Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 19 Black Humor
Screams echoed throughout the Eastern Depot.

Outside the Eastern Depot, people were in turmoil.

Many officials began to feel uneasy, especially those who had dealings with Tian Ergeng.

Tian Ergeng is now in prison.

If Tian Ergeng is not careful and says something he shouldn't, then they will probably be the ones to suffer next.

Therefore, after the morning court session ends.

Some people tried to find out about Tian Ergeng through various means, or to pass on a message to him to keep him calm.

But no one got what they wanted.

Now, under Wei Zhongxian's high-pressure orders, the entire Eastern Depot can only enter but not leave, and not a single piece of information can be leaked out.

Therefore, these people could only stay in their respective residences and worry anxiously.

It seems impossible to save Tian Ergeng now; no one can get him out of prison except with His Majesty's permission.

The only question is how His Majesty will deal with Tian Ergeng.

If they intend to follow the trail from Tian Ergeng to uncover a whole group, then they will inevitably unite quickly to launch a large-scale counterattack.

The emperor had only recently ascended the throne. Although he had ruthless methods, his foundation was not yet solid, and there was still a glimmer of hope.

No matter what.

He abandoned everything and fled in panic, but after making some arrangements in his ancestral home, he still managed to become a wealthy man.

It's just a pity that the family fortune they had worked so hard to accumulate in the capital over the years was wasted.

Think of this.

Many people even began to hope that Tian Ergeng would die suddenly in prison.

In this way, although the emperor will probably gradually take control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he can still leave a glimmer of hope.

Of course, human nature is complex.

While some people in the capital are filled with worry and fear, others are naturally filled with joy and anticipation.

One whale falls and all things are born.

If Tian Ergeng were to fall from power, many positions would become vacant.

This is an opportunity for many people.

For example, some relatively young but poor scholars and doctors in the Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy.

These people had neither the means nor the ability to make money, nor did they have much savings to maintain their difficult lives in the capital.

The most distressing thing was that the imperial court's salary was not paid on time.

If things continue like this, whether we can even survive this winter has become a pressing issue.

It's ridiculous to say that.

After years of arduous study, finally passing the imperial examinations to become a Juren or Jinshi, they often end up freezing or starving to death while still holding their official positions.

How darkly humorous is this?
Therefore, this group of people were most excited after hearing that His Majesty had uprooted the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard in court today.

They sincerely hoped the situation would escalate further, and also hoped for a further centralization of imperial power.

With the centralization of imperial power, a number of prominent and former officials would inevitably be purged.

Regardless of whether they have a chance to rise to power, getting rid of these people will certainly fill the national treasury.

The salary that has been owed for several months should finally be received.

I'm so hungry, there's no other way!
With the scheming of various factions intertwined, the seemingly peaceful capital of the Ming Dynasty was secretly brewing a storm.

Outside the imperial city, people's thoughts and feelings differed. And within the Qianqing Palace, inside the imperial city, each person naturally had their own thoughts.

Since Xiao Hongzi left.

Wang Chengen stood obediently to the side to serve, while Cao Huachun tentatively asked Zhu Youjian:
"Your Majesty, Tian Ergeng's corruption could not have been accomplished by him alone. Wouldn't it be a pity to kill him so easily? Should we take this opportunity to interrogate him and find out who his accomplices are?"

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Zhongxian interrupted him urgently, "Your Majesty, this might incite unrest among the people."

No wonder he was in a hurry.

It is easy to dodge an open spear but hard to guard against a hidden arrow.

As someone who experienced it firsthand, Wei Zhongxian naturally knew how much bloodshed was behind those words.

Just like two years ago, despite all his precautions, he still couldn't prevent the late emperor from falling into the water.

Although the suggestion made by this colleague named Cao Huachun had some merit, he was ultimately too young.

Zhu Youjian shook his head, rejecting Cao Huachun's suggestion: "No need."

Zhu Youjian knew exactly how to gradually eliminate those who hindered the empire's progress, like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, without causing any unrest.

When Cao Huachun heard Wei Zhongxian successfully refute him, he glanced at him without showing any emotion.

This small action naturally did not escape Zhu Youjian's notice.

From a stability perspective, even loyal subordinates who are too united are actually not a good thing for the imperial power.

But all of this applies to ordinary emperors.

Zhu Youjian's goal was to establish a great empire, so unnecessary internal strife was certainly not allowed.

Zhu Youjian then spoke very bluntly to Cao Huachun:

"I know that you and Wei Zhongxian have a personal grudge, but from now on, the overall situation will be the priority, and you are not allowed to create conflicts because of the past."

Wei Zhongxian looked at Cao Huachun with some confusion, thinking to himself, "I have indeed offended quite a few people before, but when did I become enemies with this kid?"
We don't even remember when we last met him; we only know that he was a former member of the Emperor's Prince's Palace.

See this.

Cao Huachun said with some helplessness, "Our godfather, Eunuch Wang An, died at the hands of Eunuch Wei. As a result, our family was implicated and exiled to Nanjing to await punishment."

"However, all of that is in the past. In the future, we should still work together with Eunuch Wei to do our best to serve His Majesty."

Only when Wang An was mentioned did Wei Zhongxian remember what had happened.

Wang An was a eunuch in the Directorate of Ceremonial at that time.

In order to rise to power, he killed Wang An, and naturally, all of Wang An's confidants and subordinates were driven out of the capital.

However, now that the Emperor has spoken, the two of them naturally cannot continue to dwell on this old matter.

Cao Huachun and Wei Zhongxian hurriedly knelt down and bowed to Zhu Youjian, exchanging words of forgiveness.

Although this will not completely eliminate all the resentment in my heart.

But at least under the current circumstances, the two will no longer deliberately create conflict.

Then Zhu Youjian glanced at Wei Zhongxian kneeling on the ground and said:

"During this period, many people will use the Embroidered Uniform Guard incident to impeach you, but you don't need to worry. I will not let those who are loyal to me be disheartened."

Hearing this, everyone present felt a warmth in their hearts.
For Wei Zhongxian, however, there was a deeper layer of thought.

The fact that His Majesty had chosen to send Xiao Hongzi instead of him to carry out the task was now seen by Wei Zhongxian as proof of His Majesty's favor.

Your Majesty's move is to help alleviate some of the pressure on our family; otherwise, all the impeachment memorials from the court officials would surely be directed at us alone.

Moved, Wei Zhongxian knelt down, kowtowed, and loudly proclaimed, "This servant is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace and will serve Your Majesty with even greater devotion in the future."

(End of this chapter)