Volume Two: The Noble and the Vile Chapter Fifty-One: The People Sue the Officials in the Ministry of Justice

In the side chamber of the Ministry of Justice’s second hall, Vice Minister Yan Yishou looked at the two men brought before him with a complex expression, momentarily at a loss for words.

This matter should not have fallen under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, regardless of whether the alleged extermination case was true or false. As the official had just noted, while the Ministry of Justice held the power to review cases and enforce the law, it usually acted only after local authorities had filed reports and requested a decision. It was unheard of for a plaintiff to storm the Ministry of Justice crying for justice himself, especially when the case occurred in Henan, far from the capital. His reach simply did not extend that far.

However, there were always exceptions. Today’s commotion had grown too large; it would likely spread throughout the capital by nightfall. With the Ministry surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of people, they had to quell the situation immediately, leaving them no choice but to accept the case. Furthermore, the ringleader was Huang Ming. Yan Yishou had a deep impression of this young man, who had already made a name for himself in the capital’s official circles, and dared not act carelessly. He decided to question them personally, and the youth had followed the plaintiff right into the hall.

"Are you Huang Ming?"

As the two approached—one immediately prostrating and kowtowing tremblingly, the other merely bowing with hands cupped—Yan Yishou’s attention focused entirely on Huang Ming. Unlike the interrogation at the Shuntian Prefecture, this session was far more relaxed; aside from a few guards and clerks, there wasn't even anyone chanting for order.

Huang Ming, feeling at ease, straightened his posture and looked at the high-ranking official in the crimson robe, who was in his fifties. "That is I, sir."

"I ask you, what has this to do with you? Why must you meddle in others' affairs?"

"Vice Minister, that is where you are mistaken. As the saying goes, 'When the road is uneven, someone will pave it; when there is injustice, someone will act.' Since there is a grievance and the local officials refuse to uphold justice, as a student who has read the words of the sages, I am naturally bound to offer my assistance."

The words were logical enough that Yan Yishou could not refute them. He could only snort and say, "Now that this case has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for review, you may rest easy, may you not?"

The implication was for Huang Ming to leave sensibly, but Huang remained unmoved, staring back. "If you can truly judge impartially and restore justice, I shall leave. However, I fear a repeat of the Henan authorities and the Shuntian Prefecture, where black and white were inverted and officials shielded one another. Therefore, I dare not leave."

"You... how bold! Do you dare question whether the Ministry of Justice is capable of fair judgment?"

"I dare not, sir. I am merely stating the truth." As Huang Ming spoke, he nudged Zheng Zinian with his foot.

The latter immediately spoke, his voice choked with sobs: "I beg the upright judge to seek justice and clear the names of my parents and the forty-seven souls of the Zheng family who died in vain..."

Yan Yishou’s brow twitched. "What are the details of this case? Is there a formal petition?"

"Yes, yes." Zheng Zinian hastily pulled a prepared document from his robes and held it above his head. A clerk took it and delivered it to the Vice Minister.

As Yan Yishou opened it and scanned the contents, his expression grew increasingly grave. "Is this case truly of such magnitude?"

"It is. My father, Zheng Qian, was killed by the Imperial Guard simply because he intended to serve the country by impeaching the treacherous official Qian Ning. From all subsequent events, it is clear that this was all caused by the betrayal of Liao Kui, who was my father’s colleague and close friend...

"Liao Kui had originally pledged to my father that they would jointly impeach Qian Ning. Instead, he broke his promise and, ignoring the integrity of a censor, tipped off the Imperial Guard... Such actions are despicable, shameless, and worse than a beast.

"That is not all. After my father was killed, Liao Kui seized the opportunity to return to our hometown of Ruyang, swallowing thousands of acres of the Zheng family’s land and property. He framed the surviving members of my family who attempted to report him, throwing them into prison and killing them one by one.

"As if that were not enough, he then forcibly took my mother and sister into his own home, abusing them at will. It is truly... truly..."

Whether due to his agitation or a lack of more vicious words, Zheng Zinian could not continue. The officials of the Ministry of Justice nearby were all moved. If these claims were true, Liao Kui truly deserved death!

After a moment of silence, Zheng Zinian kowtowed again. "I was the only one lucky enough to escape. Because my mother and sister were still in Liao Kui's hands, I dared not report it... It was not until two months ago that I learned my mother had taken her own life years ago to escape his abuse, and my sister's whereabouts remain unknown.

"That is why I have dared to come here. I did not fail to seek justice at the various levels of the Henan government, but they shielded one another and refused to accept the case. When I arrived in the capital and sought justice at the Shuntian Prefecture, I was beaten and driven away..."

He suddenly raised his head and cried out, "Therefore, I not only accuse the Censorate official Liao Kui of destroying my family and murdering forty-seven people, I also accuse the Henan authorities and the Prefect of Shuntian for shielding a murderer... I beg the upright judge to act for me!"

Each cry of grievance felt like a heavy hammer striking Yan Yishou’s head, causing him a splitting headache. Zheng Zinian had truly staked everything. Not only was he a commoner suing officials, but he had dragged so many into the fray, and he had foolishly let him say it all in public.

What caused Yan Yishou even more trouble was Huang Ming, standing aside with a solemn expression. If it were only the plaintiff, he would have sternly rebuked him for accusing so many officials. No, if it were only the plaintiff, he would never have even made it through the gates. It was only because Huang Ming was there to stir the pot that they had reached this point.

Fortunately, Yan Yishou had years of experience. He quickly formulated a plan and said gently, "Zheng Zinian, I am now aware of your grievances. However, this matter is far-reaching and involves imperial officials; I cannot rely solely on your side of the story.

"Since your grievances occurred in Ruyang, Henan, it will take time to investigate. Therefore, I cannot make a ruling yet. Guards, take Zheng Zinian down, find him quarters within the Ministry, and wait until I send people to the locality to verify the truth. It will not be too late to judge then!"

Hearing this, Huang Ming couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The Vice Minister was playing a crafty game, intending to use delay tactics to suppress the case, wait for the storm to pass, and then handle it quietly. Once the public interest waned, the truth would be whatever he said it was.

But unfortunately, things would not go as he wished today.

Huang Ming stepped forward. "Sir, why go to such trouble? The truth of the Zheng family’s extermination does not require sending men to Ruyang. You need only summon the accused, Liao Kui, and have them confront one another to know the truth!"

The Vice Minister was stunned, yet he had to admit that Huang Ming’s suggestion was sound.