Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 138 The Uncontrollable Northern Pacification Division
When Xu Guangqi entered the palace to meet the emperor, he met Luo Sigong who was going to the Imperial Household Department. Luo Sigong suppressed Tian Ergeng, but Tian Ergeng was very dissatisfied.

The Northern Pacification Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Tian Ergeng sat upright in the main seat in the main hall, listening to the faint wails coming from the prison. He liked this sound, just as drinking tea accompanied by screams would make the tea's aroma more fragrant.

After taking his last sip, the cup was empty. Tian Ergeng spat the tea leaves, mixed with the tea, back into the cup, then tapped the table lightly: "Someone, add some water."

Xu Xianchun, a fifth-rank deputy captain, had just stepped into the main hall when he heard Tian Tongzhi's call. "Give it to me." He snatched the kettle from the yamen runner and quickly walked over to Tian Ergeng.

"Sir." Xu Xianchun filled the cup steadily.

"Why are you here serving tea and water instead of intensifying the interrogation?" Tian Ergeng said this, but he felt very pleased in his heart.

"They are just a few rebels. How can they be as important as serving the Lord?" Xu Xianchun flattered as much as he could.

"Save that sweet mouth of yours for licking spoons in a brothel." Tian Ergeng took the teacup back. "What did the interrogation reveal? Did our Zou Siqing confess?"

"Zou Siqing is very stubborn. And as you know, he is a high-ranking official and has not been dismissed yet. I am afraid of causing unnecessary trouble to you." The four words "loyalty" were written all over Xu Xianchun's face.

"Find a handkerchief to wash his face." The "wash his face" Tian Ergeng was referring to was waterboarding. This involved covering the prisoner's face with a cloth and then pouring water over it to suffocate them. This torture method was not only highly effective but also left no trace of harm or abuse. "Just be careful not to kill Zou Siqing."

"Yes, sir. I'll ask someone to deliver a basin of charcoal to the torture chamber right away." Xu Xianchun understood and bowed to accept the order.

"You're still burning charcoal in the torture chamber. You really have a heart of a bodhisattva." A familiar voice came from the door.

"Master of the Guards!" Before Xu Xianchun could turn around, Tian Ergeng stood up and went to greet him.

"I greet the Chief Guard." Xu Xianchun was much more respectful than Tian Ergeng. "I'm adding charcoal to the torture chamber because I'm afraid the prisoner might freeze to death before he can confess."

Luo Sigong naturally sat in the main seat beside Tian Ergeng. "How's the trial going?" Luo Sigong didn't respond to Xu Xianchun's question, but looked at Tian Ergeng and asked.

"Don't worry, sir. No matter how hard a bone is, it can't withstand the torture of the imperial prison." Tian Ergeng bowed and replied.

"So you mean you didn't find anything out of the interrogation?" Luo Sigong directly exposed the trick in Tian Ergeng's words.

"It will take some time." Tian Ergeng lowered his head. He thought Luo Sigong was here to urge progress.

"That's it. Don't make too much of a fuss, just stop when it's enough." Luo Sigong raised his hand to stop the yamen runner who was bringing tea. "Don't implicate too many people."

"What?" Tian Ergeng suddenly raised his head and looked at Luo Sigong in disbelief. "Sir, why is this happening?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Luo Sigong rolled his eyes and glanced at Tian Ergeng.

"Sir, this is not good." Tian Ergeng frowned and advised, "We are still waiting for this credit."

"Then let them wait. This is the case. Once the people in the imperial prison are dealt with firmly, the case will be closed." Secret discussions with the Prime Minister of the Cabinet could not be shared with subordinates. Therefore, Luo Sigong could only use his power to force the issue. "Did you hear clearly?"

"I heard it clearly." Tian Ergeng didn't want to agree, but he could only bow in response.

"Very good." Luo Sigong stood up. "That's all. Come back and sit down."

"Farewell, Lord Chief Guard." Luo Sigong strode out of the Northern Pacification Office and returned to his carriage. Along the way, all the Jinyiwei officers, both big and small, bowed and saw him off respectfully.

"Sir, are we still going to conduct the trial?" Xu Xianchun asked Tian Ergeng only after the carriage had driven away.

"Trial! Why not?" Tian Ergeng clenched his fists. "We can't stop."

If we really stop, not only will we have to refund the money, but we will also offend people.

Officers and officers at all levels of the Pacification Office were desperately trying to claim some credit for the Donglin Party case. Those with more money were assigned to arrest suspects, while those with less money waited for the results of the trial before apprehending new suspects. In short, those who could afford meat ate it, while those who couldn't were hammered to pound the bones and drain the marrow. Those who couldn't even get a bone were given a bowl of soup.

Xu Xianchun said nothing, but he was obviously relieved. Although he was very close to Tian Ergeng, he still consciously paid the money in order to get a good job.

"You've collected quite a lot, right?" Tian Ergeng sneered.

"If you bleed, you have to heal. Otherwise, I won't have money to honor you, sir." Xu Xianchun chuckled. Then he put on a worried look, "But I'm more worried about you having trouble explaining to Guard Luo."

"Lord Luo has likely been bewitched by someone." Tian Ergeng propped his forehead with the knuckles of his right hand. He closed his eyes, weighing the pros and cons as he spoke. "So many ambitious brothers are counting on this to get some credit. We can't let Lord Luo's momentary confusion chill the hearts of our brothers."

"Also, since Emperor Chengzu Wen, the palace has established a rule that states that our Northern Pacification Division can directly report to the emperor if the Chief Guard is confused." Tian Ergeng raised his head, looked at Xu Xianchun, and said viciously, "Interrogate! Interrogate tonight! As long as you don't kill anyone, I don't care what you do. In just a few days, you have to give me a result."

"Yes, sir!" Xu Xianchun's heart trembled: Tian Tongzhi was going to go against Luo Zhangwei!

------

The Forbidden City, one of the six western palaces, is called Chuxiu.

After a night of hard work, Zhu Changluo, who had made great progress in his career, had a good sleep. Because he had given instructions in advance, no one came to call him, and Zhu Changluo missed the morning class in Huangji Hall and the noisy memorials.

"Sister, are you awake?" Park Mei propped herself up slightly, walked over the emperor, and called softly in Korean.

"Don't talk. The emperor is still sleeping." Pu Mei had woken up a long time ago, but she didn't dare to move, nor did she dare to wake up the emperor who was sleeping beside her. She could only lie naked on her back, enduring the slight pain in her lower abdomen.

"Oh~~" Park Yi pouted.

Although they made very little noise, they still disturbed the emperor's light sleep.

"Hmm." Zhu Changluo felt refreshed, but a little thirsty. "Water, someone, get me a glass of water."

"Yeah." Pu Yi, who was near the edge of the bed, heard the emperor talking and hurriedly got out of bed.

After a pair of beautiful bare feet landed on the ground, Pu Yi turned around again and gently tucked the quilt for the emperor. She bent down and picked up the women's underwear that the emperor had thrown on the ground roughly, and put it on without knowing whose it was.

The charcoal in the kang had burned out, and without a heat source, the room was once again enveloped in a chill, even forming a thin layer of ice in the teapot. With no other options, she put on a few more layers of clothing and walked to the door, saying, in broken Chinese, "Your Majesty, I want some water. Hot water."

When she returned to the kang, Pu Yi found that the emperor was fully awake and was looking at her with his head tilted to the side.

"Your Majesty." Pu Yi's Chinese was not very fluent, but she still saluted very politely.

"You either lie down or put on your clothes." White steam rose and fell at the corners of Zhu Changluo's mouth. "This room is too cold." Pu Mei thought: Isn't this your fault? If I get up at a normal time, there will still be charcoal left on the kang.
"Ah!" A big hand climbing up on her body interrupted Park Mi's wild thoughts.

"You are good." Zhu Changluo looked at Pu Mei's blushing cheeks and said softly, "But I have to go to another palace tonight, so I won't come."

"I am honored by the emperor's favor and receive his grace. I am satisfied and dare not ask for constant favor." Pu Mei's face flushed and her breathing was rapid.

Zhu Changluo kissed her on the forehead. "The door is closed. There's no need to be so polite. I like your lively side."

"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch!" Pu Mei thought the emperor was in the mood again and hurriedly advised him tactfully.

"Don't be nervous. I have something important to do. I won't punish you right now." Zhu Changluo withdrew his dishonest hand. "Change clothes."

After lunch, Zhu Changluo headed to the Qianqing Palace. Since it was snowing, eunuchs could be seen sweeping and shoveling snow along the way. They had to ensure the roads were clear of noticeable snow accumulation, so as long as the snow stopped, they had to keep working until their shift was over or nightfall.

"Your servant greets the master, long live the emperor." Upon hearing the eunuch calling out the emperor's name, the two eunuchs on duty in the Southern Study put down their work and came to the door to welcome him.

"Get up." Zhu Changluo waved his hand with a smile.

"Master, Luo Sigong came to ask for an audience early in the morning. But you should rest, so I sent him back." After Zhu Changluo passed Wang An, Wang An stood up and followed him into the hall.

"What did he say?" Zhu Changluo asked. It's customary to leave people behind while leaving things behind.

"He talked about two things. The first one was that Prime Minister Fang went to Luo's house to find him privately." Wang An said.

Zhu Changluo became alert: "The Prime Minister of the Cabinet went to see the head of the Jinyiwei. What does he want to do? To let the Jinyiwei expand the scope of responsibility?" Zhu Changluo's first reaction was the same as Luo Sigong's.

Wang An saw the emperor's unfriendly expression and knew he was suspicious. He quickly said, "No. Prime Minister Fang was trying to persuade Luo Sigong not to implicate anyone else. That's enough."

"Wow!" Zhu Changluo was very surprised. "Go find Fang Congzhe right now and ask him what he's thinking."

"I obey your command." Wang An took the order and turned around.

"Wait!" Zhu Changluo called out to Wang An. "Ask in private, don't let anyone else in the cabinet know." Zhu Changluo knew that no matter what Fang Congzhe's answer was, if he could publicly expose the secret dealings between the Prime Minister and the head of the Imperial Guard, Fang Congzhe would be able to retire.

After Wang An left, Zhu Changluo asked Wei Chao, "What about the other thing?"

"To answer your Majesty, it's still about Prime Minister Fang." Wei Chao walked to the stove closest to the imperial desk, opened the lid, and added a few pieces of fine sandalwood charcoal. "Luo Sigong said that since Prime Minister Fang didn't become arrogant because of this, he wants to ask the Majesty to spare Fang Shihong."

"Has Fang Shihong been arrested now?" Zhu Changluo sat down.

"No, Fang Shihong is still living a life of drunkenness in the brothels of Huanghuafang. Lately, he's been staying at a place called... Nuansomething Pavilion."

"So, Fang Congzhe didn't go to Luo Sigong because of his son's matter." Zhu Changluo stroked his beard. "Interesting."

"That's it. Let's hear Fang Congzhe's explanation first." Zhu Changluo stopped thinking about it. "Has the memorial from the Ministry of Public Administration been submitted?"

"I've submitted them several times. There are now over two hundred of them. Every official of any rank, from every department, every prefecture, every government office, has submitted them." Wei Chao sighed softly. "The ancestor and I have been reading them, but they can't be delivered as quickly as they are read."

"What kind of things are they writing about?" Zhu Changluo noticed Wei Chao's fatigue.

"My Lord," Wei Chao thought for a moment and said, "Based on the petitions compiled so far, there are more recommendations for guilty officials and fewer impeachments. But whether it's a recommendation or an impeachment, the arguments basically revolve around Zou Yuanbiao."

"The Donglin Party is still powerful." Zhu Changluo frowned slightly.

"I think we should ask the Jinyiwei to arrest a few more people. Some of them are being very rude." What Wei Chao didn't mention was that those who were shouting louder were beginning to align the emperor with the tyranny of Jie and Zhou. "If we cane a few of those who dare to act recklessly in the court, they'll behave themselves."

"Shouting and killing, this is not your style." Zhu Changluo looked at Wei Chao who was still fiddling with the charcoal fire.

"Some people have really gone too far. They are simply disrespectful to the emperor and their fathers! I am so angry." Wei Chao no longer had any good feelings towards the so-called upright people who cursed their emperor and their fathers.

"Let Cui Wensheng go after a while. You don't have to show up." Zhu Changluo also felt that it was time to kill a few chickens to scare the monkeys. "Isn't he very good at spanking?" Zhu Changluo sneered and continued, "Have the cabinet's draft been delivered?"

"The cabinet is much faster than the servants." Wei Chao covered the stove and turned back to stir the kettle. "Master, would you like water or tea?"

"Give me a cup of tea. Not too strong." Zhu Changluo said, "Let someone else serve the tea."

"Even though I hold the pen, I still have to serve my master." Wei Chao smiled and said, "Besides, fighting and killing may easily scare those little brats, so I didn't let them in." People who are not of sufficient rank will die if they hear things they shouldn't hear.

"You are thoughtful, and it's no wonder they call you ancestor." Zhu Changluo continued to ask about the drafting of the bill: "Talk about the cabinet."

"Most of the opinions put forward were no opinions." The so-called "no opinions" meant that the decision was left to the emperor himself.

"Oh." Zhu Changluo knocked on the imperial desk and said, "Of course these people have no objections when they get together. They will come here to express their opinions after they have made their decisions privately."

"By the way, has Sun Chuanting arrived in Beijing?" Zhu Changluo asked suddenly.

"I'll send someone to the Tongzhengshisi to ask." Wei Chao couldn't remember who this person was for a moment. But after remembering, he became even more confused: this person was just a seventh-rank official who had just passed the imperial examination. Why did the master pay so much attention to him?

"Forget it. There's no need to make him too conspicuous now. Just keep an eye on him. I'll see him again after he has gained some experience in Liaodong." Zhu Changluo said.

Want to see him again? Wei Chao remembered the three words "Sun Chuanting".

Knock, knock, knock! Someone knocked on the door of the main hall.

"What's the matter?" Wei Chao walked over and asked through the wooden door.

"Ancestor Wei. Master Sun would like to request to see the master, His Majesty." said the eunuch who delivered the message.

There is only one person in the palace who can be called "Master" but does not hold an official position.

"Wait a moment." Wei Chao ran back. "Master, Master Sun wants to see you."

An association instinctively popped up in Wei Chao's mind: Could Sun Chuanting be the son of Sun Chengzong?
"Hmm? Why is Master Sun here?" Sun Chengzong held no real position other than teaching, so he had never actively sought an audience with the emperor. "He's not here to ask about skipping classes, is he? That's a hard question to answer."

(End of this chapter)