"By decree of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Xue Yun, formerly of the Imperial City Guard, and his subordinates Luo Jiang and Zhu Hong, conspired in rebellion and attempted to assassinate His Highness the Fifth Prince, Princess Xin Yue. Their crimes are unforgivable!"
"The Five City Patrol and the Imperial Army, totaling one thousand men, are hereby ordered to thoroughly investigate the Imperial City Guard to root out any factions."
"Xue Yun, as the superior of Luo Jiang and Zhu Hong, was also complicit in the treasonous plot. Though he met his end at the hands of Chen Yuanliang, a former prime minister also deemed a rebel, his schemes were many."
"Despite their deaths, their crimes of conspiracy and rebellion remain! Therefore, Xue Yun, Luo Jiang, and Zhu Hong, along with their entire clans, shall be executed, their nine generations exterminated!"
"By decree of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Chu Chen, under the command of Xue Yun, infiltrated the imperial harem disguised as a man, undergoing castration to fulfill his mission of assassinating Princess Xin Yue and other members of the royal family."
"Fortunately, Chu Chen, understanding righteousness, abandoned the dark path and embraced the light. He has since rendered great service to the nation and its people, inventing the Yun Yue Plow and the waterwheel, thereby increasing grain yields immeasurably."
"Furthermore, due to his meritorious deeds, he was granted an imperial pardon from death by the Emperor, thus sparing his life."
"As he was an accomplice without direct involvement in the assassination, Chu Chen is stripped of all his eunuch positions, reduced to commoner status, his assets confiscated as a retraction of imperial favor, serving as a warning to others!"
"Respect this!"
Near the notice board in Shuangyue City, a crowd had gathered.
A scholar, standing at the forefront, read the latest imperial decree aloud for the illiterate commoners.
"Who is this Chu Chen? He's amazing! To infiltrate the palace as a eunuch without actually being castrated, and to get close to Princess Xin Yue. He's truly a role model for us!"
"Idiot, if you want to die, don't drag us down with you. Is this something you can admire?"
"You don't even know who Chu Chen is? He's a living sage, Eunuch Chu."
"Oh! He's that great sage who invented the Yun Yue Plow and the waterwheel for us?"
"That's right, it's him. I never knew he was forced to pretend to be a eunuch. It's fortunate the Emperor didn't kill him, or I would have written a bloody petition for his life."
"Indeed, we finally have a nobleman who cares about us, how could he be killed for such a minor matter?"
"I heard that Sage Chu is currently being held."
"..."
"What?"
Someone, it's unclear who, revealed Chu Chen's current predicament, and the crowd became agitated.
The common folk at the bottom didn't care about the squabbles within the imperial family or the power struggles in court. They only cared about how to get enough to eat and how to live a better life.
Whoever could provide them with food, warmth, and a good life was worthy of their support, and in their eyes, Chu Chen was such a person.
"Didn't they say Chu Sage's crimes were pardoned? Why is he still imprisoned? Could it be that those corrupt officials want to harm Chu Sage? We will be the first to object!"
"That's right! We object! Those corrupt officials, why are they imprisoning Chu Sage!"
"Oh dear, folks, please, can you stop talking? The soldiers haven't even left yet."
The scholar's face changed, and he nervously bowed, "Chu Chen is only temporarily detained for the confiscation of his property. He will be fine and released in a couple of days."
"We don't believe you! Chu Sage must have brought us a good life, which made those dirty officials uncomfortable, so they took the opportunity to kick him while he's down!"
"Exactly! Unless we see with our own eyes that Chu Sage is unharmed, we will not agree, not even if there is the slightest scratch!"
"We object!"
The soldiers who had not yet left heard the shouts from behind them and were immediately angered.
The squad leader, leading the detachment, turned and reprimanded, "What are you doing? Why are you shouting so loudly? Huh?"
"We are speaking up for Chu Sage, what business is it of yours, you grunt."
"You scoundrel, how dare you speak to me like that? I think you're tired of living."
The squad leader, enraged, was about to order someone to apprehend the person who dared to insult him.
Unexpectedly, their entire detachment was surrounded by the excited commoners.
"...Uh, folks, let's talk this out, let's talk it out!"
The squad leader wiped the sweat from his forehead. There were only five of them, surrounded by hundreds of commoners, and the situation looked very grim.
"We ask you, is Chu Sage imprisoned? Where is he imprisoned?"
"Chu Sage? Oh, you mean Chu Chen, right? Well, he is temporarily held in the yamen's detention room, not in the dungeon as you say."
"This, please don't get agitated, sir, you're grabbing my collar."
"Really, believe me, Chu Sage is truly fine. If you don't believe me, you can go to the yamen yourself and ask the magistrate!"
Similar scenes unfolded at the notice boards of the three city gates of Shuangyue City.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the agitated commoners, wanting to know the truth and protect Chu Chen, the sage, directly surrounded the yamen.
This forced the yamen to bring out Chu Chen.
"Lord Chu, that..."
"I am a commoner now, you don't need to call me 'Lord'."
Chu Chen, dressed in plain gray clothes, said calmly.
The yamen official was stunned and pleaded with a wry smile, "Alright, Master Chu, could you please explain to the people outside? Otherwise, with them surrounding us like this, my yamen cannot function."
"I never expected that I, Chu, would be so beloved by the people. Very well, I will help you. But you must not forget what you promised me afterward."
"Absolutely. It's just a little food. Even without this, I wouldn't dare neglect you, Master Chu."
The two spoke as they walked towards the entrance of the yamen.
Behind them stood a line of yamen runners, and in front, a large group of yamen runners were maintaining order.
"Sage Chu is out!"
"Look, it's the living Sage Chu!"
"I never imagined Sage Chu would look like this! As expected of a sage, handsome."
"Greetings, Sage Chu!"
"Sage Chu, my whole family thanks you!"
"Ahem! Folks, please be quiet!" Chu Chen raised his hand slightly and called out.
The crowd gradually quieted down.
"Magistrate Yi has told me about your concerns. Everyone, please rest assured, I am perfectly fine. I have eaten and drunk well in the detention room and have not been subjected to any torture."
"I only need to stay for two days, and then I will be released. Everyone need not worry."
"I, Chu, am very grateful for everyone coming to see me. However, this constant gathering is not ideal. If you are so inclined, you can select a few representatives to visit me during these two days."
"Therefore, everyone, please disperse and go about your business."
Chu Chen was deeply touched. He had only done a few insignificant things, yet he received such affection from the people.
The ancients were truly simple, and most of them valued benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, and gratitude.
Under Chu Chen's persuasion, the commoners finally agreed to leave.
Watching the retreating backs of the people, the yamen official wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"This Chu Chen is truly terrifying. To have such popular support, it's fortunate I didn't offend him."