Chapter 419: Powerless

Clutching the dagger lodged in his stomach, blood gushes steadily from the wound.

Henwell shouts sharply, “How dare you attempt to assassinate a court official! This is outright rebellion!”

The Locksmiths immediately rush forward to check Henwell’s injury.

The officials exchange glances. From their vantage point, they clearly saw Nangong Pingyue stab Henwell.

Given this twisted Crown Prince’s arrogant behavior, it’s entirely believable he would do such a thing.

After pulling out the dagger and treating the wound, Henwell points at the unconscious Nangong Pingyue on the ground. “Guard the ringleader tightly! Detain everyone else and search the entire den of villains!”

This is when the blind Locksmith prove his worth. Not only do he finds the secret prison holding the slaves, but also numerous hidden chambers.

Manpower is running low, so under Henwell’s orders, a signal is sent to the Prison Department.

Before long, a large group of Locksmiths arrives on the scene.

What follows is a spectacular sight: over a dozen officials are marched out in custody.

Behind them, a large number of people are chained and led forward, most striking among them the ragged, dirty children.

Along the way, the Locksmiths loudly recite Nangong Pingyue’s crimes, stirring the crowd’s righteous anger. The people join in cursing him.

By the time various departments arrive, a massive crowd has gathered, making it even harder to take the prisoners away.

When they reach the Court of Judicial Review, the Minister had already caught a cold over ten minutes ago.

Deputy Minister Zuo had fallen and injured his head, still unconscious.

Only Sui Luqing, being younger and less experienced, was still unsure what injuries to claim.

Seeing the long line of shackled suspects, the officials hiding their faces, and the noisy crowd, Sui Luqing silently curses himself for not applying for a day off.

After calming the crowd, Sui Luqing closes the doors of the Court of Judicial Review.

Henwell finishes his report and submits the evidence, then excuses himself to recover from his wounds.

That night, Henwell returns to his residence and shuts himself away, refusing to see anyone.

Three days later, Henwell arrives at the Prison Department of the Court of Judicial Review. The Locksmiths there all wear downcast expressions.

Seeing Henwell, one of the Soul Locksmiths speaks bitterly, “Sir, they’ve all been released! Our efforts were for nothing.”

Officials from multiple departments have come to the Court of Judicial Review to plead for leniency. Even people from the palace sent subtle hints.

Two nights ago, the evidence storage room caught fire, destroying all the proof.

Yesterday, the Central Cabinet demanded the release of the prisoners, leaving the Court no choice but to comply.

The Locksmiths still carry the mindset of wandering heroes. They all have their principles, which is why they choose to capture criminals for bounties rather than outright corruption.

Seeing Henwell remain silent, the blind Locksmith sighs and tries to comfort him, “Sir, you’re a good officer. We know you did your best. But the criminals have powerful backers. Officials protect each other, letting them walk free. Don’t blame yourself. It’s fate. It’s fate for them, and fate for us too.”

Henwell turns to the five Soul Locksmiths. “While I’m away, keep a close watch on the Prison Department. Don’t let anyone break the rules! The warehouse and evidence room are critical.”

”Bring me all the promotion files, while I’m still here, I want to process them. Tell the brothers below to keep their heads down for now. Don’t poke the hornet’s nest and give anyone a reason to hold something over us.”

The Soul Locksmiths panic. “Sir, are you resigning? The Prison Department can’t function without you!”

After two years of steady work, Henwell has earned great respect here.

These Soul Locksmiths know their own abilities. If one of them became director, this newly established Prison Department would fall apart.

Henwell is fair and treats his subordinates well. No one can find fault with him.

So hearing him speak as if settling affairs unsettles them deeply.

Two years of good times can’t just end like this!

Henwell glares at them. “Nonsense! I’m not resigning. I’m being removed, at least sidelined to rest at home. Someone will replace me, probably sent directly from the Ministry of Personnel. Do your best to play along with the newcomers. Don’t give them any reason to catch us off guard. After a while, I’ll come back, and everything will go back to the way it was.”

Sure enough, that very afternoon, the Cabinet’s decree arrives.

It states that although Henwell acts rashly, he remains loyal to the court and has suffered serious injuries.

He is to step down from his position at the Prison Department and go home to recuperate.

Henwell receives a general’s title of the fourth rank, an honorary military title without real power.

That evening, Sui Luqing, the Right Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, comes to visit Henwell.

Henwell welcomes him into the main hall. Sui Luqing says, “You’re injured, yet you come out to greet me. You really don’t treat me like a friend!”

Henwell laughs, “You’re the only one left who still calls me a friend. You actually dare to visit this barbarian from the Western Regions!”

Sui Luqing sighs. “Henwell, I’m angry too, truly! I’m not lying to you. I’m flesh and blood just like you. I’ve seen those case files and evidence. It’s shocking beyond belief. I never imagined anyone could be so cruel. But we’re powerless! “

”The law is the royal law, not the ordinary people’s law. Nangong Pingyue is the Crown Prince of the South King, the nephew of the current emperor. Who dares to stand up and offend him? The South King holds heavy military power to keep the south in check. He’s a prince with immense influence. The emperor granted him such power to appease him. “

”The emperor also hopes to use this case to weaken the South King’s strength. When the South King learned his son was in trouble, he sent elite warriors who traveled three thousand miles in a day and night to reach the capital. He promised to give up part of his military command. You tell me, how is the emperor supposed to choose?”

Henwell pours a cup of wine for Sui Luqing. “That’s no longer our concern. Is there no one in court unafraid of power, willing to speak for the people?”

“There is! Minister Zhang Che. He stood up bravely and listed Nangong Pingyue’s crimes openly in court. He even submitted a memorial accusing the officials you captured.”

Henwell says, “Clearly, he failed.”

Sui Luqing smiles bitterly. “He was beaten with the court’s rod and dragged out of the hall. But the emperor isn’t a foolish ruler. He knows Zhang Che serves the country and people. Afterwards, he sent the imperial physician to treat him and even promoted him. “

”He turned misfortune into energy by joining the Imperial Secretariat, helping shape national affairs. If he stays true to his ideals, perhaps he’ll serve the country in a different way.”

Aside from all this, Nangong Pingyue, the ringleader, is removed from the case.

He’s merely punished for poor supervision, beaten with a rod and confined to his estate, forbidden from going out.

All others involved are executed without trial or even formal interrogation.