Volume One, Chapter 14: Sleeping in Class
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Ma Yuanbang and the others led Su Zhongwen into the Ministry of Justice. Upon meeting the newly appointed Minister of Justice, they found him not as unreasonable as they had feared, which put their minds at ease.
As the saying goes, a new official ignites three fires upon taking office. They had assumed these fires would be directed at them, the subordinates. Yet, so far, Su Zhongwen had not ignited any fires.
Relieved, they did not realize that Su Zhongwen had indeed set these three fires—they had just been kindled in the right places.
“Lord Ma, I have just assumed the office of Minister of Justice. I have heard that many cases have piled up in the department. Is this true?”
After entering the main hall and exchanging a few pleasantries, Su Zhongwen quickly got to the point.
After all, His Majesty the Empress had granted him an extraordinary promotion. Su Zhongwen knew he had to achieve results!
“Reporting to Lord Su, indeed, the Ministry has accumulated many case files, all kept in the archives!” Ma Yuanbang said as he led Su Zhongwen to the archives room of the Ministry of Justice.
The archives room had doors but no windows, designed to ensure the security of these files. Only the Minister and two deputy ministers held keys to open it.
Though new to the position, Su Zhongwen was already familiar with the regulations. All relevant materials had been handed over to him; he had merely not visited the archives before. With Ma Yuanbang’s help, he found the key and opened the windowless archives room.
The room was spacious, filled to capacity with countless files—cases still unresolved. Unprocessed files were subject to the highest level of confidentiality.
Conversely, processed files had their confidentiality downgraded since their outcomes were public. Ensuring their safe storage was sufficient.
But these unprocessed files contained vital information in every word!
Over a thousand unresolved cases filled the archives to the brim. Su Zhongwen had known there was some negligence in the Ministry, but he had never imagined it to be this severe.
“Reporting, Lord, these are the cases accumulated over the past year—one thousand one hundred and thirty-eight in total!”
Ma Yuanbang smiled wryly. Over a thousand unresolved cases in a single year meant an average of three to four new cases daily.
Such a high frequency was shocking, yet the Ministry had failed to resolve them promptly—an utter disregard for the dignity of the law!
Looking at the heaps of files and hearing Ma Yuanbang’s words, Su Zhongwen’s expression darkened instantly.
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What a disgrace for the imperial family, what a disgrace for the Wu clan nobles! In less than a year, more than a thousand cases had been committed.
If this continued—
Where would the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty stand?
Where would the dignity of the people be?
Where would justice and fairness reside?
Where would the safety and stability of the realm be?
“Bring the files here. From today onward, I will restore the prestige of the Ministry of Justice. All cases will be rigorously reviewed. No corruption will be tolerated!”
Gazing at the overflowing archives, a fierce fire ignited deep within Su Zhongwen’s heart.
...
The Inner Library Hall, the Hall of Justice—
Su Chen had barely lain down to sleep when he was awakened abruptly.
Today marked the beginning of lessons at the Hall of Justice.
The first class was taught by Master Song Fangshan, one of the six chief scholars of the Inner Library Hall, presenting the curriculum of the National Academy.
The Inner Library housed one chief lecturer, two deputy lecturers, six chief scholars, and other subject instructors—renowned Confucian scholars of great fame.
Otherwise, the imperial clans and officials would not have entrusted their offspring to the Inner Library.
It was precisely because the Inner Library gathered the greatest scholars that so many willingly sent their children there. Though the students were of mixed quality, the scholarship was undeniable.
Among the six chief scholars, Song Fangshan was considered a senior elder, aged around fifty, especially proficient in teaching the Four Books, with a particular mastery of the Great Learning.
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“The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting virtue, renewing the people, and resting in the highest good...”
Master Song’s slightly hoarse voice echoed through the Hall of Justice. This era’s teaching method required students to first memorize the texts, then integrate their meaning, and finally comprehend them, often relying on personal insight. The adage “Read a book a hundred times, its meaning will appear” was the best explanation for scholars of the time.
Having not experienced classroom study for many years, Su Chen was initially somewhat excited. But before long, as Master Song recited a few lines, drowsiness overwhelmed him.
Song’s voice made the other students sit upright, yet to Su Chen, it sounded like a lullaby, and his head began to nod sleepily once more.
Such behavior was perfectly natural for Su Chen, but for Master Song, it bordered on insolence.
Watching Su Chen’s head drooping dangerously close to the desk, Master Song snapped coldly:
“Whose son are you? Such disrespect—to fall asleep in class!”
Master Song was known as one of the strictest and most old-fashioned scholars of the Inner Library. Even the eldest sons of prominent families, like Chang Sunyan and Yan Danqing, sat obediently in his class. He had never before encountered someone daring enough to sleep during his lecture.
“Oh no, oh no, Master Song is angry. Please don’t direct your wrath at us!”
The students in the Hall of Justice immediately fell silent, each gazing nervously at the furious Master Song.
“Hey, hey, Su Chen, wake up! Wake up!”
Seeing Master Song’s face darken completely, Yan Danqing hastily tried to rouse Su Chen.
Su Chen was Su Zhongwen’s younger brother. Yan Danqing, grandson of Yan Liben, who favored Su Zhongwen greatly, thus lent Su Chen some support.
However, all Yan Danqing could do was help wake Su Chen up.