NOVPUBAlthough the Minister of Transportation, Zhou Ting, was Zhou Yu’s father, Li Nuo was still very angry about how harshly he treated Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu was not just his son and a Minister of Transportation; he was also the hope of Li Nuo’s Horse Riding.
Not venting this frustration could hamper his focus during practice.
He had to give the Minister of Transportation a slight deterrent; if he beat his son every few days, causing Zhou Yu to practice one day and recover for two, when would he earn the Law Code’s approval?
Li Nuo looked at Zhou Yu’s frustrated and indignant expression, coughed lightly, and said, "Your father was indeed wrong in this matter, should we teach him a lesson?"
Zhou Yu was slightly stunned and asked, "How?"
Li Nuo whispered a few words in his ear. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
The Minister of Transportation, Zhou Ting, was a fifth-rank official, which just fell within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.
He didn’t need to commit any major offense; minor errors like drinking, gambling, coming late, or leaving early could get him detained for a day or two to reflect on his mistakes.
This way, Zhou Yu could vent his anger and focus on his practice. It would also serve as a deterrent for the Minister of Transportation and even increase Li Nuo’s cultivation and lifespan, killing many birds with one stone.
After hearing Li Nuo’s words, Zhou Yu’s eyes flickered slightly.
Getting beaten himself was one thing; a father beating his son was perfectly justified.
But he couldn’t swallow his grievances for his mother.
If they let this incident slide, that vixen would undoubtedly disregard his mother even more at home.
Zhou Yu thought for a moment and then said to Li Nuo, "My father likes to leave early, always leaving the Ministry of War office two quarters before work ends. According to the Official System Law, article one hundred three, officials must be punctual when arriving and leaving work, latecomers and early leavers..."
...
Ministry of War.
"Greetings, Lord Zhou."
"Lord Zhou has left."
"See you tomorrow, Lord Zhou."
Zhou Ting tidied his desk, walked out of his government office, and was greeted by officials of the Ministry of War as he passed.
Zhou Ting responded to them neutrally and slowly walked toward the exterior of the Ministry of War.
Normally he would wear a smile, but today he was in a bad mood and kept a stern face throughout.
Everything at the government office went smoothly, and it was said that the Right Minister of War would be assigned to the army soon. The Assistant Minister hinted at potential for Zhou Ting to fill the vacated position.
Although the official position didn’t entail a promotion, being a Minister of War was a principal role with a far more promising future than that of the Minister of Transportation.
Yet, domestic matters were a bit complicated.
His wives were in discord, which was already frustrating enough, and now his son was adding to the troubles, prompting him to resort to corporal punishment.
Upon reflection, he indeed regretted his actions. Zhou Yu had just begun to mend his ways, and he really shouldn’t have hit him.
If he reverted to his old ways, it would be too late for regrets.
He decided that once he got home, he would sternly reprimand his concubine to stop fighting with the madam, as he had indeed been too lenient with her.
As Zhou Ting was about to leave the Ministry of War office, the bell signaling the end of the workday had not yet rung.
He left twenty minutes early.
But these twenty minutes were crucial; if he waited until after work ended, he would meet with the bulk of the officials heading home, and the road would be congested with carriages and sedans, extending his travel time by at least half an hour.
Moreover, if he left just a quarter of an hour later, he would encounter officials who had the same idea to leave early.
Although this could be considered leaving early and could lead to salary deductions and confinement for reflection by the Imperial Censorate or the Ministry of Justice...
That was just the law. In practice, with so many officials arriving late or leaving early, they simply couldn’t manage it all unless someone was specifically targeted.
Zhou Ting had just stepped out of the Ministry of War office and was about to get into his sedan when two figures blocked his path.
One square-faced man asked, "Lord Zhou, work hasn’t ended yet. Where are you headed?"
Zhou Ting looked at the two men, his heart skipped a beat, and his mind raced as he responded, "I need to verify the count of horses lost last month at Taipu Si. Do you gentlemen need something?"
Although he walked out of the Ministry of War office before work ended, as long as he didn’t mention it, who could tell whether he was heading home or visiting another government office?
One thin-faced man said, "Lord Zhou, there’s no issue with you going to Taipu Si, but the Ministry of Justice received an anonymous tip that you’ve been leaving work early every day. After verification by the Ministry of Justice, this claim has been confirmed. Lord Zhou, please come with us..."
Zhou Ting was shocked; the Ministry of Justice personnel clearly came prepared, and they were targeting him.
Why were they not catching others who were either late or left early, but specifically him?
Who could have reported him?
His first suspects were the Minister of Transportation and Minister of Treasury since the position of Right Minister of War would soon be vacant, and they were the only ones who could compete with him.
But would those two really think this accusation could bring him down?
Previously, Zhou Ting had been somewhat fearful of the Ministry of Justice.
But now, he heard that Zhou Yu was close to the son of Lord Li, the Minister of Justice. With this connection, even if he was brought to the Ministry of Justice, it likely wouldn’t be the worst outcome.
The carriage from the Ministry of Justice was parked in front of the Ministry of War office.
Zhou Ting got into the carriage, which slowly drove toward the Ministry of Justice.
At the entrance of the Ministry of War, two officials who had just stepped out turned back.
Their faces were full of shock.
Lord Zhou was taken away by the Ministry of Justice for leaving twenty minutes early?
Those who were about to leave early themselves immediately returned to their offices and sat down, pretending to organize their files.
The incident at the entrance of the Ministry of War quickly spread throughout the Ministry.
On that day, in the absence of the Minister of War, the two Assistant Ministers didn’t leave the office until a quarter hour after the final bell had rung.
