Yu Mingyue had recently become sensitive to the word "Ministry of Works," and subconsciously became vigilant when Yu Mingchuan said he wanted to join it.
"The Ministry of Works is not as easy as compiling books in the Hanlin Academy," Yu Mingyue said.
Yu Mingchuan saw Yu Mingyue's disapproval and said, "I know. I studied desperately before just to become an official and bring honor to the second branch. Now I feel my ideas were narrow. During the Spring Examination, I read many books on agriculture and water conservancy, and only then did I realize how difficult it is for people to farm. Sixth sister, I also want to do something for the common people, like Eldest Brother and Lord Xie."
Yu Mingyue felt ashamed. She had been small-minded, thinking her second brother was being used and misled.
She quickly stood up and said seriously, "Second Brother's ambition is as grand as a roc's. Sixth Daughter admires you."
Yu Mingchuan waved his hands repeatedly, "I dare not claim such ambition. I just want to do my part. A scholar must be resolute and broad-minded, for he has a heavy burden to bear and a long road to travel. With benevolence as his duty, is that not a heavy burden? And is that not a long road until death? Sixth sister, I think I have found what I truly enjoy doing."
"Then Sixth Daughter wishes Second Brother success in his endeavors, and also wishes our Great Wei prosperity and its people peace and happiness."
In late February, Vice Minister Lu returned from Longxi, and the truth behind Marquis Chenliu's murder of He Zhongchun was revealed.
The reason Marquis Chenliu had stormed into He's residence with a saber and killed him had a hidden reason. No wonder he was willing to bear the罪名 of murder, be cursed by the common people, and be punished by the Sage, rather than speak.
In the seventh year of Yong'an, Marquis Chenliu, then the Jiedushi of Jiangxi and Zhejiang, was involved in an extremely dangerous naval battle. Marquis Chenliu, who was invincible, was ambushed by the enemy. Marquis Chenliu's副将, Ma Ming, took a poisoned arrow for him, saving his life.
Ma Ming had recently married, and his wife was pregnant before he went to battle. Marquis Chenliu had wanted Ma Ming to stay and care for his wife during her labor, but Ma Ming said he was Marquis Chenliu's副将, and would die before his commander, even if he had to die.
Little did he know, his words would come true. Ma Ming died in that battle.
When Ma Ming's wife learned of her husband's death, she gave birth prematurely and then passed away. Because he was born prematurely, Ma Huaiyu was weak and sickly from a young age. Marquis Chenliu, pitying his unfortunate fate, treated him as his own son.
Although Ma Huaiyu lacked martial talent, he had a talent for literacy. Marquis Chenliu hired a tutor to teach him diligently, hoping that he would one day be able to achieve success in the imperial examinations.
Ma Huaiyu, resembling his mother, with his typical Jiangnan features, appeared even more handsome and refined amidst the rugged men of Longxi.
He Zhongchun, after seeing him in his study, set his sights on Ma Huaiyu. He Zhongchun was a Censor in the area and was also respected as a teacher by local students. He Zhongchun summoned Ma Huaiyu to his residence under the pretense of guiding his essays.
Ma Huaiyu did not return that night. The young servant who took care of him went to He's residence to ask for him, but the people at He's residence said they had never seen any young master Ma.
The servant was sure his young master had been summoned by the Censor, and was insistent. However, the wicked servants of the He family accused him of causing trouble and beat him half to death. With his life hanging by a thread, the servant rushed to the military camp to find Marquis Chenliu.
The imperial court was wary of civil and military officials forming factions. Therefore, although they were both imperial officials, Marquis Chenliu and He Zhongchun were not well acquainted.
However, today, for Ma Huaiyu, he had to go to He's residence.
Just as Marquis Chenliu was about to go to He's residence to demand Ma Huaiyu's return, another servant taking care of Ma Huaiyu sent a message saying that his young master had been sent back covered in blood by a classmate, and had already breathed his last within a quarter of an hour.
Seeing Ma Huaiyu's corpse, Marquis Chenliu understood what had happened. The twelve-year-old child was covered in wounds, and it was clear he had been tortured to death.
Marquis Chenliu was enraged and went to He's residence with his saber. Before He Zhongchun could react, Marquis Chenliu severed his head.
He Zhongchun's perversion was a private matter, and it also involved Ma Huaiyu's reputation. The child was already gone, and his reputation could not be further tarnished, making him a topic of gossip. Therefore, Marquis Chenliu confessed his guilt without explaining a word.
Vice Minister Lu admired Marquis Chenliu's loyalty and pitied Ma Huaiyu's fate, so he concealed the true cause of Ma Huaiyu's death.
As for He Zhongchun's crimes, he had indeed done many good deeds for the people over the years. With his good family background and ample wealth, he had not accepted bribes during his years in office.
However, he had not hesitated to seek private gain for his family, and his family had actively sought out beautiful women for him. The reason he impeached the Li family of the Five Great Clans was also to benefit his own family. He Zhongchun did not die unjustly.
However, although He Zhongchun was guilty, Marquis Chenliu's act of killing in the street was also wrong. Vice Minister Lu, according to the law, fined him three years' salary, and the matter was considered closed.
The Sage was satisfied with the case judged by Vice Minister Lu, finding it both lawful and compassionate.
"Your Majesty, I have erred," Vice Minister Lu suddenly knelt and asked for punishment.
The Sage raised an eyebrow and put down the memorial he was presenting. "What error has Your Minister committed?"
"I have not formed factions, but my disciples' lack of personal virtue has led to great mistakes, which is also my fault for appointing incompetent people. I have been deeply moved by my trip to Longxi." Vice Minister Lu looked much older than before, whether due to the hardships of travel or other reasons.
The Sage shifted his posture, not interrupting Vice Minister Lu, and listened attentively.
"The trouble caused by aristocratic families is a scourge to the nation. Without eliminating them, the country cannot prosper, and the people cannot be at peace," Vice Minister Lu said mournfully.
He was from the Lu clan of Fanyang, and his career had been smooth sailing. However, he had been blinded, solely protecting the interests of aristocratic families and unaware of the suffering of the common people.
Only when the knife cut into his own flesh did he feel the pain. He Zhongchun was his student. In the past, he would have shown favoritism, but to save himself, he had to thoroughly investigate the case.
He reviewed his previous case files and learned about He Zhongchun's life, and felt increasingly chilled.
Because he saw himself in He Zhongchun. He Zhongchun was a microcosm of them, the scions of aristocratic families. Their talk of benevolence and morality was merely a mask to hide their exploitation of the people, while their inner selves were already rotten and stank.
How could they accept the praise of the people while stepping on their corpses?
Vice Minister Lu kowtowed again, "As the Censor of the Imperial Censorate, I hold a high position with no achievements, and I have allowed aristocratic families to seek profit. I am ashamed. I beg Your Majesty to grant me death."
The hall was silent. The Sage did not speak, quietly watching Vice Minister Lu kowtowing.
Vice Minister Lu waited for a long time for the Sage to speak, and dared not look up, maintaining his kowtowing posture.
After an unknown amount of time, the Sage finally spoke, "I will not let you die."
"I have sinned and am not worthy to live," Vice Minister Lu's heart was already dead.
"I will allow you to atone for your sins and give yourself and the aristocratic families a chance to redeem themselves to the people of Great Wei. Do you dare?" the Sage said, looking at Vice Minister Lu.
Vice Minister Lu smiled bitterly, "I do not fear death, so what else should I fear?"
The Sage slammed the Buddhist beads in his hand onto the imperial desk. "Good. I will wait for your words. I will entrust the lives of the Lu and Li families to you. I believe Lord Lu knows what to do."
Vice Minister Lu kowtowed again, "I obey your decree!"
After Vice Minister Lu left, the Sage said to the Crown Prince standing beside him, "Now do you understand the intention of the Yu family's young man in asking Vice Minister Lu to investigate He Zhongchun's case? He has used this strategy of attacking the heart to its extreme."