Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 390 Cutting Flesh to Heal the Wound
As soon as Sun Chengzong opened his mouth, there was no other voice in the hall.

Jin Zhong collected his thoughts and stopped laughing, but a playful smile still hung on his face. Lu Shanji glanced at Sun Chengzong, frowned, and turned his face away. His gaze shifted to Mi Wanzhong, who was sitting across from him. Seeing that Mi Wanzhong still looked calm and composed, he couldn't help but feel a little angry.

Beside him, the glow of excitement on Shen Zhengping's face had faded, replaced by a complex expression of seven parts doubt and three parts enlightenment. The four military officers of the left and right guards looked expectantly at Sun Chengzong on the throne. As for the eunuchs' clearly insulting sneers, they paid no mind. As long as they could erect the memorial archway that would save their lives, even if someone pointed at them and poked them in the back, that was fine.

"I'll make it clear," Sun Chengzong's gaze roamed over the expressions of the four guardsmen, finally stopping in front of them, not looking at any of them. "Lack of silver and grain, encroachment on military farms, false reporting of personnel, poorly maintained weapons, untidy troops, and lax discipline—these are the problems common to the Tianjin Central Guards, and they're certainly present in your two guards as well. I don't even need to investigate to know."

At this point, the four guards' faces changed. But the next moment, Sun Chengzong painted their faces red again.

"But as the Zuo Zhuan says, 'There is no greater virtue than to be able to correct one's mistakes.' Shen Zhenfu is a prime example." Sun Chengzong remained motionless, his head unturned, extending a finger and pointing at Shen Zhengping. "Since you all are so deeply righteous and hate evil, I am willing to believe you. While you made mistakes, they were unintentional, simply going along with the corrupt. Your intentions are understandable. Now that the muddy currents have cleared, there is no more filth left to mingle with. I hope you can put aside your past burdens, reflect on yourselves, and do things that benefit the country and its people, and live up to the emperor's grace. It can be considered a prodigal son returning home."

"Yes, yes," the four of them responded in unison, their voices filled with unconcealed excitement. Sun Chengzong's ability to define them as "going along with the corrupt" and then saying "the muddy stream has become clear" clearly indicated his willingness to use the two captured palm seals to shoulder the responsibility for the Left and Right Guards and then expel them.

Sun Chengzong raised his hand, and the four men immediately fell silent. "I hope you will examine the specific problems of the Left and Right Guards and swiftly correct them. If you find that the weapons are out of repair, have the artisans repair them properly and stop them working all day and night for others. If you find that the silver and grain are scarce and the guard treasury is empty, have those who should contribute silver and grain to replenish the treasury. If you find that the troops are understaffed and the military appearance is not in good order, then quickly clear the roster and fill the missing personnel. Then, train them properly so that they can at least behave like soldiers."

Of the three guards in Tianjin, the most lucrative has always been Zhongwei, the port city guarding the Grand Canal. Since the rise of the Liao Rebellion, Zhongwei's docks have become a hub for the transshipment of supplies to Liaodong. Compared to Zhongwei, with its constant flow of merchants and a population larger than the city walls, the Zuo and Zuo guards are more like ordinary administrative units operating under military control. In terms of both economic size and population, the Zuo and Zuo guards are far smaller than Zhongwei. Even if they were to engage in the same corruption schemes, the value of the cases would be modest.

Therefore, from the outset, Sun Chengzong had no intention of purging all the middle and high-ranking officials of the Left and Right Guards at once, as he had done with the Imperial Uniform Guard. A comprehensive purge in a short period of time would have resulted not in political clarity but in administrative collapse. For example, the Tianjin Central Guard, with its already-dead end, lacked a middle tier, so all the details of its affairs fell directly upon him, the governor.

If there was only the Central Guard, he might be able to maintain it, but if the administrative agencies of the Left and Right Guards were also abolished, and he was asked to shoulder the responsibilities of three guards alone, that would really be the end of the old man.

Sun Chengzong narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to look at Ma Yongan, who was closest to him. "Ma Tongzhi, did you hear that clearly?"

Ma Yongan was startled by Sun Chengzong's look and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes. I heard it clearly. I heard it very clearly."

"Zhang Tongzhi, did you hear clearly?" Sun Chengzong continued to call out the names.

"I heard it clearly too." Zhang Bojun also nodded in horror.

"Chenshi Zhu, Chenshi Wu, what about you?" Sun Chengzong pulled out the two Chenshis who were in charge of military training and asked.

"Yes! I heard it, and I heard it very clearly!" Zhu Daye responded immediately. Looking at his lively appearance, he almost jumped up from his chair and raised his hand.

"I will follow the orders of the Minister of Justice," Wu Shihuan said. Compared to Zhu Daye, he seemed much calmer. "I will immediately organize a team to recreate the list and submit it to the Governor's Office after I return."

Sun Chengzong glanced at Wu Shihuan for a moment longer. "Very good." Sun Chengzong retracted his gaze and asked slowly, "This governor just said, 'To correct one's mistakes is the greatest virtue.' Do you know who this allusion is?"

“.”No one answered.

While all these military officers took the military examination, the written requirements for the exam were limited to the "military classics" such as "The Art of War," "Wu Zi," "Six Secret Teachings," "Sima Fa," "Three Strategies," "Wei Liao Zi," and "Questions and Answers by Li Weigong." Because the exam didn't require this, military officers who had fully read "literary classics" such as "Book of Songs," "Book of History," "Book of Rites," "Book of Changes," and "Spring and Autumn Annals" were considered rare, let alone "Zuo Zhuan."

"This is the story of Duke Ling of Jin," Sun Chengzong sighed slightly and said slowly, "It tells the story of how Duke Ling of Jin said, 'I know my mistakes and will correct them,' but he didn't. As for his fate, I won't go into details. You can read it in the book yourself."

"Yes." The four military officers lowered their heads, not daring to meet Sun Chengzong's gaze. Although none of them had read Zuo Zhuan, they could tell from Sun Chengzong's sinister expression that Duke Ling of Jin would not have a good end. Governor Sun was threatening them.

"I will give you half a month. After half a month, I will bring people to take inventory and check the warehouse. By then, if the left and right guards still don't change their old habits and cause many problems, don't blame me for issuing the royal decree to suspend you from your posts." Sun Chengzong said.

"Yes." After this response, the only sounds left in the lobby were the sounds of rain and wind.

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In the afternoon, the rain stopped. Although the sky indicated that the spring rain had not yet completely ended, the four guards still hurriedly said goodbye to Sun Chengzong and left. Half a month was neither short nor long. What Sun Chengzong specifically asked them to do was, in essence, to cut flesh to heal a wound. However, cutting flesh to heal a wound is an art in itself. The wound is there, and whose flesh to cut out and how much flesh to cut out are the questions. Which people will be abandoned and how much each person should contribute requires careful consideration, thorough blending, and meticulous balance.

Shortly after leaving the yamen, Ma Bojun, the deputy governor, Wu Shihuan, the deputy governor, and a group of guards arrived on horseback at the dock. Youwei was located in the lower reaches of the Haihe River, roughly between Zhongwei, Tianjin, and the seaport. It could be reached quickly by horseback or boat along the river.

The appearance of Ma Bojun and Wu Shihuan, both wearing the crimson robes of third and fourth rank military officers, immediately caught the attention of the dockworkers. Not wanting to offend the officials and cause unnecessary embarrassment, the workers, without being asked, automatically made way for the group. The small commotion in the crowd caught Chen Weiye's attention. However, he couldn't focus on looking out at the situation because he and another worker were carefully carrying a heavy box down the gangway.

"Huh!" After putting down the box and taking a deep breath, Chen Weiye immediately stood on tiptoe and looked towards the place where the commotion was happening. He looked carefully and actually recognized the two people in crimson official robes.

During the Ming Dynasty, military garrisons were organized around households, creating a situation where "soldiers considered their garrisons their home, their parents and brothers, their prefectures and counties their hometowns, and their clan names their families." In other words, all officers and soldiers in the garrisons had children. The children of officers were called "sheren," while the children of soldiers were called "yuding," collectively known as "yushe." Normally, as long as a military household had soldiers in the garrison, the remaining men were exempt from military service and allowed to earn their own living. Only when the army was insufficient and the court needed troops would the remaining men be conscripted through lottery, loan, or recruitment.

Before signing up for the army, Chen Weiye was a landless and unemployed soldier in Youwei, Tianjin, who made a living by doing odd jobs everywhere.

He had no connection with officials like Ma Bojun and Wu Shihuan. Before this mission, Chen Weiye didn't even know the names of the officials in Youwei. However, Chen Weiye had a good memory and remembered that he had seen these two faces in Youwei's territory.

Just as Chen Weiye was about to take a closer look at the patches on the two officials' clothes to determine their ranks and perhaps even infer their identities, his employer's attendant suddenly spoke up and yelled at Chen Weiye, "Did you rest enough, you bastard? What are you looking at?"

Chen Weiye was watching intently when he was startled by the sudden roar that came without any warning.

Chen Weiye was originally a timid and patient person. Even if he was angry, he would suppress it. But after joining the East Factory, he participated in two operations that reshaped his worldview.

The first time was when he followed Factory Supervisor Cui Wensheng into the Forbidden City and persuaded the officials to leave outside the Qianqing Gate. That action ultimately escalated into a violent expulsion of the officials. Although Chen Weiye wasn't the first to resort to violence, he did hit those officials. To this day, he still dreams of the Forbidden City's magnificent halls, which seemed to exert physical pressure, and the scene of the beating of the officials.

The second time was when the Dongchang confiscated the property and liquidated the eunuchs. During that operation, he participated in, a family member of a convicted official tried to escape. The leading military officer, without a word, directly invoked his authority to "kill without mercy." He rushed forward and struck the man with a knife, severing the man's forearm.

Afterwards, the military officer who chopped people was investigated by the Western Factory. The entire team, including Chen Weiye, was called in for questioning. However, because the escape did occur, the military officer who led the team only stayed in the Western Factory prison for a few days. After he came out, he continued to serve. It can be said that nothing happened.

Chen Weiye instinctively felt a surge of rage, and deep down, he didn't feel the need to suppress it. "What the hell are you yelling at me for?! Have you had enough?" Chen Weiye roared back, his eyes gleaming with terrifying murderous intent. It was as if he was about to draw his knife and strike someone.

"You," these lackeys, were all timid creatures, and when Chen Weiye stared at them, they immediately softened. However, the servant, believing he was in the right, continued to grumble, "When you've rested enough, get back to work. Don't look around. We didn't hire you to sit here and stare blankly." As he spoke, he leaned over and pointed to the other gangway at the stern.

The attendant's mumbling made Chen Weiye realize that his job was still to be a secret agent, so he suppressed his anger and said, "I was just taking a breather. How long have I been resting? Can't you just say hello and talk to me properly?"

Seeing Chen Weiye's attitude soften slightly, the attendant immediately hardened up. He rolled his eyes, shook his back, straightened his chest, and said sarcastically: "Talk nicely? There's no way to talk nicely to a lazy guy like you. If you want to stare blankly, then don't do it. If you have the guts, come closer and take a look. See if the master will whip you and send you packing."

Chen Weiye really wanted to quit and get a closer look, but after a few words of confrontation, Ma Bojun and Wu Shihuan had already disappeared from sight. "Hmph!" Chen Weiye snorted coldly, gave the attendant a deep look, and turned to the gangplank used to board people.

The long-servant thought he had Chen Weiye under control. He raised his head high, his face full of pride.

When it's time to close the gate, the employer should pay the daily salary.

Daily work is usually done at one company today and at another company tomorrow. But no matter which company the employer is, they are all very cunning and basically pay people by the time they work, only paying for one hour of work and not a penny more.

The wages were soon paid to Chen Weiye. After shouting "Chen Erdanzi", Chen Weiye walked to the wooden table where the cash box was placed.

"Chen Erdanzi. Thirteen coins." A small string of copper coins fell on the table.

"How come two coins are missing?" Chen Weiye did not reach out to take the copper coins on the table immediately.

"You're being lazy." The employer with a face full of flesh said lightly, then waved his hand to let Chen Weiye leave.

"When have I been lazy?" Chen Weiye slowly turned his head and looked at the attendant who had embarrassed him before.

"You know in your heart when you are lazy." The employer impatiently slapped the copper coins away with the back of his hand, while the attendant raised his mouth with a smug look on his face.

"Hey! Why are you like this?" An inexplicable anger suddenly jumped from the tip of Chen Weiye's heart to his forehead.

(End of this chapter)