Chapter 123 (Bonus chapter sponsored by "It is Xiao Zui Kuang")

As soon as Zhu Hao finished speaking, Feng Gongcheng remained on one knee and immediately replied, "This subordinate obeys!" Only then did Feng rise, point to the two bailiffs kneeling on the ground, and gesture to the Embroidered Uniform Guards behind him, saying, "Take them away!"

Just as Feng turned to depart with his men and the prisoners, Zhu Hao suddenly called out to Xiao Jingao, "Magistrate Xiao, would you like to join us at the Embroidered Uniform Guards for a drink?"

Everyone present understood that this was no invitation to a social drink; it was an order to escort Xiao to the Embroidered Uniform Guards for a grueling interrogation.

Xiao trembled involuntarily at these words. "This, this, er, well, I have official business to attend to. I appreciate your Highness's kindness, but perhaps another day. Yes, another day! I shall take my leave!" He turned, ready to scurry away.

Zhu Hao thought to himself, "Another day? You had best hope I don’t find any connection between you and this matter. Otherwise, there will be no 'another day'—I will show you right now that there is no time like the present!"

Watching the man scramble away, Zhu Hao called out, "Magistrate Xiao, don't be in such a rush! Wait for me!"

Xiao thought, "Everyone in the capital says this Prince of Xin is not to be trifled with, and today I have learned why. He is no mere prince; he is a living King of Hell! Now that he has stopped me, what more does this devil want? I have already humbled myself; can he not just let me go?"

Despite his utter reluctance, the situation forced him to turn back. With a face full of nervous tension, he asked, "Er, Your Highness, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on? I still have official duties..."

Seeing Xiao’s terror—a stark contrast to his earlier argumentative posture—Zhu Hao mused, "It is good that you know fear. It is only those who do not fear that are difficult to control."

Deciding not to press him further, Zhu Hao said, "Magistrate Xiao, have you forgotten? Today I invited the officials of Zhejiang to discuss matters at the Administration Commission. I called you back so we could enter together."

Relieved, Xiao bowed low and gestured for Zhu Hao to precede him. "Ah, I see. My mind is clouded, I had forgotten. Your Highness, please, after you."

And so, this initial confrontation at the gates of the Administration Commission, which began as a minor clash, came to an end.

Zhu Hao nodded and, without false modesty, strode into the commission. With the delay, it was nearly the time he had set for the meeting. He went straight to the assembly hall, the place where officials typically gathered, and seated himself in the primary chair without hesitation.

As the Prince took his seat, the officials waiting in the room took theirs. To his left sat Xiao Jingao, the Left Administration Commissioner of Zhejiang, and to his right sat Li Shoujun, the Right Administration Commissioner. Zhu Hao observed them as they settled in.

However, Zhu Hao noticed the fourth chair on the right remained empty. He knew that officials were seated strictly according to rank; even if a superior was absent, subordinates would leave the seat vacant out of bureaucratic etiquette.

Zhu Hao looked at the empty chair with curiosity. He turned to Li Shoujun and asked, "Magistrate Li, I instructed you yesterday to notify all the officials. Did you ensure everyone was informed?"

Li rose hurriedly and bowed. "Reporting to Your Highness, how would I dare neglect your orders? Please be assured, I have notified them all."

Zhu Hao nodded and asked, "What time is it now?"

"It has just reached the hour of Chen," Li replied.

Zhu Hao nodded again, pointing to the empty chair. "Whose seat is this?"

Li glanced at the chair, then at Xiao Jingao, hesitating. Zhu Hao sensed the connection to Xiao and turned to him. "Magistrate Xiao, whose seat is this?"

Xiao stood, bowing deeply with an embarrassed expression. He took a breath and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, this chair belongs to the Prefect of Hangzhou, Zhang Dake."

Zhu Hao frowned. "Where is the Prefect of Hangzhou? Why is he not here for the meeting?"

"This... this I do not know," Xiao replied.

Zhu Hao snorted coldly. "You are the Administration Commissioner, and you do not know what the Prefect of the capital city is doing? You are truly senile!"

Ignoring Xiao’s mortified expression, Zhu Hao turned to the assembly. "Does anyone here know where the Prefect of Hangzhou has gone?"

The officials remained silent, terrified of the Prince's wrath. Finally, Li Shoujun stepped forward and bowed. "Your Highness, please calm your anger. I know where he is."

"Speak, Magistrate Li," Zhu Hao urged. "I am quite curious as to what could prevent the Prefect from attending this meeting."

Li looked awkward, hesitating once more. Zhu Hao pressed him, "Magistrate Li, have no reservations. Speak plainly."

"It is not that I have reservations," Li stuttered, "but the actions of Zhang Dake are truly difficult to speak of. He... he spent last night drinking in a brothel, and he is currently still incapacitated by a hangover, which is why he is absent."

Before he could finish, a middle-aged man in blue official robes stumbled into the hall, swaying with every step. Ignoring the assembly, he stared at Zhu Hao on the dais, swayed, and performed a sloppy salute. "This subordinate... hiccup... is late. Your Highness... please... hiccup... forgive me!"

The stench of alcohol wafting from him caused the surrounding officials to cover their noses in disgust. It was clearly Zhang Dake, the Prefect of Hangzhou.

Zhu Hao frowned. "You knew I was holding this meeting today, yet you spent the night drinking in a brothel? Do you not know that officials of the Ming Dynasty are forbidden from staying in such establishments? Do you have any regard for me or the Emperor? You are utterly contemptuous of the law!"

Zhang Dake showed no sign of remorse. He squinted at Zhu Hao, seemingly unable to recognize him, and pointed a finger. "Who is this little brat? How dare you speak to me like that? Hiccup... I am the..." Before he could finish, he collapsed onto the floor and began to snore loudly.

Zhu Hao was incensed. "Guards! Take the Prefect away and sober him up! Bring him back to see me only when he is clear-headed!"

He then looked at Li and Xiao. "You officials of Zhejiang have truly opened my eyes. This morning, the guards at the gate not only barred my entry but insulted me and the Emperor. I thought, they are but low-ranking men, so I would not bother with them. But now, even a fourth-rank imperial official is so degenerate—drunken in a brothel and insulting me to my face! It seems I am most unwelcome here."

"Some of you clearly want me to leave as quickly as possible. Let me tell you: the more you want me gone, the less likely I am to leave. You want me gone because you are afraid of what I might uncover. Well, I *will* uncover something. Your petty tricks do not frighten me. If I were afraid of you, I would never have come to Zhejiang!"

"The meeting is canceled for today. We shall reconvene tomorrow. If anyone else acts like the Prefect of Hangzhou, I will show no mercy! I shall personally submit a memorial to impeach him!"

Zhu Hao stood and walked out. The officials stood in silence, bowing as he departed. Once he was gone, they looked at one another with pale, terrified faces. They knew the Prefect of Hangzhou was finished; once the impeachment reached the capital, his career would be over. Their fear was for themselves, for they could all see that if the Prince of Xin was determined to stir up a storm in Zhejiang, he would not stop until the end.