Chapter 96: A Single Imperial Decree Changes the Winds of the Realm

"Whether you're involved or not isn't for you to decide. It's for this official to decide."

The Imperial Censorate sent from the Sacred Capital this time was not a member of the Spring and Autumn Brush lineage. In fact, he was not even from the Confucian school.

He came from the Legalist tradition.

Thin and gaunt, with a pale complexion and narrow eyes, he gave off the unmistakable impression of someone who was exceedingly difficult to deal with.

"Now, recount everything that happened inside the Imperial Mausoleum. Slowly and truthfully."

The censorate spoke coldly as he lit a glazed crystal lamp beside him.

He did this every time he conducted an interrogation.

From Fang Xun's memories, Li Shun recognized the lamp's origin.

It was a specialized Legalist interrogation artifact known as the Heart-Illuminating Lamp.

Its radiance shone directly upon the heart. Legend claimed it could determine whether a person was lying, while also recording the entire interrogation process.

Fortunately, the collapse of the mausoleum's sealed earth truly had nothing to do with Li Shun.

As usual, he recounted every detail of his experience without concealment, save for one thing: obtaining the inheritance of Wu Peng.

Most of his consciousness remained withdrawn within the Fangcun Space. Li Shun was not worried that anyone would discover any flaws.

After he finished speaking, the censorate repeatedly revisited every detail, questioning him over and over again.

The interrogation lasted from daylight until deep into the night without ending.

Li Shun's temper visibly worsened.

"Is this all the Legalists are capable of? How many times have you asked the same questions already? I've told you again and again that this has nothing to do with me!"

"It's nearly dark, and you're still not letting me leave. What, are you planning to keep me awake all night?"

"I say you should stop interrogating me altogether. Just arrest me and drag me back to the Sacred Capital to claim your merit!"

Yet the censorate remained perfectly calm.

Ignoring Li Shun's attitude, he continued his questioning.

Only at eleven o'clock that night did the ordeal finally come to an end.

As Li Shun prepared to leave, he clasped his hands and spoke with an unpleasant expression.

"May I ask your honored name, my lord? One day, Li Shun will certainly repay today's kindness in full."

The threat could not have been more obvious.

Yet the censorate displayed no emotional reaction whatsoever.

Like a cold, unfeeling machine, he replied calmly,

"This official is Cao Xiu. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the interrogation, feel free to submit a formal impeachment memorial."

"Cao Xiu..."

Li Shun snorted coldly and swept his sleeves before departing.

Watching Li Shun's retreating figure, Cao Xiu slowly narrowed his eyes.

His eyes had already been small to begin with. Now they nearly disappeared entirely.

A figure emerged from the shadows and approached.

"My lord, this Li Shun is far too arrogant. He's nothing more than a common subject, yet he dares speak to you in such a manner. Why not arrest him directly and subject him to severe punishment?"

Cao Xiu shook his head.

"The Confucian faction already holds the upper hand at court, especially the Spring and Autumn Brush lineage."

"This man is the disciple-descendant of Dong Chunqiu. He personally entered the sealed grounds, obtained the Ancient Xiang Nation Armor, and helped Duanmu Qiuchi successfully break through his bottleneck."

"If we were to torture him lightly, even I would have difficulty answering to those above me."

"More importantly, he carries imperial blood within him..."

As he spoke, Cao Xiu pointed toward the Heart-Illuminating Lamp.

The lamp suddenly blazed with brilliant light.

Three separate images were projected into the air.

They were recordings of Li Shun's three interrogation sessions.

The scenes replayed again and again before Cao Xiu's eyes.

"This Li Shun has a problem."

A chill flickered within Cao Xiu's gaze as he spoke with certainty.

The shadowy figure stared at the recordings, puzzled.

"My lord, why do you say that?"

"Because he was too calm."

"From beginning to end, he never truly panicked or felt fear."

"Even when he appeared angry later and spoke disrespectfully, that was merely a deliberate act designed to prevent me from becoming suspicious."

Cao Xiu spoke slowly.

"His background is remarkably straightforward. He was born into a family tasked with guarding the mausoleum and later served in Lengshan."

"Recently, he survived a series of disasters and only just returned to Imperial Mausoleum Commandery."

"If he were truly as simple as his records suggest, he would never have displayed such composure."

"What secret is he hiding..."

The figure beside him seemed thoughtful and carefully recorded all of Cao Xiu's conclusions.

"My lord, what should we do next?"

"At present, this case has two potential breakthroughs."

"The first is the rebel traitors Jiang Chongguang and Han Sushu. Their traces were recently discovered near Mingqian Beach in Donglai Commandery."

"The second is Li Shun."

"Should we continue interrogating the others, or..."

Before he could finish, Cao Xiu interrupted him.

"Jichuan, what do you think the Chancellor's true purpose was in sending us here?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Jichuan froze momentarily before answering.

"Naturally, to uncover the truth behind the breach of the Imperial Mausoleum and bring the rebels to justice."

"The truth..."

Cao Xiu let out a cold snort.

"The restrictions around the Imperial Mausoleum are unimaginably strict. For thousands of years, no one has ever successfully entered."

"So why was it that this time, two youngsters not even in the Grotto Mystic Realm managed to turn everything upside down?"

"Both the Left and Right Chancellors used this incident as a reason to personally enter the Forbidden Palace and plead guilty before His Majesty."

"Even now, they remain kneeling outside the palace, awaiting the Emperor's response."

"We came here merely as representatives of their position."

Jichuan listened carefully. Though he could not fully grasp Cao Xiu's meaning, he understood enough.

The waters of this matter ran unimaginably deep. It was not something a minor official like himself could afford to become entangled in.

Cold sweat formed on his forehead as he hurriedly nodded.

"Yes, my lord."

Back at home, Li Shun naturally knew nothing of this conversation.

He had originally expected several more rounds of confrontation with Cao Xiu.

Unexpectedly, two days later, the arrival of a single imperial decree completely overturned the political landscape of Imperial Mausoleum Commandery.

The sky above the commandery suddenly darkened.

A vast scroll slowly unfurled across the heavens.

Line after line of golden characters shone upon its surface.

At the same time, a solemn voice echoed between heaven and earth.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Since ascending the throne, We have ordered the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum, intending to stabilize the golden veins of the Thirteen Provinces and establish an order that would endure for ten thousand generations.

Recently, We have reviewed the proclamation of Shentu Xin. Though his words were rebellious, upon careful examination, some merit may indeed be found within them.

When the Great Sun hangs high in the heavens, why should it lurk within the abyss? If the Heavenly Ones command the qi of the world, why should they rely upon a mere patch of earth for survival?

The Imperial Mausoleum was conceived because of impending collapse and demise. Yet We have no expectation of an imminent passing. If there is no prospect of death, why should We prepare a resting place for Our bones?

Therefore, effective immediately, the administrative structure of Imperial Mausoleum Commandery is abolished. All construction and maintenance projects shall cease.

Its mountains, forests, mineral veins, passes, and cities shall return to the jurisdiction of their original provinces and counties. The title of 'Forbidden Land' is hereby revoked.

The barriers shall be dismantled. The Hundred Schools may travel freely. The people may resume their livelihoods.

The heavens are boundless, and Great Qian shall endure without end. Let all beneath heaven look toward the eternal radiance above and faithfully fulfill their proper duties.

Let this proclamation be announced throughout the Four Seas, that all may hear and know of it.

By Imperial Decree."

The solemn voice continued to reverberate across Imperial Mausoleum Commandery long after the decree ended.

The reactions of the people varied greatly.

Some were stunned beyond belief.

Some wept tears of joy while shouting praises of "Long live His Majesty!"

Others wore complicated expressions, lost in thought.

Yet regardless of their feelings, one fact was undeniable.

With the issuance of this imperial decree, the dark clouds that had hung over Imperial Mausoleum Commandery for so long quietly began to disperse.

...

[TL Note: The Emperor uses “We” instead of “I” because imperial edicts traditionally employ the royal “we” (majestic plural). In Chinese, the emperor refers to himself as 朕 (zhen), a pronoun reserved exclusively for the sovereign. Translating it as “We” conveys that the Emperor speaks not merely as an individual, but as the embodiment of the throne, the state, and Heaven’s mandate.]