All Civil and Military Officials in a Panic - Chapter 3

Chapter 3
That night, my father knocked on my door.

“Guilan, the Zhao Family sent someone.”

“What for?”

“To ask me to persuade you to stop. They’ve made an offer. As long as you stop investigating Zhao Yan, they’ll guarantee you a promotion to the fifth rank within three years.”

I asked him, “Then can I get half of the money Zhao Yan embezzled?”

My father froze.

I said, “No? Then forget it.”

My father: “…”

“Father, don’t get worked up. I was only joking.”

“You, you, you!”

“That little bit of money Zhao Yan has? I don’t even care for it.”

He took a deep breath.

Then another deep breath.

I began investigating Zhao Yan.

After a month, I found nothing.

The ledgers were spotless, cleaner than brand-new clothes.

I went to see my father.

“Think of his father. Think of his sister. Investigating him means investigating people close to His Majesty.”

“But he took bribes.”

“There is no evidence.”

“He’s hidden it well.”

“Anyone who can hide things that well has someone backing them.”

“Guilan, some things have to be treated as unknown even when you know them. That is how the court works.”

My father sighed again.

I said, “Then that rule is a bad one.”

After he left, I sat for a while, then continued practicing martial arts.

Father, don’t worry.

If I truly wanted to investigate, Zhao Yan’s ledgers would already be in my hands.

I just wanted to see what other tricks he could pull.

At court the next morning, someone submitted a memorial impeaching me.

It said I was “young and impetuous, rash in handling cases, and a disgrace to scholarly decorum.”

The person impeaching me was one of Zhao Yan’s people.

After His Majesty finished listening, he asked me, “Minister Wang, what do you say?”

I stepped forward and said, “This subject is investigating a case. I have not been rash.”

“Investigating whom?”

“Zhao Yan, Vice Minister of Revenue.”

The entire court fell dead silent.

After a long while, His Majesty said only one word: “Investigate.”

After court was dismissed, a eunuch quietly hurried after me. “Lord Wang, His Majesty summons you.”

The eunuch led the way, taking me through turn after turn until we arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

“Lord Wang, please go in on your own.”

The eunuch bowed. “His Majesty said you may enter directly.”

The Imperial Study was twice as large as my father’s study and piled high with memorials.

His Majesty sat behind the desk, reviewing memorials, without sparing me so much as a glance.

“This subject, Wang Guilan, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

He ignored me, so I kept waiting.

After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he finally deigned to speak.

“Wang Guilan, do you know how many people in court today wanted you dead?”

“I do.”

“Where is your evidence?”

“I am still looking for it.”

“Heh…”

His laugh left me a little confused.

Was his mouth twitching or something? Why was he always laughing?

He leaned back in his chair. “Did your father never teach you that some things have to be treated as unknown even when you know them?”

“He did.”

“Then why are you still investigating?”

I said, “This subject’s conscience says corrupt officials must be investigated.”

He stood and walked up to me.

Then he praised me. “The Grand Tutor truly raised a fine daughter.”

I was rather pleased. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

He gritted his teeth. “Wang Guilan, who taught you to keep climbing down when there are no steps?”

I blinked innocently.

He returned to his seat behind the desk and began reviewing memorials again. “Keep investigating Zhao Yan. If you can’t find anything, don’t be afraid. I will make sure you are safe.”

I continued, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Go.”

I had just reached the door when he called me back.

“Next time someone shoots a hidden arrow at you, don’t throw yourself onto it.”