How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 3 Clear Water Noodles (Double Regulation)
In the small hut on the west side of Qianqing Gate, only an oil lamp was lit. Wang Chengen bowed and presented a rough earthenware bowl to Zhu Youjian, the bowl containing clear water. Cao Huachun then took out three flatbreads from a food box.

Emperor Chongzhen sat cross-legged on the earthen kang (heated brick bed), glancing at the three people in front of him—Wang Chengen, Cao Huachun, and Xu Yingyuan—all old men who had followed him from the Prince Xin's residence. He picked up a piece of flatbread, rubbed the rough dough between his fingers, and suddenly grinned silently.

In my previous life, it was also this place. At seventeen, I huddled in this eunuch's quarters, munching on pancakes baked by Princess Zhou and drinking cool well water drawn by Xu Yingyuan, clutching a dagger all night, afraid to close my eyes. Back then, I was truly afraid—afraid of Wei Zhongxian's poisoned wine, afraid of the eunuch's assassins. Looking back now, my youthful folly is both laughable and pathetic.

"Wei Zhongxian..." Chongzhen took a bite of his biscuit and chewed slowly. He knew perfectly well what was going on: the Nine Thousand Years Old? Nothing more than an old dog chained to the pillar of imperial power! If he were to kick the bucket tonight, the first one to be dragged away and skinned alive by Zhang Weixian, the Duke of Yingguo and Governor-General of the Beijing Garrison, would be Wei Zhongxian!
Empress Zhang was in the palace, and Princess Zhou was outside the palace—once the emperor died, the empress dowager would have to come from one of them! Outside the Forbidden City, there were also 100,000 Beijing garrison troops and 100,000 Embroidered Uniform Guards—most of the officers of the Beijing garrison troops were sons of noble families in Beijing, and the guards and strongmen of the Embroidered Uniform Guards were almost all "Lords of Beijing." The middle and high-ranking officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guards were also from noble families and were all registered in Beijing. This was the biggest net in Beijing.

How dare Wei Zhongxian, a mere "outsider," touch the emperor in Beijing? He must be thinking he and his hundred or so adopted sons aren't dying fast enough.
"Your Majesty, it's chilly at night. Please have some hot water to warm yourself up." Xu Yingyuan carefully handed over the earthenware bowl.

Emperor Chongzhen took the bowl, but didn't drink. His voice deepened: "Water and flatbread—this is frugality and simplicity, a reminder of our original aspirations. Back when our founding emperor traveled the world, even a flatbread like this was a luxury, but this bowl of water was something he could drink every day." He paused, looking out at the dark night. "Right now, the world is plagued by disasters. Shaanxi is scorched, Henan is swarming with locusts… Countless people can't even afford this bowl of water. How many can be like our founding emperor, who could swallow a bowl of water and still have the power of a thousand thunderbolts in his heart?"

The room was deathly silent. Wang Chengen and the other two stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to breathe.

Emperor Chongzhen suddenly smiled and patted the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed): "What are you all standing there for? Sit down! We're all family, no need for formalities." He pointed to the flatbread and bowl, "Eat! Eat and drink your fill, because I'll need the three of you to keep watch for me tonight! Starting tomorrow, we'll take this huge Forbidden City back into our hands, inch by inch!"

Wang Chengen's eyes welled up with tears, and he knelt down with a thud: "This servant..." Before he could finish speaking, Chongzhen shoved the bowl of water in his hand into his arms.

"Drink this." Emperor Chongzhen's tone left no room for negotiation.

Wang Chengen held the rough earthenware bowl, still warm from the emperor's hands, his hands trembling. Cao Huachun and Xu Yingyuan also hurriedly knelt down, the three of them taking turns drinking the bowl of water, sip by sip. Every drop of the warm water slid down their throats, a testament to imperial grace! To drink from the same bowl as the emperor, to eat the same bread… this favor left the three eunuchs dizzy and their blood rushing to their heads.

"This servant (old servant) is willing to die for Your Majesty!" The three men slammed their foreheads heavily against the cold brick floor, their voices choked with emotion.

Emperor Chongzhen nodded emphatically, his gaze settling on Xu Yingyuan. This old fox, in his past life, had used his feigned compliance with Wei Zhongxian to lull the eunuch faction into a false sense of security, buying himself precious time. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that he had accepted 50,000 taels of silver from Wei Zhongxian, and in a fit of anger, Chongzhen had demoted him to sweep the imperial tombs in Fengyang; the man was dead within two years. Now, thinking about it, what was 50,000 taels? Compared to his contribution in keeping Wei Zhongxian in check, it was nothing. He had been too harsh… too harsh.

He reached out and patted Xu Yingyuan's slightly hunched shoulder: "Do a good job. If you do a good job, I'll save the position of Director of Ceremonial Affairs for you in the future." This was Xu Yingyuan's biggest wish before he died in his previous life. He wasn't allowed to do it in his previous life, but he'll make up for it in this one.

Xu Yingyuan shuddered, looked up abruptly, and tears streamed down his face. His lips trembled, and he could only kowtow repeatedly: "Thank you... thank you Your Majesty for your grace! This servant... this servant would give my life and die for you!"

“Remember,” Chongzhen leaned down, his voice low so that only Xu Yingyuan could hear, “do your job well. Take what you should take, and what you shouldn’t take is hot as a frying pan!” He gave Xu Yingyuan a meaningful look.

Xu Yingyuan's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately understood the emperor's warning and protection. She was overwhelmed with gratitude and cried tears of joy: "This servant understands! Understands!"

Chongzhen turned to Cao Huachun: "Old Cao, you've worked hard these days. When you bring cakes to the palace tomorrow, pick a few more clever and reliable people from the Prince Xin's residence to bring in." He paused, a fierce glint in his eyes, "Have them clean the Zhaoren Hall inside and out for me, and then... arrange for reliable people to keep a close watch on it."

Cao Huachun was a meticulous man and couldn't immediately figure out why the emperor suddenly wanted to clean up the Zhaoren Hall where books were stored, but the words "keep a close watch" made him sense something was amiss. He bowed and replied, "This servant obeys the decree and will certainly do it properly."

Emperor Chongzhen watched as the three men wolfed down their food, and Wang Chengen even carefully drank the last drop of water before saying, "If you're full, get some rest. Take turns on night duty. Tomorrow morning... we have distinguished guests to see."

Wang Chengen asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, who are we meeting tomorrow morning? This servant will make arrangements in advance."

"Lady Fengsheng, thank you for your hospitality," Chongzhen said calmly.

……

August 25th, the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, early morning.

Dressed in plain white mourning clothes, with white flowers in her hair and black gauze wrapped around her wrists, Madam Ke was slowly walking towards the Qianqing Palace, supported by two personal maids. Her face was haggard, and her eyes were red, as if she were immersed in the grief of losing her son. Three days had passed since the death of Emperor Tianqi, but her mourning posture was still impeccable, and everyone who saw her would praise her for her "deep affection for her loyal servants".

Wang Chengen led the way, his pace neither fast nor slow, his respect tinged with distance. He turned slightly to the side, his voice low: "Lady Fengsheng, the late Emperor left a decree, in recognition of your nurturing service, and specially granted you a residence outside the palace for your peaceful old age. Today, I have summoned you to the palace, firstly to express my gratitude for the late Emperor's benevolence, and secondly to receive this honor."

Madam Ke lowered her eyelids, concealing the hint of suspicion in her eyes, and said in a mournful voice, "This old woman... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

She pondered: the new emperor had only been on the throne for a day, yet he suddenly issued an edict of "favor"? Wei Zhongxian had warned her last night to be careful and not to leave the palace lightly… But since it was the "late emperor's edict," and delivered personally by Wang Chengen, disobeying it would only make her seem guilty. Besides, the Qianqing Palace was where the late emperor's coffin was located; as his "wet nurse," she should, both morally and logically, kowtow and express her gratitude. Thinking this, she nodded slightly and followed Wang Chengen into the Qianqing Palace.

Inside the palace, Emperor Tianqi's coffin lay quietly, with white curtains hanging low and incense and candles swirling around. As soon as Madam Ke entered, she knelt down with a thud, her forehead hitting the gold bricks heavily, her voice choked with sobs: "The late emperor... this old servant is late!" She lay on the ground weeping, her shoulders trembling, pretending it was a real tragedy.

Wang Chengen stood to the side, watching her performance with a blank expression. After she had finished crying, he stepped forward and said softly, "Madam Fengsheng, His Majesty still has a favor to bestow in Zhaoren Hall. Please follow me."

Madam Ke raised her tearful eyes, feigning hesitation: "This...this old servant has not yet finished mourning..."

Wang Chengen's tone was gentle but firm: "His Majesty, out of consideration for the lady's advanced age, has specially ordered this servant to take you to receive your reward as soon as possible, so as not to tire you out."

Madam Ke felt a sudden alarm bell ringing in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face. She could only slowly get up, wipe away her tears, and follow Wang Chengen to Zhaoren Hall.

Pushing open the palace door, a blast of cold air hit me.

The Zhaoren Hall was empty except for a single elmwood table in the center. Behind the table, the young Chongzhen Emperor sat ramrod straight, his eyes sharp as knives. On the table, a thick, sturdy rosewood cup steamed, releasing a fragrant aroma of tea.

On either side, Empress Zhang's confidantes—Granny Qin and Zhao An—stood like two stone statues, their eyes icy cold.

Ms. Ke paused, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.

She forced herself to remain calm, stepped forward, and bowed: "This old servant greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty..."

"No need." Chongzhen's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable force.

When Madam Ke looked up and met Chongzhen's unfathomable eyes, her heart skipped a beat—this was no look of a sixteen-year-old boy! It was clearly the look of a seasoned official interrogating a prisoner!
Emperor Chongzhen spoke slowly, his voice unhurried: "Lady Fengsheng, I have summoned you here today because I have something to ask you."

Madam Ke forced a smile: "Your Majesty, please ask, and this old servant will answer to the best of my knowledge..."

Emperor Chongzhen gently tapped the table. Granny Qin immediately stepped forward, unrolled a scroll of imperial edict, and read aloud:

"By the Empress's decree—the investigation reveals that Lady Ke, the Lady of the Imperial Household, has become arrogant and presumptuous, overstepped the bounds of propriety, harbored fugitives, defiled the palace, embezzled imperial funds, and misappropriated imperial estates. The evidence is irrefutable! She is hereby ordered to await judgment in the Zhaoren Hall to uphold the law!"

Ms. Ke was struck dumb, and her face turned deathly pale.

She turned sharply to Emperor Chongzhen, her voice shrill: "Your Majesty! This old servant is innocent! This...this is a frame-up!"

Emperor Chongzhen sneered, picked up the thick-walled rosewood cup, took a sip of hot tea, and said indifferently, "Injustice? Lady Fengsheng, for the next month, you will stay in this Zhaoren Hall. Without my decree, you are not allowed to go anywhere or see anyone. Just honestly tell me how much you have embezzled over the years, how much you have swallowed, how many people you have harmed, and who your accomplices are?"

He put down his teacup, his gaze icy: "If you know what's good for you, honestly confess your crimes and report your accomplices, I might show leniency, after all, the late emperor left a will; if you don't understand..."

He paused:

"Then don't blame me for ignoring the late emperor's edict... I'll have you executed by slow slicing and your entire family exterminated! After all, he was the late emperor... I am the current emperor! Whether you live or die, whether your son lives or die, is entirely up to me. You decide for yourself!"

Knowing she had no other choice, Madam Ke turned as white as a sheet and asked tremblingly, "Does Your Majesty want to know the wrong things Wei Zhongxian instructed this old servant to do?"

Are they in such a hurry to sell Wei Zhongxian?
Emperor Chongzhen gave a cold laugh and shook his head: "It's not his turn yet... You tell me first, how did you get involved with Wang Tiqian, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial?"

Wang Tiqian? Madam Ke was taken aback. How could it be him? He didn't seem to have committed any major crimes... He just embezzled some money?
(End of this chapter)