Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 26 Certificate of Surrender

The Silijian, the chief of the twenty-four yamen of the Imperial Household, was located southeast of Bei'anmen and northeast of Wansui Mountain. It was surrounded by the Sishejian, Shangyijian, the Sewing Bureau, the Liquor, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau, and the Imperial Household Supply Storehouse.

Its area was not large, less than half that of the Imperial Household Department. However, because the Imperial Household Department's duty was to assist the emperor in reviewing official documents, it was closest to the emperor and the highest decision-making power in the empire. Therefore, its power was immense, far beyond the reach of other Imperial Household Departments.

When reviewing the troops at Xi'an Gate, Zhu Changluo originally wanted to bring Wei Zhongxian with him. After all, when the time came, Wei Zhongxian would be their supreme leader. However, Wang An tactfully informed Zhu Changluo that the newly appointed eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household had undergone a minor surgery to remove something that should not have existed, and needed to rest and recuperate, so Zhu Changluo had no choice but to give up.

It must be said that the palace's skills were far superior to Wei Zhongxian's own. There was no heavy bleeding, no infection, and no significant impact on normal urinary function. However, it was understandable that Eunuch Wei, who came from a poor background, could not possibly compare to an experienced and skilled doctor.

After a period of recuperation, Wei Zhongxian's illness was almost cured. The first thing he did after he came out of bed was to pay a visit to his immediate superior, the eunuch Wang An.

"Oh! Isn't this Wei Gugao? He's kneeling on the ground instead of lying on the bed?" Cui Wensheng, the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot and the commander of the Imperial Household Department, followed Wang An into the main hall of the Imperial Household Department. The first thing he saw when he entered was Wei Zhongxian kneeling on the ground, his head facing the main seat.

"Your servant greets the ancestor, Admiral Cui." Wei Zhongxian was very humble and didn't seem to care about Cui Wensheng's ridicule which was obviously insulting.

However, Cui Wensheng was extremely displeased with this new colleague, who appeared rather honest and even dull. "You're such a fool! I wonder what the Emperor sees in you?" he said, looking at Wei Zhongxian's lower body with unabashed disdain.

Wei Zhongxian didn't take it seriously, instead becoming even more respectful: "Commander Cui, I am a humble servant, and I am truly humbled to receive the Emperor's favor. If there is anything I haven't done well, please feel free to point it out."

Cui Wensheng wanted to say something, but Wang An spoke first and asked, "How long have you been kneeling?"

"Your Highness, I have only been kneeling here for a short while." Wei Zhongxian did not need to say too much. Wang An would know through other channels that he had been kneeling here for the entire afternoon.

"Well, get up." Wang An didn't say anything special.

"Don't do these empty things. Do your job well and do your best to share the emperor's worries. That's better than anything else." Cui Wensheng glanced at Wei Zhongxian. These were all leftovers from manly things.

"Admiral Cui is right." Wei Zhongxian stood up and bowed.

Wang An walked to the main seat and sat down. He still had some departmental affairs to deal with.

The Imperial Household Department comprised the Wenshufang (Wenshufang, which received and dispatched memorials and imperial edicts), the Zhongshufang (which oversaw the writing of books and couplets for the Wenhua Hall), the Yuqianzuo (which manufactured imperial furniture), the Neishutang (which taught eunuchs how to read), and the Jingchang (which published books). The department had a lot to do every day. While the eunuchs in charge of most tasks didn't have to personally handle them, they were still required to sit in and listen to reports.

Therefore, Wang An was often busier than Zhu Changluo. Not only did he have to prepare everything before Zhu Changluo got up and wait at the door of the bedroom, but once Zhu Changluo was gone and no longer needed him, he also had to return to the Silijian headquarters to listen to reports from the heads of the various departments.
When everything was settled, Wang An dismissed all the eunuchs, leaving only Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian stood with his hands hanging down and his head drooping, quietly waiting for Wang An's instructions. This was the experience he had summed up from his many years as a eunuch.

The best flattery is the kind that comes naturally, silently and subtly. When a leader achieves something or receives praise from a senior leader, gently and honestly praise them. The key is, if others aren't aware of these achievements, then simply "unintentionally" mention them in front of them. Don't overdo it, because the leader will eventually know you've praised them in front of others.

The second is silent flattery. The so-called silent flattery means lifting clothes and kowtowing, not responding unless called, not answering unless asked, and if the leader does not speak, just shut your mouth.

The worst thing about being constantly talking is that you're always wrong. You might say something that doesn't flatter your superior, but instead flatters him. Eunuchs often serve those with the power of life and death, so caution is paramount. Forget the emperor; even if it was an unfavored concubine, beating a small eunuch to death wouldn't be a big deal. They're beating you to death not because the caning is too severe, but because you're too weak.

"Wei Xichang." Since there was no one around, Wang An no longer hesitated to hide the truth and directly called Wei Zhongxian by his most important position.

"I will listen carefully to the instructions of our ancestor." Wei Zhongxian knelt down and kowtowed, resting his forehead on the floor.

"The emperor ordered me to dismiss Ke Yinyue, but I haven't done it yet. Do you know why?" Wang An imitated Zhu Changluo and tapped the table rhythmically with his knuckles.

Zhu Changluo had specifically told him that this approach could put additional psychological pressure on others. The effect would be even greater if the other person's status was much higher than theirs, or if they had done something shameful.

Wei Zhongxian thought for a moment. He couldn't continue to wear the mask of an honest man in front of the emperor and Wang An. They knew the real ugly face beneath the mask, and pretending would only arouse vigilance and even disgust. So he answered honestly:

"The ancestor wanted this servant to do this."

"I'm beginning to understand why the emperor favors you. You really deserve the term 'smooth and versatile.'" Wang An's awe of Zhu Changluo increased even more.

The Emperor was indeed hiding his abilities when he was in hiding in the Eastern Palace, Wang An thought.

"It is my duty to share the worries of the emperor and the ancestors." Wei Zhongxian neither denied nor confirmed Wang An's "praise".

"Okay, do a good job." Wang An gave Wei Zhongxian an encouraging smile, but Wei Zhongxian's face was pressed to the ground, so he didn't see it.

"I understand." Wei Zhongxian knelt and kowtowed again. He knew that the time had come to pledge his loyalty.

"Go out, and don't forget to learn to read. The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department is illiterate. If you tell others about this, it will not only embarrass me, but also the emperor." Wang An reminded.

"Yes. I will never forget the teachings of our ancestors." Wei Zhongxian was delighted. Wang An began to accept him.

Wang An actually did not want to accept Wei Zhongxian. If the emperor did not use Wei Zhongxian, he would definitely find a way to kill him. For the official in charge of the Imperial Household Department, this was not difficult at all.

Wei Zhongxian, a man who had no regard for virtue and would do anything to achieve his goals, could not possibly be described as virtuous. As for loyalty, he was likely unworthy of the title either. Wei Zhongxian's unhesitating decision to join the ranks of Li Xianshi after Consort Wang's death is a prime example. He was a man of opportunistic behavior, driven by profit and seeking favors. He was a despicable person.

"But since the emperor wants to use it, it must be useful. In order to prevent you from being indecisive, I will help the emperor put a dog leash on you." Looking at Wei Zhongxian's receding back, Wang An sneered.

　See you tomorrow, dear readers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)