Upon hearing the words "Imperial decree," many officials who were ready to speak up collectively fell silent.
They never imagined that Chu Chen was serious, and that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was also serious.
Looking at Zhang Guojin, whose mouth was gagged with cloth and who was being bound and dragged away, the officials suddenly understood something.
This was all premeditated. His Majesty was backing this man, and His Majesty had tacitly approved of Chu Chen's "new official's three fires." These fires were not to be provoked!
Realizing this, the officials chose to protect themselves. The Minister of Rites, Wu Sheng, who had been clamoring loudly just moments ago, now had a livid face but dared not intervene.
They had already lost one gamble. If Chu Chen dared to order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest a high-ranking official, would he dare to execute one?
Who among those below the third rank would dare to gamble? Who among those above the third rank could guarantee they wouldn't be arrested?
Chu Chen surveyed the scene. Seeing no one speak, he retracted his Imperial Sword and hung the imperial yellow scabbard at his waist.
He said coldly, "As the Second Prime Minister, I am here to rectify the court and purify its atmosphere; as the head of the civil officials, I shall lead the court sessions; as a subject, I shall serve His Majesty! And obey the law!"
"If any of you are not convinced, you are welcome to write a memorial and present it directly to the Imperial Study to impeach me. I will not stop you."
"Today, the Grand Censor of the Censorate, who is tasked with inspecting officials, has openly accepted bribes. Such conduct is intolerable by both heavenly and human laws."
"As for whether the words spoken are true or false, you yourselves can discern. I hope you will act wisely!"
With that, Chu Chen flicked his sleeve and departed with the hidden guards who had transformed into the Embroidered Uniform Guard, leaving the civil officials in the hall looking at each other in dismay.
"Alas, this Embroidered Uniform Guard, alas, what are we to do?"
The Vice Minister of Rites sighed, his face full of worry.
The days of carefree officialdom were likely over.
"This Chu Chen is truly damnable! I will not let this go easily. Come, all of you, let's go see His Majesty. I refuse to believe that everything he said is true!"
"A dignified third-rank official can be arrested just like that in the Hall of Political Affairs. Is there any law to speak of? Are there any ancestral precedents to follow? This is outrageous!"
Minister of Rites Wu Sheng's face contorted with ferocity as he tried to incite the other officials.
The censors of the Censorate's eyes lit up at his words, and they shouted their support.
With support, Wu Sheng gained confidence and truly led his men to the Imperial Study to seek an audience with His Majesty.
Seeing Wu Sheng lead his men away, those not aligned with Chu Chen exchanged glances and followed closely. The neutral faction, however, wiped sweat from their brows and turned to flee straight home.
The officials aligned with Chu Chen did not know what to do. They could only send someone to inform Chu Chen that Wu Sheng was leading a delegation to see His Majesty, and then they either went home or followed.
In the Imperial Study, Wu Sheng had just arrived when he heard the Empress's angry voice from within.
"You are the Grand Censor of the Censorate, tasked with monitoring officials and reporting any wrongdoing. How dare you accept bribes and disregard the law so brazenly?"
"Your Majesty, I am wronged, Your Majesty!"
"Wronged? The evidence on the ledger is conclusive, with every detail written down. Furthermore, the Second Prime Minister has submitted a witness's signed statement. Both witnesses and evidence are present. How dare you continue to quibble?"
"Your Majesty, how can this ledger be considered evidence? I am not convinced! Not convinced!"
"Lord Zhang, since you are not convinced, then very well. Shall I make a wager with you?"
Standing at the door, Wu Sheng and the others trembled upon hearing Chu Chen mention a wager.
Inside the Imperial Study, Chu Chen looked coldly at Zhang Guojin, who was bound and kneeling on the ground.
Zhang Guojin did not want to wager. This Chu Chen was poisonous; everyone who made a wager with him lost. But if he didn't wager, what then? This was his only chance; otherwise, he would have no opportunity to defend himself and would lose his office, if not his life.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, Zhang Guojin hesitated for a moment and gritted his teeth, "Fine, what shall we wager?"
"Simple, your life."
"My life?"
"Indeed. You claim you are wronged and have not accepted bribes. Therefore, with your monthly salary of eighty taels, your monthly income from land and shops at home of a hundred taels, and two hundred taels from the industries of your hometown clan, totaling three hundred and eighty taels per month, your annual income is four thousand five hundred and sixty taels. Over five years, that's about twenty-three thousand taels. Adding your previous savings, let's say you have a total of fifty thousand taels."
"If the silver confiscated from your home is less than or equal to this amount, or not more than two to three tenths more, then I have slandered you. But if it exceeds eighty thousand taels, or even more, then I have not wronged you."
"I wager that you have over one hundred thousand taels of silver in your home. Do you dare to wager?"
"..."
He knew roughly how much silver he had at home. If he agreed, wouldn't he lose everything? How could he wager?
Zhang Guojin shook his head and shouted, "No, I won't wager!"
"Heh heh, it seems Lord Zhang does not understand. The outcome is the same whether you wager or not. Do you think that by not wagering, your home won't be searched for your savings? Nonsense!"
Chu Chen said coldly, then turned and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, I implore you to search Lord Zhang's residence to ascertain the truth, using the amount of silver and any possible account books as evidence!"
"Granted!" The Empress looked coldly at Zhang Guojin.
Zhang Guojin instantly collapsed to the ground, his face filled with despair.
Chu Chen ignored him and shouted, "Come! Take this man away and imprison him in the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison. He will be judged and dealt with after the truth is revealed!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Two Embroidered Uniform Guards, disregarding the officials at the door, pushed them aside and entered.
Wu Sheng and the others were furious but dared not speak.
After Zhang Guojin was dragged away like a dead dog, Chu Chen emerged and asked curiously, "You all came together, intending to see His Majesty? Then please, proceed."
With that, Chu Chen walked away.
Wu Sheng and the others exchanged glances and quickly entered.
Chu Chen cared not at all about what they were reporting to His Majesty, nor was he worried. His mind was entirely occupied with how to deal with this fellow Zhang Guojin.
Leaving the palace, Chu Chen immediately went to a street on the edge of the Imperial City, which was the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the entire street being theirs.
"Assemble everyone!"
As Chu Chen shouted, over fifty figures quickly emerged and gathered.
Chu Chen nodded with satisfaction and waved, shouting, "Bring some carriages. I, your Prime Minister, will take you to raid a home!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Soon, a large group arrived outside Zhang Guojin's mansion.
As a hidden guard disguised as an Embroidered Uniform Guard was about to knock, Chu Chen stopped him.
"Idiot, we are here to raid a home. Knocking is beneath us, understand?"
"For criminals whose evidence is complete, there's no need to be so polite to their families. Today, I will teach you how to conduct yourselves, and you will follow suit in the future."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Chu Chen strode forward, circulated his spiritual energy to his feet, and with a forceful kick, sent the seemingly solid mansion gate crashing down.
"What's going on? What happened?"
The gatekeeper was startled awake and emerged from behind the door. Seeing a group of people with menacing auras, he shouted sternly, "This is the residence of Lord Zhang Guojin, Grand Censor of the Censorate! Who are you? How dare you be so bold? Kneel and beg for forgiveness at once!"
"Embroidered Uniform Guard business. All unauthorized personnel, step aside, or you will be arrested for obstructing official duties!"