Chapter 57: You're Making Me Beg Qin Hao!

Zhao Rufeng and Yan Shifan exchanged glances, inwardly thinking that Qin Hao was truly a monster of a man.
The moment he started brewing and selling wine, he had already devised his future countermeasures.
Moreover, this miraculous medicine, alcohol—what a monumental achievement this was!
Even the two of them felt a twinge of jealousy.
Immediately afterward, both of them submitted memorials requesting rewards for Qin Hao.
Such a great merit demanded a generous reward.

"Good, very good!" Having obtained the desired result, Emperor Xuande beamed with radiant joy and spoke aloud.
"Zhao Rufeng, Yan Shifan, hear my decree. I command the two of you to draft a memorial tonight detailing how to reward Qin Hao, and present it at tomorrow morning's court session."
"We obey the decree."
Zhao Rufeng and Yan Shifan spoke in unison.

Li Qingyao finally broke her silence: "Imperial Father, Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi destroyed vital military equipment and falsely accused the three of Qin Hao of illicit wine-brewing. Furthermore, they smashed and vandalized Qin Hao's alcohol workshop. According to the laws of the Great Jing, they deserve to be executed!"

Lord Yang and the Earl of Kaiyang were so terrified they dropped to their knees instantly.
The Earl of Kaiyang turned pale and hurriedly pleaded: "Your Majesty, Zhizhe did not know that was military equipment. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy."
Lord Yang also hastily interceded: "Your Majesty, Zhizhe is still young. He merely wished to uphold the laws of the Great Jing and punish those who brewed wine in private. Given his knowledge and experience, it was impossible for him to recognize alcohol as a miraculous medicine. I beg Your Majesty to spare his life on the grounds that his original intentions were good."

Two Ministry of Justice officials belonging to the noble clans chimed in quickly as well: "Your Majesty, those who know nothing are blameless. Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi were unaware of such a miraculous medicine; their crimes do not warrant death."

Yan Shifan cast a sympathetic glance at Lord Yang and the Earl of Kaiyang.
What were you people thinking? Qin Hao wasn't even looking for trouble with you, yet you went out of your way to provoke him. He is a monstrosity who managed to shake the four great noble clans simultaneously with just a single plan for the migration of southerners to the north.

Li Qingyao let out a mocking laugh: "Earl of Kaiyang, this doesn't sound anything like the man from just a moment ago. Didn't you say earlier that as long as anyone violated the laws of the Great Jing, even if it were your own son, you would pursue the matter to the very end? How now? When you claimed Qin Hao violated the wine ban, you had such a righteous air of executing justice even upon your own family. Why has your tune changed now that it's Qin Kaizhi?"

With that, Li Qingyao turned and sharply rebuked the two Ministry of Justice officials: "As officials of the Ministry of Justice, the two of you actually claim ignorance of the Great Jing's laws and attempted to shield felony criminals. What crime do you two deserve?"
The two Ministry of Justice officials immediately dropped to their knees, begging for mercy and kowtowing repeatedly.

The Earl of Kaiyang's heart sank completely. Amidst his panic, a thought suddenly struck him, and he frantically came up with an excuse: "Your Royal Highness the Eldest Princess, Qin Hao is my eldest son and has rendered great service. As his younger brother, Qin Kaizhi is family. Disharmony between brothers surely should not constitute a violation of the Great Jing's laws."

Li Qingyao burst into laughter: "Ha, Hahahahaha, Earl of Kaiyang. Have you forgotten that Qin Hao has already established his own household and is now part of my manor's staff? Besides, what does Qin Hao's merit have to do with Qin Kaizhi attempting to sabotage military facilities? Could it be that you still expect Qin Hao to cede his merits to Qin Kaizhi? Do you think that is even remotely possible? Stop struggling; I much prefer the way you looked a moment ago, with your eyes turned up to the heavens."

At this juncture, Zhao Rufeng also spoke with a sorrowful expression: "Your Majesty, although my son is somewhat dissolute, he understands loyalty to the sovereign and patriotism. Having been so maliciously framed this time, I implore Your Majesty to grant justice to my son."

Duke Zheng chimed in by following the example: "Your Majesty, I earnestly request Your Majesty to grant justice to my grandson."

The Earl of Kaiyang was so flustered he didn't even know what to say. Damaging such a miraculous medicine was truly a capital offense punishable by beheading. Desperately, he cast his gaze upon his father-in-law. His father-in-law had stood firm in the imperial court for many years; at this moment, his only hope for survival lay with him.

Lord Yang was also immensely anxious. With two senior court ministers pressing the issue simultaneously, this was not something he could easily gloss over or brush aside. When the Eldest Princess was testing the effects of the alcohol earlier, he had considered countless possibilities regarding it and prepared numerous countermeasures. Even if the alcohol did have some effect, he assumed it would be negligible. After all, this was suppurating ulcers—an affliction countless dynasties had failed to cure. Who could have foreseen that Qin Hao's alcohol would be so potent and truly worthy of the designation of a miraculous medicine?

Lord Yang took a deep breath to calm himself. After a brief moment, he slowly began: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on acquiring this miraculous medicinal spirit. In the future, our soldiers at the border will undoubtedly be invincible. Qin Hao's actions are equivalent to saving countless frontier troops; his merits benefit the present and stretch across a thousand autumns. He richly deserves a heavy reward."

The Earl of Kaiyang and the two Ministry of Justice officials felt their vision go dark. Father-in-law (Lord Yang), what is the meaning of this? Why are you still petitioning for rewards for Qin Hao?

Emperor Xuande said calmly, "Lord Yang's ability to think thus brings great comfort to Our heart."

Without missing a beat, Lord Yang continued: "Your Majesty, possessing such a divine medicine will undoubtedly earn Qin Hao immense prestige within the military. No doubt the Duke of Wing and Duke Zheng will also hold Qin Hao in high regard. However... Qin Hao, who created this miraculous medicine, and Qin Kaizhi are, after all, full brothers. If Qin Kaizhi were to truly be put to death because Qin Hao achieved merit, such a tale spreading abroad would ultimately cast a shadow over Qin Hao's reputation. Furthermore, they are brothers of the same blood; family members share everything. I implore Your Majesty, for the sake of protecting Qin Hao's reputation, and considering that Qin Kaizhi acted out of youthful ignorance and was unaware of the miraculous medicine's existence, to spare Qin Kaizhi from the death penalty."

Having finished speaking, Lord Yang dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.

The faces of Zhao Rufeng, the Duke of Wing, and Li Qingyao all turned dark. Lord Yang was truly ruthless. Under the guise of requesting rewards for Qin Hao, he didn't forget to stab him in the back. Mentioning that Qin Hao was protected by military generals—wasn't that implying that Qin Hao might be colluding with the military? Even if Qin Hao wasn't engaging in factional politics right now, he was planting a seed of doubt in the Emperor's heart, hoping it might sprout and bear fruit in the future.

Moreover, using the pretext of safeguarding Qin Hao's reputation to beg for the lives of Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi struck right at the heart of the matter. He had seen through the Emperor's intention to heavily employ Qin Hao, meaning the Emperor certainly wouldn't want Qin Hao to be tainted with blemish. By doing so, he logically and naturally secured the survival of both Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi. An old fox truly remained an old fox.

Having analyzed this, Li Qingyao knew it would be impossible to destroy Qin Kaizhi this time. But she had not forgotten her promise to Qin Hao.

Immediately, she spoke up: "Imperial Father, Lord Yang's words are entirely reasonable. Mutual slaughter between brothers should, both in reason and emotion, never happen among the fine sons of our Great Jing—especially not to a great talent like Qin Hao."

The others cast surprised glances at Li Qingyao. What has gotten into the Eldest Princess today? Why is she actually speaking up for Lord Yang and the Earl of Kaiyang?

However, before the Earl of Kaiyang could express his gratitude, Li Qingyao shifted the conversation.

"However, Imperial Father, your daughter must still speak a word of fairness. Qin Hao has rendered monumental service to the Great Jing Dynasty, and we must not chill the hearts of our meritorious subjects. Since Qin Hao and Qin Kaizhi are brothers, this matter can indeed be classified as a domestic affair of the Earl of Kaiyang. The law is not devoid of human emotion. Why not leave this matter entirely in Qin Hao's hands to resolve? Surely Qin Hao will not take his own brother's life over this."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rufeng pondered for a brief moment before a look of comprehension dawned on him. With a slight curl of his lips, he said: "Your Majesty, what Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess said is entirely correct. The emergence of the miraculous medicine is an auspicious sign for our Great Jing; it is not a time for bloodshed. I beg Your Majesty to deal leniently with the two of them."

Hearing his daughter and Zhao Rufeng finish, Emperor Xuande cursed that little rascal Qin Hao in his heart, knowing full well that this rhetoric must have been taught by him to his daughter. The boy truly sought immediate vengeance with no overnight grudges. Still, this was the Qin Hao he knew.

Emperor Xuande's gaze fell upon the Earl of Kaiyang as he said coldly, "Lord Qin, since Lord Zhao and the Eldest Princess have both interceded for you, I shall deal leniently with Qin Kaizhi and let Qin Hao handle the matter himself. Do you agree?"

"This subject agrees, this subject agrees! Thank you for your immense grace, thank you for your immense grace!" The Earl of Kaiyang kowtowed frantically, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. As long as he could preserve Zhizhe's life, he was already thoroughly satisfied.

Seeing this, Li Qingyao smiled and added, "Imperial Father, Qin Hao is currently confined in the prison. When your daughter came here, she learned that Qin Hao was exceptionally furious. I fear that if outsiders go to plead with him and anger him further, Qin Hao might refuse to compromise and insist on executing Qin Kaizhi anyway, which would do more harm than good. Since the Earl of Kaiyang agrees to this approach, this is ultimately the Earl's domestic affair. It would be far more appropriate for the Earl of Kaiyang himself to go and plead with his eldest son, Qin Hao, on behalf of his second son."

The trap was finally sprung; her objective had been achieved.

Emperor Xuande nodded: "Since that is the case, Lord Qin, you shall handle this matter. You must properly pacify our meritorious subject of the Great Jing; we must not chill the heart of a loyal contributor."

The Earl of Kaiyang, who had just been kowtowing in gratitude, straightened up and stared blankly at the Eldest Princess: "Your Royal Highness, you—you want me to go and beg Qin Hao?!"

Li Qingyao laughed lightly and said, "The Earl of Kaiyang misunderstands. Since it is your family affair and Qin Hao is your son, how can you call it begging? Let me ask you, is there anyone in the capital who does not know that your wife, Yang Suxin, has always claimed to care deeply for her adopted son, Qin Hao? Surely your eldest son, Qin Hao, will not make things difficult for his biological father and brother out of respect for your wife, Yang Suxin, right?"