Chapter 156: Killing to Establish Authority

Because Han Kuang realized a problem: His Majesty was going to use Cui Chengxiu, and that was a very bad sign.

Because Han Kuang could see that Cui Chengxiu was a cruel official, and His Majesty was going to employ a cruel official!

Think of the cruel officials in history, think of Lai Junchen, think of Zhou Xing. If these cruel officials rose to power, what would become of loyal and upright men like themselves?

As for why His Majesty wanted to use them, Han Kuang also knew. It was because His Majesty felt that no one in the court was obedient anymore—those assigned to investigate cases were shielding criminals and playing at factionalism; matters that should have been severely punished were being lightly dismissed by everyone.

But even so, His Majesty must not be allowed to use Cui Chengxiu.

"Your Majesty, everything has its causes, and crimes have degrees of severity—how can they be lumped together? Your minister believes this matter must be handled with distinction; how could it be treated so lightly?" After saying this, Han Kuang turned and stepped back to the side, showing no intention whatsoever of arguing with Cui Chengxiu.

In fact, Han Kuang didn't need to argue with Cui Chengxiu. He was a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat; Cui Chengxiu couldn't even reach his level, so he chose to ignore him.

Even if he took the matter seriously in his heart, Han Kuang wouldn't give Cui Chengxiu a chance to pick a fight.

Zhu Youxiao's fingers continued tapping on the table, and the expression on his face did not change.

The tapping echoed through the room, one beat after another, as if striking the hearts of everyone present, making them tremble with each knock.

No one could tell what their emperor was thinking, but everyone knew that His Majesty was very displeased at this moment.

"For the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, start investigating the cases first." Zhu Youxiao spoke again: "The dignified Six Ministries actually produced such affairs! And the matter of the Ministry of Works still hasn't been investigated clearly for me. I truly wonder how many things in this Great Ming empire I don't know about!"

"Let the Eastern Depot handle the investigation!" Zhu Youxiao said expressionlessly: "As for the Donglin Faction case, a conclusion can be reached. Yuan Yingtai and Wang Huazhen—confiscate their property and send their entire families into military exile in Liaodong. Since they previously served as officials in Liaodong, let them go see how the low-ranking soldiers there live, so they stop feeling so full of grievances all day.

"As for the rest, behead them on a chosen day." After saying this, Zhu Youxiao stood up directly. "Carry out everything exactly as I have said."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Everyone hurriedly bowed, their expressions somewhat complicated.

His Majesty had ultimately killed people after all. Although Wang Huazhen and Yuan Yingtai had been spared, having their property confiscated and their entire families exiled to Liaodong was already an extremely severe punishment for the two of them.

Returning to his bedchamber, Zhu Youxiao leaned sideways on the couch, his face devoid of expression.

The reason Zhu Youxiao had spared Yuan Yingtai this time was not because of others' pleas, nor because of Han Kuang's arguments, but because Yuan Yingtai had done one thing.

Yuan Yingtai had secretly used the silver he embezzled to purchase grain and fodder of equivalent value to compensate for what he had taken. He was an official with a bottom line—it was just that the Ming court's officialdom did not permit him to have one.

As for the defeat in the original history, that was Yuan Yingtai's responsibility. But in this life, Yuan Yingtai had not lost a battle, because Zhu Youxiao had not given him that opportunity.

Yuan Yingtai was not a qualified general, nor was he suited for warfare, but there were some things he did extremely well. As an official who had once managed military grain and weapons for Jizhou and Liaodong, Yuan Yingtai had performed admirably.

Whether organizing transport or allocating supplies, he had never had any problems—everything was delivered on time, on schedule, with quality and quantity guaranteed. Such officials were truly rare, and Yuan Yingtai had also presided over river levee repairs, completing them on time with guaranteed quality.

Yuan Yingtai was an official unsuited for battle but well-suited for logistics management.

First, send Yuan Yingtai to Liaodong; whether he survives depends on his luck. Whether Zhu Youxiao would use Yuan Yingtai in the future would depend on the circumstances. Today it's one way, tomorrow another—no one knows how things will change.

The news spread quickly, and the entire court and country were thrown into an uproar.

Especially the fact that the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue cases were given to Wei Zhongxian to investigate—this terrified countless people, and one could say they were stricken with fear.

Of course, there were also those who were pleased, such as Wei Zhongxian.

When the news reached the Eastern Depot, Wei Zhongxian, who was lying on his bed recovering from his wounds, heard the news and was so delighted he nearly jumped up. Although his backside still hurt, Wei Zhongxian's demeanor was completely different from before.

"Take some men, go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, and arrest all the officials responsible for the handovers for me. This time, I'm going to teach them a proper lesson."

Things had developed to this point where it had truly reached the stage where killing someone was necessary to establish authority.

Agents of the Eastern Depot flew out in all directions, throwing the entire capital into chaos. Countless people began to be arrested, and the Eastern Depot was busy every day. Although those being arrested now were mostly minor officials or petty clerks, everyone knew that the arrests of the big figures were still to come.

In addition, the Embroidered Uniform Guard suddenly showed movement as well—regarding the case of the late emperor, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had made progress.

It seemed that a breakthrough had been made with Li Kezhuo. After entering the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison, it took only three days for Li Kezhuo to confess.

However, Li Kezhuo did not admit to killing the emperor, but he did admit to another matter—that he and his associates had formed a faction for private gain.

After this news came out, the entire Joseon court was instantly thrown into an uproar.

Over there, the Donglin Faction's factionalism case hadn't even been finished being investigated, and here another one had popped up. Starting from Fang Congzhe, many court officials were implicated, with the target pointing directly at several Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat.

For a time, countless routine memorials flooded into the inner court.

Zhu Youxiao lay reclined on the couch. He had grown rather fond of this feeling—this posture was very comfortable.

Glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao asked: "What's the reaction from the Grand Secretariat?"

In fact, Li Kezhuo had already been beaten half to death—Zhu Youxiao knew this news.

But Li Kezhuo had not confessed, because he dared not confess. The crime of killing the emperor was simply too great—so great that it could crush him to death directly.

Moreover, even if Li Kezhuo did speak, Zhu Youxiao would not give him that opportunity.

Because Li Kezhuo would harbor resentment. He couldn't even save himself—he would face the execution of nine generations of his family or the slaughter of his entire household. Such a person would absolutely bite wildly, dragging countless people into the affair—in plain terms, he would recklessly make false accusations.

When that time came, if Li Kezhuo said something, would he believe it or not? If he named people, would he act on them or not?

If he didn't act, then no one Li Kezhuo implicated could be dealt with; if he did act, then everyone he implicated would have to be dealt with.

Who knew who Li Kezhuo would name? Probably even Noble Consort Zheng and the Prince of Fu wouldn't escape—and now was not the time to move against them.

So the hat of factionalism was placed on Li Kezhuo's head. Whether he said it or didn't say it made no difference—he was destined never to walk out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Imperial Prison, so this was what he had said.

Sure enough, after the matter came out, countless people began submitting memorials of impeachment. Including Cui Chengxiu and Zhou Yingqiu, these people were extremely active. In fact, this was an opportunity for them—only after all these people were brought down could they have a chance to rise.

Even some of those waiting in line behind, who had shown no reaction before, now officially entered the fray. In plain terms, they wanted to get a piece of the action, to grab something for themselves. If all these people were brought down, then it would be their turn to rise.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the several Grand Secretaries implicated have submitted memorials of self-defense, and some have also submitted memorials requesting resignation." Chen Hong quickly said respectfully.

"Bring them to me for a look!" Zhu Youxiao said expressionlessly.

This was exactly the result he wanted. If these people still remained unmoved, then he would truly have to resort to harsh measures.

Now it seemed these few in the Grand Secretariat were quite sensible—the only question was whether Liu Yijing was sensible.

In fact, he had given Liu Yijing a chance; it was Liu Yijing himself who was useless. If Liu Yijing had truly done well, he would have had the opportunity to become the next Yan Song.

What a pity—Liu Yijing wanted to seize power and influence yet cherished his reputation, considering himself aloof and pure, timid and hesitant. Though he had ambition in his heart, he lacked the ability to realize that ambition.

He had given Liu Yijing a chance, but Liu Yijing couldn't use it, so he decisively abandoned him.

Chen Hong found the several memorials and respectfully delivered them to Zhu Youxiao.

Opening the memorials and glancing through them, Zhu Youxiao nodded.

Placed on top was the memorial of Grand Secretary Zhu Guozuo. Its content was very simple—just a resignation petition, citing old age and failing health, no longer fit for service.

Setting it down, Zhu Youxiao picked up another one—this one was from Sun Ruyou.

These two men had always kept a relatively low profile. Even when Zhu Youxiao stirred up various matters, they never involved themselves, remaining in a state of standing by with folded arms. For the most part they simply went along with the crowd in submitting routine memorials, their presence barely registering.

But Zhu Youxiao had no intention of keeping the two of them either. In fact, in Zhu Youxiao's view, the Grand Secretariat had somewhat too many auxiliary ministers.

When there are too many auxiliary ministers in the Grand Secretariat, many matters can no longer be handled in a simpler fashion. Orders issuing from multiple doors is never a good thing, so Zhu Youxiao planned to take this opportunity to clean house.

Besides these two men, Shen Guan had also submitted a routine memorial requesting leave.

Setting down the memorial in his hand, Zhu Youxiao spoke: "The Directorate of Ceremonial shall issue an edict urging them to stay."

Chen Hong was slightly taken aback. How could an edict urging them to stay be issued just like that?

In fact, under such circumstances, what His Majesty ought most to do was not issue an edict urging them to stay, but rather issue an edict of reassurance.

To put it plainly, that meant telling them: Don't overthink things. We trust you. This matter certainly has nothing to do with you, so you need not worry. All those people outside are simply making false accusations.

Once the case has been investigated and clarified, We will certainly give you an explanation. So for now, just stay put and remain at ease. This is called issuing an edict of reassurance. It represents the Emperor's trust in a minister, and also shows that he does not wish for that minister to truly leave.

Under such circumstances, the minister would understand His Majesty's intentions and would not stir up any other trouble. When the Emperor has spoken thus, if you still fail to appreciate the gesture, then that is your own affair.

But issuing an edict urging them to stay is different. On the surface it means hoping you will remain, but in reality it is telling you: you may go now.

The minister would then continue submitting memorials requesting leave. After several rounds of this back and forth, the Emperor would grant approval and directly send you home.

Now that His Majesty was issuing such an edict, it meant these three Grand Secretaries could not be kept. At the same time, it was also telling others: submit your routine memorials — perhaps you too have fallen out of Our favor.