With frustration in his heart, Yang Lun walked swiftly, quickly passing through the Palace Gate to the Ministry of Revenue.
That day, the Ministry was distributing salaries. With the main hall under renovation, the ministry officials had set up a temporary shelter in front for officials waiting for their pay. While wealthy households in the capital rarely depended on official salaries for living expenses, lower-ranking officials from places like the Hanlin Academy and Censorate relied on these wages to support their families. During each salary distribution, these young, energetic officials arrived earliest. Now, before the inner hall officials had even taken their seats, young officials already filled the shelter.
The sun was strong, and the shelter was thick with the unpleasant smell of bodies, faces reddening in the heat. As tempers rose, some began to complain, with others gradually joining in the criticism. A registry official stood before the shelter, sweating profusely as he explained: “My lords, you’ve come too early. Moving such amounts of money and grain takes at least an hour or two…”
As he spoke, he caught sight of Yang Lun entering and hurriedly lifted his robes to bow.
The officials in the shelter came out to pay their respects.
Yang Lun glanced at the sun and cupped his hands: “You’re all suffering.”
A bachelor from the Hanlin Academy said: “Suffering is minor – we’d thank heaven and earth just to clear our salary debts.”
“Indeed. You said you’d clear our debts at the start of the year, but we haven’t even received thirty percent. My elderly mother lies gravely ill, needing money for a doctor. If we can’t get our wages, I’ll have no face to live, nor courage to die.”
After he finished, the earlier bachelor added: “Minister Yang, don’t say we’re being unreasonable.”
He pointed outside, “Several commanders from the Eastern Depot are buying land and mansions in the provinces. Now there’s a case of murdered women and children in the suburbs, yet no officials arrest them – we still see them living happily in the capital day after day.”
Someone nearby agreed: “Yes, they say the cabinet is sparing no effort to clear out the eunuch faction’s evil legacy, but only He Yixian died. With his death, reviewing old cases becomes difficult – we understand this. But can’t they even handle new cases involving human lives?”
Yang Lun stood silently in the sun.
He was prone to sweating, and now his back was sticky, his palms damp.
The registry official tried to help his minister save face, stepping forward: “Minister Yang, there’s still a department meeting today.”
Yang Lun waved his hand, “It’s canceled. Urge the inner hall to distribute salaries as quickly as possible.”
He then turned and left the Ministry of Revenue, abandoning his sedan chair for a horse, and rode toward the Prefecture office.
Many citizens had gathered outside the Prefecture’s main hall to hear the trial.
The Prefect hadn’t yet taken his seat. Only the victim’s mother knelt in the court, wearing plain clothes, her hair white, so thin that only loose skin hung on her bones.
“Ah… how tragic.”
“Yes, the case can’t be overturned, and people have died.”
“These Eastern Depot people aren’t human!”
“Shh… keep your voice down.”
“What’s there to fear? Now their Chief is dead, and the cabinet ministers are determined to purge them. Even with their power, they’re like a bow with spent force!”
Standing in the crowd, Yang Lun heard these discussions and remembered the ministers’ words about “not letting people lose faith in the cabinet.” His throat tightened painfully. He pulled back his sleeve and retreated from the crowd at the entrance, walking toward the west side door. The administrative official there recognized him and hurried forward to bow: “Deputy Secretary Yang.”
Yang Lun halted, looking inside: “Why hasn’t your Prefect taken his seat yet?”
“Well…”
The official hesitated, “An official from the Eastern Depot has arrived and is speaking with the Prefect inside.”
Yang Lun blurted out: “What’s he here for?”
“This humble official doesn’t know.”
As he spoke, he looked at Yang Lun’s casual official robes, then added, “Please go sit in the inner court. I’ll inform the Prefect of your arrival.”
In the Prefecture’s inner court main hall.
The Prefect paced before Deng Ying, stroking his chin. The administrative officer at the door was announcing the time when the Prefect finally stopped, looking at Eastern Depot Commander Qin Wende behind Deng Ying: “This case has no concrete evidence. I originally didn’t want to pursue it, but the Censorate’s Chief Inspector came three times in one day, forcing me to investigate. I knew the Superintendent would want to discuss this when I sought to arrest Eastern Depot personnel, but this is no longer just a Prefecture matter. The superintendent knows who died – if we can calm things now, I can still dismiss this case. But seeing how it’s escalated, if the Ministry of Justice gets involved, I’ll have to write a plea for punishment too.”
“I understand.”
Deng Ying stood in the shadows, turning to Qin Wende, “You…”
“Don’t worry, Superintendent.”
Qin Wende interrupted: “Since following you, I may have arrested many, but I’ve never taken an innocent life. I’ll say the same in court.”
Deng Ying remained silent.
The Prefect said: “Commander Qin, please step outside. I have words for your Superintendent in private.”
After Qin Wende left, the Prefect approached Deng Ying: “The Teacher mentioned me yesterday.”
The “Teacher” he referred to was Bai Huan.
Deng Ying closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment, then walked to the window. Outside, spring was dreamlike, with wind and birdsong reaching his ears.
Seeing his silence, the Prefect sighed: “Though I’m older than you, we weren’t schoolmates. But since the Teacher spoke up, I must consider it, however unwilling. The cabinet’s move aims to reclaim the Eastern Depot’s authority. It doesn’t matter if this case becomes a murder charge – what matters is that you can’t intervene. As long as you don’t intervene, this case still leaves you room, but once you interfere with justice, impeachment memorials will immediately pile up on the cabinet’s desk.”
Deng Ying looked up, “The Teacher wants to save me?”
The Prefect neither confirmed nor denied, only saying: “Since retiring, the Teacher rarely sees serving officials. Yesterday was an exception.”
Just then, the administrative officer announced the time for the third time.
The Prefect adjusted his official robes and hat, “It’s late. Please return, Superintendent.”
Deng Ying walked out with the Prefect to see Qin Wende’s sword removed, struggling against being bound. The Prefect shouted: “Commander Qin, if you won’t accept binding, this court will question more than just your crimes.”
Qin Wende looked at Deng Ying, then stopped struggling and shouted: “Damn it, bind me then! You take advantage of our Superintendent’s good nature. Who knows – your stubborn attitudes disgusts me!”
He then stretched his neck toward Deng Ying: “Superintendent, don’t worry. Even if they pass a muddled judgment, old Qin will take responsibility alone. Return to the depot in peace. The staff said Miss Wan bought beef to stew today – tell them to save me a bowl. Ouch… bind me more gently!”
He shrugged to loosen the ropes on his shoulders, then looked up at Deng Ying again: “Superintendent, what I said earlier was nonsense. Following you, we never killed indiscriminately. I can explain every death – the Prefecture can’t condemn me.”
Deng Ying remained silent.
The Prefect walked ahead with his hands behind his back, while Qin Wende was escorted toward the main hall.
“Prefect Wei.”
Deng Ying suddenly blocked Qin Wende’s path and turned to face the Prefect, “As Superintendent of the Eastern Depot, I will investigate this murder case. There will be no trial today – wait for our depot’s official document.”
The Prefect turned around, “Superintendent, what I said earlier…”
“I understood clearly.”
“Then…”
“Have him unbound.”
Qin broke free from his escorts and stumbled toward Deng Ying, saying: “Superintendent, there’s no need. I’m tough – even if they torture me, I won’t cause you trouble.”
Deng Ying looked down: “Say no more.”
“But…”
Qin Wende protested, “The Tongjia Academy survivors curse you because of us.”
“Be silent!”
“I…”
Qin Wende’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a frustrated “Ah,” turning aside without further words.
The Prefect said: “In that case, this court will await the Eastern Depot’s document.”
He then announced loudly: “Clear the court, disperse the crowd outside, and unbind Commander Qin.”
When the front hall heard about clearing the court, chaos erupted.
The kneeling old woman suddenly vomited blood and collapsed. Court runners rushed out to hold back the increasingly agitated crowd.
Yang Lun, originally at the west door, was startled. He gestured for the administrative official to go in first, then turned toward the hall entrance. Before he got close, he heard someone say: “Can’t the Eastern Depot people be tried? Didn’t the officials say they’d review cases for the victims?”
A runner replied: “The Prefecture has its own rules for trying cases. If you don’t leave, you’ll all be driven out.”
As Yang Lun was about to step forward, someone called from behind.
“Zixi, come back.”
Yang Lun turned to see Deng Ying standing behind him, “Those people up front are Donglin’s pawns. If you speak up today, regardless of whether you’re trying to protect me, you won’t be able to extricate yourself.”
Yang Lun strode toward Deng Ying, his day-long anger finally burning in his face: “Why set up court then not proceed with the trial?”
Deng Ying lowered his head, “The Eastern Depot will investigate…”
“Deng Fuling!”
Yang Lun interrupted with a clenched fist, asking angrily: “Why save him?”
Deng Ying looked up, “Then why save me?”
“You…”
Deng Ying coughed once, “See for yourself.”
Yang Lun turned to look at the court entrance, where people were slowly helping the blood-vomiting old woman walk onto the main street, the survivors weeping blood tears that shook people’s hearts.
“If the cabinet can’t suppress public outrage, can one Eastern Depot commander’s life calm it? Moreover, he’s completely innocent.”
Yang Lun unclenched his fist, “Deng Ying, if you won’t let me speak up, I can’t do anything in this position.”
“I’ve told you before.”
Deng Ying lowered his voice, “Step back, don’t walk too close to me.”
Yang Lun silently looked at Deng Ying, then suddenly said: “Did you anticipate this day long ago?”
Deng Ying smiled slightly, “Since becoming the Eastern Depot’s official, I never dared hope to be treated kindly in the end.”
He coughed several more times, “I was the true criminal in the Liuli Factory case – don’t block the Ministry of Justice from clearing the Teacher’s name.”
“What about the Tongjia case? How do you defend climbing over hundreds of bones to reach the Eastern Depot’s position?”
“I won’t defend it anymore.”