Chapter 15: The Greatest Scapegoat in the Ming Dynasty!

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Zhu Cilang looked at Li Guozhen before him, feeling quite amused in his heart. He had originally planned to deal with him later, but unexpectedly, Li Guozhen had already undone himself. However, this was fine too—it saved him the trouble. Smiling faintly, Zhu Cilang said again, “Recognizing one’s mistakes and correcting them is commendable. The past is wiped clean; you remain a loyal minister serving under this palace.”

At this point, there was no need for superfluous words; everyone understood silently. “Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince, for pardoning my transgressions. I swear to dedicate my life to your service henceforth!” Li Guozhen knelt deeply once more, finally feeling a weight lifted from his heart. No matter what, this hurdle was overcome.

Next, Zhu Cilang turned to Duke Zhang Zhiji and his son. Before he could speak, Zhang Zhiji preemptively took from his bosom a document resembling a memorial, lifting it high with both hands. “Your Highness, Crown Prince, this is a detailed inventory of all the assets I have embezzled over the years, along with a list of all personnel involved in corruption. Please take a look.”

Zhu Cilang said nothing, merely giving a subtle glance to Ma Bao. Ma Bao immediately understood and hurried over to take the documents, then passed them to Zhu Cilang. Opening them, Zhu Cilang’s eyes widened: the silver listed exceeded five million taels, gold over seven hundred thousand taels, along with several chests of rare treasures. It was clear that Duke Zhang was going all out.

But that was not the most crucial part.

The most important was the list itself.

Combined with the list previously provided by Luo Yangxing, Zhu Cilang could finally commence a thorough purge! With this in mind, Zhu Cilang looked at Zhang Zhiji and said, “Duke Zhang, your loyalty to the state is deeply appreciated. Past offenses are hereby forgiven; you remain the Duke of England of our great Ming dynasty! I will continue to rely on you in the future—rise.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiji finally exhaled in relief and, with the support of Zhang Shize, shakily stood up. Though this was a heavy loss, the duke’s title and his nine clans were preserved.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I... I am willing to hand over my family’s fortune as well!” At that moment, Zhang Xiantong, the newly established Count, suddenly spoke. There was no avoiding it—since the others had submitted their assets, he couldn’t refuse, especially since he had embezzled a little himself.

Zhu Cilang smiled and looked at Wang Xiantong. “Give up half; keep the rest for yourself.” “Thank you, Your Highness!” Wang Xiantong breathed a secret sigh of relief.

Then Zhu Cilang continued to examine the two lists in his hand, seemingly pondering. After a moment, he looked toward Wang Cheng’en and the others. “Write down everything I am about to say.”

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“Yes, Your Highness!” Wang Cheng’en quickly nodded and, with several scribes, prepared to record Zhu Cilang’s words.

After a brief hesitation, Zhu Cilang spoke slowly: “Duke Dingguo, Xu Yunzhen, guilty of embezzling military funds and coveting imperial authority, shall be executed! His property is confiscated, his dukedom reduced to a marquisate, which will be inherited by his eldest son!”

What?

At these words, the faces of those present darkened to an extreme. Though they expected the Crown Prince to take action against the nobility, they had not anticipated such ruthlessness!

Zhang Zhiji struggled inwardly but could no longer hold back. “Your Highness, this cannot be!”

Zhu Cilang did not lose his temper but looked up at Zhang Zhiji and asked, “Why not?”

Zhang Zhiji replied solemnly, “Your Highness, Duke Dingguo is not like other dukes; he is a descendant of Wei Guo Duke Xu Da and shares blood ties with Your Highness! If such treatment is meted out to him, how will the world perceive the Crown Prince?”

Zhang Zhiji’s words were both a plea for the duke and a caution for Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Cilang thought it over and soon understood the rationale. His own lineage traced back to Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun, further to Zhu Yuanzhang and Xu Da. Blood of both the Zhu and Xu families flowed within him. To strike so harshly at the Xu family would certainly stir unrest within court and country.

Unfortunately, the ancients valued bloodlines, especially royalty.

To be honest, Zhu Cilang himself did not care much; after all, these were events from over two centuries ago. But others did care.

In the end, Zhu Cilang relented. “Duke Zhang’s point is valid. In that case, confine Duke Dingguo indefinitely within his mansion, never to leave. Confiscate the embezzled silver. His title will be inherited by his son.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise!” Zhang Zhiji hurriedly cupped his hands again.

Zhu Cilang paid no further mind and continued: “Duke Chengguo Zhu Chuncheng, guilty of embezzling military funds and coveting imperial authority, shall be executed! His property confiscated, his dukedom reduced to a marquisate, to be inherited by his eldest son.”

This time, Zhang Zhiji was speechless. He had pleaded once; he could plead no more.

“Marquis Dingxi Jiang Bingzhong, guilty of embezzling military funds and coveting imperial authority, shall be executed! Property confiscated, title downgraded to count, inherited by his eldest son!”

“Marquis Funing Zhu Guobi, guilty of embezzling military funds, property confiscated, title revoked!”

“Marquis Linhuai Li Hongji, guilty of embezzling military funds and coveting imperial authority, shall be executed! Property confiscated, title revoked!”

...

The litany of sentences left everyone present feeling as if the sky itself had collapsed.

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Even the senior eunuchs could not help but tremble.

Within mere minutes, Zhu Cilang had determined the fates of dozens of nobles.

Either execution, title reduction, or revocation.

Strictly speaking, these men deserved death, but to punish so many nobles at once would surely incite upheaval across the realm!

Yet not a single person dared to argue further. Seeing Zhu Cilang’s calm demeanor, it was clear that this was all premeditated.

That was even more terrifying.

Remember, Zhu Cilang was only thirteen years old!

A thirteen-year-old child displaying such ruthless decisiveness was simply unimaginable!

Before long, Wang Cheng’en handed Zhu Cilang a written list. Zhu Cilang briefly reviewed it, then handed it back.

“No issues. Copy it directly onto the imperial edict. Announce it at tomorrow’s court session.”

Then he looked toward Zhang Zhiji and the others. “At tomorrow’s morning court, I will inform the officials that last night these three voluntarily came to the palace to expose the nobles’ embezzlement of military funds and their usurpation of imperial authority.”

“The Emperor, upon hearing this, was so enraged that he fainted from a surge of blood.”

“Upon awakening, he issued these edicts and appointed me as regent. Do you all understand?”

At that moment, none of the three nobles dared say another word and quickly agreed.

“I understand!”

“I understand!”

“I understand!”

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhiji was utterly shaken.

He had thought that after tonight’s rebellion, Zhu Cilang would soon proclaim himself emperor.

Unexpectedly, he had no such ambition, merely wishing to act as regent.

That was even more frightening!

Imagine—the ones who reported the nobles’ corruption and usurpation were Duke Zhang, the Count of Xiangcheng, and the newly established Count.

The executions were carried out by Chongzhen.

If the nobles bore resentment, it would be toward Duke Zhang, the Count of Xiangcheng, the new Count, and Chongzhen.

They could never lay that blame upon Zhu Cilang.

Thus, Zhu Cilang bore no responsibility, achieving his goals perfectly.

He was truly the Ming Dynasty’s first master of avoiding blame.

Could such strategy truly belong to a thirteen-year-old boy?

It was simply terrifying...

Duke Zhang was thoroughly convinced.