Chaos of Ming 1628

Yang Qingqing looked up at Wei Zhongxian, the gentle light in her eyes gradually fading.

"You mean you want to seize Hejian Prefecture?"

As if confirming she hadn't misheard, she lowered her voice, "But do you know that to this day, he has never touched a single penny of my dowry?"

Instead of being grateful, Wei Zhongxian coldly remarked, "That's only for now; this step was inevitable sooner or later."

"This person, in the end, can't be relied on."

As Wei Zhongxian spoke, his expression turned cold: "I have already decided that the rights I give away can also be taken back."

"Rather than having someone else manage Hejian Prefecture for me, I'd rather manage it myself."

Yang Qingqing had watched Sun Qing's journey and knew the hardships he had endured. Seeing Wei Zhongxian speak so casually, even betraying his benefactor, she couldn't help but sigh, "Grandfather."

"In this world today, only Sun Qing can protect our ancestors. Of your old subordinates, those sworn brothers, how many of them sent you letters after you were dismissed from office? How many dared to say a word for you in court?"

As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly, but she swallowed it back: "The pacification of the natural disaster in Hejian Prefecture was entirely Sun Qing's doing."

"The resettlement of the people, the allocation of funds and grain, the dredging of the waterways—everything was achieved through his efforts. Even if you had your own team doing it one-on-one, you might not be able to do it the same way."

Wei Zhongxian frowned deeply, tapped his whisk against his palm, making a dull thud: "What do you know about the big picture? No matter how well he does, he's still an outsider."

"What kind of place is Hejian Prefecture? It's the last thing we can hold onto."

"In short," his voice turned serious, "I will not let Hejian Prefecture fall into the hands of others. Whether you trust him or protect him, there is no room for negotiation."

These words were spoken with such certainty that there was absolutely no room for negotiation.

Yang Qingqing gently covered her stomach with her hands. An indescribable melancholy filled her heart.

Having followed Wei Zhongxian for so many years, how could she not be aware of his character?

Today's matter is not Sun Qing's fault at all. It is clearly Wei Zhongxian's doing. He saw the state of Hejian Prefecture and knew that as long as Wei Zhongxian still harbored this obsession, things would inevitably escalate.

Faced with Wei Zhongxian's stubbornness, Yang Qingqing smiled helplessly: "Grandfather, it was already very dangerous for you to come to the city like this."

"If you still intend to take over Hejian Prefecture, have you considered what the current emperor will do?"

Only when Emperor Chongzhen was mentioned did a hint of panic appear in Wei Zhongxian's eyes.

But it was only for a moment. He had all his money and manpower here, and with Sun Qing's impenetrable defenses, he was confident.

Seeing that Yang Qingqing still wanted to speak, Wei Zhongxian's eyes showed impatience.

His gaze swept over her still-flat belly: "Qing'er, you must remember, you are a child raised by our family."

"You're the one we love most and trust the most in our family. You mustn't let our ancestors down!"

"Pillow talk is the most powerful. If possible, we want Sun Qing, someone who can continue working for us."

"We will trust Choi Seong-soo as much as we trusted him in the past."

How many people can sit in Choi Seong-soo's position?

Wei Zhongxian actually dared to make such a boastful statement. Who else, besides Emperor Chongzhen, would dare to appoint Cui Chengxiu to his position?

Even in this dire situation, Wei Zhongxian remained obstinate, still dreaming of becoming a local tyrant.

Remembering what Sun Qing had said, Yang Qingqing gritted her teeth and added, "Grandpa, why don't we listen to him?"

"Damn it!" Wei Zhongxian finally lost his temper. "No matter how I try to reason with him, he won't listen. He's truly like water spilled from a cup once a woman is married."

"Sun Qing has already voluntarily relinquished all his authority, what are you still saying?"

After saying this, Wei Zhongxian didn't want to look at Yang Qingqing again. He stood up and turned his back to her, saying, "Since you are pregnant, you should take good care of yourself."

"Now that we've come to Hejian Prefecture, you no longer need to concern yourself with our affairs."

The wind and snow outside were getting even stronger.

Wei Zhongxian, however, did not stop and resolutely ventured into the wind and snow.

Yang Qingqing was filled with grief and indignation, and chased after him a few steps. She didn't see Wei Zhongxian turn around, but only saw Sun Qing standing in the corridor, looking in her direction.

"My lord," Yang Qingqing called softly.

Sun Qing heard this, but showed no intention of coming towards her; instead, he went straight to the study.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Sun Qing was already standing in front of the yamen, holding a scroll of documents in his hand.

The constables of the government office stood in a row at the bottom of the steps, all looking bewildered, after all, Sun Qing had just handed them over.

Wei Zhongxian arrived a little late.

When he got off the carriage, his expression was unreadable.

Sun Qing took two steps forward and presented the scroll with both hands: "From this day forward, all affairs of Hejian Prefecture shall be handed over to Lord Wei for his disposal. The seals, account books, and financial records are all here."

Wei Zhongxian took the document and hummed in response.

More and more people gathered at the bottom of the steps.

People were already crowding outside the county government office before dawn to see this news.

Men, women, young and old, a dense, dark mass.

Wei Zhongxian stopped on the stone steps and cleared his throat.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was steady: "Fellow villagers, there's no need to panic."

"Now that I'm here, Hejian Prefecture will not descend into chaos. Things will continue as before. Taxes will remain the same, corvée labor will remain the same, and government operations will continue as usual."

After he finished speaking, he waited for the response from the audience.

But no one answered.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, and countless eyes shifted from Wei Zhongxian to Sun Qing behind him.

Sun Qing met those gazes and nodded slightly.

Seeing Sun Qing nod, the people breathed a sigh of relief and went about their business as usual.

"My grandson-in-law is truly amazing!"

Just as Sun Qing was about to leave, Wei Zhongxian's voice came from behind: "Do you think that even if I get these things, it won't be of any use, since those people obey you?"

Those are really good points.

When Sun Qing handed everything over, it became clear who the people's hearts were with.

Looking at Wei Zhongxian again, Sun Qing chuckled: "Eunuch, if you truly consider me your grandson-in-law, I only have one piece of advice for you."

"Everything is like a dream, a bubble. If what you want is your life, I still have a way to escape."

"If we wait until the Emperor makes his move, no one will be able to protect you."

Wei Zhongxian had just arrived in Hejian Prefecture and found new hope. At this moment, he heard such words from Sun Qing.

He snorted, put his hands behind his back, and even when he glanced at Sun Qing, it was with disgust: "Don't worry."

"We know what we're doing."

Kyoto.

The political climate in the imperial court has changed dramatically.

Initially, someone from the Censorate seconded the motion, saying that since Wei Zhongxian had already been dismissed from office and returned to his hometown, he should behave himself and not bring a large amount of wealth and troops to Hejian Prefecture, which would be tantamount to holding military power for himself.

Immediately afterwards, some officials pointed the finger at Sun Qing, saying that as a local official in Hejian Prefecture, he had close ties with the rebellious eunuch and could not escape blame.

Both memorials were simultaneously placed on the emperor's desk.

After reading the memorial, Zhu Youjian's face turned pale. His gaze swept over the kneeling crowd below, and he tried his best to suppress his anger.

After a long pause, he spoke, his voice carrying an barely suppressed chill:

"Since I ascended the throne, I have been mindful of the legacy of the late emperor and have left Wei Zhongxian alone. I have only ordered him to go to the ancestral mausoleum in Fengyang to offer incense, which is already an act of leniency beyond the law."

"But he did not restrain himself, carrying his private wealth and fugitives, swaggering through the mansion as if it were his own territory."

"Are they going to guard the tombs, or to rebel?"

Those who were sent to the countryside dared not utter a sound.

Zhu Youjian was furious. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Issue the decree!"

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped forward and knelt down.

"The treacherous eunuch Wei Zhongxian usurped state power, embezzled public funds, framed the loyal and upright, and disregarded human life."

"Considering that the coffin is still in burial, I will grant leniency and order that it be placed in Fengyang."

"Unexpectedly, instead of reflecting on his own actions, he carried fugitives along the way, surrounding and protecting them as if he were a traitor."

"Send the Imperial Guard flag immediately to seize him and escort him to the capital. Capture all the accompanying traitors as well."