Chapter 325
Chapter 325
Not only could the King not tell, but even Shen Lang couldn't distinguish it at a glance. Shen Lang began to read the letter's contents. The content was written factually, consistent with Jin Zhuo's character. In the letter, Jin Zhuo first declared his loyalty to the State of Yue and the King. He stated that he had been forced to counterattack because the blade of the new administration was at his throat, threatening his life, which led him to devise a plan to seize Raging Tide City. However, he asserted that even so, the Jin Clan would not betray the State of Yue and had no intention of repeating the upheaval that occurred in Yan Province. At the end of the letter, in a very humble tone, Jin Zhuo thanked the King of Wu for his deep affection and expressed his desire to forge a lasting friendship with the State of Wu for generations to come, even though he would not seek refuge there.
Although Jin Zhuo repeatedly claimed he would not betray the State of Yue, if this letter were real, it would be an unforgivable crime in the eyes of King Ning Yuanxian.
‘The states of Wu and Yue are great enemies. In just over ten days, the kings of both nations will meet at the border, and the moment for another great battle will arrive. In such a situation, you, Jin Zhuo, dare to speak of forging a lasting friendship with Wu for generations to come? If that isn't betraying the country, what is? Are you trying to raise your own status by cozying up to an enemy nation?’
After reading the secret letter, Shen Lang said.
“This letter is a forgery. My father-in-law never wrote any such letter to the State of Wu.”
Vice Censor-in-Chief Yu Shengzhu sneered.
“Registrar Shen, do you have any proof that this letter is a forgery? The handwriting here is clearly Count Xuanwu's. His Majesty recognizes the Count's handwriting as well.”
The King, of course, recognized his handwriting. Every time there was a royal celebration, the Spring Festival, or a holiday, although Jin Zhuo did not come to the capital in person, he always sent a congratulatory memorial. He also sent a dozen or so petitions each year, so the King was naturally familiar with Jin Zhuo's handwriting.
Shen Lang said.
“Your Majesty, this letter is a forgery. Someone has imitated my father-in-law's handwriting.”
The King's feelings were complicated. He, too, knew that there was a high probability the secret letter was a forgery. But as the king of a nation, he had to believe the evidence before him, not just his suspicions. Moreover, he had delayed the Jin Clan's enfeoffment as a marquisate for several months, so it was possible that Jin Zhuo, furious, had indeed corresponded with the King of Wu.
Vice Censor-in-Chief Yu Shengzhu said.
“Shen Lang, let me ask you! Did those three high officials from the State of Wu visit Raging Tide City and have a secret meeting with Jin Zhuo?”
“That is correct. The three of them did indeed come to Raging Tide City in secret, entering under the guise of maritime merchants. However, my father-in-law never met them, much less had a secret discussion.”
Yu Shengzhu sneered.
“Many people witnessed them, and a spy from the Blackwater Terrace in particular saw the three Wu officials enter Raging Tide City and only emerge after more than two hours. Who would believe you when you say no secret talks took place?
This was also true. The three high officials from Wu had indeed stayed in Raging Tide City for over two hours. But they had certainly not spoken of anything significant. At the time, they had not revealed their identities and had entered the Raging Tide City Lord's manor along with other maritime merchants, discussing only business matters. Jin Zhuo had definitely not met them either. It was only later that the identities of the three Wu officials were deliberately leaked, which now seemed to be part of the conspiracy. In recent months, the State of Wu had repeatedly tried and failed to win over Jin Zhuo. With Shen Lang increasingly gaining the King's favor, Wu had grown desperate and resorted to a scheme to sow discord.
‘Jin Zhuo, you claim to be loyal to the State of Yue and say you haven't betrayed it? Then I will force you to betray it.’
Furthermore, several high officials within the State of Yue had colluded with the State of Wu to carry out this scheme.
Shen Lang said with a sneer.
“Yu Shengzhu, if my father-in-law had given a secret letter to the King of Wu, how confidential would it have been? How could such a letter possibly have fallen into your hands?”
Yu Shengzhu said.
“A fortunate coincidence! Our State of Yue has a high-level spy planted in the State of Wu, and that spy happened to be in the process of acquiring this very letter. Not only that, but there is also a righteous soldier loyal to the King by your father-in-law's side who exposed the letter's whereabouts to the Blackwater Terrace. That is how we were able to obtain it. If we hadn't, Jin Zhuo would have betrayed the country, repeating the tragedy of Yan Province, and our State of Yue would have suffered a fatal blow.”
Haha, Yu Shengzhu was provoking Shen Lang again, deliberately letting him know there was a spy by Jin Zhuo's side. However, it was highly likely that no such spy existed. The enemy's scheme to sow discord was neither brilliant nor meticulously designed, but it was truly nauseating and extremely deadly. This was because the King was a man of great suspicion. By touching the King's reverse scale and stimulating his sensitive and suspicious mind, the vicious plot was bound to be effective.
‘Shen Lang, do you have any way to prove the secret letter is a forgery? I think not!’
Vice Censor-in-Chief Yu Shengzhu said.
“Your Majesty, it is a fact that three high officials from the State of Wu went to Raging Tide City and held secret talks with Jin Zhuo. It is also a fact that Jin Zhuo exchanged secret letters with the King of Wu. Although Jin Zhuo has not yet betrayed the State of Yue, his intention to rebel at any moment has been laid bare for all to see. If we do not stop him in time, it will lead to a great disaster!”
The King asked him.
“Yu Shengzhu, then what do you think should be done? How can we prevent Count Xuanwu from defecting to the enemy?”
“The heir of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, Jin Mucong, and his son-in-law, Shen Lang, are both in the capital. Your Majesty should immediately take them hostage and demand that Jin Zhuo withdraw his troops from Raging Tide City and relinquish his authority over its defense. We must eliminate this future threat, whatever it takes.”
Hearing this, everyone inwardly gasped. The intention was vicious. It was not only a move to block Jin Zhuo's path to being enfeoffed as a marquis but also a scheme to cut off any chance of survival for Shen Lang and Jin Mucong. Taking Shen Lang and Jin Mucong hostage would absolutely pressure Count Xuanwu into rebelling. And if the Count raised a banner of revolt, it would be difficult to spare the lives of Jin Mucong and Shen Lang.
Shen Lang bowed at the waist and said.
“Your Majesty, this subject wishes to impeach Yu Shengzhu for colluding with the State of Wu. His intention is to alienate Your Majesty and pressure my father-in-law. He is surely a treacherous spy sent by the State of Wu. I beseech Your Majesty to have him executed!”
Vice Censor-in-Chief Yu Shengzhu sneered.
“Registrar Shen, a cornered rat will bite a cat, they say. Now that your petty tricks have run out, you resort to attacking me? Let me tell you something. Do you have proof that this secret letter from Jin Zhuo to the King of Wu is a forgery? Are you saying the secret visit of three Wu officials to Raging Tide City, and their secret talks in the city lord's manor for over two hours, are false? Does the Jin Clan, after engaging in such sordid conduct, still claim to be innocent? How absurd and laughable!”
At that moment, some of the officials looked at Shen Lang with eyes full of schadenfreude.
‘Now, your Jin Clan couldn't prove its innocence even if you jumped into the river. You, Shen Lang, a mere petty official, dare to fight against Su Nan? Marquis Su Nan wields power so great it can cover the heavens. Without even acting himself, he can send any pawn to kill you with ease. He can also ensure that the Jin Clan continues to suffer misfortune.’
Shen Lang also knew that Su Nan was behind Yu Shengzhu. Having failed to assassinate Shen Lang in the State of Qiang, Su Nan had relentlessly plotted and attacked, giving Shen Lang no room to breathe. How could Su Nan possibly allow Shen Lang to establish a foothold, win the King's favor, and then confront him again? It was only natural that he would raise his sword against Shen Lang the moment he entered the capital. To survive in the royal court, one could never expect an enemy to show mercy.
The King looked at Shen Lang and said calmly.
“Shen Lang, I made you a promise, and I will certainly grant you that position. But I must be certain before I do so.”
At that moment, the King, more than anyone, yearned for the Jin Clan's innocence. He desperately hoped that Shen Lang could turn this situation around. Having finally found someone he liked, the King absolutely did not want to see the Jin Clan betray him. Shen Lang glanced at Marquis Su Nan. The man was old and his movements were stiff; he looked dazed, as if about to fall asleep.
‘This old viper certainly has many minions.’
On the surface, Yu Shengzhu was not part of Su Nan's faction and seemed to have little connection to him. Moreover, Yu Shengzhu had previously impeached Su Nan several times for his decadent lifestyle and unrestrained extravagance. Superficially, the two seemed incompatible.
Shen Lang said with a sneer.
“What did your master behind the scenes promise you, Lord Yu Shengzhu, that you would so eagerly seek your own death?”
Yu Shengzhu replied.
“Registrar Shen, stop struggling! There is solid evidence of the Jin Clan's collusion with the State of Wu. No matter how clever you are, you cannot turn black into white.”
“Your Majesty, proving the Jin Clan's innocence is a simple matter for me!”
“It is nearing noon, and I am growing hungry. If you are going to do it, do it quickly.”
“The proof is outside. I request Your Majesty's permission to bring it in.”
The King gestured for it to be brought in. He gave Shen Lang a deep look, the intention in his eyes perfectly clear.
‘You are a meticulous and formidable person. You must not disappoint me.’
A moment later, Thirteen entered the grand hall carrying a box, and Big Dummy followed with an even larger box. Upon entering the hall, Thirteen immediately prostrated himself on the floor, but Big Dummy just stood there blankly, not knowing he was supposed to kneel.
“How audacious! Do you not kneel before His Majesty the King?”
A general guarding the hall angrily rebuked him. Big Dummy looked at Shen Lang and asked.
“Little Dummy, should I kneel?”
The King stared at Big Dummy, utterly astonished. Then he noticed the accessory with auspicious clouds carved on it worn on his wrist—it belonged to his sister, Princess Ning Jue. This tall dummy was the State of Yue's hope for conquering the martial world. The King was a man of many schemes, but he found himself taking a liking to this simpleton.
“There is no need to kneel. You were born so tall; it's best you remain standing. Don't lower yourself.”
“Yes!”
Big Dummy chuckled, "Hehe."
Yu Shengzhu said.
“Shen Lang, you said you had something to prove the Jin Clan's innocence? Then bring it out!”
Everyone looked at Shen Lang with eyes full of curiosity.
‘Even in a situation like this, could Shen Lang have a way to turn things around? Is it possible? There should be no way to clear the Jin Clan of the accusations against them and prove their innocence now.’
Shen Lang pinched his nose and said.
“Open it.”
Thirteen opened the box with a blank expression. The King's eyes twitched. Yu Shengzhu's eyes widened, and he sneered.
“You intend to prove the Jin Clan's innocence with this? How laughable!”
Shen Lang said calmly.
“Your Majesty, this is the head of Wang Chengyan, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial of the State of Wu.”
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in astonishment.
‘Count Xuanwu is truly ruthless! To kill an emissary from Wu... isn't that cutting off his own retreat?’
There was no better way to prove the Jin Clan's innocence than this. Originally, Jin Zhuo had not wanted to kill the Wu emissaries, and neither had Shen Lang. But the State of Wu, in order to pressure the Jin Clan, had colluded with a powerful official of Yue and used a scheme to sow discord and harm them. Since they had gone that far, they couldn't blame the Jin Clan for being ruthless.
The color drained from Yu Shengzhu's face. According to the information he had received, the three Wu officials had left by boat immediately after revealing their identities, following their so-called secret talk of over two hours in the Raging Tide City Lord's manor, and had returned safely to the State of Wu. But they had been captured and killed?