Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 559: Asking the Emperor for Money

The Emperor, looking at the words and blood handprints on the document before him, was already convinced that the matter was true. Each handprint was unique, making it impossible for someone to have fabricated so many different ones even if they intended to lie.

"It’s unimaginable that the officials below could be so corrupt, deceiving us layer upon layer, and even daring to deceive up to my very head," the Emperor exclaimed with disbelief.

Originally, the Emperor had been quite intrigued by Tian Peng, but after reading the indictment, he found its content all the more infuriating.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. It’s not worth getting upset over such matters. What’s more important is your health," the eunuch hurriedly advised upon seeing the Emperor so enraged, and timely presented a cup of tea to him.

The Emperor was indeed extremely angry, an anger that far surpassed his curiosity about the young man.

Now hearing the eunuch’s advice, he turned and shouted angrily, "What do you mean by this? Is this a trifle? This concerns the lives of all the people in a town and the villages below it! How can I not be angry!"

The eunuch also realized he had misspoken and quickly knelt to apologize, "Your Majesty is right. I was just more worried about Your Majesty’s health. The people are important, but Your Majesty’s well-being is paramount. Only if you are well can the countless people of this realm be well."

The eunuch was skilled at speaking. With just a few simple words, he had managed to attribute all the blame to his concern for the Emperor, and even if the Emperor was still angry, he couldn’t get angry with the eunuch over this.

Holding his forehead and massaging his temples, the Emperor then said, "Rise, I am not angry with you. My anger is directed at the officials who have been hiding the truth."

The eunuch bowed deeply once more before slowly standing up.

As he stood, his face still bore an expression of grievance, as if he had been subject to a great injustice—the level of his acting was such that even Tian Peng, who was well-versed and experienced, was somewhat shocked at this moment.

"This humble official understands the importance of the matter, and knowing that it may involve many other officials, I came posthaste to report to Your Majesty," the Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture added at the right moment.

The Emperor hadn’t intended to verify the truthfulness of their words from the start. From the moment he saw the indictment, he had believed the young man.

Collusion among officials is a common occurrence, and although he was aware of it, investigating such matters is troublesome. As long as it didn’t reach his doorstep, he had little time to pay attention to it.

But now that it had indeed reached him, he must deal with it properly. Also, seeing the potential in the young man, he definitely intended to find a reason to keep him around once this affair was resolved. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Governor, I now entrust this matter to you. Track down the colluding officials, preserve the evidence, and I grant you the authority to carry out executions. Can you handle this?" the Emperor asked.

This was a significant assignment, which upon return could very well lead to a promotion, or even a title.

Of course, the Prefect of Kaifeng didn’t accept the Emperor’s request for the sake of a title since he hadn’t known the Emperor would entrust him with this matter upon his arrival.

Upon hearing that the Emperor had assigned the task to him, the Prefect of Kaifeng knelt down, "I shall not fail in my duty."

"And as for you," the Emperor said, looking at Tian Peng, "having come alone from Huang’an Town to here, you must possess exceptional courage and wits. Do you know martial arts?"

Tian Peng paused for a moment, realizing that his outward qualities were indeed favorable, so much so that even the Emperor considered him to have talent worth molding.

This worked out well, saving him the trouble of pondering over what to do next.

Tian Peng considered his words carefully and then replied, "I, I know a little. My father taught me some self-defense techniques when I was younger."

After all, the parents of this body had long passed away, dead without witness, and the Emperor was not likely to probe whether he truly knew martial arts.

The Emperor looked at the young man’s stature and robust physique, noting that if the family had been wealthy without the need for physical training, he could never have achieved his current condition.

"Since you have come here on behalf of the villagers to report to the officials, then I will have you assist the Governor. You grew up in Huang’an Town and are well aware of its conditions. Can you fulfill this mission?"

"If Your Majesty entrusts me to assist the official, then I will certainly support him well and ensure that those colluding officials are punished," Tian Peng said.

"Hmm, the Governor will later go to the Ministry of War to lead a few dozen elite cavalrymen. They will follow you as you head north. I give you three months’ time. Can you handle this matter?" the Emperor asked.

Three months was actually plenty of time. The cavalry the Emperor asked him to lead would allow for rapid movement, and they could reach Huang’an Town in just half a month.

After dealing with the County Magistrate, he would find out who was involved further up the chain and take care of them as well. Three months was more than enough time for this.

The official from Kaifeng Prefecture bowed and accepted the order, "Your lowly servant will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations."

"Good, if there’s nothing else, then you may go. You can set off tomorrow. I await news of your triumphant return," the Emperor said and turned to leave.

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment," Tian Peng called out.

The Emperor turned around to look at the commoner who had the audacity to stop him, "What is it? Do you have another matter?"

"Yes, I previously gathered the sturdy men of the town to repair the irrigation canals. The canals have been fixed now, but this has consumed a lot of manpower, and these laborers have not been paid."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately understood what he was implying, while the eunuch beside him opened his eyes wide in shock.

This young man was either incredibly bold or had a death wish to ask the Emperor such a question. He was truly impressed by the youngster.

"So, you’ve come to ask me for wages for repairing the irrigation canals?"

The Kaifeng Prefecture official was also astonished. Did this young man not realize the gravity of his actions, to so brazenly ask the Emperor for payment?

Even he, when speaking in front of the Emperor, was extremely respectful, careful not to utter a word out of place, fearing to anger the Emperor.

And yet, here was this young man, disregarding the occasion, the place, and the person he was addressing, simply asking the Emperor for wages.

At that moment, he truly was filled with admiration for the young man. With such audacity and presence, and capable abilities, he was surely destined for success in anything he undertook.

"I’m not asking for my own wages," Tian Peng said, "I’m easily contented, and being the only one in my family, I do not lack that bit of money. But it’s different for those villagers who helped repair the canal with me. They have families to provide for. I’m asking on their behalf."

What Tian Peng said was true, but in reality, those strong men had been satisfied after receiving grain earlier. As for why he still asked the Emperor for wages, his purpose was to establish a reputation as someone who loved his country and its people.

Indeed, after his words, the Emperor, who initially thought he was just seeking silver, now looked at him with much deeper eyes.

Of course, he knew what that look meant—it was because of his concern for the common people that the Emperor was starting to feel surprise and admiration.

Such looks, he had seen enough of them on his way here.

"How old are you this year?" the Emperor inquired.