Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 130 Donglin Generals

After receiving warnings and admonishments from the Western Depot, Cui Wensheng became more restrained. Upon returning from the Southern Study, he personally wrote letters to his relatives and close associates, who had received news of the vacancies they were planning to fill in the capital, urging them to stay home. Following this, Cui Wensheng established a set of promotion rules for the Eastern Depot's officers, modeled after the military examination system.

Just when he was about to use this set of rules to re-select the thousand households from among those captains with the title of hundred households, the Jinyiwei took action.

The twelfth day of the winter month in the forty-eighth year of the Wanli reign.

"The head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Sigong, requests an audience!" Outside the South Library Gate of the Qianqing Palace, the eunuch announced his name loudly.

"Announce." The emperor's voice came from the hall.

"Your Majesty, Luo Sigong pays homage to the Emperor, Long Live the Emperor!" Luo Sigong performed the standard ceremony of five bows and three kowtows to the Emperor.

"Guard Luo, stand up and speak." Zhu Changluo flipped through Luo Sigong's file and found that Luo Sigong had worked as a guard of the Eastern Palace for a period of time when he had just inherited his father Luo Bingliang's position as a fifth-rank captain.

The Jinyiwei were, after all, the emperor's servants with male members. And their relationship was even more distant than that of the servants without male members. Being able to speak with them was already a great honor for their seniority. So Luo Sigong quickly thanked him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

In the past, during court sessions, the emperor and his ministers were separated by a great distance, and everyone looked the same. But as he approached, Zhu Changluo realized that although Luo Sigong was quite old, with gray hair on his temples, he must have been at least sixty. However, he was strong and sturdy, and he looked very energetic. Standing there, he was like a solid mountain.

"Is it about Tian Ergeng?" Zhu Changluo asked without waiting for Luo Sigong to speak.

The Jinyiwei had the authority to investigate any suspicious official, but if they wanted to arrest an official involved in a case, they needed the emperor's approval. In the 276-year history of the Ming Dynasty, only during the few years when the Tianqi Emperor favored Wei Zhongxian did the Jinyiwei and even the eunuchs have the extraordinary power to arrest officials without the emperor's approval.

Yesterday, the eleventh day of the winter month, the Emperor, in accordance with the custom of holding court once every ten days, arrived at the Qianqing Gate for an audience. He was rebuked for an entire hour by the censors, who insisted on holding court three times a day and refused to back down. Seeing this, Luo Sigong knew the time had come and decided to enter the palace to request an audience.

However, after the court was dismissed, Luo Sigong had a change of heart. He thought: If the Jinyiwei immediately launched an uprising and arrested the censors who had offended the emperor that day, it would seem too deliberate. So he waited another day before going to the palace to ask the emperor for permission to take action. However, he had no idea that the emperor already knew about the Jinyiwei's movements.

Luo Sigong had been a veteran of the Imperial Guard for decades, so he was only slightly surprised for a moment before regaining his composure. He bowed his head and sang praises, "Your Majesty's eyes are as bright as the world."

"Who do you want to arrest?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"In reply to the emperor. The Donglin Party includes Zou Yuanbiao, the Minister of the Supreme Court, Yuan Yingtai, the Right Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Liaodong, Zuo Guangdou, the Supervisory Censor, Wei Dazhong, the Chief Censor of the Ministry of Personnel, and Wen Zhenmeng, the editor of the Hanlin Academy." Luo Sigong had a good memory and could easily list off the top of his head.

"With so many people, are the Jinyiwei confident?" Zhu Changluo's tone did not reveal much emotion.

"In reply to the emperor, Tian Ergeng has already verified that Zou Yuanbiao, the Minister of the Supreme Court, and other core members of the Donglin Party, such as Zhao Nanxing, often gather together to discuss party disputes and attacks. The unprovoked attack on Xiong Tingbi, the Governor of Liaodong, and this political trend that goes against the emperor's will should have been agreed upon by these people in the secret room." The emperor's indifference made it difficult for Luo Sigong to guess his intentions.

"'Should', 'Secret Chamber'." Wang An interrupted. "Captain Luo, are you really sure?"

"In reply to the ancestor's words, the Jinyiwei Northern Pacification Division has obtained signed confessions from Yang Yuan, Gu Xu, Feng Sanyuan, and others." Luo Sigong was actually much older than Wang An, and he didn't climb to power by clinging to Wang An. He didn't have to call Wang An "ancestor," but Luo Sigong did it anyway. "These three have clearly stated that they attacked Xiong Tingbi because of Zhao Nanxing's instructions."

"They claimed that Zhao Nanxing not only wanted to squeeze Xiong Tingbi out of Liaodong, but also wanted Yuan Yingtai to replace Xiong Tingbi." Luo Sigong replied.

"Weren't these three people exiled? How did you get their confessions?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"." Luo Sigong pursed his lips.

"Answer." Wang An knocked on the table.

"In reply to the emperor, the people responsible for escorting them were the Jinyiwei, and we used a little trick on the way." Luo Sigong replied.

"Are you still alive?"

"Not a single one of them died," Luo Sigong added. "I guarantee they won't change their confession."

Zhu Changluo shook his head and said, "Let them change their confession."

"Your Majesty, this..." Luo Sigong subconsciously thought that the emperor was not going to touch the Donglin Party.

"Keep the general idea in mind and remove Yuan Yingtai." Zhu Changluo raised his right hand and gestured to Luo Sigong to calm down. "He has talent, but he's just not suited to managing military affairs."

Yuan Yingtai did a great job as the Governor of Liaodong, and he complemented Xiong Tingbi perfectly.

The Liao situation was at its most critical, and Yingtai trained his troops, repaired his armor, built his pavilions and barriers, and maintained his towers and turrets, ensuring that the fodder, rice stems, and gunpowder needed by the troops outside the Great Wall were immediately available. The governor, Xiong Tingbi, relied heavily on him.

It was precisely because these two people, one civil and one military, were in charge of the north that they were able to repel Nurhaci several times between August and October, stabilize the situation in Liaodong, and slightly ease the predicament.

If implicated in such a case, officials would be suspended from their posts during the investigation, regardless of their fate. Zhu Changluo did not want the changes in Beijing to affect Liaodong in the slightest. Politics is politics, and military affairs are military affairs. In the current situation, politics should serve the military, not hinder it.

"I obey your order." Luo Sigong understood the emperor's implication.

Zhu Changluo took a sip from his water cup, thinking as he spoke. "I won't ask about the details of what you're going to do. I'll just say two things. First, no matter whether they're civil or military, you must not involve any of the incumbent officials in Liaodong. Xiong Tingbi knows who can and cannot be used in Liaodong, and so do I. If you don't know, don't make random accusations."

"Secondly, you can arrest and torture people as you please. But it's best not to kill anyone. If they die in the imperial prison, things will become very troublesome, and you won't be able to handle it. If they kill people, it will cause an uproar in the court and the public will be excited. Even if you have done something good, it will turn into a crime. It's not worth it."

"I obey your order!" Luo Sigong shuddered slightly and bowed solemnly.

"You can go down now," Zhu Changluo suddenly remembered a name. "Wait, let's add one more person. Sun Ruyou, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Find a way to include him as well."

Wang An remembered this person because it was because he contradicted the emperor at the imperial meeting that gave Xu Guangqi, who was training troops in Tongzhou, the opportunity to take up the position of Minister of Rites.

"They're all from the Donglin Party." Zhu Changluo pondered for a moment. "Is Fang Shihong still alive?" Luo Sigong took a moment to react before answering. "Prime Minister Fang's eldest son? He should still be alive."

In the 46th year of the Wanli reign, Fang Congzhe's eldest son, Fang Shihong, was impeached by the inspector for his involvement in a prostitute's death after she fell from a horse. This incident escalated to the point where Fang Congzhe submitted a memorial to Emperor Shenzong, taking the blame. However, Fang Congzhe was ultimately retained by Emperor Shenzong, while Fang Shihong was merely dismissed from his post.

"Catch him too." Zhu Changluo ordered.

"Master, this may not be appropriate," Wang An advised.

"What do you have to say?" Zhu Changluo turned to look at Wang An, but his expression did not change at all.

"Master, Fang Shihong's case has been closed. It was the late Emperor who made the final decision." Wang An knew every member of the cabinet intimately. He stood up and soon produced a transcribed case file. "Emperor Shenzong issued an edict: 'Your Excellency was implicated for false accusations. The inquest has confirmed that he fell from a horse, and the testimony clearly indicates that he was not killed by beatings. The court shall conduct an impartial investigation.'"

"Grandfather, the Imperial Guards could have arrested Fang Shihong without relying on this case." Luo Sigong knew the Emperor was trying to strike a balance to prevent a single party from dominating. If he couldn't find a suitable target to "balance," the Donglin Clan case would likely be shelved, and Fang Shihong was clearly a perfect target. "Fang Shihong is an uneducated, dissolute young man. The Imperial Guards would have no trouble finding evidence against him."

"Let's do this. Arrest both Fang Shihong and the Donglin Party, and then the Jinyiwei will sentence Fang Shihong to death. Of course, we don't really want to kill him, so as not to kill him in the imperial prison." Zhu Changluo made the final decision.

"I accept the decree."

"Kneel down and pay your respects." Zhu Changluo waved his hand, signaling Luo Sigong to leave.

Luo Sigong knelt and bid farewell. Just as he was about to exit the hall and close it, a faint voice drifted into his ears. "Luo Sigong, it's better to be respectful and obedient." Luo Sigong didn't hear who was speaking, nor did he know what the words meant. He just felt that something was about to happen.

Not long after Luo Sigong left, Zhu Changluo called out, "Wei Chao."

"I'm here." Wei Chao hurriedly stood up to listen to the announcement.

"Call Fu Li, the Chief Censor of the Criminal Department, over here."

After the vacancies in various departments were filled, many officials were promoted, and Fu Li, who became quite popular because of the Dongchang case, was one of them. He was promoted one level from an ordinary criminal department secretary to the criminal department's chief secretary.

A quarter of an hour later, Fu Li, the Chief Censor of the Criminal Department, rushed into the South Study.

"Your humble servant Fu Li pays homage to the Emperor, may His Majesty live forever." Fu Li's voice trembled slightly.

The Imperial Censors of each department and the Imperial Censors of each province all had the right to report directly to the emperor, but reporting directly was not the same as reporting in person. For the vast majority of censors, being summoned by the emperor was still a rare honor.

People of Fu Li's level were not qualified to speak while standing, so Zhu Changluo did not let him stand up.

"Are you from Linchuan, Jiangxi?" Zhu Changluo did not talk about the business, but only asked about Fu Li's hometown.

"Your Majesty, please remember this. I am indeed from Linchuan, Jiangxi." Fu Li didn't know what the emperor meant.

"I still remember that you took advantage of the imperial seal from the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Zhu Changluo's slightly mocking chuckle echoed in the hall.

"Minister" Fu Li still didn't know the emperor's true intention, but he still understood that the emperor summoned him here today not for praise.

"You are a Jinshi in the 41st year of Wanli, right?" Zhu Changluo ignored Fu Li's panic and continued asking questions.

"I am honored to have your Majesty's attention. I am indeed a Jinshi in the 41st year." The joy in Fu Li's heart had completely disappeared. His heart beat faster and cold sweat broke out.

"He passed the imperial examination in the forty-first year, and was appointed county magistrate in the forty-fourth. He came to Beijing in the forty-eighth year, and immediately bought a house with three courtyards. The Ministry of Revenue paid the seals for each official, and there were only a handful of officials who didn't ask for money. Fu Li, the magistrate of Haicheng!" Zhu Changluo fired off questions like a machine gun, his voice gradually rising, and finally paused. After a long silence, he asked in a tone that was almost lazy, "You made a lot of money while in office, didn't you?"

"Your humble servant. Your humble servant." Fu Li breathed in and out slowly, and soon, he could only instinctively rely on his hands to support the ground to maintain his balance.

Haicheng County, located in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, was a new county established in the 45th year of the Jiajing reign by dividing Longxi, Zhangpu and other areas. Since its establishment, the county has been very wealthy, and there is one and only one reason for this: after the Ming Dynasty lifted the maritime ban, the only legal foreign port, Yuegang, was located in Haicheng.

"County Magistrate Fu, you don't seem to be the honest and upright official that the world thinks you are." Zhu Changluo stared coldly at the black gauze hat on Fu Li's head. "Tell me, if I throw these things out, how long can you stay in Beijing?"

Hearing the threat, Fu Li actually felt relieved. Because the threat was for the value of the threatened person, if the emperor wanted to punish him, he could just dismiss him from office and demote him to a commoner based on the evidence at hand, and then let the Ministry of Justice arrest him. There was no need to ask this question at all.

Bang! Something was thrown next to Fu Li.

Fu Li took a few deep breaths and glanced at the thing thrown to his right.

"This is the person the Imperial Guards are looking to arrest," said Wang An, the eunuch who had thrown out the list. "Fudu Jieshizhong. If you still want to stop the Imperial Guards from sending you imperial edicts, just write your name on it."

Fu Li understood: the Criminal Department was the leash that tied up the factory guards, and the emperor wanted him to be the key to unlock the leash.

Fu Li didn't mind. He passed the imperial examination in the 28th year of the Wanli reign, but didn't start his official career until 16 years later. His last confrontation with the emperor was a necessary move, forced by public pressure and weighing various options. If possible, Fu Li would rather not hold that position, forgo the prestige, and quietly become a censor, a mere figurehead, drifting with the tide, following the prevailing public opinion.

If the emperor had reprimanded Yang Lian when he openly disobeyed him, giving Fu Li a bad expectation, he would not have listened to the cabinet at that time, but would have silently acted like a coward.

Now the emperor held the evidence that could justify his dismissal, effectively holding his lifeline. Fu Li had no ideals of benefiting the world; he was an official simply for the sake of being an official, for the sake of making money. He would never throw away the fame and official position he had earned through decades of hard study for the sake of illusory reputation.

Fu Li didn't hesitate at all. He didn't even look at the list. Instead, he kowtowed and pledged his allegiance in the most humble tone. "Your humble servant is willing to be your Majesty's dog and horse."

"Very good." Zhu Changluo nodded with satisfaction. He knew very well that Fu Li would definitely give in. This was because Fu Li was a man who was willing to be Wei Zhongxian's son and a knife in order to get promoted and make money.

(End of this chapter)