Chapter 16: Yao Zongwen Arrested

"Why make things difficult for a servant?"

Yao Zongwen walked out of the house, swept an expressionless gaze over the Eastern Depot runners, and said, "You runners of the Eastern Depot burst into my home—what business do you have? If you can give me a proper reason today, then so be it. But if you cannot, I shall go before Your Majesty myself and argue this matter with you, and have you punished for your crimes."

The fat leader waved a hand behind him, and the remaining men quickly fanned out, encircling Yao Zongwen within a wall of human flesh.

"What do you think you're doing!" Yao Zongwen was both alarmed and enraged.

"This is no time for throwing your weight around. Does Your Honor Yao not know what we want? When the Eastern Depot comes knocking, what good news could there be for you? Your affair has come to light!"

The moment the fat man finished speaking, two runners behind him stepped forward and seized Yao Zongwen before he could even react.

This was nothing short of humiliation.

Yao Zongwen flew into a rage, but one man's strength was no match for the runners. He roared in rebuke, "What are you doing? Release me! Do you think I would flee? Let me go—I am a court official!"

The fat eunuch's face showed no expression. He merely waved a hand and said, "Your Honor Yao, save those words for elsewhere. Once we reach the Eastern Depot, there will naturally be someone there to speak with Your Honor Yao."

With that, the fat man waved his hand, and two Eastern Depot runners immediately stuffed a wad of rags into Yao Zongwen's mouth, then dragged him out by force, pulling and hauling him along.

The Eastern Depot prison.

In fact, the earliest Eastern Depot had no prison of its own—those they arrested were always sent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Imperial Prison. But over the years, the Eastern Depot had long since filled that gap. The Eastern Depot's black prison was more terrifying than the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Imperial Prison, and more feared as well.

When Yao Zongwen was dragged into the black prison, someone was already waiting for him there—and that someone was, naturally, Wei Zhongxian.

Upon seeing Yao Zongwen, Wei Zhongxian smiled. He glanced at the runners and said with irritation, "How can you treat our Honorable Yao this way? Release him at once."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, the runners holding Yao Zongwen dared not delay and hastily let him go.

Yao Zongwen pulled the rag from his mouth, suppressed his anger, and looked at Wei Zhongxian as he asked, "Eunuch Wei, may I ask what crime I have committed? For what reason have I been brought to this Eastern Depot?"

Wei Zhongxian immediately smiled: "Nothing too major. It's just that someone has impeached Your Honor Yao for framing Xiong Tingbi. His Majesty ordered me to investigate, and we who serve as his slaves naturally dare not be negligent."

"Framing Xiong Tingbi?" Fear instantly seized Yao Zongwen's heart. On the matter of Xiong Tingbi, he was indeed guilty of conscience—but could he admit it?

Yao Zongwen steeled himself and looked at Wei Zhongxian: "Eunuch Wei, I suspect that investigating Xiong Tingbi is but a pretext—the real purpose is to retaliate against me for impeaching you, is it not? Eunuch Wei, this is personal vengeance under the guise of public duty."

At these words, Wei Zhongxian's face immediately darkened, and his smile slowly faded: "You and I both understand the situation in Liaodong. At a time like this, to impeach a great general guarding the border—at the smallest interpretation, it is a private grudge that disregards the greater good; at the largest interpretation, it is colluding with the enemy and betraying the state."

Cold sweat broke out across his back in an instant. Yao Zongwen shuddered but still seemed to want to say something.

"You are not the only one who impeached Xiong Tingbi, Your Honor Yao. But when you impeach without evidence, that can be called slander. Framing a great general at the border—does Your Honor Yao know what crime that is?" As he spoke, Wei Zhongxian began to smile again. "Do you know who impeached you before His Majesty? That's right—it was me."

Yao Zongwen's gaze at Wei Zhongxian was filled with hatred, yet he kept his mouth tightly shut and said not a word.

Merely calling it "framing a border general" was already a minor charge. If Wei Zhongxian were to suggest to His Majesty that he, Yao Zongwen, had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the state, then he would have no choice but to accept it. But even the charge of framing a border general—if His Majesty were displeased, it could mean the confiscation of his property and the extermination of his family. This time, he was truly finished.

Looking at the silent Yao Zongwen, Wei Zhongxian said coldly, "Yao Zongwen, it seems that without a little persuasion, you won't confess. But that's fine—I have all the time in the world."

Having said this, Wei Zhongxian waved his hand, ignoring Yao Zongwen who was frozen stiff with fear, and directly ordered, "Take Your Honor Yao below and let him taste the Eastern Depot's methods."

"Yes, Eunuch!" A runner acknowledged, and several men pressed Yao Zongwen forward into the depths of the prison.

The Eastern Depot headquarters remained as gloomy as ever. Wei Zhongxian's face was terrifyingly dark, cold glints flashing continuously in his eyes as he paced back and forth, pondering something.

After a long while, he grew tired. He plopped down onto a chair, expressionlessly holding his teacup. After taking a sip, Wei Zhongxian let out a long breath.

Sure enough, his guess had been right—His Majesty truly was dissatisfied with these people. His Majesty had reinstated Xiong Tingbi, which clearly meant he regretted dismissing him. Therefore, those who had impeached Xiong Tingbi had deceived His Majesty, taking advantage of the fact that he had just ascended the throne and was still inexperienced.

Now His Majesty was setting things right, yet he could not admit that he had been fooled—so this task had to fall to old Wei. Recalling how lightly His Majesty had agreed, Wei Zhongxian knew his guess was correct.

With things at this point, it naturally became easy. He needed to make Yao Zongwen talk. Once he talked, then he could be made to bite and tear at others. Who would be the best target to start with?

The Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and the Minister of War—these two seemed quite suitable. All the censors who had impeached him should be dragged into this as well, to make it a great case.

As for why these people had framed Xiong Tingbi, Yao Zongwen would have to give him a reason. Though, accepting bribes should be a good charge. Never mind—when the time came, he would tack on several more crimes.

In the torture chamber, a basin of charcoal fire blazed fiercely, occasionally crackling and popping. At the edge of the brazier was clamped an iron brand that had long since glowed red-hot.

The walls around the room were hung with leg screws, whips, and all manner of torture instruments. Scattered about were tiger benches, dog-head execution blades, and other chilling implements of interrogation.

At this moment, a minor clerk took out a roll of cotton thread. Looking at the man bound to the wooden frame, he said with a sinister smile, "Your Honor Yao, Eunuch Director Wei has sent word for us to interrogate you quickly. But seeing how uncooperative you are, I'm afraid I'll have to use this." As he spoke, he bound Yao Zongwen's fingers and toes apart with the thin cord, pulling them taut.

At this moment, Yao Zongwen looked like a guzheng suspended in midair, and the cords binding him were its "strings."

Unable to move a muscle, Yao Zongwen knew in his heart that this was the Eastern Depot's infamous torture—the Rat-Plucked Zither. He was gambling that he could endure it.

"Your Honor Yao, I kindly warn you—the Rat-Plucked Zither is not something ordinary men can withstand!" Seeing Yao Zongwen silent as a dead dog, the minor clerk grew ruthless. He struck the taut thin cords with a wooden stick, making them emit a "twang-twang" sound.

At the first strike, cold sweat instantly covered Yao Zongwen's entire body.

At the second strike, his teeth bit a chunk of flesh from his own lip.

At the third strike, his little finger dislocated. Yao Zongwen, drenched in sweat, began to wail aloud.

"Ahh!" Scream after scream of agony drifted from the torture chamber into Wei Zhongxian's ears. He let out a cold laugh: "Some people won't take the toast offered them—they must be forced to drink the penalty wine."

Before long, the minor clerk came running excitedly to Wei Zhongxian: "Eunuch Director, he's confessed!"

"Good!" Joy appeared on Wei Zhongxian's face. He turned and strode toward the prison, announcing loudly, "Come, let's go have a look."