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墨書 Inktalez
Shi Yun and the Xuande Emperor argued fiercely, managing to extract a large sum of money from the Emperor's private treasury. They also received the Emperor's decree allowing them to raid the Third Prince's Residence to cover expenses for grain.
Shi Yun inquired whether, since the case had been clarified, the Yongxin Marquis could be released without charges. "Well, let him go," came the response. After that, there was nothing more—no consolation, no summons, and certainly no rewards for merit.
Shi Yun had already inquired about the Yongxin Marquis's actions during the disaster relief efforts. They were decisive, timely, and accurate; without the Yongxin Marquis, Yingzhou would have descended into chaos. Yet at this moment, the Emperor seemed only concerned about pitying his foolish son and perhaps even harbored some resentment towards the Yongxin Marquis.
Thinking of Mingze's list, Shi Yun couldn't help but sigh again. Why wasn't the Yongxin Marquis a child of the Xuande Emperor?
The Xuande Emperor looked at the victorious Shi Yun with a sense of discomfort. "Don't think I don't know," he thought. "The grain money was certainly inflated. However, it doesn't matter; it will eventually be needed for my new Royal Tomb. Shi Yun, I do not wish for you to delay any further. By the end of this month at the latest, I expect to see a plan."
Shi Yun could only brace himself and agree.
After leaving the palace, he first visited Qi Xiaomian in prison. After exchanging some necessary information with him, he let him go.
As for the Third Prince, sentencing him would require a process in court. Shi Yun ignored his cries and hurried home to see his grandson.
The little rascal had only lost some blood but was eating and sleeping well—truly easy to care for.
Shi Yuan knew why his grandfather had gone to court and felt worried. Seeing that everyone was safe upon his return relaxed him. He yawned and asked, "Grandfather, what about the Third Prince? Is he doomed?"
Shi Yun shared relevant details with him.
Shi Yuan was furious. "He can still live like this! Old man, you're truly useless! Do you know that due to the lack of grain, some officials in Yingzhou have found their conscience? They want to help but can't because there's no grain to provide! Do you know how many warriors and common people have died because of him at the border?"
"I know," Shi Yun replied. "That's why I fought for their benefits. In fact, just seizing what those officials have would already cover all grain expenses and leave extra. But I asked His Majesty for quite a bit more."
Funds for rebuilding houses for disaster victims, funerals for the deceased, and medical treatment for the injured were secured. When autumn harvest comes around, he would strive to secure several years of tax exemption for them; their lives would then have hope.
Court military pay was always two portions each year; as for the Western Army's military pay—it wouldn't be needed this year or in subsequent years.
"A-Yuan," he asked, "is avenging the dead more important or ensuring a better life?"
Shi Yuan didn't know how to choose. "Can't we have both?"
"I'm sorry," Shi Yun said. "I wish we could have both too, but in reality, if I insist on having the Third Prince executed, I won't be able to secure these benefits."
Moreover, the Xuande Emperor would inevitably suffer from the pain of losing a son; if anything happened to him, there would be no qualified successor for the Great Jing Dynasty.
Weighing the pros and cons, Grandfather ultimately decided to take a step back. "Although I've disappointed you," he said, "I've done my best."
After Qi Xiaomian was declared innocent, it took another half month before the Court announced punishment for the Third Prince. It stated that he had been deceived by treacherous individuals and had acted against the granary out of regret; he wished to offer all his possessions and request to become a commoner.
The punishment document was posted early in the morning when few people were around; it remained up for only an hour before being taken down. The text obscured his crimes while emphasizing his remorseful attitude without mentioning royalty at all. Consequently, it went largely unnoticed by most people and did not spark much discussion among civilians.
The Third Prince caused quite a commotion outside the palace gates, but he was intercepted by the palace guards before things escalated. That night, the guards took him away from Jingjing City. According to Qi Xiaomian, he was headed south, as the Xuande Emperor seemed intent on granting him a title of a prince before his death, designating a territory in the south for him to ensure his future prosperity.
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