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

"Then, Your Majesty may issue an edict ordering the Censorate, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War to form a special task force to investigate the military expenditures in Liaodong since the first year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign. This is necessary for the investigation and is perfectly legitimate."

"Once the investigation uncovers the problems, Your Majesty can then issue an edict."

"To prevent such abuses, a new system for military expenditures in Liaodong was piloted, namely the methods proposed in the budget regulations. This was a case of 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted,' and the court officials found it difficult to object."

Zhu Youjian pondered.

That's a clever idea.

Under the guise of investigating cases, they actually carried out restructuring.

By the time the opponents realized what was happening, it was too late.

"But will anyone in the court support this?" Zhu Youjian asked. "The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue will be the first to be affected. Will they agree?"

Chen Zhiyuan bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I believe that not only will there be supporters, but there will be quite a few supporters."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because of factional strife."

Zhu Youjian's face darkened.

Chen Zhiyuan continued, "Nowadays in the court, there are numerous factions, such as the Donglin Party, the Zhejiang Party, the Chu Party, and the Qi Party."

"The Yuan Chonghuan case has been divided into factions—those who defended Yuan mostly belonged to the Donglin faction."

"Those who attack Yuan are a mixed group. If the issue of military expenses is introduced into the Yuan case, the various factions will have to regroup."

He paused, then spoke clearly.

"Some people oppose for the sake of opposing. The Donglin Party supported Yuan Shikai, so they attacked Yuan Shikai."

"If the Donglin Party supports the audit of military spending, they will oppose it. And vice versa. At this point, the partisan struggle has ceased to be about right and wrong, but rather about personal feelings."

Zhu Youjian's expression grew increasingly grim.

These words struck at his deepest pain.

Having reigned for three years, he saw things all too clearly.

When discussing matters in the imperial court, people often don't look at the issues themselves, but only at who proposed them, who supported them, and who opposed them.

One faction will support it, while the other will oppose it.

For every faction that opposes something, the other faction will surely support it.

National affairs have become bargaining chips in partisan struggles.

"You mean," Zhu Youjian's voice turned cold, "to exploit factional strife?"

"Your subject dares not," Chen Zhiyuan said, lowering his eyes.

"I am merely suggesting that we proceed as the tide may take. If we investigate the military expenditures, the Donglin faction, seeking to prove Yuan Chonghuan's innocence, might support it; other factions, aiming to undermine the Donglin, might oppose it. However, the long-standing problems with the military expenditures are common knowledge, and those who oppose it will not dare to openly say 'it should not be investigated.' In this way, the court discussion can proceed."

Zhu Youjian paced back and forth in the hall, his hands behind his back.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Chen Zhiyuan's words were harsh, but true.

Using factional strife to advance political affairs.

The idea made him uncomfortable, but it seemed... to be the only viable option.

"What if someone really dares to say 'it shouldn't be investigated'?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"Then let them talk," Chen Zhiyuan said.

"The military expenditures are embezzled, and the border troops are suffering; these are facts. Anyone who dares to openly say 'it shouldn't be investigated' is an enemy of the border troops and an enemy of the world. If officials impeach them, the people will spit on them, and their own party will not dare to protect them."

Zhu Youjian stopped and looked at Chen Zhiyuan.

This young man has a keen eye for people's hearts.

"Okay." He finally made up his mind.

"I grant your permission. Under the pretext of needing to verify military expenditures in the Yuan case, you will review the files and compile a list of suspicious points. Three days later, I will summon you for an audience at the platform, where you will raise your doubts. At that time, I will issue an edict to establish a special investigation team."

"I obey your decree."

"And another thing," Zhu Youjian said, looking at him.

"I know Cao Yubian will make things difficult for you. But don't worry, I'll back you up. The Censorate is short-handed, so I'll have the Embroidered Uniform Guard allocate a few men to you to assist with the investigation."

Chen Zhiyuan's heart stirred.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard. Luo Yangxing is investigating the Shanxi merchants' case, and having the Embroidered Uniform Guard's assistance would indeed make things much easier.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Go then." Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "See you at the platform in three days."

When Chen Zhiyuan left Qianqing Palace, it was already close to dusk.

The setting sun, like blood, spilled its light onto the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City.

He knew that the platform's confrontation three days later would be a tough battle.

Cao Yubian was on duty at the Censorate.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating several gloomy faces.

Besides Cao Yu Bian, there were two other imperial censors, both of whom were his confidants. One was surnamed Liu, in charge of Henan Circuit; the other was surnamed Sun, in charge of Shanxi Circuit.

"Chief Censor, Chen Zhiyuan went to the palace again this afternoon and stayed for almost an hour before coming out," Imperial Censor Liu said in a low voice.

Cao Yubian closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"What did he say?" Imperial Censor Sun asked.

"I don't know. But when I came back, I had two Jinyiwei guards with me, saying they were sent by the Emperor to assist in the investigation."

The duty room was completely silent.

The Emperor sending the Embroidered Uniform Guard to Chen Zhiyuan—the signal was all too clear.

"Chief Censor, we can't wait any longer," Imperial Censor Liu said urgently.

"If Chen Zhiyuan continues this investigation, it'll really cause a huge uproar. Then, how many people from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the border garrisons will come demanding answers? Our Censorate will be the first to bear the brunt!"

Cao Yubian opened his eyes, his gaze weary.

"What do you suggest we do?"

"Spread the word," Imperial Censor Sun said in a low voice.

"No need to say it explicitly, just hint at it. Say that Chen Zhiyuan is using the investigation of Yuan's case to dig up old accounts of military expenditures, from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Revenue, from the Grand Canal to the border towns, leaving no stone unturned."

Those who have something to hide will naturally feel uneasy.

Censor Liu nodded: "Yes. Let them do it themselves. Our Censorate only needs to claim 'inability to control subordinates.' When the Emperor blames us, it will be because Chen Zhiyuan acted arbitrarily, and it will have nothing to do with our Censorate."

Cao Yubian remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding.

"That's what we'll do. But remember, do it cleanly, don't leave any evidence."

"Don't worry, General."

After the two left, Cao Yubian sat alone in the duty room, watching the flickering candlelight.

He recalled his youth, when he had just passed the imperial examination and entered the Censorate as an imperial censor. Back then, he had also thought of purifying the bureaucracy and rectifying the court. But decades later, his edges had been smoothed, and his passion had cooled. What he saw was the corruption of officialdom; what he learned was to protect himself wisely.

Chen Zhiyuan looks just like him back then.

But back then, he didn't dare touch the military budget.

"Young man..." Cao Yubian murmured, "He chose his own path, so he can't blame others."

When Chen Zhiyuan returned to his residence, it was nearly 7 p.m.

The two Imperial Guards stood guard outside the door, their figures upright and their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Zhao Delu was already waiting inside the house, with a simple meal laid out on the table.

"Qianxian, let's eat first."

Chen Zhiyuan sat down, picked up his chopsticks, but had no appetite.

"How's the accounting work going?"

"As you instructed, it has been divided into three categories: troop quota verification, salary disbursement, and military supply procurement. The most problematic ones have been listed separately, totaling seventeen."

Chen Zhiyuan nodded.

"The platform will summon you for questioning in three days. You must come with me. Bring all these questionable ledgers with you."

Zhao Delu hesitated for a moment: "Vice Minister, are we really going to throw everything out there? It'll involve too many people..."

"How can we break the deadlock if we don't throw it out?" Chen Zhiyuan put down his chopsticks.

"Cao Yubian has already severed ties, and the Censorate is unreliable. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue will not cooperate either. The only way is to rely on the Emperor's power and take advantage of the platform for an audience to bring the problem into the open and force the court officials to express their opinions."

He stood up and walked to the window.

Night had fallen, and the lights of Beijing were sparse.

"Zhao Delu, do you know what the Ming Dynasty lacks most right now?"