Chapter 16: A Slight Change in Li Zicheng’s Fate

Just as Zhu Youjian was about to directly reject the proposal, another official suddenly stood up among the officials.

This man was Chen Xinjia, the magistrate of Dingzhou in northern Zhili.

Chen Xinjia directly faced the official from the Ministry of War who had suggested abolishing the post stations, and angrily exclaimed, "This is sheer nonsense!"

"I only ask you one question: if more than half of the post station runners are dismissed as you propose, how do you intend to resettle those dismissed runners?"

"If they are not properly resettled and a rebellion breaks out, how will you handle it? Have you considered these issues?!"

Hearing such an unrelenting rebuttal in the court, the Ministry of War official’s face turned red and white in turn, and he immediately retorted sharply.

"So, Minister Chen means to say that our great Ming Dynasty can no longer properly resettle post station runners?!"

Chen Xinjia responded with a sarcastic tone:

"Hmph! You, as a censor of the Ministry of War (a seventh-rank official, low in status but considerable in power), naturally think you can just open your mouth and arrange things properly."

"How could you truly understand the hardships of those grassroots post runners?!"

"You!"

Just as the two were about to argue further, Zhu Youjian spoke:

"This matter is forbidden; it shall not be discussed again."

Hearing the emperor’s word, Chen Xinjia and the censor from the Ministry of War exchanged glances before each withdrew back to their places.

As he returned to his seat, Chen Xinjia pondered silently.

His earlier rebuttal seemed to align perfectly with the emperor’s will.

That was precisely why he had spoken up.

Chen Xinjia harbored ambitions of achieving great things.

Yet, he neither wished to align with the eunuch faction nor to collude with the Donglin faction.

As a result, now in middle age, he was still only a minor magistrate of Dingzhou.

The position of magistrate is neither lofty nor humble, but in the capital city filled with nobles and officials, it was practically insignificant.

Over the past few days since the new emperor’s ascension, Chen Xinjia had keenly observed the emperor’s actions and sensed his determination for diligent governance.

He considered himself an official who, while taking some small bribes, also accomplished practical work and had grassroots experience.

If his proposal could comply with the imperial will, perhaps after successfully completing a few tasks, he might swiftly rise through the ranks.

He was unwilling to form factions, but if he could become part of the emperor’s party, Chen Xinjia was prepared to advance boldly and decisively.

Unfortunately... the emperor’s intentions were inscrutable, and Chen Xinjia could not discern from His Majesty’s expression whether his words had truly pleased him.

But judging from the outcome, it seemed so?

No matter—he resolved to make more efforts in the future and hoped to one day attract the emperor’s attention.

---

Meanwhile,

With Zhu Youjian’s firm command of "Forbidden," unrest stirred not only within the court.

Even a lowly post runner at the Yinchuan Station in Mizhi County, Yan’an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province, suddenly felt an inexplicable sensation enveloping him, as if an unspoken destiny loomed.

This post runner’s name was Li Zicheng.

At this moment, he was unaware that his fate was about to undergo a monumental change in the near future.

After the debate over whether to abolish the post stations concluded,

the court fell into a brief silence.

It was at this moment that Wei Zhongxian, who had been attending the emperor’s side, knew the time was ripe.

He glanced quietly at a censor whose weaknesses he held over him.

At Wei Zhongxian’s signal, the censor stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I am a censor of the Censorate. I report that Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has been corrupt and unjust. I submit this matter for Your Majesty’s consideration!"

Upon hearing this,

the once-quiet court fell into a deep silence, and several elder ministers cast heavy looks at the censor.

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, permitting the censor to continue.

"The Ming Code stipulates that officials who are corrupt and unjust shall not be pardoned. Yet the current Embroidered Uniform Guard commander, Tian Ergeng, is insatiably greedy!"

"Whenever the Embroidered Uniform Guard carries out raids, Tian Ergeng seizes the opportunity to line his own pockets, embezzling state funds on a grand scale. Now the treasury is empty, and Tian Ergeng bears the primary guilt!"

"Moreover, Tian Ergeng neglects his duties, poisoning the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard. The entire corps has fallen into corruption because of him—this endangers the state!"

"This fiend is like a wolf in nature and a viper in heart; his vile deeds are notorious and have enraged the whole world. He deserves death!"

"I beseech Your Majesty to investigate this thoroughly. I pledge my head that this memorial is sincere; if even one word is false, I am ready to accept the executioner's axe!"

As the censor finished speaking, the vast court was so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.

Unlike the usual verbal sparring among officials, this was a matter of life and death!

Such remonstrance meant that someone on either side of the impeachment risked death.

Meanwhile,

the officials began to ponder secretly.

Some were surprised: this censor is aligned with Wei Zhongxian, and Tian Ergeng is also part of the eunuch faction—why is he suddenly attacking his own side?

There was no choice; the Ming court was rife with factions.

Besides the largest and most fiercely competing Donglin and eunuch factions, there were also the Jin, Qi, Chu, and Zhejiang factions...

Countless parties and cliques.

---

Because of this complexity, some officials less informed found it hard to grasp the true situation amid such factional strife.

Some felt panic: the emperor has been on the throne less than a month and has launched a thunderous assault on the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If His Majesty truly seizes control of the Guard through this, will our chances of illicit gain become riskier?

Others felt excitement: marvelous! Truly marvelous!

It had been a long time since such a bold remonstrance was seen in court, and the target was a high-ranking and powerful Embroidered Uniform Guard commander.

Tian Ergeng himself knelt hastily on the ground, terrified.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have never engaged in any corruption. I implore Your Majesty to investigate and restore my clear name!"

Several officials quickly stepped forward to plead on Tian Ergeng’s behalf.

They claimed Tian was an upright man with no record of corruption, that this must be slander.

They urged that the censor be arrested to uncover who was behind these accusations.

Moreover, Tian was known for his dedication to the state, often working late into the night without rest.

Among officials, he was reputed for diligence. How could such a man neglect his duties?

In short, Tian Ergeng was innocent!

Most importantly,

so many of us have stood up to plead—Your Majesty, surely you must grant some leniency?

Zhu Youjian, seated high upon the Dragon Throne, paid no heed to these pleas.

Expressionless, he raised his hand and commanded:

"Wei Zhongxian, detain the Embroidered Uniform Guard commander Tian Ergeng at the Eastern Depot for investigation."

"Furthermore, from the commanders and deputies to the company captains and squad leaders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, all are to be detained together to facilitate the inquiry."

Then he nodded toward Xiao Hongzi, who had recently performed outstandingly in the internal affairs bureau.

"Xiao Hongzi, you are to assist in the investigation and supervise this case."

"Your servant obeys!"

"Your servant obeys!"

As Zhu Youjian’s words fell,

Cao Huachun, who was attending nearby, furrowed his brows in disbelief, stunned beyond words.

So this is what His Majesty meant by eliminating all obstacles?!

At the same time,

the four elder ministers seated in the front row of the cabinet felt their hands tremble uncontrollably beneath their sleeves.