Treasury Grand Emissary, and were hung on the dragon-headed rockets.
Everyone burst into laughter. Gao Zhihuan chuckled, "My poor nephew Ma has suffered. Once this matter is settled, we must promote him properly."
Prefect Xia Jiuge ordered a Secretary to escort the Inspector out. The Secretary led the Inspector to a secluded spot outside the yan, secretly slipped him a few taels of silver, and said with a smile, "You did very well, sir."
The Inspector expressed his thanks and left.
Prefect Xia Jiuge smiled and said, "Our Gongtian Prefecture's newly appointed Registrar, Instructors, and Record Checkers—sixteen people in total—just assud their posts. Carrying my written order, they went to the Guangji Treasury to collect their official firearms, waist knives, and other weapons. Yet they were beaten by the new Guangji Treasury Grand Emissary, subjected to private punishnt, tied to rockets, and were to be sent skyward. Is that a serious cri?"
Everyone laughed and replied, "Serious! Of course it's serious!"
Prefect Xia Jiuge said, "But it's not serious enough. Administrator Yan, you go over there. Have him beat you up too and tie you to a rocket."
Yan Qian was the Administrator, a fifth-rank official. Hearing this, he imdiately understood the Prefect intended to put Chen Shi to death. He smiled and said, "Good! I'll go over there!"
Prefect Xia Jiuge asked, "Do you know what to do?"
Yan Qian smiled, "When your subordinate arrives, I won't say who I am, nor will I present Your Excellency's written order. I'll just order him to release the people. If he doesn't release them, I'll insult him. He's just a thirteen-year-old child, so naturally he won't be able to resist attacking ."
Prefect Xia Jiuge said seriously, "Don't fight back. I'm worried your cultivation is too high; you might kill him."
Yan Qian laughed, "I'll endure it." With that, he strode off valiantly.
Prefect Xia Jiuge waited quietly for a quarter of an hour before finally rising. He smiled, "We can go over now."
The officials of Gongtian Prefecture, big and small, all stood up and followed Xia Jiuge out of the yan. Xia Jiuge boarded his carriage, and the others also boarded carriages or mounted fine horses, heading toward the Guangji Treasury.
On the other side, Sun Yisheng had urgently notified Vice Minister Chen Tang of the Ministry of Revenue. When Chen Tang heard his report, his expression darkened, "Chen Shi has fallen into their trap! Their goal was precisely to make him injure people. He's still too young, not steady enough."
Sun Yisheng asked, "What do we do now?"
Chen Tang pondered for a mont and said, "Go to Chang'an Street, Three-Way Intersection Alley. Once in the alley, find the fourth building, the Listening Rain Pavilion. Go upstairs to the second room. Knock on the door, speak politely, bow outside the door, and say your son Little Ten is in danger and needs imdiate rescue. Rember, don't wait for the door to open. If you speak after it opens, trouble could arise. Also, leave imdiately after speaking. Do not et the person living inside."
Sun Yisheng was slightly taken aback, "Son?"
Chen Tang said, "Don't ask questions, just do it."
Sun Yisheng morized the instructions and asked, "My lord, what about you?"
Chen Tang continued flipping through the docunts of the Ministry of Revenue's eight treasuries and four granaries, replying calmly, "I'll wait a bit, then intercept the Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture on the road."
Sun Yisheng hurried away, heading straight for the outer city. Before long, he arrived at Chang'an Street, Three-Way Intersection Alley.
He found the location Chen Tang had described, went upstairs, reached the second room, knocked on the door, and repeated the words Chen Tang had taught him.
A voice ca from inside, "My son Little Ten? Haha, did Chen Tang teach you to say that?"
Sun Yisheng didn't dare speak and was about to go downstairs when the voice from the room behind him said lazily, "I'm not going."
Sun Yisheng was stunned, his heart turning icy cold. He exclaid involuntarily, "You're not going?"
"Not going."
The voice from the room was very firm. "My younger brother wants to use , but how could I be soone he can sche against? Not going."
Cold sweat broke out on Sun Yisheng's forehead. He hurried downstairs, thinking, "He's not going, he's not going... Who else can Minister Chen turn to?"
The ti it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Chen Tang put down his brush, closed the docunts, washed the inkstone, wiped his hands clean, and only then left the Ministry of Revenue.
A short while later, he coincidentally encountered Prefect Xia Jiuge's carriage procession.
"So it's Minister Chen Tang!"
Xia Jiuge's voice sounded quite surprised. He ordered the carriage to stop, opened the window, and said with a smile, "Minister Chen, where are you heading?"
Chen Tang replied, "There's been a slight mishap at the Guangji Treasury. I'm going to take a look."
Xia Jiuge smiled, "I've also heard sothing happened at the Guangji Treasury. Several of my Gongtian Prefecture officers were detained there. I'm heading over to see. Since we're going the sa way, why doesn't Minister Chen travel with ?"
Chen Tang said gladly, "I would be honored to accept your kind offer."
Xia Jiuge invited him into the carriage. The two sat facing each other inside.
Xia Jiuge broke the silence with a smile, "Minister Chen, at such a young age, you hold the position of Vice Minister in the Ministry of Revenue, a third-rank official. Even I, as Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture, am only third-rank. Minister Chen, not being from a great clan, achieving this is truly remarkable."
Chen Tang said, "It's not that I have any particular talent. It's just my duty, so I must be cautious and diligent, not daring to slack off. The court saw my dedication and diligence, hence appointing as Vice Minister."
Xia Jiuge smiled slightly and said, "Third-rank official—that's the end."
Chen Tang said, "I don't understand."
Xia Jiuge said leisurely, "No family background, no connections, and not aligning with any great clan—reaching third-rank is already the limit for anyone. To go higher requires the backing of one of the Thirteen Great Clans. Minister Chen, you've reached the pinnacle of officialdom. Your career as an official has reached its end."
Chen Tang kept his eyes lowered, looking at his nose, his nose at his heart, and said nothing.
Xia Jiuge looked out the window and said, "You must have already sent soone to rescue your son, right? You deliberately didn't go to the Guangji Treasury first, just to wait for here, delaying for that brief mont so the person you asked for help could prepare. But Minister Chen, have you considered that the target might not be your son?"
Chen Tang looked up and t his gaze. "I don't understand."
Xia Jiuge said calmly, "In your position as Vice Minister, you manage the eight treasuries and four granaries. This includes the financial allocation, provisions and supplies, gunpowder and firearms allocation, disaster relief, and military pay for the fifty provinces of the Western Ox New Continent. Countless people depend on your favor to live. But you are too uncooperative. You are like a nail, stuck in the Vice Minister position, unable to budge. A tree that is moved dies; a person who moves finds life. If you don't move, then you can only be moved."
He looked directly into Chen Tang's eyes and said, "You don't accept money, you don't accept beautiful won. If you don't accept, how can others accept? How can the Minister accept? Countless people are eyeing your position, eagerly waiting for you to step down."
He leaned back slightly and said, "Whether your son lives or dies today depends on whether you move from your position."
Chen Tang was silent for a mont, then said, "The court employs because I have principles. With in the Ministry of Revenue, the Great Ming's finances and grain supplies won't collapse. Therefore, the Cabinet, the Three Dukes, the Six Ministries, the Eastern Depot, the Five Barracks, the Divine chanism, and the Divine Pivot are all at ease. Removing is not their idea."
He looked directly into Xia Jiuge's eyes and said softly, "Then, whose idea is it?"
The two looked at each other for a mont. Xia Jiuge smiled and said, "After the Young Master becos the top scholar, he needs to control finances, grain supplies, provisions, and gunpowder and firearms."
Chen Tang said, "The Young Master wants to yield the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"
Xia Jiuge smiled slightly and said, "The Young Master admires you greatly, saying you are a capable minister for governing the world. He is upright and honorable; he won't move against you. But we believe you need to yield your position. Minister Chen, if you step down from the Vice Minister position, retire and return to your hotown, your son will also leave the Western Capital safely and return to Xinxiang with you."
He looked out the window, "I don't have much ti for you to consider. Until we reach the Guangji Treasury, before getting out of the carriage. If you don't move, you can collect the body."
Chen Tang's expression was like an ancient well, without a single ripple.
Finally, the Gongtian Prefecture carriage procession arrived outside the Guangji Treasury, and the carriages stopped.
Xia Jiuge looked at the motionless Chen Tang, raised an eyebrow, and said with a half-smile, "Minister Chen is indeed ruthless and rciless."
He stood up. Chen Tang rose and stepped in front of him, saying, "Let open the door for you, my lord."
Xia Jiuge's gaze t his. Xia Jiuge snorted and stepped out of the carriage.
Chen Tang got out behind him and closed the carriage door.
The officials of Gongtian Prefecture gathered behind the two. Bailiffs and prefectural soldiers from the yan also rushed over, murderous intent soaring, surrounding the Guangji Treasury gate.
Outside the Guangji Treasury gate, artillery platforms had been pushed out. Dragon-headed rockets, two zhang long, were mounted on the platforms. Ma Zongzhou, Zhou Qianying, and the others were riding on the rockets, tied up tightly. Many had been beaten unconscious, but a few who were still conscious were either cursing loudly or begging for rcy.
Administrator Yan Qian had also been beaten until his face was bruised and swollen. While sternly denouncing Grand Emissary Chen Shi's actions, he secretly gave a thumbs-up to Xia Jiuge and the others approaching.
Xia Jiuge glanced back at Chen Tang, then suddenly his expression turned cold. He said sternly, "Grand Emissary Chen Shi of the Guangji Treasury, you demanded that I co apologize to you. Do you know that you have violated the royal law, and your cri is unforgivable?"
Prefectural Assistant Gao Zhihuan stepped forward and shouted, "How dare you! You actually dared to lay hands on our Gongtian Prefecture's imperial officials! These imperial officials carried the Prefect's written order to collect their official weapons, yet you severely beat them and hung them on rockets! You are lawless!"
Administrator Yan Qian cried out, "My lords, save !"
The officials of Gongtian Prefecture stepped forward for a closer look, exclaiming in surprise, "It's Administrator Yan Qian!" "Why was Administrator Yan Qian also beaten?" "Your cri is imnse, daring to hang Administrator Yan Qian on a rocket!"
Gao Zhihuan was furious and said sharply, "Administrator Yan Qian is a fifth-rank official! He ca here on the Prefect's orders to question you! How dare you inflict such violence on him!"
The officials of Gongtian Prefecture, high and low, were all indignant, shouting to arrest Chen Shi and punish him.
Chen Shi looked around and shouted, "What are you dogs barking about? Shut up!"
As soon as these words were spoken, even Prefect Xia Jiuge was furious. He said sharply, "Bandit! Truly a bandit! n, arrest him for !"
Sun Yisheng hurriedly arrived, quickly walking to Chen Tang's side. He shook his head slightly and whispered, "My lord, the person in the room refused to co."
Chen Tang's heart sank. He looked at Xia Jiuge's back, his expression complex. After a mont's hesitation, he imdiately walked toward Xia Jiuge.
The bailiffs and prefectural soldiers of Gongtian Prefecture each ford battle formations, murderous aura soaring to the sky, and were about to surround them. Suddenly, a sharp voice loudly shouted, "Stop! Everyone stop!"
Prefect Xia Jiuge saw the newcor and his heart trembled slightly. He hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Elder Brother, why have you co?"
The speaker was none other than Minister of Rites Xia Canghai, also a Cabinet Academician, the face of the Xia Family in the court. He coldly swept a glance at Xia Jiuge, then quickly walked toward Chen Shi, laughing heartily, "Minister Chen, you just assud your post today. I didn't expect such an unpleasant incident to occur. This matter was originally a misunderstanding."
Xia Jiuge was stunned and hurried forward, saying, "Elder Brother, this person is lawless..."
Xia Canghai looked back at him, his gaze severe, his voice almost squeezing through his teeth, "You're betting on the Young Master—don't bet the entire Xia Family on it! Don't be Prefect anymore. Get out of here!"
Xia Jiuge's mind buzzed, his heart turning icy cold. He saw Xia Canghai, all smiles, not looking at him, but chatting amiably with Chen Shi.
At that mont, another Cabinet Minister walked over, laughing heartily, "Young Master Chen assud his post today. I rushed over in haste and didn't bring any congratulatory gifts. Coming empty-handed, please forgive !"
Gao Zhihuan was both shocked and delighted. He hurried forward and said, "Elder Brother, Chen Shi has committed a cri..."
Gao Quan walked toward Chen Shi with a beaming smile, but his glance toward Gao Zhihuan was extrely icy. Gao Zhihuan's heart skipped a beat, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Gao Quan laughed heartily, cupped his hands toward Chen Shi, and said, "Congratulations, congratulations!"
Another Cabinet Minister, Yan Shuhe, also walked over with a smile, congratulating Chen Shi on his new appointnt. He didn't even glance at Administrator Yan Qian tied to the rocket, only chatted cordially with Chen Shi.
Sun Yisheng stared dumbfounded at this scene. He walked to Chen Tang's side and whispered, "My lord, is Young Master Chen perhaps that Young Master?"
Chen Tang frowned, "He's my son. He's definitely not that Young Master."
Sun Yisheng murmured, "Then why would Young Master Chen make these Cabinet Ministers rush over as well, to distance the great clans from this?"
Chen Tang was also full of confusion. He said, "You've been to Xinxiang. Do you know sothing that I don't?"
Sun Yisheng shook his head, then suddenly rembered sothing. "Old Lady Wuzhu from Huangpo Village was very disrespectful to him."
Chen Tang said, "Old Lady Wuzhu is disrespectful to everyone."
At that mont, the three Cabinet Ministers finished their pleasantries, bid farewell to Chen Shi, and repeatedly said, "Young Master Chen, please stay, no need to see us off."
Chen Shi thus did not escort them.
Sun Yisheng whispered, "My lord, Young Master Chen's official position seems to be even higher than your Vice Minister position!"
Chen Tang snorted.
Xia Canghai walked toward Prefect Xia Jiuge, a smile on his face, and said softly, "Our Xia Family can support the Young Master, but we won't fully support him, and certainly not offend another Taboo because of it. Jiuge, you're not young anymore. Retire and return to your hotown."
Xia Jiuge lowered his head, tears in his eyes.
He was in the pri of his life, not old at all.
But for the Xia Family, he was already old, no longer suitable to continue sitting in the position of Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture.
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