Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 169 The Eunuch's Murderous Intention

Cao Huachun didn't look at the calculation process; that wasn't his job. "Four hundred and forty-three thousand four hundred and sixty-five taels. Almost four hundred and fifty thousand taels?" Cao Huachun's brow furrowed as soon as he saw the total budget.

Wang Tiquan jumped up from his chair, which was far from warm, and quickly returned to Cao Huachun's desk, explaining: "Little ancestor, the emperor has just ascended the throne, and the reign will be changed next year. The banquets and sacrifices will be more than usual, so we have to climb another step up." Logically speaking, Cao Huachun was not the emperor's close eunuch and could not be called "ancestor", but because he was Wang An's eldest son, people outside the Imperial Household Department also called him that.

"Someone come here." Cao Huachun did not respond.

"Admiral." An eunuch came trotting over.

"Go to the Imperial Archives and get the budget records for the sixth year of the Longqing reign." He wasn't sure if these old documents would be recorded separately, so he added, "and the budget records submitted for approval in the years before and after. I want to see if I can raise it by 40,000 taels in one go." Cao Huachun received the order to keep everything as it was before the purge. However, keeping things as they were didn't mean letting things slide; everything that needed to be investigated still had to be investigated.

"Yes." The eunuch agreed and left.

The Imperial Archives were located in the southeast corner of the Imperial City, about five miles away from the Imperial Household Department, located northeast of the city. The trip took quite a while. Cao Huachun wasn't idle either, and he began attending to other matters at hand. Wang Tiqian stood before Cao Huachun, but Cao Huachun didn't let him sit, so he could only maintain a respectful smile and continued to stand.

Suddenly, Cao Huachun remembered something. He looked up at Wang Tiqian and asked, "How's the ice storage going?"

Ice was prepared in winter and used in summer. Generally speaking, the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor made and used ice, the inner ice cellar stored ice, and the Internal Affairs Supervisor released ice according to ice tickets. Of course, the Imperial Household Supervisor was still in charge of all this.

In previous years, ice was made by drawing water directly from the well and pouring it into a pre-dug pool. After it solidified, it was chiseled out and broken into cubes. The square ice blocks were then pulled over the Taiye Lake and slid to be transported to the inner ice cellar.

Such a minor matter wouldn't have required the personal involvement of the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department. However, not long ago, the emperor issued a special decree, requiring that stored ice be separated into edible and non-edible types, stored in separate cellars and not mixed. Furthermore, the decree specifically stipulated the method for making ice, requiring water to be boiled first, then poured into steam-fumigated wooden molds and left to condense.

This suddenly increased the workload of four departments, namely the Shangshenjian, Neiguanjian, Xixinsi and even Silijian. Fortunately, there were many people in the palace, and some redundant staff were cut and transferred from various government offices to meet the basic labor demand. In a short period of time, even the expenditure of money did not increase.

"In reply to the young ancestor," Wang Tiquan replied, "After receiving the order, this office immediately requested 200,000 jin of red charcoal from the Firewood Preservation Department to boil water and make ice. So far, 1,213 blocks of edible ice have been made. All have been stored in the 'Ji'-shaped cellar." The cellar ice is counted by blocks because its specifications are fixed. All cellar ice is a cube of one and a half feet square. Years of practical experience have confirmed that ice blocks of this size are the least likely to melt.

"Are the molds provided by the Imperial Household Department sufficient?" Cao Huachun asked.

"Two hundred molds. Two batches a day, that should be enough." Wang Tiquan nodded.

Until the emperor issued the decree, there were five ice cellars within the imperial city: "A, B, C, D, and E," each with a nominal capacity of 5,000 blocks of ice. However, generally speaking, at least 16,000 of these 25,000 blocks would melt during storage, leaving only a little over one-third actually in use.

"If there is not enough charcoal, just make a note. Order as many batches as you need. It must be stored in at least two cellars before the temperature rises." In order to strictly implement the order of "special cellars for special storage", the Silijian ordered the Neiguanjian to dig two new ice cellars behind the Shangshenwaijian, near the Taiye Lake.

"As ordered."

"Sit and wait." After saying that, Cao Huachun lowered his head and went back to his own business.

More than half an hour later, the eunuch returned with the records. "Admiral, I've brought what you requested." The eunuch placed a yellowed booklet in front of Cao Huachun. Even though the eunuch had dusted it off beforehand, a lot of dust still rose.

"Is there only this one?" Cao Huachun was born in the 17th year of the Wanli reign. When he was born, this book had been lying in the Imperial Archives for more than ten years.

"The records for several consecutive years are all in this booklet. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come back so soon." The eunuch was a little breathless.

"Okay. Go down and have some tea first. Come back when you're comfortable." Cao Huachun nodded in satisfaction. Then he carefully opened the booklet.

The paper was rotten and the rope was decaying, but fortunately it was not eaten by insects. Cao Huachun quickly found the records of the fifth year of Longqing.

"The report for the fifth year of the Longqing reign was 319,000, the sixth year of the Longqing reign was 336,000, and the first year of the Wanli reign was 321,000. The report for the sixth year of the Longqing reign was only 17,000 more than the fifth year." As soon as Cao Huachun raised his voice, Wang Tiqian strode over and knelt at the desk. "Explain why the price has to go up by 40,000 for you?"

"Silver. Silver is not as valuable as it used to be." Although the term "inflation" had not yet been invented, people could still observe the fact that "everything is becoming more expensive."

"Bullshit! From the fifth year of the Longqing reign to last year, the total budget went from 319,000 to 399,000, an increase of 80,000, less than 30%. And the overstated amount you've reported has gone from 17,000 to 40,000. It's doubled. How did that happen?" Cao Huachun then pulled out the twenty 1,000-tael silver notes and slammed them on the table. "Last year, there were 25, and this year's even less. What are you trying to do? Are you bullying me, a newcomer?"

"You..." Wang Tiqian wondered why Cao Huachun knew the figures for last year's "tribute." Even if these gray incomes, such as tributes and regular payments, were recorded, they were still kept in the dark. Logically, after the reshuffle of the Imperial Household Department, the dark accounts should have been taken away by the old eunuchs.

Unbeknownst to Wang Tiqian, Zou Yi, the previous eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the governor of the Eastern Depot, was Wang An's senior fellow student in the Inner Academy. They had both once been under the patronage of the powerful "Great Companion" Feng Bao, but Zhang Juzheng died before they could both become godfathers. Later, Wang An became a godfather to Chen Ju, while Zou Yi became a godfather to Du Mao. Thus, the two embarked on distinct yet ultimately similar paths.

Chen Ju was one of the few eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty who died peacefully while serving as the governor of the Eastern Depot, earning a widespread reputation for integrity. When he passed away in the 35th year of the Wanli reign, cabinet ministers Zhu Geng, Li Tingji, and Ye Xianggao all paid their respects in person. The funeral procession, both commoners and gentry, filled the streets. In the 22nd year of the Wanli reign, Wang An, recommended by Chen Ju, became a tutor to the twelve-year-old eldest son of the emperor, thus completely leaving the Silijian system.

Meanwhile, Zou Yi worked steadily within the Imperial Household Department under Du Mao, steadily rising through the ranks until he reached the prestigious position of Chief Eunuch and Superintendent of the Eastern Depot. At noon on October 18, the 48th year of the Wanli reign, Du Mao passed away at home at the age of 81. That same day, Wang An, who had already effectively assumed the power of the Minister of Internal Affairs, officially assumed the title of Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department.

In other words, after Taichang ascended the throne, Wang An was promoted only to First Secretary of the Imperial Household Department, rather than immediately becoming the Seal Eunuch, in order to ensure that the elderly Du Mao would die in office, like his senior brother Chen Ju. A new emperor appoints new ministers, a tradition that is never cold and indifferent.

If we trace back further, we find that both Chen Ju and Du Mao were disciples of the same person. That person was Huang Jin, a study partner of Prince Xing Zhu Houcong. On December 14, the 45th year of the Jiajing reign, Zhu Houcong passed away, and Huang Jin welcomed Prince Yu Zhu Zaihou to the throne. In the spring of the first year of the Longqing reign, Huang Jin also passed away.

"I'll give you a chance. Take these things back and check them again, and bring them back tomorrow. If I can't figure it out, you can go to the Western Factory Internal Audit Office and find Wang Chengen to get a beating." Cao Huachun stuffed 20,000 taels of silver notes into the scroll.

Unlike the outer court, killing people in the inner court was easy. At this point, Cao Huachun, the head of the Silijian general affairs department, could have ordered Wang Tiqian to be beaten to death.

"Okay! I will verify it thoroughly and make sure it's true!" Wang Tiqian trembled and kowtowed repeatedly. "Get out."

------

Wang Tiquan crawled out of the lobby of the Imperial Household Department and rushed towards the yamen gate, but before he could stand up straight, he ran into Wang An who was coming towards the yamen.

"Your servant pays homage to the ancestor!" Wang Tiquan knelt down again, but Wang An didn't even look at him.

As soon as Wang An entered the main hall, Cao Huachun came forward and kowtowed. "Godfather!"

"Follow me." Wang An's face was as gloomy as water.

"Yes." Cao Huachun hurriedly stood up and chased after him. He knew that his godfather had important secret instructions.

Wang An took Cao Huachun around in circles and finally came to the small hut where Cui Wensheng was previously imprisoned. After dismissing all the eunuchs nearby, he began to speak: "Have you received Mi Chengpei's letter?" Mi Chengpei was Mi Mengshang's brother.

The next thing Wang An did after discovering the death report in the Western Depot was to go to the Imperial Household Department to inquire about any recent letters from Mi Yanpei. It was impossible for a son not to tell his sister about his father's death. Fortunately, the Western Depot's express delivery was much faster than ordinary couriers.

"Not yet." Cao Huachun shook his head. To prevent external relatives from interfering in government affairs, the imperial concubines had no privacy. Every letter they sent or received had to be inspected by the Imperial Household Department and opened.

"After receiving it, only you can read it. No one else is allowed to handle it." Wang An said seriously. "If it mentions Mi Jingwen's death, burn it and forget about it."

"Son, I understand." Cao Huachun shuddered. In the Imperial Household Department, the word "not allowed" not only meant "not allowed," but also had another, more cruel connotation.

"Do you want to write a reply to Mi Yanpei?" Cao Huachun not only had good handwriting, but was also very good at imitating other people's handwriting.

"Have you ever written a letter like this?" Wang An asked.

"I haven't written one, but my son has handled other reply letters announcing deaths, so you can copy them," said Cao Huachun.

"That's fine." Wang An thought for a moment and nodded. He then asked, "Can Mi Yanpei's handwriting be imitated?"

"Yes. His Taige style has some personal angles, but it is not difficult to imitate," Cao Huachun replied.

The Taige style, based on the regular script of calligrapher Shen Du, emerged in the early Ming Dynasty. Shen Du's elegant and graceful regular script deeply impressed Emperor Chengzu, who praised him as "the Wang Xizhi of our dynasty." Consequently, during the Yongle reign, important classics were commissioned to be written by Shen Du. As the emperor's preferences drew emulation, his subjects were bound to follow. Scholars of the time emulated this style to appease the emperor's tastes.

Even the Three Yangs, important ministers of the imperial court, used this style of calligraphy when drafting proclamations for the emperor, which was known as the "Boda Changming style." Because they held high positions in the imperial court, this style of calligraphy was also called the "Taige style."

"Okay. After he's canonized as a concubine next year, write a letter announcing Mi Yanpei's death. The general content should be based on his own letter announcing his death, but the date of death must be next year, not this year." Wang An thought for a moment. "Also, mention in the letter his appointment as a thousand-householder. Focus on describing his awakening after receiving the title and his gratitude for the grace of heaven."

"My son thinks it would be better to write two letters," Cao Huachun suggested. "Besides, it might be safer to announce the good news first and the bad news later."

"That makes sense. Let's do this. Announce the good news first and then the bad news." Wang An nodded after thinking for a while.

"In fact, I can suggest that the master replace Admiral Cui. It would also be an explanation to the talented man." Cao Huachun added: "He kills people everywhere like a madman. It always makes my son a little worried."

"Let him kill him. He's from Prince Fu's lineage, after all. If he can kill Prince Fu, I'll be thanking him." Wang An's eyes flashed with rare ruthlessness and viciousness. "But Cui Wensheng could kill anyone, not Mi Jingwen. Now that Mi Jingwen is dead, he can't be implicated in the palace, not at all. Punishing Cui Wensheng and giving Mi Mengshang the so-called 'explanation' will only harm her."

"Why?" Cao Huachun was puzzled.

"Where do you think she came from?" Wang An asked back.

"Sent by Zheng Gong," Cao Huachun mused. "The daughter of the remnants of Prince Fu's faction."

"Mi Mengshang is a good child, but there's no guarantee she won't turn bad. The investigation is clear: these children sent to the palace by Zheng likely don't know the real reason their fathers and brothers were convicted and dismissed. Zheng was just laying the groundwork!" Wang An's eyes blazed with hatred. "If Mi Mengshang knew her father was murdered by a palace eunuch, and then heard she was the daughter of Prince Fu's party, what would she think?"

Wang An didn't wait for Cao Huachun to answer. "Even if she doesn't hate him, she's afraid. She'll wonder if the master will take action against her. If she's just worried, that's fine, but if she develops a 'Wang Ning mentality,' that's a serious problem. The master won't ask you or me to sleep with him. The only solution is to keep her safe."

The so-called "Wang Ning" refers to Concubine Wang Ning, the mastermind behind the "Renyin Palace Change" in the 21st year of Jiajing.

"Asshole!" Wang An lost his composure, a rare occurrence. "This woman is still as disgusting as ever."

"Or find a way to give her to me." Cao Huachun made a killing gesture.

"We can't touch Zheng yet. Prince Fu will rebel. Money is still flowing freely in the north," Wang An denied. "And the most important thing is not to bring bad reputation upon our master. After all, Zheng was the late emperor's concubine and our master's elder. If our master wants to expel her from the Qianqing Palace, won't he have to go through a lot of trouble and make her submit a petition herself?"

"Son, you're not talking about Zheng Gong. You're talking about a talented person."

(End of this chapter)