Chapter 31
Apart from the Jinyi Guards and Shangzhi Guards, which answered only to the emperor, every other guard unit in the capital and across the provinces operated under the command of the Fifth Army Governor's Office. At the helm of this hierarchy stood Cao Xun, the Central Army Governor, wielding unmatched authority as the most powerful of the Five Army Governors.
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[ ] ä¸ç´å« (shà ng zhà wèi), In imperial settings, ä¸ç´å« specifically refers to the innermost circle of elite guards who performed night watch duties within the emperor's palace or immediate vicinity. These guards were highly trained and responsible for the emperor's personal safety.
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Breaking away from his father-in-law, Li Yong, Cao Xun rode swiftly toward the Shangzhi Guard, the elite force under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Army Governorâs Mansion. His mission: to recruit one hundred of their finest soldiers for a high-stakes operation.
As dawn broke, only faint trails of smoke curled from the rooftops of early-rising households. The air was still, heavy with anticipation.
Cao Xun's horse thundered down the quiet streets, but as the infamous Chang Garden came into viewâa courtyard shrouded in secrecy and sinister rumorsâhe abruptly reined in his mount fifty feet from its gates. His orders were sharp and precise. Eight archers fanned out silently, taking covert positions at strategic points in the southeast and northwest. They were to shoot on sight, ensuring no one could flee or raise the alarm.
With the archers in place, the remaining elite soldiers of the Shangzhi Guard dismounted. Their movements were swift and calculated as they encircled the compound from four directions, cutting off any chance of escape.
At the head of twenty riders, Cao Xun advanced directly toward the main gate. The rhythmic clatter of his horse's hooves was nearly imperceptible in the stillness. Upon reaching the gate, the centurion at his side exchanged a knowing glance with Cao Xun before mimicking three sharp bird callsâthe prearranged signal. Instantly, nineteen soldiers scaled the walls, disappearing into the shadows to unlock the gate and sweep the buildings within.
Li Yongâs parting gift to his son-in-law had been more than just informationâit was a detailed dossier on Chang Garden, complete with a map marking every corner and the purposes of each structure. Armed with this intelligence, Cao Xun bypassed the chaos and rode straight to the private courtyard of Ji Weifang, the enigmatic owner of the estate.
When Cao Xun arrived, the scene was already under control. Ji Weifang, pale and trembling, was pinned to the ground by Shangzhi Guard soldiers. His silk robe hung loosely, his disheveled hair framing a face that seemed caught between a scholarâs refinement and a predatorâs malice. Nearby, two young girls, no older than seven or eight, clung to each other in terror on his bed, their wide eyes betraying their confusion and fear.
Cao Xun barely spared Ji Weifang a glance before delivering a brutal kick to his chest. The man collapsed, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, his muffled groans escaping through the gag binding his jaws.
Within thirty minutes, the operation was complete. Every occupant of Chang Garden had been rounded up and dragged into the central courtyard. Over fifty girls, aged between six and twelve, were hurriedly relocated to the rear quarters for their safety, while the rest of the captivesâgagged and boundâwere restrained to prevent any desperate attempts at self-harm.
The grim raid was swift, silent, and mercilessâan undeniable statement of Cao Xun's resolve and the might of the Shangzhi Guard.
After an exhaustive search, the Shangzhi Guard unearthed every letter, account book, document, and piece of evidence, delivering them all to Cao Xun.
Cao Xun hardly gave them a second glance. His only concern was sealing off Chang Garden, leaving it to the Emperor to assign the proper officials for an investigation.
As the confiscation drew to a close, Li Yong arrived bearing the imperial decree. Emperor Yuan Qing had appointed Duke Ningguo, Li Yong, to spearhead a full-scale investigation into the notorious "Changyuan Case." To support his mission, the Emperor granted him command over the Jinyiwei, Dali Temple, and Shuntian Mansion, authorizing him to summon anyone connected to the affairâbe they imperial relatives, civil or military officials, merchants, or commoners. Defiance of this order would be met with charges of rebellion.
Moreover, Emperor Yuan Qing temporarily transferred command of 100 elite Shangzhi Guard soldiers, previously under Cao Xunâs command, to Li Yong. If additional reinforcements were required, Li Yong had the authority to call upon Cao Xun for further support.
*
News of the case spread like wildfire across the capital, capturing the attention of everyone.
As Chang Garden became the center of Li Yongâs investigation and was promptly sealed by Cao Xun, all eyes turned to the two government palaces for answers. Ordinary citizens were left to speculate in ignorance, while the women connected to the Cao and Li families sought information directly from Yunzhuâs mother and daughter.
Unfortunately, even Yunzhuâs family had no insight to offer.
Li Yong wasted no time. Upon receiving his assignment, he immediately headed to Chang Garden to begin the interrogation. Meanwhile, Meng Shi hadnât even seen her husband, as Cao Xun was preoccupied at the Governorâs Mansion. Yunzhu herself had to wait until evening to finally meet with him.
The first to approach Yunzhu was Pan Shi. With a case of this magnitude gripping the entire city, she set aside pride in favor of her burning curiosity. But Yunzhu, calm and composed, was not easily swayed.
With a sharp and unyielding smile, Yunzhu dismissed Pan Shiâs inquiries. âTo begin with, I know nothing of the matter, so I have nothing to say. Even if I did know, I wouldnât share it. Madam, it would be wiser for you to seek answers elsewhere.â
Pan Shi, visibly irritated, left in frustration.
As more individuals came seeking information, Yunzhu made a decisive move. She closed the Dingguo Palace for the day, refusing all visitors. What no one realized was that Yunzhu herself was as curious as they were.
That evening, Cao Xun returned later than usual. If Yunzhu hadnât taken the initiative to question him, she might have eaten alone, tired of waiting.
âWhy are you back so late when the Emperor has tasked my father with the investigation?â she demanded sharply as he entered the front yard.
Seeing her waiting for him for the first time, Cao Xun replied calmly, âThe Emperor has enlisted the Shence Guard to assist your father in the case. After finishing my duties, I visited Chang Garden to lend a hand. I apologize for the delay. Please wait for me in the back. Iâll join you shortly after changing.â
But Yunzhu, having spent the day in mounting anxiety, wasnât willing to wait any longer. She followed him to the bathing room in the back courtyard.
She had no intention of intruding on his privacy. Instead, she lingered behind the screen, her voice low but insistent. âWhat is happening over there?â she asked, her curiosity now impossible to contain.
Cao Xun had initially hesitated to share the details with her, but after seeing the unmistakable curiosity in her eyes and knowing the matter would soon be made public, he chose to give her a brief explanation.
But his concise words only left Yunzhu bewildered. After a bit of encouragement from Cao Xun, she was struck by the revelation, her shock palpable. In the next breath, she erupted, unable to contain her fury: "How dare they?! Are they even human? How could they do such a thing?!"
Before she could finish her angry tirade, she suddenly covered her mouth, turned away, and was hit by an overwhelming wave of nausea.
Cao Xun quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and, concerned, stepped toward her, gently guiding her back with a reassuring hand.
The sight of the towel, combined with the gruesome thoughts of those helpless girls, made Yunzhu's stomach lurch even more violently. Her body rejected the pain of the revelation, and with her stomach empty from skipping dinner, only bitter bile escaped her.
Her heart ached, her eyes red with grief. "How can such vile people even exist?!" she cried out, her voice thick with disgust.
Cao Xun stood behind her, his presence a steady support as he walked with her, ensuring she found her balance again.
After a moment, he retreated to the corner, quickly drying off and changing. When he returned, he wrapped his arms around her in comfort, speaking with assurance, "The heavens will see justice. My father-in-law will take action. Donât worry about the othersâtrust your father. He will make sure the law catches up with those who wronged these girls."
Yunzhu's trust in her father was unwavering. Though he may not be a warrior, his integrity was unmatched, and she knew he would ensure that those responsible faced the full consequences of their actions.
But the pain weighed heavily on her, and she couldnât bring herself to eat. She excused herself from the meal and chose to retire early, leaving Cao Xun to dine alone.
Despite his gentle encouragement, she remained firm in her decision not to eat.
Later that night, Yunzhu was plagued by a nightmare. Cao Xun, hearing her mutter "no" and noticing her restless tossing, realized she was haunted by the images of Chang Gardenâs horrors.
Unable to ignore her distress, he roused her from her troubled sleep.
Yunzhu collapsed into his embrace, tears streaming down her face as she voiced her anguish. After a time, the storm of emotions subsided, and she finally drifted back to sleep, comforted by his presence.
*
Over time, Li Yong uncovered a growing network of officials entangled in corrupt dealings, each more twisted than the last. At the center of it all stood Ji Weifang, the despicable owner of Chang Garden. This man, with his vile preferences, had rejected the beautiful wife his parents arranged for him and instead chased after young girls.
As a businessman, Ji Weifang frequently crossed paths with officials. Over time, these individuals, with their own dark intentions, realized that Ji Weifangâs unsavory desires could be leveraged for their advantage. They quickly saw that they could indulge in corrupt activities, all for the price of his illicit favors.
In his quest to cater to these powerful men, Ji Weifang expanded Chang Garden with meticulous care. He tricked young women from across the country with false promises of jobs, all the while deceiving their families into selling them to him. The greed of some parents fueled this horrific exchange, ensuring that the number of girls at Chang Garden never fell below fifty.
But Ji Weifang didnât stop there. He played a more dangerous game, introducing corrupt officials to one another, aiming to entangle even the highest-ranking figures in the capitalâs web of corruption. His reach was far and wide, and his thirst for power was insatiable.
Emperor Yuan Qing, suspicious of the deputy commander of Jinyiwei, Wang Manchang, had long suspected his involvement in Ji Weifangâs schemes, dating back five years. Despite the rumors, Wang Manchang had kept a tight grip on the truth, as had others like him in positions of power.
After twenty-three relentless days of investigation, Li Yong finally handed Emperor Yuan Qing a listâan extensive account of all the officials tainted by the scandal. Each name on the list was a testament to the depths of corruption that had festered in the empire.
Throughout those twenty-three days, Li Yongâs methods grew increasingly relentless. He pushed harder, dug deeper, and showed no mercy. On the first day of his interrogation, Ji Weifang had remained tight-lipped, defying all attempts at extraction. The centurion of the Shence Guard suggested harsh measures, but Li Yong hesitated. Violence went against the honorable tradition of his family, where even his servants rarely spoke harshly. He stayed true to his gentlemanly code, unwilling to break it for a confession.
Just as the trial seemed at a standstill, Li Yongâs son-in-law, the ever-determined Cao Xun, stepped in. Sensing the urgency, he took matters into his own hands. With chilling efficiency, he subjected Ji Weifang to a brutal flogging in front of Li Yong. It was swift and effective. The sight sent a clear message.
Cao Xun turned to Li Yong, his words cutting through the tension: "When my father-in-law shows mercy to these people, remember the suffering theyâve caused those innocent girls."
That statement struck deep within Li Yong, igniting something in him.
Emperor Yuan Qing, upon receiving the list, counted through the names with precision, his fingers pausing at "sixty-seven." A smile curled on his lips as he read the names. Most of those implicated were "pillars"âhigh-ranking officials, once known for their scholarly pursuits, now reduced to pawns in this vile scheme. The empire was riddled with corruption, and the extent of its reach had finally been revealed.
Emperor Yuan Qing stood firm and declared with unwavering authority, "The sixty-seven thieves will be swiftly escorted to the Meridian Gate, where they will meet their execution without mercy."
He paused, his voice sharp, cutting through the air. "Any descendants bearing noble titles will have their ranks stripped away. Those who serve as officials will be dismissed immediately, forever barred from holding any position of power. Their heirs will be prohibited from entering the imperial examinations for the next three generations."
The Xia Dynasty had endured over a century of weakness, and the hard-earned peace and prosperity that followed were not to be jeopardized. As the empire finally entered a time of stability, Emperor Yuan Qing was resolute, making it clear that he would not tolerate any harm inflicted upon the people by corrupt officials.
With calculated precision, he outlined his intentions to strike fear into the hearts of those who might consider treachery. "I will impose these harsh penalties as a deterrent. Let it be known: any official who contemplates malevolence will weigh their integrity against fleeting, selfish gain. The consequences will be dire."
Then, without hesitation, Emperor Yuan Qing added, "Additionally, every convicted individual will undergo castration before their execution."
His gaze shifted momentarily to the black cat curled up beneath the coffee table. Once playful and mischievous, it now sat in perfect stillness, exuding an eerie obedience. With a quiet nod, the Emperor issued one last directive.
âââTN:
Re-translating this novel took anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. I felt incredibly fortunate if I managed to re-translate even five chapters in a single day.
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