The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 237

The second floor of the grand study.

The Crown Prince informed him about the aftermath of the dance hall case. Dozens of officials had been dealt with, leaving many positions vacant in the court. As a result, many people were promoted, which could be considered a joyous occasion.

Zong Jincheng suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Will the heads of the departments involved in the incidents also be punished by association?"

He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‍recalled how the head of the Censorate had previously tried to dissuade the Crown Prince from continuing the investigation, fearing that it would implicate too many people. While the self-serving mentality of officials was wrong, this issue still needed to be addressed.

The Crown Prince nodded. "They will be punished, but the penalties are relatively light—ranging from a few months to a few years of salary deductions. Their positions won't be revoked."

The little troublemaker tentatively asked, "Isn't deducting their salary for several years too harsh? They rely on their salaries to make a living. Without income for years, wouldn't that tempt them to resort to corruption?"

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You've already thought that far ahead?"

Zong Jincheng nodded. "Because I've been preparing for a debate on good officials versus bad officials. I'm on the side of the bad officials, and I've studied the lives of many corrupt officials. I found that some of them were forced into becoming bad people in the beginning."

"A debate on good officials versus bad officials?" The Crown Prince chuckled, amused. "That's an interesting way to learn."

Zong Jincheng beamed with pride. "It was my mother's idea. Isn't she amazing?"

"She certainly is," the Crown Prince said with a light laugh. "So, you think deducting their salary for years is too harsh? What would you suggest instead?"

Zong Jincheng tilted his head, thinking. "Demotion? At least they'd still have their salaries."

The Crown Prince replied, "But for some, climbing one rank in the official hierarchy takes decades of effort. To them, demotion would feel worse than a salary deduction."

"Ah..." Zong Jincheng sighed in frustration. "Then can't they just not be punished? They're only the heads of their departments, not the ones directly committing the wrongdoings. It feels unfair for them to be punished by association."

The Crown Prince didn't immediately dismiss his idea but instead guided him. "In the world of officials, there's a term called 'failure to maintain discipline.' If department heads aren't held accountable, they might knowingly allow their subordinates to make mistakes without intervening. Since they wouldn't be implicated, they'd have no reason to confront their trusted aides. What do you think the officialdom would become then?"

Zong Jincheng thought for a moment... It would probably become even more chaotic than it is now.

Alright, the Crown Prince had a point.

Zong Jincheng then asked, "Your Highness, last year when you explained the appointment of officials, you mentioned that inactive officials could be demoted, transferred, or given a promotion in name but a demotion in reality. What was the last method you mentioned?"

At the time, the Crown Prince had said he was too young to understand and would tell him when he was older. Now, nearly a year had passed, and Zong Jincheng felt he had grown enough.

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The Crown Prince's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if hesitating. Finally, he revealed the answer. "Assassination."

The little troublemaker's eyes widened in shock.

The Crown Prince continued, "Those officials who can't be dealt with openly are handled in secret. They die in accidents, at the hands of enemies, or by committing suicide out of guilt—anywhere that won't raise suspicion toward the court."

The little one clenched his fingers, his palms sweating.

No wonder the Crown Prince had thought he was too young to learn this last year. It was indeed bloody and brutal.

The Crown Prince had been observing his expression, ready to dismiss it as a joke if the child couldn't handle it. After all, it was normal for a nine-year-old to struggle with such concepts...

But to his surprise, Zong Jincheng lifted his little face and asked, "Your Highness, who carries out the assassinations? Is it the shadow guards?"

The Crown Prince's eyes lifted, and a slow smile spread across his lips.

This child... truly a natural.

The Crown Prince replied softly, "Those in power all have shadow guards. Aside from protecting themselves, these guards are also sent on various missions. However, assassinating officials is a dirty business and must not be discovered. That's why those in power often prefer to use others to carry out the killings."

"Whose hands do they use?" the little troublemaker asked. "The officials' rivals? But aren't their rivals good officials? Would good officials have the heart to harm others?"

The Crown Prince smiled. "Why do you assume... all bad officials are on the same side?"

Zong Jincheng's eyes widened, his mouth slightly open. The tangled thread in his mind suddenly unraveled.

"Dog eats dog. Let them fight each other, and then... the fisherman reaps the benefits."

The Crown Prince nodded, affirming his understanding.

Zong Jincheng, encouraged and excited, exclaimed, "I figured it out! I learned it! It's actually so simple!"

The Crown Prince chuckled. "The principles are simple, but executing them is difficult. It requires careful control. Otherwise, if the dogs join forces, the fisherman will suffer."

The little troublemaker nodded vigorously. "Got it. I'll remember that!"

The Crown Prince spent a long time with the little one, continuing their conversation until the evening sky darkened. Only then did he rise to leave.

Earlier, Zong Jincheng had been too engrossed in their discussion to notice anything amiss. But now, under the glow of the lanterns outside the manor, he noticed that the Crown Prince's lips were unusually pale.

The little one grew anxious. "Your Highness, you look so pale. You must be exhausted from spending the whole day with me. Maybe we should cut it down to half a day. A full day is too long."

The Crown Prince shook his head with a smile. "No, I feel like a day is too short. We must make the most of our time. We can't..." He trailed off, not finishing his thought. He couldn't delay until Luo Jingfeng returned.

The Great Chu army had been on the campaign for nearly a year. The Western General, Luo Jingfeng, was exceptionally valiant. Not only had he quelled the initial rebellion, but he had also led his troops across the Rapid River to capture a city from the enemy.

Luo Jingfeng's letters spoke of the favorable situation on the battlefield. They were pressing their advantage, striking fear into the enemy and expanding Great Chu's territory. The morale of the entire army was high, and after centuries of oppression from the enemy, the people of Great Chu finally felt a sense of pride.

But the more illustrious Luo Jingfeng's military achievements became, the greater the threat the Luo family posed to the court.

Jincheng, you must grow up faster...

The little one pouted, lowering his head. "Your Highness, I promise to study hard, but you must take care of yourself too. If you're not feeling well, don't make the trip. I can come to the Eastern Palace instead."

The Crown Prince gently patted his dissatisfied little face and smiled. "Understood. I'll act within my limits."

After seeing the Crown Prince off, Zong Jincheng stayed alone on the second floor, reviewing the Crown Prince's teachings in his mind. Through the window, he watched the carriages and pedestrians bustling along the street below.

The world was at peace, and the people lived in contentment.

But when would the Crown Prince's health finally recover?