November twentieth, Jinghe Fourteenth Year.
At the third quarter of Yin Hour, the regular court audience convened as usual.
Among the Ministry of Revenue officials, Wei Nisheng wore an imperially bestowed scarlet robe and held a court tablet, his back straight as a pine.
His gaze passed over the crowd and briefly met Wang Kan's among the Censorate officials.
Wang Kan nodded slightly, withdrew his gaze, and looked down at the court tablet in his hands.
At the start of Mao Hour, the Jingyang Bell rang.
The officials straightened their robes and caps, then filed into the hall according to rank.
The regular court audience proceeded through its business in the usual order.
The Ministry of Revenue reported on the autumn grain entering storage, the Ministry of War on military affairs along the Nine Frontiers, and the Ministry of Works on the progress of the river works.
Emperor Jing of Zhou listened, approving what required approval and questioning what required questions, his voice level and his expression unchanged.
When the last routine report concluded, Wang Cheng was about to make the customary announcement:
"Those with business, present it; those without, withdraw."
But then, from among the Censorate officials-
Wang Kan, dark-faced and thick-browed, strode into the center of the hall with his court tablet in hand, his voice clear and ringing.
"Your subject, Wang Kan, Censorate Classic Registrar, has a memorial to present!"
Emperor Jing of Zhou nodded at his words.
"What is your memorial?"
"A memorial of impeachment!"
"Speak."
"I seek to impeach three men." Wang Kan unfolded his memorial, enunciating each word, his voice shaking the hall.
"Suzhou Prefect He Yanming embezzled tribute grain, falsified reports concerning the Ever-Normal Granary, and imposed unauthorized taxes.
"He extorted merchants and commoners and allowed his household servants to beat people