The Imperial Study
Emperor Changwu finished reviewing the last memorial and still hadn't seen Gu Yanchen's report. "Little Fu Zi, has the eldest young master of the Jian family returned to his post?"
Song Furui, who had been closely monitoring Gu Yanchen's situation these days, naturally knew everything about the Dali Temple. He immediately shook his head, "He has not."
"What about the other officials in the Dali Temple?"
"More than half of them have returned to work, but they are not very active. The Seventh Prince hasn't paid them any attention either."
Emperor Changwu grew even more puzzled. "Then what has the Seventh Prince been busy with lately?"
Song Furui replied, "Besides interrogating the case of the Second Young Master Jian, he has been reviewing case files."
"Just him alone?"
"Perhaps because there are too many case files, the Seventh Prince occasionally lets his manservant help."
"He's the Minister of the Dali Temple, and he only has one useful person by his side. What does that make him look like."
Song Furui observed the Emperor's expression and ventured, "Shall I go to the Marquis of Qiying's mansion and give the eldest young master Jian a hint?"
The Marquis of Qiying's mansion was becoming more and more arrogant.
Even if Lord Gu was not a prince, his official position was hard-won through military achievements, and his official seal was personally bestowed by the Emperor. By leading all the officials of the Dali Temple in a strike, was Jian Shijie provoking Gu Yanchen, or was he dissatisfied with the Emperor's decision? httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
These people in the Dali Temple were quite something. To curry favor with the Jian family, they even refused to work. If they were charged with dereliction of duty, he wanted to see how Jian Shijie would protect them.
Emperor Changwu pondered, "Let's wait a little longer."
A man who could lead troops in battle would not tolerate this kind of situation. He was very eager to see how Gu Yanchen would deal with it.
The Fourteenth Day of the First Month. Morning Court.
As the sky gradually brightened and most of the important matters had been discussed, Gu Yanchen stepped forward, "Your humble servant has a memorial to present."
All the ministers turned their heads to look. Gu Yanchen had been at his post for seven days, and the news of Jian Shijie leading the strike had long been known to everyone. Almost everyone was waiting to see him make a fool of himself, and some had even set up gambling pools, betting on when he would be squeezed out of the Dali Temple by Jian Shijie.
But instead of waiting for what they expected, they found Gu Yanchen confronting the second young master of the Jian family.
Tsk, these young people today were truly overestimating themselves. He wondered how the Marquis of Guangling had raised such a son who was so prone to causing trouble. Such a son should be kept on the battlefield. Bringing him back to the capital was purely asking for trouble for the family.
Gu Rong was extremely anxious and kept winking at Gu Yanchen. If it weren't for the Golden Luang Hall, he would have pulled him back long ago.
Emperor Changwu, however, became spirited. "Present it."
"A few days ago, the Dali Temple received a case. The Fan family accused the second young master of the Marquis of Qiying's mansion of occupying their shop. They alleged that he instigated a carriage to hit someone and then prevented them from seeking medical treatment. He even bribed yamen runners to detain their nearly sixty-year-old elder."
As soon as he finished speaking, Marquis of Qiying Jian Huaiming said, "Lord Gu, hasn't this case already been settled? A mere servant acted under the master's name. Once he was killed, it was over. Why bring it to the imperial court and defile the Emperor's ears?"
Gu Yanchen said, "Marquis, don't be in a hurry. I haven't said that this despicable deed was done by your grandson."
He cupped his hands towards Emperor Changwu, "Your Majesty, your humble servant has reviewed case files from the past three years and found that there are quite a few bold servants in the capital. Servants who borrow their master's name to bully others and act tyrannically are not uncommon. Your humble servant believes that officials in the capital should properly restrain their household servants. Otherwise, if they cannot even manage a few servants, they not only tarnish the reputation of their own households but also add a lot of trouble to the Dali Temple."
The cases that entered the Dali Temple involved either imperial relatives or court officials.
Upon initial investigation, it turned out that the perpetrator was just a servant. Wasn't this intentionally increasing the workload of the Dali Temple?
The Marquis of Qiying's face darkened.
The gazes of other officials towards him also changed.
The lives of servants were cheap, and their deeds of sale were in the hands of their masters. When a master committed a crime, it was not uncommon for a servant to be pushed out to take the blame. Whether this case was the servant acting presumptuously or being forced to take the blame, everyone knew in their hearts.
Who would have thought that the second young master of the Marquis of Qiying's mansion would be such a person.
The Marquis of Qiying nervously looked at Emperor Changwu, only to see him nod. "Minister Gu's words are extremely true. If one cannot even sweep a room, how can one sweep the world? If one cannot even manage a few servants, how can I trust them to handle the tasks I have given them? Minister Jian, you should have a good talk with your grandson about the implications."
Emperor Changwu's decisive words struck the Marquis of Qiying's heart like a hammer, crushing his hopes.
Jian Shizhao, before even entering officialdom, had already earned a reputation for poor supervision in front of the Emperor. Even if he passed the imperial examinations in the future, he was unlikely to be heavily relied upon by the Emperor. With just a few words, his grandson had suffered such a great loss. This Gu surnamed fellow was truly cunning.
Gu Yanchen smiled slightly, ignoring the Marquis of Qiying's anger.
The morning court finally dispersed.
The Marquis of Qiying, unable to attend to his duties, hurried back to his mansion. Upon inquiry, he found that both his grandsons were still indulging in pleasures and had not yet woken up. He immediately smashed a set of fine blue and white porcelain tea ware.
The servants, sensing his rage, dared not delay and hastily went to call the two young masters.
Not long after, Jian Shijie and Jian Shizhao arrived in a hurry. As soon as they entered, they heard a stern shout, "Kneel."
Both of them were startled. Seeing the shattered porcelain all over the floor, their hearts trembled even more. Their grandfather had never been this furious since the incident with their third uncle.
As the head of the family, he held absolute authority. The two brothers obediently knelt down.
The Marquis of Qiying asked, "What is this about seizing shops? It even reached the Dali Temple. If Gu Yanchen hadn't brought it up in court, I would still be in the dark."
Jian Shizhao said, "Grandfather, it was just a servant who saw an opportunity and acted under my name. I have already dealt with this matter, and the case in the Dali Temple has been closed. Has that Gu surnamed fellow changed his tune in front of the Emperor?"
The Marquis of Qiying, enraged, kicked him. "What servant has such a big appetite? He dares to rob shops on Zhuque Street? Gu Yanchen did not change his tune. He merely mentioned it to the Emperor. But everyone knows the truth of the matter, and it was you who robbed the shop. As for the Emperor, you have likely been noted."
Jian Shizhao became anxious. "Noted for what? Does he also believe that I robbed the shop?"
"What's the difference? If you robbed the shop, it means you are greedy and of poor character. If it was a servant who robbed it, it means you have poor supervision and cannot even manage a servant. In either case, you are not fit for important tasks."
Jian Shizhao's spirit faltered.
The Marquis of Qiying, seeing his grandson's state, felt pity. "But it's alright. Once your cousin ascends the throne, things will be better. The imperial examinations are in March. You should prepare for the exams diligently. After you become a scholar, gain some experience outside for a few years, and this matter will pass."
"What about Gu Yanchen? He has caused me such trouble, Grandfather. You must avenge me."
Jian Shijie comforted him, "Don't worry, Second Brother. He's just a concubine's son. Look, Elder Brother will avenge you."
The Marquis of Qiying threw a cup at him. "You are not to interfere with this matter. Take your people and go back to work immediately."
"He bullied Second Brother, yet I have to bow to him. Grandfather, if even an unknown concubine's son dares to point fingers at our Marquis of Qiying's mansion, after this incident, won't everyone trample on us?"
"Can you use your brain when you act? Inciting the entire Dali Temple to go on strike, are you trying to show the Emperor that the Dali Temple belongs only to you, Jian Shijie? Do you have any regard for the court or the Emperor? It was fine to make trouble before, but now that your brother's affairs have attracted the Emperor's attention, you need to stay quiet."
Jian Shijie had also not had an easy time these past few days.
At the time, he had intended to give Gu Yanchen a warning. However, Gu Yanchen had not taken the bait at all, leaving him in a difficult position, unable to advance or retreat.
After a long pause, he nodded dejectedly.