How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 7: What eunuch faction? They're all imperial faction!

The tense atmosphere in the Wenhua Hall, which was almost on the verge of exploding, eased with a single sentence from Emperor Chongzhen.

He casually let Madam Ke off the hook, his gaze sweeping downwards—the four Grand Secretaries, Huang Lijie, Shi Fenglai, Zhang Ruitu, and Li Guopu, stared blankly, utterly bewildered. Madam Ke's massive case involving two million taels of silver, just dismissed by the Emperor with a mere "greed for money"? What kind of show is this? Weren't we supposed to be dealing with Wei Zhongxian today? Our actions just now have thoroughly offended that eunuch! If he doesn't fall, will he ever let us off the hook?

Duke Zhang Weixian of Yingguo clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve. The old nobleman's chest heaved, his eyes burning as he glared at Chongzhen with barely any respect—he couldn't understand it either. The executioners were all ready outside, and Madam Ke had been apprehended inside. Shouldn't they first confirm Madam Ke's serious crimes of plotting to murder the imperial heir, starving the imperial concubine to death, and persecuting the empress, and then follow the clues to drag Wei Zhongxian out?

Why all the noise and no action? We loyal subjects are still waiting to raid Wei Zhongxian's house!
Wei Zhongxian hung his head, his tall frame no longer hunched. He secretly let out a sigh of relief; the damp robe on his back clung coldly to his flesh, yet a flicker of life rose in his heart—the emperor had finally heeded his "accusations." Although Madam Ke had fallen, her life was spared; the knife hadn't been turned against his own neck. Perhaps this young emperor still needed his old bones to support the inner court?
But this young man's methods... are truly ruthless! He ascended the throne on the 24th, and on the 25th he had already won over Tu Wenfu's godson, arrested Madam Ke, and even forced Wang Tiqian to recommend him as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Today... only the 26th, early this morning! In just one and a half days, he has completely disrupted the situation he has built up over many years.

Anyone who opposes this emperor is sure to die a horrible death!
Is it too late to surrender now?

His old eyes darted around, wondering if he still had a chance to surrender.

"Wei Banban".

Emperor Chongzhen's voice wasn't loud, but it sent a shiver down the spines of those who had just recovered. He took a sip of tea and began as if making small talk: "I've heard that there's some kind of 'eunuch faction' in the court?"

"boom!"

The air in the hall froze instantly! Huang Lijie and the other two were struck dumb, their hearts leaping into their throats, their faces as white as paper. Zhang Weixian suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light—that's right, they should be caught in one fell swoop and their homes confiscated!

Wei Zhongxian trembled violently, his body went limp and he almost collapsed to the ground, feeling as if axe-wielders were about to pounce out from the shadows on both sides of the steps!

Chongzhen, however, seemed oblivious to the terror in the crowd, continuing his story in a calm, almost joking manner: "It is said that many civil officials who passed the imperial examinations on both the first and second rounds of the examinations have despised themselves and have become apprentices of certain powerful eunuchs, recognizing them as godfathers and calling them grandfathers..." His gaze swept over the three Grand Secretaries who were trembling like leaves, "Tsk tsk, have all the dignity of scholars been wasted?"

"Your Majesty!" Huang Liji knelt down with a thud, snot and tears streaming down his face. "We...we are terrified! We have never done such a thing that violates human ethics!" Shi Fenglai and Zhang Ruitu also hurriedly prostrated themselves, kowtowing repeatedly. Li Guopu remained standing with his hands at his sides, but a cold smile secretly crept across his lips—if you fall, the Grand Secretary will be mine. What a wise and benevolent ruler!

Emperor Chongzhen suddenly laughed, his voice unusually clear in the deathly silent hall, carrying a knowing mockery: "What's the panic? I didn't name names." He stood up and walked down the imperial steps. "What eunuch faction? In my opinion—" He stopped in front of Wei Zhongxian, his gaze slicing across the pale face like a blade, "They're just a bunch of people greedy for power and money!"

He turned around abruptly, his voice suddenly rising: "Why curry favor with the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial? It's all because that pen controls the 'red approval'! Whether a memorial is approved or rejected, whether it leads to promotion or execution, it all depends on the Grand Secretary's stroke of the red pen! If you curry favor well, things will be easier, promotions will be easier, and money will naturally flow in! Isn't that the logic?"

No one dared to speak. Chongzhen's gaze swept over everyone's heads, finally landing on his outstretched palm, as if weighing an invisible authority: "However..." His tone suddenly became lighter, "I am young and full of energy. From now on, I will handle this 'red-ink approval' work myself! No need for the eunuchs to worry about it."

He strolled back to his throne, flicked his sleeve, and sat down again, as if he had just settled a trivial matter. "Mr. Huang, Mr. Shi, Mr. Zhang," he said, pointing to the three pale-faced Grand Secretaries, his smile as warm as a spring breeze, "would you gentlemen like to join a party?"

"Join...join the Party?" Huang Liji looked up blankly, wondering if he had misheard.

"That's right!" Chongzhen clapped his hands, beaming with excitement. "Join my 'Emperor's Party'! You are all my pillars, the backbone of the Ming Dynasty! My party will be called the 'Emperor's Party'! So, do you want to join?"

The so-called eunuch faction of Wei Zhongxian was actually the Emperor's faction! Its members were a group of somewhat greedy but relatively obedient officials. For example, the four Grand Secretaries at present were all the kind of guys who had no ability other than being obedient. Replacing them with people who weren't necessarily more capable, and even less obedient than them. It was better to keep them; in the future, court recommendations, court discussions, and council recommendations, they could all be made according to our wishes. "Your Majesty, we kowtow in gratitude!" Huang Lijie and the other two were almost weeping with joy! A turn of events, a life saved from a desperate situation! What eunuch faction? That was all ancient history! Now they were the "Emperor's faction," personally bestowed by the Emperor! The three kowtowed repeatedly, offering their loyalty, wishing they could tear out their hearts to prove their devotion, "Your Majesty, we swear to serve you to the death! We are willing to give our lives for the Emperor's faction!"

Wei Zhongxian stood there, his face ashen.

What right to approve imperial edicts? Gone!
What leader of the eunuch faction? He was uprooted! His eunuch faction is finished!

With a few casual words, the emperor snatched away the very foundation of Wei Zhongxian's lifelong power and control over the court—the vermilion brush that issued imperial edicts! Furthermore, by labeling him a "favoritism party," he brought all the civil officials, including Wei Zhongxian himself, under the emperor's control! From then on, what eunuch faction was there? Only the emperor's faction!

This young man is no novice; he is clearly a cunning and shrewd man who manipulates power!

Emperor Chongzhen then remembered him and said gently, "Wei Banban."

Wei Zhongxian was startled and quickly knelt down, saying, "Your...this old servant is here!"

"You have toiled for the late Emperor for half your life, your contributions are immense." Chongzhen's tone was gentle, but his words were icy. "Now that the power to approve imperial edicts in the Directorate of Ceremonial has been taken back, your position as Grand Secretary is no longer worthy of the title. So—" He paused, then clearly stated his decision: "I will promote you to Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, to hold the seal of office for me. I will bestow upon you the title of Duke of Ningguo, and I will also grant you an extra pardon from death! Enjoy your retirement and live a life of leisure."

The seal! The seal! The seal is only for stamping! The real power, the "red approval," has slipped through our fingers like quicksand! Even if he remains the scribe, he's only in charge of the pen. As for the Duke of Ningguo and the death-exemption token? Can this death-exemption token truly grant immunity from death?
Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian felt extremely uneasy and his mind was in complete turmoil.

"Gentlemen," Chongzhen said with a smile, turning to Huang Lijie and the other two, "Eunuch Wei has been promoted to Grand Secretary and granted the title of Duke. Congratulations! Don't you agree?"

"Congratulations, Duke Ningguo!" Huang Lijie reacted quickly, turning to Wei Zhongxian to offer his congratulations with a cupped hand, forcing a genuine smile on his face, as if the fear from before had never happened.

Wei Zhongxian's throat bobbed, his mouth filled with bitterness. He forced a smile and was about to express his gratitude when Chongzhen spoke again, casually tossing out, "By the way, the position of Director of the Eastern Depot is vacant. Wei, what do you think... who would be the most suitable?"

The Eastern Depot! The Emperor is even taking away his last piece of private territory! Wei Zhongxian's heart was bleeding, but he dared not hesitate for a moment. Almost instinctively, he called out a name: "Xu Yingyuan! Your Majesty, Xu Yingyuan is loyal, brave, and diligent, and is capable of undertaking great responsibilities!" He could only recommend this newly rich confidant of the "Emperor's Party" in order to protect himself!
"Good!" Chongzhen clapped his hands and laughed. "Issue an imperial decree: promote Xu Yingyuan, the chief eunuch of the Prince Xin's residence, to Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and concurrently to the position of Director of the Eastern Depot!" He looked at Xu Yingyuan, who was standing below the steps, with a meaningful gaze. "Grand Eunuch Xu, you must hold the Eastern Depot firmly in your hand. Investigate what needs to be investigated, and punish what needs to be punished."

"This servant kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!" Xu Yingyuan knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with excitement. In just a few days, he had risen from the chief steward of the Prince's residence to the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and then to the Director of the Eastern Depot, wielding immense power within the inner court! All because he had chosen the right master and joined the "Imperial Party"!
Emperor Chongzhen nodded in satisfaction, and finally looked at the distraught Wei Zhongxian, his tone even carrying a rare "warmth": "Wei Zhongxian, rest assured to be your Grand Secretary, to be your Duke of Ningguo. You are a former retainer of the late emperor, my pardon, you can truly escape death."

He waved his hand dismissively, as if sending away a hardworking and meritorious old servant, "Go."

The heavy palace doors slowly closed, isolating the turbulent undercurrents within the Wenhua Hall from the rising sun outside. Emperor Chongzhen sat alone on the empty throne, picked up his huanghuali thermos, took a sip of warm tea, and gazed at the vast sky beyond the carved lattice windows.

This generation's "Emperor-level" is doing something interesting!

(End of this chapter)