Chapter 22: A Subject’s Fatal Remonstrance—I Beseech Your Majesty to Execute Wei Zhongxian!

As for the second task of compiling a list of local thugs and bullies, Cao Huachun felt that while it might not be as direct as issuing salaries to officials, its underlying significance was far greater.

Over the past few days, he had secretly visited the markets and heard rumors among the common people that the Emperor was bloodthirsty. He knew that after these rumors were embellished, they would inevitably undermine public stability. However, Cao understood that as soon as the Emperor executed those thugs and bullies, and he himself utilized the Embroidered Uniform Guard to strictly enforce grassroots order in the capital, any such gossip would collapse on its own, and the hearts of the people would be firmly won. After all, for the commoners, no matter how wicked the court officials were, it did not directly affect their daily lives, but local thugs and bullies could make their lives unbearable.

Thinking of this, Cao Huachun felt a surge of excitement. Having been exiled to Nan-Zhili for several years, he had a deep understanding of the grassroots situation. With the wars on the border and internal turmoil, the entire Ming Empire was in a precarious state. To put it bluntly, one wrong move could lead to total defeat. He was not greedy for wealth; he only hoped that under the Emperor's governance, the Ming Dynasty would slowly improve. Seeing the Emperor's power gradually expanding within the capital, he felt heartfelt relief.

Meanwhile, at the Duke of Ying’s residence, Zhang Weixian appeared to be drinking and making merry, but in reality, he was as restless as if he were being clawed by cats and bitten by ants. The execution of a hundred officials in a single day had made him fully aware of the Emperor’s grand strategy and iron-fisted methods. Reforming the Capital Battalions was now clearly just a matter of time.

There is no greater merit in this world than supporting a new monarch. Zhang naturally possessed a desire to achieve great things and restore the glory of his ancestors, or else he would not have spoken from the heart in the imperial court initially. However, the Emperor had not yet given him any further instructions, leaving him to worry in silence. At the same time, Zhang became even more cautious. Now that the Emperor had moved against the Embroidered Uniform Guard, how would the civil official faction retaliate? He still remembered how the late Emperor had died mysteriously at the hands of imperial physicians. In this world, no one was willing to spit out the meat they had already swallowed.

Zhang Weixian endured the anxiety while waiting for the Emperor’s new decree, secretly tightening his control over the forces of the Capital Battalions.

***

Inside the imperial palace, Zhu Youjian sat in a side room, flipping through a register of officials. This time, his focus was on the low-ranking, young, and ambitious officials in the capital. The drought in Shaanxi was imminent, and only his personal intervention could truly alleviate the crisis. However, given the transport conditions of this era, a round trip would inevitably take several months. During those months, he had to ensure the stability of the imperial city and the execution of basic government decrees. If he relied solely on those few people in the inner court, things might fall into chaos shortly after his departure. Therefore, he had to quickly screen and win over a group of low-ranking officials to balance the vested interest groups in the court.

It was a pity. Based on his experience, the situation in Shaanxi could not be delayed. Otherwise, he would have handled everything in the capital before turning his attention to this matter. Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes in the empty room. These people had slightly delayed the empire’s progress, so they would all become the nutrients for the empire's advancement.

At that moment, Wang Cheng'en’s voice came softly from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei requests an audience."

Zhu Youjian regained his composure: "Bring him in."

After entering the side room, Wei Zhongxian bowed and presented a register: "Your Majesty, this is the haul from the raids on the 177 members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It totals 1.75 million taels of silver, 23,610 taels of gold, and countless houses, fertile fields, antiques, and paintings. The bulk of it came from the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Tian Ergeng, and his deputy, the Vice Commander. I have already sent these ill-gotten gains to the inner treasury."

Zhu Youjian nodded, his heart remaining calm. He was merely reclaiming what rightfully belonged to the empire from a gang of bandits; there was nothing to celebrate. He then summoned Wang Cheng'en and Cao Huachun. Facing the three, Zhu Youjian said straightforwardly: "I intend to leave the palace for a while, and it may take several months to return. During that time, the three of you must support one another and help me maintain stability in the capital."

Upon hearing this, the three men’s expressions changed drastically. If there was anyone who did not want the Emperor to leave the palace, the first would be the civil official faction, and the second would be these eunuchs. The civil officials feared that once the Emperor saw the real world, he would become harder to deceive. As for the eunuchs, their concern was purely for his safety. If anything happened to the Emperor outside, their power would vanish into thin air, and they would face brutal retaliation.

Wei Zhongxian was the most terrified, having experienced the feeling of surviving a disaster. He was the first to speak out in a panic: "Your Majesty, this must not be! You have just moved against the Embroidered Uniform Guard; if you leave the palace now, some officials might be driven to treason out of desperation! Furthermore, with turmoil across the land, if any mishap occurs on the journey, what will become of the Ming Dynasty?"

Wang Cheng'en and Cao Huachun quickly joined in the persuasion, fearing the Emperor would truly leave.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, cutting them off: "I have already decided. I am telling you now so that you can prepare in advance and avoid any mishaps. Also, the three of you should each find two hundred loyal and brave eunuchs in the palace; I wish to expand the Imperial Guard."

"Your Majesty!" The three were moved to tears, wanting to say more, but were silenced by Zhu Youjian’s sharp gaze. He knew leaving the palace carried risks, but to him, those were trifles. Even if a sea of blades and flames awaited him, he would forge ahead for the sake of the empire.

Seeing this, the three dared not persuade him further. How could they change what the Emperor had decided? All they could do now was prepare for his departure. The three exchanged deep glances, the meaning clear: regardless of past conflicts, they were now bound together.

They knelt and kowtowed: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. We will certainly handle everything you have entrusted to us."

Zhu Youjian nodded and instructed Wang Cheng'en: "Pass the word. I will hold court tomorrow. Summon the low-ranking officials who were previously unqualified to attend; I intend to find some helpers for you all in the court."

***

The next day, after the tedious rituals concluded, the morning meeting began. Before any of the hundred officials could speak, a censor from the Censorate suddenly darted out from the crowd. In public view, he stripped off his official robes to reveal the white mourning clothes hidden beneath. With tears streaming down his face, he shouted toward the throne:

"Your subject, a Censor of the Censorate, submits a death-defying remonstrance regarding the ten crimes of Wei Zhongxian, the Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat. I beseech you to execute Wei Zhongxian!"

A cold sneer rose in Zhu Youjian’s heart: *Just in time.*