Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 422: Suspecting the King's Improperness
Pythons, flying fish, fighting bulls, and unicorns have all symbolized auspiciousness and good omens since ancient times. The Ming Dynasty made comprehensive use of their auspicious characteristics and creatively linked them with the shape of a dragon, turning them into a kind of gifted clothing when applied to clothing.

The dragon has five claws, and the python robe is a garment that looks like a dragon, similar to the robe worn by the Supreme Being, but with one claw missing.

The flying fish is a python-like creature with fins and a tail, and also has two shorter horns. In other words, the flying fish is similar to the python, with only four claws, but compared to the python, the flying fish has wings and a tail.

The fighting bull is like a dragon with horns. Specifically, the fighting bull is similar to a flying fish, with a dragon shape and a fish tail, but without the wings and with the addition of two downward-curving horns.

The Qilin is different from the python, the flying fish, and the fighting bull. Although the Qilin has a head like a dragon, it has the body of a deer and the hooves of a horse, but no claws.

Since the Hongwu Emperor restored China, official attire has always served to distinguish between noble and humble, and to establish status. With the exception of the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Zhengde, when officials bestowed the first-rank fighting bull, the second-rank flying fish, the third-rank python, and the fourth-rank qilin—a clear violation of imperial rule that lumped the four auspicious animals with the tiger and the leopard—granted attire was generally considered a special favor from the imperial court.

This was especially true of Emperor Jiajing, who attached great importance to the political significance behind clothing. On the one hand, he inherited and firmly upheld the previous dynasty's prohibitions on clothing. On the other hand, he vigorously reformed and innovated clothing styles, and in many aspects, he interpreted the clothing culture of the Ming Dynasty with greater political significance.

Emperor Taichang fully inherited the spirit of Emperor Jiajing. While comprehensively adjusting the internal official system, he also made more detailed and hierarchical regulations for the internal officials' clothing.

In the palace, the python was the highest-ranking official, and only the eunuchs with the titles of Silijian and Yumajian could wear it. The seal holder sat on the python, while the pen holder and the clerk held the python.

Feiyu is the next level, and only the eunuchs with the titles of eunuch and junior eunuch in the Silijian and Yumajian, such as the eunuch superintendent of the Silijian, the junior eunuch in charge of the Silijian Liancaifang, and eunuchs serving in special positions in the East and West Factories, such as the director of the Executive Bureau, the director of the Inspection Bureau, and the director of the External Inspection Department of the West Factory; the director of the Foreign Service Bureau and the director of the Judicial Department of the East Factory, etc. can wear it.

Bullfighting is the next level. No matter which internal government office one serves in, as long as one holds the title of eunuch or junior eunuch, one can wear it.

In other words, after this adjustment, within the inner court system, the python, flying fish, and fighting bull robes, while still known as granted robes, actually became official uniforms for high-ranking officials, similar to the first-rank crane, second-rank golden pheasant, and third-rank peacock for civil officials, or the first-rank qilin, second-rank lion, and third-rank leopard for military officials. Anyone in their position could wear them, but those not in that position had to take them off.

However, to demonstrate his favor, the emperor retained a set of "true gifted clothing," or qilin robes, which he could wear for life, even after leaving office. Given the qilin's unique appearance, its marked difference from the three auspicious beasts, and its profound meaning, Emperor Taichang established it as a special favor. To date, no eunuch, including Wang An, has ever received this honor.

Although this new rule for the inner court dress code has not been widely announced, it is not a secret and can be found out with a little inquiry.

Liu Weishan knew the dangers of this journey, so he acted with extreme caution. Before leaving, he'd gathered extensive information to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, and he knew exactly who could wear the Flying Fish suit. So, as soon as he caught sight of the dragon-shaped flying fish swimming in the blood-red water, two blood-stained words immediately popped into his mind: "It's over!"
"Look at your expression," Cui Yuan took a half step forward, a faint smile curling up at the corner of his mouth. "You must have guessed my identity."

Liu Weishan wanted to say something, but his mouth opened and closed, no words uttered. Finally, he could only shake his head repeatedly in denial. But this silent excuse was as pale as his face.

"Let's go." Sun Chengzong withdrew his gaze and looked at Cui Yuan.

"No more trial?" Cui Yuan also looked back at Sun Chengzong.

"I don't have anything else to ask, and this isn't the place to question a criminal," Sun Chengzong shook his head and said something that chilled Liu Weishan's heart: "Let's arrest his accomplices first."

"Then what should we do with the one who has been caught?" Cui Yuan waved his sleeves at the pillar where Liu Weishan was tied.

"Just tie him up here, and I'll leave a few people to guard him." Sun Chengzong said.

"Good!" Cui Yuan was delighted to get the answer he wanted. He turned around and, before Sun Chengzong took a step, waved towards the main room of the post station and said, "Sun Zhongcheng, I have prepared a small feast of wine in my main room. Please come and enjoy it."

"We have work to do, so there's no rush. Let's finish it first and then eat." Sun Chengzong declined, saying, "How about I treat you then?"

"The table is already set. Wouldn't it be a waste if you don't use it? Just use it. It won't take much time. Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. The suspects are being watched one-on-one. No one can escape." Cui Yuan persuaded again, a hint of determination in his tone. "Also, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

Sun Chengzong hesitated for a moment, then took a step forward with Cui Yuan. "If that's the case, then I'll accept it with all my heart."

"Unfair! Unfair!" Liu Weishan finally came to his senses. He opened his mouth and shouted at the two men's receding figures, "Lord Sun! Your Excellency, we didn't do anything! We are just honest businessmen!"

"Shut up." Cui Yuan winked at the man who slapped someone.

Banzi nodded silently and took two steps to Liu Weishan. This time, he didn't slap Liu Weishan again, nor did he waste his breath to tell him to shut up. Instead, he clenched his fist and punched Liu Weishan in the stomach. "Shut up."

Liu Weishan felt a numbing pain shoot from his lower abdomen to his forehead. His muscles twitched and spasmed, and his instinct drove him to curl up, but the ropes twisted around him mercilessly suppressed this instinct. Only his mouth could open silently.

Banzi bent down, picked up the rag that had fallen to the ground and been stepped on by him, and after kneading it, he stuffed it into Liu Weishan's mouth. Banzi's grip was so strong that it seemed as if he wanted to thrust the dirty and smelly rag directly into Liu Weishan's stomach. Now, Liu Weishan's mouth, opened wide by instinct, could no longer close.

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"We are just a small country kitchen, and the preparations were made in a hurry. Please bear with us, Sun Zhongcheng." Cui Yuan raised his glass to toast Sun Chengzong.

"Cui Tixing is truly so kind! To have prepared so much in just one day, and even brought me such a generous gift, is truly a great honor to me. What else can I possibly be worried about?" Sun Chengzong said with a hint of sarcasm. He didn't even need to ask how Cui Yuan knew he would arrive in Beitang at noon today. The two soldiers who had been accompanying Sun Yuerong and had now vanished spoke volumes.

"Haha." Cui Yuan laughed dryly twice, drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, and got straight to the point: "Sun Zhongcheng, I would like to ask you how you plan to handle this case."

"It's probably a bit early to talk about this now. The criminal hasn't even been brought to justice yet." Sun Chengzong took a sip and put down his glass. "Oh, didn't I tell you that no one can escape, not even one of them." Cui Yuange's face was filled with a hint of anger. "Sun Zhongcheng, do you really not trust me?"

"Is Cui Tixing so confident that he brought so many people with him this time?" Sun Chengzong took a mouthful of rice, chewing to hide his expression. He also had something he wanted to ask but couldn't ask directly.

"Fifty or sixty of them, barely enough." Cui Yuan seemed oblivious to Sun Chengzong's probing. "Now that we don't have to take turns hiding, we're actually not short of manpower. Don't worry."

"Cui Tixing, do you still want to stay in Tianjin after arresting the person?" Sun Chengzong raised his glass and smiled.

Cui Yuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and asked, "Do you want us to stay, or not?"

"." How amazing! Sun Chengzong couldn't help but praise in his heart.

Without hesitating for too long, Sun Chengzong came up with a response: "Since this case was discovered by the East Factory, I naturally hope that Cui Tixing and Sun Zhangban can stay in Beitang to help me finish this case. Cui Tixing is not going to be a hands-off boss and throw all this mess to me, an old man." As he said this, he glanced at Sun Yuerong, who was sitting at the same table, with a teasing look.

Sun Yuerong felt that there was something behind the two men's words, but he couldn't quite place the meaning. He could only smile awkwardly and scratch the back of his head.

"Alas." Cui Yuan borrowed Sun Chengzong's words to quickly turn the topic back to the track he wanted. "Actually, I would rather you discovered this case first."

"Oh?" Sun Chengzong was startled and asked directly, "Why?"

"Since ancient times, there's been a saying that distant relatives can't separate them." Cui Yuan put down his chopsticks and shook his hands from head to toe. "Don't be fooled by my finery. I know I'm nothing but a worthless servant. Even though I'm family compared to outsiders, I'm distant compared to them. You're different. You're the Emperor's mentor, and mine, too. You're also the Governor of Tianjin and a Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. If you file a memorial exposing this matter, it's not only legitimate, but the Emperor will also take it more seriously."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong's pupils suddenly shrank.

No! Choi Won is lying!

Sun Chengzong had figured it out before he came to Beitang.

Cui Wensheng was by no means a man with a patriotic heart. The East Depot under his command was nothing more than a dog kept by the emperor. Without the emperor's approval, a major case involving nobles and relatives would never have been uncovered by the East Depot, let alone exposed to an "outsider" like him. Cui Yuan's talk of closeness and distance was pure bullshit.
The emperor must have known about the Beitang case, and this crackdown must have been ordered by him. If that's the case, then why did Cui Yuan let himself "expose" it? It was simply to hide the emperor and the East Factory, making the case appear legitimate.
No! This isn't right. As long as the case isn't a false accusation, it's legitimate. Handling such a case benefits the country, and the emperor will be praised for his wisdom. The emperor doesn't need to hide himself.

Furthermore, the emperor couldn't possibly hide himself. All major matters of state were decided by the emperor. Once the case was exposed and laid bare, the emperor would inevitably issue an edict to express his stance. Even if he kept the case secret, it was still a gesture. The emperor wanted to hide himself and his relatives, but he also had to stop them. He could send a direct warning, or simply issue a secret order to assassinate Liu Weishan and other servants on duty, as a warning with blood. If the eunuchs from the Imperial Household and the Imperial Guards arrived at the homes of the relatives with the letter of intent, it would surely terrify them to the point of trembling. The emperor was determined to publicly punish these people.

Then why did Cui Yuan want to "expose" himself? That's right! From the beginning to the end, Cui Yuan wanted to hide only the East Factory, or rather himself. There's a difference between relatives and strangers, and that's not bullshit!

Cui Yuan was afraid that the emperor would use their lives to appease the surrendered nobles and relatives.

Sun Chengzong looked at Cui Yuan deeply and suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!"

"What are you laughing at?" Cui Yuan did not feel offended, but rather a little nervous.

"Cui Tixing, what makes you think I'll agree to this?" If the white gloves wanted to protect themselves, they had no choice but to find another white glove to put on the outside. Sun Chengzong had already figured it out: he was Cui Yuan's white glove.

Cui Yuan's heart tightened, and he felt an inexplicable chill. He felt like he was naked in front of Sun Chengzong. Cui Yuan said cryptically, "Since you're here, please do me a small favor." He picked up the wine jug to pour wine for Sun Chengzong, but found that the wine glass in front of Sun Chengzong was almost full.

"I don't mind doing you a favor," Sun Chengzong said, drinking the wine in his cup in one gulp before pushing the empty cup towards Cui Yuan. "But Cui Tixing, is this really a good thing for you?"

"I don't understand." Cui Yuan hurriedly poured the wine.

"God has mercy on us, so why should we judge with such a petty mind? If we are too cautious, we will appear cunning." The wine glass was filled again, but Sun Chengzong had no intention of drinking again. He pressed the stem of the glass and pushed it to an awkward position. He said bluntly, "The sleight of hand may deceive the world, but can it deceive the emperor? If the emperor asks you why you pushed me out to expose this case first, how will you explain it?"

Cui Yuan was stunned for a long moment before he groaned, "I can only kowtow and apologize."

"What's the point of kowtowing?" Sun Chengzong stared at Cui Yuan. "Cui Tixing, do you know what this is called?"

"I don't know." Cui Yuan swallowed.

"This is called 'suspecting the emperor's unrighteousness,'" Sun Chengzong said slowly. "If you suspect the emperor's unrighteousness, you will definitely be wary of him."

"Hiss!" Cui Yuan took a breath and swallowed back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

Cui Yuan deciphered the emperor's will from the information Sun Yuerong brought him. The emperor had instructed him to follow a predetermined line of inquiry: regardless of truth or falsehood, right or wrong, even if fabricated evidence was necessary, the case must be solved. According to Sun Chengzong's words, Cui Yuan was indeed suspicious of the emperor's integrity. If the emperor had given him a clear order, directing him to act according to the law and without reservation, he would not have sent Sun Yuerong to Sun Chengzong at all, but would have sent him directly to Beijing to mobilize the East Depot. But how could he possibly share this bitter experience with Sun Chengzong?

(End of this chapter)