Chapter 17: What Exactly Is Ancestral Tradition?

The emperor’s voice was soft, even carrying a hint of casual indifference. Yet those few words immediately silenced the officials who had just been pleading on behalf of Tian Ergeng.

They could never have imagined it.

The emperor was acting with such extremity—determined to uproot the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard!

One must understand, beyond the commander Tian Ergeng, from the deputy commanders down to the captains, there were hundreds of men in the Guard. These were not commoners, expendable like grass; killing them was not a trivial matter.

These were bona fide officials of the Great Ming Dynasty.

Could it be that the emperor intended to charge all of them with crimes?

Apart from the founding emperor, no ruler of the Ming had ever taken such a wild and reckless course.

The emperor had only ascended the throne a matter of days. How could he, how dare he, act so harshly?

Was he not afraid of destabilizing the court afterward?

Yet, despite these thoughts, no one dared to speak up again. If the emperor had a softer temperament, they might have knelt en masse to sway his will. But with the emperor’s thunderous decisiveness, anyone who stepped forward now risked being branded a partisan of Tian Ergeng.

Most crucially, if the emperor declared someone a faction member, sending them to the Eastern Depot for interrogation, there would be those who would carry out the order without hesitation.

Wei Zhongxian watched with predatory eyes nearby. Knowing this eunuch’s style, he would not only enforce the order but likely execute it with ruthless zeal.

And then there was the ruthless, murderous-faced young eunuch known as Xiao Hongzi. Everyone knew how merciless such a freshly empowered wolf pup could be.

At the emperor’s command, he would not hesitate to execute someone right there in the court.

Perhaps it was better to take things slowly… at worst, they would have to accept less silver in the future.

With this in mind, most officials felt a pang of regret and pain.

When the late emperor passed away, they should have set aside factional struggles and united to send Wei Zhongxian, the eunuch, to his grave.

Had they done so, the emperor would not have so quickly cultivated a loyal guard.

Because of this misstep, each delay bred further delays.

Damn it.

Meanwhile...

Zhang Weixian, who had been feigning death to avoid drawing attention since the morning court session, was also deeply shaken.

He had not expected the emperor to target the colossal Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately upon his ascension.

And before this moment, there had been no hint whatsoever of such a plan.

If the emperor truly managed to take down the entire Guard, then governing the capital garrison afterward would be child's play.

But was it really so simple to accomplish this in court today?

Sure enough.

Just as Zhang Weixian worried, the senior grand secretary Shi Fenglai stepped forward.

Bowing before the dragon throne, Shi said, “Your Majesty, I, Shi Fenglai, have a different opinion regarding the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

“I believe that only Tian Ergeng should be apprehended and interrogated for now. There is no accusation nor concrete evidence against the others.”

“To arrest the entire Guard and send them all to the Eastern Depot would likely incite internal unrest, which is detrimental to the stability of our great Ming realm.”

Zhang Ruitu quickly followed, supporting the view: “Your Majesty, I humbly agree with Grand Secretary Shi.”

“Moreover, such actions would greatly tarnish Your Majesty’s esteemed name.”

“The people might say that their new emperor abuses punishment recklessly. We officials would weep blood to see such a scene unfold.”

Li Guopu also rose after them to advise gently:

“As Your Majesty has just ascended, it is imperative to act with benevolence and leniency. Hastily ordering mass arrests could shock the realm and harm the state.”

“I implore Your Majesty to consider the weight of the realm, retract your decree, and deliberate carefully.”

Faced with the three grand secretaries’ counsel, Zhu Youjian merely uttered two words indifferently: “Not allowed.”

The three elders felt as if they had thrown all their strength into the wind, yet their efforts were fruitless.

By precedent, such a stern admonition would compel even the most stubborn emperor to withdraw his order.

But this emperor seemed too indifferent even to acknowledge them.

They were momentarily at a loss.

As officials, they could counsel the emperor, feign compliance while disobeying in secret, or use subtle tactics to warn him.

But outright defiance of the emperor’s decree was forbidden.

At this moment, the premier Huang Liji rose, making a final plea.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to speak candidly.”

“The matters involving Tian Ergeng and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are too complex. According to ancestral regulations, multiple parties should jointly investigate this case.”

“Tian Ergeng, as commander of the Guard, belongs to the Northern Pacification Office, which should recuse itself and not participate in the trial.”

“Therefore, officials from the Eastern Depot, Ministry of Justice, Censorate, and Court of Judicial Review should be drawn to examine the case together. Otherwise, this would violate the ancestral decrees established by the founding emperor.”

Listening to the four grand secretaries’ lofty words, Wei Zhongxian seethed with anger.

So, these wretched dogs respected him outwardly and even built him a shrine, but behind his back, they treated him with utter disdain!

He knew well that the censor who petitioned today was his man, yet they dared invoke the “ancestral decrees”!

Did they not understand the power of those words?

Since the rift was now fully exposed, Wei Zhongxian retorted fiercely:

“Minister Huang, Your Majesty, who embodies Heaven’s law, has already entrusted the Eastern Depot with full authority to handle this matter. And now you come out speaking of joint investigations—are you attempting to defy the imperial will?”

Huang Liji ignored Wei Zhongxian, kneeling with a face full of concern for the realm as he looked at Zhu Youjian.

By invoking the “ancestral decrees,” even the most autocratic emperor would hesitate.

If more factions entered this political maelstrom, there would still be room for negotiation.

Seeing the premier take a stand, the officials who had initially pleaded for Tian Ergeng knelt en masse, finding some measure of courage.

Though no longer daring to openly petition, they had the courage to kneel.

Zhu Youjian looked upon them, feeling a distinct boredom.

To be honest, such mediocre political opponents held no interest for him whatsoever.

What were these so-called ancestral decrees?

He had only heard of the victor’s right to rule.

Once again, expressionless, Zhu Youjian said, “Not allowed.”

Upon hearing the emperor’s command, Wei Zhongxian immediately knelt, kowtowing: “Your humble servant obeys the order and will arrest the man immediately!”

Zhu Youjian nodded lightly.

A few eunuchs then swiftly dragged out the ashen-faced Tian Ergeng.

Meanwhile, Wang Cheng’en, still dazed by the emperor’s thunderous measures, caught Cao Huachun’s glance and understood immediately.

He raised his voice and announced, “Court dismissed!”