Chapter 23: What a Massive Scapegoat

"Qian Zhili is dead?!"

The next day, following the morning court session, Hu Weiyong arrived at the Secretariat to attend to official business. After days of extreme tension and a heavy workload, he was mentally and physically drained. Even though Hu Weiyong prided himself on his vigor, he could not help but feel exhausted and distracted.

However, the sudden arrival of this news jolted him into immediate alertness. It was more stimulating than having a bucket of ice water poured over his head; it could not have been more refreshing. Even with his deep cunning, the suddenness of the news nearly made him jump from his chair. Realizing he had lost his composure, he struggled to calm himself and looked toward the Senior Councilor of the Secretariat, Ding Yu, to ask:

"What happened? How could he just be gone like that? I recall that Director Qian was always in good health."

"They say he was on his way to the Imperial Academy of Medicine this morning and accidentally fell into the water," Ding Yu said, shaking his head. "Director Qian had even treated me before; his medical skills were truly excellent, yet he met such an end. It is a tragedy..."

As he spoke, he secretly observed the changes in Hu Weiyong’s expression.

"A true accident! Director Qian was an old acquaintance of mine. Back when I was the magistrate of Ningguo County, Director Qian was kidnapped by bandits, and it was I who saved him. Who would have thought that we would be separated by death so suddenly..." Hu Weiyong sighed as well. "How could he just fall into the water? He must have walked that path to the Imperial Academy countless times. He must have known it perfectly..."

Ding Yu shook his head: "I do not know." He then leaned closer to Hu Weiyong and lowered his voice: "Do you think... perhaps he was murdered?"

Hu Weiyong’s heart skipped a beat, but he remained impassive on the surface. "Surely not, right? Director Qian was a skilled physician who treated many people, and he was always kind and did not make enemies. Who would be so heartless as to harm him? An accidental fall is more likely."

Ding Yu nodded: "Hearing you say that, I also think it makes a lot of sense..."

After a few more words, Ding Yu left the area where Hu Weiyong handled state affairs. Once he returned to his own office, the expression on his face became rather intriguing.

After Ding Yu departed, Hu Weiyong’s expression turned grim. He was deeply panicked. Only last night, he had been pleased that he still possessed a clandestine asset in the Imperial Academy of Medicine that could be used to great effect. Now, that asset had vanished in an instant!

It was too fast! The issue was no longer just the loss of a key asset; he needed to understand how Qian Zhili had actually died. Was it truly an accidental fall, or was he forced into it? The difference was immense. Furthermore, if he had been forced, who was the culprit? Were they targeting Qian Zhili, or were they targeting him? What was their motive?

For a moment, Hu Weiyong felt completely distraught. He opened his mouth to summon his men to investigate the news thoroughly, but he held back at the last second. He decided to wait until noon to give his orders. In times of great crisis, one must remain calm. Since Qian Zhili was already dead, he could not afford to lose his composure now. He feared that Ding Yu and many others were likely watching him from the shadows.

There was no doubt about it—Hu Weiyong was truly rattled. He felt that in recent days, the situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse, as if he were suffering from a streak of bad luck. He felt targeted from all sides. Most crucially, he still had no idea where things had gone wrong.

***

"Lian'er, have someone cut a pound of tofu. Let’s have radish and tofu stew for lunch. Oh, and add two pieces of chicken when you make it."

At the residence of the Earl of Chengyi, Liu Bowen gave instructions to his eldest son, Liu Lian. Upon hearing this, Liu Lian’s face brightened, and he immediately went out to see it done. Since the start of winter, his father had lost his appetite and had avoided meat entirely. Today, his father had actually ordered a meal and specifically requested chicken! How could he not be happy?

A moment later, Liu Lian returned. "Father, you look much better. You seem like a different person."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Since you returned from the palace yesterday, your state has been completely different—it is as if you are two different people compared to before you entered."

Liu Bowen stroked his beard and smiled. "From now on, we don't have to live in such fear. The barrier between your father and the Emperor has been removed. Furthermore, the Emperor has entrusted me with a great task. The Emperor himself is also vastly different—more ambitious and with incredible aspirations. *Cough, cough, cough...*"

Liu Bowen explained to his son. Recalling the events of yesterday, his heart was still stirred. The passion that had been cold for years had been rekindled. Liu Lian was stunned by his father's words, especially the way he addressed the Emperor, though he felt a sense of joy and intimacy.

"Father, about this form of address..."

"The Emperor told me to call him 'Shangwei' (the Superior/the Emperor) from now on and to stop calling him 'Your Majesty'."

Liu Lian’s face beamed with joy, and a heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. "By the way, Father, should we buy more grain and cloth to store away?"

After a brief conversation, Liu Lian suddenly asked, looking at his father.

"Why? Are you afraid that after the Emperor issues the new paper currency, money will become worthless?" Although the question seemed abrupt, Liu Bowen understood immediately.

Liu Lian nodded: "The Emperor established the Treasure Note Bureau last year and has been busy with this for over a year. I fear that before long, he will issue these notes in large quantities. Both the Song and Yuan dynasties issued paper money, and it failed in both cases... According to rumors, the Emperor's paper money cannot be exchanged for gold or silver held by the government. You can exchange gold and silver for notes, but you cannot do the reverse. Isn't that... daylight robbery? Furthermore, I heard that if a note is damaged, one must pay twenty coins to exchange it for a new one. If you don't, the damaged note is useless. I fear that when the people want to pay taxes, these notes won't be accepted either. How can such a currency last? Once it’s issued, money will surely lose its value rapidly. We should buy some grain and other necessities to keep at home..."

Hearing this, Liu Bowen sighed. This was truly a difficult situation; it was nothing short of folly. But the Emperor was determined to issue the currency, and many had already tried to dissuade him to no avail. He had no good solution either.

"Do not worry. Copper coins will only become more valuable in the future. Once the Emperor starts paying salaries in paper notes, we will immediately spend them to buy grain and cloth to store at home. It won't be too late then." Liu Bowen shook his head slowly, sharing his insight. Even he could not solve the problem of the paper currency. He could only do his best to ensure his family suffered as little loss as possible.

***

"My Lord, we found no additional clues. It appears Director Qian simply fell into the water by accident," a man reported to Hu Weiyong at dusk, speaking cautiously. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "However, I heard that at Liu Bowen’s residence, they had radish and tofu stew for lunch, with some chicken added. He seemed to be in much better spirits, as if they were celebrating something..."

Hearing this, Hu Weiyong’s eyes narrowed.

Liu Bowen?! It was Liu Bowen indeed! That dog had been pretending to be on his deathbed just to lull everyone into a false sense of security! He hadn't acted until now, but the moment he did, he made Hu Weiyong suffer repeated losses! This old man was not to be underestimated! Hu Weiyong had suspected him before, but with this news, he was certain. He would never be able to coexist with that wretch!

While harboring hatred for Liu Bowen, Hu Weiyong’s lingering suspicions about the Emperor vanished.

"Achoo!"

At the residence of the Earl of Chengyi, Liu Bowen sneezed loudly. He pulled his clothes tighter and continued to contemplate the common ideals of the Ming Dynasty, completely unaware that, without his knowledge, a massive scapegoat had been placed upon his head.

***

"Call the second, third, and fourth princes to me."

In the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang, having finally handled many of the urgent matters on his desk, gave his orders. After the eunuch Wang acknowledged the command and left, Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed the soles of his shoes. Next, he could properly thrash that rascal, the fourth prince! Once he was done with the fourth, he could arrange tasks for these boys and get to work on the issues surrounding the construction of Zhongdu.

As long as this matter remained unresolved, a heavy weight sat on Zhu Yuanzhang’s heart. Every day, commoners were being conscripted to build Zhongdu, and many were dying in the process! Resolving this sooner would save lives. These were real human lives! In chaotic times, human life was as cheap as grass, and death was common. But now, the Ming Dynasty had been established for eight years, and these people who had survived the chaos were dying building a city for him. This should not be happening!

Moreover, these debts would not be blamed on Li Shanchang; they would all be blamed on him, the Emperor. If he, as the Emperor, had truly ordered this, then the hatred would be deserved. But the truth was that Li Shanchang and his ilk were defying his orders and acting behind his back.

In the three short days since his return to the eighth year of the Hongwu reign, he had dealt with Liao Yongzhong, saved Liu Bowen, and mended the rift between sovereign and subject. He had also worked tirelessly to kill Cao Xiu, establish the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and handle the matter of Qian Zhili at the Imperial Academy. He had not slept for more than six hours in those three days. Why such haste and urgency? It was all so he could resolve the pressing matters around him and free his hands to deal with the Zhongdu issue.

***

"Second Brother, why do you think Father is calling us over?"

On the way to the Wuying Hall, Zhu Di asked the Prince of Qin, Zhu Shuang, who was walking with a slight limp.

"Why? He’s definitely going to give you a sound beating!" before Zhu Shuang could speak, the Prince of Jin, Zhu Gang, chimed in first.

"Third Brother, you’re just bitter because you got beaten by Father, and now you want me to get beaten too. I’ll say it right here: if Father beats me today, I’ll take your surname!" Zhu Di said, full of confidence.