Chapter 130: Confrontation (1)

Chapter 130: Confrontation (1)

Foreword:

Ive not posted Hai Yans preambles, but the ones she posted for Chapters 130 & 132 resonated with me, so I have decided to translate them here.

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<Hai Yan> Im sorry for making everyone misunderstand. Hai jiejie is not unwell and just has an old illness that must be checked up every year. The results are not out yet but the doctor said my complexion is good, hehe.

As for being worried that I would suffer from a mental disorder, that is unlikely because writing about a lunatic doesnt make one a lunatic. Besides, Hai jiejie has not written about a lunatic yet. I make great efforts to make the words and deeds of the characters conform to their personalities and logic.so dont worry about my state of mind. It is still normal for the moment..

This is a healthy dividing line

As Xia Jiang observed Prince Jings expression closely, Prince Yu also fixed his eyes on his younger brother. In a flash, this prince knew that Xia Jiang was an old ginger with a really spicy kick*. With just one move, he had hit Prince Jings weak spot, suddenly balancing out their unfavourable position.

*I know this sounds awkward but I couldnt resist retaining this. Essentially, it means that Xia Jiang was a veteran who still had all his moves.Its also a play on his name, because the Chinese word for ginger is jiang

But it was a pity that the Liang Emperor did not see the violently shaken expression that flashed across Prince Jings face, because at that moment, his eyes were squinted, apparently trying to remember who Su zhe was.

The person youre referring tois he the supposedly famous talent, Su zhe, whom Princess Nihuang recommended to be my chief examiner for the written examination? It didnt take this wise Liang Emperor long to recall this. He also defeated that Northern Yan that.that person before.with three young boys. I really like that Su zhe. How is he also involved in this matter?

Is Your Majesty aware of this Su zhes other identity?

Oh? What is that?

Although Your Majesty is in the court, has Your Majesty heard of the Lang Ya Rankings?

Naturally.

Looking at the new list this year, Jiangzuo Alliance ranks as the largest secret society on earth for the fifth time in a row. This Su zhe is actually Jiangzuo Alliances current chief, Mei Changsu. Is Your Majesty aware of this?

I am aware.

Er. Xia Jiang did not expect this. Your Majesty is aware?

I have had a chat with Su zhe before, during a tea tasting session. He had informed me who he was at the time. The Liang Emperor fixed his eyes on Xia Jiang. Su zhe is certainly exceptional, and has the heart to serve the country. If it wasnt for his poor health, I would have employed him. Why, do you mean to say he got close to Jingyan while recuperating in the capital?

This minister has not been back in the capital for very long and dare not speak carelessly, but everyone knows who Mei Changsu serves.

Prince Jing met Xia Jiangs gaze without flinching. I dont know how you came to that conclusion. After Su zhe was recognized by Your Majesty, nine out of ten in the capital strove to befriend him. Princess Nihuang is well-known for holding him in the greatest esteem. Xuanjing Bureaus Xia Dong and Xia Chun have also been to the Su Residence as guests. The Su Residence compound was also recommended by Commander Meng. The number of times Prince Yu xiong had paid a visit to Mei Changsu far exceeds mine. The person leading the many processions to present gifts to the Su Residence was also Prince Yu xiong. If I manage even to get a seat (at his table), no matter how inferior a seat, I would consider myself lucky. In spite of all this, how does one finally conclude that Mei Changsu is serving me?

The most frustrating thing for Prince Yu was that no matter how much he investigated, he couldnt figure out how Mei Changsu and Prince Jing kept in touch when they so rarely had contact. He was going to defend himself at this point, but Xia Jiang was already a step ahead. Very well. Since Mei Changsu does not serve Your Highness Prince Jing, it makes this easier to handle. Your Highness shouldnt mind if I wanted to interrogate this person, right?

Prince Jings heart sank, and just as he was wondering how he should respond, the Liang Emperor said, Since he and Jingyan are not particularly close, why interrogate him for no reason?

Your Majesty, every one of the rebels who attacked Xuanjing Bureau possesses the skills of a martial arts master. In the capital today, who else other than Jiangzuo Alliances chief is capable of organizing such a large group of martial arts masters? This minister believes that interrogating Mei Changsu will yield some results.

Prince Jing responded through gritted teeth. This is a case of giving a dog a bad name before hanging him. Doesnt the Lang Ya Rankings include many unusually skilled and esteemed men? Just because you say its him, does that make him the only one? Arent you afraid that others would ridicule* Xuanjing Bureau for using intuition as evidence to handle this case?

*Hai Yan describes this as laugh until their teeth drop

But its just an interrogation. Why is Your Highness Prince Jing so anxious? Whether Mister Su is good or evil, he is after all His Majestys visiting guest. What can I do to him? Its just a conversation to clear things up. It really has nothing to do with his affairs. I will make sure he leaves Xuanjing Bureau intact, without a single injury. Thats the sum of it.

As he said these words, he deliberately set his eyebrows in a ruthless expression to make Prince Jing even more anxious. Xuanjing Bureaus methods of interrogation had been passed on from one generation to the next. They did not leave a scar, yet left a person feeling as good as dead. Mei Changsus greatest weakness was his health. Imagining that weak and pale body entering Xuanjing Bureau, Prince Jing felt his heart twist involuntarily.

Xia Jiang had just entered a state (of being)*, but he was jolted out of it when he unexpectedly heard these words

*This is a literal translation which I struggled with. I presume it either means that MCS was pondering for VERY LONG or he was already preparing to extract a forced confession from MCS

What would Director Xia like me to confess? That I colluded with Prince Jing? Mei Changsu replied rapidly, Thats right. I have been colluding with Prince Jing since early on. Wei Zhengs rescue was instigated by Prince Jing and I orchestrated it. After we stormed Xuanjing Bureau and realized that the guards were too few, we knew it was a trap and withdrew. Oh yes, when we withdrew, the Capital Patrol helped us, which was why we managed to escape. Director Xia, you came back after that. My informer who was at the main gates of Xuanjing Bureau noticed that your actions were a little odd, and secretly followed behind you. When you led him to the Imperial Court of Justice, he was pleasantly surprised to learn that Wei Zheng was there. As a result, we were besides ourselves and immediately beat you up, before seizing the traitor. Thats how everything happened. Is there anything else you are unclear about?

Xia Jiang had interrogated many people behind Xuanjing Bureaus closed doors, but had never encountered such a prisoner and it took great effort to maintain his composure. Observing Mei Changsu, he kept his tone grim as he said, Do you know what you have just confessed?

I know. Mei Changsu said lightly, You can write a statement according to what I had just confessed. When you have written it, bring it to me and I will put my signature on it. Once I have signed it, you can bring this statement to His Majesty then this case will be settled and everyone can relax.

Xia Jiang suddenly understood Mei Changsus meaning. The implications of this case were too great, and as it happens, sorely lacking in evidence. The Liang Emperor would be unlikely to arrive at a final conclusion so easily based on such a statement. When the time arrived, he would definitely summon Mei Changsu in to personally interrogate him. Suppose this Qilin talent withdrew his confession then and charged Xia Jiang with extorting this confession through torture and forcing him to incriminate Prince Jing, he would really be unsure of the Liang Emperors reaction.

Mei Changsu, dont be too pleased with yourself. Things have reached such a stage and you are still so stubborn. Could it be that you desire to experience my Xuanjing Bureau methods?

Thats strange, Mei Changsu put on an innocent expression. I have already confessed and yet you still say that I am stubborn. Do you think my statement would sound a little better after you hit me? That as long as I have experienced your methods, His Majesty would not summon me for an inquiry? I have already confessed that I was instigated by Prince Jing. Is it possible that you have someone else whom you want me to confess about?

If you want to confess, you should confess thoroughly, Xia Jiang came closer, saying, Tell me, where is Wei Zheng now?

He has already left the capital.

Impossible! Xia Jiang sneered. Before I entered the palace yesterday, I had ordered men to keep guard at the Western Gate and examine all passersby. Even if the Capital Patrol wanted to leave, they wouldnt be able to. Now that Prince Jing has his hands tied, this capital is even more like an iron bucket*. Unless Wei Zheng has a means of escape, he would never be able to get out.

*tightly encircled

These words are too boastful. If there is a way into the iron bucket, there is a way out. As long as people can leave the capital, there is also an opportunity for Wei Zheng to get away.

Mr Su certainly knows how to joke. I know that Wei Zheng has multiple injuries and cannot even stand and walk. These two days, nothing placed horizontally has gone out without being scrutinized by my men, not one carriage, travelling box, nothing that can carry a person. I have even ordered them to pry open and examine coffins closely. Come, tell me how Wei Zheng was smuggled out.

Mei Changsu revealed a slight smile, Do you really want me to tell you?

Of course.

If I dont, will you resort to your methods?

Im glad youre aware.

Then I have no choice. Mei Changsu swirled his teacup, toying with it. Your soldiers were very thorough, but.they still missed examining something..

Impossible!

They did. For example, one of your people from Xuanjing Bureau.

Xia Jiangs pupils suddenly contracted. I have already ordered men to keep watch on Xia Dong. She couldnt possibly have.

Not Xia Dong. Xia Chun.

Nonsense. Xia JIang immediately gave a snort of contempt., obviously trusting Xia Chun completely.

Hear me out. It was Xia Chuns wife..didnt she receive news that her father was seriously ill yesterday, leaving the capital urgently to return to her family?

Xia Jiangs expression stiffened immediately. This was Xia Chuns domestic affair so he didnt pay any attention though he was aware of it. If it was Xia Chuns wife leaving town, the Xuanjing Bureau soldiers would definitely not have scrutinized it too closely but how could Mei Changsu possibly have devised a way to smuggle Wei Zheng out as part of Xia Chuns wifes retinue?

Xia Chuns wife is from Wudang, right? She has a nephew called Li Xiao, right? As chance would have it, I had once done Li Xiao a favour, and in his gratitude, he would frequently visit me to pay his respects. Li Xiao accompanied Xia Chuns wife this time so I asked him to help me relay a box of local goods to Langzhou. Do you think he would have refused? Once this box leaves the capital as part of Xia Chuns wifes retinue, arrives in a secluded place and gets seized by robbers, that wouldnt be entirely impossible, would it? Mei Changsu looked on leisurely as Xia Jiangs expression increasingly contorted in anger. Director Xia, Wei Zheng is no longer in the capital. You can no longer capture him. Its time to give up.