Chapter 250: All Who Work for Me Will Die a Good Death

After returning to the Office of Transmission, Zhao Bingzhong immediately summoned his subordinate.

This man could be considered his confidant, and also his student, named Chen Sihai, a middle-aged man in his thirties.

This man was robust in build with regular features, originally a Bureau Director in the Armory Bureau of the Ministry of War, and this time had been transferred under Zhao Bingzhong's command to take charge of the newly established office.

The name of this office was the Inspection Bureau, which sounded simple and clear; its full name was the Transmission Inspection Bureau.

Not many outside knew about this office's situation; only the bigwigs in court knew. The Inspection Bureau's internal rank within the Office of Transmission was very high, and it answered only to Zhao Bingzhong alone.

Chen Sihai came before Zhao Bingzhong and saluted respectfully: "Greetings, esteemed teacher."

Zhao Bingzhong nodded and said: "There is a secret memorial here; take a look."

As he spoke, Zhao Bingzhong handed the secret memorial to Chen Sihai.

Reaching out to take the memorial, Chen Sihai quickly flipped through it.

In fact, he was in charge of the Inspection Bureau, and the fact that a memorial had reached the stage where he could see it could only prove one thing — that a decision had already been made at the top.

According to the Office of Transmission's procedures, after a memorial was submitted, it would first be opened and examined by the clerks, then classified by severity and urgency before being passed to Zhao Bingzhong.

Then several of the Office of Transmission's bigwigs would screen it; minor matters would be handed to their Inspection Bureau to investigate. If it was a relatively major matter, it would be passed up to the Emperor.

Chen Sihai understood in his heart that the Inspection Bureau's first assignment was likely coming. At the same time, he was also curious — what kind of assignment would it be?

He knew that everyone outside was watching the Inspection Bureau, watching the Office of Transmission, and watching his own teacher.

In other words, the choice of the Office of Transmission's first case was extremely important.

First, the case had to be big enough to demonstrate the Office of Transmission's strength.

Second, the case had to have solid evidence and could not produce any wrongful convictions, otherwise there would be no point.

As he read on, Chen Sihai's eyes narrowed, and the expression on his face turned serious.

The person who submitted this memorial really had guts — directly impeaching the Prince of Fu and the Henan Prefect. Their audacity was truly immense!

The key issue was that the situation described in this memorial was known to be true without even investigating. All the princes across the realm were seizing land — never mind the Prince of Fu, which prince didn't do the same?

If it were just one county or one prefecture's land, that would still count as little. Someone like the Prince of Fu had seized over half of Henan Province, and on top of that, monopolized shops, taverns, and all sorts of commercial operations everywhere.

For example, the relatively famous Prince of Fu's manor had also stuck its hand into the salt administration.

This wasn't actually the Prince of Fu's fault — it was what the Wanli Emperor had done back then. Wanli had given the Prince of Fu countless salt certificates, all for salt from Lianghuai, permitting him to open shops and sell salt.

This led to the Prince of Fu heavily interfering in the salt administration of Jianghuai, with all the money flowing into his Prince of Fu manor. If he had relied solely on farming, he could never have amassed such wealth.

It could be said that the current Prince of Fu was the biggest salt dealer in the Lianghuai region, and also a private merchant — except he didn't pay taxes.

Border military pay was insufficient, and this policy bore great responsibility for that. Because the only source of income the Great Ming currently had left was probably salt.

Everyone knew that if the Prince of Fu could be touched, then the court would surely make a huge windfall.

Under such circumstances, no one didn't want to move against the Prince of Fu, yet no one dared to propose such a suggestion.

The reason was also simple: the Prince of Fu was the current Emperor's uncle. Back then, the late Emperor and the Prince of Fu had contended for the throne, which had cost tremendous effort and worry, and at one point rumors had spread that the Prince of Fu planned to harm the late Emperor.

Under such circumstances, whoever had the Emperor move against the Prince of Fu — those unaware of the situation would think the Emperor was taking revenge.

Sowing discord in the imperial family's affections — such responsibility was not something ordinary people could bear. Moreover, anyone with half a brain understood: was the Prince of Fu really just the Prince of Fu?

Ever since the Prince of Fu went to Luoyang, ever since he stuck his hand into the salt administration, he had become an existence jointly supported by all the salt merchants of Jianghuai — even the salt merchants of the entire Jiangnan region.

What the Prince of Fu represented was not just himself; behind him stood a massive interest group — these people were the salt merchants of Jiangnan.

Once the Prince of Fu was touched, it would be equivalent to enraging those salt merchants, and what those people would say was predictable.

Added to that, the Emperor himself was unwilling, so pushing this matter forward was especially difficult.

After seeing this memorial, Chen Sihai felt this would be another memorial without results.

He didn't know why his teacher had taken out this memorial, because this was an impossible task.

Chen Sihai raised his head to look at Zhao Bingzhong and said: "Is it to investigate the Henan Prefect?"

In Chen Sihai's view, the only thing that could be investigated here was the Henan Prefect.

But the prestigious Office of Transmission — its first case was only investigating a Prefect?

That was too small, completely inconsistent with the intention of making the first case a big one, and it probably wouldn't intimidate anyone. Chen Sihai still didn't quite understand.

Looking at Chen Sihai's puzzled face, Zhao Bingzhong slowly set down the teacup in his hand and said: "Investigate however it's written — investigate according to what the memorial says. You'll handle this matter personally."

Chen Sihai hesitated somewhat and said: "Esteemed teacher, does Your Majesty know about this matter?"

It was no wonder Chen Sihai asked this — this matter was simply too big. If Your Majesty didn't know, there would likely be trouble.

He wasn't worried about himself, because if something happened, his teacher would shield him. But the problem was that his teacher's prospects were currently excellent — in charge of the Office of Transmission, deeply trusted by Your Majesty. If he offended Your Majesty over such a matter, it really wasn't worth it.

Whether as a subordinate or as a student of many years, Chen Sihai felt he should ask.

Zhao Bingzhong glanced at Chen Sihai and said: "I just returned from the palace. This memorial has already been shown to Your Majesty. In Your Majesty's words, since a memorial has come up, then we must go down and investigate, to see whether it truly happened as described, so he's sending you."

Zhao Bingzhong didn't say too much to Chen Sihai, afraid he might misunderstand.

"Yes, esteemed teacher. I'll go back and make arrangements, then bring people along." Chen Sihai said hurriedly.

Although the Inspection Bureau hadn't been established long, it still had some personnel, after all, Your Majesty hadn't restricted what people they could mobilize. These people could all be brought along this time, which also counted as training.

Manpower deployment up front was still very insufficient; this time would let him train them properly. For investigating a single case alone, it would still be enough.

Zhao Bingzhong nodded and said: "If manpower is insufficient, you can mobilize the local Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Embroidered Uniform Guard should already have sent down their orders; they'll have the local Guard cooperate with us."

Chen Sihai nodded lightly and said nothing.

Although Zhao Bingzhong said "cooperate," Chen Sihai knew very well in his heart that there was probably an element of surveillance in it as well.

But that didn't matter either — surveillance was fine, let them watch.

"Go back and prepare well; set out as soon as possible." Zhao Bingzhong waved his hand and said.

"Yes, esteemed teacher." Chen Sihai acknowledged, then saluted Zhao Bingzhong.

He said with some worry: "Once this matter blows up, esteemed teacher will likely become a target for everyone's criticism. If things become impossible, esteemed teacher must prioritize preserving yourself."

Looking at his student's worried expression, Zhao Bingzhong smiled and waved his hand, saying: "I am deeply trusted by Your Majesty, and have enjoyed the favor of the Great Ming across two generations of father and son. How could I retreat at a time like this?"

"Do your own job well; don't worry about me."

Chen Sihai understood exactly what his teacher meant by two generations of honor and favor.

His teacher's father had been the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and his teacher himself had earned the Zhuangyuan title back in the day, and now enjoyed the Emperor's trust.

Father and son, two generations of high officials at court, both trusted by the reigning sovereign — to a minister, that was honor and favor indeed.

Seeing Zhao Bingzhong's resolute attitude, Chen Sihai knew that nothing he said would make any difference, so he said: "Rest assured, my teacher. I will handle matters in Luoyang properly and will never disappoint you."

"Go on, then. Do your work well, and be careful on the road." Zhao Bingzhong added one more word of admonition.

Watching Chen Sihai's departing figure, the ease on Zhao Bingzhong's face vanished.

This matter was simply too great this time, and at the same time he was worried about another thing in his heart. Namely, if this matter succeeded, then what was to be done about the imperial relatives by marriage?

One had to know that such cases were very numerous. If even the Emperor's own imperial uncle could be touched, then there was no one else who could not be.

When the time came, there would surely be people swarming to submit memorials impeaching these imperial relatives. From then on, it would be nothing but such affairs. Civil officials, to protect themselves, would certainly do the same — better to investigate the imperial relatives than to be investigated themselves.

If it truly came to that, both sides would probably find it hard to manage. If matters really developed to the point of being beyond control, he himself would likely become the scapegoat.

Who knew whether His Majesty could withstand it?

Such a thought involuntarily arose in Zhao Bingzhong's heart, and then he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Even if there really were that many matters, he could start by investigating the civil officials. In short, he absolutely had to grasp the proper measure.

The Western Park.

Zhu Youxiao had just finished a bowl of iced lotus seed soup, and the taste was quite good. In the slightly warm weather, it let him experience a hint of coolness.

Satisfied, he placed the porcelain bowl onto the tray and leaned back askew in his rocking chair.

Not far away on the ground, a person was kneeling.

This person was in his thirties, dressed in the uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He knelt on the ground with great reverence, not daring to move a muscle.

Zhu Youxiao leisurely rocked the chair a few times and said softly: "Alright, rise."

After the man stood up, Zhu Youxiao only then slowly asked: "I hear you passed the military jinshi examination? That means your archery, horsemanship, saber, and sword skills should be considerable, no?"

"To answer Your Majesty, your servant's archery, horsemanship, saber, and sword are passable." The man said hurriedly.

"Then let's have a contest." Zhu Youxiao looked at Qi Yuanfu not far away and beckoned to him with his hand.

When Qi Yuanfu walked up before him, Zhu Youxiao said: "Take him down and have him drill."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Qi Yuanfu promptly acknowledged, then turned to look at that man.

The man did not dare to be remiss either, and promptly clasped his hands toward Qi Yuanfu. He knew well what sort of person this Qi Yuanfu was — the son of the great General Qi Jin, whom the current Emperor trusted most, and at the same time the leader of His Majesty's personal guard, the Qianniu Guard. All the guards were under his command; he could be called His Majesty's confidant.

A man like this might not show his hand in ordinary times, but when it truly came to a critical moment, no one could afford to offend him.

The man's attitude was very courteous, with the look of one who did not wish to make an enemy of anyone.

After the two had both left, Zhu Youxiao slowly opened his eyes, turned his head to glance at Chen Hong, and said: "What are you afraid of?"

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Chen Hong's whole body gave a start, and he hurriedly said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant is guilty."

After saying this, Chen Hong knelt straight down on the ground. "Your servant is afraid that Your Majesty will punish Luo Sigong."

"If We are to punish Luo Sigong, what does a servant like you have to be afraid of?" Zhu Youxiao continued unhurriedly.

"Because your servant has dealings with Luo Sigong." Chen Hong said hurriedly: "Your servant accepted several gifts from Luo Sigong, as well as a courtyard in the capital, and in ordinary times gave him some guidance."

"But Your Majesty may rest assured, your servant has never told him anything about Your Majesty's affairs. Sometimes when Your Majesty wished to investigate something, your servant would also have them look into it."

After saying this, Chen Hong pressed his head to the ground and said loudly: "Your servant is utterly loyal to Your Majesty; it was merely a moment of greed. Your servant fears that if Your Majesty punishes Luo Sigong, your servant will be implicated."

"Your servant's crimes are monstrous. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Zhu Youxiao sat up straight, glanced at Chen Hong, and said: "Monstrous crimes is going a bit far. Alright, get up. Look at you — this little matter has you scared out of your wits."

"Alright, it has nothing to do with you. Besides, when did We ever say We were going to deal with Luo Sigong?"

This was not Zhu Youxiao speaking falsely — even if he were preparing to strip Luo Sigong of his office, he would not punish Luo Sigong.

Because Luo Sigong had done things for him. In the earlier matter of Chen Kedao, Luo Sigong had put in real effort.

A man like this could neither be killed nor moved against. Even if dismissed from office, he should be given a good ending. This was not for Luo Sigong's own sake, but as an example to others.

Those who served as the Emperor's blades always had one worry — that when the birds were gone the bow would be put away, and when the cunning hare was dead the hounds would be boiled. They all feared that in the end they would come to a very, very miserable end, dead beyond dead.

So an example had to be set for them. Rest assured, you will be allowed to land safely.

Luo Sigong was the first close minister Zhu Youxiao was about to dismiss, and this required great care. In this regard, he had to learn from the Chenghua Emperor.

Back in those days, Wang Zhi of the Western Depot — what a reputation he had, what immense power!

By all logic, once such a blade had been used up, should he not have been done away with?

But in fact that was not the case. Wang Zhi ultimately received a good ending, and could be said to be one of the few powerful eunuchs of the Ming dynasty to die peacefully.

And the ministers of the Chenghua reign — the Three Grand Secretaries of paper, the Six Ministers of clay — they too all received good endings.

Though these people bore the burden of ill repute, they also gained no small number of benefits. So even if they were cursed at, they were still willing to do things for the Chenghua Emperor.

This was a point he needed to study well.

Was the Chenghua Emperor's reputation in history good?

The answer was no — he had been slandered to the heavens.

What did the Chenghua Emperor do?

After the Tumu Crisis of the Ming dynasty, the nation could be said to be weakened and in peril. It was precisely during the Chenghua Emperor's years on the throne that he cleaned up the mess for the Great Ming, redressed the injustice of Yu Qian's case, appointed worthy ministers like Shang Lu to govern the state, carried out the Chenghua pacification campaign against the Jianzhou Jurchen, struck down Aisin Gioro Dongshan, and repeatedly dealt heavy blows to the Tatar tribes, recovering the Hetao region lost since the time of Emperor Yingzong — his civil and military achievements were outstanding.

The Jingxiang refugees were a major problem that had plagued the central government since the Yuan dynasty.

The Jingxiang refugees were mainly concentrated in the area of present-day Yun County. That region was surrounded by ten thousand mountains, and lay at the junction of Huguang, Shaanxi, and Henan provinces — a no-man's-land during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

Whenever there were famines or wars, this area would often gather nearly a million refugees. During the Chenghua reign, the attention given to and resettlement of refugees was triggered by the uprisings of Liu Tong and Shi Long.

After suppressing the peasant uprisings, the government appointed Yuan Jie to pacify the refugees, established Yunyang Prefecture to fix the refugees in place through household registration, and also set up the Yunyang Governorship, solving this difficult problem once and for all.

Looking at the Chenghua Emperor's entire reign, he established the Western Depot because he did not trust the Eastern Depot or the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The reason was also simple — by that time, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already been completely taken over by civil officials.

To take back power, one ultimately could not have a good reputation. Zhu Youxiao understood this as well, which was why he wanted to learn from the Chenghua Emperor.

This point was crucial — he could not kill Luo Sigong. Those who did things for him all had to be given some leeway.

Whether it was the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or the Office of Transmission, the Grand Secretariat, and the Six Ministries, it was all the same. At the very least, they could not be punished for their crimes, and they had to be allowed to return home safely — only then would those who came after continue to step forward one after another.

Otherwise, everyone would know that working for you ended in death, and in that case, aside from those desperate outlaws, who would still work for you?

As for Chen Hong, taking advantage of this matter to give him a warning was fine as well.

"Keep an eye on matters over at the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Fewer mistakes are better than anything else."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao gave Chen Hong a deep look and said, "You don't need to worry about other matters. You don't need to concern yourself with Luo Sigong either — I have my own arrangements for him."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.

He truly did not know what else to say. Whatever he said now would be superfluous — the best course was to obediently listen.

It was not long before Qi Yuanfu and the other man returned.

"How was it?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Qi Yuanfu and asked with a smile.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, his archery and horsemanship are both of the highest grade," Qi Yuanfu said.

After hearing Qi Yuanfu's words, the man standing beside him finally let out a sigh of relief.

If the evaluation had been poor, not only would his own status as a military jinshi be called into question, but the examination process itself would also be suspected.

If any case of examination fraud were truly dragged out, then his troubles would be great indeed.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Very well, you may withdraw now."

Only after Qi Yuanfu had stepped aside did Zhu Youxiao's gaze fall once more upon that man. He said, "As a member of the imperial family, you have ambition, studying letters and practicing martial arts, contributing your strength to the nation — well done indeed!"

Upon hearing Zhu Youxiao's praise, the man immediately knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "Your subject Xu Xianchun thanks Your Majesty for the commendation!"