Chapter 18: The Anti-Wei Alliance

The timing Zhu Youxiao spoke of was, of course, the struggle between the Donglin Faction and the Zhejiang Faction. Because of the Red Pill Case, Fang Congzhe, the big shot of the Zhejiang Faction, had fallen from power, and so faction leaders of the Chu Faction like Xiong Tingbi naturally had to be suppressed.

How could the Donglin Faction possibly let Liaodong fall into the hands of the Chu Faction? One should know that in the factional strife of the late Ming, it all started with Liaodong, because it was hard to find trouble elsewhere.

As for why everyone was staring at Liaodong, the reason was even simpler — because something was happening in Liaodong; there was a war going on there!

Everyone thought "I'm capable and you're not," so naturally they wanted to drive you out. "I act for the country and the people; you're just delaying national affairs." The most terrifying thing was that both sides believed they were right.

Everyone wanted to accomplish something in Liaodong, yet the result was that when the Chu Faction defended Liaodong, the situation was still manageable, but when the Donglin Faction took over defending Liaodong, the situation went straight out of control.

From Xiong Tingbi being replaced by Yuan Yingtai, Liaoyang and Shenyang were lost. The Donglin Faction held power for so many years, yet the Liaodong problem never improved. In the end, they switched to Yuan Chonghuan, who was beaten all the way to the walls of Beijing.

"Pacify Liaodong in five years" became a joke. In any case, Zhu Youxiao was firmly resolved not to use those people of the Donglin Faction. Chongzhen listened to them, and the Great Ming fell. If he himself didn't listen to them, he might just last a few more years. So Zhu Youxiao directly employed Xiong Tingbi.

Another point — Liaodong was the place where the court poured in the most silver. How much silver did the court allocate each year, and how much profit was in there? Naturally, they had to install their own people, or else how would it be convenient to skim money?

Don't think too highly of these fellows who prattle on about benevolence and righteousness — they grab money harder than anyone. For this, there was even a dedicated term called:

"Sinkage."

"Let Wei Zhongxian handle the interrogation!" Zhu Youxiao said expressionlessly. "Release word to the outside that I have caught a slight chill."

In any case, Zhu Youxiao didn't want to go out. As for the ministers' attacks and clamor, Zhu Youxiao pretended not to see it — and indeed he truly didn't see it. If they wanted to blacken his name, let them do as they pleased.

Never mind the Great Ming — even in the Qing Dynasty, wasn't the Yongzheng Emperor blackened to the heavens? That was the dynasty with the strictest control. Yongzheng was the only Qing emperor Zhu Youxiao thought well of.

As for the so-called "Perfect Old Man" or the "Sage Ancestor Emperor," Zhu Youxiao didn't take them to heart — those were cases of sons selling off their father's estate without a pang of regret.

After giving his orders, Zhu Youxiao paid it no further mind and continued fiddling with the thing in his hands. This wheel seemed to have been made too small; it should be made a bit bigger.

While Zhu Youxiao was busy making things, the outside world was in an uproar. Yao Zongwen had been arrested — this could be said to have stirred up a huge commotion, especially since he had been arrested by Wei Zhongxian.

Right now the entire court was working to topple Wei Zhongxian, and Yao Zongwen was the one charging at the very front — so how could he have been arrested?

The people who had impeached Wei Zhongxian couldn't help but feel a sense of danger to themselves.

The residence of Sun Shenxing, Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Sun Shenxing sat in a chair, his face grim, drinking tea.

Seated below him were the various worthies of the Donglin Faction, including Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou, and Gao Panlong, the Junior Steward of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, was also present.

Everyone's expressions were rather unpleasant. They were all worried about Yao Zongwen's matter — of course, they weren't worried about Yao Zongwen the man, but about this affair itself.

To the people seated here, Yao Zongwen really didn't amount to much of a matter, nor did he amount to much of a person.

One should know that Yao Zongwen had originally been a man of the Zhejiang Faction, a man of Fang Congzhe. The main reason this man could still be hopping around now was that he had contributed effort in the case that brought down Xiong Tingbi. It could be said that Yao Zongwen had betrayed the Zhejiang Faction and defected to the Donglin Faction.

In this impeachment of Wei Zhongxian, Yao Zongwen wanted to show off, which was why he submitted the memorial of impeachment.

To display his loyalty, Yao Zongwen had been hopping especially energetically this time.

Now that the man had been taken, those present also feared being implicated themselves.

Sun Shenxing looked at the crowd and slowly began to speak: "Wei Zhongxian offered wicked counsel to enter the palace and befuddled the Sage's wisdom. Now he has had Yao Zongwen arrested — this is harming the loyal and virtuous! Yao Zongwen impeached Wei Zhongxian beforehand, and this is Wei Zhongxian's revenge. If we cannot withstand Wei Zhongxian, this case is liable to be blown up out of proportion and implicate a great many people. As for the harm of powerful eunuchs, I need not elaborate — I'm sure you all understand."

"We absolutely cannot permit Wei Zhongxian to act in such a manner. As ministers, we naturally must be loyal to the sovereign and uphold what is right."

Everyone nodded gravely. Yang Lian stood up and said with indignation in his voice: "Wei Zhongxian is of the same ilk as Liu Jin. We cannot allow him to bring calamity to the state and harm the people. This time, even if we must pound on the palace gates, we will smash Wei Zhongxian into the dust — otherwise the Great Ming is in peril."

The thoughts in their hearts and the private reasons could absolutely not be spoken aloud. A gentleman does not speak of profit; what he must speak of is the great righteousness of family and country.

Everyone nodded, which counted as reaching an agreement. Then they dispersed, each returning home to write routine memorials impeaching Wei Zhongxian.

The sun rose and the sun set. When sunlight spilled across the Forbidden City, Zhu Youxiao, the Emperor of the Great Ming, was already up.

Breathing in a breath of slightly cool air, Zhu Youxiao wore a smile on his face. After taking a breath, he began practicing tai chi.

Zhu Youxiao didn't know whether this thing was useful, but he figured that some exercise was still beneficial — one should know that the Tianqi Emperor of history had not lived long.

As for strenuous exercise like running, Zhu Youxiao had never considered it. His constitution was weak to begin with, and excessive exercise would not do.

Adjusting his diet structure and then increasing his activity level a little, letting his body gradually improve — this was a very important matter. A person has to live; once dead, that's the end of everything.

After finishing the routine, his body was slightly sweaty. Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction — he did feel considerably more comfortable, which proved it was useful.

Taking the towel Wang An handed up to wipe his face, Zhu Youxiao let out a breath, then said: "From now on, keep the morning meals lighter — plain congee with a few small dishes will do. Oh, right, boil some eggs. I feel like eating eggs."

Wang An didn't know why his master wanted to eat these things. He hesitated for a moment, then still offered a remonstrance: "Your Majesty, you must still take care of your body!"

"Prepare it as I said!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, not paying much attention to Wang An's words.

As someone from a later age, he naturally knew what was best to eat. Although he wasn't old, by the time Zhu Youxiao had transmigrated, health preservation had already become deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Even the post-90s generation was soaking goji berries in their thermos cups — Zhu Youxiao naturally wouldn't gorge himself on rich meats and heavy fare.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Seeing that Zhu Youxiao's attitude was resolute, Wang An no longer felt he could say anything more and could only nod in assent.

The morning meal was soon brought up. Zhu Youxiao took a sip of the rice congee and nodded in satisfaction.

The imperial chefs' skill was indeed good — this rice congee was soft, sticky, sweet, and fragrant. It was truly delicious.

Reaching out, he picked up an egg, gave it a "crack" on the table to break one end, then peeled it open, and finally popped the egg into his mouth. Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction — the eggs of the Great Ming were far tastier than the factory-farmed eggs of later generations.

Just as Zhu Youxiao was enjoying the fine time of his breakfast, Wang An came to his side and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Wei Zhongxian has arrived."