The Great Qing Divine Judgment

Chapter 3

Your humble servant Zhang Wentao, risking his life, kneels to report: Regarding the murder of Mu Qingyi, the seventh-rank deputy commander of the Chongnan Ward in the eastern part of the capital, I have uncovered clues. According to my investigation, the concubine of Prince Cheng is closely involved in this case…

Emperor Jiaqing's hand trembled slightly as he held the memorial. The more he read, the more astonished he became. By the time he finished, the corner of the memorial he had been clutching was soaked with cold sweat. Everything Zhang Wentao had said was utterly unbelievable, especially since such a thing had actually happened to his own brother, Prince Cheng. However, this man, whom Emperor Qianlong had bestowed upon him the title of "Great Detective of the Qing Dynasty," always presented his reports with solid evidence and unwavering conviction. Zhang Wentao had investigated for over a year, traveling throughout the country and interviewing countless witnesses; his report was certainly not baseless!

Prince Cheng, the eleventh son, was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, especially renowned for his calligraphy. He was Emperor Qianlong's most favored son, even more so than Emperor Jiaqing. Had it not been for his harsh and cruel treatment of servants, earning him a terrible reputation, perhaps it would be Jiaqing's eleventh son sitting on the throne today. Prince Cheng currently holds the position of Grand Councilor, oversees the three treasuries of the Ministry of Revenue, and concurrently manages the affairs of the Three Banners, wielding considerable power and sharing control of the court with Jiaqing. How could someone with no background, a mere fourth-rank Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, dare to challenge the emperor?

Emperor Jiaqing nodded approvingly, then shook his head helplessly, and said to the eunuch Niu Wuyou, "Prepare the Emperor to go to the Ning Shou Palace to see the Retired Emperor." (At this time, all political power was still in the hands of Emperor Qianlong, and Emperor Jiaqing had to consult Emperor Qianlong on everything.)

Nine

"Utter nonsense! Zhang Wentao speaks based on hearsay, makes arbitrary and reckless reports, and spreads falsehoods that disrupt the government..." The nearly ninety-year-old Qianlong Emperor, upon hearing Jiaqing's memorial, turned red with anger. He sat on his bed, catching his breath for a while, before finally saying, "Issue an imperial edict..."

Emperor Jiaqing hurriedly stepped out of the warm pavilion and said to the eunuchs guarding outside, "Quickly go to the Grand Council and summon a Grand Council Secretary."

“No need,” Qianlong stopped him.

Emperor Jiaqing stopped the eunuch, then came back in and asked, "Your Majesty the Retired Emperor, is there anything else?"

"No need to issue an edict. I want to rest. You may leave now."

Unsure of Qianlong's intentions, Jiaqing tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, should Zhang Wentao be handed over to the Imperial Clan Court or the Ministry of Justice?"

"Do you want the whole capital to know about these scandalous affairs of the imperial family tomorrow? Where will our imperial family's reputation be then? Yongxing might even use this as an excuse to launch a massive lawsuit, destroy evidence, and execute witnesses! It will be even harder to handle then!" Qianlong said sternly, then softened his tone: "I am old and cannot withstand great storms. The court cannot be allowed to fall into chaos. This memorial is to be sealed with an imperial edict and stored in the secret archives. No one else is allowed to know about it except you and me. As for Zhang Wentao, let him leave the capital. Tell him that he is not allowed to touch this case again. Make him forget about this case completely!"

The Great Qing Divine Judgment Ten

On the third day of the twelfth month, Emperor Jiaqing issued an imperial edict: Zhang Wentao had requested a transfer, and given the frequent thefts in western Gansu, a capable official was urgently needed to address the situation. Zhang Wentao was appointed Prefect of Suzhou Prefecture, retaining the rank of a fourth-grade official. It was hoped that he would be diligent in his duties, thoroughly investigate cases, apprehend thieves and bandits, and serve as a model for all officials in Gansu, thus not failing the Emperor's expectations. (Suzhou Prefecture is present-day Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, adjacent to Jiayuguan Pass, and encompassing Jiayuguan, Yumen County, and even the westernmost Dunhuang County and Yumen Pass; it was an extremely remote area.)

Zhang Wentao was effectively exiled, and the files related to Mu Qingyi in the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review were quietly destroyed. A major case that almost caused a huge uproar in the capital was thus quietly and silently resolved.

Although Zhang Wentao was demoted, his desire to avenge Mo Qingyi never faded.

Ten days later, a carriage drove into a small mountain village deep in the Taiyue Mountains in southern Shanxi.

This mountain village has only a few households, scattered on several flat areas in the mountains. Because it is deep in the mountains and dense forests, very few people from the outside world come here. Even the tax collectors never come here to disturb the people. It is truly a paradise on earth.

The carriage attracted several curious children who ran after it. The coachman asked passersby for directions and then drove the carriage to the door of a house on higher ground.

The courtyard wall was made of tiger-skin stone, about five feet high, with moss growing at the corners. The ivy on the wall had withered in the winter, but the bare vines still clung desperately, shivering in the cold wind. The driver went up and knocked on the door. After a few knocks, the door opened, and a young girl with her hair in a topknot peeked out, blinking and asking, "Where are you from? Who are you looking for?" At this moment, Zhang Wentao had already gotten out of the carriage. He smiled and said, "Is Master Gu inside? Tell him that your disciple Zhang Wentao has come to visit his master."

"Wait here." Not long after the girl went inside, she brought out a man in his forties. The man smiled and said, "Brother Tao, my father said a few days ago that a distinguished guest would be visiting. So it was you."

Zhang Wentao recognized this as Gu Zhen, his master's eldest son, and quickly bowed, saying, "Brother, how is Master?"

"I'm fine. I'm waiting for you in the study. Please come in and talk."

Zhang Wentao followed Gu Zhen through the passageway and climbed several steps along the mountainside. At the top was another flat area, planted with flowers and trees. Although it was deep winter, several wintersweet branches were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the air. To the north were three south-facing study rooms (study rooms: rooms for reading or chanting scriptures), all connected by a corridor with balustrades made of cedar wood with bark still attached. Entering the rooms, four paper lanterns, cleverly crafted from mottled bamboo, hung above. Two rooms were open, while one was partitioned to resemble a room. The tables, chairs, and desks were arranged with a very haphazard approach. A brown cloth curtain hung over the door of the room.

Gu Zhen reached the door and called out, "Father, Brother Wen Tao is here." The curtain was lifted, and a lean old man of about seventy years old emerged, dressed only in cloth—a blue cotton overcoat and a blue cotton mandarin jacket—with prominent eyebrows and bright, piercing eyes. He wasn't surprised to see Zhang Wen Tao, but simply smiled and said, "You've come. Come in and sit down."

At this moment, Zhang Wentao knelt down and said, "Fifteen years have passed since we parted. I have missed my disciple terribly."

The old man helped Zhang Wentao up and said, "Life and death, separation and reunion, have always been difficult to achieve. As long as there is someone to care about, why be bound by a temporary gathering?" As he spoke, he led Zhang Wentao to the warm kang (a heated brick bed) inside the house. The two sat down on a small table between them, and he called a servant to serve tea. Only then did he ask, "Wentao, have you encountered any difficulties?"

“Master, when I left this place fifteen years ago, you instructed me: ‘We will meet again someday. Do not seek me out unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, it will become an eternal regret. Remember, remember.’ Now I am burdened with a grievance that is difficult to resolve. Please give me your guidance.” He then recounted the story of Mu Qingyi.

This old man was named Gu Suitian. Fifty years ago, he was already the most famous criminal investigator in the land during the Qianlong era. No case he encountered was unsolvable; no case he judged was ever reopened. From governors to county magistrates, he was constantly sought after with sums of money. However, he was naturally indifferent to fame and fortune, always giving credit to his employers for the cases he solved. Therefore, even in middle age, he had not received any official rank or reward, nor did he ever consider buying one. He wandered like this until the thirty-seventh year of Qianlong's reign, when he suddenly met the eight-year-old Zhang Wentao in Kaihua, Yunnan. He immediately told Zhang Wentao's father, Zhang Gujian, who was then the prefect, that he wanted to take him as his apprentice. Zhang Gujian, a generous man, readily agreed. Not only did he agree, but he also entrusted Gu Suitian with taking Zhang Wentao to live in seclusion in the deep mountains of southern Shanxi. The father and son were separated for twelve years. It wasn't until Zhang Wentao was twenty years old that he left his master and returned to Yunnan, embarking on the path of taking the imperial examinations and becoming an official.

The Great Qing Dynasty's Divine Judgment Eleven

After listening to Zhang Wentao finish speaking, Gu Suitian nodded and said, "Indeed, the student surpasses the teacher. With your ability to decide cases, you are by no means inferior to me. However, this time, you used your intelligence in the wrong place."

"What do you mean by that, Master?"

"It's quite remarkable that you managed to uncover the extremely secret background of Prince Cheng's concubine. Even I admire your methods. But you'll never succeed down this path. Think about it, there are only three people who can touch the concubine: the Emperor Emeritus, the Emperor, and Prince Cheng. Which of these three would be willing to expose this royal scandal and become a laughingstock? Moreover, the Emperor Emeritus currently holds great power, while the Emperor and Prince Cheng share control of the court. If the Emperor were to touch Prince Cheng's favored concubine, it would inevitably lead to a power struggle between the two, causing unrest throughout the land. A major palace coup would be imminent, and the Emperor Emeritus would certainly not allow such a thing to happen. How could the Emperor dare to take such a risk?" Gu Suitian finished speaking, took a sip of tea, and continued, "A mere seventh-rank official like Mu Qingyi, plus you, a lowly fourth-rank official, are simply powerless to reverse the situation."

Zhang Wentao couldn't help but gasp. He poured Gu Suitian a full cup of tea, his face grim, his teeth clenched as he pondered for a while before softly saying, "Are we just going to let the Guarjia clan go unpunished? Let Mu Qingyi's name sink to the bottom of the sea? If that's the case, my disciple will never have peace in this life."

"Actually, there is an easier way right in front of you, but you just don't see it."

"What approach?"

"Have you investigated the two murderers who killed Mu Qingyi?"

"That pair of martial arts masters?"

"Yes. Why didn't you start the investigation from them? Wait until you catch those two murderers, get their confessions, and then request permission to arrest Guarjia. Of course, the premise is that you absolutely cannot involve her background. You can explain her motive for the murders with other reasons. For example, Mu Qingyi may have spoken disrespectfully to her, or the investigation of a theft may have led you to her residence, where you could execute her servants..."

“But Prince Cheng wields considerable power. How can we easily touch his concubine? Perhaps the case will be closed vaguely, with only the two murderers being executed.”

"That depends on the timing," Gu Suitian said slowly.

"What is the right timing?"

“Look,” Gu Suitian said, picking up his own teacup, “this is like Prince Cheng.” He then pointed to Zhang Wentao’s teacup, “your cup is like the Emperor. Two tigers cannot share one mountain, and two rulers cannot share one country. Why are the two of them able to coexist peacefully now? Because of this!” Gu Suitian then pointed to the teapot: “Because the Emperor Emeritus is here, no one dares to act rashly. Once the Emperor Emeritus is gone, can Prince Cheng still maintain his current position?”

Zhang Wentao's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed: "However, things are unpredictable. I have been transferred to the position of Prefect of Suzhou Prefecture in Gansu Province. Even if Prince Cheng loses power several years later, how will I have the opportunity to petition the Emperor to re-examine this case?"

"It's all about timing!"

"What does this mean?"

“If His Majesty has just taken control of the court, he will surely appoint a group of new people. Moreover, you have a grudge against Prince Cheng, so you will definitely be among those promoted. Now is the time to be patient, keep quiet, and wait for the right opportunity.”

“My sworn brother has been wronged beyond redemption; how can I remain indifferent?”

"Have you forgotten what happened three years ago, when you uncovered the truth about the twelfth prince Yongji's suicide, only to be nearly silenced? A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan! The opponent you face now may be the strongest enemy you will ever encounter in your life. To subdue this opponent, even ten years of forbearance will be worthwhile. It's getting late, I need to sleep. Remember what I say tonight, never forget it. You may never see your master again, so take good care of yourself."

Zhang asked Tao, "Master, fifteen years ago, I personally served you every morning and evening when you washed up. Tonight, let me wash your feet again."

"Hehe, alright. But the one who washed my feet back then was a naive young man in his early twenties, and now he's a fourth-rank prefect nearing forty, the renowned 'Divine Preceptor of the Qing Dynasty.' Time really flies, and the world changes so much!"

Great Qing Shen Duan Twelve

The next morning.

Just like fifteen years ago, Zhang Wentao got up early and went straight to his teacher's bedroom to help him get up. It was still dark, and the stars in the sky trembled in the cold air. A few rooster crows in the distance had not yet reached him before they were scattered by the knife-like north wind and drifted into the air.

Zhang Wentao walked through the hall and up the steps, only to see Gu Zhen carrying a flower hoe in the courtyard. Gu Zhen asked Zhang Wentao, "Brother, why are you up so early? You must be tired from your journey. Go and rest for a while."

"Hehe, I served Master like this fifteen years ago. Carrying firewood and fetching water, I never felt tired. Brother, is Master up yet?"

"Father left last night to travel the world."

"What?" Zhang asked Tao in surprise, "Why did you leave last night? When are you going home?"

“Father said that from now on, all of China will be home, and all of the world will be neighbors. The whole world will be the big family, and there will be no more small families. He is not coming back.”

"What? I haven't even had a day to show my filial piety, and my teacher is already gone?"

"Actually, Father had said long ago that he wanted to travel all over the world's famous mountains, and then take refuge in a temple with whom he had a predestined connection, becoming a hermit in the deep mountains. However, he had only met you once before, and wanted to resolve the difficulties in your heart, so he had not been able to set off for a long time. Last night, the connection was fulfilled, the matter was resolved, and he could leave in peace."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wentao felt a surge of warmth mixed with the sorrow of parting. He asked, "Brother, which direction did the teacher go from?"

"They're probably heading south."

Zhang Wentao knelt down facing south, lifting his robe, and said, "Master, I was unable to see you off before we parted. Your disciple bids you farewell here!" Before he could finish speaking, he choked up and could not speak. He then saw several crystal beads on the ground, each drop of his tears turning to ice.

Thirteen

As Gu Suitian had predicted, things actually happened even faster than he had anticipated.

Forty days later, on the third day of the first month of the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign, the retired Emperor Qianlong passed away at the age of ninety.

On that day, Emperor Jiaqing issued an edict ordering Heshen, along with Prince Rui Chunying and others, to oversee the funeral arrangements. In reality, this was a de facto house arrest for Heshen within the palace, with Prince Rui Chunying placed under surveillance. Simultaneously, Jiaqing ordered the urgent return of his tutor, Zhu Gui, who was serving as governor of Anhui, to Beijing via express courier. Without delay, Jiaqing mobilized troops and began his operation to eliminate Heshen, immediately casting a tense and solemn atmosphere over Beijing.

On the eighteenth day of the first month, Heshen was ordered to commit suicide.

On the nineteenth day of the first month, Ji Xiaolan petitioned for the exoneration of Cao Xibao. After reading the petition, Emperor Jiaqing immediately issued an edict of exoneration: "The late Censor Cao Xibao once impeached Liu Quan, a servant of Heshen, for abusing his power for personal gain and accumulating great wealth. At that time, Heshen's influence was overwhelming, and no one in the court dared to impeach him, but Xibao alone dared to speak out and impeach him, proving himself a worthy minister of integrity. Now that Heshen has been convicted, his entire family's assets have been confiscated, amounting to over 200,000 taels of silver. Therefore, Xibao's accusations were not unfounded, and he should be rewarded for his outspokenness. Xibao is posthumously awarded the title of Vice Censor-in-Chief, and his son Jiang Shi is granted an official position and hereditary privilege."

The gist of this imperial edict was: When Heshen was at the height of his power, no one in the entire court dared to impeach him. Only Cao Xibao dared to speak out and impeach Heshen's servant, Liu Quan, proving himself a worthy outspoken minister. Now that Heshen had been punished, Liu Quan's property had been confiscated, amounting to over 200,000 taels of silver. Therefore, Cao Xibao's accusations were not unfounded, and he should be rewarded for his honesty. Cao Xibao was posthumously granted the title of Vice Censor-in-Chief, and his son, Cao Jiang, was granted hereditary privileges and further promotions.

On the same day, Taibu, the governor of Jiangxi (Guarjia's adoptive father), was dismissed from his post and never to be reinstated because of his association with Heshen.

In February, Emperor Jiaqing dismissed Prince Yongxing from his position as head of the Ministry of Personnel and ordered him to cease his duties as head of the Ministry of Revenue once military affairs were concluded.

In March, Heshen was executed for his crimes, and his garden and residence were confiscated and bestowed upon Yongxing. (The fact that Yongxing was given Heshen's inauspicious residence carries a profound meaning.)

In April, the Emperor issued an edict stating: "Since the establishment of the Grand Council, no princes have been allowed to serve there. Due to the heavy military affairs, Yongxing was temporarily ordered to serve, but this is ultimately inconsistent with the established national system. Therefore, his service in the Grand Council is hereby terminated." Prince Cheng's last remaining power was also stripped away.

In May, an imperial edict arrived in Lizhou Prefecture, Gansu Province, more than 2,000 miles away, transferring Zhang Wentao to the capital as a fourth-rank official, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He was to depart immediately for the capital to assume his post.

Fourteen

After returning to the capital, Zhang Wentao immediately submitted a memorial to Emperor Jiaqing requesting that the case of Mu Qingyi's murder be reopened, that all the case files that had been destroyed by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review be restored, and that the case be investigated again.

In Zhang Wentao's memorial, not a single word about the Guarjia clan was mentioned again. It only stated: "Mu Qingyi, formerly the Deputy Commander of the Military Command, was responsible for the security of the capital. He may have incurred the wrath of martial arts figures during his investigation, leading to his murder. The murderer dared to assassinate a high-ranking official in the capital, right beside the Emperor, in the dead of night, causing a sensation throughout the city and becoming known to all. If this case is not solved, the authority of our laws will be damaged, and the security of the capital will be questioned. I am willing to devote all my efforts to solving this case, bringing the murderer to justice, to uphold the authority of the Emperor, to reassure the people, and to uphold the law."

After reading the memorial, Emperor Jiaqing knew that Zhang Wentao, while ostensibly investigating the murderer, was actually targeting Princess Guarjia, the wife of Prince Cheng. However, this time Zhang Wentao had learned his lesson; he avoided mentioning Guarjia's troublesome and shocking lineage, focusing solely on the case itself. Emperor Jiaqing, who was looking for an opportunity to punish Prince Cheng, understood the unspoken agreement and immediately approved: "Zhang Wentao's memorial is fully approved. The case of Mu Qingyi is to be thoroughly investigated and judged by Zhang Wentao. No one else may obstruct or interfere without cause."

The Great Qing Dynasty's Divine Judgment Fifteen

"The two assassins worked together seamlessly, having already calculated the distance. When the assassin behind swung his knife, the assassin in front merely took a few steps forward, without raising his sword, or even drawing it; and was still quite far from the victim. Normally, the victim would dodge the rear attack first, because the person in front seemed less dangerous, while the rear attack was imminent. But this single dodge, whether injured or not, threw him off balance and sent him charging straight towards the person in front."

With just this one leap, he was already close to where the person in front was standing. That person only needed to slightly adjust their position, take a step forward, raise their sword, and thrust it straight at the throat. If the strike was fast enough, one move would be fatal. I consulted several soldiers guarding the pass in Gansu, and personally practiced with them several times before I finally understood this move.”

"What a powerful move. But how do you know that it was Crimson Flame and Purple Flame who used it, and not someone else?"

"With such perfect teamwork, they've probably practiced together hundreds or thousands of times, and perhaps even committed crimes together more than once or twice. How many highly skilled assassins in the martial arts world operate in pairs? How many pairs of assassins have one wielding a precious sword and the other a precious saber? And how many assassins can spend every day together, practicing martial arts together? I inquired along the way from Beijing to Gansu and back. Only the Chi Huo Zi Yan couple!"

Upon receiving the memorial forwarded by the Grand Council, Zhang Wentao immediately ordered a sedan chair to be prepared and headed straight for the Prince of Jinhui's residence. The seventeenth prince, Yonglin, who had asked Zhang Wentao to solve the prince's case years ago, had already been granted the title of Prince by his elder brother, the Jiaqing Emperor.

Upon hearing that Zhang Wentao was requesting an audience, Yonglin hurriedly ordered someone to lead him to his study. As soon as he saw Zhang Wentao, he smiled and said, "Ever since you returned to the capital, you've been so busy with Mu Qingyi's case that we barely see each other. What brings you here today to be my guest?"

After Zhang Wentao finished bowing, he stood up and said, "I don't come to the palace without a reason. I have a favor to ask of the Prince."