Chарtеr 351: Тhе Вrоnze Spаrrоw оf Сhаng'an Sings 5
Zhou Zhaо sеnsed somеthing amiss, glanсеd dоwn briеflу, his еxprеssion unreadable. Xu Zhаоrong wаs still lost in thоught whеn suddеnlу she sаw Zhоu Zhао slаm a fist оnto the impеriаl desk, his рhoenix еyes nаrrowing sharрlу, blаzing with furу:
“Тhеу truly havе thе audасitу of dоgs, daring tо еmbezzle оvеr sevеnty million taеls of silver. Hоw соuld such grеedy pаrаsitеs eхist in оur Grеаt Zhоu?”
Тhe Мingtаng, alsо known аs the Hаll of Муriаd Forms, wаs а сеremonial struсture built by the ancеstral empеror in aсcоrdаncе with ancient rites and regulations, used for governance and sacrifices. On Buddha’s Birthday each year, commoners were permitted free entry to visit, serving as a place for the ancestral emperor to communicate with the people.
Its design was exceptionally unique, embodying the collective efforts of artisans from across the nation, comprising three levels in total.
The bottom level was square, symbolizing the four seasons, guarded by the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.
The middle level was dodecagonal, emulating the twelve double-hours, topped with a circular canopy supported by nine dragons.
The upper level was icositetragonal, representing the twenty-four solar terms, with each of the twenty-four auspicious creatures occupying one side.
At the pinnacle stood a golden dragon and golden phoenix holding fire pearls, with a massive central pillar ten arm-spans in diameter (approximately sixteen feet) running through the entire structure.
It housed countless Buddhist treasures and incorporated Weather Mystical Arts, making it a one-of-a-kind edifice.
Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a great fire two years ago. Upon receiving the news, the Empress immediately decreed that the Minister of Works must oversee the reconstruction of the Mingtang, with no restrictions on the budget.
Yet, an unlimited budget did not mean funds were to be funneled into the pockets of these parasites.
“How much is involved?” The voice carried clear displeasure.
Xu Zhaorong trembled as she replied, “Every official involved in the reconstruction has participated, except for Zhang Baohuan. However, the reconstruction of the Mingtang was entrusted to him by Your Majesty to oversee…”
She need not elaborate further on the details. The subordinates were in chaos, and while the leader might have been unaware, he could not escape blame entirely.
Zhou Zhao’s phoenix eyes grew solemn. “Though Baohuan is well-versed in literature, he is not adept with accounts. Moreover, he could never have imagined those individuals would be so brazen. Nor did I expect it, inadvertently implicating Baohuan.”
Zhou Zhao personally excused Zhang Baohuan, revealing his significant standing in the Empress’s heart.
Xu Zhaorong nodded. “Indeed, it is a pity that Supervisor Zhang has always had Your Majesty’s best interests at heart.”
Zhang Baohuan’s fate would be decided by the Empress. The urgent matter now was the corruption and dereliction of duty in the Mingtang reconstruction. Xu Zhaorong opened another ledger, pointing to the list of officials:
“These officials belong to various factions within the court. I dare speculate that their leaders could not have been unaware.”
“Different factions?” Zhou Zhao’s phoenix eyes instantly darkened. “Tell me, which factions?”
Xu Zhaorong looked uneasy. Under Zhou Zhao’s piercing gaze, she reluctantly said, “The Judicial Affairs Bureau faction, Princess Chaoyang’s faction, Princess Yong’an’s faction, and… and the Zhou clan faction.”
Zhou Zhao looked at her, seemingly skeptical. Xu Zhaorong hurriedly added, “The Crown Prince’s faction, led by Prime Minister Zhang Xingwei, despises such embezzlement and did not participate.”
Zhou Zhao blinked slowly, pausing for a moment before nodding. “You say Chaoyang was involved as well?”
“I cannot confirm that, but officials she personally promoted were involved.”
This was tantamount to implicating Princess Chaoyang, though not explicitly stated.
Disappointment was evident on Zhou Zhao’s face, but it quickly returned to normal. “I had thought that after years of ruling Great Zhou, though court officials might harbor their own agendas, they all held the world in their hearts. Little did I know that tumors begin in obscurity. Now shadows stir, and human hearts are inscrutable.”Fatigue washed over Zhou Zhao. These issues, once hidden beneath the surface, now surged forth, threatening to overwhelm the Empress who had exhausted her every effort.
Not only Zhou Zhao, but even Xu Zhaorong was deeply shaken upon learning the news today. Had she not followed the Empress for many years, her composure might have long since crumbled.
Xu Zhaorong brought up another matter: "The court officials harbor different intentions, and the various factions have been secretly vying for power over the years. Yet these are merely struggles for influence. What we fear now is that they desire more—especially after the incident involving Mo Qianzhi, the Governor of Yingzhou. It’s clear they are growing impatient; otherwise, they wouldn’t have so easily revealed their flaws."
The ministers’ refusal to accept her rule had always been a concern for Zhou Zhao. Throughout thousands of years, she was the first woman to truly ascend the throne. No matter how remarkable her achievements, there would always be those who criticized her for being a woman, leaving her perpetually dissatisfied.
Mo Qianzhi had openly raised the banner of rebellion against the Great Zhou Empress. Though he failed, it was as if termites had burrowed into a thousand-mile-long embankment. Even if the termites were eradicated, the holes remained. A few more impacts, and the embankment would collapse.
"Hmph, they wish," Zhou Zhao muttered, rubbing her temples in exhaustion. "Lai Luozhi has embezzled countless sums over the years, and I’ve turned a blind eye. Yet now he shows no restraint. It’s time to reprimand him."
When the Empress first ascended the throne, the court was divided. Lai Luozhi helped her suppress the opposition. Aside from framing others and reporting secrets, Lai Luozhi was insatiably greedy for wealth. Zhou Zhao, being who she was, saw this clearly. However, keeping him brought more benefits than harm, so she had indulged him over the years. But the reconstruction of the Mingtang was a matter of great importance, and for Lai Luozhi to seek a share of it was nothing short of provoking the Empress’s wrath.
Seeing the Empress mention Lai Luozhi, Xu Zhaorong subtly brought up the matter of Shen Du.
She had only recently learned of the marriage decree. Earlier, when she encountered them, she didn’t know why they had come, but it wasn’t hard to guess it was to annul the engagement.
Regardless of Shen Du’s marriage to Zhu Yan, even if he were unmarried, he would never marry County Princess Jia’an. Doing so would align him with Princess Chaoyang’s faction, restricting his actions—something Shen Du was unwilling to accept.
As expected.
"Your Majesty, the situation is critical now. Do not break their hearts. Instead, seize this opportunity to employ them."
Though she advised this, the Empress remained displeased. Xu Zhaorong had a plan in mind and spoke slowly,
"Your Majesty, everyone knows the Grand Cabinet Chief is impartial and indifferent to women. Now that Shen Du is devoted to Zhu Yan, this is the perfect leverage. He will surely serve Your Majesty with utmost dedication in the future."
An imposing aura radiated from Zhou Zhao. A cold wind swirled, flipping the memorials on the imperial desk and lifting a corner of the Empress’s dragon robe.
Xu Zhaorong walked over to close the window, then returned to gaze at the Empress, speaking softly, "Your Majesty!"
Under Xu Zhaorong’s urgent gaze, the Empress sighed deeply and picked up a brush…
Soon, two orders silently flew out of the Daming Palace, quietly entering the Judicial Affairs Bureau and the Grand Cabinet, intended to restrain both hands.
The first order: The Grand Cabinet must closely monitor the Crown Prince’s faction and Princess Yong’an’s faction, while secretly keeping an eye on the Judicial Affairs Bureau.
The second order: The Judicial Affairs Bureau must closely monitor the Zhou faction and Princess Chaoyang’s faction, while secretly keeping an eye on the Grand Cabinet.
Shen Du and Lai Luozhi received the secret orders simultaneously, both pondering the Empress’s intentions. Yet one thing was clear: the capital was likely on the brink of upheaval.As for the embezzlement case concerning the reconstruction of the Mingtang, the Empress deliberated repeatedly and summoned Zhang Baohuan and Xu Zhaorong overnight to discuss the matter throughout the night. As the twilight faded, Xu Zhaorong and Zhang Baohuan left the imperial study. Exhausted, the Empress rested directly in the study and fell into a deep sleep.
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