Chaos of Ming 1628

The Tianqi Emperor respected and trusted Sun Chengzong.

That was a trust that even Ke Shi's pillow talk couldn't shake.

Sun Chengzong still couldn't accept the new emperor's paranoia.

"Grand Secretary Sun, I am merely stating the facts. As for how to judge it, that is your business."

"I have my own judgment, and I don't need you to tell me what to do." Sun Chengzong's tone was tinged with anger.

Sun Qing dared not say anything more.

After all, the issue of him impersonating someone else has not yet been resolved.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Sun Chengzong finally caught his breath.

He looked at Sun Qing, a man of exceptional manners and dignified appearance. If one were to truly speak, there was no one in the entire Sun family who was more outstanding than Sun Qing.

Furthermore, regarding the things Sun Qing did after impersonating the Sun family of Gaoyang, each and every one of them was contrary to common sense.

But the final result was also amazing.

His tone softened slightly: "Did you think of everything you did in Jiahe County?"

Human abilities are ultimately limited, and possessing technology and memories from the future, if known to others, can actually be a problem.

Sun Qing replied calmly and without haste, "How could I have succeeded alone? It was all ordained by fate, and I acted in accordance with the will of Heaven."

These words displeased Sun Chengzhou, whose tone rose again: "Throughout history, countless people have spoken recklessly about destiny, yet few possess true skill. Your boastful talk of fate—are you claiming to be extraordinary, or are you mocking us mere mortals, ignorant and foolish?"

Sun Qinggang wanted to apologize.

"Enough," Sun Chengzong waved his hand, then looked at Sun Qing: "I heard that His Majesty has already handed over Hejian Prefecture to you?"

The Emperor's decree will reach Hejian Prefecture within a few days, so there is no need to hide it.

"Yes!" Sun Qing readily admitted.

Sun Chengzong felt a pang of sadness and gave a bitter smile.

In a short while, he calmed himself down and composed himself: "I've been promoted from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fourth-rank prefect."

"The county magistrate was directly promoted to prefect. Do you know that this is a promotion that skips a level? It is an extremely rare and exceptional case of favor."

There was something Sun Chengzong hadn't yet said. During the Tianqi era, Zhu Youxiao also trusted Wei Zhongxian in the same way, but what was the outcome?

Even after entering the palace, he still hasn't gotten the answer he wants.

Despite his association with the eunuch faction, Sun Qing was still able to rise to prominence.

In the imperial court today, civil and military officials are hesitant and overly cautious. It is precisely because of this that the eunuch faction has been able to run rampant for so many years.

Only someone like Sun Qing, who is not bound by etiquette and law, can offer a glimmer of hope.

Although what they did was unbelievable, at least now Jiaohe County is the only place where people can say they have enough to eat and wear, the elderly are cared for, and the young are supported.

He's truly a rare talent!

Sun Chengzong sighed and asked, "Then I will stay in the capital and await His Majesty's decree."

"I only hope that when you use the name of the Sun family, you will do upright things. If you make the slightest mistake, I will never forgive you, even if you are at the ends of the earth."

In this way, we can say that we've passed this hurdle.

Sun Qing breathed a sigh of relief, but also kindly advised, "Grand Secretary Sun, I have a message for you."

"Speak freely," Sun Chengzong replied.

After hesitating several times, Sun Qing finally spoke: "His Majesty is by nature suspicious. It is of no use for Grand Secretary to get involved in court intrigues. It would be better for you to withdraw and retire to your home to spend the rest of your life with your children and grandchildren."

"You don't need to worry about me," Grand Secretary Sun said coldly and firmly. "I will make my own decision."

Having said all that, Sun Qing decided not to bring it up again.

However, Shen Junru has been absent-minded these past few days, often sitting at the door in a daze.

Two days later, Sun Qing will leave the capital to take up his post in Hejian Prefecture.

Before leaving, he bid farewell to Emperor Chongzhen according to custom.

Sun Qing knelt below, while Zhu Youjian sat on the dragon throne above.

After saying those words according to custom, Zhu Youjian suddenly asked, "Sun Qing, to be honest, if it weren't for the widespread disasters, I would really like to keep you by my side."

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders in everything," Sun Qing replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

Once you've reached that point, it's an unchangeable ending. How you answer it is no longer important.

As expected, Zhu Youjian simply smiled and did not say anything more to persuade him to stay.

After a moment's hesitation, he slowly asked, "Now, everyone in the court is calling for the purge of the eunuch faction."

"Cui Chengxiu is dead, and I have had someone take his place. Now Wei Zhongxian can still cling to life by claiming that he saved tens of thousands of people in Jiahe County."

"Yet every day, memorials impeaching him continued to pile up like mountains."

At this point, Chongzhen's voice suddenly paused, his gaze sharpening: "I want to ask you something."

"Tell me, did Wei Zhongxian deserve to die?"

Sun Qing had a headache.

Why have I been encountering such deadly problems these past few days?

Emperor Chongzhen had to ask, and he couldn't refuse to answer.

Sun Qing thought to himself: Wei Zhongxian has committed many evils and deserves to die.

Looking back at history, Emperor Chongzhen's hasty execution of Wei Zhongxian and his purge of the eunuch faction were short-sighted and flawed decisions.

This action, in fact, hastened the collapse of the Ming Dynasty's government and the loss of control over the court.

In fact, Wei Zhongxian was already dead in the historical timeline.

Since everything Wei Zhongxian had in his hands had not yet reached Hejian Prefecture, Sun Qing still needed to continue to protect this moment.

Without hesitation, Sun Qing exclaimed, "Damn it!"

Those two words were enough to bring a look of satisfaction to Chongzhen's face.

"We shouldn't have rushed him to his death," Sun Qing said, changing the subject.

Emperor Chongzhen frowned again, and his voice turned cold: "Do you know that Wei Zhongxian controlled the court, framed and killed officials, forcibly seized shrines, and oppressed the people, causing them to live in misery?"

"The laws and regulations of the imperial court have collapsed, and everyone in the court lives in fear. Countless upright officials have been persecuted and died tragically."

"His crimes are undeniable, he deserves to die. I wish I could skin him alive."

Sun Qing knew Chongzhen's hatred for the eunuch faction; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone so far as to dig up Cui Chengxiu's corpse and whip it.

But people are selfish.

Sun Qing sighed, a look of grief on his face: "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

"However, Wei Zhongxian relied on various taxes to extort money from wealthy merchants, gentry, and landlords everywhere, filling the national treasury."

"The military expenses in Liaodong and the expenditures of the imperial court were all supported by this."

Sun Qing spoke with particular caution, and Chongzhen's expression was also exceptionally solemn.

"If the eunuch faction is castrated immediately, there are currently no capable people, and I'm afraid the imperial treasury will be quickly depleted."

"Hmph!" Chongzhen snorted coldly, "I have my own way."

Sun Qing smiled bitterly to himself. It seemed that Chongzhen was not only suspicious, but also arrogant.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider," Sun Qing pleaded earnestly. "While they are hateful, they are also a powerful tool for you to check and balance the civil service."

"The civil officials are banding together, controlling public opinion, local finances, and land annexation. Your Majesty will find it very difficult to control them."

"If Wei Zhongxian were alive, they could still check and balance each other."

Emperor Chongzhen did not get angry, which was clearly a source of worry for him as well.

But no matter how you look at it, Wei Zhongxian is untouchable. He sneered, "What? Can't the Ming Dynasty function without these rootless bastards?"

"Then Wei Zhongxian, is he someone I can't touch?"

"Should we follow the example of the late emperor and let him run rampant?!"

Chongzhen's eyes were full of suspicion, and he lowered his voice further and further: "Sun Qing, or are you plotting something?"

"Could it be that you also want to become the next Wei Zhongxian?!"