The Ming Dynasty: Starting with Emperor Chongzhen's crackdown on factionalism

Chen Zhiyuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand and directly stated his purpose.

"Sir Shen, I have been ordered to investigate the Yuan case and need to review the 'Verification Register of Troop Quotas in Various Garrisons of Liaodong' archived by the Ministry of War, especially the records of the Ministry of War's personnel verifying the actual number of troops in various garrisons of Liaodong and Dongjiang since the first year of Chongzhen's reign."

Shen Xun's smile faded slightly.

"Chen Qianxian, the 'Troop Quota Verification Register' you are looking into is related to the true strength of the troops in the Nine Garrisons and is a top secret of the imperial court."

"According to regulations, documents may not be accessed without a handwritten order from a high-ranking official or vice minister of this ministry, and with the Emperor's imperial approval. I regret that I cannot comply."

"I am acting on imperial orders, and I am investigating an official case." Chen Zhiyuan once again brandished his token.

"The Yuan Chonghuan case involves military affairs in Liaodong, and the key issues are the actual number of troops and the distribution of rations and pay."

"Steward Shen, are you going to defy the imperial decree?"

Shen Xun's face stiffened as he stared at the token and gritted his teeth.

"Vice-Prefect Chen is too kind. How could I dare to disobey the imperial decree? It is simply my duty that compels me to be cautious."

"If this book is obtained through my hands and is subsequently leaked, the consequences would be dire, and I would be unable to bear the responsibility."

"I will take responsibility for the leak."

Chen Zhiyuan stepped forward, his voice not loud, but carrying pressure.

"His Majesty has granted me full authority to investigate the case. I will personally report all the consequences to His Majesty."

"If Steward Shen obstructs the investigation now, he is hindering the investigation of the Imperial Case."

"Can you shoulder this responsibility?"

Shen Xun's Adam's apple bobbed, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

The officials from the Ministry of Personnel behind him exchanged glances, not daring to utter a sound.

With the token here, to say anything more would be to truly defy the imperial decree.

"Master Shen,"

Chen Zhiyuan softened his tone, but his gaze sharpened.

Shen Xun stared intently at Chen Zhiyuan, but finally turned away and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"...Go and fetch the booklet for Vice Minister Chen."

The ledgers were retrieved quickly.

Chen Zhiyuan also counted, registered, packed, and sealed the items.

Throughout the entire process, Shen Xun stood to the side with a livid face, not uttering a single word.

Watching Chen Zhiyuan lead his men away from the Ministry of War, Shen Xun slammed his fist on a pillar, muttered a curse under his breath, and turned to walk quickly into the depths of the government office.

Soon, Chen Zhiyuan's transfer of personnel files attracted attention in Beijing's official circles.

In the western suburbs of Beijing, there is a private residence.

From the outside, it looks like the courtyard of an ordinary wealthy family, but inside there are winding paths leading to a secluded underground room at the deepest part. The entrance is hidden, the walls are thick, and the soundproofing is excellent.

At this moment, the secret room was brightly lit by candlelight, but it could not illuminate the gloom on the faces of the people sitting around.

Seated in the main seat was an official in dark purple casual clothes, around fifty years old, with a thin face and calm eyes, but at this moment his brows were slightly furrowed and his fingers were unconsciously tapping the armrest of the rosewood chair.

Four or five officials, dressed in different colors and of different ranks, sat below.

In the corner stood a middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) officer, his face grim.

Another man, dressed in silk robes and looking like a merchant, with his head bowed and eyes downcast, was none other than Manager Li, the agent of Shanxi merchant Fan Yongdou in Beijing.

"Everyone is here."

The official in the main seat spoke, his voice not loud, but it instantly silenced the room.

"I'm sure you all know what happened."

A pale-faced official was the first to break down, his voice trembling.

"Chen Zhiyuan broke into the Ministry of Revenue's archives today and managed to retrieve all the Liaodong military pay records from the first year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign!"

"He even specifically asked about the two books with missing pages, you know... those two books!"

"The custodian told me it was damaged by insects, but he had the accompanying clerk clearly record 'missing,' which clearly shows he was suspicious and leaving a clue!"

Another official also said urgently.

"The same goes for the Ministry of War! He took away all the 'Military Quota Verification Registers'."

"Those things... those alterations, though cleverly done, might still reveal flaws if he carefully checks the archives from previous years!"

The official in the main seat raised his hand, stopping the commotion.

Manager Li raised his head at this moment, his usual humility gone, replaced by a hint of ruthlessness.

"Master Fan asked me to pass on a message to you gentlemen."

"A rock blocking the way must be moved. Chen Zhiyuan is too much of a nuisance."

The pale-faced official's voice trembled.

"...What does Steward Li mean?"

"Make him disappear," Manager Li said casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"With the person dead, the case naturally can't be investigated anymore. Without someone to lead it, even if the emperor is furious, it will eventually pass."

"Then we'll put forward another scapegoat to appease the Holy Lord's anger, and everything will return to normal."

The room was deathly silent. Only the candlelight crackled.

"Assassinating a high-ranking official, or perhaps an imperial envoy tasked with investigating a case..."

An official gasped.

The official in the main seat pondered for a moment, then looked at the middle-aged man who appeared to be a vice commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"What did you say about the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

The man spoke in a sinister tone.

"Luo Yangxing recently investigated the palace's information network, causing panic among the guards."

"But no matter how far his reach extends, he can't control all his brothers. Chen Zhiyuan currently only has two ordinary captains from the Censorate by his side, which is nothing to worry about."

"Every day on his way back to his dilapidated residence from the Censorate, he would pass through Dashi Hutong inside Xizhimen. That section of the road was quiet and there were few people at night."

"I can arrange for a few 'obedient' brothers to 'patrol' the area. If something really happens, they can arrive at the 'scene' immediately, classify it as a robbery or murder by bandits, and clean up the traces."

The other official was still somewhat hesitant.

"Assassination alone? Isn't that... too risky? What about public opinion in the court?"

"The Emperor just gave him such great power, and he died in the blink of an eye. How could the Emperor not be suspicious?"

"Therefore, we must take a two-pronged approach." A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the official in the main seat.

"The assassination must be carried out, and pressure must also be exerted on the court. You should contact the Censorate, your former associates and students in the Six Ministries, and continue to submit memorials impeaching Chen Zhiyuan."

"This time, don't just target him personally; go beyond that—accuse him of using the guise of investigating a case to arbitrarily access state secrets, disrupt the normal administrative affairs of the Six Ministries, undermine the foundation of border defense, and even…"

"This could suggest that they are colluding with the remnants of the Liaodong forces and have ulterior motives."

"Memorials should be written in a serious and numerous manner to create a powerful impact."

"Your Majesty may retain a portion, but cannot ignore the 'public opinion' of all court officials."

He paused, then continued, "On one hand, there was a fierce impeachment campaign from both the court and the public; on the other hand, Chen Zhiyuan died 'accidentally' at the hands of bandits."

"Even if the Emperor has suspicions then, what can he do without evidence?"

"Are we really going to purge the entire court just because of one dead person?"

"The situation needs to be stabilized."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions softened slightly.

This seems... a safer bet.

"Manager Li," the official in the main seat looked at the merchant.

"Is the person you hired reliable? Are they honest and trustworthy?"

Manager Li nodded.

"Don't worry, sir. They're all outlaws from the north, already on the run. As long as the money's right, they'll do anything."

"Once it's done, I'll immediately send them across the border to Mongolia, where they'll disappear. They'll never be traced back to us."

"Alright," the official in the main seat made up his mind.

"That's settled then. The impeachment memorials will begin to be submitted tomorrow."

"The time to take action..."

He looked at the Imperial Guard Vice Commander.