In the first year of the Zhou Wu era, the newly enthroned empress Wu Hongyan toured the realm and went incognito to Nanyang County.
There, she was surprised to find that Nanyang's people lived in peace and prosperity.
The county even had roads, coal mines, brickworks, and other marvels she had never heard of.
Wu Hongyan was overjoyed, believing that Nanyang's magistrate, Fu Yu, was a capable official sent by Heaven as a blessing to the Zhou dynasty.
But what happened next left her dumbfounded.
He had stakes in gambling dens and brothels, and claimed to be Nanyang's biggest protector.
He accepted ten thousand taels of silver in bribes in broad daylight, selling official posts with the prices clearly marked.
His rear courtyard was filled with exquisite porcelain, so lavish it rivaled the imperial treasury.
Wu Hongyan: "I have to kill this corrupt official today."
Li Wan'er: "Your Majesty, you mustn't! Lord Fu... Fu has done great service in putting down the rebellion."
Yuan Jin'er: "Mother, you mustn't! I'm already carrying his child."
Wu Hongyan: "What? He even slept with you?"
