Chapter Twenty-Five: The Origins of Zhou Jingzhi
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Li Yunjing’s brow was tightly furrowed, the words on the dossier exploding in his mind like artillery shells.
[Zhou Jingzhi, original name Zhou You, son of Zhou Li, Right Commandant of the Northern Tomb Army...]
In his youth, Li Yunjing had met Zhou Jingzhi a few times in the Northern Tomb.
No wonder, back then, Zhou Jingzhi’s gaze toward him had seemed so peculiar.
So they had already crossed paths before!
If Li Yunjing remembered correctly, this Zhou Li had been the old man’s most capable lieutenant while he was alive.
He recalled that, during the covert power struggle with Li Yi, Zhou Li had been his unwavering supporter.
It was thanks to Zhou Li’s loyalty that Li Yunjing had enjoyed five years of peace in Northern Tomb City.
Taking a deep breath, Li Yunjing continued to read.
[In the forty-third year of Qingyuan, entered Taihu Academy.
In the forty-eighth year, expelled from Taihu Academy for offending the headmaster.
In the forty-ninth year, relocated to the capital. In June of the same year, admitted to the Imperial College.
The following May, recommended by the Crown Prince, appointed Registrar of the Imperial College.
Spring of the fifty-third year of Qingyuan, framed the heir of Northern Tomb, attempted assassination at the Prince of Qiyang’s residence, and falsely implicated Taihu Academy.
Sentenced to death for multiple crimes.
On the same day, Zhou Jingzhi committed suicide in the Ministry of Justice to escape punishment.
His younger sister, Zhou Mengzhi, was consigned to the Music Bureau.
Zhou Li, Right Commandant of the Northern Tomb Army, was deemed negligent in discipline and penalized with six months’ salary deduction as a warning to others.]
“Sir?”
Jiang Kui, standing nearby, noticed Li Yunjing’s unsettled expression and asked, “Is there something amiss with this dossier?”
Li Yunjing shook his head, pondering, “Zhou Jingzhi attempted to assassinate the prince and frame the heir.”
“By precedent, Zhou Li should at least have been exiled.”
“And yet, only half a year’s salary was docked?”
Li Yunjing keenly spotted the inconsistencies in the dossier.
“There’s something you might not know, sir,” Jiang Kui explained. “Back then, Commandant Zhou fought alongside the prince in the northern deserts and earned countless merits.”
“Moreover, the Crown Prince and Minister Su both pleaded on his behalf, so His Majesty pardoned him from exile.”
“These two actually joined forces,” Li Yunjing thought to himself in surprise.
He could understand Su Ming’s intercession—after all, Su Ming had always been friendly toward Northern Tomb.
But Zhao Heng’s involvement left Li Yunjing utterly perplexed.
Having moved in the capital’s circles for years, Li Yunjing had heard his share of rumors.
For instance, Zhao Heng had repeatedly petitioned to reduce the power of the northern vassals, with the Northern Tomb Prince’s estate as his foremost target.
If the Northern Tomb Army lost a valued general, Zhao Heng should have been delighted—why would he intercede for Zhou Li instead?
Could it be...
Li Yunjing suddenly stiffened, a chill running down his spine.
“Zhou Li has been recruited by the Crown Prince?!”
That was his first thought.
This would explain why Zhou Li, a loyalist of Li Jia, would allow his own son to frame him.
It would also account for Zhao Heng’s uncharacteristic intervention on Zhou Li’s behalf!
With the Crown Prince’s support, Zhou Li could stand on equal footing with Li Yi within the Northern Tomb Army.
Under the constant encroachment of the imperial house, a complete overhaul of the Northern Tomb Army was hardly out of the question.
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So this was the truth behind Zhou Jingzhi’s words: “The chaos in Northern Tomb is soon to end”?
“The hearts of men are unpredictable...” Li Yunjing sighed softly.
As the heir of Northern Tomb, he had been treated as a pawn from the very start.
And not just any pawn—a discarded one.
At this thought, a nameless fury blazed within Li Yunjing’s chest.
“I am human!”
“Not some chess piece to be pushed around!”
“So you all love your little games?”
“I’ll flip the board for you!”
With that, he overturned the table in front of him with a crash.
Jiang Kui stared in astonishment.
He’d heard that the heir was a bit eccentric, but no one said he was this unhinged.
Muttering to himself, with a hint of violence...
Jiang Kui instinctively took a few steps back, keeping a cautious distance.
“My apologies,” Li Yunjing noticed Jiang Kui’s reaction and awkwardly smiled. “Did I startle you?”
Jiang Kui retreated another half step, “Not at all, not at all.”
“Well, I have some business to attend to.”
“Sir, please make yourself at home.”
With that, he slipped away as fast as he could.
Li Yunjing pursed his lips and shook his head helplessly.
Once Jiang Kui was gone, Li Yunjing wandered about on his own.
Beyond the document archive lay the rear courtyard.
There were two buildings in the rear courtyard.
To the left was the Pavilion of Balanced Law, the office of Lu Xin, a Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
To the right stood the Pavilion of Clarity and Simplicity, the usual haunt of Deputy Minister Chen Jingshan.
“How imposing!”
Li Yunjing marveled at the two grand structures before him.
Just as he was about to continue exploring, a sharp voice rang out behind him: “Stop right there!”
Li Yunjing turned slowly.
A tall, striking man in white stood before him, exuding a commanding presence.
At his side were two burly, blade-bearing guards with fierce faces.
“Who are you? Don’t you know the rules?”
“Are you unaware that unauthorized personnel are forbidden in the rear courtyard?!”
The man on the left spoke sternly.
Li Yunjing was puzzled.
He was an official of the Court of Judicial Review.
Even if their eyes were failing, they should at least recognize his deputy minister’s robes, shouldn’t they?
Judging by their arrogance, they had come with ill intent!
“Colleague, I am newly appointed and unfamiliar with the court’s regulations,” Li Yunjing replied courteously. “I beg your pardon.”
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With a respectful gesture, Li Yunjing addressed the man in the center.
The Court of Judicial Review was not like the Prime Minister’s mansion; this was someone else’s domain.
As a newcomer, it was best not to make enemies lightly.
Courtesy before confrontation, at least to avoid being criticized for incivility.
The man in the middle looked Li Yunjing up and down, then sneered, “So you’re the new Deputy Minister Li?”
“That’s me,” Li Yunjing replied. “And whom do I have the honor of addressing?”
Before the man could answer, the guard on the right puffed himself up and boasted, “My lord is Deputy Minister Chen Jingshan of the Court of Judicial Review!”
“A fifth-rank martial artist, master of the Mountain-Moving Realm!”
His pride was unmistakable.
He even announced his master’s cultivation level.
The message was clear: My lord is the court’s main force!
You, a mere Meridian-Cleansing novice, aren’t fit to speak to him.
“So it’s Lord Chen—what an honor!” Li Yunjing retorted with a smile. “I’ve long heard of your lordship’s formidable prowess.”
“Now that I see you today, you truly are... brawny!”
The two guards clearly missed the subtle jab, grinning with pride, “That’s right!”
But Chen Jingshan’s face darkened. To hold such a post, one needed a keen mind.
After all, who ever compliments someone for their strong limbs alone?
“Deputy Minister Li!” Chen Jingshan said sternly, “The Court of Judicial Review does not tolerate idlers!”
“The workday is not yet over—what are you doing here?”
Li Yunjing chuckled, “Lord Xu asked me to familiarize myself with the court.”
“In that case, please do as you wish, Lord Li!” Chen Jingshan replied expressionlessly.
With that, he strode forward, deliberately brushing past Li Yunjing and heading straight for the Pavilion of Clarity and Simplicity.
His broad, powerful shoulder struck Li Yunjing hard, making him wince in pain.
“Forgive him, Lord Li—this brute has always had a temper,” came a relaxed voice behind him.
Li Yunjing turned to see a refined-looking man with delicate features, holding a folding fan and exuding courteous charm.
“You must be Deputy Minister Lu Xin?” Li Yunjing greeted him with a bow.
The man returned the gesture with a polite smile. “Indeed.”
“Lord Li, you truly live up to your reputation—such a distinguished presence!”
“No, it is Lord Lu who is the epitome of grace!”
“Lord Li, your bearing is extraordinary!”
“Lord Lu, your noble spirit is inspiring!”
“...”
Back and forth they traded compliments for dozens of rounds, until Li Yunjing, running out of words, had to break it off with a sigh.
“Lord Lu, may I ask—why did you just now call Lord Chen a brute?”
Lu Xin chuckled, “Him...”