Chapter 249: Impeaching the Prince of Fu

The plain porcelain bowl on the wooden tray was quickly set before Zhu Youxiao.

Chen Hong swiftly removed the gold-rimmed lid from the bowl, and a wave of hot steam immediately rushed to his nose.

Inside the bowl was the dish Zhu Youxiao had long been awaiting: beef stewed with potatoes.

Gazing at the steaming beef-and-potato stew, Zhu Youxiao took a deep sniff, and a delighted smile spread across his face.

Ever since Xu Guangqi had taken charge of the planting experiments at the imperial estates, this taste was something he had missed for a long time, thought about for a long time—and now, at last, he could eat it.

Moreover, this potato stew had already been designated by him as a grand dish for the imperial banquet, prepared to be served to the civil and military officials and the nobles and imperial kinsmen. Of course, what they would be given was not beef, but rather lamb and pork ribs in its place.

As for beef and such—they might go home and try it themselves, but as Emperor, he would not publicly advocate it. After all, oxen were still very important in the Great Ming, and eating beef was expressly forbidden by decree.

As for when beef could be eaten freely in the future—that would have to wait until he had taken Liaodong and the Mongols. And by that he meant complete control, not the current situation where even trying to move the border garrison of a remote small town was hamstrung from all sides.

For Zhu Youxiao, that day would not come too late.

Though all sorts of thoughts churned in his mind, the most important thing right now was eating the potato beef.

Zhu Youxiao could not wait—he picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of golden-yellow potato, and sent it into his mouth.

The potato, having absorbed the beef broth, was both soft and sticky; with one bite, it was mellow and delicious, and juice instantly flooded his entire mouth.

Chewing lightly two or three times, the fragrance burst straight through his mouth.

Once again he raised his chopsticks, picked up a piece of beef stewed until very tender, wrapped in some broth, and gently placed it in his mouth.

The fine beef gave off that distinctive meaty aroma, paired with the soft stickiness of the potato—a perfect combination.

After that bite went down, joy showed on Zhu Youxiao's face.

He reached out, took the wine pot set on the table, poured himself a cup of rice wine, and took a gentle sip—his face grew even more satisfied.

Then he reached over and picked up a roasted lamb chop lying on the other side of the table, took a bite—truly delicious.

The fragrance of the potato beef drifted far on the wind; Chen Hong, standing to one side, felt his Adam's apple bob up and down as he secretly swallowed his saliva. But he kept his head lowered, not daring to let anyone see.

Though Chen Hong very much wanted to eat too, that was not possible right now. If it were some other common delicacy seen often in the palace, it might not matter—but potatoes were the new darling now, exceedingly precious.

In the palace, only a little potato had been sent over to the Empress and the two noble ladies; no one else could get any at all. The remaining potatoes in storage were reserved for the grand banquet, and even Chen Hong dared not touch them on his own.

Having eaten more than half the plate of beef-and-potato stew, Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction. Truly delicious.

Contentedly waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao signaled the attendants to clear the things away, then casually took the warm tea Chen Hong handed over, took a gentle sip, and felt a pleasant ease flow through his whole body.

Zhu Youxiao leaned back in his rocking chair, gently swaying it as he gazed at the rippling lake before him, letting the gentle breeze blow softly over him.

At this moment, the sky seemed so clear a blue, and his mood so carefree.

"Truly, a full belly and drink make life beautiful," Zhu Youxiao sighed softly.

Chen Hong at his side had already had the things cleared away, but he walked over to Zhu Youxiao's side with some trepidation and said in a soft tone: "Your Majesty, Zhao Bingzhong, Lord Zhao, requests an audience."

Hearing Chen Hong's words, Zhu Youxiao was startled for a moment, then nodded and said: "Let him come in."

Hearing these words from Zhu Youxiao, Chen Hong immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and the expression on his face relaxed considerably.

He had truly been worried about angering His Majesty—after all, with His Majesty in such a good mood right now, that was probably what everyone wanted to see.

Chen Hong silently cursed Zhao Bingzhong a few times in his heart—coming in without even picking a proper time; a minister like this clearly did not know how to be a favored subject.

Look at that Xu Guangqi—he never sought an audience with His Majesty at mealtimes; he basically always came an hour after the morning meal, choosing his timing very well.

No wonder he could rise to Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat! Chen Hong sighed inwardly.

After giving himself plenty of inner drama, Chen Hong walked outside, looked at Zhao Bingzhong waiting there, and said with a smile: "Lord Zhao, His Majesty summons you."

"Many thanks, Eunuch." Zhao Bingzhong quickly cupped his hands and smiled.

Chen Hong nodded and said with a smile: "Lord Zhao need not stand on ceremony. His Majesty has just finished his midday meal and is drinking tea by the lake, in quite a good mood. If Lord Zhao has matters to discuss, you may want to speak quickly—His Majesty should be taking his afternoon nap soon."

Hearing Chen Hong's reminder, Zhao Bingzhong nodded and thanked him: "Many thanks for the hint, Eunuch Chen."

"Lord Zhao is too polite—I am merely serving His Majesty." Chen Hong waved his hand, putting on the air of old friends, and said: "If Lord Zhao has any matters, you may also come ask me—I will certainly tell all I know without reserve."

Giving Chen Hong a deep look, Zhao Bingzhong nodded and said: "Then I shall trouble Eunuch Chen in the future."

In truth, only Zhao Bingzhong himself knew how perfunctory those words were.

He did not dare grow too close to Chen Hong; Zhao Bingzhong was very clear about his own positioning.

What kind of person was he?

He was the blade in His Majesty's hand; the office he controlled was the Office of Transmission, and he had no qualification to cultivate good relations with outsiders. Especially eunuchs in the palace—that absolutely would not do.

Otherwise, he would not need to do anything at all—his road would already have come to an end.

Chen Hong paid no mind to Zhao Bingzhong's reply, merely smiling and nodding as he led the way ahead.

For Chen Hong, this was just doing a favor—who knew, later there might be a chance to advance a step further.

Ever since the last time the Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Sigong, had done something stupid, Chen Hong had already been mulling things over.

The personnel of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would probably have to be changed; when that time came, he could not go along with Luo Sigong's reckless antics.

The most crucial thing was that he needed to find a new person to collude with on the outside—whether the Embroidered Uniform Guard side would still work was unknown, so he would find someone else.

Just in time, the Office of Transmission was on the rise, and Chen Hong set his sights on Zhao Bingzhong.

Zhao Bingzhong held the Office of Transmission in his hands, controlling the Office of Transmission's secret agents across the realm—in Chen Hong's view, they were spies.

With them, Zhao Bingzhong's power could well be imagined; gathering intelligence would be easier than ever.

Under such circumstances, getting on good terms with him could do no harm. If he could still have a say on the Embroidered Uniform Guard side, then this side did not matter much.

As the saying goes, prepare for a rainy day—building a good relationship never hurt. That was Chen Hong's original intention in saying all this to Zhao Bingzhong.

Though no progress had been made, and no consensus reached, that was fine—this was only the first time. Take it slow; there would be plenty of opportunities later.

In truth, Chen Hong still did not understand Zhao Bingzhong—otherwise he would have known he was wasting his effort.

Zhao Bingzhong was a faithful devotee of the founding Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang; he had no fondness for eunuchs, and in his heart there was only the law.

As for the two words "strict punishment," Zhao Bingzhong carried them through to the very end—he would absolutely never throw in his lot with Chen Hong.

So no matter what Chen Hong did, it was all in vain.

The two men walked inside, each harboring his own thoughts, though both wore the same false smiles on their faces.

When he arrived at the lakeshore of the Western Park, Zhao Bingzhong still couldn't help but marvel at the scenery before him. Though this was not his first visit, every time he saw it, he was utterly and profoundly stunned.

If one could row a boat on the lake in weather with a gentle breeze blowing, it would truly be a delightful thing.

But Zhao Bingzhong also knew this could never happen. This was His Majesty's lake; no one else should even think about rowing boats on it.

However, it seemed His Majesty did not much care for boating, always sitting on the shore in a rocking chair instead.

In truth, Zhao Bingzhong did not know that Zhu Youxiao likewise very much wanted to row out onto the lake and fish from a boat — but he was afraid of "falling into the water."

Glancing at Zhao Bingzhong as he approached, Zhu Youxiao looked him up and down, then said with a smile: "You carry killing aura about you — coming with murderous intent and no other business? It seems my beloved minister has entered the palace today to kill someone."

"Let me guess — has there been a reaction on the secret memorial front? Someone has submitted a memorial that has made my beloved minister so angry? Judging by your expression, I estimate this matter is no small thing."

Of course, this was Zhu Youxiao half-guessing, half-concocting.

First, Zhao Bingzhong's complexion was indeed very ugly, and he wore a look of seething anger, even revealing a vicious expression — this clearly meant he was about to deal with someone.

Second, Zhao Bingzhong had no other affairs over there; the only thing that could make him this angry was presumably the matter of the secret memorials.

Finally, Zhu Youxiao had long since anticipated it — when a new government office is established, how does one go about establishing its authority?

Naturally, by pulling off something big. So Zhao Bingzhong would certainly choose to move against some great figure, ideally one who could shake the entire court, making everyone know of the Office of Transmission's existence, making everyone know the Office of Transmission meant business, and making everyone know that he, Zhao Bingzhong, meant business.

Only thus could he awe everyone into submission, making those who looked down on him and the Office of Transmission quietly tuck away their petty schemes. This was also the most crucial point.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Zhao Bingzhong hurriedly bowed and said: "None is more sagacious than Your Majesty!"

"Please, Your Majesty, take a look — this is a secret memorial sent from Luoyang County." So saying, Zhao Bingzhong presented the secret memorial in his hand to Chen Hong.

Chen Hong dared not be negligent; he quickly received it with both hands and delivered it directly before Zhu Youxiao.

Reaching out to take the routine memorial from Chen Hong's hands, Zhu Youxiao glanced through it, a playful smile appearing on his face, and his expression also turned serious.

He looked at Zhao Bingzhong and said: "My beloved minister truly works on a grand scale."

Having spoken, he then flipped toward the back and glanced at the signature — Luoyang County Magistrate Chen Qiyu.

Another familiar name.

Only now his focus could not rest on the person, but rather on this memorial.

In this memorial, Chen Qiyu impeached several people, with the Prefect of Henan ranked first.

In this memorial, Chen Qiyu wrote of certain matters concerning the Prefect of Henan — such as embezzlement and perversion of justice, fleecing the people, accepting bribes, and levying arbitrary exactions — all written in great detail.

Afterward, Chen Qiyu also wrote of another matter: that officials of various localities under Henan Prefecture had colluded with a certain great household to seize the farmland of commoners.

This was nothing strange; such things happened every day throughout the Great Ming.

That Chen Qiyu would submit such a memorial did not surprise Zhu Youxiao, for the reason was very simple — such matters were themselves grave and numerous, and it was unsurprising that local officials would submit such routine memorials.

He could even investigate along this path; he estimated such cases were many and could implicate a great number of people.

Only, the great household Chen Qiyu impeached was different. This great household was a princely lord residing in Luoyang — the renowned Prince of Fu.

Calculated by seniority, the Prince of Fu should be his imperial uncle. Grandfather Emperor Wanli had doted greatly on this youngest son of his.

Of course, the main reason was still Noble Consort Zheng.

Many untold stories had occurred during that period; it was said that his cheap father's death was also connected to Noble Consort Zheng, and she was still hopping about inside the palace even now.

There were even records that Madam Ke had colluded with Noble Consort Zheng as well — as for whether that was true, there was no way of knowing.

It seemed this Chen Qiyu submitting such a routine memorial at this time was clearly an attempt to pressure him.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhao Bingzhong — this minister of his was fanning the flames.

To put it plainly, in one sentence: they wanted to see his resolve. If the Office of Transmission he had established only targeted civil officials, then it would be no different from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot — merely a blade in the Emperor's hand.

That was what they were unwilling to see. If he did not do this thing, then he feared the Office of Transmission could not be established at all — civil officials from the court to the localities would all oppose it, and this point would absolutely not change, just as they now looked down on Wei Zhongxian and Luo Sigong.

Chen Qiyu submitted such a routine memorial, and Zhao Bingzhong went along with the current to push it forward.

A pack of old foxes all played their games slickly; he estimated this news should have already spread by now.

Zhu Youxiao raised his head to look at Zhao Bingzhong and said: "Aside from you, does anyone else know of this secret memorial?"

"To answer Your Majesty, others do know — all clerks of the Office of Transmission; they are responsible for opening and processing these secret memorials."

"However, the Office of Transmission has regulations: any clerk responsible for opening secret memorials is absolutely forbidden to leave the Office of Transmission, nor may they contact the outside world. If anything happens in their families, messages may be passed in from outside."

"Beyond this, these clerks of the Office of Transmission are only permitted leave to go home half a month after the final secret memorial has been processed."

"During that half-month they are not responsible for processing secret memorials, only for delivery and other such duties. So Your Majesty need not worry about this secret memorial leaking out." Zhao Bingzhong said with resounding certainty.

"But I feel the news will soon spread like wildfire." Zhu Youxiao casually set the memorial aside, speaking in a tone of utter certainty.

Zhu Youxiao was absolutely certain — otherwise he would not have said such a thing.

Zhao Bingzhong hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, your servant guarantees with his head that the news will absolutely not leak out."

Gently waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Enough, I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about this Chen Qiyu. If I'm not mistaken, his routine memorial is probably already on the road."

Hearing these words from Zhu Youxiao, Zhao Bingzhong was momentarily stunned.

Then he reacted, saying with some disbelief: "He wouldn't dare be so bold, would he?"

"Why wouldn't he?" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile. "If it were me, that's exactly what I would do."

"Once the news gets out, no one will care whether he impeached his own superior, nor will anyone care whether he submitted a secret memorial — instead, all eyes will focus on the Prince of Fu."

"Impeaching the Prince of Fu through a secret memorial — what is that?"

"That is an act of supreme fearlessness. Not only will no one blame Chen Qiyu, everyone will praise him instead; at the same time, everyone will pressure me, hoping I will severely punish the Prince of Fu."

"If I don't do it, what do you think the secret memorial system is? Is it just an ornament?"

"Should the Prefect of Henan be dealt with or not? If he is dealt with, then must the Prince of Fu's household be implicated?"

"If the Prince of Fu's household is not implicated and only the Prefect of Henan is dealt with, what will people outside say? What will they think?"

"Must he necessarily submit a routine memorial? Could he not secretly spread the news instead?" Zhao Bingzhong said slowly.

"That would be questioning the confidentiality of the secret memorial system." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Having written a secret memorial, then leaking the news himself — once the leak is discovered, the court would certainly investigate, and that would spoil the scheme by overreaching. A clever man would certainly not do such a thing."

"The moment he learned of the secret memorial system's establishment, Chen Qiyu submitted a secret memorial at the first opportunity, while simultaneously engineering this affair — this man is a clever one, so he will not make such a mistake."

"A simple and effective method: submit a routine memorial, and while at it, 'carelessly' write in it that he has already submitted a secret memorial. Of course, he could also write boldly that he has submitted both a secret memorial and a routine memorial, and could even put on a display of fierce loyalty and righteousness, striking the pose of one ready to die for his cause."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao began laughing himself, and said, "My dear minister, do you think what this man said makes sense?"

Zhao Bingzhong thought it made a great deal of sense, but he could not say so, because it was simply too shameful.

Doing things this way showed not the slightest regard for the proper conduct of a minister; this was not what a minister ought to do.

He stood off to the side, somewhat embarrassed.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "You need not be like this. I will not punish this Chen Qiyu. I only feel a sense of sorrow. What has become of this realm? Must ministers resort to such means to uphold justice?"

"Is the Prefect of Henan guilty?"

"He is guilty. He deserves death."

"Is the Prince of Fu guilty?"

"The Prince of Fu is also guilty. He too deserves death."

"A County Magistrate of Luoyang who wishes to appeal must resort to such methods, and must use such methods to punish them. On the surface, it seems he is pressuring me, but in reality, what is it?"

"In reality, they have no other choice. A dignified County Magistrate of Luoyang, an official appointed by the court, driven to think of such methods to submit an appeal. Then what of the common people of the realm? Where do they go to seek help? Where do they go to lodge their complaints?"

"They have no place to seek help, no place to lodge complaints. They can only swallow their anger and endure, allowing those people to exploit them and oppress them."

"Then one day, when they can no longer bear this exploitation, can no longer bear this oppression, they will flee the land where they live, and become refugees, become bandits."

"If even then they still cannot survive, then they will rebel, and the realm will be thrown into chaos."

"At that time, beacon fires will naturally blaze across the land. The court will send men to kill them. Once the rebellion is suppressed and the people are dead, naturally there will be no more problems."

"But such things continue to happen, and eventually one day, when all the common people of the realm can bear it no longer, they will rise up together. At that time, it will be an age of chaos and upheaval, and this great edifice of the Great Ming will collapse completely!"

"I will not only refrain from punishing Chen Qiyu, I will reward him instead. Because he has made me realize something — there are many things in this realm that I do not know, and many people who wish to speak to me that I likewise cannot hear."

"The Office of Transmission is the means by which I hear, and you are my eyes and ears. So, my dear minister, go ahead and do your work. I will not gouge out my own eyes, nor will I block my own ears."

"There is one more thing you must remember, my dear minister. I will not gouge out my own eyes, nor will I block my own ears. But neither will I permit others to gouge out my eyes or block my ears."

"Do you understand, my dear minister?" As he said this, Zhu Youxiao stared intently at Zhao Bingzhong, his gaze extremely sharp and his tone very low.

Upon hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Zhao Bingzhong hastily knelt and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your minister understands. The Office of Transmission is Your Majesty's eyes, and the Office of Transmission is Your Majesty's ears. No one can block Your Majesty's ears. If anyone should try to do so, then your minister will cut off his head."

Zhu Youxiao nodded gently, leaned back in his rocking chair, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, go. Do what needs to be done. I am tired and want to take a nap."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your minister takes his leave." Zhao Bingzhong hastily bowed, then retreated backward with his body bent low.

Only after walking a great distance did Zhao Bingzhong turn around, and with firm strides he made his way out of the Western Park.