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

Huang Daozhou was stunned.

He stared at Chen Zhiyuan for a long time before finally sighing.

"So what if it's the truth? Brother Yichen, sometimes... you can't be too serious about the ways of officialdom."

"If everyone stops taking things seriously, is there any hope for the Ming Dynasty?" Chen Zhiyuan asked.

Huang Daozhou fell silent.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just shook his head and turned back to his seat.

Chen Zhiyuan watched his retreating figure and knew that Huang Daozhou meant well.

But good intentions couldn't save the Ming Dynasty.

At the beginning of the Si hour, the first visitor arrived.

He was an unfamiliar official, judging from his robes he was a sixth-rank official, and he claimed his surname was Li, and that he worked in the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs.

"Editor Chen," said Manager Li with a polite smile.

"Yesterday's presentation on the platform showcased the talent and elegance of Editor Chen, which is truly admirable."

Chen Zhiyuan stood up and returned the greeting: "You flatter me, Manager Li."

"No flattery, no flattery."

Manager Li waved his hand.

"I have also read Editor Chen's memorial. The idea of ​​'responsibility for speech' is indeed very relevant to the current problems. And his discussion on 'investigation' is even more thought-provoking."

Chen Zhiyuan didn't speak, he just looked at the other person.

When Li saw that he didn't respond, his smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

"Editor Chen, to be honest, I've come today to... ask you about something."

"Please speak, Manager Li."

"His Majesty has ordered Compiler Chen to write a memorial analyzing the Yuan case," Chief Clerk Li said, leaning closer and lowering his voice.

"I wonder how Editor Chen plans to write this?"

Chen Zhiyuan looked at him: "What does Manager Li mean?"

"I meant no other thing," Chief Clerk Li quickly replied.

"However... the case of Governor Yuan is of great importance. There is much discussion and no consensus in the court."

"If Editor Chen can clarify some facts in his memorial and clear Governor Yuan's name, it would be a great achievement for the soldiers in Liaodong and for the overall situation of the court."

Chen Zhiyuan understood.

They came to plead for Yuan Chonghuan.

"Master Li," Chen Zhiyuan said slowly.

"His Majesty ordered me to write a memorial, in order for me to record the facts truthfully. Whether Governor Yuan is loyal or treacherous, meritorious or demeritful, I will write it down truthfully based on what I know."

"Of course, of course," Manager Li nodded repeatedly.

"However... Editor Chen may not know this, but Commander Yuan is deeply loved by the troops in Liaodong. If he is wrongly accused, the soldiers in Liaodong may..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already very clear.

If you don't speak up for Yuan Chonghuan, things might change in Liaodong.

Chen Zhiyuan looked at Chief Clerk Li and suddenly asked, "Chief Clerk Li, do you have a past relationship with Governor-General Yuan?"

Chief Clerk Li's expression changed: "I was only acting out of public interest."

"As long as it's done with the public interest in mind," Chen Zhiyuan said. "Rest assured, Chief Li, I will record the facts truthfully. As for whether Governor Yuan has been wronged, His Majesty will make his own judgment."

Manager Li stared at Chen Zhiyuan for a long time before the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

"Editor Chen, have you thought this through?"

His voice turned cold.

"Thank you for the reminder, Manager Li."

Chen Zhiyuan calmly replied, "I understand."

Manager Li snorted coldly, turned around and left.

Chen Zhiyuan watched his retreating figure, knowing that this was just the beginning.

Sure enough, three more people arrived in the afternoon.

The first one was an imperial censor surnamed Wang, who spoke very directly.

"Chen Zhiyuan, your memorial stated that officials who report based on hearsay are not held accountable, which is one of the causes of factional strife. I would like to ask you, if it weren't for these officials reporting based on hearsay, when would Wei Zhongxian's crimes have reached the Emperor's ears? When would the evil deeds of the eunuch faction have been exposed?"

"The censors are the eyes and ears of the court; reporting rumors is an ancestral rule! How dare you, a mere seventh-rank compiler, presume to criticize ancestral rules?"

Chen Zhiyuan waited until he finished cursing before speaking slowly.

"Imperial Censor Wang, I didn't say that reporting based on hearsay is wrong. What I said is that after hearing something, it should be verified."

"If verified as true, the person should be rewarded. If verified as false, the person should be punished."

"In this way, officials will act cautiously and will not use impeachment as a pretext for factional strife."

"Are you accusing officials of factional infighting?"

"I wouldn't dare," Chen Zhiyuan said. "I'm just stating the facts."

Imperial Censor Wang turned pale with anger.

"Hmph, I hope that when you write the Yuan case for His Majesty, you can also stick to the facts and clearly explain his treason."

Then he snorted coldly and turned away.

The second was a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, surnamed Zhou, who spoke much more tactfully.

However, what he implied was that he hoped Chen Zhiyuan could explain Yuan Chonghuan's situation to His Majesty, stating that Yuan Chonghuan was arrogant and domineering, and that his crime of colluding with the enemy was unforgivable.

The third was an old Hanlin scholar surnamed Zhao, who had retired but still lived in the capital.

He expressed his intention to speak up for loyal and virtuous officials.

On the third day, the impeachment memorial actually arrived.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youjian also saw those impeachment memorials.

He looked at each document one by one, his expression growing increasingly grim.

The first document came from Liu Zongzhou, an imperial censor of the Censorate, and was strongly worded.

"Chen Zhiyuan, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, presumptuously commented on state affairs despite being a junior scholar. His proposal of 'responsibility for speech' in his memorials was actually an attempt to block the channels of communication and silence dissent."

"The claim of 'investigation' is a blatant disregard for ancestral rules and a slander against officials. If such arrogant and rebellious individuals are not severely punished, how can the court be governed with integrity?"

The second document came from Jiang Yueguang, a censor in the Ministry of Rites.

"Chen Zhiyuan's memorial to the throne was arrogant and presumptuous. He dared to speculate on the emperor's intentions and predict his impeachment."

"This is not what a subject should do; it is nothing but spreading heresy and misleading the public. Moreover, this person uses the guise of compiling history to interfere in political affairs. How can a government of upright officials tolerate such a person who seeks fame and fortune?"

The third document came from Shen Xun, a senior official in the Ministry of War.

"Chen Zhiyuan has never been involved in military affairs, yet he dares to make irresponsible remarks about military matters in Liaodong."

"His statement that 'Yuan Chonghuan's pacification of Liaodong in five years was a fabrication' was actually intended to demoralize the army and embolden the enemy."

"Such remarks, if they reach the border, will surely demoralize the soldiers. I beseech Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and punish those who speak recklessly."

The fourth, the fifth, the sixth...

Zhu Youjian read through the documents one by one.

Some say he was "young and arrogant," some say he was "trying to please the crowd," some say he "interfered in politics," and some say he "shaken the foundation of the country."

Each one was presented with absolute certainty, and each one was presented with righteous indignation.

It was as if Chen Zhiyuan was truly a treacherous villain who brought disaster to the country and its people, and that killing him would not appease public anger, and eliminating him would not bring peace to the world.

Liu Zongzhou, Jiang Yueguang, Shen Xun... he was familiar with these names.

Some were members of the Donglin Party, some were key figures of the Zhejiang Party, and some were members of the Chu Party.

These people usually attack each other and rarely reach a consensus.

But today, they all impeached the same person—Chen Zhiyuan.

The reasons vary, but there is only one core reason.

Chen Zhiyuan deserves to die.

Zhu Youjian put down the last memorial and closed his eyes.

Chen Zhiyuan was right.

The impeachment memorials came flying in like snowflakes.

And they arrived so quickly, so urgently, and so neatly.

It was as if an invisible hand was pushing all of this from behind.

Zhu Youjian opened his eyes and looked at the stack of impeachment memorials on his desk.

He knew Chen Zhiyuan was right—there were factional struggles in the court, each with their own selfish motives.

A seventh-rank editor can see through all this, speak of it, and even accurately predict the consequences...

Such a person is either extremely loyal or extremely treacherous.

He would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free.

This is the most important lesson he has learned in the three years since he ascended the throne.

Night completely enveloped the Forbidden City.

The candlelight flickered in the Qianqing Palace, casting shifting shadows on Zhu Youjian's face.

He picked up the vermilion pen.