Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 20 Reopening the West Factory?

Cui Wensheng had been feeling very good recently, feeling he had once again gained the emperor's favor. This assessment was based not only on Zhu Changluo's improved attitude towards him, but also on the increased number of responsibilities he had. After all, those who were valued were given important positions.

After the court session, he attended the joint trial of Zheng Yangxing by the three judicial officials. Although Zheng Yangxing cursed him fiercely in court and even confessed to the collusion between the two, the emperor seemed unconcerned and ordered him to preside over the confiscation of Zheng's property.

Logically, if the emperor assigned the task of confiscating property to the East Depot, the East Depot's commander should have been in charge. The emperor assigning someone else to oversee the confiscations meant either the commander had fallen out of favor or was about to be promoted. Had Wang An fallen out of favor? The answer was obvious.

The seal of the Imperial Household Department has no owner yet. If the emperor wants to appoint a eunuch to hold the seal, Wang An, who is the prince's tutor, will be the only candidate and he will have no competitors.

However, the eunuch holding the seal of the Imperial Household Department was the leader of all the eunuchs in the Forbidden City and held no other position. Just like the emperor didn't need to be the Minister of a certain department. Once Wang An was promoted, the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Investigation Bureau would become vacant. Cui Wensheng had put a lot of thought into this position.

Not only did he diligently demonstrate his loyalty to Zhu Changluo, he also went to great lengths to curry Wang An's favor. He fawned over Wang An daily, calling him "old ancestor" whenever they met, and even offered him bribes from his own savings. Cui Wensheng knew that if Wang An spoke ill of him in front of the emperor, he would lose his lucrative position as governor of the East Depot.

As for money, you can still make it. Zheng Yangxing's property has not been completely seized yet. If you do something, everything will come to you.

His plan was very effective. On the day when Wang An was promoted to the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, Cui Wensheng successfully became the "eunuch in charge of the Imperial Commissioner-General's Office in the Eastern Depot."

After becoming the governor of the East Depot, Cui Wensheng was incredibly elated. If it weren't for his limited education, he would have composed two poems. To win over the hearts and secure his position as governor quickly, he not only failed to curb corruption among the Thousand Households and Heads, but also used money from confiscated property to bribe his subordinates.

However, Cui Wensheng, whose highest actual job before was the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Pharmacy, overlooked one thing. The money obtained from the house searches was conventionally considered as the treasury money "presented" to the emperor by the guilty officials. Once discovered and investigated, the punishment would be dismissal at the very least and death by slicing at the worst.

"Your Majesty, the eldest prince made a chair for you, saying he wanted to give you a surprise." Wang An walked to Zhu Changluo, saluted, and reported.

Zhu Youxiao wanted to give his father a surprise, so he even contacted Wang An in advance, hoping that he could help him keep the gift a secret from his father, and ideally, move the chair to the southern study. Although he couldn't see it, just thinking of the expression of emotion and satisfaction on his father's face when he received the gift made Zhu Youxiao roll around on his bed in excitement.

Although Wang An readily agreed, he still chose to tell Zhu Changluo about the matter. This was not only good for Wang An himself, but also for the benefit of the eldest son. Since ancient times, few emperors would be happy to see their sons doing things behind their backs, even if it was a good thing. Moreover, Zhu Youxiao had contacted the emperor's trusted eunuchs.

Even if the emperor was happy at the time, he might not have thought too much afterwards: You can team up with the eunuch to give me a surprise today, will you give me a scare tomorrow?
"Wang An, you've done a great job." Zhu Changluo, who was still reviewing memorials, was stunned when he heard this. He actually disliked this suffocating palace atmosphere, but this was the survival strategy of senior eunuchs.

"Since my son wants to give me a surprise, I will give him a surprise. When the gift arrives, tell him that I am very happy, really very happy."

Seeing Zhu Changluo's satisfied smile, Wang An immediately reported another matter: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. Liu Yirong and Han Yu asked someone to pass a letter to me."

"The one who reported Cui Wensheng?" Zhu Changluo interrupted.

"Yes." Zhu Changluo's sharpness made Wang An's heart jump.

Zhu Changluo said without hesitation: "In your personal name, hint to the Donglin Party to wait patiently. Wait until the house search is over before writing the impeachment letter. It is best to write it in a beautiful way."

"Instead of reprimanding Cui Wensheng and getting him to behave himself, are you allowing the outsiders to attack the inner court? If this loophole is opened, the outsiders might become even more aggressive." Wang An was a little worried. "Whether they are insiders or outsiders, they are all my subjects! Some things are wrong, and they are wrong. I need to use their knives to open a hole in the palace. And then squeeze out the stinking pus and blood through this hole!" Zhu Changluo looked at Wang An. "You have been honest with me, and I am very satisfied. The money Cui Wensheng gave you does not need to be returned to the inner treasury. Before the palace system is reformed, you will still need to rely on rewards to secure your position as the head of the Imperial Household Department."

"I obey your command." Wang An did not bow to thank the emperor for his grace, because the money was not a reward, but more like activity funds. Wang An liked money, but he would only take what was due.

"By the way, where are the soldiers trained by Xu Guangqi?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"They have arrived in Beijing this morning and are stationed in the Beijing army's barracks," Wang An replied.

"Transfer them away! Don't let the old foxes of the Beijing Army contaminate them." After the Battle of Tumu, the Beijing Army almost became synonymous with waste.

"Where will you be transferred to?" Wang An asked.

"Xi'an Gate, near Taiye Lake. Let them stay there first, provide them with materials and let them do the repair work on the barracks themselves. Ask the Ministry of Works to transfer some officials to guide the construction." This is the most cost-effective way.

"Are you going to issue an imperial edict?" Wang An felt that he had heard of this garrison before, but he couldn't remember it for a while.

"Why would I need an imperial decree to transfer a few engineers? I don't intend to ask the Ministry of Revenue for money." Zhu Changluo shook his head and asked, "How many people are there in this group?"

"Less than a thousand. But they are all excellent talents selected according to the Qi family's military training method." Wang An replied.

"Very good, that's almost enough. In my name, each of you will be rewarded ten taels of silver." Zhu Changluo ordered.

"My lord, this is half a year's salary. Aren't you going to put it through the Ministry of War?" The inner treasury doesn't lack this ten thousand taels of silver, but it would be nice if the emperor could save some.

"Who told you that these soldiers will be transferred to the Ministry of War?" Zhu Changluo asked back.

Wang An was puzzled: "Shouldn't they be transferred to Liaodong for General Xiong's use?"

"Wang An, are you really confused but pretending to be confused?" Zhu Changluo asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my stupidity." Wang An did feel that something was wrong, but his mind was stuck there and couldn't think straight.

"Think carefully, which government office is headquartered at Xi'an Gate and Taiye Lake?" Zhu Changluo continued to keep the secret.

"Xi'an Gate? Xi'an Gate of Taiye Lake! You want to reopen the West Factory!?" Wang An was shocked.

(End of this chapter)