Chapter 63

Chapters 63-64: Unexpected

Zhao Cheng was both hateful and loving towards Lu Xiaoyao and the other two. Killing them would be a waste of their talents, but not killing them might breed trouble. He knew that although he had intimidated them with his advanced weapons, these people were bold and would do anything for money, which could cause him a lot of trouble. Moreover, they had killed an old friend of Huang Jingchen. If he kept it a secret from Huang Jingchen and he found out, it would create a rift between them, which would be undesirable. Therefore, Zhao Cheng decided to explain the situation clearly and let Huang Jingchen decide whether to kill or spare them.

"Huang Bo, since the matter was done secretly, who could have leaked the information and mobilized both the martial artists and the officials to hunt them down, trying to eradicate them completely? Could it be that Cai Xiang wanted to silence them?" Zhao Cheng asked.

"It can't be him. The Night Sect is a martial arts sect, and many people in the court and local areas have connections with them, using them to do things that can't be done in the open. Cai Jing only used them to cover his tracks. The Night Sect has always had a good reputation; their assassins often commit suicide if their mission fails, never revealing their employers' information," Huang Jingchen quickly judged. "The problem with the Night Sect being hunted down must lie within them!"

"Huang Bo, what do you mean? Could it be an internal conflict?" Zhao Cheng was a bit puzzled, as Huang Jingchen's explanation exceeded his understanding.

"It's likely a combination of both, with someone inside and outside working together to plot against them!" Huang Jingchen continued, seeing that Zhao Cheng still didn't fully understand. "Your Highness, think about what the Imperial City Guard is. They are the Emperor's eyes and ears, and Cai Jing wouldn't dare to interfere. Now, the Imperial City Guard is involved. There are only a few people who can command them. Can Your Highness guess who it might be?"

"It can't be Yang Jian, can it? For them to act in the palace, they must have an insider providing information and covering for them. The only person who can do both is him!" Zhao Cheng said, thinking aloud.

"Ha ha, Your Highness's guess is correct, it is Yang Jian. The eunuchs in charge of the medicine storeroom and tea delivery in the palace died under mysterious circumstances, but no one investigated. Such a big incident can only be covered up by him. And I heard that Yang Jian has been getting close to your distant uncle, Zheng Juzhong."

"How is he involved in this?" Zhao Cheng felt his mind was a bit slow, unable to keep up with the complexity of the situation, which now involved the top officials in the palace and the court, and even a royal relative.

"This brings us back to Cai Jing's return to power. After being demoted to Hangzhou, he wanted to make a comeback. The Emperor listens most to the Empress, so Cai Jing entrusted Zheng Juzhong to mediate, promising him the position of Chief of the Secretariat. After Cai Jing returned to power, he did recommend him to the Emperor, but the Empress blocked it because he was a relative. The position went to Zhang Kangguo, and Zheng Juzhong naturally harbored resentment towards Cai Jing, so he turned to Yang Jian!"

"Does Yang Jian want to kill Zhang Kangguo and leave the position for Zheng Juzhong?" Zhao Cheng only knew that his mother had helped Cai Jing return to power, but he didn't expect so many twists and turns.

"I don't know how he planned it or what he discussed with Cai Jing, but I think Yang Jian, no matter how bold, wouldn't dare to openly interfere with state affairs. However, the Emperor's reliance on Cai Jing is a fact. I suspect Yang Jian hunted down the Night Sect because he saw that Lu Xiaoyao was being used by Cai Jing, and he became suspicious. He feared that Cai Jing might use the Night Sect to threaten him, and he was also worried that the plan might leak, so he decided to eliminate them all. The simplest way to eradicate a secret sect is to find an insider!"

Without Huang Jingchen saying more, Zhao Cheng understood. Yang Jian had already secretly bought off someone in the Night Sect, found out their whereabouts, and immediately arranged for their movements and hideouts to be revealed after Lu Xiaoyao's assassination. This led to their enemies in the martial arts world hunting them down, while the officials took advantage of the chaos to raid the Night Sect's various branches, using or killing those who were useful or not, respectively, and bringing the largest assassin organization under his control.

"This old man is truly a seasoned politician and a master of intrigue, seeing through these matters so clearly. If I didn't know the general direction of events, I wouldn't be able to fool this old fox!" Zhao Cheng thought, grateful that Huang Jingchen was on his side, not only saving him a lot of trouble but also helping him understand the complexity of the court. "Huang Bo, what do you think we should do with these two?"

"Let's see. Since they are in a desperate situation and have temporarily taken refuge with us, if they are willing to be loyal to us, Your Highness will gain an ally. If they have ulterior motives, killing them will only take a bit of effort. If you trust me, I'll have Shunzi keep an eye on them!" Huang Jingchen replied after a moment's thought.

"Huang Bo, don't you want to avenge Zhang Kangguo?" Zhao Cheng asked.

"Ha ha, Your Highness is worried I might seek personal revenge!" Huang Jingchen smiled. "Pang Kangguo and I did have some connections, but they were mostly mutual exploitation. Now that he's gone, I've returned to the capital to pay my respects, which is enough. Besides, a knife can't be blamed for the death it causes!"

"I was thinking too much like a villain, Huang Bo, please don't be angry!" Zhao Cheng, whose thoughts were revealed, poured a cup of tea for Huang Jingchen, feeling embarrassed.

"Is Your Highness not a villain?" Huang Jingchen sipped his tea, making Zhao Cheng pause. Suddenly, he realized he was only eight years old, a true "little villain." Looking at the amused Huang Jingchen, and the embarrassed prince, the two schemers couldn't help but laugh together!

The mansion was heavily guarded, but the villagers working on the canal outside were unaware. They only noticed more idle people wandering around, and the men continued to work on the construction site, at most reminding their wives and children to lock the doors and be careful with their hard-earned money.

This winter, there were only two heavy snowfalls, and the spring weather was warm with little rain, leading to a spring drought. The wheat in the fields needed watering during its growth period, so the tenants begged the overseers to speak to the managers and delay the work for a couple of days to release water from the reservoir to irrigate the fields.

After discussing it, Zheng Fu and the others felt that this was crucial for the tenants' half-year's hard work, and a two-day delay wouldn't affect the schedule, so they agreed to use the half-built canal to irrigate the fields. This was a kind gesture, but it led to a disaster.

The canal was almost completed, and the final work was to reinforce and level it. After the irrigation, work resumed, but no one expected that a section of the canal, softened by the water, would suddenly collapse, burying six workers. Despite efforts to rescue them, two died and three were injured.

"Zheng Fu, kneel down!" In the meeting hall, Zhao Cheng, after hearing the report, paced anxiously for a moment, then turned and sternly ordered the chief manager Zheng Fu, who was standing to one side. The other managers were surprised, not expecting the usually gentle prince to suddenly become angry.

"Second Master," Zheng Fu, who knew the prince's background, was startled and knelt down.

"Zheng Fu, did you know about the irrigation?" Zhao Cheng pointed at him and asked.

"Second Master, I did. I ordered the water to be released to irrigate the fields!" Zheng Fu answered honestly.

"Good, since you gave the order, did you send anyone to check the soil conditions after the irrigation?" Zhao Cheng asked again.

"Second Master, I didn't, I was negligent!" Zheng Fu lowered his head and replied.

"Ha ha, you were negligent, you say. Your one order cost two lives. Two men lost their lives, and more children lost their fathers, more families were shattered. Do you know your crime?" Zhao Cheng said coldly.

"I know my crime!" Zheng Fu bowed his head and said.

"Good, you are responsible. Since I entrusted you with the dam and canal project, you must take responsibility for this incident. Otherwise, I can't explain it to the dead and their families. I am removing you from your position as chief manager, deducting your salary for a year, and giving you twenty lashes. Do you accept this?"

"Second Master is right, I have no complaints. I only ask that you don't expel me from the mansion!" Zheng Fu, kneeling on the ground with red eyes, pleaded.

"Your future will be decided later!" Zhao Cheng waved his hand, and two guards dragged him away. "Who was in charge of the section of the canal that collapsed?" he asked.

"Second Master, it was me!" A small manager from the engineering department stepped forward, trembling and kneeling down before Zhao Cheng could speak.

"Did you notice any changes in the soil or signs of collapse?"

"Second Master, I did, but the workers wanted to dig more to earn more money. I thought this would speed up the work and avoid delays, so I didn't stop them!" the small manager replied.

"Hum, you talk well, but I see you as a murderer, trying to please me by rushing the work. People like you who deceive superiors and hide the truth are the worst," Zhao Cheng said coldly.

"Second Master, spare me, I did it for the mansion!" The small manager, terrified, collapsed on the ground, sobbing. He knew the prince could kill him as easily as squashing an ant.

"Get out, drag him away and give him twenty lashes, then lock him up. We'll deal with him later!" Zhao Cheng said with disgust, then looked at the other managers, who all lowered their heads as his gaze swept over them. "Zheng Lu, you will temporarily take over as chief manager and be responsible for the construction site. The rest of you must learn from this. Your job is not just to supervise the workers. If this happens again, your heads will be on the line!"

"Yes!" They all replied in unison, relieved that the prince didn't blame them further.

"Zheng Lu, tell the injured workers that their wages will be doubled during their recovery, and all medical expenses will be covered by the mansion. Their rent for this year will also be waived. For those who died, provide 30,000 coins as compensation, and cover all funeral expenses. Give each family 20 acres of land to support them in the future!" Zhao Cheng said.

"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately!" Zheng Lu replied and quickly organized the necessary actions.

Seeing everyone leave, Zhao Cheng sat down, exhausted. "Second Master, these were accidents, don't blame yourself too much!" Jianxi, pouring him a cup of tea, said.

"Jianxi, find me some plain clothes. I'll go to the victims' homes with them. This incident is ultimately my fault for not planning it well. Otherwise, it wouldn't have happened!" Zhao Cheng sighed.