IDWBE -Chapter 398 Roasted Over the Fire

How did he end up with such a nickname?

Was the Shan family uneducated?

How could that be!

On Dongyang Island, the Shan family had produced four jinshi in one generation and nine juren from a single alley. Their reputation was known throughout the realm!

If anyone claimed the Shan family lacked culture, people would only laugh at his ignorance.

And yet—someone didn’t even know who the Shan family was.

He wasn’t like Prince He, whose face was thick enough to treat ignorance not as shame, but as pride.

He had seen people play pitiful.

But never someone like Prince He, who practically sold stupidity as a virtue.

“Why not ask Prince He?”

Sun Cheng suggested. “If Prince He speaks, would Pang Geng dare refuse?”

Jiao Zhong snapped, “What are you thinking? His Highness handles countless affairs daily. How can we trouble him with such a trivial matter? Even if the Chief Steward isn’t here, Miss Mingyue and Miss Zixia would scold you to death. Let it go. Don’t disturb the Prince’s peace.”

“That’s true…”

Sun Cheng scratched his head awkwardly, then grinned. “Yu Xiaoshi, your martial arts are better than Pang Geng’s. Why not beat him up? Beat him until even his parents can’t recognize him—let’s see if he still refuses.”

Yu Xiaoshi rolled his eyes and stood up to leave without a word.

“Wait for me!”

A-Dai shouted unclearly through a mouthful of food, scrambling to follow when Yu Xiaoshi didn’t stop.

Watching the two fools disappear into the distance, Jiao Zhong laughed.

“What kind of rotten idea was that? Beating your father-in-law? Maybe A-Dai would dare. But Yu Xiaoshi isn’t that stupid. He knows the consequences of angering his wife.”

Sun Cheng sighed.

“It’s precisely because he’s not stupid that he won’t accept his own son taking someone else’s surname. He’s the only surviving branch of the Yu family line.”

“That’s true,” Jiao Zhong nodded. “But if he really does beat him and it causes trouble, you won’t escape the charge of instigation. You’d better think about how to save yourself.”

One was a military officer, the other a guard of Prince He’s Manor. If they fought, the whole of Ankang City would be in uproar.

Prince He aside—even Lord He Jixiang would never let them off!

Disturbing the peace and unity of Ankang City—how could that be tolerated?

“Damn it, am I already in trouble?”

Sun Cheng looked incredulous.

Jiao Zhong was right. If the matter were pursued, he couldn’t escape the charge of instigation—and it might even be worse.

After all, everyone knew Yu Xiaoshi was a fool.

But Sun Cheng? He was considered “clever.”

A clever man instigating a fool—what sinister intent!

What was he plotting? Rebellion?

Unless his own brother were Prince He, no one could save him.

Lord He Jixiang never tolerated sand in his eyes.

The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, legs trembling.

“Hey, are you scaring yourself?”

Jiao Zhong grabbed him before he collapsed. “Now you understand the seriousness? Then what are you waiting for? Go stop them!”

Sun Cheng ran a few steps, then abruptly halted.

“I’m on duty today. If I leave my post—”

Abandoning one’s post was no lighter a crime than instigation.

Jiao Zhong waved him off. “Go. I’ll find someone to cover your shift.”

Within his authority, he was happy to do a good deed.

“Thank you, Commander!”

Sun Cheng dashed off.

Spring plowing had begun in Ankang City.

Countless shimmering threads of rain hung from the sky, shrouding everything in mist.

At the South Gate, pedestrians continued to pass—vendors, merchants, travelers. Occasionally, constables escorted prisoners through.

Whether guard or prisoner, all were soaked to the skin.

“Move!”

A constable wiped rain from his face and shoved an old man shackled in heavy cangue and fetters. The old man stumbled, falling face-first onto the stone pavement. His forehead split open, and the puddle before him turned crimson.

“Damn it, get up!”

The constable kicked him viciously. “What rotten luck, escorting you old bastards!”

The old man groaned, struggled several times, and finally stood, face smeared with blood and filth, staggering forward again.

“Lord Lü? Why has he been arrested?”

Jiang Yi frowned deeply.

Han Long, beside him, asked curiously, “Sir, you know him?”

Jiang Yi watched the white-haired figure enter the gate tunnel.

“He is Lü Daying, Prefect of Yunxiao City in Nanzhou. Known for integrity. A rare honest official. Strange… very strange.”

Han Long said, “Since the New Year, the court has been rectifying officialdom. Corrupt officials are escorted to Ankang City. After triple review, they’re all executed in autumn.”

Jiang Yi snorted.

“As for corruption—I believe it. A hundred percent. Who doesn’t love money? But this old lord? Impossible.”

He paused.

“Find out what crime he’s accused of. Report back to me.”

Before Han Long could leave, Fang Pi appeared behind them with Shan Sanguan and Zhou Jingye.

“No need to investigate,” Fang Pi said. “Ask me directly.”

Jiang Yi bowed. “Brother Fang, I am from Yunxiao City myself. I know Lord Lü’s reputation. How did he fall to this?”

Fang Pi sighed.

“He is indeed a good official. When he was taken away, tens of thousands saw him off. If he hadn’t stopped them, the people might have rebelled to rescue him. Last year, Yunxiao City suffered an earthquake. Houses collapsed, over ten thousand casualties. There was no time to report to higher authorities. Acting on goodwill, he opened the granaries to relieve disaster victims. Someone seized on that as grounds for impeachment. Now with the new accounting system in place, the numbers are a mess. It’s even harder to explain.”

Jiang Yi asked quietly, “Does Prince He know?”

Fang Pi snorted.

“You think we’re useless? Some people resent Prince He’s rectification of officialdom. They can’t openly oppose him, so they muddy the waters instead. The Prince calls it ‘low-level red, high-level black’—pretending to support you while pushing things to extremes.”

Jiang Yi sighed. “Hundreds of prisoners have been sent here. If this chaos continues, it will damage the Prince’s reputation.”

Fang Pi shot him a sideways glance.

“You think the Prince doesn’t know? Just mind your gate.”

And he left.

That night, rain still fell.

A carriage stopped before the Dali Temple.

Chen Jingzhi and Cao Xiaohuan were about to kneel when Jiao Zhong stopped them.

“The Prince’s movements must remain secret. Do not make a scene.”

They lowered their heads. “Yes.”

Lin Yi stepped down from the carriage, supported by Ye Qiu, and headed straight for the prison.

As they walked, Lin Yi said lightly, “Chen Jingzhi, I’ve long wanted to kill you. Unfortunately, you’re too clever. You didn’t participate in this affair. I’m very pleased.”

Chen Jingzhi nearly lost his soul—until he heard the last sentence.

“I would serve Your Highness unto death!”

Lin Yi yawned and sat down.

“I hate those who pretend obedience while acting otherwise. If I find one, I will make him regret it.”

Soon, more than a dozen shackled prisoners were brought in.

“Bow before the Prince!” Cao Xiaohuan shouted.

They stared blankly.

Prince? Which Prince?

One white-haired old man trembled and knelt.

“Your servant Lin Po greets Your Highness.”

The rest hurriedly followed.

Lin Yi recognized one face.

“Ah, Prince of Weiyuan—my imperial nephew. Please rise.”

The Prince of Weiyuan burst into tears. “Your Highness, I am wronged!”

“Of course you are,” Lin Yi smiled. “That’s why I came. In a few days, you will be released. I will not wrong a good man.”

But inwardly, his hatred for Qi Yong deepened.

Arresting a prince to echo the slogan “A prince who breaks the law is punished like a commoner”?

If they had guts, why not arrest Prince Yong or Prince Chu?

Bastards—using his name to arrest minor figures and honest officials, stirring public resentment!

He turned to Lü Daying.

“Lord Lü, I’ve long heard of your reputation. Truly a pillar of the state.”

Lü Daying knelt again.

Lin Yi waved impatiently.

“Enough. Stay here for now. I will deal with those who framed you.”

Outside, Chen Desheng waited.

In the carriage, Lin Yi skimmed a memorial.

“They’re requesting tax exemptions for Nanzhou, Qizhou, and Jizhou too? Ruthless.”

He always shouted slogans about serving the people. Now Qi Yong and his faction proposed tax relief—appearing righteous.

But Hongzhou and Yuezhou had suffered war; there was little tax to collect anyway.

Qizhou, Jizhou, and Nanzhou were revenue pillars.

If he exempted them, how would he fund the army?

Without soldiers, how could he secure peace?

This was the difference between “small benevolence” and “great benevolence.”

Small benevolence: immediate relief.

Great benevolence: long-term stability through military strength.

If he refused, he’d be cursed.

If he agreed, he’d cripple himself.

“Damn it,” he muttered. “They’re roasting me over the fire.”

Chen Desheng suggested, “Leave the memorial unanswered.”

“No,” Lin Yi sneered. “To bury one piece of news, create another. How about accusing Qi Yong of monopolizing power and framing the loyal?”

An old trick.

“Your Highness is wise.”

“Arrest them now,” Lin Yi ordered. “Tell them: rain or shine, I’ll be waiting. Not one escapes. Let them see what overwhelming force means.”

He had shown them courtesy once.

They showed none in return.

He had been benevolent enough.

That night was far from peaceful.

In the endless rain, dogs barked without pause.