Chapter 119: Turmoil at the Banquet Table

Zhu Hao did not care about these distant future possibilities; his sole concern was that Hong Chengchou was a man of talent who must not fall into the hands of the Manchus again. With this thought, he suppressed his anger, donned a pleasant expression, and said, "So it is you, Magistrate Hong. You are indeed young and promising; please forgive my earlier lack of courtesy. Since you wish to answer on behalf of the Education Commissioner Cai, pray tell: what professional misconduct has the Commissioner committed?"

Hong Chengchou was puzzled as to why Zhu Hao’s attitude had softened so suddenly, but since the question was posed, he had no choice but to respond. "Compared to Your Highness, the Prince of Xin, I dare not claim to be young and promising. As for your question regarding the Commissioner's faults, if I may speak frankly, he has committed none."

Listening to this evasive answer, Zhu Hao cursed inwardly, "You traitorous dog, are you playing games with me? Do you think I wouldn't kill you right now to save you from becoming a turncoat later?"

Zhu Hao was about to snap, but Hong Chengchou continued, "The Emperor sent Your Highness to Zhejiang to investigate the imperial examinations out of trust. Yet, upon arriving, you questioned the Commissioner without any prior verification. I believe such conduct is inappropriate. I implore Your Highness to reconsider, lest you chill the hearts of all the officials in Zhejiang!"

Hearing Hong Chengchou lecture him, Zhu Hao could barely contain his fury. Just as he was about to berate him, Xiao Jinga, the Left Administration Commissioner of Zhejiang sitting beside him, rose abruptly and scolded, "Hong Chengchou, mind your tone when speaking to His Highness! How the Prince conducts his business is his own prerogative; it is not for you to point fingers!"

After rebuking Hong, Xiao turned back to Zhu Hao. "Your Highness, Magistrate Hong is still young. Please do not take his words to heart. We are here to host a welcome banquet for you; let us set aside official business for now. These matters can wait until you reach the Administration Commission office."

Although Xiao Jinga appeared to be scolding Hong, he was clearly shielding him. With this, even if Zhu Hao were filled with rage, he had no outlet.

Zhu Hao thought to himself, "He says he's young? This old fox is insulting me! Compared to him, I’m still just a child. Is he calling him young, or calling me a brat? This old man can insult someone without using a single dirty word. I’ll remember this!"

Despite these thoughts, Zhu Hao remained silent. Since Xiao had already rebuked Hong, for the Prince to do the same would seem petty in front of the assembled officials. Moreover, Xiao's point about the venue being inappropriate left him with no rebuttal. He could only curse inwardly, "What a wily old fox."

Trapped by Xiao’s maneuver, Zhu Hao—whose skin was thick enough not to show his embarrassment—let out a dry laugh and sat back down. "Commissioner Xiao is right; I was indeed too impatient. Gentlemen, please enjoy the food and drink—don't try to save me any money!"

Following this jest, the tense atmosphere in the Chunjiang Pavilion eased, and after the meal, the officials began to take their leave. In truth, Zhu Hao was the only one who had truly eaten; the others had been trembling on thin ice, leaving most of the food untouched.

Zhu Hao frowned at the waste but said nothing. He called Wei Xiaobao to settle the bill and instructed the Right Administration Commissioner, Li Shoujun, to escort his party to the Imperial Envoy’s residence.

***

On the way to the residence, Zhu Hao chatted with Li Shoujun. "Commissioner Li, as a colleague of Commissioner Xiao, you must know him well. What kind of man do you think he is?"

Li Shoujun hesitated. "Your Highness, in my view, Commissioner Xiao is a good man. He never offends anyone, and all the officials in Zhejiang are on excellent terms with him. In this, I admire him, but..."

Li paused. Zhu Hao finished the thought: "But a man like that, when serving as an official, is too slick. He tends to indulge his subordinates, which breeds corruption. A good man, perhaps, but not necessarily a good official, is that it?"

Li bowed. "Your Highness, I said no such thing. In my eyes, Commissioner Xiao is a man who serves the country and the people well."

Zhu Hao shook his head. "Enough, stop covering for him. I have my own judgment. Commissioner Xiao is getting old; I believe the future of Zhejiang will rest on your shoulders, Commissioner Li." He sighed softly.

The implication was clear: Zhu Hao intended to remove Xiao Jinga, leaving Li Shoujun as the sole Administration Commissioner. Li, a veteran of the bureaucracy, understood perfectly. "I am grateful for your trust, Your Highness, but I fear my own limited abilities may fall short of the court's expectations."

Zhu Hao waved his hand. "Do not be so modest. I think highly of you. Once this matter is settled, I will certainly recommend you to my imperial brother. For now, I have just arrived in Zhejiang, and there is much to be done. I will need your assistance."

Li understood this was a quid pro quo. "I am honored by your patronage. Whenever you have need of me in Zhejiang, please command it, and I shall do my utmost to help you fulfill the Emperor’s mandate."

Zhu Hao nodded and said no more. The party arrived at the residence—a refined, three-courtyard estate. Satisfied with the accommodation, Zhu Hao smiled at Li. "This is excellent. I am very pleased. You have put much thought into this, Commissioner."

Li breathed a sigh of relief. "I am glad you are satisfied. Servants have been prepared for you. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"Wait," Zhu Hao called out. "Inform the officials that I shall hold a meeting at the Administration Commission office tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon (7–9 AM). See that they are all present."

"Rest assured, Your Highness," Li replied. "I shall see to it. All the officials of Zhejiang will be there to welcome you tomorrow morning."

***

Once Li departed, Zhu Hao had Wei Xiaobao settle the staff while he sat in the main hall, sipping tea and contemplating how to crack the corruption case.

As he pondered, Wei Xiaobao entered with a smile. "Your Highness, you must be tired. Everything is settled; you may bathe and retire."

Zhu Hao looked at him, sensing something amiss. "You, servant, is there something you wish to tell me? Do not play games. What is it? You’ve only been in Zhejiang for a few hours—have you already picked up the crooked ways of these officials?"

Wei Xiaobao lowered his head, embarrassed. "It is the scholar Qin. He says he has matters to discuss with you. I was only worried that you were exhausted from the journey..."

Zhu Hao cut him off. "What business? Send him in! I am not so frail as to need rest. In the future, speak plainly. If you try to play clever with me again, I will send you to the Jinyiwei prison for a few days!"

Hearing the mention of the Jinyiwei—and remembering the stories of how his master had emerged from those cells unconscious—Wei Xiaobao shivered. "I dare not, Your Highness! Please, anything but the Jinyiwei!"

Zhu Hao could not help but laugh at his servant's terror.