Chapter Thirteen: The Undisputed Victor of the Ming Dynasty!
Sigh! Zhang Zhiji let out a deep breath and finally sat back down in his chair.
Zhang Shize hesitated for a moment before speaking up to persuade him:
“Father, things have come to this point; there’s no turning back now. In the emperor’s eyes, we are already traitors and rebels. Our only hope is to follow the Crown Prince. Whatever the Crown Prince decides to do next, we have no choice but to walk that path with him to the very end.”
“It’s just that we took some empty salaries from the capital garrison, isn’t it? We can just return the money we’ve taken over the years. It’s nothing but some silver. As long as the Duke of England’s noble title remains intact, this loss isn’t worth mentioning.”
Zhang Zhiji looked at his son with a complex expression and said:
“Who told you that I only took empty salaries from the capital garrison? Besides that, I also took empty salaries from the Headquarters of the Five Armies.”
“Even… from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
What?
At the mention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhang Shize was utterly shocked and pale with fright.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard represented imperial authority itself!
Imperial power was never something anyone could dare to touch!
Yet, his own father had reached into the Guard’s coffers!
On a small scale, this was corruption; on a grander scale, it was an act of usurping imperial power—a charge of rebellion warranting the extermination of the entire family!
At that point, forget the Duke of England’s title; the entire nine clans would be wiped out!
“Father… why would you do such a thing?”
“You’re foolish!” Zhang Shize slumped in his chair, utterly defeated.
Zhang Zhiji ignored his son and continued slowly:
“Ever since His Majesty ascended the throne and purged Wei Zhongxian and the eunuch faction, the minds of the civil ministers and nobles at court have gradually stirred.”
“The civil officials began placing their confidants in power, seizing great authority.”
“The nobles busied themselves with siphoning empty salaries and kickbacks. Eventually, when the capital garrison’s and the Five Armies Headquarters’ kickbacks were insufficient, they extended their reach to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
“However, we knew our limits—we only took kickbacks and never dared to covet imperial authority.”
“But this matter can either be a minor offense or a grave one, depending on how the Crown Prince chooses to judge it.”
“In the lesser view, it’s mere embezzlement, a slight punishment, and returning the stolen silver.”
“But on the graver scale, it’s usurping imperial authority and plotting rebellion!”
“If it reaches that point, then forget the Duke of England’s noble title; the entire nine clans of our family won’t be spared!”
“However, since the Crown Prince sent you back to tell me this, it means he probably doesn’t want to move against the Duke of England’s household.”
“There is still room for negotiation!”
As he spoke, Zhang Zhiji’s eyes suddenly grew resolute, as if he had made a firm decision.
He looked once more at Zhang Shize and said:
“Tomorrow at the court assembly, I will voluntarily hand over all our family assets.”
“The Crown Prince should understand our decision then!”
“At that time, don’t expect anything else. If the Crown Prince spares my life and preserves the Duke of England’s noble title, that will be enough.”
After saying this, Zhang Zhiji’s heart was filled with emotion.
This Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty was truly extraordinary!
It seemed the Ming Dynasty was on the brink of change…
The scene returned to the imperial palace.
Although night had fallen deep, Zhu Cilang showed no sign of drowsiness.
At this moment, he was reviewing the royal edicts prepared by several eunuchs entrusted with handling state affairs.
This was a very standard regency edict in his eyes—flawless.
“You’ve done well,” Zhu Cilang smiled with satisfaction. “Tomorrow, let Wang Cheng’en read this edict.”
“As you command!” Wang Cheng’en promptly responded.
Suddenly, Zhu Cilang’s gaze swept across the eunuchs’ faces.
“Is Fang Zhenghua here?” he asked.
No sooner had he spoken than a slender eunuch of about forty stepped forward and knelt before Zhu Cilang.
“I am Fang Zhenghua, your humble servant, greeting the Crown Prince!”
He actually exists!
Zhu Cilang’s interest piqued immediately.
If he recalled correctly, Fang Zhenghua was a martial arts master in history.
After Emperor Chongzhen’s suicide at Meishan, Fang continued to resist the peasant rebels.
When the city gates were breached, he wielded his sword to kill dozens before dying in service to his country.
Apparently, he was even the inspiration for the legendary character Dongfang Bubai in later films.
“Fang Zhenghua, do you know martial arts?” Zhu Cilang asked.
“Your Highness, I am skilled in martial arts,” Fang replied obediently.
Zhu Cilang grew even more interested.
He pointed to Li Hu beside him.
“Fight him. If you win, I have an important task for you.”
What?
Hearing this, Li Hu immediately protested.
He turned to Zhu Cilang and said, “Crown Prince, are you mocking me?”
In Li Hu’s eyes, Fang was a frail eunuch, unworthy even to spar with, let alone defeat.
Zhu Cilang gave him a sharp look.
“Fight him, no more excuses.”
Li Hu obediently fell silent, tossed aside his knife, and approached Fang within five meters.
Seeing this, Fang wasted no time and got up quickly.
He knew this was a test from the Crown Prince!
Whether he could remain in the Crown Prince’s favor would hinge on this outcome.
“Sir, forgive me!” Fang respectfully bowed to Li Hu.
“No more talk, start!” Li Hu gave no further words and charged with a raised fist.
One minute later.
Thud!
A loud crash echoed as Li Hu was flung out of the hall, utterly humiliated.
The guards at the entrance, unsure of what had happened, feared someone was threatening Zhu Cilang and rushed in, surrounding Fang Zhenghua.
Fang’s expression shifted slightly, and he quickly knelt again before Zhu Cilang.
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, for causing alarm!”
Zhu Cilang laughed heartily, then said:
“Enough, you all may leave.”
At his command, the guards sheathed their weapons and withdrew.
Meanwhile, the previously thrown Li Hu stormed back in, cursing.
He looked at Fang, still on the ground, and said:
“Get up! Let’s fight again. I underestimated you just now!”
“But this time, I won’t lose!”
Fang did not even raise his head.
“General Shenwu, my victory was merely by chance.”
“If you wish to continue, I will concede!”
You…
Li Hu was nearly infuriated to death upon hearing this.
Zhu Cilang found it amusing and pointed at Li Hu, mock-scolding him:
“Enough! Don’t embarrass me. Losing is losing, no need to make a fuss. Go stand aside!”
Li Hu could only sulkily retreat to the side.
But when he looked again at the eunuch before him, his expression grew serious.
He had indeed underestimated this opponent, but upon engaging, he sensed something was amiss and ceased his disdain.
Yet even so, he hadn’t lasted ten moves before being struck away by a single palm.
The force behind it was utterly bewildering.
Clearly, this eunuch was a master of internal martial arts, evident from the bulging temples.
Fortunately, this eunuch had not fought them earlier; otherwise, many brothers might have died tonight…