Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 41 Xu Chen Zhu Yi
While the First Execution Brigade of the West Factory Execution Bureau was searching for the emperor's post with the imperial edict, an enlarged cabinet meeting was being held in the cabinet duty room near Huiji Gate.

Because of the emperor's arrival, Fang Congzhe had consciously given up the main seat in the duty room. However, Zhu Changluo, accustomed to the wooden ergonomic chair handcrafted by Zhu Youxiao, disliked the Prime Minister's chair. Even though Wang An found him two cushions, he still felt uncomfortable.

"I really don't know how you managed to survive." Zhu Changluo patted the armrest of the chair and looked at the cabinet prime minister who was almost 70 years old.

"Your Majesty~~~" Fang Congzhe was moved. He thought Zhu Changluo was sympathizing with his hard work in supporting the cabinet for many years.

You know, the position of chief minister of the cabinet in the late Wanli period is not something that ordinary people can do.

Aside from some minor flaws in the wars concerning the throne, the Wanli Emperor could be said to have perfectly implemented the "Three No's Policy." Starting from almost the 15th year of the Wanli reign, Zhu Yijun consistently maintained a policy of "not taking care of matters," "not filling vacancies," and "not responding to petitions submitted to the emperor."

Fang Congzhe wanted to quit, so Zhu Yijun added a fourth rule to the "three no's policy": "no resignation." It was like he was addicted to waiting for the old man to die. But the result was quite O. Henry-esque. The old man didn't die, but the emperor himself died first.

Zhu Changluo was startled by Fang Congzhe: "Hiss! Is there any need to get so excited about a chair? He's almost 70, why is he suddenly crying? I'm getting goosebumps." Why not ask Zhu Youxiao to make him a chair too? Forget it, he'll probably just give it up as a gift after he gets it.

Although Han Yu was a member of the Donglin Party, he did not forget the traditional virtues of respecting the elderly and cherishing the young just because Fang Congzhe was the leader of the Zhejiang Party. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and prepared to offer it to Fang to wipe his eyes. But as soon as he offered the handkerchief, Han Yu's hand withdrew as if it had been electrocuted.

Ye Xianggao was sharp-eyed and could tell at a glance that this was from Zui Xiang Lou, a place under the Ministry of Music. He had a playful look in his eyes and a slight smile on his lips, which he held very tightly.

Liu Yirong frowned at this scene. He enjoyed reading in his free time, and his visits to prostitutes and music were mostly social occasions. But coincidentally, or perhaps unfortunate, he had also attended the banquet where Han Yu collected Fang Jin, the dancer from Zuixianglou. Furthermore, Liu Yirong had even improvised a poem, sarcastically mocking Fang Congzhe. He said that Prime Minister Fang was old and insane, and that it would be best for him to abdicate as soon as possible.

Huang Kezun, the Minister of Justice, who was sitting farther away, twitched his eyes. He didn't quite understand what these Grand Secretaries were doing. Each one had a richer expression than the other.

Zhu Changluo and Han Yu were sitting almost opposite each other, so he also saw the handkerchief. He didn't think anything was wrong at first, but Han Yu's extremely unusual behavior made him suspicious.

Didn't you see Uncle Fang reaching out to take it? He was just teasing him, Zhu Changluo thought.

Never mind, I'll just pretend I didn't see it. "Fang Qing, host"

Zhu Changluo's voice was soft, making the pronunciation of the word "Fang Qing" a little unclear, sounding like "Fang Jin". This made Han Yu, who was already feeling guilty, think that the emperor was calling him. "I am guilty!"

"Ah?" Zhu Changluo and the others who didn't notice this side were stunned.

However, his thoughts worked very quickly, and he understood what was going on in just a few breaths.

"Seeing that Lord Fang is so emotional and yet he still doesn't take the initiative to come out and preside over the meeting, you are certainly guilty!" Zhu Changluo emphasized the word "Lord".

In this era, visiting prostitutes was just a form of entertainment for scholars and literati to enrich their spare time, and it was not a big deal at all. But if you show it when the emperor is holding a cabinet meeting, you are wrong.

This matter could be serious or minor. If it were to be exposed, Han Yu could be implicated by the anti-Donglin Party censors and forced to resign. Han Yu was so astute that he could not fail to discern the hidden meaning. The emperor's gaze was indeed sharp, but he did not intend to pursue the matter. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, let out a sigh, and first knelt to bow to the emperor. Then he stood up, bowed to Fang Congzhe, and said, "I will preside over the meeting today." After that, he bowed to the deputy assistant Ye Xianggao.

Ye Xianggao cooperated by coughing twice, pointing to his throat, smiling and making a please gesture.

After receiving the tacit approval of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, Han Yu said straight to the point: "Today we will discuss the reopening of the Western Investigation Bureau."

"Let me say a few words first." Han Yu originally planned to let Xu Libu, who had shined at the morning court, speak first, but since the emperor had taken the initiative, Han Yu had no choice.

"There is no need to discuss whether the Western Investigation Factory should be opened or not. After the cabinet sent Fu Li to cause trouble for me, it actually suggested that I let the Imperial Household Department investigate the Eastern Factory. Isn't this a joke? The Imperial Household Department is a civil agency, how can it investigate? Do you want Wang An to arrest people?" Zhu Changluo shamelessly blamed the cabinet.

Fang Congzhe was originally filled with emotion, feeling a sense of friendship, a kind of encounter between an old friend and a wise ruler. But when he heard the emperor say this, his eyes widened: "Huh? No! Didn't you ask me to bring this up at court? If you think it's wrong, why didn't you say it when you met the emperor?"

However, Liu Yirong, the most cunning member of the cabinet, had grasped the situation. The emperor wanted to open the Western Factory while simultaneously making the cabinet take the blame. For some reason, Liu Yirong unexpectedly felt a touch of sympathy for Old Man Fang.

Prime Minister, you will have to shoulder the blame for this incident for everyone. Liu Yirong's sympathy came quickly and faded even faster.

Seeing no one objected, Zhu Changluo nodded and continued, "The Western Factory team has been established. No one has been transferred from the Imperial Guard; all the personnel are from the Imperial Horse Prison. Does the cabinet have any objections?"

What else could Fang Congzhe say? He could only sigh and reply, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Very good. Xu Guangqi, Xu Qing!" When Xu Guangqi's name was called, Zhu Changluo pretended to clench his fist and hit the table.

"I'm here!" Xu Guangqi cooperated very well and showed a look of panic.

"Since you said that the Western Factory is not engaged in patrols and arrests, nor in suppressing counter-revolutionaries and rebellions, but is only engaged in cracking down on corruption and investigating leaks. Then you can tell me and the adults present here, how should the word 'specialized' be written?" Zhu Changluo loosened his fist and turned his finger, making a not very polite gesture of request.

Everyone present was worried for Xu Guangqi when they heard the emperor's tone. If his suggestion was not appropriate, he could easily be accused of "trying to let the outer court interfere with the inner court."

"I dare to say so!" Xu Guangqi bowed and began to explain his thoughts: "I believe that the West Factory should focus on monitoring the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Speak more clearly."

"The Jinyiwei patrolled and arrested, and the Dongchang suppressed counter-revolutionaries and purged treason. The Ming Dynasty did not need a new agency to repeat the same work. However, in the process of patrolling, arresting, and suppressing counter-revolutionaries and purging treason, it was inevitable that there would be those who, under the guise of imperial authority, abused their power for personal gain. Such behavior would inevitably lead to the treasury falling into the hands of villains, and the emperor's virtue and reputation would suffer unjustified harm." After a brief explanation, Xu Guangqi gave an example:
"For example, the reason the East Depot was able to pull off such shocking cases of 'embezzlement and extortion' was because the inner court lacked a supervisory body. The outer court had the Censorate, but the inner court had nothing. Even if the dragon's eyes were as sharp as torches, piercing the darkness, they would not be as bright as the morning sun, which dispels the fog and reveals the flowers."

Xu Guangqi's message was clear: the Ming Dynasty already had the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot. Furthermore, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot were useful, without a shield, they could easily become overbearing and act with impunity. Such actions would not only damage the emperor's purse but also bring shame upon him. Therefore, it would be best to find something to shield them.

(End of this chapter)