Huangming

Chapter 100 Relatives Connected by Blood, Holding the Power to Control the Law Enforcement

Zhu Youxiao continued to review memorials in the East Warm Pavilion. When he got tired of sitting, he would get up and do a set of Eight Pieces of Brocade and Five Animal Frolics to loosen his body before plunging back into the abyss of reviewing memorials.

However, the voice of the eunuch outside the door quickly interrupted his rhythm of reviewing memorials.

"Your Majesty, Wang Sheng, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is waiting outside the palace for your instructions."

"Let him in."

This Wang Sheng was none other than his birth mother's younger brother.

When a new emperor ascends the throne, it is customary for him to receive favors from his maternal relatives.

Zhu Youxiao's birth mother, Empress Xiaohe Wang, came from a humble background. Her family was a low-profile and weak branch among the imperial relatives during the Ming Dynasty.

Lady Wang was originally a concubine of Crown Prince Zhu Changluo, not a daughter of a high-ranking noble family.

His father, Wang Tianrui, was initially only a centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a low-ranking military officer with no distinguished family background.

After Emperor Taichang ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred upon Wang Tianrui the title of Earl of Xincheng (a title that was not hereditary).

After Zhu Youxiao ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred upon Wang Tianrui the title of Earl of Xincheng and granted him the title of Grand Tutor, while his younger brother Wang Sheng inherited the position of Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Despite his humble origins as a relative of the emperor, and being the emperor's brother-in-law who was also one of his own, Zhu Youxiao naturally wanted to give him an important position.

After all, what he lacks right now is someone he can completely trust.

Before summoning Wang Sheng, he had already sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly investigate Wang Sheng's network of connections, lifestyle, hobbies, abilities, and other aspects.

In general, because he didn't have much money, he didn't have any bad hobbies.

As for ability
I haven't done anything particularly significant, but I'm good at fulfilling my job responsibilities.

With a little more experience, he should be able to be entrusted with important tasks.

After all, governing a country isn't that complicated.

Liu Bang was able to govern the Han Dynasty well with the talents of a single county.

now.

Outside Qianqing Palace.

Wang Sheng stood at the foot of the white marble steps outside the Qianqing Palace, fine snow falling on his blue brocade robe with gold floral patterns, and even his brows were covered with frost.

He clenched his reddened knuckles, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. The newly bestowed uniform of the Assistant Magistrate felt as heavy as armor, making his back stiff.

The iron horse under the palace eaves clanged and rattled in the north wind, each sound striking his throbbing temples.

He stole a glance at the Jinyiwei guards standing solemnly by the pillars, and the icicles that had formed on the scabbards of their embroidered spring knives reflected his pale face: his square forehead and wide mouth were originally a heroic appearance, but now they looked as stiff as stone because of his taut muscles.

"Summon Wang Sheng, Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to an audience!"

The eunuch's shrill voice pierced the snow curtain.

His knees buckled, and he nearly stepped on the hem of the dress.

The eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs quickly helped Wang Sheng up, saying with a smile, "Your Majesty, please be careful."

"Thank you, sir."

With a heart full of trepidation, Wang Sheng passed through the vermilion and gold-painted palace gate. The warm fragrance that wafted towards him, mixed with the smell of charcoal fire, blurred his vision.

In the hazy light, one could only see the golden dragon pillars on both sides coiling like giant pythons, and the golden lacquer on the caisson ceiling dazzled the eyes.

As he stepped over the third threshold with cloud and dragon patterns, he suddenly noticed that the snow mud on the toes of his boots was seeping into the scarlet lichen, leaving dark marks. He hurriedly wiped it off with his sleeve.

The eunuch leading the way coughed lightly, and he was then surprised to realize that he had arrived at the entrance of the East Warm Pavilion.

Through the gap in the carved doorway, draped with a thick cotton curtain trimmed with mink fur, one could faintly hear the soft rustling of a red brush tracing across paper.

As the leading eunuch entered the East Warm Pavilion, Wang Sheng didn't dare to raise his head.

"Your subject Wang Sheng pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

The thud of him kneeling down was so loud that it made the gilded belt around his waist rattle.

Zhu Youxiao put down his brush, actually rose from his throne, slowly walked down, personally helped Wang Sheng up, and said with a smile, "No need for such formalities, Imperial Brother-in-law."

Wang Sheng was flattered and overwhelmed.

Whether it was joy or fear, I couldn't tell; my words were hesitant and stuttering.

"Your Majesty."

He hesitated for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word.

"Hahaha~"

Zhu Youxiao laughed loudly, patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder, and said, "The Imperial Brother-in-law is my closest relative, there is no need for restraint."

Wang Sheng was still a little reserved.

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and I dare not be presumptuous."

Zhu Youxiao feigned anger.

"So, the Imperial Brother-in-law doesn't acknowledge me as his nephew?"

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Wang Sheng was so frightened that he almost knelt down again.

He didn't kneel down only because Zhu Youxiao held him firmly in place.

"Your Majesty, I dare not."

Wang Sheng secretly raised his head. The young emperor standing in front of him had seven parts of his sister's almond-shaped eyes, but those eyes held the majesty of an emperor.

"No need for formalities, Imperial Brother-in-law. I have summoned you here today to see my mother's brother. I grew up in the inner palace and have not seen my mother many times. Now I can hardly even recognize her face."

As he spoke, the emperor's face showed sadness.

"When I was young, I thought that after I ascended the throne, I would let my mother live a good life. I never expected that my mother would pass away before I even ascended the throne."

Two streams of tears were already welling up in Zhu Youxiao's eyes.

Historically, because Wang Shi had a low status in the palace, Zhu Youxiao saw her very few times when he was a child, which resulted in Zhu Youxiao lacking direct care from his birth mother during his childhood and instead relying on his wet nurse and eunuchs.

When Wang Sheng heard the emperor's words, it was as if a string in his heart had been touched.

The palace is a hidden place of intrigue and danger, and His Majesty has been on the throne for less than two months. Just from listening to the storyteller in the teahouse, he was already sweating bullets for the emperor.

Eunuchs, court officials, and nobles.
Three great mountains are pressing down on Your Majesty, making it hard for you to breathe. If it weren't for Your Majesty's wisdom and might, our Great Ming Dynasty would have been doomed!

Now that His Majesty yearns for kinship, how can he, as the Emperor's brother-in-law, refuse His Majesty's affection?

Wang Sheng said emotionally, "Your Majesty, I am your uncle. I still vividly remember many scenes from your mother's childhood. It is a pity that she passed away at a young age."

Wang Sheng didn't know how his sister died.

They dared not pursue the matter further.

I only hope that His Majesty is doing well in the palace.

Zhu Youxiao had no impression of this mother he had never met, and could not develop any feelings for her.

However, to win Wang Sheng's heart, it was through this mother that Wang Sheng could feel familial affection and that the emperor's brother-in-law could wholeheartedly serve him.

Okay~
Zhu Youxiao felt that he had indeed become somewhat cold-blooded.

Now, all I think about every day is power struggles; I've almost completely lost touch with my personal emotions.

But the imperial court is ruthless, and he, as the emperor, can only be even more ruthless.

Where there is affection, there are flaws; where there are flaws, it is easy for others to exploit them.

He can only be a cold-blooded and ruthless ruler.

of course
On the surface, the image of a sage ruler must still be maintained.

After all, hypocrisy is an instinct that every leader must possess.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he needed to do so even more.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao had two streams of tears on his face and asked with great curiosity, "Uncle, why don't you tell me about Mother's childhood?"

Wang Sheng's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and his gaze gradually softened.

He gazed at the flickering candlelight on the windowpane of the East Warm Pavilion, as if through that shimmering halo he could see the city of Beiping thirty years ago.

“That spring, the ice on the moat had just melted, and your maternal grandfather took us to play polo in the western suburbs.” Wang Sheng’s voice was like honey-soaked cotton thread, slowly unfolding in the charcoal fire.

“Your mother is only this tall—” he gestured to waist level.

"Wearing an apricot-red vest, she insisted on riding that chestnut pony, but the colt threw her off, and she was covered in grass seeds."

Zhu Youxiao unconsciously clenched his sleeves.

He saw the little girl in the phantom fall onto the meadow, her hair disheveled into a dark cloud, yet she giggled as she caught a startled grasshopper.

The soft crackling of charcoal embers emanated from the heated kang bed in the warm room, as if echoing the distant sound of horses' hooves from deep within my memory.

"And then?" The emperor's voice was so soft it was as if he were afraid of startling something.

"Later," Wang Sheng suddenly laughed, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes forming fine waves.

"She stole some malt sugar from the kitchen and smeared it in the manger. The colt licked it happily and was willing to let her ride it the next day."

He wiped his face and said with a smile, "After your maternal grandfather found out, he punished her by making her copy 'Admonitions for Women' in the ancestral hall. As a result, she filled the rice paper with drawings of candied hawthorns."

Zhu Youxiao's fingertips unconsciously traced patterns on the imperial desk, the ink spreading on the Xuan paper into the shape of tiny candied hawthorns.

Outside the window, fine snow fluttered against the cotton curtains. He vaguely heard the creaking sound of the old wooden door of the ancestral hall as the little girl tiptoed to steal offerings.

“The naughtiest time was during the Dragon Boat Festival.” Wang Sheng suddenly lowered his voice, as if he were talking about some incredible secret.

"She took seven or eight children from the alley and replaced the realgar wine with ginger and brown sugar water. When the dragon boat race started, none of the children in the entire alley got drunk, which made the village headman jump up and down in a panic." The agarwood in the warm room suddenly came alive, mixed with the scent of mugwort and calamus from his memory.

Wang Sheng's voice trailed off: "Later, your maternal grandfather was promoted to the rank of colonel, and the family got a small courtyard. She always loved to lie on the edge of the well and count the stars, saying she wanted to pluck the seventh star of the Big Dipper to use as a shuttlecock."

His fingers made a grasping motion in the air, then fell limply to the ground.

"Back then, the well water was so clear you could see your reflection in it, but now..."

After recounting so many stories from his childhood, Wang Sheng couldn't help but shed tears when he thought about how his older sister was gone. Even the most hard-hearted man couldn't help but cry.

Zhu Youxiao touched his cheek and found that he was also crying.

His body seemed to be out of control, and he was crying uncontrollably.

Perhaps, the Tianqi Emperor, who longed for maternal love, would have been moved to tears upon hearing the story of his deceased mother.

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

When Wang Sheng saw the emperor's tearful face, his heart softened.

The previous estrangement from the emperor vanished instantly.

This is my sister's bloodline. He is the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, but at the same time, he is also my nephew!
"I only just realized that my mother was so mischievous when she was a child. I have a new understanding of my mother now."

Zhu Youxiao wiped away his tears, composed himself, and asked Wang Sheng, "The Imperial Brother-in-law is one of my few relatives. May I ask what official position he holds now?"

Wang Sheng was taken aback. Did His Majesty not know his official rank?
The emperor's brother-in-law slowly said, "I have been fortunate enough to be appointed as the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a fourth-rank official."

Zhu Youxiao feigned doubt.

"I recall that my maternal grandfather was posthumously granted the title of Earl last month. Why didn't my maternal uncle inherit the title?"

Wang Sheng shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, that is a hereditary title, which cannot be inherited."

Zhu Youxiao feigned anger and said, "How can my brother-in-law not be granted a title?"

He called out to the door, "Summon the Vice Minister of Rites to the palace!"

Soon, Sun Shenxing, the Vice Minister of Rites who had been waiting outside the door, quickly entered the hall.

"Your subject, Sun Shenxing, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, respectfully wishes Your Majesty a long and peaceful life!"

"I am well, please rise."

Sun Shenxing was Sun Chengzong's mentor. After Sun Chengzong rose to power, Zhu Youxiao also took a liking to this old man.

of course
Since he was close to the emperor and Sun Chengzong, he was naturally ostracized by the Donglin Party.

Sun Shenxing was categorized by the officials outside the capital as a favored minister and belonged to the emperor's faction.

That's right.

Although Zhu Youxiao explicitly stated that factional strife was not allowed.

However, these people dared not openly admit to forming factions, but secretly they divided the officials into different groups.

It can only be said that Rome wasn't built in a day.

The deep-seated problems of the Ming Dynasty could not be reversed by a single imperial edict or policy.

"Your Majesty has summoned me. What is the matter?"

Zhu Youxiao cut to the chase and asked, "Minister Sun, I ask you, is my brother-in-law granted the title of Earl?"

Sun Shenxing glanced at Wang Sheng, whose eyes were red-rimmed, and immediately said:

"Your Majesty is wise! The Great Ming Code states: 'The imperial relatives of the emperor are granted titles, which extend to three generations.' Now that Wang Tianrui, the Earl of Xincheng, has been posthumously granted the title, his sons shall inherit the title, which is in accordance with the ancestral system."

He paused for a moment, then added, “According to the precedent set during the Hongzhi era, Emperor Xiaozong enfeoffed his younger brother Zhang Heling as the Earl of Shouning, which was also a precedent for the transfer of a title from a minor one to a hereditary one. If Your Majesty wishes to bestow special favors upon him, you may follow this precedent.”

Zhu Youxiao clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Let's follow the example of the Hongzhi era."

Zhu Youxiao was a man of action. He immediately ordered the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial who was standing by his side, "Bring the imperial edict on yellow silk."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately bowed and left the East Warm Pavilion. He returned shortly afterward carrying a scroll of bright yellow silk with cloud patterns, followed by two junior eunuchs carrying vermilion trays. On the trays were a jade dragon-shaped "Imperial Decree Treasure" and a blue-and-white porcelain brush holder with a sea dragon pattern, containing ground vermilion ink.

Upon seeing this, Sun Shenxing took the silk scroll and spread it out on the low sandalwood table to the right of the imperial desk.

At this time, Zhu Youxiao summoned scholars from the Hanlin Academy to draft ceremonial edicts.

This Hanlin Academy scholar was none other than Sun Ruyou, who had just met the emperor today.

He rolled up his sleeves, took a purple-tipped brush from the brush holder, and as he dipped it in ink, he noticed the emperor holding Wang Sheng's arm and speaking in hushed tones. He deliberately slowed his movements, and only after the emperor and his minister had finished their conversation did he cough lightly and say, "Your Majesty, please issue the details of the edict."

Forehead.
Zhu Youxiao said, "I hereby confer upon the title of Earl of Xincheng upon the Emperor's brother-in-law."

Sun Ruyou's face immediately fell.

Ok.

Although the leader's request was somewhat absurd, Sun Ruyou's excellent literary skills allowed him to quickly complete the writing of the imperial edict.

"Your Majesty, please take a look!"

Zhu Youxiao glanced at the contents and nodded in satisfaction.

"Sun Qing's writing is sharp, and his draft is just right!"

The emperor did not affix his seal, but handed the imperial edict to Sun Ruyou, then turned to Wang Sheng and said gently, "Uncle, please accept the conferment!"

Wang Sheng hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, only to hear Sun Ruyou loudly proclaim: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

I believe that the Spring and Autumn Annals emphasizes the importance of kinship, and the Book of Rites describes the importance of harmony within the clan. You, Wang Sheng, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are the younger brother of Empress Dowager Xiaohe. You are gentle, kind, and prudent, and you have successfully carried on the family tradition.

"Tejin'er is hereby appointed Earl of Xincheng, with a stipend of one thousand bushels of grain, and granted a hereditary title and iron certificate. You shall diligently uphold loyalty and filial piety, and forever retain your position and stipend. Respectfully obey!"

The crackling of the charcoal fire inside the warm pavilion illuminated Wang Sheng's tears.

He kowtowed deeply, choking back tears, and said, "Even if I were to give my life, I could never repay Your Majesty's boundless kindness!"

Zhu Youxiao helped Wang Sheng up and said, "We are connected by blood, why say such things?"

Turning his head, Zhu Youxiao looked at Sun Ruyou and said, "Minister Sun, let's proceed with the drafted edict according to procedure."

He hurriedly issued the imperial decree mainly to regain his composure.

Although there's nothing wrong with issuing this imperial edict.

However, Zhu Youxiao still decided to give Fang Congzhe some face in the cabinet he was in charge of.

After all, Lao Fang has taken the blame for him enough times.

It was a great favor from the emperor to spare him from being impeached by the censors.

Sun Ruyou nodded immediately.

"Wei Chen takes orders."

After everyone left, only Wang Sheng, an official from outside the capital, remained in the East Warm Pavilion.

"I bestowed the title of Earl of Xincheng upon my brother-in-law, but I also have my own unspeakable difficulties."

"Your Majesty's grace is overwhelming," said Wang Sheng, the newly appointed Earl of Xincheng, pounding his chest. "Your Majesty has said that we are connected by blood, and now Your Majesty's affairs are my affairs."

"The emperor's brother-in-law is a truly loyal minister!"

Zhu Youxiao then slowly spoke, praising Wang Sheng to the highest esteem.

"Not long ago, an assassination attempt occurred in the palace. Is the Imperial Uncle aware of this?"

Wang Sheng's face immediately darkened. He nodded and said, "I have heard that it is the eight traitorous Shanxi merchants who want to kill Your Majesty."

These things were told by storytellers in the teahouses outside Chongwen Gate.

"Hey~"

The emperor sighed deeply, his face full of worry, and said, "In fact, the people who want to kill me are not just the eight great Shanxi merchants. I can't even sleep peacefully in the palace now, which is why I went to reorganize the Four Guards Camp. However, after the Four Guards Camp is reorganized, who should be put in charge to protect the palace?"

Wang Sheng paused for a moment, then said quite shrewdly, "Although I am not capable enough, I am absolutely loyal to Your Majesty. I am more than qualified to be a commander of a thousand guards in the Qianqing Palace."

Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said, "With the Emperor's brother-in-law's abilities, the position of commander of a thousand is truly a waste of his talent."

Is a thousand households a waste of talent?
His father was only a centurion until his death.

He gritted his teeth and said, "I am confident that I can become the commander of the guard posts protecting the palace!"

Zhu Youxiao shook his head again, and finally said slowly:
"I want you to be the commander of the Four Guards Battalion!"

Admiral of the Four Guard Battalions?
Gollum~
Wang Sheng was stunned. He said with a trembling voice, "I heard that the Duke of Cheng was just the commander of the First Guard. How can a Duke of Cheng be subordinate to me? If I were to command the Four Guards, I'm afraid people would criticize me."

"The emperor's brother-in-law need not worry."

Zhu Youxiao said with great pride, "What is a Duke? In my opinion, the Imperial Uncle is far more honorable than a Duke. Go to the Four Guards Camp to find out what's going on. If you don't understand anything, you can ask Li Ruzhen directly. If you still don't understand, you can come to see the Emperor, and I will tell you!"

Wang Sheng's lips trembled slightly.

What power this is!

Why am I a little scared?

However, seeing his nephew's expectant eyes and thinking of his nephew's situation in the palace, Wang Sheng steeled his heart and immediately said, "In that case, even if it costs me my life, I will do my best to complete the task Your Majesty has given me!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction and said, "If there are any talented individuals in the Wang family, they can be reported to the emperor. After examination, I can entrust them with important responsibilities."

When one person attains the Tao, the chicken and the dog ascend to heaven.

As Wang Sheng gains power, he needs capable subordinates.

"There are indeed a few sons in the family who might be capable of serving!"

(End of this chapter)