The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 139 Chaos

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in the forty-seventh year of the Wanli reign, in the western warm room of the Forbidden City in the capital.

The plump Emperor Taichang was leaning on a large mother-of-pearl lacquered bed, holding Concubine Li Kang in his left hand and Concubine Li Zhuang in his right hand.

Both of the favorite concubines were beautiful and charming.

Concubine Kang was graceful and charming, with a rather rebellious look between her eyebrows, while Concubine Li Zhuang had delicate features and was quiet and taciturn, possessing a unique charm. (Note 1)

Zhu Changluo is in his prime and in good health, but because of his recent excessive indulgence in sexual activities, his temples have turned gray.

He looked lazily at Wei Zhongxian who was kneeling in front of him, listening to the most powerful eunuch's report on the recent situation of officials in the capital.

Due to the butterfly effect caused by the time traveler, Concubine Zheng's power did not expand, so the 18-rated scenes of presenting beautiful women and Emperor Taichang having sex with several women at night and having their bodies drained did not happen in this dimension.

Zhu Changluo thus turned a disaster into a blessing and avoided the tragedy of dying of exhaustion a month later.

In fact, as of now, he has been on the throne for almost two months, and the legendary Red Pill Case has not happened yet, and it is estimated that it will not happen.

This "January Emperor" who has a very low presence in history will most likely continue to live, and live for a long time.

"Eunuch Wei."

Hearing the emperor calling him, Wei Zhongxian quickly looked up, the flesh on his face trembling unconsciously, and his wrinkles trying hard to force out a flattering smile.

"I heard that there was a man named Shen Lian in the Northern Division who raided the home of Censor Yang (Yang Lian) not long ago and killed thirteen people in one go, even a three-year-old baby. Is this true?"

"Reply, reply to Your Majesty, this is indeed the case. Yes, it is the subordinates who acted recklessly and did not know the law. I will go back and punish them severely!"

"Laws! You, the East Factory, still know the laws!"

Although it was the coldest time of the year, beads of sweat oozed from Wei Zhongxian's forehead. He claimed to be the emperor's confidant, but their relationship was not that close.

A new emperor appoints new ministers. After all, Old Wei was only the Wanli Emperor's man.

"Forget it. Yang Lian abused the court, slandered the late emperor, impeached the Marquis of Ping Liao, and died to seek justice (leaving a good reputation). My father tolerated him during his reign, but I cannot tolerate him! Other censors, do not touch them for now."

"Slave, you obey!"

Emperor Taichang agreed to the East Factory's arrest of people, in fact, it was a warning to let the civil servants know that the world has changed.

As the emperor's henchmen, the censors and the palace guards essentially have the same role. From this perspective, the emperor generally does not have a falling out with the censors.

However, if the dog is out of control and bites people indiscriminately, it will be beaten to death.

In October of the 47th year of the Wanli reign, when the late emperor passed away, Yang Lian abused the court and slandered the late emperor, saying that the emperor was addicted to "women and was greedy to the extreme." He claimed to rule by inaction, but in fact, like Emperor Shizong, he was a lazy ruler.

When the memorial was submitted, Emperor Wanli was terminally ill and dying, so he naturally had no intention of asking about it.

In fact, memorials like this were sent to the court from all over the country every day. Censors and censors came one after another, claiming to advise the emperor, but in fact they did so to seek honesty, and some did so to follow the trend - as if scolding the emperor was a very fashionable thing.

The emperor just laughed off these memorials, and looking at them for even longer was considered a loss.

Even Hai Rui's "The First Memorial of Frank Speech in the World" was not made public until Hai Gangfeng hyped it up before submitting it, buying a coffin and writing a suicide note, making it known to the entire court. The emperor had to come forward and express his position.

However, Yang Lian bumped into the horse's hoof.

Emperor Taichang accidentally received a memorial from Eunuch Wei and became furious after reading it.

In his memorial, Yang Lian criticized the late emperor for favoring Consort Wan, and insinuated that Consort Wang Gong was of humble origin and therefore not favored by the late emperor.

This memorial offended the emperor and angered the new emperor. Zhu Changluo immediately ordered Wei Zhongxian to lead the imperial guards to Yang's mansion to arrest him for interrogation.

"Your Majesty is wise and powerful. Even the smallest matters cannot be hidden from His Majesty. A few people were indeed killed during the house raid, but they were all desperate servants of the Yang Mansion. These thugs nearly killed Captain Shen in order to protect themselves."

In fact, the person who killed people in Yang Mansion was not Shen Lian, but a general under Shen Lian named Zeng Tianxing.

It is said that this man surnamed Zeng is Xu Xianchun's nephew.

Emperor Taichang was not interested in these details and waved his hand impatiently. Concubine Li Kang gave a wink, and everyone dispersed, leaving only four people present.

"Eunuch Wei, I handed the Eastern Jishi Factory over to you because I want you to work hard. You are the elder left by our father and my confidant. Today, I will make my words clear here."

Wei Zhongxian raised his head and pretended to listen attentively:
Zhu Changluo took the Longjing tea handed to him by Concubine Li Kang, took a sip, and touched the beauty's eyebrows with his hand. Concubine Li Kang did not hide, but turned around and smiled.

"The cabinet ministers are either incompetent or perfunctory, and are unfit for duty. I ask you to investigate Zuo Guangdou. His mansion must contain evidence of their crimes that harm the country. Eunuch Wei, do you understand my intentions?"

Wei Zhongxian said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, I understand everything."

Emperor Taichang drank another sip of Longjing tea and continued:

"Don't be like Yang Lian, who killed everyone. Spare as many lives as possible. I confiscated your property to confiscate your money, not to allow you to kill people indiscriminately. I am not a bloodthirsty monarch. I don't want you to end up like Feng Bao and Wang Zhen. The censors are endless. When they have a chance to catch up, they will come back to bite you."

Wei Zhongxian was a brave and aggressive person by nature. As long as he was in power, he was not afraid of anyone. Even if the chief minister of the cabinet came, he would dare to use his power. However, in front of the emperor, he still had to behave very respectfully.

"I will obey your Majesty's order."

Emperor Taichang was about to ask the eunuch to leave when he suddenly turned around and whispered something to Concubine Li Zhuang. Concubine Zhuang bowed to him and slowly left.

Concubine Kang glanced at Concubine Zhuang's receding figure, revealing deep hatred.

"Wu Youke prescribed Ling Gui Shu Gan Tang, which is good for tonic during cold weather. It is said to be a warming meridian decoction from the Complete Prescriptions for Women by Chen Ziming, a medical scientist in the Southern Song Dynasty."

As he was speaking, Concubine Li Zhuang came to the bedside with two bowls of medicine. Emperor Taichang took one bowl and handed the other to Wei Zhongxian who was kneeling on the ground.

"Eunuch Wei is working outside the palace. Don't catch a cold. Get up and drink."

Wei Zhongxian quickly stood up, knelt down again to salute Concubine Li Zhuang, then raised his hands and took the medicine with great fear and trepidation. He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, not caring about the heat.

Zhu Changluo saw that he had finished drinking, then he slowly said: "I have lived in the deep palace for a long time, and my ears and eyes are not as smart as your Zhenfu Division. There are many things in the world that I don't know, such as Liaodong."

Wei Zhongxian's hand, holding the bowl of soup, trembled violently, and he almost dropped the bowl. Even a veteran like Wei Zhongxian was bewildered at this moment, standing there at a loss.

Emperor Taichang did not give Jiuqiansui time to calm down, and suddenly shouted loudly:

"Tell me, how did Yuan Jinglie die?!"

Wei Zhongxian hurriedly knelt on the ground again.

"Get up and talk!"

Wei Zhongxian said anxiously, "Your Majesty, I heard that General Yuan ignored public opinion and recruited the Jiannu into the city, which led to a civil uprising. General Yuan and Censor Zhang were brutally killed by the rioters. Fortunately, Ping Liaohou acted swiftly and decisively, and the murderer has been brought to justice. His head was handed over to the Ministry of War a few days ago and has been examined by the Ministry..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Emperor Taichang.

"Emperor Yuan was a brilliant and resolute official. Although he wasn't good at commanding troops, he was still a trusted minister of state. He went to Liaodong to serve me, but was inexplicably murdered. In the two hundred years of our Ming Dynasty, has there ever been such a thing?"

Wei Zhongxian was speechless and didn't know what to say for a moment.

"I heard someone from the East Factory died in Kaiyuan last time. This warrior was great at killing the Jiannu, and he's not bad at killing his own people either! I heard Kaiyuan is even recruiting soldiers. What does this warrior want to do? He wants to be like Li Chengliang, but is he qualified?"

Wei Zhongxian was sweating profusely and fell to the ground, unable to get up.

"After I ascended the throne, I reimbursed the soldiers of Liaodong and promoted the officers of Kaiyuan. This was not to nurture a tiger as a threat, but out of consideration for the soldiers' hardships during the battles. Of course, I also wanted to give you a favor. However, the Marquis of Ping Liao seems to be ungrateful and has even now refused to come to the capital to see me! He refuses to see me! Eunuch Wei!"

Wei Zhongxian quickly looked up, feeling extremely terrified.

"I heard that you and this man became sworn brothers, and you are his elder brother? I am ignorant and have never heard of a military commander becoming sworn brothers with a eunuch. This is truly an eye-opener."

"My lord is guilty!"

Wei Zhongxian hit his head against the ground. After two thuds, the golden brick in front of him was broken by the Jiuqiansui, and blood slowly flowed out.

Concubine Li Kang screamed in fear, and Concubine Li Zhuang also turned pale, but did not cry out.

Emperor Taichang sneered, "Did you learn this trick from that warrior? Breaking a brick is nothing. You might as well tear down this throne room for me!"

"The slaves dare not!"

Wei Zhongxian was terrified and sweated profusely.

When he and Liu Zhaosun became sworn brothers, Liu was just a small lieutenant general. He never thought that in just half a year, he would cause such a big commotion. The emperor sent an envoy to Liaodong, but he killed the person. Killing people would be fine, but he even refused to come to the capital. It was inevitable that the emperor would be suspicious...

Now he has been scolded by the emperor. From the emperor's tone, it is clear that he has murderous intentions.

After all, Wei Zhongxian was just a dog under the imperial power. If the emperor wanted to deal with Liu Zhaosun, no matter how difficult it was, he had to do it in the end.

"When my father was alive, General Liu was relatively well-behaved and handled Liaodong affairs clearly. In the past few months since I ascended the throne, Kaiyuan has become increasingly unruly. The gentry of Liaoxi have impeached him for stealing profits from the people, encroaching on farmland, beating gentry, engaging in smuggling trade, and bullying state officials... That's nothing! I didn't expect that this time he would actually kill the Liaodong Governor. Last month, I had the cabinet members issue an edict to summon Ping Liaohou to the capital. I want to question him face to face: how did Yuan Yingtai die? How can he explain the death of an official appointed by the court in Liaodong, in his jurisdiction? He only uses excuses of injury and illness and busy military affairs! This is really outrageous!"

Emperor Taichang slammed the table and stood up.

He said too much in one breath and was out of breath. Concubine Li Kang hurriedly handed him a teacup. Zhu Changluo took it and drank it, and then his eyes gradually focused.

"Go back and inform the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War that since the Jiannu have been severely damaged, the Liao tribute will be reduced by half, and it must be paid to Zu Dashou in Liaoxi first, and then transferred to Liaodong."

It was clear that the emperor wanted to promote the Liaoxi Zu family and check the Kaiyuan army.

"Eunuch Wei, from now on, you must control your younger brothers. As long as the Jiannu are not destroyed, I still cannot do without him. However, if there is a next time, I will not let him off easily. I will kill you too!"

Wei Zhongxian nodded repeatedly.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Zhu Changluo felt tired and waved his hand to let Wei Zhongxian leave.

Wei Zhongxian bowed and knelt before the emperor, then bowed to the two imperial concubines, and slowly left the Qianqing Palace with a hunched back.

As soon as he left the palace, Jiu Qian Sui seemed like a different person, with his back straight and his eyes sharp again.

"Go to the East Factory." Wei Zhongxian got into the carriage and said to his manager.

The manager immediately said respectfully, "Yes, Mr.

The carriage quickly set off. Wei Zhongxian clenched his fists, recalling what the emperor had just said. Over the past few months, his sworn brother had indeed gone too far. Killing people and confiscating property in Liaodong was one area of concern, but he even wanted to take action against people sent by the emperor. Didn't he know that the new emperor was wary of him, a military leader?

He naturally knew the good things that Yuan Yingtai and Zhang Quan had done in Liaodong. The two of them colluded with each other and wanted to extort a sum of money from Liu Zhaosun, so they used the excuse of investigating Xiong Tingbi to threaten his sworn brother.

To be fair, while this tactic was despicable, it wasn't entirely uncommon. This kind of exchange of interests had always existed between censors and local military leaders, dating back to the time of Li Chengliang. Normally, as long as Liu Zhaosun paid the full amount of "hush money," no one would have bothered him, leaving him to run rampant in Liaodong.

Unexpectedly, his virtuous brother actually broke the rules and even betrayed him once again, killing the two Jinyiwei who had followed the Liaodong Governor out of the border. The Liaodong Governor and the factory guards died in Liaodong and Kaiyuan. Liu Zhaosun made up an excuse and put all the blame on the mob. Now that the emperor summoned him, the Kaiyuan general refused to enter the capital. This was not only an insult to the East Factory, but also an infringement of imperial power and a naked provocation.

The more Wei Zhongxian thought about it, the more serious the situation seemed to him. He had originally wanted to make money with his sworn brother and exclude Donglin and other parties, but he had never thought of turning the table and rebelling.

The carriage moved slowly and arrived outside Donghua Gate in the capital. When it was about to reach Dongjishichang, it looked at the Dongchang officers standing by the road. These people were all drawn from Jinyiwei, and they were all the most vicious and cunning ones selected from Jinyiwei. As soon as the officials in the capital heard the word Dongchang, their knees would subconsciously go weak, because if they were targeted by these people, they would at least lose a layer of skin.

"Any brother who messes with my brother will be killed!"

The carriage entered from the southwest gate of the East Factory and stopped in the courtyard. Wei Zhongxian patted the handrail, and the steward outside opened the side door. Several big bosses helped Wei Zhongxian down from the carriage. Dozens of bosses knelt around him and said in unison:

"Kudos to the factory owner!"

Wei Zhongxian waved his hand and walked into the hall with his head held high.

"Call Shen Lian over!"

Note:
1. Concubine Li Zhuang, one of the concubines of Ming Guangzong Zhu Changluo. Kind and taciturn, she was not as favored as Concubine Li Kang. After the Tianqi Emperor ascended the throne, his wet nurse, Keshi, exploited the Emperor's incompetence and persecuted the women in the family. Concubine Li Zhuang suffered harsh treatment in her life. Ultimately, frustrated by Keshi's actions, she died of depression on October , the fourth year of the Tianqi Emperor's reign, at the age of .

(End of this chapter)