Chapter 604: Chapter 604. Putting Righteousness Before
Family (2)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Su Hanxuan did not feel disappointed. Instead, he felt that his daughter was helping him. It was much better to retire than to be dismissed by the Emperor.
Forget it. After becoming the Grand Preceptor, he didn’t have time for himself. He would be busy from morning to night every day and couldn’t accompany Ruxue to admire the flowers and view the scenery. Forget it, forget it. He didn’t want to make things difficult for his daughter.
“There’s no need for that, but we must punish them a little. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult to hide the rumors.”
When Xiao Zeyu heard that Su Qing had stripped his father-in-law of his official position and sent him back to his hometown, he was embarrassed.
“There’s no need. If my father doesn’t become an official, the clansmen won’t rely on my family’s power to do whatever they want. It’s settled.”
Su Qing rejected Xiao Zeyu’s good intentions. If a dynasty wants to develop healthily and steadily, it must first cut off all this nepotism. The officials would punish the Emperor’s father-in-law when he made a mistake, so who would dare to make a mistake?
“Qing’er is right. It’s tough for me to be a Grand Preceptor. I might as well go home and do business. That’s my old profession.”
Su Hanxuan also felt that his daughter’s words made sense. It was easier to be a happy businessman than to be an official. Since he had been dismissed, those who wanted to rely on his family background would not dare to do anything reckless.
“This… Alright, we’ll do as Qing’er says.”
Here’s a revised version of the passage:
Witnessing the firm resolve between father and daughter, Xiao Zeyu knew there was no longer a need for him to ponder leniency. He was ready to address the remaining issues decisively, using both strategy and strength where necessary.
“The Emperor will appoint a new set of medicine merchants. I will personally oversee their vetting this time,” she declared, signaling a proactive approach to rectifying the situation with the counterfeit medicine.
Next on his agenda was the looming threat of the Nanman invasion. They had managed to seize mortars and grenades, potentially jeopardizing the security of the Great Tang. Fortunately, their unfamiliarity with these weapons limited their effectiveness — cannonballs lacked precision, and grenades were not thrown effectively, leading to significant wastage. Yet, Xiao Zeyu couldn’t help but worry about the possibility of them acquiring expertise in cannon warfare, which would pose a substantial and dangerous challenge.
Therefore, the most important thing was to destroy the Nanman army, retrieve the mortars, and recapture the cities taken away.
The poison from the southern barbarians was the hardest to guard against. She still had to make the medicine packet. This time, she had to control it and not make any mistakes.
“Qing’er, you don’t need to worry about it. I will personally supervise it.”
Xiao Zeyu shook his head, disagreeing with Su Qing’s efforts. He had already ordered people to select new imperial physicians. This time, they were divided into three groups guarded by the royal guards, who did not allow them to contact each other.
The first group made the medicine packet, the second group checked, and the third group rechecked. They were all from different groups. If someone tampered with it, they would be instantly found out.
“That’s good. Then, I won’t delay the Emperor’s handling of the court affairs. Father, come with me to the harem. Little Chen misses you.”
Su Qing saw that Xiao Zeyu wanted to supervise the matter personally and wasn’t concerned about it. She called her father to follow her.
Su Hanxuan looked at Xiao Zeyu awkwardly. Could he leave?
“Father-in-law, you should go and rest.”
Xiao Zeyu knew that Su Qing felt sorry for her father, so he gave her a way out.
After all, apart from his relationship with Qing’er, he and Su Hanxuan were still good friends. The fake medicine incident this time was also an undeserved disaster for Su Hanxuan. There was no need to look into it when it was time to look the other way.
When the ministers waiting outside the meeting hall saw the Empress enter the room and take Grand Preceptor Su away, they all looked down and pretended not to see her.
They knew that the Emperor had to give the Empress a face. Fortunately, they did not say anything or the Empress would hate them.
Jin City’s Su Family
Su Hanxuan’s eldest brother, Su Hansen, was checking the medicine he had received. His three sons followed behind him and ordered the merchants who provided the medicine around.
“What medicine are these? You dare to ask for money for this medicine?”
“Master Su, these are all good herbs.”
The supplier knew Su Hansen would lower the price again and cursed in his heart. He was getting increasingly greedy and couldn’t buy at the price.
“If I say it’s not good, then it’s not good. Do you still want to quibble? Sell according to the third grade.”
Su Hansen glared at him. He was even more arrogant than the old master of the county government. He didn’t let anyone speak and asked the butler to document them according to the third class.
“No, I’m not selling. How can I make a loss?”
The supplier couldn’t accept it. He would have to pay for the price. He packed up the herbs and was about to leave. He dared to leave when he said that? He immediately ordered people to snatch the medicinal herbs and beat him out of the Su residence.
“Do you know who I am? I am the Empress’s big uncle, the Grand Preceptor’s big brother. Do you dare to behave atrociously in my residence? Do you like your head?”
Su Hansen arrogantly pointed at the supplier, beaten black and blue. He deliberately stood outside the door to let everyone know his status and cursed. Many people on the street were watching the show, but they dared not say anything.
“You’re such a bully. I’m going to sue you. I’m going to sue the Emperor.”
The supplier struggled to get up. He couldn’t take this lying down. Those medicinal herbs were all he had. He was robbed and injured. Was there any justice left?
He heard that the book merchant said that the Empress was very good. He did not believe that she would shield such an evil person.
“Aiya, you’re stepping on my nose. Come and beat him to death with a stick.”
Hearing that the supplier was going to sue him, Su Hansen flew into a rage and ordered the evil slave to kill him.
“Sigh, there’s no justice.”
“Where can one go to complain about the Empress’s big uncle? Who dares to put up with it?”
The commoners were angry but did not dare to speak. They were all discussing in low voices. Su Hansen and his three sons were all scornful. The relatives of the imperial family were superior and could do whatever they wanted.
“You will get your retribution.”
The supplier was pressed to the ground and beaten up. He shouted at the top of his lungs.
“I’m a relative of the royal family. Even Bodhisattva has to protect us. It’s your retribution that you were beaten to death today.”
Su Hansen stepped on the supplier’s face and spoke fiercely.
The supplier couldn’t move. He felt extremely humiliated. He shouted at Hansen,
“I will watch you get your retribution. God will strike you to death.”
“Come on, beat him to death. If you kill him, drag him to the mass grave and bury him. Cut off his tongue and let him curse.”
Su Hansen was so angry that he commanded them to cut off his tongue with a knife.
Just as the supplier was about to have his tongue cut off, a team of imperial guards galloped over on horseback.
“Get out of the way quickly. The imperial envoy is handling a case.”
When the commoners heard that the imperial envoy was handling a case, they quickly made way for him. The servant who wanted to cut off the supplier’s tongue did not dare to make a move and put away his knife.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. You guys continue. I’ll go and see what’s going on.”
Su Hansen didn’t realize that a disaster was coming and ordered the servants to continue cutting the supplier’s tongue. The servant pulled out the supplier’s tongue again.
The surrounding commoners cried out in surprise. The women and children did not dare to look. They were treating human lives like grass in front of the imperial envoy. There was no law.
The supplier closed his eyes in despair. The hatred in his heart was difficult to calm down. Did someone even say that the current Emperor was wise? What’s the difference between this and the Wan Family Army?
Just as everyone thought that the supplier was dead, a sharp sword shot out from the sky and hit the wrist of the servant who was about to cut the supplier’s tongue. He screamed and threw the knife in his hand. The supplier opened his eyes in disbelief.
Su Hansen angrily pointed at the imperial envoy and cursed,
“Do you know who I am? How dare you meddle in my business?”