A Detailed Suicide Note

Sun Shaozong ultimately failed to drink himself into a stupor.

He had barely downed three jin of cheap wine at the bun shop when someone from the yamen came looking for him. First, they reported that an incident had occurred at the Heavenly Prison: the county clerk surnamed Yang had failed to survive his punishment and had died in his cell.

Second, the case involving Admonishment Official Lu of the Ministry of Revenue had now been traced to its source. The Chief Justice had specifically summoned the Left and Right Vice Ministers to hear Vice Director Chen of the Left Office deliver his report.

The first matter was nothing much, since it had been expected all along.

But the latter case came as quite a surprise to Sun Shaozong.

When Wei Yi had pressed for an update last time, Chen Jingde had appeared utterly at a loss. Yet only two days had passed, and the case had already been solved?

Besides...

Chen Jingde was an official of the Left Office, yet he had bypassed his superiors and reported directly to Wei Yi. Such "unhealthy practices" could absolutely not be indulged.

Holding himself to the strict standard he applied to others, Sun Shaozong immediately composed himself, returned to the yamen to change into his official robes, and charged murderously toward the discussion hall.

Though this was called a "joint hearing of three offices," Wei Yi had made no special arrangements. Rather than choosing the inner hall suitable for official business, he remained seated with the two Vice Ministers around a small table in the flower hall, arranged in a triangular formation.

During the morning meeting, Wei Yi had been the first to attack, questioning why Sun Shaozong had directly brought the case before the Emperor.

This time, however, it was Sun