Chaos of Ming 1628

"Your humble servant would not dare!"

Sun Qing hurriedly bowed his head and apologized, saying in a flustered manner, "Your Majesty, I was merely stating the facts, and these are indisputable facts."

"The court officials are often more inclined to flatter His Majesty, and once they sense the prevailing trend, they will carry it out without regard for the consequences."

"But is blindly following orders really effective?"

At this point, Sun Qing paused slightly, a hint of mockery in his voice: "Your Majesty, I cannot be the next Wei Zhongxian, because I know what his fate will be."

"I am not, but now that Wei Zhongxian is no longer suppressing us, the civil officials will have no rivals."

"At that time, can His Majesty guarantee that they won't become the next Wei Zhongxian? In fact, they may be full of benevolence and morality, but they won't do anything of substance."

"What will become of the people? What will become of the border regions?"

Sun Qing spoke with great sorrow and indignation, and Zhu Youjian was suspicious, but he was also a diligent and benevolent emperor.

"Hmph!" Zhu Youjian merely let out a cold snort, without refuting such words.

He relaxed his slightly forward-leaning posture, glanced at Sun Qing, and said with disdain, "Does the Emperor really want Wei Zhongxian dead?"

"Your Majesty's hatred for the eunuch faction is something I understand. Besides, Wei Zhongxian's numerous crimes deserve him to die a thousand times over," Sun Qing said firmly.

Zhu Youjian's gaze fell on him, swept over him, and he snorted coldly: "You've said it all, good and bad."

"Your Majesty," Sun Qing said earnestly, "I am not applying double standards. Given the current situation, the best course of action against Wei Zhongxian is not execution, but rather stripping him of his power, exiling him, or placing him under house arrest."

"The current situation is worrying. We still need to retain a certain framework of the eunuch faction system for taxation to solve the problem of an empty treasury."

"This is also a way to maintain checks and balances. Therefore, it is sufficient to only eliminate the ringleaders."

There was one more thing Sun Qing dared not say aloud: Zhu Youjian's actions would definitely win over the people in the short term. The effects would be immediate, garnering the people's support and cheers.

Looking at the bigger picture, doing this would only deplete the Ming Dynasty's remaining financial resources and disrupt the balance of power within the court.

This is precisely why the Donglin Party grew stronger, and factional strife reignited. Even when Huang Taiji entered the pass, he was still thinking about factional struggles and eliminating dissidents.

This was one of the reasons that hastened the demise of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youjian did not simply do what others told him to do.

Zhu Youjian's eyes remained clear, yet they exuded an aura of supreme authority. He leaned slightly forward, waiting for Sun Qing: "Can you guarantee that your plan will ensure Wei Zhongxian's willing death?"

Sun Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he also understood perfectly what Zhu Youjian's purpose was.

"Yes!" Sun Qing answered loudly.

Regardless of whether Emperor Chongzhen knew about the plan he and Wei Zhongxian had discussed, their ultimate goal was the same.

Wei Zhongxian will not survive.

"Alright," Zhu Youjian nodded, his gaze deep and intimidating: "Sun Qing, I believe in you."

"You will travel to Hejian Prefecture tomorrow. I will give you one month. I want the people of Hejian Prefecture to see a chance to live. At the same time, I want Wei Zhongxian to disappear from this world!"

Only with Wei Zhongxian's death can the eunuch faction be completely disintegrated.

Sun Qing smiled wryly; he had tried his best to prolong this time. He only hoped to quickly acquire enough power to counterbalance the major forces before the Donglin Party grew stronger.

"Your humble servant... Your humble servant..."

Sun Qing clasped his hands together, his heart already filled with joy, yet he suppressed his emotions, his voice filled with sorrow: "This humble subject is still young, how can I be worthy of the position of Prefect?"

"Besides, Wei Zhongxian is so powerful, how could I possibly be his match?"

Upon hearing Sun Qing's reply, Zhu Youjian was not angry at all; instead, a smile appeared in his eyes.

His voice softened slightly: "Sun Qing, I believe in you."

"You need not worry. You may proceed to Hejian Prefecture immediately. From now on, you will be fully responsible for everything there. No matter how unbelievable your actions may seem, as long as they allow the people to survive, I will grant your request."

"As for Wei Zhongxian, I will not interfere at all. I want Wei Zhongxian to commit suicide!"

outside the palace.

The only person waiting for him last time was Shen Junru.

When Sun Qing came out this time, there were quite a few people at the door.

It would be fine if Shen Junru and Yang Qingqing were there, but Sun Chengzong was also standing there.

Sun Qing quickened her pace, hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "Why have you come?"

The house wasn't safe enough, let alone the situation; it seemed Sun Qing would be followed wherever he went. The way he was addressed was especially important.

Now, Sun Qing is impersonating the magistrate of Jiahe County. He has even publicly admitted that he is Sun Quan's son.

However, Sun never gave a direct response regarding his identity.

In public, Sun Qing had to abandon the way she was addressed.

When Sun Chengzong saw Sun Qing come out, his expression softened slightly, and he quickly stepped forward.

Sun Qing thought he was being asked to see him, but Sun Chengzong simply walked towards Wang Chengen. His tone was polite and flattering: "With the old eunuch's help, these must be delivered to His Majesty."

Wang Chengen was clearly unwilling to accept it. He glanced at Sun Qing almost imperceptibly, then smiled and said, "You're too kind, Grand Secretary."

"I will deliver these things to His Majesty as soon as possible."

He only exchanged a polite greeting, and didn't even pay for the tea that Sun Chengzong offered. His eyes were still sizing up Sun Qing out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing that Sun Qing didn't say anything, he smiled and accepted, then turned and walked into the palace.

Looking at Wang Chengen's back, Sun Chengzong's eyes were full of hope. Even after Wang Chengen's figure disappeared completely, he did not look away.

On the contrary, Shen Junru looked puzzled and murmured, "Grandpa Sun, this is the third serving you've already sent in."

"Will the Emperor really read this?"

Sun Chengzong nodded: "Yes."

"His Majesty is currently in need of capable people, and what I have written is all about border defense strategies. I am sure that after reading it, he will be willing to give me a second chance."

"You're overthinking it!" The one who spoke was Yang Qingqing, who was waiting to the side. "There are so many talented people in the court now, who would need an old geezer like you?"

"Don't talk nonsense," Sun Qing immediately rebuked.

Yang Qingqing covered her mouth and chuckled, giving Shen Junru a provocative look before softly replying, "Yes!"

"I will do whatever my husband says."

Surprisingly, Shen Junru did not refute Yang Qingqing's words; she just stood there blankly.

Sun Chengzong's body suddenly trembled. He slowly turned around, stared at Yang Qingqing, and said in a cold voice, "So you are Wei Zhongxian's granddaughter."

"Hmph! I didn't expect someone so young to be so wicked." Sun Chengzong's words were utterly merciless: "Such important matters are not for you to interfere with!"

"Grand Secretary Sun, if it weren't for the fact that my husband is also a member of the Sun family, I wouldn't want to speak to you." Yang Qingqing's tone was blunt, yet she pointed out the problem incisively: "Although you have a wealth of talent, you have made too many enemies."

"Even if our people don't intervene, you have no hope of being reused."

"There are plenty of people who will keep you out of the palace gates."

Sun Chengzong's expression changed, but he knew that this was the truth.

After a moment's thought, he turned to Sun Qing and ordered, "You must find a way to make the Emperor see what I have written."

"Grand Secretary Sun," Yang Qingqing said with a hint of languor, "why make things difficult for my husband? It's not that the Emperor didn't see the things you sent; it's that he simply doesn't value them!"

Sun Chengzong's breathing became heavier as he choked.

Shen Jun stood quietly to the side today.

But when those eyes looked at Yang Qingqing, a murderous aura surged within them.

"Forget it, we're all family now, I think we shouldn't hold a grudge. Let's go back first!" Sun Qing smiled bitterly and quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.