Chapter Twenty-One: Quite Bold, Aren't You

“I do not know what awaits me on this path. Perhaps I will be promoted and entrusted with great responsibility, or perhaps I will lose my head and forfeit my life. Yet, I still hope you will come with me. If fortune smiles upon us, perhaps I might help you exact your revenge. Alone, no matter how skilled you are, you could never overcome the countless guards around Zhang Jiafu. Tell me, do you trust me?”

Di Ying himself was uncertain of his own future, harboring the same thought as Peng Liang: not to be a burden to the other. Yet after much deliberation, he felt certain he was not destined for such an early death, and thus there was hope to help Peng Liang avenge his grievances. If Peng Liang tried to seek revenge on his own, he would likely only be throwing his life away. Over these past days, Di Ying had come to admire Peng Liang greatly, unwilling to see him perish so senselessly.

“My lord, from the moment I first addressed you as such, it was my wish to follow you always. But…” Peng Liang wiped his face as he heard these sincere words from Lord Di. Yet the gloom in his star-like eyes cleared, replaced by renewed spirit. The lord’s astonishing methods and brilliant mind had left him deeply impressed. And since the lord was alone, he could not help but worry for him. He had long wished to protect him, but had been held back by the fear of being a burden, and so dared not voice his desire. Now, hearing the lord’s invitation, Peng Liang could not help but feel a surge of excitement.

“Heh,” Di Ying interrupted, grinning as he gazed at Peng Liang’s striking features and those eyes that suddenly sparkled with life. “You know, my road ahead is far more perilous than yours. Between the two of us, who will hold the other back is yet to be seen. Best be prepared for anything.”

“I, Peng Liang, am willing to follow my lord!”

This time, Peng Liang hesitated no longer. Dropping to one knee, he offered a formal military salute in solemn reply. Di Ying rose and helped him up, firmly clasping his shoulder. He could not say whether this choice was right or wrong, but for now, the two could rely upon each other, each seeking what he needed.

What Di Ying did not yet know was that his deeds in Bingzhou had already reached the imperial ear.

…

Capital city, Golden Throne Hall, morning court.

The Empress listened as the officials below erupted into another quarrel, rubbing her temples before lightly rapping the imperial desk. “If you must argue, do so outside. When you have a plan worth presenting, then return and report to me.”

At these words, instant silence fell. The two factions, on the verge of blows, sheepishly returned to their places. Nearly fifty years of age, the Empress shifted her tired back and swept her gaze across the assembled ministers. “Is there any further business? If not, court is dismissed.”

“Your Majesty, this humble servant has a matter to report.”

At this, Zhang Jiafu, Minister of Personnel, stepped forth, holding his tablet. The Empress lifted her eyelids, thinking privately, “Court has already been in session for an hour—why speak only now, neither early nor late?” Yet, since there was business, she could hardly ignore it, and signaled him to continue.

Receiving permission, Zhang Jiafu raised his voice. “Your Majesty, yesterday I received a report from the provinces. It states that Di Ying, legal officer of Bingzhou, openly established a public tribunal to judge the Governor Ma Guangjin, Inspector She Jianhong, Senior Administrator Meng Zenglu, and the sons and daughters of the Ma and She families—a total of forty-nine persons. To this day, the Ministry of Justice has received no case files, nor has a single prisoner been delivered to the capital.”

“Oh?” The Empress was intrigued at the mention of a minor official presiding publicly over the trial of local third-rank civil and military officials. She sat up straight and looked to Zhang Jiafu. “This Di Ying is bold indeed. Did he accompany the prisoners to the capital? Oh, but they have not yet been delivered. What happened? Were the trials incomplete, or has someone interfered?”

“Your Majesty, the matter is thus…” At the Empress’s inquiry, an indignant look flashed across Zhang Jiafu’s thin, sharp face. Bowing deeply, he reported, “Your Majesty, all those prisoners are already dead…”

“What?” The Empress was taken aback. Rising to her feet, she leveled a finger at Zhang Jiafu, her tone severe. “Speak! What exactly took place?”

The murder of court officials of the third rank—whether civil or military—was a matter to shake the realm. Who could have dared such a deed? Even if they were guilty, it was not for a mere fifth-rank legal officer to decide. Was Zhang Jiafu himself unaware of the gravity of the situation, or was he hoping to exploit it for personal gain? Outrageous!

“Your Majesty, it was that Di Ying, the legal officer, who incited the people of Bingzhou to denounce them in public, and then… In the end, he roused the crowd to beat Ma Guangjin and the others to death through the bars of the prison carts. It’s said—the prison carts were smashed to pieces, and the prisoners’ flesh was even bitten from their bodies by the mob…”

Intimidated by the Empress’s wrath, Zhang Jiafu hurried through his account.

As soon as he finished, before the Empress could speak, an uproar swept the entire hall.

“What? Such brutality? Those were third-rank officials of the realm! How could commoners be allowed to dishonor them so? What of the dignity of the court?”

“Insolence! He must be seized at once and punished severely!”

“If every official acted thus, what face would the Ministry of Justice have left? What face would the court have left? He must be made an example!”

Among the civil officials, most were concerned about the loss of dignity, already pondering how Di Ying should be dealt with. Yet among the military officers, some found such methods deeply satisfying, and retorted loudly to the civil officials.

“Ha! You scholars talk of nothing but face—what is that worth? I say Di Ying did exactly right.”

“Exactly! If Ma Guangjin and his lot could be torn apart by the people, it proves their crimes were monstrous. As a fifth-rank officer, what else could Di Ying do? He had no other recourse!”

“Well done, Di Ying! I admire such a resourceful official!”

For a while, supporters and detractors of Di Ying argued fiercely. The martial officials’ blunt words drove the civil officials into a frenzy, crying that their dignity was being insulted.

The Empress rubbed her temples again and slowly settled back onto the throne. At first, upon hearing Zhang Jiafu’s report, she too was enraged, thinking Di Ying had gone too far—showing no regard for the law or the established order. But as the debate continued, her anger faded. If he truly held a public trial before the people, it meant Ma Guangjin and the others were indeed deserving of death. Yet, as a minor official, he lacked the authority to judge or sentence them. To prevent them escaping justice, he had resorted to such measures. In truth…

Perhaps it was not so unforgivable. It showed Di Ying to be quick-witted and bold—possessing both courage and resolve.

This was a man she needed to meet.