Huangming

Chapter 103: Zhu Ling is no longer favored, Yu Yue Tu Fan

The palace maid Su Xin's face suddenly turned deathly pale. She turned her head away, spat, and said, "I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm going to see the Imperial Concubine!"

Xu Xianchun's smile vanished abruptly, and his expression turned extremely dangerous.

"Do you think you can just refuse to work as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard whenever you want?"

With a wave of his hand, Xu Xianchun sent two Imperial Guards to step forward and tightly restrain the palace maid Su Xin.

"Let me go!"

The palace maid was terrified; her body was trembling, but she remained defiant.

Xu Xianchun crouched down, pinched the palace maid's delicate cheek, and said, "In the Forbidden City, I've never heard of any imperial concubines. Apart from His Majesty, what are the others worth!"

"Your Highness is a Noble Lady of Cining Palace!"

pop~
Xu Xianchun launched a powerful punch, which made the palace maid Su Xin dizzy.

"The Imperial Concubine of Cining Palace? She's barely able to protect herself now, how could she possibly have time to care about you?"

Xu Xianchun looked at the stubborn palace maid Su Xin and felt a strong urge to play with her. He beckoned to the Imperial Guards in front of him, and they immediately escorted the palace maid towards Cining Palace.

At this moment, the Cining Palace was truly in complete chaos.

Wei Zhongxian led his men from the Eastern Depot, Luo Yangxing led his men from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Li Ruzhen led his men from the Left Guard of the Wuxiang Army, all of whom emerged outside the Cining Palace.

Agents from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot entered Cining Palace and herded all the palace maids to the open space in front of the palace.

Consort Zheng's eyes blazed with fury. She glared at Wei Zhongxian and the others, pointing and shouting, "The Cining Palace is a sacred place; how dare you lackeys come here?"

Wei Zhongxian, with a cold smile on his face, said, "Your Highness, we have an imperial edict. Cui Wensheng and Zheng Yangxing in the imperial prison have already confessed to everything these servants in Cining Palace did."

After speaking, Wei Zhongxian immediately presented the crimes of the eunuchs and palace maids in Cining Palace, loudly proclaiming: "Zhang Bao, the head eunuch of Cining Palace, stole and sold twelve pieces of gold artifacts buried with Empress Dowager Rensheng in the forty-second year of Wanli's reign; Lady Zhou, the head of the laundry department, falsely reported thirty palace maids and embezzled silver every month!"

His boot tip scraped over the trembling old nanny kneeling on the ground, and his voice was loud and cold as he said, "The palace maid Chun Tao secretly set up a torture chamber and whipped three laundry maids to death in the twelfth month of the forty-seventh year of the Wanli reign!"

Luo Yangxing suddenly drew his embroidered spring knife, the back of which struck the beaded curtain, causing it to tremble violently: "The most important thing is the Red Pill case! Cui Wensheng confessed that the prescription he wrote also had the intention of the Cining Palace."

The crime of regicide!

Isn't it big enough?
Consort Zheng finally panicked.

She trembled as she pointed at Wei Zhongxian and said, "Slander! You're all slandering me!"

Wei Zhongxian grinned and said, "With witnesses and physical evidence, does Your Majesty have anything else to say?"

"I...I want to see His Majesty. You people have all wronged me."

Wei Zhongxian gave a sinister snort and said, "His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state; how could he possibly have time to concern himself with your matters?"

After saying this, he waved his hand, and the agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot all moved to escort the eunuchs and palace maids of Cining Palace out one by one.

"Your Majesty, help!"

"We've been wronged! We've been wronged!"

"You damned eunuch, let me go."

……

With the Wu Xiang Left Guard soldiers in charge, even if these people resisted, they wouldn't be able to cause any real trouble.

Amidst curses and pleas for mercy, soon only Consort Zheng remained in front of Cining Palace.

Wei Zhongxian suddenly unfurled the bright yellow silk, its embroidered gold cloud patterns shimmering in the snow.

"Your Highness, heed my decree."

Call ~
Consort Zheng closed her eyes, took a deep breath, her chest heaving violently, and all sorts of thoughts raced through her mind, but in the end she could only kneel down.

She raised both hands to her forehead to receive the imperial edict, her face alternating between pale and flushed, and said in humiliation, "This concubine respectfully receives Your Majesty's decree."

A hint of smug satisfaction appeared on Wei Zhongxian's face.

When he was a eunuch in the palace, Consort Zheng was incredibly powerful and influential.

Now, however, they must kneel before him.

It truly is a case of fortunes changing every thirty years.

Cool!
Wei Zhongxian opened the imperial edict and said loudly with delight:
"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, decrees:

An investigation revealed that Zhang Bao, the head eunuch of Cining Palace, had stolen and sold 38 pieces of gold artifacts buried with Empress Dowager Rensheng since the 42nd year of the Wanli Emperor's reign; Zhou, a palace maid, had falsified the roster of palace maids and received a salary without working for seven years, embezzling tens of thousands of taels of silver; Chun Tao, a palace maid, had secretly set up a bed of nails and branding irons, abusing and killing six palace maids; furthermore, Cui Wensheng confessed that the excessive use of medicine in the first year of the Taichang Emperor's reign was at the behest of Cining Palace.

His shrill voice suddenly rose: "You, Zheng, as the mistress of the Cining Palace, have allowed your wicked servants to embezzle the imperial treasury and commit murder. Your eunuchs are even involved in the regicide case! According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, your entire family should be executed!"

However, considering the long reign of Emperor Shenzong and out of compassion for your service to the late emperor for over twenty years, I hereby order you to move to Renshou Palace to live out your remaining years in peace. The monthly stipend of the Directorate of Palace Attendants shall be halved, and you shall not leave the palace gates without an imperial edict!

Consort Zheng received the imperial edict in a daze, her mind unable to process it for a moment.

She was thinking of going to gather information this morning, but before noon, the Imperial Guards came to convict her.

Your Majesty acted too quickly!
It happened so fast that she didn't even have time to react.

Wei Zhongxian said sarcastically from the side, "Your Highness, you haven't received the imperial decree to express your gratitude yet!"

Consort Zheng glared at Wei Zhongxian with hatred, but she had no choice but to bow her slender waist to receive the imperial decree and perform the three kowtows. She almost gritted her teeth as she said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your command. Long live the Emperor!"

"Your Highness, please stop. All the maids and eunuchs serving you in Renshou Palace have already prepared everything for you."

Consort Zheng gave a bitter smile, her expression showing a hint of fear.

"Wei Zhongxian, when do you plan to kill me?"

Wei Zhongxian hurriedly apologized, saying, "How dare this servant harm Her Highness the Imperial Concubine's life?"

Consort Zheng sneered and said, "If you're going to kill, then kill him quickly. There's no need for this pretense!"

After saying this, she followed the eunuch who was leading the way and headed towards Renshou Palace.

Not a single palace maid or eunuch is one of their own. How can one survive in this deep palace?

That's not a dream?
When Consort Zheng was in power, she killed countless vixens around Emperor Shenzong by replacing palace servants. How could she not know the power of this trick?
"Foolish woman, you're just deluding yourself."

Wei Zhongxian watched Consort Zheng's retreating figure and sneered.

Do you think His Majesty is so bored that he has nothing better to do than deal with you?
It's all because you've been making too many small moves, and the Prince of Fu's arrogance has annoyed His Majesty.

However, Consort Zheng had been favored by Emperor Wanli for many years, so there must be many treasures in the Cining Palace.

Wei Zhongxian said: I'll copy it first as a sign of respect!
He said to the Imperial Guards around him, "After all, we're in the palace, so keep your movements low. Besides, if I find out you're hiding treasures, you're not unaware of the methods the Northern Garrison Command has, are you?"

After a series of threats, the agents from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard broke into the Cining Palace and confiscated all the treasures.

While Wei Zhongxian was raiding the Cining Palace, the emperor in the East Warm Pavilion was already preparing to deal with Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun.

In fact, he had been planning to deal with the Prince Zong since the beginning of his reign.

These princes, who did not contribute anything when the country was in danger, instead frantically exploited the people, how could they be worthy of the surname Zhu?
If you're unwilling to pay, then I'll force you to pay!

"I am heartbroken and outraged that the Prince of Fu has committed so many crimes."

Zhu Youxiao retrieved from the archives the memorials impeaching Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, from previous years.

I didn't expect there to be so many baskets; they were all reserved for Emperor Wanli and not distributed.

He opened these old memorials and reports, and gained a clear understanding of the crimes of Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun.

Even after reading it, Zhu Youxiao, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, gritted his teeth in anger.

Not because of anything else.

That damn Prince Fu is incredibly rich! Richer than the emperor himself!

Can he bear this?

Zhu Youxiao ordered the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial to categorize the memorials impeaching Prince Fu, and to take out the memorials with substantial evidence and list them one by one.

Upon review, the evidence against Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, was overwhelming:
First, they violated regulations by seizing farmland and competing with the people for profits.

In the 42nd year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, when Zhu Changxun was enfeoffed in Luoyang, the emperor originally intended to grant him 40,000 hectares of land, but due to fierce opposition from court officials, this was reduced to 20,000 hectares.

Prince Fu continued to annex fertile land in Henan, Shandong, Huguang and other places through means such as "memorials of appeal" and "offering tributes". The actual land occupation far exceeded the limit, and he even forcibly seized farmland, causing people to be displaced.

In addition, he also monopolized the salt profits. Because of the Wanli Emperor's favor and the influence of Consort Zheng, the Wanli Emperor specially granted Prince Fu a monopoly on the salt industry in Luoyang, changing the management of Huai salt to the exclusive operation of Prince Fu's mansion, thereby reaping huge profits and violating the national salt law.

Secondly, they imposed heavy taxes and exploited the people.

Prince Fu set up checkpoints in Luoyang to collect taxes from passing merchants, intercepting tax revenue that should have been turned over to the imperial court. Local officials, fearing his power, dared not interfere.

They also forced local people to pay exorbitant rents and even arrested them on the grounds of "rent arrears".

Third, they overstepped the bounds of propriety and interfered in government affairs.

Prince Fu's procession far exceeded the standard for a prince, imitating the emperor's imperial carriage with a yellow canopy and dragon flag, which led to his impeachment by the censor for "usurping the imperial carriage."

The servants of Prince Fu's household ran rampant in Luoyang, beating officials and oppressing the people. Local officials, fearing Prince Fu's power, often covered up his crimes.

Fourth, they privately amassed armed forces in an attempt to protect themselves.

The number of guards for princes in the Ming Dynasty was fixed (usually three thousand), but Prince Fu, under the pretext of "preventing thieves," kept more than ten thousand private soldiers and privately manufactured weapons, violating the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty".

Furthermore, according to information from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Prince Fu bribed eunuchs in the Directorate of Ceremonial to obtain information about the court's activities and even attempted to interfere in the political situation after Zhu Youxiao ascended the throne.

No.
The crimes of Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, are so numerous that they can only be described as "too many to count".

Why keep such a vassal king around if you don't take action against him?

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Chao beside him and asked, "With so many crimes committed by the Prince of Fu, why has no one investigated the evidence against him?"

Wei Chao looked at the emperor with a wry smile and said, "Emperor Shenzong doted on Prince Fu, and therefore turned a blind eye to the evidence of Prince Fu's crimes."

Zhu Youxiao, his face grim, looked at Wei Chao and asked, "If I were to punish the Prince of Fu, would the people of the world think I am cruel and ungrateful? Would I repeat the mistakes of the Jianwen Emperor?"

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Wei Chao was so frightened that he knelt down on the ground.

"The Prince of Fu's crimes are heinous and he deserves to be punished. Your Majesty is divinely wise and powerful, far surpassing Jianwen. In the past, Jianwen was too hasty in reducing the power of the princes, which led to the Jingnan Rebellion. Now Your Majesty reigns supreme, your power extends throughout the land, your virtue reaches all corners of the country, you are close to virtuous ministers and keep away from petty men, and there is harmony both inside and outside the country. How can you allow villains to cause trouble?"

"Get up."

Zhu Youxiao looked at the trembling, kneeling Wei Chao and asked again, "If I were to take action against the Prince of Fu, tell me, what should I do?"

Wei Chao immediately said, "Let the three judicial departments conduct a joint trial."

"What if Prince Fu resists?" Zhu Youxiao's eyes flickered.

Wei Chao tried to justify himself by saying, "I secretly ordered the general of Henan to lead his troops to blockade Luoyang to prevent the Prince of Fu's private army from rebelling."

Under the pretext of "bandit suppression," elite troops from the Beijing garrison were dispatched to Kaifeng to intimidate Luoyang.

"Let's spread the news about Consort Zheng to Luoyang first and see how Prince Fu reacts."

Zhu Youxiao was not in a hurry to draw a conclusion.

This was because he knew something about Prince Fu.

Prince Fu spent his days secluded in his chambers drinking fine wine, and his only interest was women and entertainment. Such a person could be described as a good-for-nothing.

and.

Despite his immense wealth and noble birth, this person was still very stingy with his subordinates.

After the peasant uprising broke out at the end of the Ming Dynasty, conscripted troops from all directions passed through Luoyang. Without pay and hungry, Prince Fu kept his treasury tightly closed and refused to spend a single penny.

The soldiers angrily exclaimed, "Luoyang is rich in imperial palaces. Emperor Shenzong squandered the wealth of the nation to enrich Zhu Changxun, yet he made us go to war on empty stomachs, only to die at the hands of the enemy. How unjust!"

At that time, Lu Weiqi, the retired Minister of War in Nanjing, repeatedly advised Zhu Changxun: Even if you only care about yourself, you should open the treasury and take out some money to support the army and help the people.

Zhu Changxun did not listen.

The result was a loss of morale, and the soldiers under General Wang Shaoyu mutinied in anger, opened the city gates to welcome the rebel army, and the fortified city of Luoyang was breached in twenty days.

Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, and his female relatives hid in the secluded Ying'en Temple in the suburbs, where they were eventually killed by the rebel leader Li Zicheng.

After Li Zicheng captured Luoyang, he obtained millions of gold, silver and grain from the Prince of Fu's mansion, which greatly increased his strength. He then raised the banner of "suppressing the enemy and pacifying the people," attracting hundreds of thousands of refugees to join him.

It can be said that Prince Fu deserves at least one-third of the credit for Li Zicheng's ability to sweep across the country and capture Beijing.

However, while one can despise the enemy strategically, one must take the enemy seriously tactically.

Although he had the Prince of Fu's biological mother in his grasp, he couldn't guarantee whether the Prince of Fu would take any risks.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao said to Wei Chao, "Summon Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe and Duke of Yingguo Zhang Weixian to the palace."

The Duke of England was in charge of the Beijing Garrison. Zhu Youxiao wanted to see if the people in the Beijing Garrison would listen to him.

If you don't listen
snort!
He first reorganized the Beijing garrison, and then went to deal with Prince Fu.

If they obey, in the process of dealing with Prince Fu, they will also deal with the Beijing Garrison.

About half an hour later.

The British prince arrived at the East Warm Pavilion.

"Your subject Zhang Weixian respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health!"

"I am well, please take a seat."

After the Duke of England arrived, Zhu Youxiao handed him a memorial filled with evidence of the Prince of Fu's crimes.

Zhu Youxiao sighed, “I have only just realized that Prince Fu is so arrogant in Luoyang. The people of Henan are filled with resentment. If this continues, I fear there may be a popular uprising.”

Fang Congzhe had been in the East Warm Pavilion for some time and had confided in the emperor.

Even at this moment, the old man could still remain calm.

Although he was the Grand Secretary, the Emperor held the power of the Red Pill Case and could remove him from office at any time.

As the Grand Secretary, he could only be a puppet Grand Secretary; Fang Congzhe dared not disobey the Emperor's wishes in the slightest.

After being a puppet for a long time, one's mind becomes settled.

With a wise ruler as a guarantor, there's nothing wrong with being a scapegoat chief minister.

As long as you have the spirit of Ah Q, you can get by.

"Your Majesty, this."

After reading these impeachment memorials, Duke Zhang Weixian of England's expression changed drastically. He immediately said, "The Prince of Fu is indeed arrogant. Your Majesty can order the Imperial Clan Court to reprimand him."

Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes and asked, "Only a reprimand?"

Zhang Weixian opened his mouth, unable to fathom the emperor's thoughts.

He thought for a moment and then said, "The crime committed by Prince Fu is very serious. Your Majesty may issue an edict to admonish and order the prince to reflect on his actions."

Zhu Youxiao's expression softened slightly, and he said, "The Prince of Fu owns more than 60,000 hectares of land and also controls salt tax, river tax, and commercial tax. Now that the country is in such a crisis, how can we allow an arrogant prince to sit and eat his fill? Moreover, his mother, Consort Zheng, condoned her subordinates to commit murder, and even got involved in the case of regicide. This matter must be explained."

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Zhang Weixian immediately understood what the emperor meant.

He immediately replied, "I can mobilize 20,000 troops from the capital garrison and send them to Kaifeng under the pretext of training them."

(End of this chapter)