12 – Jiang Li Ge is the Will of the People (Revised)
“Your Majesty, be careful!”
Before Jiang Lige could react, the tip of a blade was already pointed at her chest. In the same instant, a force wrapped around her waist, pulling her aside and away from the assassin’s attack.
It all happened in a flash; she saw nothing clearly, only a drop of blood splattered onto her Dragon Robe.
“Assassinating the Emperor is punishable by death!”
With one arm wrapped around her waist, shielding her in his embrace, Shang Guanqi raised his sword with the other hand and pierced it through the assassin’s body.
“Protect His Majesty! Protect His Majesty!”
The elderly ministers from earlier quickly gathered around, and the simple-hearted common people also spontaneously formed a protective circle.
Jiang Lige had just performed the Sacrifice to Heaven and received auspicious signs from the heavens. Now, the people regarded her as a deity, and seeing her targeted by an assassin, they were filled with rage.
“Your Majesty, are you alright?” an elderly minister inquired.
Jiang Lige peeked out from Shang Guanqi’s embrace and glanced at the assassin on the ground. “Who sent this assassin to kill me?”
Shang Guanqi released her and took two steps back.
An elderly minister recognized the assassin on the ground and said, “Your Majesty, it is Zhang Mao, the son of the late Minister of Revenue, Zhang Jin.”
Minister of Revenue?
Jiang Lige recalled that this was the very minister whom Shang Guanqi had publicly executed with a single thrust of his sword in the court.
Shang Guanqi had killed Zhang Jin in front of everyone and later confiscated the Zhang family’s property, driving them to desperation and venting their anger on her, the young Emperor.
Jiang Lige was speechless. Why did everyone want to manipulate her?
Observing the common people spontaneously protecting her, Shang Guanqi had an idea and exchanged a glance with Wuhuan.
Wuhuan hurried away and soon returned with numerous scrolls in hand.
“Your Majesty, these are the evidence of crimes secretly gathered by the Imperial Guard against Zhang Jin and his family. Please review them.”
Jiang Lige took the scrolls and quickly scanned through them.
The documents listed nearly a hundred charges: corruption, bending the law for personal gain, abuse of power, and every imaginable evil deed…
For instance, while Zhang Jin publicly advocated for disaster relief, he secretly profited from relief grain, selling the government’s fresh grain and replacing it with old or spoiled grain for distribution. That was why, year after year during disasters, he was always the most active on the surface.
Besides Zhang Jin, there were numerous accusations against his son, Zhang Mao.
Two years ago, Zhang Mao took a liking to a commoner girl on the street and wanted to take her as a concubine. The girl was already engaged and refused him.
Unwilling to accept this, Zhang Mao waited until the girl’s wedding day, barged into the bridal chamber with his men, beat the groom to death on the spot, and raped the bride.
The next day, the bride, refusing to submit, attempted to file a lawsuit at the government office. On the way, she was intercepted by Zhang Mao, sold to a brothel in Yangzhou, and eventually met a tragic end by the Qinhuai River.
The more Jiang Lige read, the angrier she became. “How outrageous! How could such evil exist in this world? By my decree, make all these documents public. Hang the bodies of Zhang Jin and his son on the city walls and expose them to the sun for seven days!”
Jiang Lige had just received auspicious signs from heaven and now was severely punishing corrupt officials. Seeing such resolve, the people admired her even more, kneeling once again and shouting in unison, “Your Majesty is wise!”
For Jiang Lige, this Sacrifice to Heaven was an unprecedented victory.
Originally, she had only intended to use the ceremony to strike a deal with Shang Guanqi in exchange for freedom to leave the palace.
Unexpectedly, the people were so simple-hearted. With just a show of determination, she had won a wave of public support and gained the backing of several elderly ministers.
In the carriage on the way back to the palace, she struggled to hold back her laughter.
“If you want to laugh, go ahead. I know you’re feeling quite pleased with yourself.”Jiang Lige was taken aback, having forgotten that Shang Guanqi was riding in the same carriage as her under the pretext of ensuring her safety.
“How did you manage that?” Shang Guanqi asked with keen interest.
“What?” Jiang Lige feigned ignorance.
Undeterred, Shang Guanqi repeated the question: “The phoenix…”