Chapter 173: Going to the Censorate to Arrest Li Mao and the Others

By letting the Ministry of Justice get involved, everyone in the court could now understand Zhu Youxiao's intentions.

Everyone knew that Minister of Justice Huang Kezuan had been promoted to Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat. Huang Kezuan was a man who stayed neutral—he handled most matters strictly according to penal law, without worrying too much about other considerations.

This was also the very foundation of Huang Kezuan's standing in the court. He would never cut off his own roots, so this time the matter was bound to be dealt with severely.

His Majesty naturally knew this as well, yet he still chose to do it this way. His Majesty's meaning was thus quite clear—he wanted these people punished severely, with no room for negotiation.

Zhao Nanxing stood there without a word, showing no sign of opposition. He had just established a good relationship with His Majesty not long ago, and he would not make a mistake on this matter.

As for Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing off to the side, he was even less likely to object.

In Luo Sigong's view, however these people were dealt with had little to do with him. Even if they were to be dragged out and beheaded on the spot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard could pick up their blades and go straight at it.

With the matter settled at this point, Zhu Youxiao said flatly, "If there is nothing else, the two of you may withdraw."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your servants take their leave." The two men bowed in acknowledgment and slowly backed out.

After the two had left, Zhu Youxiao also stood up.

Having sat for such a long time, he was indeed somewhat tired. He stretched lightly to loosen his muscles and bones, and a smile appeared on his face.

With things having reached this point, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, outside, matters were beginning to stir up.

The Censorate.

The Censorate was unusually bustling today, because some men from the Eastern Depot had arrived outside its gates, led by none other than Wei Zhongxian, the Director of the Eastern Depot. This made many people rather afraid.

Everyone knew Wei Zhongxian's methods—he was infamous for being ruthless and merciless. The earlier incidents had all been stirred up by Wei Zhongxian, and now he had come running to the Censorate. Clearly, he was not here for a stroll.

At this moment, Wei Zhongxian carried far less murderous aura than usual. His whole demeanor seemed much more peaceful, and his face wore a genial, smiling expression.

"Go announce our arrival." After having the gatekeeper go in to report, Wei Zhongxian waited at the entrance, showing no intention whatsoever of forcing his way into the Censorate.

In fact, Wei Zhongxian was doing this to show respect to Yu Maoheng.

As a eunuch of the court and the Director of the Eastern Depot, Wei Zhongxian was far more sensitive to certain matters than outsiders. He knew very well that Yu Maoheng's position was no ordinary one—he was His Majesty's trusted confidant, and was even connected to Chen Hong in some ways.

Wei Zhongxian was extremely wary of Chen Hong, and in his heart he was always thinking of finding an opportunity to eliminate him.

But Wei Zhongxian knew this was definitely not the chance to deal with Chen Hong. Right now he lacked both the strength and the certainty, so it was better to stay still than to make a move.

He had taken the beating over that earlier matter, and Chen Hong had also expressed his stance. On this point, Wei Zhongxian was still clear-headed, and he also felt grateful to Chen Hong in his heart.

So without certainty, Wei Zhongxian would not target Chen Hong; and even when he did have certainty, Wei Zhongxian had even decided to spare his life.

The two were both eunuchs—neither had it easy, and there was no mortal hatred between them. It was nothing more than a struggle for power.

Moreover, this kind of power struggle was different from ordinary ones. The two of them were fighting largely because His Majesty wanted them to fight.

So the two of them had to put on a show of fighting for His Majesty to see, but it was absolutely not a struggle driven by personal gain. On the contrary, there was even a certain mutual appreciation between them.

He did not wait long at the gate before someone strode out from within.

Wei Zhongxian saw that the newcomer was actually Cui Chengxiu. His face betrayed nothing, but in his heart he gained some confidence.

Cui Chengxiu must have been sent by Yu Maoheng. By choosing Cui Chengxiu, Yu Maoheng was clearly having him test Wei Zhongxian, while also extending a gesture of goodwill—indicating that he had no wish to oppose Wei Zhongxian for the time being.

As for Yu Maoheng, this favored minister of His Majesty, Wei Zhongxian naturally had nothing to say. The man had given him face, and he could not refuse to accept it.

"This humble official pays respects to Eunuch Wei." Cui Chengxiu bowed and clasped his hands toward Wei Zhongxian, then said with a smile, "His Excellency the Censor-in-Chief has sent this humble official to receive Eunuch Wei. Please, Eunuch Wei, come in."

Having said this, Cui Chengxiu made a gesture of invitation and turned to lead the way.

Wei Zhongxian followed with a smile, bringing only a few men with him while the rest all waited outside.

After turning several corners, Wei Zhongxian arrived at the main hall of the Censorate, where Yu Maoheng was already waiting for him.

Upon meeting, the two naturally exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere was relatively harmonious, because both knew full well what the other was up to.

Wei Zhongxian had come here to arrest people—and those he was arresting were precisely the ones who opposed him—so Yu Maoheng supported Wei Zhongxian's actions. He simply could not say so openly, but privately there was no need to sour relations, so his tone and smile were both very warm.

After a few exchanges of pleasantries, Wei Zhongxian said with a beaming smile, "Your Excellency Yu, I have come to the Censorate today to take a few people back with me. These people are implicated in the Donglin Faction's case of forming cliques for private gain. I ask Your Excellency Yu to let them go."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, Yu Maoheng set his teacup down heavily on the table, his face darkening and turning very unpleasant. He asked, "Does Eunuch Wei have His Majesty's decree? The Censorate is, after all, a government office, and those present are all court-appointed officials. Without His Majesty's decree, this official absolutely will not allow Eunuch Wei to take anyone away."

Although Yu Maoheng said these words with a black face, Wei Zhongxian did not mind, because he knew Yu Maoheng was simply putting on an act.

Without His Majesty's decree, he would not have dared come to the Censorate to arrest people—he did not have that kind of nerve. That was plain as day.

The reason Yu Maoheng was doing this was to show his subordinates that he was an official who dared to stand up to Wei Zhongxian, while also demonstrating that he was a man of principle.

As for what Yu Maoheng was doing, Wei Zhongxian did not care.

Over the years, the Eastern Depot had been used as a shield more times than one could count. Besides, this time the man was cooperating with his work. When they usually splashed dirty water on him, he could not do anything to them—so why would he now?

"Your Excellency Yu, I have just returned from the palace. This is His Majesty's decree." Wei Zhongxian said with a smile.

There was naturally nothing to hide about this matter. Since His Majesty had told him directly, it was an open decree; otherwise His Majesty would only have hinted at it. So there was no need for him to conceal anything.

Besides, for this kind of matter, an open decree was absolutely necessary.

Hearing these words from Wei Zhongxian, Yu Maoheng's expression remained grim, but he still nodded and said, "Then this official has nothing more to say. However, this is, after all, the Censorate—arresting people in full public view would have a bad effect. How about Eunuch Wei tells this official the names of those to be taken, and this official will have someone summon them here?"

Whether such a proposal or request was granted basically depended on the standing of the official making it. If his position was high and his power heavy enough, then it would naturally be agreed to.

Yu Maoheng was naturally such an official right now, and Wei Zhongxian would certainly not refuse a request he made.

If Wei Zhongxian refused, it would mean he was not giving face, and it would also mean he was deliberately trying to intimidate Yu Maoheng.

But at this moment, Wei Zhongxian could not possibly refuse to give this face. He nodded and said with a smile, "That would naturally be for the best. Then I shall trouble Your Excellency Yu."

In Wei Zhongxian's view, Yu Maoheng being in this position was the most advantageous arrangement for him.

Because judging from the current situation, this was the best period of relations between Wei Zhongxian and the Censorate. The number of routine memorials impeaching him from the Censorate had decreased considerably, and he was happy to build good relations with Yu Maoheng.

At the same time, Wei Zhongxian had another thought in his heart—whether he could find an opportunity to pull Yu Maoheng over to his side.

If he succeeded, it would be equivalent to cutting off one of Chen Hong's arms, while also extending his own hand into the Censorate. The benefits for his future endeavors would be too numerous.

Only, Wei Zhongxian's idea could only end up as drawing water with a bamboo basket—Yu Maoheng knew very well whose man he was.

Yu Maoheng's connection with Chen Hong was merely using Chen Hong as a mouthpiece, thereby establishing a channel of communication between himself and His Majesty. It was not that Yu Maoheng intended to defect to Chen Hong.

Soon, several people were summoned over, with Li Mao at their head.

Upon seeing Wei Zhongxian sitting there, Li Mao's expression did not change in the slightest.

Because after Wei Zhongxian arrived here, Li Mao already had a preparation in his heart, or rather, in the days before this he had already prepared himself in his heart for being arrested.

Wei Zhongxian did not give Li Mao a chance to speak either, and directly cast a glance at his own men standing to one side.

Several men stepped forward and directly pressed them down, bound their hands and strung them together in a row, stuffed their mouths one by one, and led them all out together.

The Eastern Depot's purpose was very simple — it was to keep Li Mao and the others from shouting out whatever they pleased. Who knew what sort of words Li Mao and the others might shout at a time like this?

If they shouted out words unfavorable to Your Majesty, then Eunuch Director Wei would have to take the blame.

As for this kind of conduct by Wei Zhongxian's subordinates, Yu Maohang said nothing either — he too was worried that those people might shout out recklessly, which would not be good for his own reputation.

So when the men were led out, Yu Maohang did not say a single word, only watching quietly.

In fact, those people truly did want to shout something — while being dragged out they were still struggling ceaselessly, only they were pressed down by others and could not make a sound.

"Since the men have already been taken, I shall take my leave." Wei Zhongxian stood up, cupped his hands toward Yu Maohang, and said with a smile.

"Then I shall not delay Your Excellency the Eunuch's affairs. Cui Chengxiu, you see His Excellency the Eunuch off on my behalf." Yu Maohang directly brought Cui Chengxiu forward, having him handle the dealings with Wei Zhongxian.

"Eunuch Wei, this way please." Cui Chengxiu walked smilingly to Wei Zhongxian's side and made a gesture of invitation.

Watching Wei Zhongxian's departing back, Yu Maohang gently stroked his beard, a smile appearing on his face.

From today onward, the entire Censorate had officially entered a new era.

Yu Maohang's gaze also fell upon Cui Chengxiu at Wei Zhongxian's side, and some thoughts gradually began to form in his mind.

In Yu Maohang's view, Cui Chengxiu could be used by him — this man was a blade. If one treated him as a harsh official of ancient times, that should be quite fitting.

It seemed he would still need to raise Cui Chengxiu up a bit more.