Aftermath Accountability
"The use of gunpowder weapons was indeed authorized by me."
"I see."
To Dohyang, Princess Joo Hyejin was both an ally in quelling this rebellion and one of the suspects.
Of course, he didn't truly believe she was the mastermind behind the incident.
As an inspector handling oversight duties, it was little more than a procedural formality he had to address once.
"...Originally, it was permitted for use against the pirate scum."
And as expected, what followed was the excuse that he hadn't anticipated it spreading to civilians.
Dohyang's eyes narrowed at those words.
So even the princess is the same as the crown prince. Dodging responsibility that should be hers and shoving it onto her subordinates.
Of course, in these times, finding someone who didn't do that was rarer than fingers on one hand.
As Dohyang mulled this over, trying to frame the entire incident at the Prefect's Manor as the independent act of "one madman,"
"Even if it was my subordinate's choice, I was the one who granted the authority. The fault lies with me, and naturally, I must bear it."
"Yes... yes?"
Her delayed response caught Dohyang off guard, leaving him momentarily stunned.
This wasn't something that could be brushed off with mere words of taking responsibility.
Gunpowder weapons meant for the empire's enemies had been turned against officials—a grave matter.
Plenty would latch onto the bare facts, skipping the nuances, and hound her relentlessly.
/Princess Joo Hyejin unilaterally authorized the use of firearms among civilians.
This has caused massive property damage, shaking the sanctity of imperial law. It warrants strict punishment and response./
Such a report to the court would draw no rebuke whatsoever. That was precisely the role of a Censorate inspector.
"It's a matter I've decided to take responsibility for."
Yet Hyejin remained composed, offering not a single excuse.
...She's definitely different.
The crown prince would have already scapegoated a few underlings in his place.
He'd twist things somehow to shift the blame.
But not Hyejin. After pondering deeply, Dohyang spoke as if reaching a decision.
"May I offer one frank word, presumptuously?"
"Speak."
"If Your Highness insists on taking responsibility, I will record it by the book. However, that record could become a blade wielded by the crown prince's faction."
This might come across as rude to her.
I'll follow principles to the letter—are you okay with that? Just give the order, and I can handle it in your favor.
—A way of testing her.
For a split second, Hyejin's gaze seemed to sharpen.
"In this political landscape, I do not wield my brush solely for Your Highness."
Yet he pressed on.
A faint smile tugged at Hyejin's lips at his words.
"Inspector, it seems you intend to side with no one."
"That is correct."
"Yet right now, you see things my way?"
"..."
Dohyang fell silent for a moment before replying.
"For this incident alone, yes."
Hyejin nodded slowly.
"Very well. Then swing that blade of the law as it should be. I won't dodge it."
Only then did Dohyang feel true conviction. This woman did not shirk responsibility to protect her power.
She embraced it—even if it might burden her like a heavy load—to wield her authority.
—The toes of Dohyang, who had always walked a tightrope, tilted ever so slightly toward her.
'Now I understand why Wi Eokgi, that bastard, was swayed by Her Highness.'
But he reined himself in. As a Censorate man, his principle was to never tilt toward any side.
He would remain unbound by factions.
Still, he hoped the princess, who had shaken him just a little, wouldn't suffer greatly from this.
"...Finally, one last thing—I'd like to inform you of the true purpose of my visit here."
Thus, Dohyang casually let slip information he should have concealed, as if passing by.
"This is for Your Highness's ears alone. Please keep it confidential."
What was he about to say? His hesitation built unexpected tension in Hyejin.
"Numerous inspectors, including myself, have begun touring the Central Plains to root out traces of Demonic Cultists infiltrating the empire everywhere."
"Demonic Cultists?"
"Yes. To be direct, while Nanjing Prefect Jo Unhyeon provided the spark for this rebellion, we believe it was ultimately orchestrated by them."
His gaze shifted to Yujin, slumped nearby.
"And in any case, he ended up involved in it."
"...Ah."
Only then did Hyejin grasp the inexplicable glances Dohyang had kept throwing at Yujin.
"Of course, the court won't think Your Highness is backed by the Demonic Cult."
You're imperial blood, after all.
But that didn't mean they wouldn't weaponize it politically. No, they surely would seize this pretext to attack.
"Is that acceptable?"
He'd seen her resolve. But leaking this far meant she could back out now with no repercussions.
She wrestled with the dilemma, yet her final judgment held firm.
"It's fine."
Even so, her will didn't waver.
"Understood."
Dohyang chuckled inwardly for the first time in a while. Yes, this is how one at the top should bear it.
...But only that far. Merit was merit, personal was personal.
"I shall withdraw to handle my duties."
"See to it."
Dohyang bowed politely to Hyejin and hurried from the Nanjing scene to process the case.
He spotted Wi Eokgi glancing over from afar, but fist-bumps could wait. —Too much to do now.
*
By the time I came to, the Nanjing incident had mostly been wrapped up.
But a ton had gone down in the meantime, apparently.
"Y-You bastard! I'll make sure the Censorate Vice Inspector hears about this—you're done for!"
Nanjing Prefect Jo Unhyeon, blessed with Dohyang's personal escort after my sage cannon baptism left him a ragged mess, wouldn't stop screeching at the inspector, they said.
I'd deliberately missed his vitals, but his head was still on straight? Shoulda nailed 'em proper.
Tch—grrrind.
"Hrrm, ahem."
Slipping a hand into my robe and glaring at him from afar, Jo—good eyesight, huh?—went dead quiet and shuffled to a corner of the prison.
Soon after, he was loaded into a carriage bound for the capital's Censorate.
Under the General of Artillery and Inspector General's lead, the granaries Jo had stuffed with his greed were opened to the people under the guise of relief.
"Aigoo, thank you! Thank you!"
"We'll make it through harvest season safe now, thanks to you folks!"
Meanwhile, Yugu Su and his cronies, who dragged their feet on suppressing the rebellion, couldn't escape blame.
"..."
"Huh? That work? No good?"
Suddenly hauled from camp to officialdom, Yugu Su getting reamed by the General—kneeling for a joint?—was straight-up comical.
A tiny girl with arms akimbo, kicking a grown man's shin while scolding him.
Visually, you'd think he'd snap at the harsh treatment. Especially with subordinates watching—social suicide city.
But no pushback from Yugu Su. Why the huge gap, same rank and all?
Seniority thing?
Military's like that. Chain of command's brutal, especially among officers.
So the General's older than she looks?
Baby-faced as hell. Yujin's unbiased brain spun wild thoughts, tail-chasing.
If Hyejin caught wind, it'd earn a spanking for the kid's cheeky mind—good thing it stayed internal.
"Suzhou General Yugu Su is sentenced to six months unpaid suspension and removal from duties."
But since it was just a slap on the wrist for incompetence, I wasn't thrilled.
"General, uh, well."
"What is it?"
"Er, haa. Never mind."
"Huh? What? Spill it."
"Ah, it's... haa, forget it."
"What the hell now?!"
Teasing it out drew her attention bit by bit.
"I wasn't gonna say, but."
She tiptoed for the massive height gap, me on my knees—whisper time.
—Psst-psst.
Those guys colluded with pirates! No hard proof tho, ughhh.
Help me out, General-mong.
"...That true?"
Crunch.
With my snitch added, her face hardened. She summoned Captain Wi Eokgi and kicked off measures.
Wondered how it'd slide, but the mood soured again—Yugu Su paled blue.
Based on her rep so far, he'd get chewed out hard. Pay for your screw-ups, dude. Take it sweet.
...Later hearsay said her punishment went way past "harsh."
Dismissed outright. Yugu Su and his military collaborators stripped of rank and office, booted from service.
Jo Unhyeon and Yugu Su turning on each other, fueled by Captain Wi's divide-and-conquer—big dirt exploded.
General, you're scarier than I thought.
Still, cleared out the eyesores—net positive. Not without issues, though.
Suzhou military now critically short on command officers.
Bijong got promoted to fill the gap, acting head till a new General till interim for Suzhou forces.
Big shakeups aside, military ops rolled on. Pirates call today? Grab the cannon, rush the scene—daily grind.
But Suzhou felt it now: pirates thinning out like in Zhejiang.
Time to head back to Hangzhou, body and soul.