Chaos of Ming 1628

The wooden sign at the main gate of the government office that read "Eunuchs and dogs are not allowed to enter" was hung openly and could be seen at a glance.

If the imperial guards arrive and see this, wouldn't that be tantamount to digging their own graves?

Although the people of Jiahe County claimed that the Dragon King had granted their permission, they were aware of the eunuch faction's spies. However, this was merely a tactic to deal with the spies hidden among the common people.

As for the officially organized imperial guards, they could rebel once they were driven away, but that didn't mean they could rebel every time.

If this situation were to occur again, the imperial court would not stand idly by.

The people saw that the imperial guards were numerous and surrounded the government office, but none of them retreated.

The sound of hooves suddenly approached, and the imperial guards split into two teams, standing on both sides to clear the way. Then, a person alighted from the carriage.

This person was dressed in a bright red court robe with a crane insignia on the front and back, a jade belt around the waist, a black gauze with seven ridges, and a robe woven with a dark python pattern.

Only a first-rank civil official could dress like this, and this person, in addition to the crane insignia, also wore a robe with a dark python pattern.

Such extravagant attire is reserved for the core high-ranking members of the eunuch faction. This is a divine favor, incomparably luxurious. Looking at this man's appearance, he has a dark, plump face, a mustache, and habitually strokes it.

It's not hard to guess that someone with such a high rank and such an appearance could only be Cui Chengxiu, the first-rank official of the current court, the Left Censor-in-Chief, the Minister of Works, and the chief villain of the five tigers of the eunuch faction.

He was indeed quite famous, the leader of the Five Tigers and a core member of the eunuch faction. At that time, the eunuch faction was divided into the Five Tigers, the Five Fierce Generals, the Ten Dogs, and so on.

They were all cats and dogs, and Cui Chengxiu was ranked first among the five tigers.

He orchestrated almost everything, big or small. Wei Zhongxian was merely greedy for money and power; those wicked deeds were beyond his comprehension. Cui Chengxiu deserves the greatest credit for making the eunuch faction so infamous.

Cui Chengxiu was originally an imperial censor in Huaiyang, but was dismissed for corruption. He then turned to Wei Zhongxian, who welcomed anyone who came his way, sending him large sums of money and even begging for his life. It was precisely because of this that he was able to reach his current position through Wei Zhongxian's connections.

He was also a laughingstock among the scholars and officials of the land, simply because of his obsequious devotion to Wei Zhongxian and his touching filial piety. He even proposed building a shrine in Wei Zhongxian's honor. When his mother passed away, according to the established rites and regulations, he was required to resign his official post and return to his hometown.

But he coveted power and refused to attend the funeral.

At this critical juncture concerning the survival of the eunuch faction, he put aside his affairs in the capital and came to this small county government office.

Sun Qing chuckled softly, having a general idea in mind, and walked towards the door.

"Young master, don't go!" Meng Zhaoxiang hurriedly stopped him, his eyes filled with panic. "This man is no ordinary person. He has great prestige in the capital. Young master, you must not take the risk."

"Yes, young master, you should retreat for now. We two will handle it, life or death." Su Jiuda's eyes were bright, showing a determination to fight to the death.

Cui Chengxiu, dressed in an official robe, rode his horse to a stop at the entrance of the yamen with several attendants. His face was cold and his eyes were fixed on the plaque above the door. His aura was intimidating.

He was given such a big surprise as soon as he arrived in Jiaohe and got off the carriage.

The eunuch faction's followers had already drawn their knives and stepped forward, instantly creating an extremely tense atmosphere.

Simply discussing the eunuch faction in private, or even just saying a few negative things about them, could lead to utter destruction.

The consequences of such a blatant branding are self-evident.

Even wanting to die is probably a luxury.

Sun Qing remained calm and unaffected. He straightened his sleeves and walked outside.

With a calm and composed smile, he stepped forward to greet him: "So it's Minister Cui. What brings such an important figure as yourself to my humble abode?"

Meng Zhaoxiang was slightly taken aback. He hadn't revealed Cui Chengxiu's identity because he feared Sun Qing's reputation. Unexpectedly, this young man recognized him at a glance.

Cui Chengxiu was taken aback at first, then looked back and saw Meng Zhaoxiang, who had resigned from his post and returned to his hometown. He scoffed lightly.

I thought he was truly a brilliant strategist, but it turns out he had someone behind him.

He already harbored resentment towards this man, and if the eunuch hadn't insisted on seeing him, he would have had him taken away long ago.

"You're Sun Qing?" Cui Chengxiu asked coldly.

Sun Qing smiled and said, "That is indeed me."

"The Sun family scions, they certainly have some nerve!" Cui Chengxiu's voice suddenly rose as he pointed at the sign and roared, "You really dare!"

The surrounding atmosphere was almost frozen.

Even though everyone had experience resisting the eunuch faction, this was still the leader, and the fear that emanated from his very bones was still difficult to suppress. When Cui Chengxiu got angry, the breathing of the surrounding people became much lighter, and most people instinctively lowered their heads.

Cui Chengxiu's expression changed, and the guards beside him had already placed their hands on their swords, ready to strike at any moment.

Meng Zhaoxiang and Su Jiuda exchanged a glance, and without saying a word, they stepped forward together, standing firmly on either side of Sun Qing.

His back was ramrod straight, his entire posture one of shielding and protecting with his body, his expression stern and fearless.

Meng Zhaoxiang sternly rebuked him: "Minister Cui, do you intend to trespass into the government office and interrogate my colleagues? Today, the two of us standing here will first have to step over our two corpses!"

Su Jiuda echoed him, his tone resolute, having long since disregarded life and death, only seeking to protect Sun Qing's life.

The city's residents who had heard the news and the wealthy gentry who had just come to offer their property and petition also rushed forward, forming a dense human wall in front of the yamen.

Men, women, and children stood side by side, each clenching their fists and glaring angrily at Cui Chengxiu and his group.

Although they were afraid, they knew that only if Sun Qing lived could they hope to escape this fear.

Cui Chengxiu stared at the wall of people before him, unable to move an inch. He was not angry at all; on the contrary, he was extremely surprised.

The boy before me was only sixteen, yet he had such influence.

"Hahaha," Cui Chengxiu laughed mockingly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and he shouted, "Who can stop me from taking whomever I want?"

The men he brought today are all elite imperial guards, not the useless cowards they were in the past.

At the height of the tension, Sun Qing chuckled lightly: "Minister Cui, please don't be angry."

"Hanging up this sign was a last resort. I tried to persuade them with kind words, but no one would listen. Knowing how things would develop, am I not allowed to save myself?" Sun Qing spoke slowly, as if he was completely unaware of the situation before him.

Cui Chengxiu was furious: "You despicable scoundrels! If I don't put an end to your arrogance today, how can I stand here?"

After saying this, Cui Chengxiu stepped forward to arrest the person.

Meng Zhaoxiang's face darkened, and he hurriedly pulled Sun Qing back, saying, "Young master, please get out of here quickly. This person is really not someone to be trifled with."

"Yes, young master, let's go quickly!" Even Su Jiuda frowned deeply, "Only with you here can I see the prosperous scene you described."

Sun Qing, however, refused to listen.

Seeing Cui Chengxiu step one foot in, he suddenly shouted, "Stop!"

Hundreds of eyes turned to Sun Qing, and even Cui Chengxiu couldn't help but look up.

But then Sun Qing, with an angry expression, strode to the door and knocked on the sign.

His eyes were unwavering, his tone serious: "Minister Cui, can't you see this sign?"

"Of course I can see it." Cui Chengxiu gritted his teeth.

Sun Qing suddenly smiled: "Since you've already seen it, why did you still come in?"