"Ah... please, sir... just a coin- Argh...!"
The little beggar was kicked hard in the face.
"Damn you! A filthy wretch like you dares to dirty my clothes?! Disgusting...! Absolutely revolting!"
The opium house tycoon spat his insults at the pitiful Li Dugu. Blood streamed from the boy's face onto the ground. His baby teeth had been knocked out of his gums.
"It hurts... it stings so much... Ah..."
...
Whether it was heaven's mercy or karma from a past life, that very evening, the sedan of the Minister of Treasury happened to pass by.
"Wait! Please wait...!" He ran out fearlessly in front of the royal procession.
In that instant... the Qinglong Ji (Chinese halberd) of an imperial guard was set against his neck.
"How dare you! Do you know who you are obstructing?! Are you blind? Can you not see this is the sedan of Minister Renchang, bearing the seal of the Qinwu royal family?!"
"Unarm yourself." came the command, and the soldiers exchanged wary glances.
"I believe delaying just two or three minutes won't bring ruin." the old man said.
"This humble one bows before the honorable Minister." Dugu bowed deeply, his body forming a perfect right angle. Blood from his mouth dripped quietly onto the street.
"Oh? Such manners, especially for a street urchin. Quite impressive, little beggar. ha ha ha!"
The bearded old man stepped down slowly from the royal sedan.
With a graceful smile, he spoke, "Now, what matter could be so urgent that you would stop a royal procession?"
"Please... I beg of you, help me!"
"What, you just want money? Here!" He held out two gold ingots to the boy.
"I'm not asking for that, sir."
"Hm...? Why not? Come, tell me."
It was clear the elderly man looked upon the boy with a hint of affection.
"If I take your money... do you really think I'd get to keep it?"
"Surely the elder beggars, calling themselves 'seniors,' will take whatever you give me to satisfy their own pleasures."
"Therefore... please, I beg you... take me away from this hell...!"
Wang Renchang, Minister of the Treasury, studied the boy for a moment. Then he placed a firm hand on the child's shoulder. His eyes glowed with both strength and kindness.
"Very well... You had the courage to ask, so I shall have the courage to answer. Climb up!"
"It is the greatest of mercies, sir."
"I am not the one saving you. It is your courage alone... that has pulled you from the mud. Hehaha..."
...
Three days earlier, in the imperial court...
The ceremonial drums sounded three times. The doors of the hall groaned open, and the imperial eunuch stepped out slowly, one foot at a time.
With a high yet commanding voice, he declared, "Imperial Decree!"
The gathered ministers folded their hands and bowed in unison, paying utmost respect to the edict of the man favored by Heaven, the Emperor himself.
The imperial eunuch unrolled the silk decree and continued in a loud, authoritative voice:
"His Majesty, the Emperor of the Qinwu Dynasty, descendant of the celestial lineage, hereby issues this decree to Minister Wang Renchang, Minister of the Treasury."
"At present, rations at Yunlong Fortress in the southern frontier of the realm are critically lacking, this contradicts prior reports."
"It is feared that someone has violated imperial law and is siphoning off provisions meant for the people and the border troops."
"Therefore, His Majesty commands Minister Renchang to lead the Officials of Treasury and an inspection party to the city of Yunlong. You are to audit the grain stores, uncover the truth, and punish the culprits in accordance with imperial law."
"Go swiftly. Do not delay. Let no one dare embezzle the wealth of the empire!"
"Long live His Majesty!"
Minister Ren Chang rose from his bow, head low, and received the decree with both hands.
"I, Renchang, Minister of the Treasury, accept the imperial Decree!"
...
The royal procession halted before the gates of Yunlong Fortress. Guards opened the massive gates in welcome. All present knelt in respect to the Minister.
The royal banner fluttered above the city walls, catching the fading light of day.
Renchang remained seated in his carriage, stroking his beard as his cold gaze met the opening steel gates.
"Open the city granary," he said calmly though his tone was resolute and forceful.
— Is this the same gentle old man from earlier? Dugu thought.I never expected such a kind-faced official could possess such terrifying authority.
"Yes, sir!" The fortress general bowed deeply, then turned to his soldiers.
"Open the granary! Escort the Minister!"
The minister's entourage began to disembark. Li Dugu followed behind the officials with small steps, carefully hugging the heavy scrolls he had been given.
Though his face still bore bruises from the beating, his eyes now shone with determination. The despair that once shadowed his gaze had vanished.
"I must thank you again, sir," he said softly.
"From now on, keep quiet and observe, little Dugu. You may learn something."
"Yes, sir."
As the granary doors creaked open, a musty stench filled the air.
"Hmph...? This doesn't smell like a place filled with food," Renchang muttered as he stepped in slowly.
The officials widened their eyes in shock, only half the shelves in the granary were stocked.
BANG! Renchang slammed his hand against the table in fury.
"You dare report that the provisions are completely filled when it's this empty?!"
His booming voice echoed through the chamber.
The fortress general flinched, body stiff."I- I had no idea, sir! The report... was filed by the Chief Accountant!"
"Where is the Chief Accountant?!"
Renchang's roar shook the room.
Imperial guards dragged forth a plump man, forcing him to kneel before the delegation.
"Please, Minister! I was only following orders... I merely-"
"Silence!" Renchang narrowed his eyes coldly.
"And whose orders were they?"
A chilling silence fell over the room...
Li Dugu watched it all, wide-eyed. He could not understand imperial policy or treasury reports, but he could read the Minister's gaze and the expression of those who knelt before him.
...
In the Throne Hall
The royal court was silent as the eunuch called the session. The Emperor sat still, expression unreadable, golden eyes gleaming. He gave the slightest wave.
"Minister Renchang," he said in a quiet but icy tone," You brought this matter before the throne. Speak your case."
Renchang stepped forward, his voice sharp as steel.
"Embezzlement of State Assets, Abuse of Authority, Intimidation of Government Officials…"
"Wu Yan. One last chance. Will you confess, or shall I read your sentence and draw the blade myself?"
Wu Yan, trembling, shackled, and drooling in terror, tried to speak
"I— I'm guilty! Please… grant..."
"Too late."
The Minister's words struck like a blade cleaving the sky.
"You forged records. Intimidated subordinates. And trafficked in opium, a poison that rots our people!"
He turned slightly toward Li Dugu.
"You hoarded grain while children starved. Their lives may be worthless to you… but not to me."
"I will now decide your judgement."
"1. Wu Yan is hereby stripped of all rank. He is banished from court. His descendants may never sit for the imperial exams."
"2. The entire Wu clan's assets—lands, gold, food, silver—shall be seized and returned to the people."
"3. Wu Yan shall be executed by severing his vital meridians in the town square, as a warning to any who would follow in his path."
The hall was silent.
But Minister Renchang was not yet finished.
"I am no fool," he said, eyes narrowing at the silent ministers.
"There are more names,
No one embezzles alone."
"I will drag every last one of you down. One by one."
He turned back to the boy.
"This child, Li Dugu, has no power. No status. Not even shoes.But he has something most of you lack."
"A spine. And the courage to speak the truth, even at the risk of death."
"I hereby appoint Li Dugu as an honorary apprentice Jinshi, under special authority. He shall be my foster son, my eyes and ears in this court."
"And to those of you still hiding behind lies…"
"I'll send him to pull back the veil, and drag your filth into the light."
The Minister's voice thundered like a bell.
The Emperor said nothing.But at the corner of his mouth… a cunning smile curled, like a predator amused by its prey.
"Well then… the case is closed."