A Young Man Who Does Not Fear Authority

"Does Your Majesty know the whereabouts of Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song?" Qin Longyang's soft-spoken question took everyone in the hall by surprise. Zhang Rang and He Jin, among the powerful ministers, looked the most displeased.

"How dare you!" Zhang Rang was the first to react. "Qin Longyang, you are bold! Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song, who have received the Emperor's grace, attempted to rebel during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

His Majesty has decreed that they be executed upon sight, yet you dare mention them in front of His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!" Qin Longyang ignored Zhang Rang's pressure and pressed forward. "I humbly request that Your Majesty order a thorough investigation into this matter. These two veteran generals have served the court for many years."

"They have not been swayed by high positions and riches, so why were they labeled as rebels in the final stage of suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion? There may be more to this matter than meets the eye, Your Majesty!"

The meaning of Qin Longyang's words was clear to all who heard them. It was impossible for the Emperor not to know about this.

His tendency to turn a blind eye had led to severe factional struggles within the court. Qin Longyang, an inexperienced young man unafraid of the world, had become a figure feared by all the court's prominent ministers!

"You!" Just as Zhang Rang was about to lose his temper, the Emperor, who had remained silent, raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Enough. Since someone has brought up this matter, Zhang Rang, you must investigate it thoroughly. There might indeed be hidden truths."

"This... Understood." Since the Emperor had spoken, Zhang Rang had to swallow his anger. The fact that the Emperor had entrusted the investigation to Zhang Rang himself meant that the matter would likely go unresolved.

Qin Longyang's purpose in bringing up this issue in court was to give Zhang Rang and his associates a stern warning, while also refreshing others' impressions of him.

However, his actions touched not only Zhang Rang and He Jin but also affected the interests of many other powerful ministers. Many resentful eyes were now focused on Qin Longyang...

Seeing that no one else had anything to report, the issue of appointments continued. Qin Longyang was reassigned to Langya, while Liu Yu, who also contributed during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, was appointed Governor of Youzhou.

In recognition of Liu Yan's many years of service in guarding Youzhou, his son Liu Zhang was posthumously appointed Governor of Yizhou. Ding Yuan and Gongsun Zan were also promoted and given territories.

"Son-in-law, how reckless you are!" After court was dismissed, Cai Yong angrily pulled Qin Longyang to a corner and reproached him. "Do you know how many people will now see you as a thorn in their side because of today's events?"

"From now on, if you want any chance of promotion within the court, many will try to obstruct you! Zhang Rang and his cohorts are vengeful men. If they try to harm you when you're off guard, what will you do?"

Faced with his future father-in-law's criticism, Qin Longyang only nodded in agreement and smiled reassuringly.

"Father-in-law, do you know why I dared to say these things in court? First, Zhang Rang and his ilk are of no consequence to me."

"My actions are meant to make him wary of me, so he will try everything to eliminate me, which will, in turn, give me the opportunity to catch him and remove him."

"Secondly, unlike others seeking promotion and wealth in the capital, I rely not on connections but on strength. If I am sent to Xuzhou as a minor official, I will conquer all of Xuzhou. My goal is not to be a minister of the Han dynasty but to become a foreign prince under the Han dynasty!"

"You..." Cai Yong quickly covered his mouth. "You mustn't say such things carelessly in Luoyang."

"Sigh," Cai Yong understood Qin Longyang's intentions and nodded. "You are young and full of strategy. With skilled troops under your command, you must be careful, for open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Be cautious from now on."

"Thank you for the warning, Father-in-law. It's getting late, and I have matters to attend to, so I must leave the capital immediately." As he spoke, Qin Longyang took out a beautiful jade ornament from his sleeve and handed it to Cai Yong.

"Please, Father-in-law, pass this to Wenji. Once everything is settled, I will return to Luoyang and marry Wenji."

Cai Yong, with slightly trembling hands, accepted the ornament and patted Qin Longyang's shoulder heavily. "Good, good son-in-law. Be careful as an official outside."

"Farewell!" Liao Hua led the horse to the two of them, and Qin Longyang quickly saluted Cai Yong before gradually leaving.

As they left Luoyang, Liao Hua couldn't contain his anger. "That dog of an Emperor is detestable! We guarded Youzhou for him, and now he's sending us to some worthless Xuzhou!"

Qin Longyang, however, remained calm and comforted him. "We should be grateful for the county governor's position. Zhang Rang didn't even list our names when compiling the roster. Selling offices and titles is nothing new."

"Xuzhou is fine. It doesn't matter to me." Qin Longyang smiled, hiding his thoughts.

"To save time, Yuanjian, we should part ways here. You should quickly return to Youzhou to inform the master clerk of this matter and prepare to leave Youzhou.

I will head to Langya to take up my new post. The round trip will take you over a month, so there should be enough time."

"That won't do!" Liao Hua protested, shaking his head vigorously. "You've offended many high-ranking officials today. What if someone tries to harm you on the way? I can't leave you for a moment."

"Don't worry. Since I dared to speak in court, I've already decided they won't dare to harm me." Qin Longyang reassured him, but Liao Hua remained adamant.

Qin Longyang pretended to be angry and scolded, "What? Now that I'm not a governor, you're not listening to me?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Liao Hua hurriedly explained.

"If that's the case, why are you still talking? Do as you're told!"

"But..." Liao Hua wanted to say more, but seeing Qin Longyang's angry face, he lowered his head. "I understand."

"That's more like it." Qin Longyang changed his expression and patted Liao Hua's shoulder. "Let's go, before we attract more trouble.

The court doesn't trust me, so I'll leave the Xiongnu in Youzhou and see if the new governor, Liu Yu, can handle it!"

...

In Luoyang, a luxurious teahouse served as a gathering place for the city's officials. Even Zhang Rang, who held immense power, was a frequent guest with his private tea room.

"Father, your son greets you!" Amusingly, the young master Dong Kui kowtowed three times to a closed door before entering a tea room.

Inside, surprisingly, was Zhang Rang, the Grand Eunuch! Dong Kui's audacity came from having an eunuch as his godfather, which was quite a joke!

"Come in," Zhang Rang said in a shrill voice, squinting. Dong Kui entered respectfully, while the two palace maids guarding the door left discreetly.

"Father, what brings you to invite me for tea?" Dong Kui served tea and massaged Zhang Rang's feet, more attentive than he would be to his biological father.

Zhang Rang snorted with a fake smile. "Invite you for tea? What makes you think you're worthy?"

"Yes, yes, my loose tongue speaks nonsense. Please don't take offense." Zhang Rang's words scared Dong Kui into slapping himself twice.

"Do you know Qin Longyang?"

"Qin... Qin Longyang?!" Hearing the name, Dong Kui was taken aback, remembering the incident in Luoyang. "Yes, we've met. I think he's the Governor of Youzhou..."

"Governor of Youzhou? Hah, self-appointed! The Emperor has transferred him to Langya in Xuzhou as a county governor."

"County governor?" Dong Kui was delighted, recalling Qin Longyang's arrogant face and feeling relieved.

"But that boy knows too much and shows no respect for us old ministers. Today, in court, he said whatever he wanted without regard for the Emperor's face."

"Did that happen? Why didn't the Emperor just execute him?" Dong Kui gritted his teeth, imagining Qin Longyang being paraded through the streets in a cage before execution.

"Foolish!" Zhang Rang snapped. "Unless a capital offense is committed, how could the Emperor casually order a death? But just because the Emperor doesn't say it doesn't mean we can't help him with a solution."

Zhang Rang grinned evilly, handing a cup of tea to Dong Kui, whose smile froze.

"Father... what do you mean?"

"He's on his way to Xuzhou now. Take some men and quietly eliminate him!" Zhang Rang sneered. "Do it for your father... no, do it for the Emperor!"

"I... I..." Dong Kui was shocked. He had never committed murder, let alone against a court official. Although Qin Longyang was minor, he was still a government official.

Zhang Rang's words suggested that any mistake would make Dong Kui the scapegoat. He wasn't foolish enough to take the risk.

"What's the matter? Are you afraid?" Zhang Rang withdrew the teacup, sneering. "Fine, then. It's just a pity that Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song have resigned.

The position of Zhonglangjiang in the court is still vacant, and it seems I will have to find someone else for it. What a shame, what a shame."

"Zhong... Zhonglangjiang..." Dong Kui's hands began to tremble. This was a position he had never dared to dream of, and now Zhang Rang dangled such a tempting offer before him...

"Think it over carefully. Give me your answer by this afternoon. But make sure you do the job cleanly and without leaving a trace. I don't want anyone petitioning the Emperor for a thorough investigation into his death again!"