Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 116 Six Slashes in One Second
The West Warm Pavilion in the Qianqing Palace was warm and cozy, even a little hot.

But Tian Ergeng, kneeling on the gold brick ground, felt as if he were in an ice cave in the dead of winter.

The tactile sensation of the fine wolf-hair brush being snapped in his hand remained; the crisp "snap" seemed to be the first sound of his sanity breaking.

On the emperor's desk lay a thin sheet of paper, the handwriting on it hasty and hurried.

However, the content these words carry is more chilling than any bloodshed.

It wasn't until Tian Ergeng saw this piece of paper that he understood the terrifying murderous intent hidden behind the emperor's calm gaze!
He dared not look up. He could feel that the two gazes on the throne were no longer looking at a piece of evidence, but rather confirming a long-standing suspicion.

Zhu Youjian quietly looked at the Jinyiwei commander kneeling below, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm jade paperweight. His expression was calm, so calm that Tian Ergeng felt suffocated.

“Luo Yangxing…”

The emperor finally spoke, his voice very soft, as if he were talking to himself, or as if he were savoring the name, "I remember, he is Luo Sigong's son."

Tian Ergeng's heart sank, and he lowered his head even further: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I still remember that the Luo family, since the time of Emperor Taizu Gao, has been the henchmen of my Zhu family, receiving imperial favor for generations. Their first family precept is to be loyal only to the emperor and not to get involved in factional strife." Zhu Youjian's tone remained calm, as if he were stating a historical fact that had nothing to do with him.

Tian Ergeng's vest was soaked with cold sweat, and he didn't know how to respond.

Zhu Youjian's heart, however, was already a raging storm.

What flashed before his eyes was not the confession presented by Tian Ergeng, but another memory from another time and space.

Luo Yangxing!
The last commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Ming Dynasty! The first governor of Tianjin of the Qing Dynasty!

Ha...hahahaha! How ironic! How ridiculous!
A noble family that had been deeply favored by the country for generations and commanded the emperor's personal guards, ultimately ended up kneeling at the feet of the new master and becoming the vanguard!

Zhu Youjian was unaware of these details in his previous life.

Until a few days ago, he still thought that it might be a helpless act of people's desire for change in the face of the end times.

But today, the thing that Tian Ergeng sent was like a red-hot pair of iron pliers, tearing away that helpless disguise and revealing the truth that it was already rotten and infested with maggots!
Who wants change? The whole society is rotten to the core!

"I am here working tirelessly day and night, striving to save the day... while these henchmen I rely on most, these traitors who have enjoyed imperial favor since the time of the founding emperor, have already begun plotting how to sell this ship and buy a ticket to a new owner!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is loyal only to the Emperor; this is the foundation upon which the Luo family has built their reputation for generations! But you, Luo Yangxing, have abandoned even that very foundation! Very well! You truly are my loyal lackey!"

A raging fire burned in his chest, but Zhu Youjian's face remained completely expressionless. The angrier he became, the colder his expression grew. For this traitor who had betrayed his master, even a simple death was a blessing.

Zhu Youjian looked down at Tian Ergeng, who was trembling with fear.

This commander was capable and ambitious, and more importantly, everything he had depended on himself.

But the Luo family had been operating in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for decades, with a deep-rooted network of disciples and old friends. Tian Ergeng had only been in charge for a short time. Would he have any reservations or lingering feelings for his former superior and a family with a huge hidden power within the guard post?
So he leaned forward slightly, and his seemingly casual tone carried a tremendous weight as he slowly spoke.

"Tian Ergeng".

"Your subject is here!" Tian Ergeng exclaimed in surprise.

"The Luo family are, after all, veterans of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with disciples and old friends all over the court." Zhu Youjian's voice was very gentle, as if he was showing him consideration. "The entire Luo family should be imprisoned, and Luo Yangxing should be taken to the West Market and executed by slow slicing as a warning to others. If this matter is difficult, I can ask Zhou Quan of the West Depot to see if he is available."

Tian Ergeng's pupils constricted sharply!
His Majesty ordered the Western Depot to carry out the operation?

To send the Western Depot to execute the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) by slow slicing?
If this gets out, how can Tian Ergeng possibly stand in the imperial court?

Wouldn't he, as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, become the biggest joke in the world?

The entire Embroidered Uniform Guard system will be utterly humiliated and will never be able to hold its head high in front of the Western Depot again!

In an instant, anger at the Luo family's crimes, fear of the future, and worry about the future—all these complex emotions were consumed by an even more intense flame: the immense shame and indignation of having one's loyalty and ability questioned to one's face by the emperor!
Tian Ergeng's hair seemed to stand on end as he slammed his head against the cold, hard gold brick.

"Your Majesty!" Tian Ergeng's voice was hoarse but firm, carrying a hint of ruthlessness born of being driven to the brink. "Let alone one Luo Yangxing, even if there were ten or a hundred, I would personally dismember them for Your Majesty! If I cannot even clean up this family scandal, how can I face Your Majesty again! Please await good news, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian looked at his flushed forehead and nodded in satisfaction.

"Go ahead. Scrape it cleanly..."

……

When Tian Ergeng walked out of Qianqing Palace, the midday sun was dazzling, but he felt no warmth at all. The biting north wind blew on his burning face, but instead of calming him down, it stirred up the overwhelming killing intent that had been suppressed in his chest.

Without a moment's delay, he mounted his horse and, with two close attendants, charged straight towards the Jinyiwei Zhenfusi Yamen like a whirlwind.

His face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

"Commander!" The captains and guards along the way bowed, but they were all too intimidated by his menacing aura that kept strangers at bay to say a word.

"Pass on my order!" Tian Ergeng's voice echoed in the empty hall of the yamen, cold and resolute. "All officers and soldiers of the rank of centurion or above in the capital, assemble at the drill ground within a quarter of an hour! must muster three hundred elite cavalry, armored and armed, without fail!"

The order was given, and the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters was instantly activated.

A quarter of an hour later, a cold wind howled across the drill ground.

Three hundred elite Imperial Guards, dressed in flying fish robes, with embroidered spring knives at their waists and covered in iron armor, stood solemnly.

Standing on the high platform, Tian Ergeng's gaze was sharp as he swept over the faces below, some filled with doubt, some with excitement, and some with indifference. These were all his trusted confidants, the foundation upon which he had established himself in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He didn't waste any words, just squeezed out a few from between his teeth.

"Target: The Luo residence!"

"By imperial decree, the mansion is sealed off. No one, not even a dog, is allowed to leave!"

"Those who resist will be killed without mercy!"

"As ordered!"

The roar of three hundred people in unison was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, making people's eardrums ache.

……

The capital city, the Luo residence.

Former commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Sigong, was having tea with several of his former subordinates at home.

Although he had retired from officialdom, his influence remained. His residence was frequented by powerful and influential people. At this moment, he was stroking his beard, leisurely recounting his glorious past when he accompanied the Wanli Emperor on his travels.

Just then, a thunderous sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the mansion gate, followed by a shrill scream.

"What's going on?!" Luo Sigong frowned and slammed his teacup heavily on the table.

Before the words were finished, a servant scrambled in, his voice filled with utter terror: "Master...Master! Something terrible has happened! It's...it's Tian Ergeng! Commander Tian has led his men in!"

Luo Sigong's expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to stand up and reprimand them, a group of Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) clad in iron armor and wielding sharp blades rushed into the hall like wolves and tigers. Leading them was Tian Ergeng, whose face was ashen.

"Tian Ergeng!" Luo Sigong exclaimed in shock and anger, "Are you insane?! This is... ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, Tian Ergeng had already taken a step forward and delivered a clean and stern slap to his face, silencing him completely.

Those few former subordinates who were still present were already terrified, their faces pale and limp on the ground, not daring to even breathe.

"Luo Sigong." Tian Ergeng's voice was devoid of any emotion, as if he were looking at a dead man. "By order of His Majesty, the Luo residence is to be searched!"

……

The news spread like a sudden plague throughout the capital.

The civil service was stunned upon hearing this, their first reaction being that the eunuch faction was infighting.

Is Tian Ergeng planning to take down Wei Zhongxian's old accomplice?
The nobility were once again gripped by fear and horrified, as a serving commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had raided the home of his predecessor without warning.
If there wasn't an imperial decree behind this, who would believe it?!

The Western Depot. Zhou Quan held the secret report presented by his subordinate, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Like everyone else, he knew nothing about it!
Zhou Quan remained silent for a long time before slowly burning the secret report over the candle flame. As he watched the flames engulf the words "Luo Mansion," he immediately realized that the emperor was making an example of someone—no, he was killing a monkey to scare the tiger!
This is not just a warning to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but to all those who think they can get away with things and who have ulterior motives!

Zhou Quan addressed his right-hand men standing beside him with a chilling tone: "Pass down the message: everyone, listen up and keep your eyes peeled. See clearly who the true master of this world is. Don't be like that fool from the Luo family who courted death! Anyone who dares to disrespect His Majesty, anyone who dares to do anything harmful to His Majesty, will face the same fate as the Luo family today!"

Almost simultaneously, inside the Directorate of Ceremonial, Wei Zhongxian summoned Li Chaoqin and said almost the exact same thing.

……

The ransacking of the Luo family's home lasted for a full day and night.

When the final list was compiled and handed to Tian Ergeng, even he couldn't help but squint his eyes.

Excluding farmland, shops, antiques, and paintings, the silver, gold bars, and jewelry alone that were confiscated amounted to a staggering four million taels of silver!

The news spread throughout the Embroidered Uniform Guard, causing excitement throughout the department. According to past practice, this huge fortune would be confiscated and deposited into the palace treasury, and the meritorious officials who carried out the mission would certainly receive a substantial reward.

This is the most tangible benefit of being a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, besides the prestige.

Just as this wave of excitement was about to reach its peak, a young eunuch sent by the palace, escorted by a group of imperial guards, arrived at the Jinyiwei Zhenfusi Yamen.

The noisy government office fell silent instantly, and everyone held their breath, knowing that the main event was about to begin.

Tian Ergeng led a group of Imperial Guards to kneel down respectfully to receive the imperial decree.

The young eunuch cleared his throat, unfolded the yellow imperial edict, and read it aloud, word by word, in his high-pitched but clear voice:

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the Emperor's personal army. You serve the country with utmost loyalty and courage, which greatly pleases me. However, if rewards and punishments are not clearly defined, loyalty and courage will not be sustained."

"Therefore, all proceeds from the subsequent sale of the assets confiscated from the Luo family, except for the cash that can be distributed immediately, shall be deposited into a separate fund and designated as the 'Imperial Ming Dynasty Loyal and Brave Military Personnel Compensation Fund'!"

Upon hearing this, all the Imperial Guards present were stunned. Compensation? What kind of nonsense is this?
The young eunuch didn't pause; instead, his voice rose slightly:
"All Jinyiwei who have died or been injured in the line of duty since my ascension to the throne shall receive double the compensation and disability allowance according to their merits and the severity of their injuries!"

"From this day forward, for those who serve the country, this fund will forever be your support! So be it!"

After a period of suffocating silence, the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters erupted into chaos!

Everyone was stunned.

Reissue? Double the amount?!

It should be noted that the emperor had already provided a sum of money to the brothers who died or were injured in the Shanxi merchant case, the Jiangnan grain merchants, or other missions, in accordance with the old practice.

Now… the emperor says, send it again, and double the amount?!

After a brief moment of shock, cheers erupted from the Jinyiwei crowd like a landslide and a tsunami.

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The shouts came from the bottom of their hearts, trembling and fervent, converging into a soaring wave of sound that seemed to lift the roof off the government office.

Wang Wu was the most fervent member of this group.

His left hand was severed by a bodyguard during the Shanxi merchant case.

Although he survived, he was crippled and could only be transferred to a vacant department in charge of a warehouse, where he earned a much lower salary than before. The perks were gone, the prestige was gone, and his life was much more difficult than before.

An hour later, he tremblingly took a heavy cloth bag with his only remaining right hand.

Inside was a full five hundred taels of silver.

This is almost the sum of his salary over the past ten years!

Wang Wu's eyes instantly reddened; this seven-foot-tall man was crying like a child.

Clutching the bag of silver, he rushed out of the yamen and ran home like a madman.

"Woman! Woman, come out and see!"

He kicked open the door and dumped the heavy bag of silver onto the wooden table with a "clatter," instantly illuminating the entire room with a dazzling white light.

Upon hearing the noise, Zhang, the wife, ran out and was so shocked by the sight of the table full of silver that she covered her mouth.

"Master, what... what are you doing..."

"It was a gift from His Majesty! It was a gift from His Majesty!" Wang Wu's face flushed red as he excitedly waved his empty left sleeve.

“Look, my wife! His Majesty hasn’t forgotten! His Majesty remembers us brothers who shed blood for him! This hand of mine, this hand of mine, let alone just this hand, even if I were asked to give my life for His Majesty right now, I would be willing!”

His voice was filled with undisguised fervor and loyalty.

Zhang was also very excited when she saw the silver in front of her!

However, after the initial shock, she did not continue to be ecstatic like her husband. She was a woman who had read a few books. Looking at the dazzling silver light on the table and at her husband's face, which was distorted by fervor, a deep worry gradually appeared in her eyes.

She suddenly remembered a story she had read in a history book that sent chills down her spine.

Wu Qi sucked the carbuncle.

At this moment, isn't the silver on the table just the "pus and blood" that His Majesty sucked out?

The husband saw the emperor's boundless grace and the king's mercy.

What she saw, however, was a set of the sweetest shackles, crafted with gold and favor, that made people willingly and without hesitation go to their deaths!
This kindness is so profound that one can only repay it with one's life; there is no other way to do so.

Zhang's heart sank lower and lower.

She could almost foresee how, in the future, when an imperial edict was issued, her husband would unhesitatingly and generously head towards that most dangerous battlefield, filled with boundless gratitude for His Majesty!

only……

When her gaze fell once more on the mountain of silver, and then on her husband beside her, who, despite losing an arm, looked as vibrant as if he were ten years younger, and then on her two children… the fear and sorrow in her heart were slowly replaced by another, more complex and realistic emotion.

What right does she have to be afraid?
In the past, in a situation like the husband's, the best outcome would be to receive a tiny amount of medical expenses from his boss, after being deducted at each level, and then be forgotten in a corner, left to fend for themselves.

And now...

The emperor gave her so much, so much that it frightened her, so much that it felt unreal!
Suddenly, a deeper thought pierced her mind, sending shivers down her spine.

This boundless imperial grace extends far beyond those who are already injured and disabled.
What we actually see are countless "Wang Wus" who are still able-bodied and on duty!
His Majesty is using a mountain of gold to declare to all the captains and guards of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—

Look! This is the fate of those who serve me to the point of being crippled! This is the treatment your families will receive after you die in battle!

What do men fear most on the battlefield? It's not death itself, but the fear of dying or being maimed, leaving their wives, children, and elderly parents without support!

Now, His Majesty has personally eliminated all their worries!
From now on, when those Imperial Guards are serving His Majesty, how can they possibly be concerned about their own safety?
They would risk their lives and charge forward with even greater loyalty and courage!

These are not shackles; they are clearly a mad drug injected into the very marrow of the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard!
This grace may be poison, but it is also real money, enough to feed and clothe her children and to allow her disabled husband to regain his dignity!
Compared to being forgotten and rotting in the gutter, wearing these glittering golden shackles doesn't seem so unacceptable.

Thinking of this, Zhang sighed deeply. There was sorrow and resignation in her breath, but more than anything, there was heartfelt gratitude mixed with awe.

She stepped forward and gently stroked her husband's empty sleeve with her rough hands, her eyes reddening.

"Master, quickly... quickly put the silver away. Let's... go and set up a longevity tablet for His Majesty."

"Yes! Good! Good!" Wang Wu nodded vigorously, his face beaming with satisfaction.

He couldn't see the complex emotions and awe hidden in his wife's eyes... He only knew that from this day forward, his life, Wang Wu's life, belonged to His Majesty!
His Majesty commands him to go east, but he will never go west!
If His Majesty orders someone to be killed, and he lets that person's screams carry three steps away, then he, Wang Wu, is nothing but a good-for-nothing who does nothing!

(End of this chapter)