NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 70
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A letter travels slowly, just like a horse-drawn carriage.
Time passes leisurely.
When Inspector He finally received the letter from his nephew,
It was during a chaotic time in the imperial court.
In fact, the court was always in chaos.
The Emperor enjoyed indulgences and was exceptionally intelligent. If only he devoted a fraction of his mind to governing the realm, it would not be in such disarray.
A clever person who seeks pleasure will inevitably throw the court and kingdom into utter chaos. It would be better to have a foolish ruler and let capable ministers handle affairs.
Inspector He was a rare official with ambition who cared for the common people while also considering the Emperor's wishes.
He had high intelligence and capability.
But he was also very weary,
Careful not to make any missteps.
Inspector He had always held his nephew He Chen in high regard and supported his travels throughout the land.
The Meng Family had fine traditions, and Chen made wise choices in his friendships.
He received several letters along the way, witnessing his nephew's growth. Though slightly naive, it was reassuring.
Youth should possess a youthful spirit.
The last letter arrived especially late due to the turmoil outside.
This letter was somewhat different from the previous ones.
It lacked the usual youthful vigor but contained something else.
He had made a new friend,
One he referred to as a friend, indicating deep respect.
But there also seemed to be some confusion.
Shockingly, this friend was the son of an unfilial and disrespectful man.
Chen had visited the friend's home, which was impoverished. To entertain them, the family had to borrow grain.
It was then that Chen realized grain could accrue interest, compounding endlessly.
Everyone in the village was landless.
The fields belonged to Lord Liu.
After years of famine, the villagers had mortgaged their land to Lord Liu to borrow grain and survive. Those who could not repay lost their land. If they died, their descendants inherited the debt.
Seeing his nephew's understanding of the villagers' plight brought Inspector He great satisfaction.
A thousand sentences in books cannot compare to personal experience.
However, human nature is perilous, and his young nephew could easily be deceived.
A man branded as unfilial and disrespectful must have some unsavory aspects, for such a crime is grave.
In the previous dynasty, a son was condemned to a brutal execution for being unfilial and defying his mother, who was also sentenced to three years for failing to raise him properly. Both were deemed guilty.
Though our current dynasty has no such cases, being unfilial is still a serious crime.
"As this is a private family matter, I should not pry. But Uncle, could you investigate the background of the former Grand Preceptor Jiang's youngest son? I find this man's graceful demeanor and refined conduct most unusual. In his presence, even my nephew, who typically looks down on others, seems ill at ease."
Inspector He recalled the case of Grand Preceptor Jiang.
Jiang was the Preceptor of the Former Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince was demoted and confined, Jiang's family was exiled. Later, the Emperor relented, reportedly due to pleas from Princess Huiyun, and pardoned Jiang's exile sentence mid-journey.
However, Jiang's poor health could not withstand the hardship, and he passed away on the way.
As this involved the Former Crown Prince, it remained a taboo subject in court.
Aside from Princess Huiyun, the Emperor's sister, no one dared mention it.
Investigating would be troublesome, but he would keep an eye out for opportunities.
Reading his nephew's description of that family's elegance, Inspector He shook his head.
Perhaps their charm had simply captivated the youth.
Ah, still a naive young man!
But when he read his nephew's poem: "That youth used a stick to write on the earthen courtyard: 'This horse is no common steed, the stars are its true abode. Striking its lean bones ahead, still rings with a copper tone.' Uncle, I was struck dumb, my mouth agape, speechless for a long while..."
Upon reaching this part, the light letter in Inspector He's hand suddenly felt heavy.
"Striking its lean bones ahead, still rings with a copper tone."
"Striking its lean bones ahead, still rings with a copper tone."
"Striking its lean bones ahead, still rings with a copper tone."
He first murmured it softly, then spoke louder, and finally recited it aloud as if lecturing an audience: "Striking its lean bones ahead, still rings with a copper tone."
An image of a copper-boned youth formed in Inspector He's mind.
A name emerged in Inspector He's thoughts.
Copper-Boned Jiang Feng!
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