Chapter 35 (1/2)

The Meeting in the Study

‘The mastermind behind the missing tax money is Assistant Minister Zhou.’ Xu Pingzhi slammed his hand down and broke the tea saucer. His eyes were filled with anger as he stood up and his mouth opened to let loose a string of curse words but something got stuck in his throat.

Xu Xinnian’s handsome face was stern as he looked at his impotent father. “Is the news reliable?”

Xu Qian nodded. “The news came from one of the main investigators, Chu Caiwei of the Imperial Astronomer.”

He repeated what Chu Caiwei told him.

Xu Xinnian lifted his teacup, then placed it down without drinking. “If that’s true, then today’s incident was premeditated. Zhou Li was out for revenge.”

‘A good brain. Truly a man who passed the imperial examinations.’

Xu Qian was pleased to know that this discussion would not be fruitless.

If it was only Xu Pingzhi, Xu Qian would not bother calling a meeting.

His uncle’s solution would be simple. ‘If we’re brothers, come with me and we’ll get revenge.’

As a martial artist, physical violence was Xu Pingzhi’s proficiency. Plotting and strategy were not part of a martial artist’s skill set.

Xu Qian threw out a probing question. “What do you think we should do?”

Xu Xinnian studied his cousin. With a frown, he answered in an exasperated tone, “Strike first and gain the upper hand. The slower party will suffer.”

Xu Qian was impressed by Xu Xinnian’s bloodthirsty and decisive strategy.

At that, the man of the house decided he could no longer stay silent. He chided his son, “Keep your preposterous thoughts to yourself. Just because you’re a graduate of the imperial provincial examination, you think you can oppose the Assistant Minister of Revenue? Even if you’re the top-scoring

jinshi

, the man is beyond us.”

Just as Xu Pingzhi finished his lecture, his nephew announced his stance. “I think Brother is right. The person we offended is not Zhou Li but Zhou Xianping. Although Zhou Li won’t trouble us again, what’s to keep the assistant minister from harassing us?

“Not only did we ruin his masterplan, we even injured his heir. There’s no way he’ll let the case rest. Plus, the Xu family is nothing in his eyes. Why would he let us go scot-free?”

Xu Pingzhi was not convinced. “No, we will not be able to take on Assistant Minister Zhou. Ningyan, you have the Imperial Astronomers on your side. Xu Xinnian is a student of the White Deer Academy. With these two connections, we just have to lay low and stick to our place in society. They shouldn’t bother us then.”

Was that really possible?

Xu Qian reminded his uncle, “Perhaps you didn’t know but the Imperial Astronomers do not interfere with matters of the courts.”

Xu Xinnian followed up with his own opinion. “During the missing tax silvers case, I was also a student of the White Deer Academy. Brother was released today because Zhou Li lacked the intelligence and skills to set up a proper trap. If Assistant Minister Zhou decided to drop another death penalty case on our heads, do you think the Imperial Astronomers and the White Deer Academy will go against the law and save us?”

Xu Pingzhi’s position as the leader of the family was threatened. With his eyebrows knitted together, he said, “But what can we do? He’s the Assistant Minister of Revenue, a third-ranked official…”

‘I don’t know. I’m just a normal guy who crossed over to this world.’ Xu Qian turned to his handsome brother. “Any suggestions?”

Xu Xinnian was silent. Some time passed and when Xu Pingzhi looked like he was ready to explode, Xu Xinnian said, “Something doesn’t add up. When the tax silvers went missing, the Emperor was understandably furious. It made sense for the punishment to be severe.”

“Didn’t the two suspects commit suicide?” Xu Pingzhi asked.

Xu Xinnian ignored his father and continued speaking, “I can think of two possibilities. Either Assistant Minister Zhou has someone of power backing him or the Emperor is aware of some subtle balance to maintain the peace.

“You said the Revenue Advisor wrote to impeach Assistant Minister Zhou but what about the other assistant minister? Or the minister?”

Xu Qian wondered for a moment. “Assistant Minister Zhou’s enemies are moving against him?”

Xu Xinnian took control of the conversation. “My mentor once said, the Emperor’s ultimate goal is always balance. If the Emperor did not punish Assistant Minister Zhou, there must be some political undercurrent within the courts.”

“Then, what do we do?” Xu Pingzhi asked.

Xu Qian rubbed his chin and said, “The Emperor might be able to act discretely during normal times but inspections are coming. If we can find evidence of wrongdoing, there is a high chance he can be eliminated. The inspections are part of traditions so the Emperor can’t dismiss the verdict as he pleases. The

dragon-slaying technique

the Confucians can employ has its core in customs. Every enemy of Assistant Minister Zhou’s will be on the prowl.”

Xu Xinnian was surprised to hear the words—dragon-slaying technique—come from his uncultured cousin’s mouth. ‘Is this still the same man I know?’