Huangming

Chapter 13 The Art of Managing Subordinates, Jinzhong's Ambition

The power of eunuchs was inherently dependent on the imperial power.

The emperor could grant power to eunuchs, and he could also take it back.

In particular, Zhu Youxiao had made preparations long ago.

The Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are now under his command, so even if Wang An wanted to fight to the death, he would have no chance.

"What should be done about Wang An's crimes?"

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Chao and the others.

Wei Chao immediately stepped forward and said, "For the crime of deceiving the emperor, he should be dragged out of the palace and beaten to death at the Meridian Gate as a warning to others!"

Wang An was already slumped on the ground, his eyes lifeless.

Having spent many years in the palace, he naturally knew that he had no chance of turning his life around.

He could only plead from the side, "I hope Your Highness will remember my many years of service. Even if I have no merit, I have still worked hard and spared my life."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Tiqian and Li Jinzhong.

"What do you think?"

Wang Tiqian immediately stepped forward and said, "Those who bring disaster to the country and its people should naturally be severely punished. Otherwise, wouldn't the people in the palace follow suit?"

Li Jinzhong nodded in agreement.

These three men wanted nothing more than to tear Wang An apart and skin him alive.

After all, Wang An had been in power in the Forbidden City for a long time and had many loyal people under his command.

They won't sleep peacefully at night unless they are completely eradicated.

Zhu Youxiao, however, did not grant them their wish.

"Wang An, considering your meritorious service to the late Emperor, even though you have committed such a serious crime, I will still spare your life. After the late Emperor is laid to rest, you will go and guard the mausoleum."

Wang An immediately knelt down. For a eunuch who had lost power, being able to guard the tomb was a good ending.

He immediately knelt down to express his gratitude: "This old servant thanks Your Majesty for your holy grace."

Watching Wang An leave Cining Palace in a daze, Zhu Youxiao felt a strange mix of emotions.

This is certainly not sympathy.

Instead, we should learn from this experience.

Yesterday's high and mighty eunuch patriarch is today like a stray dog.

Zhu Youxiao ordered him to guard the imperial tomb, but could he really survive?
We will launch a counterattack and eliminate them completely.

Wang An is already dead.

However, he didn't die at the hands of Zhu Youxiao.

The power struggle is terrifying.

Either you die or I die!
With Wang An's downfall, who will take over the position of Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial?
Wei Chao glanced at Wang Tiqian subtly, then immediately stepped forward and fawned over Zhu Youxiao:

"Your Highness, this morning the Imperial Treasury sent some Dalbergia odorifera and Dalbergia odorifera."

Zhu Youxiao frowned and said, "What do I need this wood for?"

These eunuchs really know how to flatter their superiors.

They probably knew he was good at carpentry, so they sent him these precious pieces of wood.

But he was no longer the same Zhu Youxiao; he had no interest in carpentry.

"This servant thought it was sent by His Highness, but now it seems that Wang An has once again misinterpreted His Majesty's intentions."

In any case, it's never wrong to pin the blame on Wang An.

of course
If the emperor has a taste for this, then the credit will naturally go to the Wei dynasty.

Zhu Youxiao saw through it but didn't say anything. As long as the people under his command didn't cross the line, they could still be used.

If the bottom line is crossed.

Wang An met his end!
"Wei Dynasty".

"The servant is here."

"I hereby promote you to Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and Director of the Eastern Depot. Serve me well."

Even though he already knew the outcome, he was still extremely excited when the heir spoke it aloud. He immediately knelt down and said, "Long live the Crown Prince! This servant will certainly do a good job and live up to the trust placed in me. Whatever the Crown Prince wants to do, this servant will risk my old life to help the Crown Prince accomplish it!"

"very good!"

Zhu Youxiao was very satisfied with Wei Chao's statement.

"Go to the Wenyuan Pavilion and have the Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary come to see me. Also, bring all the urgent memorials from the past few days."

When the emperor died, court was suspended for three days.

Ordinary matters could be handled by the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial. However, in case of emergencies, the Emperor still had to make the decision.

The eunuch Wang An, who had prevented him from making decisions, had lost power, and no one could stop him from ruling in his own right.

"Slave, you obey!"

Wei Chao was overjoyed and immediately headed towards the Wenyuan Pavilion. After leaving the pavilion, he even started to jog.

When the emperor promotes a Grand Secretary to the Directorate of Ceremonial, it is merely a formality; he verbally informs the Grand Secretary of the cabinet of the candidate's identity.

Normally, the cabinet does not have the power to reverse a decision.

For example, when the Jiajing Emperor appointed Chen Hong as the chief scribe, Xu Jie could only "bow his head and say 'good'".

of course there are exceptions.

In the early years of the Wanli reign, Zhang Juzheng could interfere in the selection of candidates and reject Meng Chong, recommended by Feng Bao.

After Wei Chao left, Zhu Youxiao looked at Li Jinzhong.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao began to take notice of this person after learning his name.

Li Jinzhong.
Wei Zhongxian!

This is the most famous eunuch in China's five thousand years of history.

"Li Jinzhong, I see that you are quick-witted and were once a senior official in the Prince's residence. Therefore, I will send you to the Directorate of Ceremonial as a court eunuch!"

Li Jinzhong was overjoyed and immediately knelt down.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This servant will certainly serve you well!"

"What did you say to Wei Chao at Qianqing Palace last night?"

Li Jinzhong knew that the heir was inquiring about the relocation of the palace.

"The palace gates of Xili were tightly shut, and last night neither I nor Eunuch Wei were allowed to enter."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly.

Without his support, would Consort Li still dare to reside in the Qianqing Palace?

According to regulations, Zhu Changluo's coffin was to be kept in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace for seven days. Officials of the fourth rank or above in Beijing were to wear mourning clothes and mourn from Chenshi (7-9 AM) to Youshi (5-7 PM) every day, while local officials were to set up altars for remote worship.

If Consort Li did not want a dignified end, then Zhu Youxiao had no choice but to give her an undignified one.

"Li Jinzhong, make Consort Li move to the Huiluan Palace today, no matter what method you use."

The Fuwei Holy Dynasty governed the world with filial piety.

As emperor, Zhu Youxiao naturally had to follow the principles of filial piety.

But the recklessness of his subordinates was not his fault.

Eunuchs were the emperor's henchmen; they were naturally chosen to do things that the emperor was not suited to do himself.

"I obey your orders!"

A cold glint flashed in Li Jinzhong's eyes.

Wang An fell from power.

The Wei dynasty came to power.

But given the capabilities of the Wei dynasty, could it truly serve the successor well?

Today's Wang An may very well be tomorrow's Wei Dynasty.

He, Li Jinzhong, must be given an important position by the Crown Prince!

I must become the most powerful eunuch!
Not long after Li Jinzhong left, Wei Chao, looking smug, led Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe and Vice Grand Secretary Liu Yiju into the palace.

"Your subject Fang Congzhe (Liu Yiju) pays his respects to Your Highness."

The two arrived in haste, but Wang An was nowhere to be seen. Instead, they saw Wei Chao inquiring about state affairs at the Wenyuan Pavilion, which they had already anticipated.

One emperor and one courtier.

The powerful eunuchs were changed frequently.

"Give me a seat."

A palace servant brought over small stools, and after thanking Zhu Youxiao, the two carefully sat down.

Fang Congzhe showed no displeasure on his old face.

On the contrary, there was even a hint of joy in his eyes.

After all, Wang An was on the side of the Donglin Party, so his downfall was a good thing for him.

"I wonder what Your Highness has summoned me for?"

Zhu Youxiao pointed at Wei Chao and said, "Wang An misjudged people, colluded with the outer court, and deceived the emperor. He has been dismissed from his post and is atoning for his crimes. Now the Directorate of Ceremonial needs a person in charge, so let Wei Chao act as the Director of Ceremonial. What does the Grand Secretary think?"

(End of this chapter)