New Book Jin Guan Trial Reading (Handwritten) Preface

  The fourth watch had passed, but the sky was still dark and gloomy without a single ray of light. The wind wrapped around the muddy and humid air, swirling and moaning between the palace buildings. The palace lanterns were scattered throughout the vast imperial city, but they did not illuminate the towering palaces, instead adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

  The atmosphere inside the Zhaoyang Hall was as heavy as the sky, so quiet that people were afraid to breathe loudly, fearing that they would disturb something. As the sky grew darker and not brighter, the palace staff carefully lit the palace lamps, lightning flashed through the dark clouds, a timid palace staff member's hand trembled, the fire starter fell to the ground, "pa la" splashing a few sparks, hastily knelt down on the ground and trembled: "The slave deserves to die." The whole body shook like chaff.

  Without waiting for anyone's orders, two guards immediately came forward and dragged her away. Her body was limp, tears streaming down her face, but she bit her lip tightly and didn't dare make another sound.

  Emperor Shun Kang sat on the dragon throne, staring blankly outside the hall, seemingly oblivious to everything happening inside. Suddenly, he said, "Open all the doors and windows for me."

  After three days of spring rain, it stopped less than two hours last night, and looking at the current sky, I'm afraid it will continue. The windows were quietly opened by the palace staff one after another, the wind rushed in from three sides, the curtains were blown away, and the clothes, hats, and ribbons of the officials were all fluttering, but no one dared to move a single step.

  The chief eunuch Li Lin stepped forward and shouted in a shrill voice: "If you have something to report, come forward; if not, withdraw from the court!"

  One of the officials stepped forward, holding a memorial board and kneeling on the ground: "I have evidence that the Crown Prince's mansion has embezzled 4,230,000 taels of silver from the Mohe River project. I request Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

  At this moment, another flash of lightning appeared outside the hall, and the thunder "rumbled" loudly on the roof, and the heavy rain finally poured down.

  The Crown Prince hastily stepped forward, knelt down and confessed his guilt: "Your son deserves to die ten thousand times." Then he explained, "This is a frame-up, I hope the Emperor will investigate clearly."

  And behind him, the Minister Yun Pei-xin saw clearly that the Crown Prince's hands and feet were trembling uncontrollably. He couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart, thinking that this Crown Prince was not exceptional in either talent or virtue. The Emperor had long been dissatisfied, and now someone was unable to hold back, it seemed that the Eastern Palace would soon have a new master. Although he had expected this for some time, what Yun Pei-xin did not expect was that all of this would come so quickly.

  A figure emerged from the right rear of the Crown Prince, and it was none other than the Third Imperial Son, Wei Chi Yao. After a moment's deliberation, he lowered his eyelids and memorialized: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Last year, my imperial brother went to inspect the river embankments several times for the sake of the river works, and can be said to have done his utmost. Moreover, when the Duke of Ding inspected the embankments last month by imperial decree, no flaws were found until now. Therefore, the matter of corruption must certainly have another inside story. I hope Your Majesty will investigate clearly."

  Yun Pei Xin stroked a few strands of his long beard, narrowed his eyes and glanced at the Third Prince. This one was clever, speaking in a way that seemed to support the Crown Prince while also implicating the King. If the charges were confirmed later, it would be difficult for both of them to escape punishment.

  Looking at the eldest son kneeling below, thinking of his dark and thin appearance when he returned to Beijing at the end of the year, Emperor Shun Kang couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted. He raised his hand weakly and waved it: "Order the Crown Prince to be confined in the East Palace, and have the Ministry of Rites assist the Imperial Clan Court in thoroughly investigating this matter, and report directly to me."

  The two main officials who were named were busy bowing and responding, while at this time the strong wind was blowing outside, and the big raindrops were falling down with a loud noise. The low-ranking officials standing by the window had already been soaked to the skin, but they could only grit their teeth and hold on.

  Looking out at the gloomy weather, Emperor Shun Kang only felt a sense of frustration in his heart. Now that he was over fifty years old, his energy was no longer what it used to be, and attending early court sessions every day was becoming somewhat unbearable. However, all of this was deeply hidden in his heart, and in front of outsiders, he always maintained an energetic appearance, never willing to show weakness. He raised his hand to press the throbbing veins on his forehead, and today, for some reason, he felt restless, seeing that no one else had come forward to present their memorials, he directly said: "Let's not discuss any matters today, everyone can disperse!"

  At this moment, a fast horse with an exhausted postal officer on its back rushed towards the outer city gate. The people around saw the red bag on the officer's back and all dodged out of the way. This was an urgent report, and even if they were knocked down or trampled to death, it would be their own bad luck.

  The horse galloped to the foot of the city, its front legs suddenly softened, and it knelt down with a thud. The person on the horse's back was thrown out far away, rolled over several times, and then crawled to the ground, his right hand tightly grasping the cloth bag at his waist. Gathering all his strength, he shouted loudly: "Ling Jiang Shui Bao!" Then he fell backwards and made no more sound.

  Another loud thunderclap in the air, clouds gathered, and the sky became increasingly gloomy.