Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 161: Lian Po is old but still a food
Luo Sigong was extremely anxious and didn't want to listen to any of this official nonsense.

"Yes!" Lu Wenzhao was startled and immediately stopped flattering Hai Zhentao. He reorganized his words and said, "The convicted official Sun Ruyou has confessed. Xiong Tingbi's false accusation, the reform and disobedience case, and the conspiracy to force the emperor to abdicate have all been proven. The main culprits are Zou Yuanbiao, who committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and Zhao Nanxing, who remotely controlled the court while in prison. Sun Ruyou, currently detained in the East Office Prison, is an accomplice. The case file records in detail how these people remotely controlled the court and how they conspired to force the emperor to abdicate."

"The case file is here, please examine it, Lord Guard!" Lu Wenzhao took out the confession and handed it respectfully to Luo Sigong.

"Good! Good! Good!" Luo Sigong had just taken the case file and said three good words before he even started reading it.

Luo Sigong read slowly, word by word, line by line, and it took him nearly a quarter of an hour to finish the first reading.

Snapped!
Luo Sigong slammed the confession down on the table. Then, all the muscles in his body relaxed. He rested his arms on the armrests, then slumped back, tilted his head back, took several deep breaths, and then burst into hysterical laughter. "Hahahahaha!"

After sitting slumped for a few breaths, Luo Sigong propped himself up and sat up straight again.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat and returned to his usual composure, as if he had never been bothered by these things.

"That useless Tian Ergeng made such a fuss, but after such a long time he didn't even find anything. How did you get it?" Luo Sigong asked.

"To answer the Chief Guard's question, the criminal Sun Ruyou was weak to begin with, and I was able to achieve this feat with a simple trick." Lu Wenzhao repeated the excuse he had given Hai Zhentao not long ago. "This luck is entirely due to the kindness of the Chief Guard and the special favor of the Assistant Minister." He flattered him while handing Sun Jiaji's jade pendant to Luo Sigong.

"You really know how to talk." Luo Sigong raised his head and glanced, took the jade pendant, and said in a meaningful tone: "But you know, once this confession is taken out, you will offend Tian Ergeng to death." As he said that, Luo Sigong lightly tapped the signature at the end of the document with his fingernail.

How could Lu Wenzhao not know this?

Zou Yuanbiao died in the imperial prison, and Tian Ergeng was inextricably implicated. The secret decree passed on by Luo Sigong offered Tian Ergeng a glimmer of hope, but it also limited his means. So he frantically searched the imprisoned officials for evidence, practically ransacking their homes. This search proved fruitless, and the criticism intensified.

Lu Wenzhao's confession at this time could "confirm" that Zou Yuanbiao had indeed committed suicide out of fear of punishment and partially eliminate Tian Ergeng's guilt, but it also indirectly demonstrated the incompetence of Tian Ergeng and the entire Northern Pacification Office. After all, the Eastern Office had dug up everything the palace wanted without even torture.

Leaders only care about the results, never the difficulty of the process. If you mention the difficulty of the process after completing a task, they might sympathize with your pain and make a note of it. But if you fail to complete the task, any amount of excuses you give will be nothing more than nonsense.

"I have never had any other thoughts. I just want to share Lord Wei's worries and relieve the difficulties of the Jinyiwei." Lu Wenzhao's expression was serious and his words were sincere.

Luo Sigong was very satisfied with Lu Wenzhao's attitude. He had never imagined that the young man in front of him had tried to bypass him and reach the emperor directly. "Good, very good."

Although Tian Ergeng issued a very serious gag order to the Northern Pacification Office and even placed the Deputy Captain Xu Xianchun under house arrest, Luo Sigong still knew about the dog-eat-dog confrontation between Tian and Xu in front of the Western Factory Director Wei Zhongxian when the Western Factory was interrogating the case.

"Don't worry about Tian Ergeng." Luo Sigong took the official seal of the Commandery from the ink pad and firmly placed a red seal on the blank space. "I will ask for your merit."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Guard!" Lu Wenzhao was solemn and quickly knelt on one knee and saluted.

"Okay, you can go." Luo Sigong smiled, nodded and waved his hand, signaling Lu Wenzhao to leave.

After Lu Wenzhao left, Luo Sigong asked someone to call Luo Yangxing over.

"Father, you are looking for me." Luo Yangxing went straight to Luo Sigong's desk.

"Have you got the seal from the Experience Department?" Luo Sigong asked.

"I have it." Luo Yangxing took out the official seal.

"Cover it." Luo Sigong took out the confession which already included "signature and seal", "name of the person in charge of the case", "name of the person handling the case", "official seal of the Command Headquarters" and "official seal of the East Office" and placed it in front of Luo Yangxing, pointing to the last blank space and said.

"What is this?" Luo Yangxing picked up the confession and examined it carefully. "Any results?"

"A great result, a very good result. Start writing it quickly. Once you're done, go back and write a detailed account of the situation and submit it to the Imperial Household Department. I don't need to teach you the wording; just describe how the Imperial Household Department assisted the Eastern House Office in resolving this major case that the Northern Pacification Department had wasted manpower on but had yet to make any progress." Luo Sigong wanted to both get his son involved and impress Tian Ergeng. "We have to strike a balance. We have to let the palace know the difficulty of the case so we can claim credit, but we also can't let the palace think the Northern Pacification Department's failure was justified."

"I understand." Luo Yangxing asked again, "But what if Sun Ruyou changes his confession?"

"As long as this jade pendant is still in the hands of the Jinyiwei, Sun Ruyou will not change his confession." Luo Sigong replied.

"What jade pendant?" Luo Yangxing asked in confusion.

"Imperial College student, Sun Jiaji. This is Sun Ruyou's legitimate grandson. If Sun Ruyou ever tries to change his confession, have someone cut off his ears." Luo Sigong handed Sun Jiaji's jade pendant to Luo Yangxing. "Hasn't the capital been quite turbulent lately? Many successful candidates from the imperial examinations have died, let alone the grandson of a convicted official."

"There are serious problems with these murders, so it's better not to use them." Luo Yangxing took the jade pendant.

"Did you find anything?" Luo Sigong asked with a frown.

Even though these cases had been handed over to the East Office, Luo Sigong didn't let them go and relax his investigation. People's hearts are strengthened through interaction; one can't just take credit for someone's work without helping them. As long as they weren't on death row, one still had to assist when necessary.

Luo Yangxing looked around for a moment before nodding in affirmation. "Yes."

"Don't worry, I have sent everyone away. There is no one else here." Hai Zhentao could sense something was wrong, and Luo Sigong could certainly sense it as well.

He even suspected that the West Factory had deliberately released details of the confrontation between Tian and Xu to incite conflict between the Commandery and the Northern Pacification Office. However, for Luo Sigong, the source of the information was unimportant. From the moment Tian Ergeng accused Luo Sigong, their breakup was doomed.

Luo Yangxing then explained, "Most of the deceased were dismissed officials with honors. Although they were not from the same hometown or born in the same year, they were all dismissed from their posts in the 43rd year of the Wanli reign or later."

"The 43rd year of the Wanli reign? What's this? The 43rd year!" Luo Sigong's eyes flashed with uncontrollable fear. "The case of Ciqing Palace!"

"Yes." Luo Yangxing exhaled coldly. "Maybe it was ordered by the higher-ups."

Luo Sigong quickly waved his hand to stop Luo Yangxing. "This is a 100% sure-kill assignment. Get involved and you're dead! We can't investigate any further! Have the East Office find some scapegoats to close the case!"

"Yes."

"Hoo, go ahead." Luo Sigong subconsciously touched his forehead and felt a dampness. "Write the document beautifully." Luo Sigong folded the confession and took out a beautiful wooden box carved with flying fish. This wooden box was specially used when reporting to the emperor, but he hadn't used it in many years. "I will go to the palace now and tell the emperor this good news."

------

The snow began to fall while Lu Wenzhao was having breakfast. By the time Luo Sigong left the yamen, carrying the wooden box containing the confession, the snow had already fallen heavily.

It's said that auspicious snow indicates a good harvest, but if it continues until the beginning of next spring, there will be unrest north of the Great Wall. Forbidden City, Palace of Heavenly Purity, South Study.

"The head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Sigong, requests an audience!" the eunuch who called out the name said loudly.

"Announce." The heavenly voice came from afar, making Luo Sigong, who was kneeling in the snow, feel even colder.

Luo Sigong stood up and walked up the stone steps step by step. When he arrived in front of the hall, the door was just opened.

"Your servant Luo Sigong pays homage to the emperor, wishing him long live! Long live! Long, long live!" He placed the box beside him, and then performed the ritual of five bows and three kowtows between the emperor and his subjects in a proper manner.

"Stand up and talk." Zhu Changluo placed the brush in his hand on the inkstone.

Luo Sigong was stunned for a moment, then kowtowed again before standing up. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

This was the first time he was allowed to speak while standing by the new monarch.

"You came here, I guess the task assigned to you has been taken care of?" Zhu Changluo's voice showed no emotion.

"I have fulfilled my mission!" Luo Sigong knelt again and raised the wooden box above his head. This was the standard posture for presenting items to the emperor.

"Wang An." Zhu Changluo waved at Wang An.

"Yes." Wang An had already prepared himself. When he heard the emperor calling him, he immediately went up to take the box and presented it to the imperial desk.

"Take it away." Zhu Changluo gave a false push and then looked at Luo Sigong. "I want to hear you speak. Stand up and speak."

"Yes." Luo Sigong didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse, he just felt like a thorn in his back.

"Lord Luo, why did you send Sun Ruyou to Hai Zhentao?" As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, Luo Sigong's legs immediately went weak.

"Master, this is because..." Wei Chao seemed to want to defend Luo Sigong, but was immediately interrupted.

"Shut up!" Zhu Changluo cast a rebuking look at Wei Chao. "I'm talking to Lord Luo."

Although the plot had been planned in advance, the lightning-like dragon eyes still frightened Wei Chao so much that he lost his mind and fell to his knees.

Zhu Changluo ignored Wei Chao and continued to put pressure on Luo Sigong. "What are you afraid of?"

"Your Majesty." Luo Sigong, who was strong and muscular and almost twice as old as Zhu Changluo, trembled like a frightened quail.

"If you don't want to talk, I'll do it for you." Zhu Changluo's words were filled with sarcasm. "You took my job, and then gave my hand-picked fat fish to your son."

"I was just doing this for my son's benefit. It's nothing, it's what I should have done. But Fang Congzhe came to you and said a few words, and you got scared. You're afraid of being caught and followed in the footsteps of the East Factory!"

"So you dumped the fish into the East Office's pond. That way, even if the water got muddy, it wouldn't be your business. Right?"

"I am guilty!" Luo Sigong could not stand it anymore.

"As the Prime Minister, Fang Congzhe was supposed to stabilize the government, and it's his job to persuade you. I don't blame him, I admire him. But you, Luo Sigong, are the head of the emperor's personal guard! You're so timid and cowardly, are you really that old?" Zhu Changluo's tone changed from sarcasm to sadness. "I remember you were on the battlefield."

"I am stupid and rebellious! I am stupid and rebellious!" Luo Sigong kowtowed repeatedly.

"Did you run away after handing over the assignment?" Zhu Changluo continued to pursue him. "Zou Yuanbiao died in the Northern Pacification Office's imperial prison, but the censors from the six departments and thirteen provinces blamed you as well!" Zhu Changluo said, throwing several memorials in front of Luo Sigong.

"Don't be afraid of making mistakes when you're doing something. No matter how much the censors say, it's useless." Zhu Changluo took the confession from Wang An, then walked over to Luo Sigong and placed it on top of the memorial impeaching the Jinyiwei. "I am the only one who can convict you!"

"I thank the emperor for his grace!" Luo Sigong understood the emperor's hint and burst into tears and sweat.

Zhu Changluo didn't care whether Luo Sigong was acting or not, it didn't matter.

He continued, "I disposed of the East Factory because it was rotten to the core. And I kept Cui Wensheng because he could still be saved. Luo Sigong, can I still use you?"

Putting these sentences together, it is not only asking whether Luo Sigong is still useful, but also implying: No, you are rotten to the core and must be dealt with.

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!" Luo Sigong immediately expressed his position and kowtowed frequently.

Zhu Changluo was silent for a while before he spoke: "Lian Po is old but still able to eat. People who have been to the battlefield should have such a heart. Wei Chao, stop kneeling and bring a stool to my Lian Po." After that, Zhu Changluo returned to his seat and sat down.

"Yes!" Wei Chao used his hands and feet, and soon brought over the stool that had been prepared long ago.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Luo Sigong's back was completely wet.

"Is Zhao Nanxing still in Beijing?" Zhu Changluo continued to ask after Luo Sigong sat down.

Hearing this, Luo Sigong suddenly remembered the old story of Ji Gang freezing Jie Jin to death, which had been passed down through the Jinyiwei system throughout the dynasties. At that time, Emperor Yongle had simply asked casually: "Is Jie Jin still alive?"
The sentence structure was similar, but with the addition of the word "Beijing," so Luo Sigong didn't know if the emperor was intentionally using this allusion to hint at him secretly disposing of Zhao Nanxing. He replied at length, "In reply to your majesty. Zhao Nanxing is a key target of surveillance. His every move is recorded in the impermanence book by the captains who track him, and reports are issued daily. The latest news shows that he has remained in his residence and has not left Beijing."

"Could he commit suicide again?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"Every night, the captain in charge of surveillance would sneak into Zhao Nanxing's house to confirm whether he was dead or alive. At least until last night, Zhao Nanxing was still alive." Luo Sigong was sure that the emperor was not hinting at anything, but was just asking a simple question.

"Okay." Zhu Changluo nodded with satisfaction. "Take the confession. When you return, write a memorial requesting the arrest of the principal offender, Zhao Nanxing."

"I obey your order." Luo Sigong picked up the confession and saw the impeachment letters about him and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

What made Luo Sigong even more terrified was that the emperor did not ask a single question about the content of the confession.

(End of this chapter)