Huangming

Chapter 76 Dogs Fight Over a Bones, the Emperor Gets His Fill (Please Read On!!)
Inside the East Warm Pavilion.

The emperor and his ministers remained silent for a long time.

Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Sun Chengzong broke the silence.

“It will take some time to compile the ‘Record of Heavenly Mirror for Combating Corruption,’ so Your Majesty should not issue an edict in the first place.”

Zhu Youxiao wasn't stupid.

He naturally wanted to seize military power and then interfere in the imperial examinations.
You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to go step by step.

Currently, only the three of them know about this matter in the East Warm Pavilion; everyone else around them has been dismissed.

Sun Chengzong was a loyal minister, while Yuan Keli was known outside as a minister who had been favored by the emperor.

Both men had a very poor reputation among civil servants.

They are both trustworthy officials; this matter will surely be kept secret.

Of course, it doesn't matter if this gets out.

He could remain silent, since before the edict was issued, it was all just hearsay and rumors.

Civil officials dared not use this as grounds for impeachment.
Unless he's suicidal.

"Once the book is completed, I will issue an edict. I now wish to appoint the Grand Secretary as the chief editor, Sun Ruyou, the Minister of Rites, as the chief editor of 'Tianjian Sutanlu', Gu Bingqian, the Left Vice Minister of Rites and Academician, Huang Lijie, the Junior Chamberlain, Feng Quan, the Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, and Yuan Qing as editors, and Wang Tiqian, the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, as the eunuch supervisor, to jointly compile this book."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Keli realized that His Majesty had planned this all along.

Now that the die is cast, there's no turning back.

Yuan Keli closed his eyes tightly and suddenly realized that he had indeed lost his edge.

He recalled his life, which unfolded before his eyes like a shadow:

He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the seventeenth year of the Wanli reign and was initially appointed as a judge in Suzhou Prefecture. During his tenure, he severely punished powerful local tyrants and cleared up long-standing cases, earning him the nickname "Yuan Qingtian" (Upright Yuan) among the people.

In the twenty-third year of the Wanli reign, he was appointed as the Supervising Censor of Shanxi Circuit, where he impeached powerful officials, rectified officialdom, and his reputation resounded throughout the court and the country.

His uprightness and willingness to speak out also led him to become mired in difficulties in officialdom.

Just one year later, he angered the Wanli Emperor by submitting a memorial requesting the abolition of mining taxes after opposing the exorbitant taxes levied by the eunuch Chen Zeng. He was dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown for 26 years.

During his seclusion, he wrote "Fuji Shucao" and "Fuguotang Ji", criticizing the malpractices of the time and advocating reform.

Now that he sees the emperor's ambition for reform, he is overjoyed.

However, he had previously seen through the corruption of officialdom and the ugly nature of factional strife, which filled him with worry.

However.
If His Majesty is not afraid, what is he afraid of?
He is already fifty-nine years old this year. How many more years does he have to live?
Since the new ruler is so bold, then let him be like a newborn calf and take a bold plunge!
His eyes suddenly sharpened, and his tone became much firmer.

"Your humble servant will certainly do his best to compile this book!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded and sighed, "Although I have ambitions and a desire to bring peace to the world, I still need loyal and capable ministers to assist me. Minister Yuan has won my heart. If you do not fail me, I will certainly not fail you."

Having said all that, Yuan Keli immediately knelt down and stated:

"Your Majesty, I am but a piece of rotten wood, yet I have been granted the grace of thunder and rain, and have been lifted from my post in the wilderness. For twenty-six years I was banished, but I never dared to forget my sovereign and father. Now, entrusted with the task of compiling the 'Heavenly Mirror for Combating Corruption,' I shall devote myself wholeheartedly. I am willing to emulate the loyalty of Ji An who broke the yoke and the integrity of Bao Zheng who broke the pillar. Even if executioner's blade and cauldron were before me, I would ensure that corrupt officials have nowhere to hide. Having pledged my life to the nation, I can only do my utmost!"

Zhu Youxiao personally stepped down from the throne, helped Yuan Keli up, and said, "You have made a great contribution to compiling this book, which is why I am able to promote you. I will rely on you to share my burdens and serve the country in the future."

Compiling the "Record of Heavenly Mirrors Against Corruption" was a three-pronged strategy for Zhu Youxiao.

One aspect is to control public opinion and showcase the new dynasty's anti-corruption efforts.

Secondly, they interfered in the imperial examinations to test the court officials.

Thirdly, he promoted his cronies, placing them in important positions based on their merits.

After spending some more time with the two men, Zhu Youxiao intended to have dinner with them as a sign of his favor.

However, the two dared not accept the offer of thanks and took their leave.

After his two trusted ministers left, Zhu Youxiao returned to his throne to study and review memorials.

As the sun sets, the vermilion pillars of the Qianqing Palace become even darker in the twilight.

The eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot, Wei Zhongxian, requested an audience.

Zhu Youxiao deliberately ignored Wei the eunuch and continued reviewing memorials.

He continued until he was tired of reviewing memorials.

Zhu Youxiao stretched and said to Zhang Yun'er, who was serving him, "Call Wei Zhongxian in." Wei Zhongxian had been waiting outside the East Warm Pavilion for more than half an hour, but the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot dared not complain. Instead, he was filled with anxiety.

Today, Wang Tiqian intentionally or unintentionally reminded him that His Majesty already knew about Wang An's matter.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian was so frightened that he almost jumped out of his skin and hurriedly came to pay his respects.

This concerns money, and this is His Majesty's bottom line!
Wei Zhongxian quickly entered the pavilion, knelt down hastily, and said, "This servant, Wei Zhongxian, greets Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youxiao didn't wake him, but simply asked, "What brings you here? Have you finished your business with me?"

Gollum~
Wei Zhongxian swallowed hard and said, "The matter of the theft of treasures in the palace is still under investigation, and there have been considerable results. I have come here today mainly for two matters."

Zhu Youxiao leaned back on his throne and said calmly, "Tell me about it."

Wei Zhongxian wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and said, "Three days ago, my men discovered that Wang An had committed suicide in the Qingling Mausoleum's ancestral hall out of fear of punishment. This is his last letter, in which he clearly stated his crimes."

As he spoke, he was about to hand over Wang An's will.

Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly, tapped on the imperial desk, and raised his voice slightly.

"Tell the important point!"

Did he commit suicide out of fear of punishment and also confess to his crimes?
This is similar to the later case of an American being shot eight times in the back, with murder ruled out as the cause of death.

Do you think I'm a three-year-old?
Wei Zhongxian put the will away and then took out a small booklet from his sleeve.

"Your Majesty, this is what I have found based on Wang An's confession, including all the money and goods he obtained through bribery and corruption.

Zhu Youxiao's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Bring it up."

Wei Zhongxian dared not get up, and crawled straight up to the emperor on his knees, placing his hands above his head.

Zhu Youxiao opened the booklet, and what was inside left him speechless.

The gold and silver valuables included 387,000 taels of silver and 400 taels of pure gold, mostly in ten-tael standard gold ingots, interspersed with three gold nuggets from Goryeo; Tonghui Money Shop issued 120,000 taels of silver notes that could be exchanged on sight, with the salt merchant's emblem secretly printed on them.

Among the treasures are a pair of South China Sea luminous pearls; a Hetian jade mountain; a Song Dynasty official kiln moon-white glazed tripod incense burner containing one hundred pearls from the East; and eighteen Burmese rubies.

As for the other items, they were truly dazzling.

This is far more than 500,000 taels!
This Wei dynasty was deceived by Wei Zhongxian without even realizing it.

"How could I not know about this?"

bang bang bang~
Wei Zhongxian kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, this servant has not yet finished checking the accounts. I was hoping to give Your Majesty a surprise, and I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty."

When Wang An's property was confiscated, he planned to give at least 70% to the emperor, 20% to the Wei Dynasty, and keep 10% for himself, which was a deliberate attempt to harm the Wei Dynasty.

He had hoped to use this opportunity to climb the social ladder and surprise himself.

Unexpectedly, that scoundrel Wei Chao actually confessed to this.

There is a world of difference between speaking about something before the emperor knew about it and speaking about it after he knew about it.

Instead of a pleasant surprise, this time it was a shock.

To save himself, he had no choice but to present all the embezzled funds to the emperor.

As Wei Zhongxian gritted his teeth, he mentally annihilated the Wei dynasty's ancestors for eighteen generations.

'That spineless eunuch Wei Chao! He doesn't even have the guts to embezzle money? Why didn't your mother drown you in a latrine back then!'

"Are you telling the truth?" Zhu Youxiao was very satisfied with the contents of the ledger, so his tone became much lighter.

Wei Zhongxian quickly extended his right hand and pointed to the sky as an oath.

"If this servant has uttered even the slightest lie, may she die a horrible death!"

This servant girl needs to be constantly disciplined.

However, if he could earn millions every time he made a beating, he would be happy to do so.

"What is the second thing you have come to report?"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Wei Zhongxian's eyes.

Wei Chao, if you dare to report me, don't blame me for reporting you!

"This servant has confirmed that the Four Guards under the Imperial Horse Administration have been found to have falsified troop numbers, deserted soldiers, neglected training, smuggled military equipment, and engaged in harassment and looting. Your Majesty, I beg you to thoroughly investigate the Four Guards!"

(End of this chapter)