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

Therefore, the impeachment memorials became more and more numerous and increasingly harsh.

Some people directly stated in their memorials that Chen Zhiyuan was trying to "abolish all the laws of the land and act arbitrarily."

Some say he "has ulterior motives and intends to sow discord between the ruler and his ministers."

Some people say he was "young and arrogant, unaware of his own limitations."

The memorial submitted by Wu Zhiyu, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of War, was the longest.

He refuted Chen Zhiyuan's conclusions point by point.

Regarding Yuan Chonghuan's collusion with the enemy.

He said that although there was no direct evidence, Yuan Chonghuan had killed Mao Wenlong without authorization, thus weakening the court's influence.

They allowed the enemy to advance unchecked, enabling their cavalry to reach the capital.

Although the Battle of Guangqumen was a victory, it was still a defeat, as the enemy was not completely annihilated.

How can such actions be considered innocent?

Regarding the military spending deficit.

He said that the ledgers had missing pages and discrepancies in the figures, which did not prove anything.

Losses during transit, color changes, and shipping costs are all common occurrences.

To classify these actions as corruption is an overreaction.

Regarding collusion between officials and businessmen.

He said that officials and merchants have been interacting since ancient times.

Merchants pay taxes, officials govern, and they are separate entities.

If there is any private exchange, it will be investigated and dealt with accordingly.

Without concrete evidence, how can we make wild guesses?

Finally, he wrote.

"Chen Zhiyuan, with his own opinion, attempted to break the century-old system. Under the guise of investigating cases, he actually carried out slander. His accusations of collusion between officials and businessmen implicated everyone in the court and the public. I do not know his intentions, but I know that his heart is despicable."

With Wu Zhiyu's memorial submitted, the impeachment campaign gained even more momentum.

In the cabinet office, Cheng Jiming looked at the mountain of memorials and remained silent for a long time.

Zhou Yanru sat opposite him and said, "Prime Minister, we can't let Chen Zhiyuan have his way with this matter any longer."

Cheng Jiming raised his eyelids to look at him.

Zhou Yanru said, "Chen Zhiyuan's methods—investigating military spending, corruption, and collusion between officials and businessmen—will ultimately leave very few clean officials in the court. Everyone will be insecure; who will be able to focus on their work then?"

Cheng Jiming asked, "What do you want to do?"

Zhou Yanru said, "Suppress it. The impeachment memorials should be drafted by the cabinet; those that need to be approved should be approved, and those that need to be dealt with should be dealt with. Let the Emperor know that Chen Zhiyuan is not the only one speaking in the court."

Cheng Jiming remained silent for a while.

"What did you say to the Emperor?"

Zhou Yanru said, "His Majesty is young and easily swayed. But as long as the cabinet is united in its stance, His Majesty will understand."

Cheng Jiming remained silent.

He recalled what Chen Zhiyuan had said on the platform, those numbers, and how much rice 680,000 taels of silver could buy.

He recalled the last question Zhu Youjian asked.

"How long can the Ming Dynasty remain so stable?"

He didn't know the answer.

But he knew that now was not the time to turn against Chen Zhiyuan.

"Wait a little longer," Cheng Jiming said.

Zhou Yanru frowned: "Waiting for what?"

Cheng Jiming said, "The Emperor will not agree to take action against Chen Zhiyuan now, after the mutiny in Dengzhou and Laizhou has been quelled and the case against the Shanxi merchants has been resolved."

Zhou Yanru fell silent.

He knew Cheng Jiming was right.

The Emperor is currently employing Chen Zhiyuan and will not dismiss him simply because of impeachment.

But if things continue like this, Chen Zhiyuan will only gain more and more power.

Zhou Yanru looked out the window, his brows furrowed.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youjian was also reading the impeachment memorials.

Wang Chengen read the documents to him one by one. When he got to Wu Zhiyu's document, Zhu Youjian raised his hand to stop him.

"What's your opinion on Wu Zhiyu's claim of collusion between officials and businessmen?"

Wang Chengen was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and said, "This servant dares not presume to discuss state affairs."

Zhu Youjian said, "I'm telling you to speak."

Wang Chengen thought for a moment, then spoke cautiously.

"I work in the palace, so I'm not very familiar with things outside. But I've heard that quite a few officials in the capital do have dealings with merchants."

"Giving and receiving gifts during holidays is a common occurrence."

"As long as it doesn't interfere with official business, it shouldn't be... a big deal, right?"

Zhu Youjian remained silent.

He knew that what Wang Chengen said was true.

The problem is, what did this "not a big deal" end up being?

It turned into a military expenditure shortfall of 680,000 taels.

They became colluding with and funding the enemy.

The border soldiers were left starving while guarding the city, while officials in the court were on friendly terms with merchants.

Zhu Youjian recalled the words Chen Zhiyuan had written in his memorial.

"The corruption of collusion between officials and merchants is pervasive throughout the government and the country. Merchants use profits to curry favor with officials, while officials use their power for personal gain, with each level pulling the strings and exploiting the system. The leakage of military funds is not limited to just one town; the corruption is not limited to just one person. If it is not eradicated, today eight Shanxi merchants will be raided, and tomorrow there will be ten or a hundred more."

He knew Chen Zhiyuan was right.

But so what if it's right?

The impeachment memorials had piled up to half a person's height. Seven or eight out of ten officials in the court were cursing Chen Zhiyuan.

What can he do?

They arrested all those who were impeaching him?

That was half of the imperial court.

Zhu Youjian closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

After a long time, he opened his eyes.

"The story goes that Chen Zhiyuan..."

When Chen Zhiyuan entered the hall, Zhu Youjian was still reading the impeachment memorials.

He didn't look up, but simply pointed to the chair next to him.

Chen Zhiyuan thanked the emperor and sat down.

Zhu Youjian said, "I have read the memorials impeaching you. There are more than seventy of them, and the number is increasing every day."

Chen Zhiyuan remained silent.

Zhu Youjian said, "Wu Zhiyu said you slandered the court, and that the phrase 'collusion between officials and merchants' is extremely vicious. What do you think?"

Chen Zhiyuan said, "I cannot agree with what Wu Jishizhong said."

Zhu Youjian said, "Speak."

Chen Zhiyuan said, "The claim of collusion between officials and businessmen is not something I fabricated."

"In the Shanxi merchants case, the account books investigated by Vice Commissioner Luo contained the names of thirty-seven officials."

"These people took money from Shanxi merchants, ranging from a few hundred taels to tens of thousands of taels. They took the money, spoke on behalf of the Shanxi merchants, and did their bidding. What is this if not collusion?"

Zhu Youjian remained silent for a while.

"I will investigate those people. But the collusion between officials and businessmen you mentioned involves more than just these thirty-seven individuals."

Chen Zhiyuan said, "Yes. What I'm referring to as collusion between officials and merchants is a prevailing trend, a rule, something everyone does. The Shanxi merchants are just one example, not the whole picture."

Zhu Youjian looked at him.

"Do you know how many people you'll offend by saying that?"

Chen Zhiyuan said, "I know."

"Then why did you say it?"

"I must say this: the root of the military expenditure case lies here. No matter how thoroughly the case is investigated or how many people are killed, if the root is not dug out, things will remain the same in two years."

Zhu Youjian remained silent.

He picked up a memorial from his desk, a copy of Chen Zhiyuan's memorial on military expenditures. He turned to the last page, which contained several key points of the budget regulations.

"I have read your budget proposal," Zhu Youjian said. "Living within our means, calculating expenses in advance, and being open and transparent—these are all good. But have you considered how many people will need to cooperate to implement this plan? The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, the Grand Canal Transport Department, the border garrisons—which department won't be offended?"

Chen Zhiyuan said, "I have thought about it. That's why I say we should proceed step by step. Let's start with a pilot program in Liaodong. If it works, we can expand it. If it doesn't, we'll revise it."

Zhu Youjian said, "But those people in the court won't let you try."

Chen Zhiyuan remained silent for a while.

"Your Majesty, may I ask a question?"

"ask."

"Whose people are those in the court?"

Zhu Youjian was taken aback.

Chen Zhiyuan said, "There are more than seventy memorials impeaching me. I have noted down the names of all the people involved."

"There are members of the Donglin Party, the Zhejiang Party, the Chu Party, and the Qi Party. They usually attack each other and are like oil and water. But when it comes to impeaching officials, they all speak with one voice."

He looked at Zhu Youjian.

"Your Majesty, whose people are they?"

Zhu Youjian did not answer.

Chen Zhiyuan said, "They are their own people. Their interests are tied to the military spending case. Once the military spending case is investigated, their purse strings will be emptied. That's why they want to impeach me, to stop me, and to shut me up."

"It's not that I'm unaware of these things. I knew them when I was in the Hanlin Academy. But I still had to investigate, write, and speak out. Because I know that if even I don't speak out, then truly no one in the Ming Dynasty will speak out."

Zhu Youjian stared at him for a long time.

Then he spoke.

"What's your opinion on Yuan Chonghuan's side?"