HNYWEF -Chapter 151 Corruption Case

Zhenguan Year 4, Twelfth Lunar Month, 2nd Day

The weather was bitterly cold. In the Taiji Hall, charcoal braziers burned, filling the space with warmth, yet a chill still crept in through the cracks of the doors, making people instinctively pull their collars tighter.

Officials stood in order of rank, holding their hu boards before their chests, waiting for the command to begin court.

A eunuch called out sharply. Morning court had begun.

As usual, the agenda was routine.

The Ministry of Revenue reported that this year’s tax revenue was 20 percent higher than last year. The Ministry of Rites reported that year-end sacrificial preparations were complete. The Ministry of War reported no border conflicts—another peaceful year.

Li Shimin nodded at each report, approving what should be approved and rejecting what should not.

Then a voice rose from the officials’ ranks.

“Your Majesty, this minister, Supervising Censor Wang Ke, has an impeachment to present.”

Li Shimin’s gaze shifted toward him.

A new face stepped out from the ranks and knelt in the center of the hall.

Li Shimin nodded slightly.

“Speak.”

Wang Ke straightened his back. His voice was calm and clear, carrying across the hall.

“This minister impeaches Marquis of Jiuyuan County, Lord Zhou Xiong.”

The hall fell silent for a moment.

A few people glanced sideways, then looked away.

Li Shimin sat on the throne, expression unreadable.

Wang Ke continued:

“Since taking office in the Directorate of Works, Lord Zhou has neglected proper duties and frequently entered kitchen areas, personally engaging in cooking and preparing meals for artisans. This minister believes that noble rank represents state dignity. As a founding county marquis and the father of an imperial son-in-law, his conduct resembles that of a common cook, damaging the image of nobility and diminishing court decorum. This minister requests Your Majesty issue a reprimand so that he may conduct himself with greater propriety.”

He finished and remained kneeling, waiting.

The hall was so quiet one could hear their own heartbeat.

Li Shimin looked down at him—and suddenly smiled.

Very faintly.

Wang Ke froze and raised his head toward the throne.

But Li Shimin was not looking at him.

His gaze moved instead to another man in the ranks.

“Duan Lun.”

The Minister of Works stepped forward and stood in the center of the hall.

“I am here.”

Li Shimin asked, “The grain, wages, iron materials, and firewood of the Directorate of Works—who manages them?”

Duan Lun raised his head and looked at the emperor for a moment. Something unspoken passed in that glance.

Then he turned and looked toward another man in the ranks.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, all grain, wages, iron materials, and firewood of the Directorate of Works are managed by Chief Craftsman Dou Jin.”

Dou Jin’s face turned instantly pale.

He stepped out and knelt in the center of the hall.

“Your Majesty, this minister—”

Li Shimin did not look at him.

He was still looking at Duan Lun.

“Duan Lun, tell me everything you know.”

Duan Lun nodded.

He took a ledger from his sleeve, handed it to a eunuch, who presented it to the imperial desk.

Li Shimin opened it and glanced once.

Duan Lun began speaking.

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

“From August this year until now, the Directorate of Works was supposed to distribute 3,400 shi of grain to artisans. Only 2,100 shi were actually issued. 1,300 shi were withheld. The whereabouts of the withheld grain are unknown. This minister has verified that this was handled entirely by Chief Craftsman Dou Jin.”

Dou Jin’s face turned from pale to ashen.

He knelt trembling.

“Your Majesty, I am wronged! I was only following the rules—”

Duan Lun did not let him finish.

“There is also iron material.”

He took out another ledger.

“In September this year, the Directorate of Works withdrew 5,000 jin of refined iron from the storeroom. Less than 3,000 jin reached the artisans. The remaining 2,000 jin were replaced with inferior iron.”

He paused.

“Those inferior iron pieces can be tested by Deputy Chief Craftsman Zhou Xiong with a single strike—too soft. They deform after a few blows and are unusable.”

He handed the ledger to the eunuch.

“These are the storage records. These are the distribution records. Compared side by side, 2,000 jin of refined iron are missing.”

Dou Jin opened his mouth—but no words came out.

Duan Lun continued:

“And firewood.”

His voice grew louder.

“The Directorate requires dry firewood for daily use. What Dou Jin supplied was all wet wood. Wet wood produces excessive smoke when burned, making temperature control impossible. The artisans could not work at all.”

He looked directly at Dou Jin.

“According to Zhou Deputy Chief Craftsman, the firewood was cut outside the city and delivered immediately after being felled—never dried at all.”

He paused again.

“Wet wood was billed as dry wood. So where did the price difference go?”

Sweat rolled down Dou Jin’s forehead in large drops.

The hall was so quiet one could hear a heartbeat.

Li Shimin closed the ledger.

He looked at Dou Jin.

“Dou Jin, do you have anything to say?”

Dou Jin knelt there, trembling, lips shaking—but no sound came out.

Li Shimin waved his hand.

“Take him away. Send him to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Two imperial guards stepped forward, dragged Dou Jin up, and took him away.

His cries echoed through the hall for a few breaths, then vanished beyond the doors.

Silence returned.

Wang Ke was still kneeling. His expression had changed repeatedly, uncertainty and fear mixing together.

Li Shimin looked at him.

“Censor Wang.”

Wang Ke trembled.

“I… I am here.”

Li Shimin asked, “You just impeached Lord Zhou for entering kitchens and damaging noble dignity, correct?”

Wang Ke opened his mouth.

“I… I only reported the facts…”

Li Shimin nodded.

“Reported the facts? Good.”

He stood up.

And walked down from the throne.

Step by step, he approached Wang Ke.

Wang Ke lowered his head, not daring to look up.

Li Shimin stopped in front of him and looked down.

“Zhou Deputy Chief Craftsman went into the kitchen to prepare meals for artisans. Why did he do it? Because he discovered that the thin porridge and coarse buns they were eating were the result of stolen grain! Because he discovered the iron had been replaced with inferior materials, and the firewood was wet—so the workers could not even do their jobs!”

His voice grew sharper.

“In your eyes, that damages noble dignity?”

Wang Ke’s forehead broke into sweat.

Li Shimin stepped forward again.

“Then tell me—what is true noble dignity?”

Wang Ke knelt frozen, unable to respond.

Li Shimin turned and walked back to the throne.

Wang Ke never spoke.

“Dismiss the court.”

The eunuch called the order.

The officials bowed and filed out.

Wang Ke remained kneeling in the center of the hall, unable to rise.

People passed him, glancing briefly, but saying nothing.

Footsteps gradually faded.

The hall emptied.

Li Shimin sat on the throne, looking at the man still kneeling.

He watched for a while.

Then he stood up and walked toward the rear hall.

His figure disappeared behind the curtain.