Chapter 120: Compromise
The Initial Emperor’s rude actions greatly enraged Xiahou Ba. But no matter what, the other party was the sovereign and he was the subject. Even if the Xiahou Clan was extremely powerful, he could only endure humiliation and dared not flare up on the spot.
Xiahou Ba suppressed his anger, picked up the account book from the ground, and flipped through it page by page. He saw that it clearly listed one by one when the Water Management Bureau sold which river sections to whom and at what price. It even clearly recorded how much of the received money was delivered to the Ministry of Revenue, how much was sent to Gao Guangning, and how much was privately withheld!
It was obvious that this was a private account book, and it was clear at a glance that it came from the hand of Director of the Water Management Bureau Huang Yun!
Gao Guangning’s case had been making a huge uproar lately, and Xiahou Ba had already investigated the inside story clearly. He knew that the records in the account book should be true. Moreover, he also knew that most of the money Gao Guangning received had been sent into his own clan!
“This damned thing Huang Yun actually dared to privately establish an account book and record all these shady transactions!” In his heart, Xiahou Ba finally stirred up huge waves of shock!
Because the Initial Emperor had preemptively taken Huang Yun and Gao Guangning into custody in the palace earlier, in Xiahou Ba’s view, this was undoubtedly Huang Yun unable to withstand the Investigative Bureau’s interrogation and handing over the privately established account book.
“Grand Tutor still dares to say that Gao Guangning and Huang Yun are innocent?!” The Initial Emperor gazed coldly at Xiahou Ba and mocked mercilessly: “Of course, Grand Tutor can also say that this account book is forged. But no matter, let’s investigate clearly every item recorded in it one by one, and see if the Water Management Bureau really sold the land to those people? Why do the fields and silver money recorded in the account book far exceed the records in the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts!”
Pausing for a moment, the Initial Emperor said in a deep voice: “And all that money Gao Guangning received, was it privately embezzled, or did it go into someone else’s pocket?!”
“Your Majesty, we cannot investigate!” Xiahou Ba finally lowered his head and said: “If we really investigate according to this account book, the Imperial Court’s reputation will be ruined!” The Old Grand Tutor was very clear-headed. If the contents of this account book were made public, the Xiahou Clan would definitely be implicated—even if no corruption by the Xiahou Clan was found, some of the land buyers were his sons and grandsons. Gao Guangning was also under the Xiahou Clan, and even a fool would know that without the Xiahou Clan backing him, he absolutely would not dare to be so reckless!
“Then, according to Grand Tutor’s opinion, how should we quell the anger of the common people?” The Initial Emperor shifted his gaze outside the palace, to the dense crowd of over ten thousand disaster victims.
“The Director of the Water Management Bureau was bold enough to privately alter the river course design and sell land on a large scale for profit, which warrants extermination of his nine clans by law.” Xiahou Ba said in a low voice: “Gao Guangning neglected his duties, accepted bribes, and provided shelter, so he should be demoted to commoner status and forever barred from office!”
“Even at this point, Grand Tutor is still unwilling to give up Gao Guangning.” The Initial Emperor could not help but sneer: “He really is loyal and righteous.”
Xiahou Ba knew his own bitter situation. He was too clear about Gao Guangning’s character. If he could not even protect Gao Guangning’s life, that guy would definitely bite the Xiahou Clan! Although a mere Gao Guangning could not shake the Xiahou Clan’s foundation, Xiahou Ba was currently at a critical moment of nurturing talents, building reputation, and winning over people. Being implicated in the Yellow River breach scandal would ruin all his previous efforts!
“The Xiahou Clan is willing to donate four million strings of cash to assist the disaster victims in rebuilding their homes!” Xiahou Ba decisively said.
“Oh?” The Initial Emperor was startled upon hearing this. The Xiahou Clan had probably profited over two million strings from Gao Guangning. He did not expect Xiahou Ba to be willing to pay double the amount to redeem his life. This made the Initial Emperor worried instead of pleased, and he secretly sighed in his heart: ‘No wonder the Xiahou Clan can gather so many talents…’
“What does Your Majesty think?” Xiahou Ba looked at the Initial Emperor expressionlessly. Even though the Xiahou Clan was wealthy and powerful, taking out so much money at once still made him feel the pain.
“What about the successor to the Minister of Works?” The Initial Emperor was not satisfied.
“Entirely up to Your Majesty to decide!” Xiahou Ba’s mouth twitched, but he still complied with the Initial Emperor’s wish.
“Grand Tutor, get up quickly. The ground is quite hard.” Only then did the Initial Emperor finally agree.
Xiahou Ba thanked Your Majesty, crawled up from the ground, and said sullenly: “If there is nothing else, this old minister will take his leave first.”
“There is one more thing.” The Initial Emperor was not done yet.
“Your Majesty, please speak.” Xiahou Ba was somewhat angry. Give you an inch and you take a mile—you really think this old man is afraid of you?
“I heard that Taiping Dao sent people to the Capital City to peddle the Imperial Seal. Did they contact the Xiahou Clan?” The Initial Emperor asked faintly.
“Someone did approach my humble clan,” Xiahou Ba knew that this was the real trigger for the Initial Emperor’s outburst. “But my humble clan would absolutely never scheme for the Imperial Seal, much less transact with Taiping Dao, so we refused outright!”
“Grand Tutor is indeed sensible of the big picture.” The Initial Emperor praised indifferently, then asked again: “Then does Grand Tutor know which other clans Taiping Dao has contacted?”
“This old minister does not know.” Xiahou Ba said sullenly.
“If—and I am saying if—some noble clan secretly contacts Taiping Dao,” the Initial Emperor stared fixedly at Xiahou Ba and said: “What does Grand Tutor say should be done?”
“Coveting the sacred object of the Heavenly Dao merits ten thousand deaths!” Xiahou Ba could only answer in a deep voice.
“I will remember Grand Tutor’s words,” the Initial Emperor nodded and said coldly: “Starting today, have the Investigative Bureau strictly investigate this matter. Once anyone is found daring to scheme for the Imperial Seal, execute without mercy!”
“Yes…” Xiahou Ba responded expressionlessly, then turned and descended from the Ying Tian Gate city tower.
Watching Xiahou Ba’s back, the Initial Emperor’s face was as somber as water. After a good while, he said to Du Hui standing by his side: “Do you think he will take it to heart?”
“He should restrain himself a bit.” Du Hui said softly: “This account book found by the Investigative Bureau still has a strong deterrent effect on the Xiahou Clan.”
“Actually, I would rather he disregard the account book,” the Initial Emperor sighed faintly: “He is so hesitant, willing to spare no expense to cover up the truth, simply to preserve the Xiahou Clan’s reputation. That old man’s ambition is really too great.”
“Moreover, that account book was not found by the Investigative Bureau.” Saying this, the Initial Emperor frowned slightly: “In fact, no matter how Lin Chao interrogated Huang Yun, Gao Guangning, and the others, they never revealed even half a bit of truth!”
“Then… how was the account book obtained?” Du Hui was startled.
“Someone delivered it to the Investigative Bureau.” The Initial Emperor’s gaze turned cold: “Actually, from the very beginning of the whole matter, someone has been stirring up trouble behind the scenes. The rumors about the river embankment and Gao Guangning were not spread by the Investigative Bureau. I merely took advantage of the situation and fanned the flames once.”
“Then… who exactly is it?” Du Hui asked softly.
“Who else could it be?” The Initial Emperor had been pondering repeatedly lately who was behind the mischief. He sneered and said: “Most likely those few clans at odds with the Xiahou Clan, wanting to borrow my hand to pit them.”
“It should be like that.” Du Hui nodded.
“Therefore, I have no intention of thoroughly investigating that account book, merely using it to warn Xiahou Ba.” The Initial Emperor said indifferently: “I just don’t want to fall into someone else’s trap and tear face with the Xiahou Clan too early!”
“Your Majesty is wise.” Du Hui said softly: “Now is indeed not the time.”
“Go tell Zuo Yanqing,” the Initial Emperor thought for a moment and instructed in a deep voice: “When Gao Guangning leaves the Capital City, have him send people to secretly escort him. We must ensure nothing happens to him on the road!”
“Does Your Majesty think someone will assassinate Gao Guangning midway?” Du Hui said in a deep voice.
“If I were them, I would definitely do that.” The Initial Emperor nodded and said faintly: “Everyone knows the Xiahou Clan claims to repay every debt, tenfold. If they kill Gao Guangning and frame it on me, how could the Xiahou Clan let it rest?”
