Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

After leaving the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Qiyu did not immediately go to the Renshou Palace to report important matters of court to Empress Dowager Sun. Instead, he softly called out, "Xing'an."

Xing'an, the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial who had been following behind, quickly bowed and replied, "Your subject is here."

Zhu Qiyu said calmly, "Go to Renshou Palace first and report to the Empress Dowager that I need to handle the follow-up matters of the Wang Zhen case, and will pay my respects later. Also, send an order to Cheng Jing to come to the Northern Garrison Command to see me."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xing'an's eyes, but he dared not ask any further questions, and simply lowered his head and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Watching Xing'an's hurried departure, Zhu Qiyu secretly made plans in his heart.

The civil officials' urging for him to ascend the throne came sooner than he had anticipated.

It seems that Zhu Qizhen's actions at Xuanfu City completely shattered the last glimmer of hope that many court officials had for this "Son of Heaven".

"Your Highness, the carriage is ready," a young eunuch stepped forward to report.

Zhu Qiyu nodded and boarded the carriage.

The Wang Zhen case was an olive branch extended to the civil service group, and also the beginning of his purge of the inner court.

Although Lu Zhong, the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, performed poorly in the Golden Knife Case in history, he is somewhat clever and has just been promoted by me, so I should be able to use him with confidence in the short term.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Northern Garrison Command."

Zhu Qiyu lifted the carriage curtain, and before him stood a solemn government office. The four large characters "Beizhen Fusi" on the black lacquered gate exuded a chilling aura.

The Imperial Guards standing watch at the gate bowed respectfully upon seeing the Prince of Cheng's carriage, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly and walked straight into the gate.

Upon receiving the news, Lu Zhong hurriedly came out to greet them, kneeling and saying, "Your subject Lu Zhong greets Your Highness!"

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "Get up. How is the Wang Zhen case going?"

Lu Zhong rose and respectfully said, "Your Highness, I have already ordered the confiscation of Wang Zhen's residence and the property of his main associates."

A total of 37,000 taels of gold, 890,000 taels of silver, and numerous treasures, antiques, and land deeds were seized.

Zhu Qiyu raised an eyebrow: "So little?"

Lu Zhong: "I interrogated several of Wang Zhen's trusted stewards and learned that at least 60% of the ill-gotten gains Wang Zhen has made over the years have been presented to... Your Majesty."

Wang Zhenneng wielded immense power in the court. Besides being adept at understanding the emperor's intentions, he must have also been showered with generous tributes of gold and silver.

The moral climate of the Ming Dynasty was truly corrupt from top to bottom.

Zhu Qiyu said expressionlessly, "Continue."

Lu Zhong led Zhu Qiyu toward the inner hall, reporting as they walked: "We have confirmed that there are 32 eunuchs in the inner court who have close ties with him, including two commanders, five captains, and 29 captains and below in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Upon entering the inner hall, Lu Zhong ordered tea and refreshments to be served, and then took out a thick stack of files: "These are the preliminary interrogation records and the list of confiscated property. Please take a look, Your Highness."

Zhu Qiyu took the file but didn't open it immediately: "Lu Zhong, which of these people do you think deserves to die, and which can still be kept in service?"

Lu Zhong was taken aback, clearly not expecting the Prince of Cheng to ask such a question.

After a moment's thought, he cautiously replied, "In my opinion, Wang Zhen's trusted stewards and the Jinyiwei officials who helped him frame loyal officials are unforgivable."

As for those who merely bribed for official positions and did not cause any harm, they might be dealt with leniently.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Prefect Lu, do you know why I entrusted this case to you?"

Lu Zhong immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me."

Zhu Qiyu took a sip of tea: "Because I trust you, if I let those with ulterior motives handle this, they will inevitably take the opportunity to eliminate dissidents and expand the scope of the conflict."

What I want is to purge the treacherous officials, not to carry out a massacre and create an atmosphere of fear throughout the court.

Lu Zhong suddenly realized: "Your Highness is wise! I will certainly handle this matter impartially, and will never wrong an innocent person, nor let a villain go unpunished!"

"Get up." Zhu Qiyu then opened the file, his gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar names.

After a moment, Zhu Qiyu asked, "Do you have detailed background information on these Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) and eunuchs involved in the case?"

"Yes." Lu Zhong pulled out a booklet from another pile of documents. "I have obtained the roster and resumes of all the eunuchs from the Directorate of Palace Attendants. The archives of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are also here."

Zhu Qiyu took the booklet and carefully flipped through it.

This booklet records basic information about each person, including their name, place of origin, date of entry into the palace, past positions, family relationships, and even some simple evaluations and notes.

Zhu Qiyu pointed to a name and asked, "What's the story behind this eunuch named Shu Liang?"

He vaguely remembered the name; it seemed there was a highly favored eunuch named Shu Liang during the Jingtai reign.

Lu Zhong replied, "Shu Liang is from Beizhili. He entered the palace in the fifth year of the Zhengtong era. He initially served in the Imperial Horse Administration and was later transferred to the Directorate of Ceremonial as a court attendant."

This person was literate and had several interactions with Wang Zhen, but according to investigations, he was not involved in Wang Zhen's core affairs.

During this raid, only two hundred taels of silver were found at his residence, which was considered clean.

Zhu Qiyu nodded and continued reading: "Where is Wang Cheng?"

"Wang Cheng, a native of Shanxi, entered the palace in the third year of the Zhengtong era. He served in the Imperial Kitchen and the Directorate of Palace Attendants and is currently the Right Assistant Director of the Directorate of Palace Attendants."

This man was skilled in construction and had overseen the renovation of several palaces. He was close to Wang Zhen, but was not involved in his treasonous plot.

The family's assets were confiscated, including 1,500 taels of silver and two plots of land.

Zhu Qiyu suddenly remembered someone else: "Where's Cao Jixiang?"

Lu Zhong didn't understand why Zhu Qiyu suddenly asked about this person.

Those implicated have all been imprisoned, and those still working outside are almost all not closely related to Wang Zhen.

Lu Zhong replied, "According to the investigation, Cao Jixiang only ran errands and did not participate in confidential matters."

Zhu Qiyu sighed inwardly, thinking that Cao Jixiang, that opportunistic traitor, would have to be killed sooner or later.

Zhu Qiyu turned to another section of the booklet and asked, "Among these people, are there any who are capable but forced to rely on Wang Zhen?"

Lu Zhong thought for a moment and said, "There are indeed a few, such as this centurion Lu Gao."

Although ruthless, he has an exceptional ability to solve cases and has cracked several major cases over the years.

There was also this commander named Menda, skilled in archery and horsemanship, who had served in the army. His career was thwarted after offending his superior, but he eventually rose through the ranks thanks to Wang Zhen's connections.

Zhu Qiyu kept these names in his heart.

What he lacks most right now is reliable manpower.

As the emperor's personal guard, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would become one of his most important tools of power if he could control it.

Zhu Qiyu closed the booklet and said solemnly, "Lu Zhong, I have a task for you."

Lu Zhong clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Please give your orders, Your Highness!"

Zhu Qiyu: "A group of Jinyiwei and eunuchs involved in the case will be selected, and they need to meet these conditions:"

First, one must possess genuine talent or expertise in a particular area.

Second, their crimes were not serious; they were mostly forced to rely on Wang Zhen due to circumstances.

Third, his background was relatively simple, with no complicated marital ties in the court.

Lu Zhong: "Your subject... obeys!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at Lu Zhong meaningfully: "You are a smart man. Remember, this matter is confidential and must not be leaked."

Just then, an announcement came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Eunuch Cheng Jing has arrived."

"Let him in."

Cheng Jing entered the inner hall and bowed to Zhu Qiyu, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Zhu Qiyu said to Lu Zhong, "Lu Tongzhi, you go ahead and get busy. Remember what I told you."

"Yes!" Lu Zhong bowed and withdrew.

Only Zhu Qiyu and Cheng Jing remained in the inner hall.

Zhu Qiyu's tone softened somewhat: "Cheng Jing, do me a favor."

Cheng Jing respectfully replied, "Your Highness, please give your orders!"

Zhu Qiyu said in a low voice, "Secretly investigate which people in the Twelve Prisons are reliable, um... especially those who were previously suppressed by Wang Zhen or his cronies, and then tell me the list."

Cheng Jing was startled. He already knew about Yu Qian's urging to ascend the throne in court. It seemed that His Highness Prince Cheng was making preparations.

After spending more than a decade together, Cheng Jing had long known that Zhu Qiyu was not as "brainless" as outsiders perceived him to be.

Cheng Jing bowed his head and said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at Cheng Jing and nodded: "You are the person I trust most. You will have to take good care of the affairs of the inner court in the future."

Cheng Jing immediately knelt down: "Your Highness, I will certainly not fail in your trust!"